Spring Fling

This spring, I am leaning towards cottage style or shabby chic with a lot of lilacs and mints. I love how distressed wood, vintage items, and floral prints go well together. And let's not forget the fresh flowers that bring life to a room. I hope you find spring inspiration with this mood board that I made!

1. Lulu & Georgia, via Erika Brechtel

2. Potted plants via Vibeke Design

3. H&M Home Bedding (2011) via Redesign Revolution

4. Dining table styled by Dreamy Whites

5. Spring styling via Vibeke Design

Crayon Resist Easter Eggs

We are so ready for Easter! For this post, I am going to show you a very simple technique that you and your kids can do: Crayon Resist Easter Eggs.

You will need:

- eggs

- wax crayons

- food coloring

- water

First you gotta boil the eggs. You don't want it to be in a sticky situation when you accidentally drop them, right?

Then prepare your materials. All you need are crayons and food coloring. I also placed kraft paper on the floor to contain the mess.

And then start decorating! My sister copied patterns from the book "Colors" by Alexander Girard.

After drawing the pattern with crayons, we dyed them in diluted food coloring. The wax from the crayon will resist the dye, and I think it looks nice when you use light colored crayons against dark colored dye.

For my design, I just drew dots clumped together at the bottom then the spacing gradually gets bigger as you go to the top.

Here's what it looks like after the dip dye

And here's another pattern based on Alexander Girard's design.

And we are done! I think this is one of the easiest ways to decorate easter eggs. I hope you like it! Watch out for more easter crafts and eggy recipes in the next couple of weeks :)

Peanut Butter and NIPS Cupcake

If you haven't read the latest issue of Katha Magazine, then go check it out now! I made a cupcake recipe for the Childhood and Nostalgia issue. If you are Filipino, then I'm sure you know what NIPS are. They're candy colored milk chocolate that's similar to M&M's. They remind me of my childhood because when I was younger NIPS were always included in birthday party loot bags. For this recipe, I used the peanut butter frosting and topped the cupcakes with NIPS.

This recipe, by the way, makes 12 cupcakes

Cupcake Recipe

1 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

4 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ cup milk

2 cups flour

½ tbsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

Preheat the oven at 350 F. Line the muffin pans with cupcake liners and set them aside. In a large bowl, cream the butter and together with sugar until smooth. Be sure to use an electric mixer to make the batter light and fluffy. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla. 

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Slowly pour the dry ingredients into the bowl of wet ingredients, then add milk. Once everything is well blended, use an ice cream scooper to transfer the batter to the cupcake liners.

Bake the cupcakes for 15 minutes or until when a toothpick inserted at the center comes out clean. I know by this time you’re excited to frost. But cool the cupcakes on a cooling rack first before frosting!

Now while that’s cooling, let’s make the peanut butter frosting!

Peanut Butter Frosting

½ cup butter, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

4 heaping spoons of creamy peanut butter

3 tbsp soy milk, or regular milk

First make sure everything is at room temperature. You can use an electric mixer for this but a fork works just as fine. Add the powdered sugar and softened butter in a bowl and mix them together until it’s smooth. Then add the peanut butter one spoon at a time. Gradually add in the milk until the frosting is creamy.

For the topping, just sprinkle 1-2 packs of NIPS on to your frosted cupcakes to make them look happy and colorful!

Cabin Christmas

This is my interpretation of what Christmas in a log cabin looks like - a rustic home with a delightful feast on the dinner table, the rich taste of hot cocoa, warm blankets, the smell fresh of pine trees, and the sound of wood burning in the fireplace.

1. via Anastasia Volkova
2. via Stocksy
3. via Lexington Company
4. via Anastasia Volkova
5. via Anastasia Volkova
6. via Anastasia Volkova
7. via Architecture Art Designs
8. via Skimbacolifestyle
9. via DecoratingIdeas1.com

Have a Cabin Christmas in your home with these items:

1. Donner 18" Pillow, Crate and Barrel
2. Apotheke Holiday Gift Set, West Elm
3. Holiday Heart Decoration, Lexington Company
4. Peppermint Bark and Hot Chocolate Set, Williams Sonoma
5. Holiday Checked Tablecloth, Lexington Company

Merry and Bright

Who says Christmas has to be just about red and green? Here are some merry and bright colors for the holidays that will make you feel like a kid again!

1. Advent calendar via Real Simple
2. Ho ho ho washi tape via Target + Oh Joy Pinterest
3. Christmas gift wrapping via Studio ToutPetit
4. Christmas ball wreath via Bright Bazaar
5. Neon Christmas tree via Print and Pattern
6. Colorful Pompom Trees via Target
7. Geometric ornaments via Design Sponge

1. MT Vibrant Solid Washi Tape, Cute Tape
2. Multi Colored Shaped Wreath, Paperchase
3. Geometric Paper Ornaments Set of 8, Field Guide Design
4. Purple Glitter Stag, Paperchase
5. Rainbow Stocking, Land of Nod
6. Marty Moose Shot Glass, Urban Outfitters

Dreaming of a White Christmas

It's already December! The last month of the year! I don't know about you, but I've been thinking of Christmas every minute. I'm going to post Christmas decor inspiration in different themes every week and I'm going to start with White Christmas. 

1. Photo by Roy Alsen via Mad About The House

2. via Fit Mommy Diaries

3. Stag Head via Dobbies

4. Jute Cushion Cover via H&M

5. via Trendir

6. Aðventukransar via Rakel Ósk Sigurðardóttir

7. via Norske Interior Blogger

Neutral colors, clean crisp white sheets, warm and lovely candles, Scandinavian decor - all of these produce a calming vibe for your room. Here are some items that you can use to decorate your White Christmas home:

1. Tree in a box 3 pieces, &Klevering

2. Engel Set 3 Snow Stars, &Klevering

3. Town Square Sculpture, Anthropologie

4. Grey Gran Pillowcase, Nordic Design

5. Stuffed Ornaments, Ferm Living

6. Candleholder String, Ferm Living

Black and White and Gold

Combining black, white and gold produces an elegant and glamorous look to a home. This color palette reminds me so much of Coco Chanel. I love how the cold and sleek black elements go well with the warm tones of gold.

Clockwise from left: 1. via Atmosphere Interior Design, 2. via Canadian House and Home photo by Virginia Macdonald, 3. via Styled by Marcus Hay photo by Kat Teutch, 4. via Notes on Interiors, 5. via Sukio photo by Pablo Zuloaga, 6. via Quadrille interior design by Celerie Kemble, 7. via Ralph Lauren Home, 8. via Shootfactory

Oranges and Blues

This color combination is inspired by the photo of woven fabric layers from Inspire Bohemia. I love how vibrant the colors are on textile. They look even better when used in a room!

1. Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin's Manhattan Apartment via Architectural Digest
2. Handmade pots via Hunt and Bow
3. Living room via Casa Vogue
4. Woven fabric via Inspire Bohemia

Candy Colors

I love bright and yummy colors matched with white. The home offices below have white walls. Each of the designers decorated the blank walls with colorful accessories. Rachel from Pencil Shavings Studio used MT Casa washi tapes in three colors to decorate her wall. Washi tape is easy to remove and will not peel off the wall paint if you decide to remove it.

1. Kitchen via From Scandinavia with Love

2. Desk via Interior Junkie

3. Home office via Pencil Shavings Studio

4. Desk via A Rowan Tree

Get that colorful look for your home office with these:

1. MT Casa Washi Tape, The Party Table

2. Orange Wall Art, Etsy

3. Delta Collection Table Lamp Design by Robert Abbey, Burkedecor

4. Yellow Eames DWS Chair, Cultfurniture

5. Collapsible Sawhorse Table, West Elm

Mauve and Taupe

Taupe and mauve are two subtle colors, but I think they look good together. Mauve is classy and not too feminine. Taupe is neutral, and it pulls together the whole look. It's a nice combination to use in a room if you are not bold enough to choose bright and striking colors. To keep the look from becoming bland, you can add brass, glass, or other shiny elements for texture and play with different shades for depth.

1. Living room via Canadian House and Home, designed by Stacey Smithers, photo by Tracey Shumate

2. Sitting area via LeSueur Interiors

3. Living room via Barbara Barry Baker Furniture

4. Dining room via Interior Archive, designed by Katie Ridder & Anita Sarsidi, photo by William Waldron

1. Patchwork Wall Art, West Elm

2. Latte Bowls, Anthropologie

3. Tufted Priscilla Settee, Anthropologie

4. Rosette Euro Sham, Anthropologie

5. Organic Cotton Pintuck Standard Sham, West Elm

6. Coqo Floral Rug, Anthropologie

7. Arteriors Home Elton Vintage Brass Metal Round Coffee Table, Lowe's

8. Smoke Rings Cup and Saucer, Anthropologie

9. Abacus Table Lamp, West Elm

10. Isla Print Wall Art, West Elm

Kelly Green Accents

I am in love with kelly green at the moment because it's such a glamorous color. But I like to use this kind of green sparingly. In a room that has a black and white or neutral color scheme, you can add kelly green as accent. That extra pop of color will make the room look even more sophisticated.

My favorite example is the entryway below by City Dwellin'. Upon entering the room, you are greeted by the solid, bright green credenza along with the black and white patterns on the wall and on the floor. The bunch of white peonies also gave the room more charm.

1. Entryway via City Dwellin'

2. Living room via Charm Home Design

3. Dining room by Kay Douglas via Veranda. Photo by Mali Azima

4. Dining room by Christina Murphy Interiors via TRADHome. Photo by John Bessler

This is my inspiration board for the color scheme. Also, I love the wallpaper. It's very Great Gatsby.

1. Superfresco Easy Cinema Wallpaper, Graham and Brown

2. Emerald Table Lamp, Lowes

3. Credenza, Fabulous Mess

4. Parsons Side Table, Bungalow 5

5. Arbor Trellis Linen Print Pillow, Shades of Light

6. Quincy Pillow in Green, Joss & Main

7. Stockholm Three Seat Sofa, Ikea

Coral and Navy

Here's another awesome color combination: coral and navy.

Navy and coral make a pair of complimentary colors. This means the colors are opposite each other on the color wheel. Navy blue is such a rich and classic color, while coral is bright and energizing. Navy is somewhat masculine, and coral is more feminine. 

Both are bold colors and strongly contrast each other. You can partner them with neutral colored items, and gold and white accessories. Your room (or your outfit?) will look amazing.

1. Living Room via Style At Home. Photo by Stacey Van Berkel-Haines

2. Bedroom via Decorchick

3. Dining display via Design Sponge. Design by M Design Interiors. Photo by Justin Officer

4. Nursery via Cococozy Photo by Pam Cooley

Here are some items for the home that would fit the color scheme.

1. Love Knots Guest Towel Tray, One Kings Lane

2. Peach and Gold Pot, upintheairsomewhere

3. Coral Reef Ovo Table Lamp, Lamps Plus

4. Trellis Coral Pillow Cover, Oh My Pillow

5. Baris Decorative Pillow, Furbish Studio

6. Lampert Sofa in Venice Navy, Jonathan Adler

7. Homespun Trellis Navy Rug, Rugs USA

8. Red Coral Study, Williams-Sonoma

Yellow and Mint

Right now, I'm loving this color combination: yellow and mint! These two colors go well together because they balance each other out. Yellow is a bright and sunny color and it gives your room a nice warm feel. Mint, on the other hand, is cool and refreshing and is also easy on the eyes.

These two colors make a good palette for a nursery room especially if you do not want to use the stereotypical pink/blue.

1. Living Room from Objects Living

2. Nursery by Handmade in the Heartland

3. Bedroom from My Home Ideas, photo by Lisa Romerein

4. Living Room from Grays Lane

Here are yellow and mint accessories that I found online:

1. Cushion Cover 30x50, H&M

2. Awesome Owl Catch-All Dish, Urban Outfitters

3. Little Geometry Cushion (in mint), Ferm Living

4. Fuji Instax Mini 8 Yellow, London Drugs

5. Enamelware Candle Tin, Anthropologie

6. Oh Snap Leather Journal, Urban Outfitters

7. Finn Rocker, Anthropologie

Earrings Makeover with Nail Polish

If you have a pair of earrings that need some color, you can liven it up using nail polish and it will have an enamel effect. All you will need are a pair of earrings, bright colored nail polish, clear nail polish and tape.

First, you need to cover with tape the parts of the earring that you do not want to paint. Since the earrings have glitters, I added 2 coats of clear nail polish to create a smooth texture.

You may want to put a piece of paper towel on the surface where you're working. Add two coats of colored nail polish. Let it dry for a couple of minutes and add two coats of clear nail polish.

When the nail polish has dried, you can then remove the tape.

While they're still wet make sure that the earrings do not touch each other so that the nail polish won't get messed up. Wait for the earrings to completely dry before you can wear them. :)

Pretty Pastel Kitchen Inspiration

1. Photo from Patchwork Harmony

2. Striped apron and cakestand both from H&M Home

3. Pastel colored windsor chairs paired with ombre table cloth. Photo by jonathanwgooch

4. Yvestown's kitchen - image from sunnysblog

5. Baby pink coffee machine and a powder blue Smeg. Photo from Over the Edge Design

6. Bakery tine cans from H&M Home

7. Candy Kitchen - article by Candy Channing on dailymail.co.uk. Click on the link for more details on the items in the photo

8. Candy colored ceramics from Anna Weinreich's blog

9. Pastel colored cakes from The Sweetest Occasion. Photo by Jenny Haas

Decorate Your Pencils with Washi Tape

Hi guys. I took a long break from blogging because I was reviewing for my licensure exams. And now that the exams are over, all I have to do is to wait for the results and go on with my life.

I have left over #2 pencils from the exams, five of the six pencils that I bought were not used. Of course I will still be able to use these in the future when I return to work. To make these pencils a little livelier, I decorated them with washi tape.

Bought these rolls of washi tape from Hey Kessy. Some of these are from their new collection.

Just cut a strip of washi tape with the same length as your pencil. Stick it on to the pencil and carefully spread it, making sure that there are no air bubbles left. Do this step twice, as the pencil needs two strips of tape to be completely covered.

Then when you're done, trim the edges and sharpen your pencils.

Tadaaa! Your boring yellow pencils are now bright and colorful.

Here's another shot of the finished product. Look how pretty they are now that they're clad in patterns.

This project is so easy, even kids can do this and use their decorated pencils in school. It's good to be back! I will write more on this blog now that I have enough time for it :)

Dip dye cushion covers

If you have plain white pillowcases at home, you can dress them up by dip dying them. It's fun and easy to make! I even tried them in different colors. Here's how to do it:

Soak your pillowcase in water and make sure it's damp. I guess that's so the dye will stick better to the fabric. We have pillowcases made of muslin. It can be made of canvas, or whatever fabric as long as it's white.

Next, take your powdered dye and follow the instructions on the packet or bottle. There are different ways to use dye, some brands need to have detergent powder, or vinegar, or salt to fully work. So read the instructions.




Place the water with dye on a tub or a pot. Make sure you don't use the pot for cooking.

Then take your pillowcase and dip the about 2/3 or 3/4 of the fabric into the dye for about 5-10 seconds. Remove and rinse. Dip it again, this time halfway for about 30-40 seconds and then rinse again. Then dip 1/4 of the fabric for 1 minute or so. The dipping time will vary depending on how bright or dark you want the color to turn out. Repeat this step but each layer will take longer dipping periods. That's how you get the gradient.

Rinse the fabric and make sure the water runs down from light to darkest so the dye won't spread. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear. Then hang them out to dry. Notice the lush greenery in the background. Yes, I live in the jungle. Just kidding!

These dried out quickly, it's so hot in here these days!

When it has dried out, you can cover your pillows with your new dip dye pillowcases.

I like the purple and yellow one :)