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

In the Attitude of Gratitude

Love,

Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

Favorite Flower Pick

“I read in a book once that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but I've never been able to believe it. I don't believe a rose would be as nice if it was called a thistle or a skunk cabbage.”

― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables 

...As one who truly enjoys a thoughtful, à propos name, I would tend to agree with Miss Shirely. 

And while this lovely pansy has only a very faint, delicate fragrance, it's gorgeous color and perfect name attracted me to it like a magnet.

My new favorite garden acquisition goes by the fittingly fabulous name of...

Karma Blue Butterfly.

These charming 'n beautiful little blooms are a perfect delight 
in a sunny window!!
Love,

Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

Wishes for a Wonderful Weekend

Welcome to the weekend.

...I'll be filling my blissful, two days off with some wonderful things!! Like...

long afternoon walks ♥ crocheting ♥ vintage shopping

visiting the library ♥ sewing ♥ blogging
biking on the beach ♥ soaking up the sun ♥ photography
finding inspiration ♥ wearing something beautiful ♥ eating something delicious

apartment gardening ♥ going to the movies ♥ reading at the park

Enjoy the magic of the weekend!!

Love,

Mademoiselle♥Mermaid 

Red Heart - Renaissance Capelet

The Red Heart yarn company has an impressive selection of lovely patterns available for free on their website. I totally ♥ capelets and collars in every shape 'n style...so this fabulous Renaissance version really made an impression on me when I stumbled upon it!! Click here for the free pattern!!

...and check out the photos below for a look at how my attempt turned out;)...

 

 

 

...I stitched it up in Sage from the LOVE collection.

You only need about a skein to complete the pattern, so it's a great stash-busting project that works-up in no time at all!! 

The finishing is really minimal too (you just have to weave in a few ends), so you can get one done on a long car or airplane ride...and you'll have a fabulous Holiday gift ready to give upon arrival;)...

Love,

Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

International Garden Photographer of the Year Contest

A few weeks ago, I had the good fortune of stumbling across
a delightful photography book while browsing the aisles of Hennessy + Ingalls in Santa Monica...

...It was a book featuring some truly fabulous entries for the Garden Photographer of the Year contest held by the Kew Royal Botanical Gardens. This book was such an inspiration, that I must have stood there for a half hour or more just mesmerized by the breath-taking images...

With the deadline for this year's contest fast approaching, I poured over my latest and greatest flower photographs, and these following four images are the ones that topped my list!!

The contest is closed now for this year, but opens again in February!! There is a small entry fee, but it includes feedback on your photographs upon request.

There is tons of info on their website including: garden photography tips, last year's winners, inspiring images, and even a photography print shop!!

...Wishing you a day full of beauty and inspiration...

Love,

Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

Luxurious Loungewear - Beyond Sweatpants

Sometimes sweatpants get a bad reputation with fashionistas...

...I, for one, L♥VE my sweatpants collection...around the house or around town: when I wear 'em, I wear 'em proudly (and very, very comfortably)!! 

....If they are clean and cut well, I think they are down right sexy!!

However, sometimes I am feeling a little fancy in my lounging, and this fabulous cocoon caftan is just the thing to suit the mood. 

...Featuring yards and yards of bamboo jersey knit, it flaunts a phenomenally draped silhouette that is quite alluring!!
And the fabric feels like a dream to wear...

...It makes a great hostess look too (after the food prep is done perhaps;)!!

...A beautiful maroon color is just right for Fall, or chose from a rainbow of hues!!...coming soon to MademoiselleMermaid.com

Love,

Mademoiselle♥Mermaid

Burdastyle Sew Along Jacket

BurdaStyle Plaid Jacket Sew Along - My Oooh La La Jacket in Bamboo Fleece

 

 

I chose a really lovey and cozy bamboo fleece from my fabric stash for this BurdaStyle sew-along project. It’s a sweatshirt weight and so comfortable to wear. The pattern calls for quite a bit more fabric than I needed…I squeezed it out of about 3 yards. I didn’t add any seam allowance for the size small, and if I were to sew it again in a similar type fabric, I would probably take off another 5/8" all around, for a more fitted look. The sewing was super easy, and the body of the jacket came together like a dream!! I love the pockets especially; they are the perfect size and shape!! 

 

 

 When I sewed the band to the body of the jacket though something went a little wonky for me!! I think I should have used the grain A (instead of B, which is what I cut), especially since my fabric is a stretch. So I decided to scrap the pattern’s band and added a 4" in ruffle all around instead!! 

 

My final touches to the jacket included adding a scalloped-edge floral lace trim, a satin heart applique with lace and rosettes at back, a drawstring waist band at the natural waist, and a few hook and eye closures and satin bows.

 

 

I absolutely loved this pattern!!

 I would definitely like to make it again in a more jacket-like fabric, as the sample shows, but I know this bamboo fleece version will get a lot of use!!…It’s the perfect blend of comfort and fashion…Just thing for movie night!!

Love,

Mademoiselle♥Mermaid