Flower Print Photo Jewelry

...Just a little update on what's new at Mademoiselle Mermaid!!...

Introducing: Lovely, flower photo print "antique" pendants!!

I'm ecstatic about them...and even though they're not in shoppe yet, I couldn't wait to share a little sneak peek;)...

What else is new?!

...I have fabulous new images from a Holiday photo shoot to share soon too...

Stay tuned;)

Enjoy the Holidays!!

...See you on the other side of the New Year!!

Love,
Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

 

Delicious Holiday Fashion

I have a simmering pot of homemade applesauce on the stove, and it's filling the house scandalously with it's gorgeous, spicy fragrance...

...really putting me in the frame of mind to enjoy something deliciously festive!!

Cooking is a true art to me, so it's no surprise that my favorite sweets have inspired items in my collections!!

Oh, the delight of creating crochet lovelies that resemble little cupcakes, sweet peppermint sticks, or even my morning latte!!

Here are Mademoiselle Mermaid's top Holiday looks, good enough to eat;)

♥Mint Hot Chocolate Fingerless Gloves
♥Red and White Striped Peppermint Neck Warmer
♥Red and White Striped Peppermint Leg Warmers
♥Lemon Pie Afternoon Tea Gloves
♥Frosted Pastel Cupcake Spats
♥Cafe Au Lait Afternoon Tea Gloves
♥Pumpkin Spice Neck Warmer

Wishing you a delicious December!! 

...Eat your ♥ out!!

Love,
Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

Anne of Green Gables Inspired Fashion

It's a yearly tradition for me to read the splendid Anne of Green Gables series...

That's why I've been referencing Anne so much lately...I'm taking heaps of inspiration from my favorite redheaded heroine!!

...Some books are just so much more delicious with every re-read.

...And an audiobook version is a real delight, since it leaves me hands-free for some Anne-inspired crochet!!

(Like this sweet, emerald green cape!!)

...It's a piece so nostalgic, you could slip it right into Anne Shirley's wardrobe. She might have worn it to the concert at the White Sands Hotel...or on the day of her entrance exam to prestigious Queen's College.

Perfect for the modern-day fashionista with a penchant for timeless elegance. 

And on a serendipitous note, the latest Grammar Girl podcast just so happened to explain why we call Anne Shirely a redhead...and not an orangehead!!

...I think you'll find it delightful=)

Love,

Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

December Loves : Velvet

I adore velvet. I always have. 

Rich solid colors, dazzling prints, silk velvets, glitter velvets...

They are as delightful to sew as they are to wear!!

An all-velvet look may be a bit much for some, so why not try a fabulous velvet accessory for starts?!

...I love my velvet turbans when the temperature drops...they do double duty as a chic fashion accessory and a winter cap too!!

 Classic navy is a brilliant choice for the Holidays, but this retro-inspired number comes in 24 fantastic colors.

Perennially available at: Mademoiselle Mermaid.

Speaking of velvet, I've recently been on the hunt for a vintage velvet dress for my personal wardrobe, which is having a bit of a 90's moment!!

I scored this gorgeous burgundy, silk velvet dress on Ebay for about $15!!

I'm calling it my Elaine Benes Dress...since it looks like something she would have had in her closet in the 90's!!  

(...and speaking of the 90's fashion, that will be the topic of a post very soon!!)

Peppermint kisses 'n warm velvety wishes!!

Love,
Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

December Loves: Winter Gardening

Snow covered landscapes may be the quintessential look for the season...

(and growing up in Wisconsin, I have enjoyed my fair share of them!!)...

...but it's about appreciating what I've got now.

...and we're enjoying some splendidly sunny weather these days in SoCal=) 

...Just perfect for winter gardening!!

My hanging flower baskets are in full bloom with a splash of annuals, and for a festive touch, I've tucked some Christmas tree trimmings all around!!

Reveling in nature's abundant beauty seems to be my mission these days!!

...and I'm starting the day with one of my favorite passages in the Anne books...

"It's so easy to be happy on a day like this, isn't it?" Anne was saying, with true Anneish philosophy. "Let's try to make this a really golden day, girls, a day to which we can always look back with delight. We're to seek for beauty and refuse to see anything else."

― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea

Love,
Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

Holiday Decorating

What would December be without a little Holiday decorating to set the mood?!!

...This year, I went with a fabulously fragrant Fraser Fir, trimmed with white lights and glittery red, gold, and green ornaments...

The look is simple and elegant!!

And no Holiday decorating party would be complete without a festive treat;)!!

Myer lemons are in season now...

so I thought a delicious lemon pie would be just the thing!!

The recipe is from The Santa Monica Farmer's Market Cookbook...

...and it is simply delicious!!

I used all organic ingredients, and chopped up a bit of fresh mint to add to the filling, for a creative touch;)!!

Lemons, lights, laughter, and love....

...It's the recipe for a lovely December=)

Love,
Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

Amazing Sunset

Hello L.A.!! 

...Did you catch the sunset tonight?!?

Wow!!...What a moment=)

...and now the gorgeous colors of that fleeting sunset give way to the twinkling holiday lights of the neighborhood!!

c'est magnifique

Love,

Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

Welcome to December

December is here!!!...and I couldn't be more excited, warm, cozy, and merry!!

Each day this week, I'll be featuring something I love about December...

...So, let's start things off with something I never tire of...

something that looks gorgeous any time of year...

Night Lights

In December, after a little wind 'n rain...

the lights of the Santa Monica skyline shine their brightest!!

...The cooler weather thins-out the crowds, and an evening spent indulging in some nighttime photography, is pure please indeed!!

Photo 1: The historic and beautiful carousel at the Santa Monica Pier.
Photo 2: Passenger side photographer (that's me;).
Photo 3: PCH, with Malibu in the distance.
Photo 4: View of the shoreline, from the pier.

Wishing that the beginning of December is glowing well...wherever you are!!

Love,

Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

Thinking Thankful Thoughts

A man is what he thinks about all day long. 

 -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wishing you thoughts of beauty, joy, love, and gratitude.

Happy♥Thanksgiving!!

Love,
Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

Lighting Up the Night at Santa Monica Place

Southern California is a wonderful place to be any time of the year, but the Christmas Season here, alongside the beach and palm trees, holds a special place in my ♥. The cooler weather sets a festive Holiday mood, but it's still mild enough to get out and enjoy all that the region has to offer!!

My official start of the Holiday Season this year, was the spectacular 

Santa Monica Place light show.

Visitors to the open air shopping center on Saturday night were treated to

 Christmas carols, a visit from Santa, and a ginger bread house light show!! 

...Top it all off with a slice of organic pumpkin pie, and you've set the Holidays in motion, as only Santa Monica could do!!

Love,
Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

Woodlawn Cemetery & Mausoleum

The Woodlawn Cemetery & Mausoleum is just up the street from me...

...but it feels like a world-away from the hustle and bustle that is L.A.

Gorgeous stained glass windows, marble statutes...and can you hear that??

...Nothing. Absolutely nothing...

It's so quite and tranquil, it takes my breath away.

It's the perfect secret place to go, when I just want to be.

 

Here are a few of my favorite moments from my visit today...

Wishing you the time, some space, and a place...to just be this weekend!!

Love,

Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

Enjoying a Rainy Day

It's a rare rainy day in Santa Monica today...

...and I'm celebrating with my favorite wet weather activities:

♥...Sewing

♥...Nature walks

♥...Wearing rain boots

Cherish the little moments and celebrate the beauty in them...

(It's what the majority of your life is made of.)

Love,

Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

One My Favorite Things I've Ever Made

While standing in line at Joann's a few weeks ago, I was flipping through the pages of an issue of Crochet Today...and I stumbled upon a pattern for one of the most gorgeous wraps I had ever laid eyes on.

...Truth be told, the whole issue was divine, so I had to take it home!! The pattern that originally caught my eye was the first one that I stitched up...

It's the Tinsel Wrap from the November/December 2013 publication.

...and I would have to say that it's one of my favorite things I've ever made. 

The heather grey of the main yarn, and the neutral tones of the glittery, ruffle fringe, make it such a versatile piece that mixes nicely with my wardrobe.
There are also many ways to style the wrap, and my two preferred looks are pictured above!!

The pattern lists it as "easy"...but you'll have to pay close attention to counting the stitches. I found it simple, yet engaging too!!

Love,
Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

Coolest Ride on the Westside

How I transformed my cute-but-basic beach cruiser into the coolest ride on the Westside:

♥3 bottles of Martha Stewart Glitter Paint in 'Sugar Plum' 

(about 12 coats....drying at least 1 hr between each one).

♥1 bottle of fuchsia acrylic paint (for a few coats around the rims).

♥4 packs of butterfly and heart stickers.

♥Super Glue (to reinforce the stickers).

♥Mod Podge (2 coats).

♥Gloss varnish (2 coats).

Love,

Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag)

Mademoiselle Mermaid's new tote bags offer a delightfully charming way to carry around all of life's little essentials!!

Perfect for shopping excursions, beach days, trips to the library...or anytime you want to add a dash of whimsy to your day!!

...So, now you can BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag)
...with some mermaid panache!!

Etsy has all the details=)...

Mademoiselle Mermaid Tote

Mermaid Print Tote

Mermaid Love Tote

Mermaid Scales Tote

Love,
Mademoiselle♥Mermaid