Kireina Paper Brooch Winner

Today got a little hectic, hence the late announcement of the winner. The Brooch giveaway winner is ..... #56 : Vanessa who said...beautiful! Vanessa please email me : blackeiffel@gmail ASAP so we can get your custom order in.

For those who didn't win, Kireina Paper is super kind to offer Black Eiffel readers a special $3.00 discount off their Mother's Day brooch. To receive, enter code "BLACKEIFFEL" at checkout, which makes them only $23! Thanks Kireina Paper!

Favorites of the Season by guest Rachel McGinn

The weather here in Philadelphia has been unseasonly warm. It has been 87 for the last 4 days! Days like these I rummage through the summer bins I stacked away last September and realize I am in desperate need of warm weather clothing. Of course I always buy for the kids first! Here are a few of my favorites for this season.

For me- Kate Spade Bloomington Daisy Top but I think Kate Spade should be a hot spot right??



For the girls- Melodie dress with anchor by Pears and Bears.




Some websites I buy from, others I visit for the photography. One of my favorites is Flora and Henri.



They have a new table linen line! This is my dream breakfast. So simple and sophisticated. I'd like to actually sit for a meal one of these days!



I came across the wildly talented photographer Stephanie Rausser while reading about Flora and Henri. She used to shoot the adorable catalog I can never throw away. I go back to it every now and again for inspiration before a kids shoot.

tiny jar inspiration

What can I say, we are inspired by tiny jars of single flower blooms, all lined up in a single row. So pretty, so simple...looking. But, one thing it's important to realize before you decide to do it yourself: Coming from an event designer's perspective, achieving this look is not actually so simple and not as inexpensive as it looks! There is a lot of work that goes into making things looks simple, clean and adorable. Careful consideration has to go into choosing the right vases, the right sizes of the different vases, the spacing, the height of the cut flowers, the colours of the flowers and the colour of the decor on the tables to give it some punch, but not too much of an overbearing punch at the same time. And alot of the time, you'll also need to purchase a strong flower that makes the right statement, one that can stand alone in it's beauty - normally more expensive than just any old carnation or rose! Phew, that's a lot of work for something so pretty and simple...

{Pic #1 from Martha Stewart, Pic #2 & 3 I can't remember...oops, Pic #4 from Freckgirl76's wedding on Flickr}

Stop Motion Clip

My brother shared this clip with me, I can't get enough stop motion.

Good luck at Goodwill

You already know that I frequently haunt thrift stores looking for sheets for my sewing projects. Which I realize sounds a little gross, but it isn't. Okay, I did find it icky at first. But I've learned which stores thoroughly wash and then hang their sheets, which makes the experience much more pleasant.

I scored last week.

{you'll be seeing these fabrics in various forms for a few months}

That one in the front is a great print that reminds of tiki style things. And you can see a hint of the pink stripey one I found. I also got some plain jane white and yellow ones that are really good cotton and will be lovely to work with.

And for the first time in years, I wandered into the clothing section, lured in by this sweet little corduroy jacket. It is so well made and it has tiny puffs at the sleeves and cuffs. I love it. And then I found a dress, which I remember seeing at Urban a while back.

{the jacket + a little pleated dress}

It quickly devolved into a two hour Goodwill rampage, and I walked out $60 poorer but in possession of both the jacket and the dress, along with two fabulous tunic tops, an Italian spring weight wool coat (currently at the dry cleaners), and my 5 sets of sheets, all crammed into a giant trash bag.

The only sad part is that I then had to make the one mile (slightly uphill) walk home cradling said giant trash bag, and my arms ached for two days. Ouch.

A Few Movies....

This weekend I finally got around to watching 2 films on my list. Helvetica... which is a must see for the graphic designer type or anyone interested in typography, pretty cool.



and Son of Rambow, which made me laugh multiple times. If you are looking for an imaginative, artistic, takes place in England circa 1980s, feel like a kid again flick... add it to your list.

What are you watching?

Holt's Birthday by guest: Rachel McGinn

Today is my son's second birthday. He is such a joy to have around and everything I think a little boy should be. Usually I would make a fuss and create a fun kids party but with the tanking economy and a move for us ahead we decided to keep things light. I will never skimp on cake however especially the cake pictured here. It is from one of my favorite old school bakeries in Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania called the Bakery House. For my New York City gal pals it is the equivalent to Magnolia Bakery. Something about the icing just makes me melt.

2. I had high hopes to have a party for Holt and was looking for ideas in one of my new favorite publications from Williams Sonoma- Kid's Parties

3. Another great source for kids photographs comes from my favorite photographer Thayer Allison Gowdy. Visit her Kids portfolio and go GAGA! I hope to reach her status someday.