Archive for October, 2009
October 8, 2009
This lady kicks major ass. She’s a baker, blogs for a green business, is a mom, a wife, and even contributes to some rad zombie and horror sites that I love. You know, just to name a few of the things she does. I am so happy that she had time to stop by Mixed Plate for us to get to know her better.
Name: Natalie Slater
Business Name: Bake and Destroy
Location: Chicago, IL
Website/Blog Link: www.BakeandDestroy.com
First of all, can you tell us what you create?
I create recipes, bake them, photograph them and blog about them. I also make screen printed t-shirts, stickers, buttons, handmade cupcake decorations and the occasional other baking-related crafty item.
How do you begin your day? Any morning rituals?
Besides all my baking and destroying, I hold down a full time job with an eco-friendly ecommerce company so I’m up at the crack of dawn. Nothing, and I mean nothing is accomplished in my day until I have my eyeliner on and coffee in my belly.
Do you do something crafty each day? Where does your inspiration come from?
I don’t, but I wish I did. Most of my craftiness takes place on the weekends when I have a few hours to devote to making a mess of my house. I’m mainly inspired by the trashy things that shaped my childhood – punk rock, professional wrestling, bad TV, my stupid friends…
What’s your workspace like (organized)?
I mostly work out of my kitchen, which is immaculately clean thanks to my OCD husband. The desk I blog from is generally a complete mess.
How many hours does your normal work day consist of?
I have a 9-5 (well, it’s more of a 7:30-4) so my weekday baking/photography/writing/cake decorating takes place once my son’s in bed – from 8pm until 11pm. Weekends are a free-for-all.
How do you end your day of crafty business? Any evening rituals?
I generally consider my day done when everything has been photographed, edited, blogged and then dispersed throughout the Internet. Once I’ve Tweeted and Facebooked my day’s work I make a cup of tea and settle down for the night with my husband and the Food Network.
What is your definition of a perfect day?
Sigh… I would love to spend a day driving around Chicago and taking photos of all the wonderful old diners and hot dog stands. I’d stop every few hours for some coffee and something sweet until it got dark. Then I’d have dinner at Frontera where Rick Bayless would come to my table and tell me he’s a big Bake and Destroy fan. ;) Then the sky would rain down money and vintage dresses. Perfect.
Thanks so much, Natalie! I love your idea of a perfect day {mostly the part where the sky rains down money and vintage dresses!}.
If you’re interested in being featured, just let me know. You can send me an email {liana@mixedplateblog.com} if you’d like to learn more.
October 8, 2009
Darling Clementine is a shop that has been on my list of things to feature for some time now. I can’t believe I’ve let it slip. This is what I first fell in love with…
Paris 12 Pack: $35.00:
then I saw these…
Meet Monsieur Masquerade: $19.00/6 {turquoise available}:
and then this…
Fox in the Box Canvas Bag: $25.00:
and this guy…
Squirrel Screen Print: $20.00:
oh, one more bag…
Uhu Wolf Canvas Bag: $25.00:
so maybe I fell in love with it all. is that so wrong?
October 8, 2009
How I missed this, I have absolutely no idea! I am such an all-things-animals lover and yet I am completely behind on Kim’s weekly feature over at the fabulous Desire to Inspire. Check out some adorable animals that will surely put a smile on your face every Monday with the Pet’s on Furniture posts. Here’s some of this week’s cuteness…
images via Desire to Inspire were sent in by readers. love it!
October 7, 2009
My hands and feet are constantly cold. I know, you’ve heard me say it before. It can be nice outside and the apartment is always freezing. There have been times when I’m typing away and can barely move my fingers fast enough. I’ll look down and they’re a shade of bluish-purple. And while I probably should be embarrassed to admit this, my fashion sense around the house is pretty lame. I throw on socks while I’m here. And I don’t bust out my cute ones. So when I saw Oh Ashley Love the other day I wondered if it’d be a good idea to maybe invest in something that’s handmade, a little cuter, and functional enough to keep me warm. I can wear all of these indoors as well as out, right?
Sapphire Leg Warmers: $28.00:
Cozy Cowl in Terracotta: $40.00:
Mittens in Dusty Blue: $20.00:
Wild Berry Leg Warmers: $28.00:
Deep Violet Cowl: $40.00:
Pistachio Mittens: $20.00:
October 6, 2009
I’m liking today’s print at 20×200…
think-make-think {second edition} by Clifton Burt: $50.00:
October 6, 2009
I wanted us all to wish Kate congrats on the update of her shop! She moved from San Francisco to New York and is all settled in now. New projects, painting and sewing are happening once again as can be seen here…
Whale Stuffie in Ivory: $20.00:
We Are All Here Print: $20.00:
Sailboat Stuffie in Blue: $22.00:
This Isn’t Print: $20.00:
Bicycle Pillow in Ivory/Burnt Orange: $28.00:
Giraffe Stuffie in Pale Yellow: $28.00:
October 6, 2009
Yes, you read “Halloween” in the title of this post. The holidays are yet another thing I have been avoiding in addition to the 2010 calendar features. I just can’t deal with the fact that they’re basically right around the corner. So, again, I will slowly creep on in to the upcoming months and events. I’ll start with these amazing letterpress Halloween cards by Hello!Lucky I saw when I was at a little shop in Berkeley.
Haunted House: $4.50:
Skeleton Fiesta: $3.50:
Trick or Treat: $4.50:
Halloween Cat: $3.50:
October 5, 2009
Delphine has such a beautiful website with so many great things I want to share with you. For today, though, how about these 2010 calendars…
2010 Letterpress Calendar with Easel: $38.00:
or you could get it with a grosgrain ribbon instead: $24.00:
All of the graphics are great, but I may be in love with the animals months…
October 2, 2009
Happy October! Can you believe what month we’re in already? My mom just had a birthday a couple days ago. My sister’s birthday was yesterday. It’ll be Halloween before you know it and then…oh, let’s just not go there yet. Hope you had a nice week and that your weekend will be full of lovely things. Have a Happy, Happy Aloha Friday!
1. Red Dot Shirt by Sugar Bee’s Vintage: $22.00
2. Reversible Handbag – Tessie by Beckybean: $51.00
3. Custom Natural Wood Heart Keyring by Letterfest: $5.00
4. Light Blue Covered Wire Basket Carrier at coventgardenvintage: $8.00
5. Tins Print by Dream Art Photography: $34.00
6. Treasure Box by little paper bird: $35.00
October 2, 2009
If you follow me on Twitter, you may have picked up on the hints I’ve been dropping about probably not having one of my favorite weeks. I was trying to keep positive and think happy thoughts. You know how that goes. Sometimes it’s not one thing but really a bunch of little things that can put you in the wrong mood. So you just keep talking to yourself to get you through. Matte Stephens always has work that makes me happy. So, here’s a little story…
I felt a little like throwing my arms up this week and just yelling at the top of my lungs…
The giant suburban bear monster visits NYC: $60.00:
A couple of days I felt really alone in my frustrations. Like an outsider…
Alfred was obviously underdressed for his induction: $60.00:
You know how that feels. When you’d just like to hitch a ride out of town…
Sigmund Abernathy taking a ride through Central Park: $85.00:
But I didn’t give up. I decided to keep smiling…
Beehive bubbles print neato: $35.00:
Tried to relax…
Relaxing in San Francisco: $35.00:
To be happy and whistle like a birdie…
Happy bird: $60.00:
Even came home one night and danced the stress away…
Dancing: $60.00:
And guess what? I think it worked.
the end.
October 2, 2009
Ah, letterpress…Here is another handsome calendar by Lizard Press.
2010 Letterpress Artists Calendar Poseidon: $20.00:
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aloha! i’m Liana. this is my site. i am not a professional writer. i pretty much just write the way i talk. it’s fun meeting new online friends and introducing these amazing artists. i’ll do my best to keep you entertained.
