Literary Inpirations - Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner

This week's literary inspiration is a bit different. I've been doing classic books, so I thought why not try poems? Not surprisingly poems are a lot harder to make inspiration boards from since so many of them have to do with vague ideas an intangible things. But I decided to try anyway with one of my favorite poems: "Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. It...sort of worked. It mostly just ended up being a bunch of nautical themed stuff, but I love that look so it works for me!

Ancient Mariner

Blue and white stripes, rope knot bracelets, a helm necklace. Brass telescopes keep you heading in the right direction. Pillows and rings with sailing ships remind you of adventures on the high seas. Side tables made of ship's rope add a nautical theme to any room. Have your own adventures with a light house as your safe beacon and an albatross as your guide.

Sinatra's Guide to Style

I'm a fan of the Rat Pack era music, and especially Frank Sinatra, so when I found The Rules of Sinatra Style I had to pass it along.  While some of the rules are a bit dated, I think it's a great snapshot  of men's fashion during the 50s and 60s. 


The Rules of Sinatra Style

• It takes two hands to put on a hat the right way: Back brim curled up, front tugged down to a couple of inches above the right brow.
• Never wear brown at night. Never. 
• There’s no excuse for brown shoes past sundown.... Or white shoes. Or anything gray, unless it’s deep charcoal. Or blue, unless it’s midnight blue. In fact, let’s keep it simple: after dark, men should wear black. 
• Ties should be silk. And conservative. 
• Cuff links always. But leave the fancy jewelry to Sammy. 
• When dressing formally, a vest is better than a cummerbund.
•  Don’t wear a tuxedo on Sunday. 
• Having messy closets is like putting on clean clothes over dirty underwear.
• The shower is a great place to steam out the wrinkles in your dinner jacket.
• Orange is the happiest color.
• Don’t hide your scars. They make you who you are.
• When it comes to pockets, everything should have its own place.
• A pocket handkerchief is essential, but it needs to be perfectly folded.
• Shine your shoes. 
• Trim. Buff. Clean. 

What do you think? Do any of these rules still apply in today's society? 

Almost crunch time

Sorry posting has been a bit scarce around here, I've been super busy getting everything ready for the boutique. I spent this weekend at Stylemax in Chicago and picked up some great lines that I can't wait to show you! I plan to have a sneak preview or two once the merchandise starts arriving. The rest of this week and next week will be spent placing the remaining orders, finalizing packaging, and attempting to organize a makeshift office until I move into my new apartment next month. Everything is finally coming together, and while I am starting to freak out because there is still SO MUCH to do, I am so excited to see my dream starting to come together. Tentative launch date is April 12th, let's see if I can get everything done in time!

I'll post when I can, thanks for your patience, it'll be worth it!

Literary Inspirations - Victorian Gothic Literature

This week's literary inspiration is a little different. I read a few Victorian era science-y invention-esque books (The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley) and I wanted to make an inspiration board but I thought they all had fairly similar aesthetic (and literary) themes, so I combined them into a general Victorian steampunkish board and I am loving the result.

Victorian Gothic Literature

Gears and goggles, test tubes and bottles all aid in mad science and experimentation, fingerless gloves add glamor while not impeding your ability to mix concoctions. Ornate mirrors show the changes that have come upon you. A Victorian looking blazer and skirt keeps you proper so society doesn't suspect your mad genius. And of course, you need a fantastic hat just because!

Deliciousness!

I made the most amazing tomato sauce for dinner last night. I had bookmarked a recipe from the blog Smitten Kitchen for this amazing tomato sauce a while ago and I hadn't had time to try it with the move and the new job and everything. I finally had some time tonight to make it and oh my was it amazing. And it's the simplest recipe - only 3 ingredients!



Canned tomatoes, butter, and an onion. Simmer for 45 minutes.Discard the onion (or eat it like I did, it's also delicious!)



Scoop onto pasta. Wine is optional (but highly recommended). Stuff your face because it's so amazing that your socks have been completely knocked off and you can't stop eating the goodness.

P.S. Don't laugh at my pathetic attempts at shooting food. I know it's bad.