Snowflakes are like people…
December 15, 2013
each one different…one of a kind… each possessing its own unique character and beauty. Yet, en masse, both seem to lose their individual charm. That said, it’s no surprise that I’m not a fan of holiday crowds and even at Christmastime I’m not a fan of snow. The solitary snowflake captured by an artist can be a thing of beauty and a design inspiration in its own unique way. Too much of a good thing, however, and there are treacherous roadways, snarled traffic and shoveling. Give me little dusting on Christmas Eve and I’m good.
top to bottom:
This modern graphic was extracted from a box of Trader Joe’s holiday Pfeffernusse. Similar modern incarnations have graced everything from product packaging, gift wrap and greeting cards since the middle of the last century. And, it still looks good.
An amazing macro capture by artist/designer Edward Horsford makes you wonder how this single thing of natural beauty can, when multiplied, shut down and airport….or even a city.http://edwardhorsford.com/photography/macro/page2.htm
This gorgeous soft brass Lynlee chandelier looks snowflake inspired. Far and beyond any of the Sputnik chandeliers of the 1950’s and 60’s, I could warm up to this any time of the year.http://shop.thedpages.com/product-p/lynlee-chandelier.htm
George Nelson’s Ball Clock in natural beach has been a classic of modern design since it’s origins in 1947. It looks a lot like a snowflake to me.http://hivemodern.com/pages/product99/vitra-george-nelson-ball-clock-beech
When I was in early elementary school, we made some modern snowflake ornaments of round wooden toothpicks stuck into a small styrofoam ball and finished with spray snow and glitter. Mine was so cool I remember it like it was yesterday. What better time to revisit and resize with a few new creations made from a styrofoam ball, some bamboo skewers and a spritz of metallic paint? At 18 and 26″ in diameter I think I’ll do OK with no tree this year.
There’s still time…
December 12, 2013
to get that hand knit gift cast on, cast off and wrapped up before Christmas. Start with some giant sticks and some giant merino yarn from Loopy Mango, add the simplest knit or purl stitch and a couple of hours. Et voila….a little Christmas magic. Who on your list wouldn’t love a scarf , wrap or throw with this much style and panache? It’ll go so quickly you might want to knock one out for yourself as well.
yarn and blanket photos: Loopy Mango
Candy, Candy Canes…
December 10, 2013
candy corns…syrup*. Who knew that one of these…of Elf’s main food groups… could be so disarming? A pocketful of candy canes is just great to carry around, ready to hand out and diffuse some impending holiday meltdown. It could be the nasty person in line at Starbucks giving the barista a hard time or the weary sales clerk at any retail location, who just needs a smile and a break, that can benefit from this simple gesture. I started doing this years ago, begining my day armed and ready. And, I always returned home with an empty pocket, feeling good. Interesting how bringing a sweet unexpected smile to someone will always have one coming back to you.
* Elf
Deck The Halls
December 7, 2013
It’s now or never. With less than three weeks until Christmas now’s the time to get the place festivized. A simplequietmodern formula of selecting fewer elements and concentrating their application will provide the most effective outcome with the least amount of stress. First pick a foliage…say fir, magnolia or boxwood and add a secondary material…like winterberry, cones or moss and you are on your way. If you are going to be entertaining, the simple addition of some fresh blooms or flowering bulbs to your “base” will punch things up. Remember…keep it simple, keep it quiet, keep it modern.
From the top:
A simple Fir wreath from Trader Joes is a fragrant welcome for under 10 bucks.
The best deal around could be this three to four foot Frazier fir…with a stand AND a galvanized container. I think I’d use the stand as an anchor and place the tree in a large glass cylinder with some natural river rocks and repurpose the bucket for chilling something sparkling. http://www.shopterrain.com/holiday-preview/tabletop-fraser-fir/productOptionIDs/ac1a6025-a441-4932-8c10-4160e950e55b
Bright soft mounds of preserved reindeer moss could fill low bowls or baskets for an interesting bit color. http://www.shopterrain.com/new-arrivals-garden-plants/preserved-reindeer-moss-bright/productOptionIDs/df8906bb-f3d4-4414-b906-24d41d95e04c
Cones, cones and more cones. If you had the foresight to be gathering these along the way, their rich brown texture would be a freebee.
Even the most traditional door could use a modern application like this simple boxwood wreath hung with a length of jute cord as spotted on Habitually Chic. http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/
White tulips at Christmas have become my signature , but a couple of stems of long-lasting white Cymbidium orchids will take you from Christmas Eve to New Years Eve.
Winterberry by the armful…now, that’s a statement.
A modern spin on a simple white Amaryllis could be this new entry in bright Chartreuse. I think I’d like these best combined with bowls of brown cones and the brown sueded finish of cut magnolia. http://www.shopterrain.com/holiday-preview/potted-amaryllis-kit-lemon/productOptionIDs/bd0459cc-8958-45c4-b120-330bd8a8856a
These arrangements spotted in Chanel illustrate perfectly a simplequietmodern combination of simplicity and textural contrast. These driftwood-like boxes filled with the mossy Dianthus, Cedar and a bit of glossy Camellia foliage will last through a month of holiday festivities. Photo by Habitually Chic
He’s makin’ a list…checkin it twice
December 4, 2013
Now’s a good time to start on your list as well. And, to help you along I’ve pulled together a few simplequietmodern ideas to get you going…mostly simple… that are thoughtful, inspired and won’t break the bank. If they aren’t a fit for someone on your list there is no harm in treating yourself to a little gift is there?
From top to bottom:
Who wouldn’t love this festive serving bowl from Heath in their holiday ruby and red suede glaze …extra special when filled with some spicy Maple Cayenne Glazed Walnuts. http://www.heathceramics.com/catalog/product/view/id/1538/s/bowl-ruby-red-suede-red/category/3/
You have plenty of time left to knit someone special this basic cap in Purl Soho’s new Merino Worsted Twist yarn. I have one near identical in cotton that I wear constantly so I know this’ll be a hit. Yarn, pattern and supplies needed are available through Purl.http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2013/10/10/purl-soho-basic-hats-for-everyone.html
This iPad Mini sleeve in charcoal suede from Need Supply Co. will add some simplequietmodern protection to our favorite new mobile device. http://needsupply.com/ipad-mini-sleeve.html
It doesn’t get any better than homemade marshmallows covered in chocolate unless you’ve received a gift of these…Jenna’s Peppermint Sticks from Simply Good Kitchen in Birmingham, Michigan. Thick dark chocolate over homemade marshmallow bars with just the perfect dusting of finely crushed peppermint sticks. You better get some for yourself while you’re at it. http://www.simplygoodkitchen.com/default.htm
These faceted balancing blocks of white-painted wood from Need Supply Company would definitely keep one happily occupied while on stuck on “hold”. http://needsupply.com/mens/new/balancing-blocks.html
Oaktown Spice Shop’s Everything Bagel Spice Blend takes one of our favorite flavor combinations and makes it easily applicable to almost anything. http://food52.com/provisions/products/37-oaktown-spice-shop-the-better-than-everything-bagel
Merry Christmas from pig heaven. Who wouldn’t love the a pound or two of thick cut bacon from Whole Foods Market. It could easily turn a vegetarian into a flexetarian. I’m just sayin’.
If it’s a gift for a gardener that has you stumped perhaps this galvanized weeder will fit the bill. I’m thinking a stroll through the garden won’t be complete without one. http://www.shopterrain.com/new-arrivals-garden-plants/galvanized-utility-weeder/productOptionIDs/bd0459cc-8958-45c4-b120-330bd8a8856a
Mmmm…maplely
November 30, 2013
I love maple syrup. And, I love walnuts. It’s also no secret that a recipe that knocks it outta the park with the fewest possible ingredients works for me on every possible level. So,you can imagine how excited I was when I ran across this recipe for Maple Cayenne Glazed Walnuts. Four ingredients…one pan…ten minutes. Done. You’ll definitely want to be multiplying this recipe for use over ice cream, in a salad, added to a cheese tray or just to have more to snack on. If I received a smartly wrapped batch of these as a holiday gift I would not be disappointed.
This recipe is from http://www.fifteenspatulas.com/
You might see your glass…
November 26, 2013
half empty. I run into people daily who whine and complain about all of the gifts in their lives that, seriously, they have no reason to have but for the grace of God. Their glass is never quite full enough. Well, on this Thanksgiving it might do them well, particularly when there are so many with so little, to be thankful that they have a glass…and, that there is something in it. If you woke up this morning and took a breath…give thanks. If you have been blessed with wealth or excellent health, give thanks. If you have simply experienced beauty or kindness in the most unexpected place, give thanks.
Just Press Play
November 23, 2013
Have I mentioned how much I love Pandora? Well, I do. And, I love it even more now that I have simplified my Christmas and holiday listening by setting a few stations…like Classic Christmas…and pressing play. An endless loop will keep a festive background without the need to sort through your collection of old discs and organizing a play list. Imagine selecting your own station of holiday favorites eliminating the need to listen to your local FM station and suffering through repeated assualts of Burl Ives’ “Holly Jolly Christmas” or Elmo and Patsy’s version of ” Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer”. Pandora…definitely simplequietmodern.
http://www.pandora.com/#/music/holiday
Home Stretch
November 20, 2013
Eighteen hundred yards in and a few hundred more to go before binding off, it’s nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel. And, with the holidays drawing nearer, it’ll be nice to have this off the sticks. I gotta say, it’s a big thick lapful of linen blanket…and it’s shown folded in half.
Shiny
November 17, 2013
Sometimes you just need a little shine on your shoes to get you off on the right foot. And, it doesn’t get any shinier than this… a classic lace up oxford in patent leather by Gucci. They make me smile just looking at them. I think I’d need two pair cuz I’d wear them every day… with some beat up jeans and a black turtleneck or crew. The simplequietmodern anchor to my seasonal uniform.
photo: BergdorfGoodman
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