Shadow Box Tray

I have felt so accomplished this week! I FINALLY finished my shadow box tray that I started over a year ago! I have always loved little things, and I’ve been collecting them for practically my entire life. When I saw these shadow box trays by 7 gypsies, I knew it’d be perfect to house all my mini findings.

I didn’t have a specific direction when I started; I knew I just wanted to concentrate on one window at a time and tinker with it till I was satisfied with it. And after it was all I said and done, I must say it came together quite nicely. It has a lot of travel influence because that’s what I love the most.

It has postcards I got in Paris, a single earring whose mate was lost on one of the best nights of my life, a red bus I bought in London, tiny shards of sea glass that I've picked all over the world, foreign coins, and even a sticker with the lyrics from one of my favorite songs! Everything this shadow box contains are things that are meaningful and hold sentimental value to me, which is exactly what I wanted. Its all about me.

I finished it off by putting an acrylic cover over the whole thing and hiding the adhesive by using decorative corners. That way, the dust won’t creep into the crevices over the years to come. Now I’m onto other unfinished projects!


Have a great week everyone!

Mandy

Hot Springs

Last weekend Jesse and I went to Hot Springs, Arkansas to celebrate the end of a college semester and, of course, our anniversary. Historic Downtown Hot Springs was such a charming lovely little place to be and we were lucky enough to stay in a Fancy-Smancy old hotel right in the heart of it all on Bath House Row (Thanks Groupon!). The glory days of Hot Springs hit its peak in the 1920s-1940s... and that spirit of a much simpler, yet glamorous time in history still lingers around and especially inside of our hotel.

Here are some pictures from our adventures:

just steps away from the front doors of our hotel, a view of the historic downtown area.

So many bathhouses, such little time! (we didn't have time to experience any spa treatments)

This was my favorite bathhouse.

 The doors in this area have so much character!! Can I take this home with me?

The side of our hotel where the sign was.

The Arlington Hotel was where we stayed for the weekend. Also, one of the coolest hotels I have ever stayed in.

There was a lot of originality and classic features in our hotel, including the elevator dials!

We stayed on the 6th floor in room 630. It was small, but back then people didn't require much space. Many original features were kept in the room, including glass knobs and marble floors.

Inside of the lobby was this fountain for the natural spring mineral water.

Al Capone would rent out the entire 4th floor when he stayed at the hotel, they now have a suite dedicated to him and somewhere in the hotel there is a secret tunnel that leads over to the bar/casino on the other side of the street, as well as the underground bowling alley (We learned about this when we went through the Gangster Museum)

The left and right sides of the hotel lobby had alcoves with bright and colorful matching murals painted in them. One side was the bar area, the other side was a stage where the band would play all night! The music filled the hallways, each night was a party!

The hotel was dripping in antiques and character, even the bathroom donned little treasures and lots of detail.... I want this marble honeycomb tile!!

So, there was a sitting room in the bathroom... decorative sconces, mirrors, molding and arches. The low lighting everywhere made things seems a little more sexier too!

Allison, i know this picture doesn't do this wallpaper justice but it was EVOO!! The entire women's restroom was EVOO wallpaper!!! It was just fabulous and bold and vintage and lovely.... then adding this strange texture really gave it a luxurious feel!

 These cupcakes were delish! (and these ladies will be on Cupcake Wars on June 16th!... making this the second Cupcake Wars cupcake shop I have eaten at.)

Happy Red Nose Day!

Hello, lovies!

I am writing from the UK as I am currently travelling on business.  Unfortunately, due to long travelling hours, and then long work hours - just as I finish my day in the UK, everyone from my office in California gets in and starts emailing... It is like having two work days in one! - I have not had time for any creations.  I have, however, been gathering plenty of inspiration for future posts that I am excited to share!

Here are my favorite British things so far:

1. Puff pastry - They use it as a base for both savory and sweet dishes, like open chicken pies and bread puddings.  So buttery, so flaky, so versatile!  English food is the perfect comfort food, especially on cold nights.  But side note - even English people don't like English food due to how unhealthy it can be.  The way I see it, it is perfect to help you put on that extra layer of fluff in order to stand the cold English wind!

2. Crunchie - A Crunchie is a candy bar put out by Cadbury that is basically just a bar of perfectly crisp honeycomb covered in their own delicious chocolate.  I do believe you can find Crunchies at stores like World Market that often sell British candies, so try one for yourself!

3. Red Nose Day - Not exactly a holiday, but a day of charity that is widely advertised and supported around the country.  I love that everyone seems to be united on this, and that the premise is so cheerful... comic relief!  I picked up my own Red Nose Day shirts at TK Maxx (a British TJ Maxx) to do my part.  A Marilyn Monroe with glasses and a red nose for me, and The Beatles all wearing glasses and red noses for my nephew. (http://www.rednoseday.com/)

4. The word "lovely" - or "love," or "lovey," or any other sweet term of endearment that Americans would consider quite personal, but here in the UK are used casually with strangers as well.  I eat breakfast in the same place each morning, with the same 70-year-old woman serving me.  Every morning it is, "coffee today, lovey?" And, "you like the brown toast, don't ya love?"  Even the bus drivers can say, "have a nice day, sweetheart" without it sounding perverted at all.  Everyone here is just friendly!

5. Friendliness - Not just being nice, but being friendly.  There is definitely a difference!  Friendly is being kind to someone in the way that makes you feel like you two are friends who have known each other for years, as opposed to just being nice and polite with someone.  The British people here are all very friendly, and I feel like I am home.  It is refreshing, as this is definitely not something I feel with people in California.  I used to feel it when I would visit my grandparents in the midwest, and maybe it is still there, but even my last few jaunts to Oklahoma haven't felt as homey as the UK.

I have already scoped out several craft stores that I plan on visiting this weekend.  Stores in this quiet coastal town I am visiting close by 5 or earlier, so I haven't been able to catch one yet after work.  I will post my findings next week!

xo Allison