Eastside Handmade Market

Hello everybody!

It's been a long time hasn't it?  I decided to break my silence to tell you about how I am taking part in the above super awesome Eastside Handmade Market this weekend.  Other handmade rockstars will be in attendance such as Cathy of California, Minor Thread, Scout Ties, and Cotton and Flax.

If you are in the Los Angeles area and not attending Grosschella this weekend, do come by and take a look, it's going to be super fun!  Hope to see you there.

 



Eaton Canyon

Went on a crazy (for me) 3 mile hike at Eaton Canyon last weekend and it was actually pretty awesome.  I need to go on more hikes around here, especially when the weather is being so great  like it has been lately.  I know most Californians like the tiny bit of cold "winter" we get here, but I crave the sunshine.

The House In My Head

Do you know the book- The House In My Head?  I've written about it before, here. 

There is something about the title that just appeals to me.  Doesn't everyone have a dream house in their head?   I know I do!  Even though owning a home has never really been important to me, the idea of having your own space to decorate with an endless budget however you wish is intoxicating.

So I am starting a new feature on this blog- things I would have in my dream home-
The House In My Head.  Today we are talking dishes.  Everyday dinner plate patterns.  I have two that I am obsessed with:

 

1. Mikasa Nature's Song
This pattern consists of several designs- the two I love are below- plates with a bright orange & brown circle and the speckled bowls.  There are also gravy bowls, cups & saucers, S & P shakers, and sugar & cream sets.  Available on Ebay here.
 

2. Heath Ceramics Spring Collection
I have long coveted anything from Heath Ceramics, and this classic set would fit into any decorating scheme and hold it's own.  I have heard many an urban legend where someone finds an entire set of vintage Heath dishes at a thrift store but I have not been this lucky.  Sigh... maybe someday.

 

Well, there you have it.  Your first peek inside The House In My Head.

Color Inspo

Are you inspired by color? 
Every time I see a colorful photo I reimagine it- as wallpaper or fabric- perhaps as inspiration for one of my necklaces.

Above are some photos that have inspired me lately:

 

1.  Instagram from housewrenstudio

2. Instagram from ghostfaceknitta

3. Floss Gloss "Con Limon" nail polish $8

4.  MAC's latest makeup collection- Apres Chic!

 

 



Wrap Up

{all pictures taken with instagram, follow me at crystalslonecker}

 

 

Wrap up of the holidays:

 

1. Awesome books I received for Christmas.  I already finished the Grace Coddington memoir and it was fantastic.  I have yet to cook anything from the books though.  I am hoping that will change this weekend!

2. Westlake Theater sign on a stormy LA day.

3.  My Christmas present to myself- geometric necklace from Voz Collective.

4.  Acorn and fox ornaments from my shop.

 

 

Winter Wonderland

 

Look at how cute that tiny little fox head is.  I just love it.

I was trying to create an ornament last year that incorporated a fox, and I just couldn't make it work so no one got any ornaments last year.  Sad face.  A few weeks ago I was messing around with some designs and it hit me- why not just stitch the head and put a cute wreath around it?  So I did and here it is- this year's ornament! 

It is available for sale in my Etsy shop and don't forget- everything (including my necklaces) is 10% off through Monday!  Use the code STITCHY at checkout. 

 

 

Internet Magic



 

Remember how things were before the Internet?  Boring and factless and you had no idea if anyone out there liked the same things you did?  I know people talk a lot of crap about how everyone should "unplug" and take time away from things but personally, I love being connected to others in such a creative way. 

Recently, one of my instagram friends emailed me and asked if she could do a feature on the cross stitch necklaces I make and sell.  Uh, yes!  Could she ever!  So go check it out Annika's blog, All The Live Long Day.  She lives in London and offers a unique perspective on life there, as well as interesting travel destinations, crafts, chummy food, and music. 

Thanks Annika!

NEW

Hey guys!  I listed some new necklaces in the 'ol Etsy shop this weekend.  I'm especially excited about the new glitter polka dot design- polka dots are so cute!  Please take a look and spread the word! 

Nailed It

 

 

Hey ya'll.  You guys like nail polish?  I know I do. 

I seem to buy about 2 new polishes a week at this point, which may sound a lil crazy but it's my jam and I work hard (justify, justify, justify).  My new go-to brand is the L'oreal polish, which has taken a turn for the better lately.  It's usually $3.99, has a trendy and on-point color selection, and the quality is right up there with polish mainstays like O.P.I. and Essie.  Two of my favs lately have been "Jet Set to Paris", a bright royal blue (above), and "Tea & Crumpets" (below), a perfect fall neutral which I sassed up by sticking some gold leaf on top.  It was actually much easier than you probably think, I had some gold leaf that I bought at the craft store and just pulled off bits of it and stuck it here and there all over my nails.  It doesn't have to be neat and orderly so anyone can do it.  It's a great look for this fall!  What are some of your favorite polishes?

 

 

 

Laurel Hardware

Lauren and I had made plans to hang out last night and when I called her to see where we should go, she suggested this new place- Laurel Hardware.  She was all- "they have reclaimed hardwood floors from Coney Island" and I was all- "I'M IN".  I love pretentious hipster things like reclaimed hardwood floors from Coney Island, or chocolate chip cookies that take 2 days to make, like the ones that I made last weekend.  They were the best cookies ever, recipe here.

So we got there and were greeted by ridiculous beautiful people manning the front desk, asking for reservations.  Uh, we don't have those.  We are more "living in the moment" type people.  So we sat at the bar, which was divine.  Lauren got the yummy mojito type thing on the left, which is notable for the float of 12 year old rum on the top.  I told her she should just drink that part and send back the rest but truthfully the whole drink was stellar.  I got the yummy watermelon type thing on the right, which I loved.  The drinks all had awesome hipster-y names like "The Mule's Apprentice" and "Buzz Buttons".  Love that shit.

This is looking outside, where they have a nice outdoor seating area and after dark the lovely fairy lights in the trees look so inviting.

And this is looking at the bar.

We also got a yummy hatch chile, smoked goat cheese, and sardine pizza which I totally recommend but it was too dark by that time to take a decent pic.  Then we had to run away home because this very nice and decent "East Coast" guy was trying to hit on Lauren but she already got a man.

All in all, it was a lovely evening and I am sure we will return to Laurel Hardware again.