Color on a Wintry Day

The snow fell again, covering the neighborhood in a layer of powder. I love snow. I love winter, too. But I'm not too fond of the cold weather. To deal with this "situation", I switch on some happy thoughts -- flip flops, summer dresses and flowers. It's a good thing I've got this new book I bought over the holidays:

It contains 25 festive and easy crafts to

keep one occupied, especially when

stuck indoors on a snowy day.

Paper+Cup is the baby of Truman and Minhee Cho

who also own Paper+Cup Design, makers of stationery.

Too bad I missed the book signing event.

And because I have my thoughts on flowers

and all things related to warmer weather,

I decided to make this flower gift tag.

I'm recycling red tissue paper {from a Christmas present}.

Cut a rectangle and fold it in half.

Cut out some petals.

Roll it up into a tight coil & attach it to a

piece of wire with some tape.

Wrap a strip of green paper to cover the

wire {use some glue} and add a leaf,

where you can write your message.

TADA! An instant flower to keep or give away.

This is cheering me up already!

Meeting Miss Bakerella

Thanks for stopping by! Because it's a new year, I have a list of new books to read and projects to try. Here is my book of the day:

It's written by one of my favorite bloggers, Bakerella.

She makes the cutest treats, throws really fun contests

and is such a nice gal -- no wonder she's gaining

all this success! Clap, clap, clap!

Here she is, Angie Dudley, also known as Bakerella.

I met her at her book signing event in New York City.

She makes these adorable cake pops:

And without sticks, they're called cake balls.

These were served at the event {take note of

the edible silver & gold paint}:

One is chocolate and the other, red velvet.

Yummy bites of joy!

I had to make these myself!

I used a boxed cake mix & ready-to-spread frosting

{No shame in that! Bakerella even encourages it},

plus some dark and white chocolate chips hanging

out in the pantry.

TADA! My black & white cake bites!

Scrumptious vanilla cake inside a chocolate shell.

I can't wait to make the character cake pops!

Oh la la!

P.S. I Made This

All this week, I'm sharing a list of books that have been inspiring me this new year. Sometime last year, I discovered this blog and by the end of 2010, she had already published a book:

Both her blog and book are called

P.S. I Made This.

What a witty title to describe the

do-it-yourself accessories by this

crafty fashionista, Erica Domesek.

Photo by Ben Watts via Stylecaster.com

Her inspiration boards are a sight to behold, her projects look like they're from the fashion glossies and her instructions are easy. Wanna see?

Who needs to spend on an uber-expensive bag

when you can make your own?

This playful necklace makes me look

forward to springtime!

Definitely blah to TADA!

I tried one of the projects featured in the book.

I took an old T-shirt...

Cut it in three parts and put away the

top and bottom for a future project,

leaving the middle section.

I folded it in half...

And cut fringes on both of the open ends.

Open it up, slip it around your neck

and TADA! -- a fun, frilly scarf!

Show off both sides of the fringe.

Or tuck in the top fringe and finish off with a pretty pin.

You can also roll up the scarf for it to look like a necklace.

Sassy and simple to do.

And P.S. I made this!

New Year, New List

Happy New Year Everyone!

I hope 2011 has brought you a lot of Tadas! already.

Don't you love it when the new year comes around?

It's like a blank slate to make goals & dreams

come to life.

I don't make resolutions because not keeping them

is a blah. Let's just say I want to keep learning

and to try new experiences & adventures --

that's always TADA!

On the top of my list is reading more.

Including reading more cookbooks and learning

new cuisines like French cooking.

I've always tiptoed around this cuisine

because I've dismissed it as complicated.

Until I found this book:

It's part cookbook with easy to follow recipes,

part memoir with insights into French culture

lovingly written by Dorie Greenspan.

I knew very little about Miss Greenspan but I immediately fell

in love with her when she read excerpts from the book.

What a wonderful storyteller!

A gentle woman who would feed you, regale you with

stories if ever you knocked at her door.

And true enough, the recipes in the book were

simple enough for the home cook and received

TADAs! when my husband and I made

these at a recent party.

Here's what we made:

Chestnut and Pear Soup

{served as an appetizer}

Goat Cheese Mini Puffs

{I made the cream puff dough from scratch!}

Potato Gratin

{layers of potato, cheese & cream}

Pancetta Green Beans

I can't wait to try her other recipes

so I can make everyday blah meals

into TADA! meals! I might even join

French Fridays with Dorie.

Have a great day!

Wish No. 5

I have another wish for the New Year.

Today, I wish for:

Many, many more ideas to share with you!

Have a fabulous New Year and

a fun, fun weekend!

Wish No. 4

Here's another wish for 2011:

To remain optimistic and hopeful -- and may this

rub off onto everyone I meet.

Wish No. 3

To ring in 2011, I have a list of wishes for you and me.

Today, I wish for:

Generosity.

It takes very little to make people happy -- whether it's a little

of our time, talent and treasure.

May we give a lot of ourselves this year!

Wish No. 2

Thanks for stopping by today!

I'm making a list of wishes for the New Year.

Today, I wish for:

Joy in the simplest of things &

a joy that touches others.

A Wish for 2011

The New Year is here and all this week,

I'm making a list of wishes for 2011.

Today, I wish for:

May calm fill our hearts, minds and homes;

one that lasts throughout the year!

Wish Upon a Star

We're still taking a tour around New York City

looking at lights and decorations.

Today, I'll show you a few stars.

No, not celebrities but stars to wish upon!

Here are the stars that prettify Chelsea Market.

I like that they recycled paper, cardboard

and CDs and were successful in creating

a festive mood.

These are the stars at the Shops at Columbus Circle.

They change color and are quite mesmerizing.

Here's the UNICEF snowflake along Fifth Avenue

and 57th Street which is beacon of hope, peace and

compassion for vulnerable children around the world.

It really catches your attention and the meaning

behind it makes it all the more special.

Here's to a bright, hopeful and dazzling 2011!

Cheers!

The Rockefeller Christmas Tree

Thanks for dropping by today!

Have you been enjoying our trip around New York City?

Today, I'm taking you to the mother of all

Christmas trees...we're going to Rockefeller Center!

From Fifth Avenue, these angels welcome you.

Here's the 74-foot tree on the eve of

the tree lighting ceremony.

And here it is, all lit up.

It really takes your breath away!

Even if I have to wrestle with the crowds,

I don't mind making the trip to see this tree.

It's truly worth it!

And what I love about it is, it's a New York tradition.

You know for certain it will always be there -- in glorious

times or in times of recession.

It's really a symbol of hope -- that for a moment we can

forget our troubles and that things will be better!

A TADA! Christmas Tree

One tradition I like doing during the holidays is to

walk around any city to admire the lights and

decorations.

Here's what I found at Chelsea Market in

New York City:

It's a Christmas tree right up my alley!

If you look closely, it's made of CDs!

Totally blah to TADA!

Lincoln Center Christmas Tree

New York City is one magical place, especially

during the holidays.

All this week, we're visiting the Christmas trees

that decorate the city.

This one is located right across Lincoln Center.

They even threw a tree-lighting block party

complete with bands, circus characters & food!

So much fun!

Oh Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Well, hello there!

We'll take a break from crafting this week

because I know all of you a caught up in

the holiday frenzy.

If you can spare a few minutes this week,

I'll whisk you away and take you around

New York City.

We'll take a look at beautiful Christmas trees!

Today, let's visit The Plaza Hotel:

Here's the towering tree at their lobby.

Gorgeous, right?

See you tomorrow!

Have Yourself a Merry, Wishful Christmas!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Today, let me take you to the Macy's

Department Store in New York City.

You'll find this mail box inside the store.

Everyone is encouraged to write a letter to Santa.

I wrote one together with many children & adults like myself!

For each letter received, Macy's will donate $1 to the

Make-a-Wish Foundation.

They want to collect a million reasons to believe.

Whatever your wish this Christmas, I hope it comes true.

Just believe!