{bubble chandelier}

When we first moved into the loft, I thought we would need a large statement light fixture to go above the dining room table. We were having a really hard time finding something that was “right.” The best options available in our price range were at Ikea and they all seemed so recognizable and rather boring.  Chris suggested we try to make a light based off a project in one of our old ReadyMade magazines.  You can see the bubble chandelier that inspired ours in the ReadyMade archives here. The directions for this project appeared rather extensive with weaving the bulbs into groups and then weaving of those groups together; ReadyMade even gives it their highest difficulty rating! So we cut a few corners- here is how to make our version: 

what you will need:

• CB2 Bubbles (13 small, 4 large)
• paper lantern electrical cord
• two light socket splitters 
• three G25 clear 40 watt vanity light bulbs
• cotton string
• small paper clips (or small 1 inch long metal or plastic rods- I could not find these anywhere)
• scissors
• pliers
• electrical tape

1. Hang the paper lantern cord in desired location, then attach light socket splitters and bulbs. For the socket splitters, insert one in to the main lantern cord socket and then insert the second splitter into one of the outlets from the first splitter.
2. Cut string into 2 foot lengths, one piece for each bubble. 
3. Flatten paper clips into a small rod using pliers (essentially you "smash" the paper clip) and attach one piece of string with double knot in the center of the clip
4. Insert the end of the string with the paper clip into the bubble while holding the other end of the string out.
5. Begin by affixing the large sized bubbles first; most of these should be placed around the bottom underneath the light bulbs. Affix each bubble by tying the end of the string around the lantern cord with a double knot so that the bubble is held in the desired location.  Trim excess string from knot.
6. Continue by affixing all the small bubbles in between and above the large bubbles to create your desired shape.
7. Cover the knots along the cord with white electrical tape
8. Enjoy!

The best thing about this light is that you can make it as large or as small as you would like depending on the amount of bulbs and bubbles you include (I have been contemplating making ours a little bigger). I also think this project would make wonderful hanging bedside lamps using only 4 or 5 bubbles and one bulb. Faire Frou Frou, a luxury lingerie boutique, found another easy DIY way to use the bubbles here.

If this is too much DIY for your then you can also purchase the original chandelier from ReadyMade in Jean Pelle's shop on Etsy. The seller is the same person who wrote about the project for the magazine.

{mini donuts}

I love taking regular desserts and making them in mini versions.  That is why when I saw this mini donut pan I knew I had to find a recipe and make these right away! I used this recipe which produces a very light cake like donut. I used the simple vanilla glaze from the same recipe. Although, I would prefer to make them with a cinnamon sugar or crumb topping the next time I bake them. Its not that the glaze didn't taste delightful, but paired with the cake like consistency of the batter the entire donut started tasting more like a cupcake than a donut.  I think these would make a fun addition to a brunch buffet or as a dessert served with a few different "dipping" sauces at a small dinner party.

{artwork in our home}

One thing people always ask me when they visit our place for the first time is "where did you get all your artwork?"

This large piece is by a San Francisco artist, Pete Doolittle, which we were lucky enough to come by on a visit to Canvas art gallery/cafe when I used to live in San Francisco. The gallery used to feature different San Francisco based artists and at the time we were there, they were solely featuring Doolittle's artwork. As we were headed out to the car to leave that day this piece was sitting outside the back door near the dumpster!! We called the gallery curator when we got home and asked why it was outside and if we could take it. Turns out, the artist had done the piece during the opening night for that monthly exhibit of his work and had planned on giving it to a friend, but was willing to sell it to us for $100. Sold! This piece of artwork is now one of my most prized possessions and has been with me through several moves.

The three pieces of "slashed" artwork are from one of my neighbor's in the city I grew up in. Driving down the street one day back when I was still in high school, I spotted a stack of 30 or so canvases out with our neighbor's trash. I did not know these neighbors very well, but I did know that the woman who lived there was an artist and I figured she was throwing out some unused canvases which I was thinking I could re-purpose. Once I got closer I realized all of them were beautifully painted, but all them had slashes throughout the artwork. Many had so many slashes that there were pieces of canvas hanging off. I figured these were clearly unwanted and took these three which were the most intact of the paintings.  I really love the vibrant colors these paintings inject into our living space and am surprised at how well they have held up in spite of the slashes.

I purchased this small piece from Canvas Gallery in San Francisco for Chris's birthday one year. It was created by another San Francisco based artist, Sita Rupe. The exhibit at the time was all pieces similar to this one created with vintage wallpaper, acrylic, and resin on plywood.

Chris gave me this print for my 25th birthday this past September, around the time when I started talking seriously about starting a blog of  my own. Made by Girl, the blogger that designed this print, has some wonderful pieces available on her site.  If you are looking for some beautiful and affordable prints I would definitely recommend checking it out. I have my eye on purchasing her LOVE print once I can figure out where I would put it. We used a simple Ikea frame which comes with the matting to frame this.

Chris actually painted this for me when we were first dating so it has a lot of sentimental value. It is a huge piece of plywood my dad was getting rid of painted with acrylic. Back then, we were pretty into Exploding Dog which is what this inspired this one.

I really enjoy hearing the stories behind the different things in people's homes and I love that all of our artwork has a fun story behind it. At the very least it makes for good dinner party conversation!!