Fabric Stash: New Additions

color/pattern combos that are right up my alley

I can't sew much beyond hemming and buttons. My crafty elders taught me young to fix my own clothes and also the joys of knitting and crochet. Sadly, the bug never really caught on with me and none of it evolved into a passion. BUT I do still enjoy buying fabric. I have a large IKEA Strikt box under my bed stuffed tight with fat quarters, yards and multi-yard lengths of fabric. Just sittin' there, waitin' on a someday project... 

And over the summer I happened across a few more irresistible items - on sale, no less - to add to the pile.

My 1st Anniversary

my perfect living room: serena & lily catalog summer 2011

It was one whole year ago today that I launched Lotus & Fig. It's probably obvious by my 111 or so posts that I've learned how time-consuming blogging can be. I've also learned that it takes a while to figure how you want things to be, from design, to format, to voice. These things are all still very much under consideration. But this has certainly been fun. 

A hearty thank you to my followers and commenters for your support and interest. An extra thanks to my first follower, Peggy at Creative Influences, for all your advice. And to Meredith at Making a Dream Home for blog-buddying with me. I'm still working on some of your suggestions, namely, a house tour of my apartment. That was supposed to be my anniversary post, but it has been waaaayyyy too hot to clean the place up and photograph it. Plus write the post, etc. 

So....Belated 1st Anniversary House Tour post to come. Onward!

UPDATED: Just want to add another special thanks to screencappers in general. My posts used to have credits as many of you prefer. But a lot of screencappers closed their sites in the past few months and I decided to remove credits so as not to point fingers directly at any of you. If not for your passion and labor, many many everyday people would not be able to a review and study the detail in set design. If you see your work on my site (or think you do) please accept my thanks a million times over for your excellent work. If it weren't good, I would not have used it. If you want a credit/link added back, just let me know. :smooch:

Lotus & Fig: The Shoe

naturalizer espadrilles

It was bound to happen sometime. In my holiday weekend travels I stumbled on a pair of Naturalizer espadrilles in the perfect colors to reflect my blog. A watercolor stripe of pinks, orange, tan and brown. They were even my size. Unfortunately, espadrilles must run small. They were too tight right over the big toe. So, I'm still on the hunt for this apparently discontinued shoe. 

Shout if you spot in a 9 - 9 1/2 - 10 out there!

Color Story: Sparkle & Fade

bandidas starring salma hayek and penelope cruz

I don't know anything about this movie, but it seems to be a comic romp set in the Old West. I stumbled across this screencap a year ago and found the colors striking. I'm guessing these saloon gal/showgirl costumes aren't entirely accurate. The combination of teal, orange/hot pink ombre, and so much hot pink seems a bit out of place. But it also makes for an arresting image. The glitzy masks and skeleton top hats. And behind all the brights you have the earth toned wall painted in traditional patterns on weathered wood. 

It just kind of works. 

Summer Song: One Small Treat

marrakech moroccan spoons in aubergine

If you're being cautious with your cash this summer but still want a little summer indulgence these acrylic spoons from LEIF could certainly set the right mood. Marrakech Moroccan Print Teaspoons not only look the part, they sound like a vacation you can hold in your hands. Whether you're trying your hand at exotic ice cream flavors or just getting down your morning yogurt, these ought to add a little spice to your days.

Single-Girl Style: Chill in Kuala Lumpur

kuala lumpur home of an van daele [source: ruemag.com]

A wonderful summer room! Cool floors, airy furnishings, bright windows, soothing color scheme. Eclectic, global, casual. I love the rice basket on top of the modern entertainment console. The two pillows are a must for such glossy, cool floors. The table has lots of surface area without being heavy or obtrusive. And the spare wall art is painted in soul-soothing shades that complement the few hits of color in the room. Wonderful mix of textures: shiny, smooth, plush, nubby, worn and rough. 

All good things.

Rooms on Film: Cracks 2009

rockstar teacher miss g's private room

Sometimes I can't do a simple Rooms on Film post, because there is so much more going on than set design. Cracks is such a production. Starring Eva Green (Dark Shadows, The Dreamers) as a captivating, modern instructor at a 1930s private girls school, Cracks is really one of those treats of costuming and design. Take a beautiful actress, build a gorgeous setting and clothe her in cutting-edge style. Then turn her loose to perform while the audience falls back, mesmerized by the dashing shapes and silhouettes all this amounts to as the story unfolds. SO, this will be the first of two posts: one centering on the sets, the second focusing on the wardrobe.