Good Chemistry

Inspired by the above vintage child's microscope from Bella Lulu on Etsy, today I bring you a treasury of chemistry:

Totally unique home decor - it is a Periodic Table Table seen on http://www.scienceblogs.com/

I have fallen for this Love Molecule Embroidery by It's A Stitch.

Making science delicious - a Periodic Table made of cupcakes! (Seen on Geekologie)

The only time that an element might be called adorable is when it is crocheted by Prima and Plush. My personal favorite is Mr Ammonia (seen above). 

These vintage chemistry lab chairs would look amazing my house - I need to find out where to buy these! (Seen on Flickr)

Represent for your favorite element with Finest Imaginary's gold mirror chemistry necklaces. 

And even if you don't have any interest in chemistry, test tubes, beakers, vintage text books and other science paraphernalia can be used for gorgeous centerpieces for home and event decor:

Photo courtesy of http://www.sunset.com/

Photo courtesy of http://www.prebioticsoup.blogspot.com/

Photo courtesy of The Theme Factory of Philadelphia on Flickr.

Products So Good They Will Make Your Tassels Twirl

Thanks to modern pioneers like Dita Von Teese, Dirty Martini, Jo Boobs and other performers, burlesque is everywhere these days and it couldn't be more exciting for a lifelong cabaret lover like myself. If you were to turn me into a pile of materials it would consist of feathers, sequins, glitter and well...anything pink and sparkly.  And so as it happens every once in a while, I am suddenly trendy. 

Burlesque Painting as seen on Bellydancing by Elaine

Christina Aguilera's movie "Burlesque" is coming out and amazing new troupes are popping up every day-including Delray Beach's own Modernesque Burlesque, celebrating a year of tantalizing shows and incredible performances. Burlesque is popular again!

People are even decorating their homes, events and weddings in retro burlesque fashions:

Wedding Photo from YourWeddingDay.com

 

Burlesque Wallpaper as seen on The Gin Lady

Put some tease back into your life with these great products, style inspirations and burly-q goodness

so good they will make your tassels twirl: 

It's almost summer time - let your inner pin-up girl shine with the "Skipper" Nautical Bikini from one of my favorite places to shop Pin Up Girl Clothing. Check out their site- I promise you won't be disappointed!

On the beach, at the grocery store, craft store or even the office - this sexy seamstress Tote by 6Prints is a fun way to lug around all your stuff.

This beautiful headband by Tragic Veil is pure burlesque heaven.

 

Burlesque Beauty Pendant by Queen Bean Jewels on ArtFire

More removable than a stripper pole. Bring a little sexy sass into your home with this wall decal by beepart.

Make your bedroom your own red light district with a lingerie clad Tramp Lamp.

Finally, burlesque is all about the tease - and there is no tease unless something is left to the imagination.

Key to every performance is the perfect pair of pasties. Here are some of my favorites:

Candy Pasties by Fleur du Mal

 

Awesome Sushi Pasties. Photo by Fractured Frame Photography.

Music Note Pasties by Manuge-et-Toi Burlesque as seen on Trend de la Creme 

Pac Man Pasties as seen on Forever Geek.

 If you are local to the Delray area, don't forget to check out Modernesque Burlesque's June 5th Midnight Show.  See Pulp Pin-up at its finest at Respectable Street.  Find out more and buy presale tickets for only $5 at http://www.respectablestreet.com/.





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Going Green

Found a glass head at the flea market this weekend and I have decided to turn it into a terrarium. After a quick how-to video courtesy of eHow.com, I started looking at some other terrariums for inspiration. It is amazing how many variations there are to fit into any decor, plus they are eco-friendly!

Below are some of my favorite terrariums:

So chic! 2001: A Space Terrarium designed by esQue

Preston Bailey's tea part centerpiece terrarium utilizing fresh flowers on a glass cake stand

(as seen on Poetic Home)

Too adorable! The Fantasy Moss Terrarium by Betty's Fantasy.

Simple and beautiful - Monkeys Always Look's hanging terrarium is perfect for an apartment (although I might do a grouping of these in the kitchen at the house). 

Nini Style showcased numerous terrarium decor options. My favorite is the large dome on the right.

 Have you created your own terrarium? I'd love to see it!

My Art-Full Life - Home Decor

I love decorating and I love being crafty. Sometimes the two combine.  In honor of Friday's Living the Art-Full Life posts, I thought I would share with you some of the artsy-crafty goodness that I have been working on in our house:

This was a dark wood, vintage credenza style record player that was all busted up, but the player still worked.  Got it at a garage sale for $20 and created this:
 

Guitar Picks cover the two outer panels

Still working on the side piece. Not quite sure what I plan to do yet!

I also worked on creating a stained glass looking creation on my TV stand.  It is actually just black paint on the outside glass and colored glass painted inside to create the stained glass effect.

An old IKEA lamp became the perfect place to use all the leftover glass bead pieces I have been making over the years.

And below is what may become the newest addition to my site http://www.prettyusefulstuff.com/.  Just need to finish it and decide if I like it as a card or a print:

Are YOU living the Art-Full Life? Tell us all about it - we'd love to feature you and your work!

What Do Vegans Do For A Third Anniversary?

If you follow the traditional gift guides for wedding anniversaries - the third anniversary is leather (I fear Martha Stewart would be upset if I followed the modern guide, lol).  Putting aside all kinky items, wallets, belts and briefcases, I was able to find some incredible leather gifts for men and women.

Here, in no particular order, are my Top Ten Leather Finds of the Day. 

Ok, I know I said no briefcases, but this is an incredible laptop bag that defies categories.  2UNFOLD works as a briefcase, shoulder bag, safecase, rucksack, leather courier, canvas courier (it's reversible), leather cluth or canvas clutch.  It is gender neutral and holds laptops up to 17" vertically and 13" horizontally. It is also $483 and currently sold out, but will begin taking orders on April 19th so get ready!

Who doesn't love to give a gift they can share?

Looking for a gift for us both, I stumbled upon what I first thought were leather rocks....

This funky piece which I absolutely want to lounge on right this very instant is actually the Tantisassi Leather Designer Sofa from Italian furniture maker Rossi di Albizzate.   

Even if the Tantisassi is out of my price range, my house can still smell like an expensive sofa or lounge chair.....which apparently men who play guitar really dig.  My husband does play and does love the smell of a new car....so maybe Colonial Candle is on to something.

I also looked into leather guitar straps. Leather Smith Designs makes gorgeous custom straps with designs or words of your choice embossed. It is a cool idea and they do fantastic work, but "Big Dog" in the photo below from their web site, cracks me up....

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True happiness can come in many shapes and sizes, and for me it comes in a large bouquet of polka dot lillies from BD Leather Designs on Etsy.  Made of leather and available as a super oversized single flower or a smaller bouquet of three, these just make me smile.

Talking about things that make me smile - I can't resist a happy giraffe. Especially when he is protecting my phone. Squirellicious on Etsy has happy giraffes in many colors, but for me the sweetest was in white.

I do love most animals but I hate ostriches. They are evil creatures who attack without being provoked. They have tiny brains and huge pointed beaks and they are the closest living relative to the T-Rex. I have also been attacked by ostriches twice in my life and so I am very happy when they are turned into purses and furniture and other goods. This chair from the Ostrich Emporium in South Africa is a chic, art-deco example of prime ostrich usage.

You always hear that love conquers all things (including ostriches), and I can believe that.... but after three years of marriage and nine years together, I think Michelle Verbeek's bracelet speaks the truth...

Do you know what else I believe conquers all things? The perfect pair of shoes. Nothing can make a woman feel more powerful and in-charge than a great pair of heels. Sure, there are a million leather shoes to choose from (and some amazing vegan lines as well!), but my favorite has always been the pin-up styles by Fluevog. (They do have men's shoes too!) 

Operettas / Malibran in Turquoise

Don't let your feet get all the attention. Maskmaker and artist Tom Banwell creates masks that are part Eyes Wide Shut, part chic masquerade party and part Shakespeare's A Midsummer Nights Dream come to life. They are also completely breathtaking.

Happy Anniversary to my husband, I love you! (and P.S.Your gift is NOT listed on here...ooh sneaky...)
See you all tomorrow....