Mix | 10

Ditty Drops | Mix 10 | from Ditty Drops on 8tracks Radio.

This week is all about the remix mix mix mix!

1.  Ride|(Photek remix) Lana Del Rey

2.  How Come You Never Go There | (Beck Remix) Feist

3.  Lights | (Shook Remix) Ellie Goulding

4.  Still Sound | ( Poindexter Remix) Toro Y Moi

5.  True Romance | (Gigamesh Remix) Citizens! 

6.  Rolling in the Deep | (Jamie xx Shuffle (Adele)

7.  Paper Planes | (DFA Remix) M.I.A.

8.  Silvia| (Emalkay Remix) Miike Snow

9.  Night Light | (Joe Goddard Remix) Jessie Ware

10. Mutual Core | (16-Bit Remix) björk

Use Your Imagination | Designers Anonymous

What you'll find in a minimalist's mug collection. 

Description Mugs by Designers Anonymous

Lush Centerpieces | Amy Merrick

This Thanksgiving give your friends and loved ones a feast for their eyes with an elegant and sprawling bouquet centerpiece.  Take a cue from floral guru Amy Merrick for inspiration. 

Mix | 9

Ditty Drops | Mix 9 | from Ditty Drops on 8tracks Radio.

Bringing it back to the 80's this week with some tubular tunes. 

1.  Woman in Chains | Tears for Fears

2.  Running up That Hill | Kate Bush

3.  Atomic | Blondie

4.  This Charming Man | The Smiths

5.  Once in a Lifetime | Talking Heads

6.  Town Called Malice | The Jam

7.  Rock the Casbah | The Clash

8.  Rebel Yell | Billy Idol

9.  When Doves Cry | Prince

10. Slave to the Rhythm | Grace Jones

11. Lucky Star | Madonna

12. Sweet Dreams | Eurythmics

13. Blue Monday | New Order

14. Personal Jesus | Depeche  Mode

   

Food | 1 Tortellini & Chicken Soup

It's getting brisk outside, take the chill off with a cup (or bowl!) of this quick and hearty Tortellini & Chicken soup.

Gather:

•  1 medium onion chopped
•  2 large carrots chopped
•  2 stalks of celery chopped (reserve leaves)
•  2 packages of refrigerated cheese tortellini
•  4 cups of fresh baby spinach roughly chopped
•  2 large chicken breasts poached
•  2 cans of chicken stock (or 2 bullion cubes)
•  1 bay leaf
•  4-5 whole peppercorns
•  dash of white wine (optional)
•  2 tablespoons of olive oil
•  1 teaspoon black pepper
•  3 tablespoon salt
•  handful of fresh parsley 
•  shredded Parmesan cheese

 Concoct:  

• Fill a large sauce pan with enough water to cover chicken breasts, add bay leaf,  peppercorns, white wine and 1 tablespoon of salt, bring to a boil. Add chicken breast and cook at a simmer for 5 minutes. Turn heat off, cover pot and let sit for 1 - 4 hours.
•  In a large stockpot add olive oil and bring to medium heat, add carrots and cook for 5  minutes.  Add celery and cook 4 more minutes, then add onion and cook till onion is soft (about 3 minutes). Add stock and bring to a boil, reduce to medium heat and simmer.
• Remove chicken from pot and shred with fingers, add to simmering stockpot. Add poaching stock to soup, including bay leaf but discarding peppercorns. 
• Bring back up to a boil and add tortellini, cook for about 5 - 8 minutes (see package for cook time).
• Add spinach, celery leaves and parsley.
• Dish and sprinkle with a bit of freshly grated Parmesan cheese! Enjoy with a thick slice of buttered bread and a glass of white wine.

Twist on a Classic | Anthropologie Dipped Plates

Classic Toile patterned plates dipped to give them a contemporary ombre effect. Perfection.

Get em: £12.00/plate Anthropologie

Mix | 8

Ditty Drops | Mix 8 | from Ditty Drops on 8tracks Radio.

This week we bring you a fresh mix of tunes that have graced the airwaves this month. 

1.  Lullabies (Jim-E Stack Remix) | v2 Yuna

2.  Future Waits |  Monde Ideal

3.  Don't Tell Me | Empress Of

4.  Can't You See | Steffaloo

5.  The Whistle Song (Re-Directed) | Frankie Knuckles & Directors Cut

6.  Anything Could Happen | Ellie Goulding

7.  Dance All Night | Free Energy

8.   I Will Wait | Mumford & Sons

9.  Sponge Bob | Fancy Books

10. Sabana | Barrio Lindo

11. One Day (Wankelmut Remix) | Asaf Avidan & The Mojo

12. Sleepless | Deadmau5

Colorful Coffee | Studio Lorier

I nearly fell off my chair when I stumbled upon these Polygon Espresso Cups by Dutch company Studio Lorier! Aren't they just dreamy?! And at an affordable $18 a piece you could be living your minimalist dreams while staying super alert.

Support handmade! Order them via Studio Lorier's Etsy shop

Mix | 7

Ditty Drops | Mix 7 | from Ditty Drops on 8tracks Radio.

This week I'm feeling a lust for life. To celebrate, it's a Sunday Boogie Session to shake your booty to. 


1.  The Mother We Share | CHVRCHES

2.  Saturday Love | Toro Y Moi

3.  Transatlantic | Quantic 

4.  Household Goods | Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs

5.  Please Turn | Little Dragon

6.  Madness |  Muse

7.  Pharaohs (feat. Roses Gabor) | SBTRKT

8.  Infinity | Infinity Ink

9.  Fringe Element (Short Like Me Edit) | Beni

10. Don't Need No Melody (The Other Tribe vs. Kidnap Kid) | The Other Tribe & Kidnap Kid

 

Mix | 6

Ditty Drops | Mix 6 | from Ditty Drops on 8tracks Radio.

This Sunday's playlist is brought to you by the handsome Tom Winser all the way from London, take it away Tom!

Hi guys, for this Sunday's playlist, I've kept it strictly laid back and scoped out 13 beautifully reworked aural sensations for you to wake up to. With so many dreary copies of commercial pop filling the airwaves, it's easy to feel disenchanted when we hear the mention of 'Covers'. But, for many artists, covering another artist's music is a great mark of respect. For us, the listener, it can also be a wonderful opportunity. Done properly, covers can breath new life into a song, bridging gaps between genres and generations and bringing new meaning to the lyrics.

Enjoy.

1.  Hate to Say I Told You So - (Mrs. Bishop) The Hives

2.  I Can't Make You Love Me - (Bonnie Raitt) Bon Iver

3.  Dearest - (Buddy Holiday) The Black Keys

4.  Higher Love - (Steve Winwood) James Vincent McMorrow

5.  Georgia On My Mind - (Ray Charles) Maverick Sabre

6.  Halo - (Beyonce) Florence and the Machine

7.  Night Time -(The XX) Tracey Thorn

8. Skinny Love - (Bon Iver) Birdy

9.  Pumped Up Kicks - (Foster the People) The Kooks

10. Only Girl in the World - (Rhianna) Ellie Goulding

11. Will You Still Love ME Tomorrow? - (The Shirelles) Amy Winehouse

12. Running Up That Hill - (Kate Bush) The Chromatics

13. Everlong - (Foo Fighters) Kolacny Brothers & Scala

Monday Inspiration | Free Download!

Diamonds are a girls (and her tech's) best friend!  This weeks Monday inspiration is an illustration I've created with glamour in mind. Just click the image to download. 

And guess what? This week just for fun I thought I'd include a facebook cover option, just click the image below to download. So cute!

Have an awesome week, and keep shining!

Mix | 5

Ditty Drops | Mix 5 | from Ditty Drops on 8tracks Radio.

Buenos Dias my Sunday friends! I created a swanky little playlist for you all this week, what makes it so special you ask?... Well I whipped it up in kind of a love sick mood (missing my lover man, why does England have to be SO far darnit?). 

Some songs sing of relationships and missing someone either in present or past, and the others well.... I just thought they were sexy and sexy is good right? Right!

It's killer! So if your still in bed press play and give your lover a smooch or 2 or 50!      

Here's what your canoodling to:

1.  Eyes Be Closed | Washed Out 
2.  Drifter | Wild Nothing
3.  Alligator (Toro Y Mori Mix) - Tegan & Sara
4.  This Tornado Loves You | Neko Case 
5.  Apartment | Young the Giant
6.   Kennedy | Ratatat
7.  O.N.E | Yeasayer
8.  Post Physical | Pictureplane
9.  Love Like A Sunset II | Pheonix
10. Reunion | The XX

That's a Wrap!

Wrap magazine has stolen my heart. It's a magazine like no other, it's two things in one! Awesome interviews and features with illustrators, designers and other cultural creatives paired with 10 original sheets of wrapping paper by the issues creatives, ingenious!

No more guilt for hoarding all those beautiful design magazines you just can't seem to part with, you've got a reason to hold onto Wrap, its something you can read and then use! 

And those designs, yes, so swoon worthy!

Hey, check out their Wrap blog for an extra dose of eye candy.

Mix | 4

Sunday Best from Meredith_schwab on 8tracks Radio.

It's a special Sunday this week, yesterday was my birthday and what an occasion it was!  My boyfriend Tom flew in for a surprise visit from England, it was the best birthday present I could have dreamed of!  In honor of this exciting weekend the two of us have whipped up this upbeat electronic Sunday playlist for you all, you'll be dancing the day away. 

Here's what your boppin to:

1. Sparks | Röyksopp

2. The Pills Won't Help You Now | The Chemical Brothers 

3. Pedestal | Portishead

4. Enjoy The Ride (feat. Judy Tzuke) | Morcheeba

5. Teardrop  | Massive Attack

6. So Haunted | Cut Copy

7. Thinking of Omara | Nightmares On Wax

8. At the River | Groove Armada

9. Veridis Quo | Daft Punk 

Monday Inspiration | Free Download!

Oh hello again Monday, I am going to lasso you like a rodeo calf!  

Today's Monday Inspiration is super special, you can download the image as a desktop wallpaper. Harness your inspiration and stay motivated all week long!

Just click on the image to enlarge it, and then right click to download.

What quote would like me to whip up a Monday Inspiration wallpaper for new week?

Mix | 3

Suadente Sunday from Meredith_schwab on 8tracks Radio.

Happy Sunday, I've missed you all!  I am back from my Italian adventure and am eager to get back into the swing of things around here.  I hopefully this Sunday's playlist (a collaboration between my handsome man Tom and I) will kick things back off with a bang!  Enjoy!

Here's the lineup:

1.  Waves | Holly Miranda

2.  On the Rocks | Stornoway
3.  VCR | The XX
4.  Dust on the Ground  |  Bombay Bicycle Club
5.  Au Cinéma  |  Lianne La Havas
6.  Telluride  |  Chapel Club
7.  Anyones Ghost  |  The  National
8.  Lights Out, Words Gone  |  Bombay Bicycle Club
9.  Great Unknown  |  Various Cruelties
10. This Sweet Love (Prins Thomas Sneaky Edit)  |  James Yuill
11. Dream of Subach  |  The Ghost
12. Dark Star  |  POLICA
13. Nonsense in the Dark (Main Mix)  |  Filthy Dukes
14. Ritual Union  |  Little Dragon

Monday Inspiration

 

I've been reflecting on a bunch of tough thoughts the past few days, and this quote really nailed the emotions that I am feeling. Watching someone you love make the same toxic choices time after time can be cripplingly difficult. It's a tough thing to have your thoughts swim in circles trying while trying to penetrate someone else's thoughts in an attempt to rationalize... you inevitably come up empty handed. So I suppose today's Monday Inspiration is more like an inspiration of positivity and faith this week. Going to channel this turmoil into drive and productivity. Thanks for bearing with the heaviness.

 Image: myself

Mix | 2

 

Happy Sunday! Enjoy this Sunday Ditty Drops Mix with a cup of your fave caffeinated beverage.

Ditty Drops Mix 02 from Meredith_schwab on 8tracks.

Let the Games Begin!

It's Friday, but not just any Friday.... it's the opening day of the Olympics people!!!  

In honor of this glorious day I've created this quirky little illustration from a drawing I made for the city that I hold as dearly as my own hometown in NY. 

How are you celebrating? Any country in particular that you are routing for? 
ME? Well I'm supporting USA of course but I've saved a bit of my heart for the athletes of Great Britain as well. 

Monday Inspiration

This print, aptly named The Tortoise by painter Carrie Marill, just felt appropriate for today's Monday Inspiration post. I have a to-do list the length of my arm to get done before I leave for my European rendezvous with my handsome fella Tom next week, and I think slow and steady is just the trick. 

IMAGE: 20 x 200

Mix | 1

Good morning, and happy Sunday! I've concocted a bubbly little Sunday play list for you to sleep in to, sip coffee and cook brunch to, dominate your bf/gf in sleepy Sunday scrabble to  ... etc. So press play and relax.... it's Sunday!!

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Here's whats penetrating your brain cells:

1.   Our Day Will Come | Amy Winehouse

2.   Infinite Arms | Band of Horses

3.   Lazuli | Beach House

4.   Summer Mood | Best Coast

5.   Towers | Bon Iver

6.   Lalibela | Caribou

7.   Silver Stallion | Cat Power

8.   Suzie | Phantogram

9.   Sugar Hiccup | Cocteau Twins

10. About Face | Grizzly Bear

Keep an eye out for a playlist each Sunday morn! What did you do while listening??

Weekly Roundup | 1

This is the first of my new Weekly Roundup series where I will be sharing little treasures I find throughout the week while surfing... uh I mean working. Enjoy!

1.  Sparkly creations from Confetti Systems
2.  Breanna of Scout & Catalog shares her daily life and inspiration (and styled oh so perfectly) on her blog
3.  Hand-embroidered gauze stole by Kapita, who doesn't like embroidered UFO's?
4.  Perfect little gemstone necklaces by Curious Creatures, a Summer wardrobe staple if I do say so myself! 
5.  Get lost in Jenny Kemp's paintings, a healthy mix of design and organic forms
6.  Versatile and affordable the Baggu canvas bag is awesome! Take your pick from classic patterns, retro colors, even neons! I've snagged this bag up for my adventures in Italy and Sardinia this summer, can't wait!

Strap Happy

I've been scouring the internet (more than usual) for the perfect accessories for my trip to Italy in a few weeks and I stumbled across these glamorous camera straps by Bloom Theory, I'm going to be tourist-ing in style! Bling Bling!!

Total Tote

LAUK

A canvas tote is a summer wardrobe essential, and this one from LAUK Accessories has stolen my heart. The long leather straps give it a more refined attitude and the pastel faceted pattern has me in a geometric frenzy! I can totally see myself using this bag at the market, the beach, even a to head out in the evening to meet friends.

Monday Inspiration

Oh hi again Monday! Yes you  may be canoodling with Sunday a bit still but I am going to lasso your procrastinating self in and make the most of it!

How do you deal with Mondays shenanigans?

Image: Twiggs' Designs

What's Your Sign? | Ekaterina Koroleva

Smitten with these astrology illustrations by Berlin illustrator Ekaterina Koroleva.
Visit her site for the complete whimsical collection.

Now & Then | Floral Crowns

Lady-like with a touch of whimsy, floral crowns have been made an accessory of desire by sultry singer Lana Del Rey. But the floral crown isn't new on the scene, check out the original queens to bear the crown,  painter Frida Kahlo and Jazz icon Billie Holiday.

Meet the Pastilles

Introducing the newest collection of the Ditty Drops family, the Pastilles, named after the chic classic french candies.  Designed with everyday simplicity in mind, they will take you from day to night complimenting causal jeans and t-shirt or a summer cocktail dress.  Taking a cue from minimal and airy Scandinavian design - angular shapes and bleached background - I've given the collection a  current twist with Pastille flavored pastel accents: Lemon, Mint, Licorice, Violet, Anise, Rose, Lime, and Apricot. Necklaces feature Sterling Silver filled chain, and earrings hypoallergenic posts. Shop the Pastille Collection.

Image Credit: www.saison.com.au

Treasures

I had the pleasure of being invited to an Etsy event to represent Ditty Drops at the gorgeous Olana Historical Site in Hudson, New York this past Saturday, and while I was in Hudson I picked up a few goodies for myself.


Hudson is a great little town just north of NYC with a wide variety of vintage & antique shops, trendy boutiques & bookshops, as well as cafes, restaurants & the oh so trendy food trucks.. geez those food trucks are great. 

My friend Thea who accompanied me on this journey is a doll and sneaked a little purchase for me a local vintage jewelry shop, check out those great cast curbchain clips! I have so many ideas in mind for these beauties, but first I think I am going to rock them out on the shoulders of a pastel colored tank.


We swung by a new shop in town shop adoringly called Megagem (facebook). Boasting a well curated collection of tye dyed T's & embroidered cut-off shorts, terrariums & herbal concoctions, handmade pillows & leather satchels just to name a few 'gems' you'll find. If you are in the area you simply must stop in, and the owner Margot is a sweetheart. I treated myself to some mega minty lip balm, and oh so herby smelling hand salve by Good Fight Herb Co (facebook) This stuff is great, I know these two items are only the beginning of what is sure to be a collection of Good Fight products. 


We lucked out on our visit as Megagem was hosting a lil soiree when we stopped by, and we were introduced to cool treasure hunter Sara of Luxxor Vintage. She had SO many amazing pieces, but I spotted an amazing faux cameo locket pendent that I was not about to leave without. I had a great super long gold rope chain in my jewelry stash that compliments the pendent perfectly, don't you think? 


I also had to introduce you all to this great watch that my mom gave me the other day.  I mentioned in passing that I've been dying for a gold toned vintage lady like watch. I was floored when she said she actually had one that I could have, it was hers in from the late 70's/80's! I am smitten, its so perfect!!

Sean Greene | Artist Spotlight 2

 Follow Your Thrill, 2010

 Stay In Touch, 2010

Let Love In, 2010

Sean Greene's paintings are compete eye candy.  Ribbons of transparent color luminates from the canvas and is reminiscent of neon signs and mod patterns.  But don't let your eyes fool you, all the paint is completely opaque. 

* If this post leaves you itchin' for more, snag one of Sean's Prints from 20X200

A Ditty Drops Deal!

Guess what?? Ditty Drops is offering free shipping worldwide through Sunday May 27, 2012 at midnight!! Go on, treat yourself!

Fancy Floral Nail Art

The floral trend is everywhere at the moment, so why not rock it on your nails as well!

It may look complicated but its actually incredibly easy!

Here's what I used: 

1.  A base coat to protect my nails such as Sally Hansen Miracle Nail Thickener 

2.  Marbling and Dotting Nail Tool from SEPHORA

3.  Base color - Minted by Revlon

4.  Flower Petal Color - Lilac Pastille by Revlon

5.  Flower Center Color - Electric Pineapple by China Glaze

6.  Flower Petal Color - Lincoln Square Lavender by New York Color

7.  Flower Petal Color - Wet n' Wild Wild Shine in Tickled Pink (no 402)

8.  Flower Center Color - Golden-I by Sally Hansen

9.  My FAVE shiny topcoat, Looks Wet by inm

Here's how I did it: 

Cover nails with a protective base coat such as Sally Hansen Miracle Nail Thickener, and let dry. Brush two coats of your base color on, in this case I used Minted by Revlon. Once your base is dry take your first flower petal color, I used Lilac Pastille by Revlon, and drop a few drops onto a piece of paper, dip your dotting tool in the polish and make five dots in a circle pattern on your thumb for each flower. Repeat this process with your first flower color one - four times on each nail. Clean off your dotting tool with a little nail polish remover. Drop a couple dots of your flower center color onto your paper, I used Electric Pineapple by China Glaze, and dot one little flower center on all of the flowers you just made. Repeat  this process for each nail with your varying flower petal colors, switching to a gold center for your last petal color for extra pop. Seal with your favorite top coat such as inm's Looks Wet. 

Viola! On trend floral nails!

What color combos would you use?

A Ditty Drops Giveaway!

Oh hi there lovely's! And Happy Friday! Don't you love the weekends? Especially when they are supposed to be as sunny and beautiful as they are predicted to be in New York this weekend (YES!).

In honor of the impending Summa time I'll be giving away those two beauties above, my best selling Sand Arrowhead post earrings ($14) and my newest edition to the Ditty Drops clan, the Seafoam Ivy League Stripe post earrings ($12).  Both of these delicious sherbert ear candies would be an excellent addition to your warm weather wardrobe!


Click here for your chance to win them both!!

Nina Yuen | Artist Spotlight 1

I am so on the floral train at the moment so when I stumbled upon Nina Yuen's fantastic floral mixed media pieces donning Hollywood royalty like Greta Garbo I had to share! Added bonus, glitter!! Enjoy.

LINK Nina Yuen

Confetti Bubblegum Nail Art

Lately I've had an itch to get on this nail art train. I thought to myself 'I have two painting degrees, I should be able to fashion some killer nails right?'

So here is my first attempt, Confetti Bubblegum Nails. It's super easy, keep reading to see how I did it! 

What I Used:

1. A base coat to protect my nails such as Sally Hansen Miracle Nail Thickener 
2.  Wet n' Wild Wild Shine in Tickled Pink (no 402) ** A GREAT color, and its only $.99!!
3.  My glittery nail polish of choice, Essie's Set In Stones

4.  A quick dry topcoat like Jordana 60 Second Dry

5.  My FAVE shiny topcoat, Looks Wet by inm

Start out with a base coat and let dry completely, then apply 2 coats of your primary color, in this case I chose Tickled Pink by Wet n' Wild. Next brush on your glitter polish about three quarters of the way down each nail, once this tacks  up a bit apply another coat of glitter one quarter of the way down the nail so you get a gradient effect. Apply a quick dry top coat the speed up the drying process, and once your nails are bone dry apply a high shine top coat to keep the glitter from chipping and give you a professional sheen, and that's it, super easy!

Have fun with this super easy manicure! Try it with different base colors and varying glitter colors, its a super versatile design!

What color combos would you use?

Indian Summer

Love the tribal and Aztec trends but a little weary of those technicolor brights? Here are a few subtle but on trend items to kick start your Indian Summer!

1. Oversized Satchel ($40) by American Eagle Outfitters 

2. Casual Moccasins ($88)by Boden 

3. Spiked Statement Necklace with Dalmatian Jasper ($35) by Deuce Fashion

Brooklyn Bound!

I'm heading to Brooklyn this weekend for a mega clothing swap and Ditty Drops sale. I thought I might share a few of my travel essentials with y'all!

1. GOOD READ - The Rules of Civility by Amor Towles ($16) Set in 1930's NYC, an indulgent and stylish page turner, I'm obsessed

2. Navy Ombre Earrings by Ditty Drops ($12) I know they are my own design, but I honestly can't leave the house without them

3. ESSENTIAL - Chelsea Flats by Payless ($17) Chic and practical, great for zipping around the city

4. Teen Dream by Beach House ($10) Dreamy sounds, perfect soundtrack for traveling 

5.  Blue Rimmed Aviators by Steve Madden ($42) I have these in Blue with rose toned lenses a great twist on a classic design

6. Colour Riche Lip Balm by L'Oreal in Pink Satin ($8) Is it a lipstick? Is it a lip balm?? ITS BOTH! Genius, I'm not sure how I survived before this stuff. 

What can't you travel without?

Anyone who knows me knows im'a sucker for graphic black and white patterns, and classic gold accessories are one of my summer go to's. Here are a few of my current faves

1. OX Print ($65) by VIZart

2. Tribal and faceted bangles by Monique Pean

3. Black and White Flat Laminate Oval Ring ($35) by Neivz

4. Geo Pyramid Stud Earrings ($17) by The Urban Lady