-
heading to paris (!!!)
eeee. i am so excited to be leaving for paris today! i’m getting ready to eat as much unpasterized butter as i can hold in my stomach and walk and drink and take lots of photos and clearly i’m thrilled. if you guys have any can’t miss spots in paris, let me know!
…here’s what i’m [fantasy] packing.
01. hell yeah a selfie stick. no shame. ok probably a lot of shame, but it was super hard to get a good eiffel tower shot last time i was in paris (we were literally trying for an hour) so this time i’m coming prepared.
02. i always end up throwing on the same things on vacations, this simple blousey white tank is a perfect easy staple.
03. i don’t know… to me, these sunglasses look hot french girl. am i totally wrong on this?
04. because when in paris, eat lots and lots of croissants.
05. i always prefer a backpack when i’m walking around on trips, love how this doubles as a purse.
06. and when you’re walking, you need some walking shoes. -
how to make dope crudités
i personally think my husband could be a food stylist. he only started cooking about two years ago, but he got so good so quickly, and his plating is always on point. it actually made me super insecure about cooking. you may have noticed i share a lot fewer recipes on the blog now than i used to, this is all because of him.
so i asked him to create a crudité platter for our game night last week, and he really really nailed it. (WELL HEY, i did the shopping all on my own!) because he nailed it so much, i asked him to share his tips for how to recreate your own. this is the first time you’ve heard from gideon on the blog, so this is exciting stuff you guys!
hi! a good crudités or charcuterie is kind of like arranging a bouquet of flowers. you want different colors, in different amounts, composed and scrunched together with a few things that pop, and a few that melt into the background. here are some general tips:
messy is good
you want your plate/board/vessel to look like it’s overflowing with wonderful delicious morsels. mixing up different textures and colors is a good thing. you can have your carrots in several spots, and keep your broccoli all to itself, and sprinkle cherry tomatoes all over — everything looks better and more abundant in a (controlled) jumble.
symmetry is (usually) bad
having equal amounts of carrots on the right and left, with 5 tomatoes on each side, with broccoli next to that… pretty soon your crudités is going to look like the wheel of fortune wheel. this is great if you’re hosting a wheel of fortune party, but it takes away the organic beauty found in a more farm-to-coffee-table look, and makes it appear more like you bought that plastic platter at the grocery store. maybe start with a teensy bit of symmetry as a base, and then mess it up as you add the rest.
edible garnish is still edible
leafy or herbal garnishes look great on a platter like this, and you’d be surprised how many guests end up dipping your dill springs into the ranch and making a snack of it. basically, as long as it’s edible, there’s no rules or reason to hold back on an arrangement like this. use everything you have that makes it pretty (as long as you can eat it).
find ways to make it unique
you can really make a crudités stand out with unique ingredients or uncommon garnishes. edible flowers and heirloom carrots add unexpected colors. orange bell pepper adds a sweet note and a neon pop to your otherwise planty palate. garnish with unusual herbs like rosemary or baby dill or sprigs of thyme. if it came from the ground, goes in your mouth, and looks good on the plate, then it belongs in your crudités.
FOOD STYLING BY GIDEON BOOMER
ART DIRECTION BY ALMOST MAKES PERFECT + MOLLY RHYMER
PHOTOS BY MARY COSTA -
happy weekend
YAY! WEEKEND! we’re spending this one getting last minute stuff done before we leave on tuesday — sooo much to do and it hasn’t really hit me yet that we’re going because i’ve been going non-stop. gotta fill up all the travel bottles and pick out all the different t-shirts, you know. we’re also celebrating father’s day with a picnic for my stepdad in their backyard. also, this week i hit 10K on instagram. this is very exciting news in our household, so i’m feeling on top of the world right now, lame as it may be. you gotta celebrate all the things! have a good one guys.
⋅ ugh, i love him even if he’s a philanderer
⋅ this is so so important to me.
⋅ this future will require shades for sure
⋅ love this simple little clock
⋅ the possibilities are ENDLESS!
⋅ if you like jeff bridges…
⋅ don’t forget to print your dad some gift tags!
⋅ and don’t forget to make him a gift in the first place.
⋅ OR make him some cookies instead -
how to host a game night for adults
you may have heard me mention that my friends and i do a pretty serious game night. we’ve been pretty much keeping it up bi-weekly for the past few years, so i’ve definitely learned a thing or two about what makes for a good game and what doesn’t. and because i’m generous with advice, i decided to share with you my best tips!
1. invite a good number of people
try to invite an even or big group of people. and base the game accordingly : if you have an even number, team games are always the most intense for us. make sure everyone is equally passionate about playing games, because you don’t want any naysayers or buzz kills. there are certain games that are fine for a small group, and some that are only fun with a large one.
2. choose the game prior
our game night email chain is when we decide on the game(s), so there’s no heated discussion once everyone arrives. if your friends need help, provide them with a list of options. (this might also apply to friends who apparently like to argue about these things.
3. while you’re at it, choose the right games
now that our game night has commenced so many times, we know what we all enjoy and what we don’t. games that end up being the most fun for us are : taboo, mafia and celebrity. we also love balderdash when the group is feeling a little more mellow. and to spice up your old board games, i came up with an easy DIY to gift all your friends with : personalized game pieces! you can keep them in one place and use them every time you guys play a board game – so no more fighting over who has to be orange. head over to the kendall-jackson blog today to see the how-to.
4. don’t start the game right away, and have another as backup
we usually end up talking for about 30 mins at least before we start playing. but as the host, it’s your job to shut everyone up and make them start the game at a certain point (what a thoughtful host i am!) when the game has finished and everyone is winding down, but not leaving — have an extra little game for them to play. we love telephone pictionary for the end of the night, because everyone can sit around and crack up and leave on a really high note.
5. clear off your coffee table
we always tend to play around a coffee table versus a dining table, because it’s a much more relaxed vibe. while the girls will admire your cute coffee table styling, it ends up getting in the way so save the trinket display for your next party. all you need on the table is the games and some coasters.
6. make easy finger foods that don’t require flatware
you don’t need to serve dinner at game night, and it’s much easier to nosh while playing. chips and dips, crudite and frozen appetizers are all easy. (even easier, just order a couple of pizzas to be delivered when everyone arrives.) also, if you want to avoid doing a bunch of dishes, no one will judge you for using paper plates and paper napkins. especially if they get to drink from real glasses.
7. provide dessert
because you don’t want your teammates running out of steam before you lead them to victory. give them a little sugar fix. we always find a box of donuts is cheap, easy, and gets eaten. and when they don’t, you can turn them into favors! i have a printable i’ll be sharing with you next week for that.
8. don’t worry about not having enough chairs
as long as you have enough floor space. arrange some cushions and pillows on the floor, and make your guests feel comfortable by sitting on the floor yourself.
9. make sure there is plenty to drink
we usually do game night on tuesdays, but everyone still wants to have a glass of wine or two. it’s also totally acceptable to provide food as the host and ask your guests to BYOB if they’re particular. we still always have a bottle or two of wine in case, like kendall-jackson avant sauvignon blanc (especially perf for a summer game night al fresco)
10. you don’t need to set a mood
don’t bother setting the mood with music and candles. background music is fine, but in our group — we’ve always ended up turning down the music so we can focus and yell more. and candles, although they might create some pretty mood lighting, use a lamp instead. you don’t want your rug setting on fire because your friend just blew his round of celebrity and was flailing everywhere.
PHOTOGRAPHY : MARY COSTA
LOCATION : THE MOON & COTHIS POST IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KENDALL-JACKSON. ALL OPINIONS ARE 100% MY OWN.
-
printable father’s day gift tags
if you’re not using the father’s day gift wrap this year, because like – the store gift wrapped for you, i made some simple gift tags for your presents, or your six pack, or your whatever you’re giving him!
you know the drill : just print on heavy cardstock, cut out, punch a hole, and attach to your gift! forget to get him a gift? it’s not too late, and you’re welcome for the reminder!
ALL PRINTABLES ARE FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR REDISTRIBUTION OR RESALE.
-
f21 faves
ok so while i usually wear black, it’s warm outside, so i’m ok wearing lighter colors. well, neutrals. the word color is a stretch, but this will do! here are some neutral faves to complete your summer wardrobe.
WANT THESE
gauze dress / backpack / dress / linen tank / cuff / shorts / kimono / sandals
-
happy weekend
phew – another week, and even less time until i go to paris. i’m seeing jurassic world this weekend and hopefully doing some posts for while i’m gone. but will you be so mad if i don’t? what if i share some dope links?
⋅ 20 years ago my life was changed by one movie.
⋅ love this pitcher DIY, i mean you’d get so many compliments.
⋅ maybe worth it though?
⋅ um. i love this.
⋅ just bought these for walking around in paris, so far they are way comfy!
⋅ we all need these tips.
⋅ i want to stay here.
⋅ speaking of jurassic world, this is so damn cute.
⋅ a whole bunch of pretty fonts for cheap!PHOTO TAKEN AT GRACIAS MADRE @ALMOSTMAKESPERFECT
-
dream house : the studio
i suppose my current work situation isn’t as bad as it could be — but it’s not good. i do the majority of my DIYs on the dining table, coffee table, and a makeshift desk from a large cardboard box i use in my bedroom to watch TV while i work. so the thing i’m focusing on the most with the houses we’re looking for is having either a large extra bedroom or a converted garage to use as studio space. we’ve actually seen some tiny houses with huge studio spaces, which is great for me and not so great for the rest of the gang.
but i’m dreaming about having large windows with natural light and white concrete floors and organized craft supplies — and ditching the small busted up pieces of foam core i use on my coffee table to shoot all my projects on.
white floors. i don’t care how much cleaning it’ll require. (i say this now…) [image]
along with a high vaulted ceiling and a cozy place for me to space out. [image]
and plants. lot of plants so i never run out of things to instagram. [via]
and of course, a place for me to collect inspiration. [image]
also, i really wouldn’t at all mind having a seamless. [image]
and i’m going to be really conscious of making sure all of the furniture is neutral and simple and classic. [image one, two, three]
[image]
so obviously i’m not sure this is realistic. but it’s good to be optimistic right?!
-
diy wood grain flask
last year for fathers day i made DIY cufflinks. this year how about a flask? lets face it — most men aren’t super easy to DIY gifts for. but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t attempt it anyway right? who cares if they’ll use it! it’s the thought that counts dammit!
materials
01. cut out a piece of your contact paper to fit around the flask. try to use a smooth piece that hasn’t been damaged like mine.
02. if you want to personalize your flask with your dads name (or whoever’s name, no judgement), do that now. but practice a lot first if you need to. my method for “calligraphy” is to write the name in cursive, and then go over all of the lines that are going down again to thicken those up.
03. peel off the backside and gently place your contact paper down, don’t worry about a little overlap on the top or bottom if you have it, just make sure you like the placement of the name.
04. slowly press down on the contact paper, like one inch at a time, making sure you rub out the air bubbles as you go. you can also use a credit card or a squeegee. continue along the back and you can choose to either overlap the paper or cut (depending on how your grain matches up)
05. using your xacto, slowly run your knife at the exact angle of your flask edges, this will remove all the excess paper, and it worked surprisingly well. the edges are way cleaner than i expected!
you can even go the extra mile and fill it up with his favorite booze, as well as the leftover bottle. or keep the bottle for yourself. because that’s what you were just thinking you’d rather do.
-
maker spotlight : convivial production
today i’m introducing you to chentell, the potter behind convival productions. read about her process and swoon over her gorgeous ceramics — guarantee you’re gonna want one or five.
TELL US ABOUT YOU + YOUR SHOP!
so convivial production, inc was started just over a year ago. we are a production and design company that hand makes home decor and dinnerware products for various brick + mortar stores throughout the us. all of the work grew from my love for hospitality. service. dining. social vitality. the notion of conviviality coincided perfectly with functional ceramic wares – the joining of people to eat, to drink and to be well with one another. we make the dinnerware that allows for festivity as well as the decor that sets the scene for intimate gatherings. our goal is to encourage others to host well as they use the items they have collected.WHEN DID YOU FIRST START CREATING?
i started creating ten years ago. this fact always baffles me – that at age 24 I have already been developing a skill for ten years now. but it’s true! i took my first class in ceramics my freshman year of high school and have been committed ever since. it was therapeutic for me at the time, if i may speak bluntly. i was surrounded my instability and creating brought a sense of stillness and relief. i loved the process and have stuck with it through the years.
HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO START YOUR SHOP AND START SELLING YOUR GOODS?
i started selling items in college during the holidays. i’m honestly not sure how that all came about. seemed like a pretty natural progression of close friends taking interest in my work and in turn i began publishing that i had items available for sale. it all grew from there – family + friends first. i remember the first time someone i didn’t know purchased my work – it was a true milestone to be celebrated. from there i simply built my process of production around demand. the more people wanted to buy, the more i would make. it’s still this way today.WHAT’S THE HARDEST PART ABOUT RUNNING YOUR OWN SHOP?
the hardest part of running my shop is to know how to grow ahead of the demand. its a rare occasion when i receive an order and actually have it in stock – meaning that i am constantly focused on what is in front of me. accommodating. fulfilling. i have a hesitation to build before it comes. building and getting ahead of the game is my goal this summer.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST OR TV SHOW TO WORK TO?
npr baby! i often listen to classical music as i begin the day. this naturally progresses to some sort of indie folk, and occasionally the blues radio. however, often i feel like i need to sharpen my mind while i work. i don’t want to loose touch with whats going on in the world. npr has been my solution for this and i’m always filtering through ted talks for a good topic.WHO IS YOUR CELEBRITY HUSBAND?
yikes! my fiance will laugh at me for this but i gotta say tim riggins. friday night lights anyone? i know he is a character – not actually a real celebrity but he is my answer. season one through five my eyes and heart were sealed to the screen, mostly for tim. now thats a bit extreme and if i thought about it more i’d probably end up switching my response to jonny depp or that gentleman from the notebook, but i’ll land on riggins for now. it’s the high school girl in me coming out.HOW DO YOU GET INSPIRED WHEN YOU’RE IN A TOTAL RUT?
its not often i find myself in an inspirational rut and i think there is a lesson to be learned here. i make it a priority to work hard and to do so continuously. in doing so i find that i am naturally inspired. when i see one idea come to life it often sparks a handful of variations. always stay working. always stay sharp. read. again I say, read! connect the dots. find the meaning. think. process. create!WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D SHARE WITH OTHER ARTISTS TRYING TO GO PRO?
i have two pieces of advice up my sleeve. one. create and publish your work with a heightened attention to detail. two. don’t look at other designers work within your specific medium. pull inspiration from other sources. pursue your own ideas and don’t chase trends.
STUDIO PHOTOS BY RYAN JAMES CARR
sooo pretty right?! and she’s offering 20% OFF all items in her shop for the week!
USE CODE AMPLOVE AT CHECKOUT!
