A Neat Pinterest Trick!

Did you know you can plug in your website into the below to see what photos and content other people have pinned from your blog? I love it! It's fun to see what other people find interesting of yours. And also, it really is embarrassing how much time I can spend on that website. PINTEREST. ADDICT. 

Here's ours! http://pinterest.com/source/twentysomethingtestdummies.com

You can check yours by plugging in your blog here: http://pinterest.com/source/INSERTBLOGNAMEHERE.com

"Happy pinning!" :)

Gilt Taste Launches!

Gilt Taste is live! It's in beta right now, and they're still rolling out certain feautres like weekly specials (exclusive to Gilt members but if you need an invite - join here!). But as rumored, former New York Times food critic and Top Chef Masters judge, Ruth Reichl, is at the helm as an editorial advisor. Yay.

The site is one part editorial with great recipes, stories and food trends; another part (luxury) artisinal food marketplace, and one part limited quantity weekly specials - what Gilt does best. The marketplace is broken up into categories: meat, poultry, equipment, etc. and is high end - think: oysters, caviar, truffle oils and honey, and a $75 Lady M Mille Crepes Cake that looks so delicate and decadent (and ridiculously expensive), but I obviously want it.

The editorial section reminds me of what the Restaurant Intelligence Agency here in Chicago has had going for a while now in Soapbox: a great behind the scenes peek at the food/restaurant industry that's interesting for foodies wanting to know more about local ingredients, dishes and sources from the experts - in Soapbox's case - local chefs' inspirations and thoughts. The RIA team is obviously more focused on local Chicago chefs and restaurants, but the Gilt Taste editorial is similar in that it's for food lovahs looking for more ways to satisfy their passion for food/cooking beyond just their taste buds. Ya dig?

It should also be noted that the Gilt Taste site is visually gorgeous. I love the layout, it's sleek, easy to navigate and the food photography is beautiful. I'm a sucker for specialty food items and while most of these are well out of my price range (not like that's ever stopped me before), I will likely splurge on something special I'd like to have. Or gift. Like truffle popcorn. Or cheese. And then not purchase normal groceries for a week month. What do you think? Way too pricey? Gilt specializes in "luxury" and while I know so many are rolling their eyes at the prices and items offered, they obviously do it well, and people keep buying. 

Take a peek below at what types of goods are being offered on Gilt Taste's Marketplace:

Matchbook Magazine launches!

 

Have you seen this yet? Matchbook Magazine - an online-only magazine that pegs itself as the "field guide to a charmed life" launched this month! (Thanks to EverythingFab, for sharing the news). It's the very first issue and features everything from fashion: "50 Classics for your Closet" to interviews with painfully adorable designers like Marais USA's Haley Boyd (above), recipes, travel articles, beauty recommendations - basically everything a girl could want. They have a cool Tumblr version too. 

The first issue is pretty "classic" in a traditional sense - so I'm hoping for a bit more out-of-the-box whimsy and design for future issues, but bookmark this one. It's great. And, free! Music to my broke-ass ears. 

PS - Speaking of Marais USA, I need these red peep-toe wedges... and also, in purple, and blue..

affordable art > 20 x 200

Brooklyn Morning, by Youngna Park - 20x200.com

Everyone knows about etsy, but I'm absolutely in love with 20x200. NYC gallery owner, Jen Beckman, wanted to offer affordable art to support both emerging artists and art lovahs who may not be able to shell out a gajillion dollars to still have art that they love in their home.

She pairs a series of limited available quantities at three or four price points with the highest quantity of available prints and smallest size priced at the cheapest price: 200 total available prints (usually 8 1/2" x 11") at $20 each; 20 prints at $200 each; 2 prints at $2,000 each, and so on. New art is available every week.

I love the idea of collecting a bunch of small prints that are completely personal to you, make you deliriously happy and throwing them all up as your own gallery wall - check out my art wall in my dining room here! Some of my favorite picks from 20x200 above and below. 

Balloons (Midtown, Manhattan), by Youngna Park - 20x200.com

Untitled (Bondi Baths, Sydney, Australia) by Carlo Van de Roer - 20x200.com

Steps by Thomas Prior - 20x200.com

Katarina by Karolina Karlic - 20x200.com

I love, love, love this last one, especially after reading about the artist's inspiration from "missed connections" and "lost moments" as posted on Craigslist. Here's a snippet of her artist statement from 20x200:

In "Missed Connections" people anonymously post recollections of what may have been, or a special moment or a connection with someone that was unfortunately missed. I obsessively read these "lost moments" and am continuously intrigued by the story telling process...

For example, as I read the post, "I could put my arms around every boy I see...... they'd only remind me of you.", I start to visualize who this anonymous person may be. In my attempt to further understand their motivations I contact these individuals to set up an interview and capture a photograph that identifies them.

Testing > Supermarkethq.com > the tastemaker's etsy

I'm a big fan of etsy, the online store full of handmade and vintage items for people to buy (my forte) or sell (not so much). Everything from clothing, antiques, art and jewelry, can all be had with a little PayPal click of the button. As a fairly avid etsy shopper, I've found a number of great screen prints, jewelry and even an office wall calendar, that I love.

The problem? How do I say this nicely... it can get a little too, anything-goes-crafty-crappity-crap for my tastes. Okay, maybe that wasn't nice. But it's true. The world needs a shabby Victorian rose toilet seat cover like a hole in the head. And it's like the outlet strip mall of online stores - it's great when you find a gem, but requires some digging. 

Enter: Supermarket! Just like etsy, you can buy and sell handmade artsy items online, but this site differentiates itself with a great design tagline and a screening process for sellers. Not only is it a beautiful site, they seem to handpick or approve all the sellers before allowing them to list on the site. So it's not a free for all. It's like having your friend with the best taste and design sensibilities screen out all the crap. And it has a more modern style to it too, which I love. 

I haven't bought anything yet, but I'm rapidly adding up my favorites. Here's some of the stores and items that I'm loving so far... will report back after a successful purchase. Oh, my goals in life.

1. Word Letterpress Cards, OrangeBeautiful
2. Small Coral Bowl, Element Clay Studio
3. Necklush Ultra - Natural with black print, Necklush
4. Shadow Bulb Pendant set, Melissa Borrell
5. First Crush Collection Ear No. 1 earrings, Melanie Favreau
6. Chain tape, Gradiate
7. Trapezoid skirt, Micaela Greg