Motley Mode Mondays – Get Tied To These Apron Strings

One of the reasons I love holidays at my parents home, is that my mother always cooks up a storm. She is a great cook, a wonderful homemaker, and she always wears an apron. You know the one I mean, the one that closely resembles something bought in a hardware store except is is made out of some floral chintz. It’s either that, or one with a kitschy slogan emblazoned across her bosoms, neither one is particularly flattering in front of company. They do what they are intended and this past October 31st, one pulled double-duty as a six-year-old’s “cape” as he went out for Halloween as Harry Potter. My mother wears them, my grandmother always wore them, we played dress-up in them as little girls. I myself haven’t worn an apron since I was in Culinary School, and that was entirely functional and frankly a confining fashion don’t.

Red Hot Polka Dot Retro Apron by Alisann Abee’s Mom, Abee’s Art Studio on Etsy.

Am I the only one of my generation that has dropped the “Apron Strings”? I suspect I am not, but what if an apron was something more than functional. What if it was beautiful, retro chic, cute, colourful, heck… even sexy? Well for today’s Fashion Focused post, I present the most delightful of Aprons, the most fabulous of kitchen couture, and the ones you are going to want to snap up in time to be able to wear them to serve up that Valentine’s Dinner for your sweetie(s). Get a gander at these Fab looks that will definitely have them “kissing the cooks“.

Sexy Schnauzer Dog Retro Apron [Reversible] by Gramma May, Gramma May Handicrafts on Etsy.

Retro Apron Green Vintage Rose Half Apron SOPHIA by Boojiboo on Etsy.

Love Birds and Sky Blue Plaid Hostess Apron by Paula, Ruffled Frenzy on Etsy.

Ruffle Retro Half Apron Teal & Grey by Diana Buznego, Designed by Diana on Etsy.

Retro Apron with Cocktails on a Black Background – Timeless Treasures Fabric by Arianne, It’s Handmade! by Arianne on Etsy.

Retro Apron With Damask and A Splash of Hot Pink by Rebecca Cruz, London’s Laundry on Etsy.

Retro Apron QUEEN Of HEARTS Women’s Full Apron by Lover Dovers Clothing on Etsy.

Retro Apron, Yellow Polka Dot on a Blue Fabric, Half Apron 1950s Inspired by Rosie Ann, Rosie Ann Shop on Etsy.

Vintage Flared Apron – Country Chic Mustard Black Cream – Flair for Cooking Hostess Apron by Great Goods on Etsy

.

Retro Half Apron, Vintage Stripe by Kellie E. Edwards, ImaginAprons on Etsy.

Cute Kitsch Apron – Modern Design in Mod Kitchen Stripes and Leaves of Blue and Taupe by Creative Chics on Etsy.

Thanks for indulging me with this picture laden post, but I think most people need to see the front and the back of an Apron to get an idea of how functional it is, and it’s nice to see so many creators didn’t forget to add special details on all sides of these garments. From pockets and frills, to reversible and lined apron’s, this showcase is a great runway to launch you off to the Etsy Shops in question to get a better look.

Mens Apron / Dark Navy Denim Plaid by Erin McIntosh, Dear Edna on Etsy.

I want to add a few more Aprons to this already heavy post, but I think they are important ones. Men cook too and have just as much use, if not more, for a handsome Apron, so I have a great menswear look on deck. In addition, I think our littlest chef’s are not only adorable in Apron’s, but they can certainly use something to guard their party clothes from splashes and stains. This really is a little bit of playing dress-up for everyone, adults included. As always, this is just a small sample of available options, styles, colours, and prints available, and aprons that I personally like for various reasons. You are practically guaranteed to find the apron of your dreams at one of these Etsy Shops. So go ahead and “Get Tied To These Apron Strings“.

Children’s Aprons – A Girl and Her Horse, Pink Horse Apron by Lee Ann, Annie’s Attic on Etsy.

Toddler/Children’s Apron- Dinosaur Orange Reversible by Amber Botticello, Sprock It on Etsy.

Sweetness Sundays – Cupcakes Forever

It’s official, the love affair with cupcakes is here to stay. They are the perfect indulgence, smaller and more affordable than a cake, so very pretty to look at, portable, sweet, and they remind us of those home-made birthday parties of the past. Do you remember those days? As a child of the 70s, I pine for a time when mothers had the time and inclination to create party magic in our very own homes. We actually played Pin-the-tail on the Donkey, we sat around a table covered in paper or fabric, we wore those silly paper hats, and we ate home-made cakes and cupcakes with a side of ice-cream. We didn’t know how good we had it.

When did we decide that those parties were not enough for our modern kids? Or is it the change in lifestyle and economy that leaves parents with little time to plan a home-made from scratch party. I am not a parent, and in no place to pass judgements, but I know from my own siblings and the parties they throw their kids, that somewhere along the line things moved out of the home and into a “planned activity” space, like an indoor play park with a ball pit. Kids are dropped off, run ragged with activity, and then plied with a cringingly sweet bakery cake the size of a mattress, that’s why they call them “sheet cakes”. No wonder adults are craving real cupcakes. The joy of cupcakes however lies in the visual appeal as much as the taste. In fact, I am willing to bet there are very few cupcakes that live up to the promise of their looks. This I can speak on with some authority, before settling into my Nursing career, I actually attended Culinary School.

So what is my point here, and I promise I am getting to it. Every sweet and heavenly cupcake in this post is in fact a fake. That’s right, these are not edible delights that are quickly forgotten once they are consumed. These cupcakes are all props, decor, and display items that you can use to sass up your kitchen, your work place, or vacation home. Created by 12 Legs Curiosities, perhaps the best of the cupcake fakes I have seen on Etsy. There are many creators making their own versions of fake food props, but the details and realism in the ones make by 12 Legs Curiosities in their CUPCAKE LAND are my favorites.

These are the cupcakes you can use as models in your own artwork, or as props in a photo studio. Have them around as decorations for a party or bridal shower, or set them up on your vanity to sweeten up your boudoir. Personally, I would use them as a reason to pull out some of my grandmother’s cake platters or pastry tiered pedestals. You know the ones I mean, the ones that have multiple levels of plates. like a tower, but seem hopelessly destined for the back of the cupboard because they aren’t practical. It’s time to put the spotlight back on those family antiques and put out some luscious looking cupcakes that make it not only a modern centerpiece, but a nod to tradition and family keepsakes

.

If any of these realistically styled cupcake dreams catch your fancy, you simply have to see some of the more fantastical and whimsical items that 12 Legs Curiosities is famous for, a few of which appear below. You can really see why these are more than mere fakes, they are works of art. Each one is made by hand and some can be modified to be used at hanging ornaments. Sizes vary, as do the number of items per lot, so please read the listings carefully. Wander over to CUPCAKE LAND by 12 Legs Curiosities on Etsy and check out the beautiful, sweet, and kitschy cupcake fakes that look good enough to nom, but let the good retro memories linger on.

Image Details with Links:
1. Fake Cupcakes Mini Cupcakes Set – 6 Sunshine Day Collection
2. Fake Cupcake I HEART Sundae Cupcakes Collection
3. Fake Cupcake Polka Dot Retro-Inspired Collection Set 5 Hot Pink Mini Cupcakes
4. Fake Cupcake “Red Butler Red Velvet Cupcake” 12 Legs Original Concept Your Choice
5. Fake Cupcake Standard Size I Heart Polka Dots and Cupcakes Collection Turquoise Frosting Your Choice
6. Fake Cupcake “Under The Big Top” Carnival Collection Turquoise Frosting/Hot Pink Cake Funky Standard Size Cupcake
7. Fake Cupcake Black Swan Lake Tribute Cupcake 12 Legs Original Concept Cupcake – Movie Collector Series
8. Fake Cupcake Lovers String of Lights 12 Legs Orignal Concept Design 10 Mini Assorted Cupcakes
9. Fake Cupcake Breakfast At Tiffanys Insp. Cupcake Audrey Hepburn Tribute 12 Legs Classic Movie Cupcake Collection Limited Ed.
10. Fake Cupcake Candy Shoppe Classic Swirl Ed. Glass Jars Set 4 Original 12 Legs Concept – Often Imitated, Never Duplicated

LINK: CUPCAKE LAND by 12 Legs Curiosities on Etsy.
[NOTE: All photographs, concepts, and cupcake designs are products and copyrights of 12 Legs Curiosities. No infringement is intended.]

Teeny Tiny Tuesdays – Wee Patisserie

I am the kind of girl that never says no to a great cheesecake. I never kicked a cookie out of bed, and I have never tossed a cupcake wrapper without making sure I got every last crumb of yum. Yes I love my sweets. Sweets rank right up there with my other loves, such as fun fashions, cheeky geeky goodies, and itty bitty joys. When I this eye-catching creation by DIVINEsweetness on Etsy came up in a recent search, I knew I had to share it with my fellow Fab Foragers.

This amazing Crimson Red French Macaron Ring is just one of the amazing hand sculpted polymer clay accessories created by Ciara of DIVINEsweetness. It measures just 3/4″ in size, but is big on style and would make the perfect gift for your Valentine, priced well under $20 USD. Macaroons are all the rage with the fashionable set, they are stunningly attractive to look at, and divine to eat, and what better way to show your appreciation for this member of french pastry royalty than by wearing it on your finger for all to see.

Perhaps cupcakes are more your pastry of choice, well Ciara makes a toppling plate of those as well, aptly named the Marie Antoinette Cupcake Ring. Named for the Queen associated with lavish excess, you can have your “cake” and wear it too. Handmade from Polymer Clay with decorative touches of pink sugar dragees, sculted roses and flowers, displayed on a ceramic look plate on an antique serving tray. the total height of the tray is just 1″, and the ring is adjustable to fit practically any finger.

Beyond her delightful selection of rings, Ciara also crafts some downright sinful looking earrings, like these Cherry Cheesecake Frenzy Earrings. Beautiful in their bright Cherry loveliness,these handmade sweets are made to look like the real thing, and they do! Sugary sweet cherry sauce dripping over lovely white New York Style Cheesecakes with Graham Cracker Crusts, and all packed into the size of just 1/2″. Gold hooks let them hang just over an inch from your delicate earlobes.

For the man in your life, or for yourself if you wear French Cuffs, DIVINEsweetness offers not only your morning pastry fix, but also your morning caffiene fix with her lovely cufflink sets. Snap up a pair of Croissant in the Office Cufflinks, or the equally charming Coffee To Go Cufflinks. If I were buying them for myself, I would be just as likely to snag both pair and make a mixed set for an instant chic breakfast. One to keep, one to gift – WIN WIN!

While Ciara’s DIVINEsweetness Etsy Shop offers primarily food related jewelry and accessories, she also has some lovely miniatures of tiny animals, nature scenes, and other whisical items. Every piece is handmade, making them all one-of-a-kind [OOAK], and having slight differences in color and design that add to their charm. I personally am partial to the wearable sweets, like this great Just a Spoon Full of Ice Cream Sundae Necklace, but all of Ciara’s minature work is exceptional. Tuesday really is the perfect day to appreciate the little things.

Link: DIVINEsweetness by Ciara on Etsy.

Sweetness Sundays – Huggable Lunch

Today’s featured “Sweet” items are truly appetizing, delicious, and absolutely calorie free. What, you may ask could possibly be all that and a bag of chips? Food themed Pillows and Plush, toys, and trinkets, of course. These are the gastronomic delights you can set down on the couch and take into the bed, no mess, no spills, no crumbs, all fun. All of these sweet, sour, and savory treats are handmade with love by some very special artists and available to “Nom” on in their Etsy Shops.

The first pillows I pounced on are by diffraction FIBER, how could I resist the yummy factor of the adorable Made for Each Other Pillow Set featuring everybody’s favorite dynamic lunch duo, PB&J. These pillows are constructed from Eco-Felt which is created entirely from recycled plastic bottles. Maybe you are more of a savory fan? Grab a stack of these pillow and you can turn your humble sofa or couch into the Deli of your dreams. The BLT Five Pillow Set includes the must have Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato one two slices of bread.

Don’t forget the condiments, yes diffraction FIBER has thought of everything, offering you your Ketchup and Mustard Packet Pillows to go along with a sandwich or as stand alone scene stealers. If you are a sushi fan, you can even get your Soy Sauce fix.

Don’t worry if you are more the “Breakfast for Lunch” type, you can get your Sunny Side Ups with a side of silly with the Blue Plate Special Pillow Set. Beth Cummings, proprietress of diffraction FIBER includes washing and care instructions, dimensions of each items, and other details with each listing. Each pillow or pillow set is sold separately, combined shipping is available for multiple items.

There is no shortage of edible pillows, plush, and other items on Etsy, and here is a little round-up of some of my other favorites that are ready to eat. I suppose that makes them all “pret a manger”, how very fabulous! Check them out below, Etay Shop details follow each image. For more pillow sized items;

Deluxe Pillow, Yummy Fries created by mymimi, check out this item and more in the mymimi Etsy Shop.

Pickle Pillow Plush, Made To Order by Higginstuff, The Higgenstuff Shop on Etsy.

For a custom made desert experience, head over to Whymsies! by Marjorie Dade on Etsy, where you can order up custom Ice Cream Cone and Cupcake Pillows in a variety of colours and, er, flavors.

For something a little smaller, try this hilarious Spanish Green Olive Plush Food, he will certainly shake up your next martini party. Jacki of Kamloops, B.C. Canada has created some of the most brilliant play food friends I have ever seen, all available in her cheekily named Etsy Shop, Plush Off. Beyond this savory little pal, Jacki also offers a selection of fruit, veggies, and sweets for you cuddling pleasure.

Bartlett Pear Plush Food by Plush Off on Etsy.

Pink Candy Ball Plush Food by Plush Off on Etsy.

My final touch of Sweet this Sunday comes in the form a a very functional and whimsical pin-cushion for all you sewing enthusiasts out there. The Sunny Side Up Pin Cushion is offered at Elizabeth Gray’s Felty Forest on Etsy [Note: the frying pan part of the display and is not included]. Now you are all set to stitch up your own huggable lunch. So go ahead and play with your food, cuddle it at bedtime, and give it a hug every now and then. You get to have your Sweetness and you don’t have to worry about cleaning up messy plates!

Found On A Friday – Pinkytoast

If there is one thing I can say about today’s Found On A Friday feature, is that it was love at first sight. Sometimes I can easily put into words why I love something, other times I am not entirely sure, I just know that the object in question “speaks” to me. In the case of Pinkytoast, these fabulously creative works of original art didn’t just speak to me, they screamed. It seems fitting that this post lands on a Friday the 13th, because it’s a little scary how wonderfully addictive this artwork is.

Pinkytoast is moniker of an incredibly charming and creative artist from Brooklyn, New York and her work is simply enchanting. Pinkytoast calls her original artwork, prints, and dolls Big Eyed and Sweet and Sour, and it is all that and so much more. Pinkytoast‘s images of Sad Eyed Vixens, Stylized Pin-ups, and Kawaii Cuties with liberal dashes of delicious pinks and yummy pastels are instantly recognizable and ultimately desirable. She has a huge following of fans and collectors, and her work has been blogged to the nth degree. My personal feeling is that you can never have too much of a good thing, and so today I bring you an ample sample of Pinkytoast and tell you where you can find her work and how you can get it home for yourself.

The artist’s self-described ‘Sweet and Sour doll art’ is inspired by “retro kitsch, fairy tales, little kiddles, mod fashion, blythe, dollfie, vintage rag dolls, sad clowns and circus shows, the melancholy of goth, and all things pink”. From pencil sketches and original paintings, art prints, handmade pillows and dolls, and items created with her original printed images as adornments, there is something for every fan of Pinkytoast at every price point.

In her Etsy Shop, Pinkytoast offers a wide range of goodies, such at the original painting at the top of this post entitled Swan Song-Angel Cage My Heart, the Spring Rain Kokeshi Doll Home Decor Pillow featured above. The Vintage Boxer Sings A Rainbow 7×10 Art Print is an example of what Pinkytoast refers to as a one of her Sweet Tooth Girls.

Things take a little turn away from the “Sweet” and head into “Sour” territory in some of Pinkytoast‘s other work. Little Blue Bat Girl in a Gothic Garden 6×9 Art Print [above] and Winter Deer Wear Your Feathers 11×14 Art Print [below] are a little more abstract and even creepy images, but equally attractive and stylized works of art.

Prints are priced starting around $10 USD and up, depending on size, and original works of art move into the $500-$900 USD range. Original dolls and ornaments made of custom Pinkytoast fabrics, paper, other fabrics, and other mixed-media findings are hand-made one-of-a-kind items that can add a touch of whimsical fun to your home or office. The current selection available in Pinkytoast‘s Etsy Shop are all offered for under $60 USD, and they are hot sellers to be sure. A few of these fabulous dolls are featured below.

The best bargain by far for the budget bound and penny wise are the Pinkytoast pocket mirrors, buttons, coasters, bottle openers, and key chains created by the artist using her original artwork prints and featuring many of her most delightful works. For around $6 USD/CDN you can put some Pinkytoast in your pocket, on a key chain, or on that boring coffee table. Check them out following this preamble and then head over to her Etsy Shop to get a sweet and sour sampling of Pinkytoast.

Link: Pinkytoast Original Big Eyed Art + Sweet and Sour Dolls on Etsy

Sweetness Sundays – Crochet Babes

I am not someone to gush over babies, mostly because in my work as an Obstetrical Nurse [yes I have a real job] I have seen so many precious and lovely babies it would be a little ridiculous. I have seen truly angelic looking babes, the babies that look so much like little old people that you can’t help but adore them on sight, and the most teeny tiny of miracles [thanks to my work in the NICU]. Any Baby Nurse worth her salt will tell you that newborns, particularly preemies, are not so great at controlling their body temperatures. That is the reason we cover their little melons with a stockinette cap after delivery, and why we bundle them up. When it comes to babies and hats, they are definitely a functional item, but no one says functional can’t also be beautiful, whimsical, and even a little ridiculous.

The skill involved in doing good crochet work is beyond me. I have tried, since as far back as age 15, to learn the craft, but it didn’t take. I admire good work, and great patterns are as important as skilled crocheting. When I stumbled upon a picture of a fabulously adorable Crochet Baby Cap on Etsy recently, I was instantly reminded of this fact. Of course, seeing one of these images made me want to look at more, and so the birth of this blog post. Here are some lovely, colourful, whimsical, and sublime examples of fabulous Baby Millinery, and links to the Etsy artists responsible. Both patterns and handmade items are featured here, so follow the links below the images to get to the Etsy Shop in question. Not in the market for a Baby Bonnet? It never hurts to see some Sweetness on a Sunday.

Pom Pom Beanie Hat by Chloe’s Crochet Closet on Etsy.

Set Of Two Baby Hats with Ears by Karenisa’s LillyLu Shoppe on Etsy.

Crochet Sock Monkey Hat by The Baby Crow on Etsy.

Crochet Baby Boy Aviator by InHs Tyme on Etsy.

Bunny Hat Baby Beanie by BabaMoon Baby Hats on Etsy.

Fedora Little Man Hat by Adornments by Design on Etsy.

Swirling Flower Earflap Hat by imomzi on Etsy.

Baby Bear Hat by Belle Baby Boutique on Etsy.

Mommy’s Little Monster by Cuddle Me Crochet on Etsy.

Knotty Babe Crochet Baby Hat Pattern by Whimsy Woolies on Etsy.

Crochet Baby Hat Patterns by Cute Kid Couture on Etsy.

Pixie Gnome Bonnet by Oops I Knit It Again on Etsy.

Orange Gerber Daisy Hay by Sweet Princess Bowtique on Etsy.

English Lavender Garden Tutu & Crochet Baby Hat by Sweetheart Tutus on Etsy.

Crochet Baby Hat Beanie by Pink Poodle Baby Boutique on Etsy

Have you overdosed on the Sweetness yet? I hope so! On a side note, that last image of the twins from ‘behind’ is particularly funny to me because somewhere in my parent’s home is a very similar image of a set of identical twins sitting on a towel upon a large boulder lakeside to a family cottage. I may just be the one with the cuter ‘tushie’, but then from the back, who could tell. Wait, my mother could probably tell in a snap, mom’s have that skill. Have a lovely Sunday everyone.