Pom Pom Tutorial

This past weekend I had the extreme pleasure of attending the wedding of dear friends in--of all places--Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I also had the extreme pleasure of responding to the bride's request for a "just married" sign for the back of their ridiculously beautiful '57 Porsche Speedster.

Beyond the sign's structure, I immediately thought of pom poms, and I thought it might be fun to share my method. It's quite simple, really.

Gather your materials. I chose four types of organza ribbon, while cream tulle served to provide the loft and bulk I needed. You'll likely need only scissors in addition to the ribbon and tulle. (I also bought three cowbells and a bunch of jingle bells to intersperse. The sound as they drove away was the epitome of celebration, but that's just my take!)

Begin by clutching the tulle in-hand, gathering from the center of the material. Be sure to pinch from the center as you go along, as this will give you the roundest and most symmetrical pom pom. Insert your ribbons at a ratio of four to five wrinkles of tulle per ribbon. There's no real formula--just what you think will look best.

Keep this up until your fist is full of ribbon and tulle. If you're about to drop it while you're trimming the tulle, your pom pom is well on its way to perfection.

Next grab a similarly colored pipe cleaner, and wrap it at the center of your folds. Quickly bind all your hard work with the pipe cleaner. Twist, twist.

Finally, fluff by pulling ONLY the tulle in opposite directions, taking care to work the circumference of the pom pom. Essentially, you're teasing the pom pom like you once did your bad, bad 80's bangs. (If you tug at the ribbons, they'll come loose. Leave them alone.)

If all goes well, things may look something like this... And as always, feel free to email with any questions. (hdhhlady@gmail.com)

xoxo,

{ Lady of the House }

Feelings by Lady of the House

It was my sophomore year of high school, and I befriended the phenomenally cool, and oh so foreign exchange student from Germany. Of course she was stuck in the Midwest of all places, but she didn't seem to mind hanging out in basements, loitering at the bowling alley, or waiting in line at McDonald's. One evening, as I stared up at that golden, glowing menu, I proclaimed, "I feel like a milkshake." And the sweet, but totally confused exchange student asked me, "What is it to feel like a milkshake?" We both may never know.

However you're feeling today, here are a few links to take you away for a bit. Enjoy!

*** These paper boxes turn "clutter" into "categorized." Wouldn't they be divine with shortbread tucked inside? Go, have a look at all the pretty options at Smock.

*** Maybe the only thing more fun than enjoying the beautiful wrapping on this soap is tearing it off. Okay, I actually know that for a fact.

*** Can't wait to give one of these bags to each of my September birthday buds. Fabric and Handle serves it up chic and sensible. Yes, please!

xoxo

{ Lady of the House }

Change

I was all set to post about the cutesy-tootsie packaging I used to make my Ooey Gooey Caramel Chocolate Chunk Bars buyer-friendly at last week's Cookies for Kids' Cancer Bake Sale, but then something happened.

I became an auntie.

Jack, the most beautiful, talented, intelligent, and fabulous little boy the world has ever seen, entered my life in the wee hours of Thursday morning. Now that's really all I can think about. I want to hold him and snuggle him and nuzzle his fuzzy little head and kiss his tiny fingers. My appetite for pictures of Jack is completely insatiable. I'm trying to surpress that appetite with malted milk shakes, but it's not working. I WANT MORE JACK.

Instead of going on and on and on about Jack ("You've already done that," you're saying. Sorry. I can't help it!), I'm going to share with you my favorite make-ahead meals from Hot Dinner Happy Home. Because when a new baby enters your life, you bring food. It's just a thing. But please come back on Monday to find out about my bake sale tips!

Sleep-deprived parents will be happy that breakfast is taken care of when they're munching on these Coffee Cake Muffins.

Shepherd's Pie is cozy, delicious, and easy to reheat.

They'll forget Chinese take-out when you bring Cashew Chicken.

Turkey Meatloaf just like Mom used to make. Well, almost.

You know what sounds good when Junior goes to bed (finally)? Chicken Enchiladas.

Also don't forget about these gift ideas from the Lady of the House for the new parents in your life:

• Wrap food gifts in a tea towel for adorable presentation and convenient clean-up!
• Sophie the Giraffe. I've seen Lady's little princess playing happily with Sophie for hours. It really is a good gift!
• Champagne is always welcome.
• Ding-Dong-Ditch. Drop off a meal and skeedaddle. You'll giggle and the new parents will enjoy a few guest-free minutes.
• Babies love to snuggle up in Swaddle Designs blankets.
• Baskets aren't just for Easter anymore. Use one of these gorgeous containers to make your gift extra special. 

Mother Dearest by Lady of the House

Have you bought a Mother's Day card yet? Chocolates, flowers and brunch aside, what spills from your heart is the most important part. Send her some love...

Smock's motto is: Create meaning. And I'll argue that's a lot easier with a lined envelope!

Pup and Pony. What a pleasing card. Oh, good luck trying not to buy everything in their shop!

And my personal favorite: Anna Bond's delightful creations for her very own Rifle Paper Co.

xoxo

{ Lady of the House }

Oh Baby! by Lady of the House

My sister phoned me this week and asked me to compile a little list of my can't-live-without baby items. Maybe, like her, you're wondering what to get for your friends venturing into the wonderful and often mysterious world of parenting. Let's break this down into a few categories: gear, fluff, and life-savers.

Gear, glorious gear.

-The Inglesina Fast Chair

I, though not extremely germ conscious, love to have this in the trunk so I can clip our little one to any table around town. I also have this bolted to the kitchen island, and I try my best to channel Erin while I whip up baby food. You can take off the whole fabric portion and throw it in the washing machine.

-Beaba Baby Cook

This is one of those things I wanted because I thought it looked fun. Turns out it's actually a priceless tool I use every day. And yes, it's fun too.

Let's move on to Fluff.

-Sophie the Giraffe.

I'm not sure why, but this little lady is a favorite for children. She's iconic. She's apparently delicious. And she's the only way to get through the teething phase. Phase! Ha, that's funny. I guess I mean from about 5 months to 2 years of age.

-Sleep Sheep.

We live on a city street with buses, horns and sirens screaming past the nursery window at all hours, so Lambchops, as we like to call her, is a fixture.

Life-Savers, or things you're buddy will likely call you about again and again, thanking you profusely.

-Nose Frida.

Yes, this is a snot sucker, but it is the absolute best of its kind. I can't tell you the relief it is to be able to basically blow your baby's nose. They certainly can't do it!

-Swaddle Designs blankets.

These are the yummiest, best quality blankets that get better and better with each wash. Our baby has always slept amazingly well, and we have these blankets to thank.

If you want to give in another way...

-Drop off a home-cooked meal. And by drop off, I mean literally putting the grub on the doorstep, ringing the bell and running. You'll get to meet the baby eventually.

-When the baby is a bit older and on some sort of routine, call or email with a few dates you have open to babysit. This is so much easier for the parents to take you up on the offer.

-Call from the mall, the market, anywhere in civilization and see if your unshowered, exhausted, hungry mama friend is in need of anything. If she needs even a loaf of bread, you are so meeting the baby!

-Did I mention dropping off a home-cooked meal?

Be fabulous.

xoxo

Lady of the House

I Love My Calendar by Lady of the House

3-2-1-Happy New Year! Is it just me, or does a new calendar with fresh pages kind of trump that apple dropping at midnight? I have always relished this integral purchase, and I think the joy of choosing just the right guide to take you into the next year is nothing to mess around with.

I have come across a few in the last little while, and I thought I'd share a few resources.

Paper Source is an obvious spot to check out, and their 2011 Wall Art Calendar is a vibrantly printed option for the laundry room or drab dorm.

I troll Etsy like it's my job, and Bryan Kring's Organic Wreath Letterpress Calendar is simple, lovely and wonderful. I purchased one for a friend, and at the cost of sounding like a complete letterpress nerd, I must tell you the registration is impeccable. You'll be so proud to pin it up somewhere in your home.

Another yummy Etsy find is Dekanimal's large 13x19 Little Flower poster. It's the right amount of folk meets Japan meets quirky enough to please you til next December.

I hope you all have a happy New Year!

xoxo

Lady of the House