From the Mouth of Babes

These adorable children, Oscar and Trevor [nickname Ya Ya], belong to my friends here in KL. 5 year old Ya Ya was determined to buy his buddy hair gel and a brush for his 4th birthday. Such precision required in the technique!

A Day Late

Today I had a You Snooze, You Loose moment. Admittedly, it stinks because I've been lusting after these Octopus post earrings almost daily. They sold out on Anthropologie's website and because I'm a glutton for punishment I waited a week before calling to see which, if any, stores still had stock. I finally phoned Customer Service, but these darlings sold out everywhere after being marked down from $268 to $69.95. I'm holding out hope that maybe one day we'll be reunited à la eBay. Sigh.

In the Name of

Court·ney  [kôrt′nē]
-noun
1. a feminine and masculine name

Bar⋅ton  [bahr-tn]
–noun
1. Courtney, 1981–present, U.S. born brunette who likes vintage wallpaper, pretty things and commas.

a. Whose interior design style can be defined in great detail—and length!—here.

b. And who can't thank you enough for the birthday cheer! It was a great No. 28.

Book It

Let's ignore everything your Mother preached and judge a book by its cover—and illustrations. Specifically, I'm talking children's books.

M. Sasek is a natural shoe-in as my favorite and I'm also partial to P.D. Eastman's whimsical works, but I'd love to know your go-to book for tots solely based on fetching good looks.

[photo via Kat&Kat.]

They Say It's Your Birthday

I figure since it only comes 'round once a year, more the reason to live it up. I'm off to bask in the glory of being born 28 years ago. Happy Monday, friends!

[photo by Thayer Allyson Gowdy.]

Love is Blind

This mug shot fills my heart. Ah, to love unconditionally...

[via my sweet, sweet friend Emily of e3* photography.]

Down Under

This wine cellar designed by Steven Gambrel is the ultimate escape. Any photo/room that entices me to crawl underground [and next to a roaring fire] in this heat is worth toasting to!

Swan Lake

God Bless the Internet. Once nothing more than a water crush [thanks to this slippery-when-wet post] this rubber ducky on 'roids is now a click away from being delivered to my Malaysian doorstep. It would definitely deflate my current float's ego and is pretty much the same length as our pool, but it's just the amount of ridiculousness my deck needs.

[photo via Grazia.]

Mama's Got a Brand New Bag

...or at least a new 'do! It was time to freshen things up and I knew just the woman for the job. A million and three thank you's to the brilliant Even Cleveland for crawling into my brain and hand-making, stenciling and doodling [no computer generated graphics for that craft master!] a new banner that's quite the looker, though I may be a tad biased. Thanks for making me shine, Stephanie!

To Dye For

These photos really get my creative juices flowing. And make me want to dye every t-shirt in this house and start hanging them from the rafters.

Jungle Fever

Despite the fact that Lucky made it appear I was lusting after that furry Express jacket, this trench is more along the lines of how I'd wear an animal-ish print. Smart, clean and just enough edge for my liking, all in true Phillip Lim form.

It's a Draw

How fantastic are these food doodles? The artist has drawn various British and Scottish staples—and listed quirky background info on each featured item.

Fire and Ice

I easily look at this photo three times a week. The lighting, fashion and architecture are show-stoppers in their own right, but it's the fire and ice color combination that just does it for me.

[photo by Alex Martinez.]

A Perfect Tin

I've been taking cooking classes from an Italian chef who I can barely understand. But midway through our chocolate tart preparation, I fully understood he needed corn flour [of which my pantry had none!]. Last night I swooped up a can of Brown & Polson and while I'm pretty certain I will never go through 400g worth of corn flour in this lifetime, how could I resist another perfectly designed tin?

To a Tea

We recently ventured up to Cameron Highlands and made sure to walk around Southeast Asia's largest black tea plantation, BOH. They produce approximately 5.5 million cups per day, which constitutes 70% of all tea made in Malaysia. After sipping some of their finest, I've become a bit obsessed and my kettle's been working overtime—even in this tropical heat!


My current favorites come from the Seri Songket range, named after an exquisitely-woven Malaysian fabric. The flavors are a blend of spices, fruit and flowers with my must haves being Earl Grey with Tangerine for a morning pick-me-up and Lychee Rose at bedtime. Another major perk: the tin packaging is just as fabulous as the tea itself!


Now, if I only had one of those MADSEN cargo bikes, I could have filled that sucker to the brim with leaves and rode off into the sunset...

Give Props

Ex-Domino style editor Kim Ficaro is now prop styling for various editorial publications, books and catalogs. Flipping through her portfolio was a trip down Domino memory lane.

New York Profile: Sarah Magid

Once a shoe and jewelry designer, Sarah Magid now runs a made-to-order organic cake business out of her Brooklyn home. But her love of fashion still lives on and fuels new ideas for decorating. Sarah's free and natural approach to her now-edible designs is unpretentious, accessible and down right beautiful. But then again, anyone who believes a cupcake a day is a must has their heart in the right place for such a sweet job.


When did you start Cakes by Sarah Magid and what led to your baking business?
I officially started my business in 2005, but had been baking for years. It evolved naturally as an idea to a reality.

What is a typical day?
In the summers it is full-on wedding season, so I start on Wednesday or Thursday hand sculpting the decorations since they need a few days to dry. I try to bake and frost the cakes as close as possible to the event, so usually I am up most of the night before baking and mixing and swearing that I should work at a bank.

What's your design ritual?
It's always something that catches my eye, that makes something click in my heart and mind. Sort of an intuitive feeling about something I see that can be translated into a cake.

Main source of inspiration?
My kids, sunshine, wild gardens, summer, the beach and antique shops.

Favorite kitchen tool?
My red Kitchen-Aid mixer!

What has been your favorite client experience?
Working for friends who get married because they tell me to create whatever I want! That's when I start to use ideas that I have been storing for a while. For example, my friend Alicia got married and I had always wanted to experiment with these lace silicone molds. She loves vintage clothing and lace, so not only did it fit perfectly with her wedding, but allowed me to try something new.


What are you currently working on for future projects?
My book came out in June. I worked so hard on it and am so excited for it to be shared among other bakers and cake lovers!


Have you attended culinary school or did you learn on your own?
Mostly on my own although I took some cake decorating courses at ICE [Institute for Culinary Education] in Manhattan with a master cake decorator.

Other interests?
I freelance design jewelry for large fashion companies and department stores. I also make my own jewelry that in some ways looks like my cake decorations!

How would you describe your personal style?
I love color, bright prints, big jewelry. Sort of that Jewish grandma look of the 70's but seen through a more sophisticated lens [aka no polyester]. I used to be a shoe designer so I have some pretty fierce heels!

What would people be most surprised to learn about you?
I can play the cello.

Who is your favorite chef?
Caroline Fidanza of Diner [Brooklyn] and Suzane Goin of Lucques [Los Angeles].

Always in your handbag...
Hot pink YSL lipstick [see above Jewish Grandma look], my blackberry, keys, mini pink moleskin notebook for ideas, lipstick red Comme des Garcons wallet.

What's playing on your iPod?
Bob Dylan, old school hip hop, Ben Withers, and Star Wars music my son managed to put on.

Favorites websites?
Tastespotting for food ideas, Sugarcraft for cake ideas, Refinery29 for fashion, and The Huffington Post for the latest news and gossip!

Do you have a guilty pleasure?
I eat a sweet every day. Sometimes that is more than once.


Favorite aspect of living in New York?
I love the excitement, the energy, the beautiful people and their interesting outfits, the ease of subways and taxis and the glory of the skyline at night.

Favorite places in New York to shop, eat, etc?
My favorite restaurants are in Williamsburg, among them—Egg, Diner, Marlow & Sons, I also love Le Pain Quotidien for their amazing organic fare. Some of my favorite stores are Bird, ABC Carpet and Home, Mood Fabrics, M+J Trim, John Derian, Broadway Panhandler, Moon River Chattel, and Abitare.

Sunday Drive

Casamidy's 1971 Volkswagen Safari is a Sunday Driver's dream come true. This joy ride was made for summer outings—and for laughing at the you-better-speed-it-up honks along the way.

Ahead of the Pack

Though my grandmother passed away several years ago, her timelessness continues to inspire me. These travel photos are proof that it pays to rethink those frumpy duds when packing. Nazie looks like a million bucks on that ski lift, and I love that she was sure to bring her purse along for the ride!

Miss America

Fireworks, parades, picnics, baseball games, barbecue and celebrating freedom. Make it a good one, America!

[photo by Thayer Allyson Gowdy.]