Welcome To The Dollhouse

This week seems to be full of great finds that only exist in the minds of artists. First there was the Philco PC, and now these Lady Gaga dolls! But this situation is extremely cryptic... All I know is that this incredibly talented 28 year old guy, that goes by the Flickr name veik11, has been replicating some of Gaga's ensembles and his work is amazing. The attention to detail is shocking, at least to someone who knows nothing about hobbyists who take doll dressing very seriously. There's a whole community of people who make outfits for dolls, along with those who make the dolls themselves. Thank goodness some of them are hip enough to realize that Gaga is an ideal muse. Her outlandish outfits may cause an uproar in the real world, but in Barbie's world she's right at home.

Via Jezebel

Design Within Reach (No, Really!)

Adorning your walls with art can be overwhelming, so why not solve the problem with a temporary fix? Wall decals are an easy way to add strong visual focus to a room, without the permanence of paint or the stress of hanging heavy artwork. There are companies that can design your very own vinyl decal, while others have a wide array of styles to choose from. Etsy is a great place to to find decals that are both unique and reasonably priced. ShaNickers based in Florida will even frame your very own text in a decal like the one pictured above. So get stickin' and breathe some much needed life into your bare walls.

Boy, Do They Grow Up Fast!

Petit (on the left) with his brothers and sister!

Petit (on the right) with his sibling! Kittens circa 2005!!!

Don't Let It Fade Away

I have yet to be charmed by the iPhone, and as someone who likes doodads and trinkets that's saying a lot. I still adhere to my strict no Internet policy when it comes to phones, but if amazing apps keep coming out I may just have to break down and join the masses. Anyone who has an iPhone should take a look at photographer Chase Jarvis' newest app The Best Camera, because it caters to the photographer in all of us. I'm loving this! Now who has some extra cash lying around so I can get myself one of those sleek little gadgets? Watch the video below to get the full picture:

Via Flavorwire

Design Within Reach (No, Really!)

When it comes to fashion we can't get enough patterns and color statements, but somehow once we step into the confines of our homes that love disappears. I'm not sure why color within interior design is regarded with such trepidation - when you really think about it, it's just as temporary as a brightly hued blouse, or a pair of sassy red heels. If you think you've made a terrible mistake, or you just want to try something new, it's incredibly easy to slap on some white primer and start all over again.

Jewel tones are the perfect way to liven up your space, without sacrificing a sense of light and space. Dark colors have a tendency to make a space seem smaller, but by using saturated colors in small doses like with an expertly positioned accent wall, or some choice accessories, you can create a memorable look. As you can probably tell by now, I'm very proud of my own NYC pad (pictured above,) and I did it all with some elbow grease, a keen eye for sales, and a bucket of paint. Jewel tones can take you anywhere, from the Mod meets Rococo of my apartment, to the Moroccan glow of this space. Just repeat the following mantra: I am not afraid of color, I am not afraid of color!

Design Within Reach (No, Really!)

Today I unveil another weekly feature to join the ranks with the Fashion Feature, For The Love of Food, and The Video Vault... tada! Design Within Reach (No, Really!) will explore the world of interior design, but in a way that is affordable, accessible and most importantly fun! I grew up in a meticulously designed home, where everything had its place, and most rooms had definite themes, so interior design has always been of interest to me. When I moved into my very own apartment, I was finally able to experiment with design on a larger scale and I realized, "Hey! I'm pretty good at this!" Creating a space that is functional, comfortable, and stylish is a daunting task, but I hope that when armed with a few tricks and tips you'll be inspired to make the most out of your space. After all, your home is your safe haven, a place where the outside world should just melt away.

The amazing photographs above are courtesy of Nate Berkus Associates, and I have to to tell right now that I am obsessed with everything Berkus. The man is a design genius, and I'm not just saying this because Oprah told me to. His aesthetic meshes almost seamlessly into mine, and he often describes himself as 'obsessed' with elements, whether they're decorative accents or storage solutions - a man after my own heart! So when I found myself up last night at 1am watching him talk about his new line for the Home Shopping Network, I knew that I had to spread the Berkus love. Everything included in his HSN line, from furniture, to sheets, towels and wall decor was designed by the man himself, and features natural materials and the high quality you expect. The prices are extremely reasonable (with 420 thread count sheet sets going for under $50,) and the aesthetic is clean, modern and luxurious. But don't take my word for it, check out the collection for yourself - your apartment will thank me later.

Smells Like Teen Spirit

1. Dos Gardenias Shorts, $40; modcloth.com, 2. Floral 1460 by Dr. Martens, $128; zappos.com, 3. Gloria's Garden Rug, $348-498; anthropologie.com, 4. William Morris Daisy Print Garden Tools, $32; takashimaya-ny.com.

Until my senior year of college, I was anything but girly. Yes, I had discovered that I could indeed be sexy, but I hadn't explored the power of my femininity. I didn't feel comfortable in pink, ruffles, or heels, and my color of choice was black. I was never a Goth, although often accused of being one, but rather a Punk Rocker with a heart of gold. When I look back on it now, I realize that although I still love the music, the fashion was more of a protective shield than anything else. Yes, I had fun pretending I was Kathleen Hanna, but eventually I shed that rough exterior in favor of more delicate ensembles. Queue my summer obsession with floral prints in every form - I just can't get enough. Add some color to an otherwise bland room with Gloria's Garden Rug, or garden with colorful accessories to brighten your mood. When it comes to the clothing, I feel like I just discovered Angela Chase all over again. I just can't help but love her, and her crazy 90s Grunge style. After all, wasn't Grunge just Punk Rock's depressed, younger cousin?

For The Love of Food

With all the salads I've been consuming this summer, I had a hankering for some pizza (carbs!) last night. I've been tightening my belt lately, both metaphorically and physically, so I decided to forgo a decadent pie from Lombardi's in favor of a homemade version. I've never made pizza before, so this was an experiment in patience and control - rolling out dough?! how many toppings is too much?! So many questions. Instead of following a recipe, I decided to heed my friend's advice, and create something from the heart. I'm a chronic recipe follower, so this was a little daunting at first, but once I got to the grocery store I found some choice ingredients. The key ingredient of the pizza was the inclusion of plump organic mushrooms, both baby portabella and shiitake. Once I had mushrooms in hand, I built the rest of the pie around them, and was back home at the chopping board in no time. My Baby Portabella, Shiitake Mushroom Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella and Asiago Cheese was on its way! I was amazed at how easily the whole process went, and the final product was cheesy, and crispy - with a hint of earthiness from the mushrooms. Mission accomplished!

Ingredients:
1 ball of whole wheat pizza dough
4 tablespoons of olive oil
2 large cloves garlic, chopped
5 baby portabella mushrooms, sliced
5 shitaake mushrooms, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1/2 red onion, sliced
5 tablespoons pizza sauce
1 medium ball fresh mozzarella
1/2 cup shredded asiago cheese

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Position one rack at top of oven. Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface, starting in the middle of the ball and extending outwards. Dough should be rolled out to your desired thickness (the thinner the dough, the crunchier). Brush rolled out dough with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and transfer onto floured baking pan for cooking. Add desired amount of pizza sauce (5 tablespoons makes a less saucy, crispier pie). Let stand at room temperature while preparing the vegetables.

Mix 3 remaining tablespoons of olive oil with chopped garlic, then toss with mushrooms. Slice the fresh mozzarella into rounds, and place cheese on pizza dough. Arrange your vegetables as desired, as a final touch add asiago cheese as final layer of pizza. Place pizza in oven and let cook until cheese is melted and bubbly, and crust is golden (approx 15-20 minutes).

Little Wonder

I've loved terrariums since I was a child, and decided to put one together when my succulents were massacred by Mr. Littlejeans. Terrariums are easy to take care of, protected from my felines, and most importantly add a much needed pop of color and life to my apartment. Bringing the outside in is natural to us now, with indoor plants and fresh cut flowers populating the corners of our small living spaces, but when did this practice begin?

The history of terrariums goes back to the early 1800s. Discovered by accident in 1827, by London physician Dr. Nathaniel Ward, they have remained a popular option for urban dwellers. While experimenting with cocoons in covered jars, Dr. Ward also discovered tiny plants growing in the soil. Unlike many plants in his backyard that died from the polluted London air, these covered plants actually thrived. Dr.Ward then began experimenting successfully with enclosed containers for ferns, and as their popularity grew they were dubbed Wardian cases, the first terrariums.

Putting together one of these little wonders is really easy: all you need is a solid container, multiple layers of soil and drainage stones, and some flora. I found everything I needed, including various species of moss and ferns, through the fantastic DIY website Etsy. This is a great project that doesn't require much work, and doesn't break the bank - all you need is a dash of landscaping creativity to set the scene.

Hand crafted ceramic terrarium accessories (pictured above, ceramic mushroom and flowers) and vintage glass mushroom from Michael McDowell. Moss kits available from Teresa's Etsy shop.