One of the most interesting pieces of wall décor in my mom’s house is a grouping of yardsticks that my grandfather collected through the years, which she had professionally framed. That’s not to say that she doesn’t have a wealth of interesting items and art but these yardsticks never fail to grab attention and spark conversation. Same with the pencils she has saved or spotted at antique stores, then framed in a similar fashion. Things as ordinary as yardsticks or pencils, when arranged together and en masse, form interesting art. The collection tells a story, and draws people in to take a closer look. Included below are a few ideas for ways to display day-to-day items, which result in unique displays of the ordinary.
October 2014 archive
Vest Investment
How many J Crew puffer vests are too many? Does the number increase if you live “up north”? I actually like it when the brand reissues a style or color from a past season that I already have, as then I’m not tempted to buy another. This fun mustard (chartreuse, if you’re fancy) color is from this fall, and I thought it would be great for a pop of color with blacks and grays (I wear the red-orange one from last season all the time). Or, as in these pictures, to warm up – visually and literally – an already colorful, casual outfit. Interestingly, I used to not see the point in vests. When is the occasion when someone would need something so warm on their chest and back, but not at all on their arms? Especially in Minnesota, when the swing in temperature from one day to the next can be extreme. One day it’s 70 degrees (too warm for a vest) and the next it’s 40 degrees (too cold for a vest). But they really are super versatile – including as a staple piece for indoors. The drafts in the winter months, especially in an office building, can be surprisingly chilly, and the extra warmth is more than welcome.
J Crew vest | Banana Republic shirt and sweater (similar here) | AG Jeans | Tory Burch sunglasses, boots, and handbag (this season’s red, here)
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Peanut Butter Pops
Are you tired of cake pops and looking for an alternative? I kid. Who would ever get tired of cake pops? They’re delicious. And cute. What I meant to ask was “do you think cake pops look really hard to make and want an easier option? It’s difficult to pick a favorite treat from when I was a kid – as there were many – but Scotcheroos certainly rank right up there. This is a great, fun (dare I say hip? can a dessert be hip?) way to serve them. Modernizing the “bar” style of a classic dessert, if you will.
