it's that time again

after just 10 months.

-image by jen ramos

A couple of things...

Thank you to Huffington Post for including my wardrobe in their Home section today! It's part of 10 Amazing Closets! Woo hoo. You can see the other 9 here.

Oh & my HUSBAND is SO cute - he left all these notes on my computer this morning!

image is from my instagram - usually where I post more personal pics of my life & so on, feel free to follow me there. You can also see the mess in the background as we get ready to move tomorrow! I'm exhausted.

Hope you all are enjoying your Thursday! 

DIY: Bridal Shower Favors

Hi All Jana here, 

With my best friend's big day a few weeks away I am enacting all of my maid of honor DIYs in a fast frenzy way. The bride & myself are designing on a dime (who isn't??) so when I thought about bridal shower favors it was a given that I would be DIYing them. 

I had a million ideas - some beautiful, but not so personal; & than others that just seemed too crafty. One Saturday, while I was transitioning my dry-cleaning (silk shirts) onto hangers I had an epiphany - for that gorgeous silk cami that you often get (or give) as a gift that always falls to the floor - you need a hanger that will keep the precious piece in place. Why not showcase the piece? Hence the glam hanger with a practical punch was created.

Materials:

• Hanger
• Dazzlers (Rhinestones, Pearls Large & Small)
• Glue
• Paint (Gold & your fav color) 

Paint Hanger Gold

Paint Monogram 

Glue on Dazzlers, alternate pearls & rhinestones to your liking

Volia - statement pieces that stay in place

-images and post by jana bek

-images by Erik melvin

iPhone Cases by Elegantly Untamed

There's an iPhone case out there for everyone. I'm convinced. Even Cocoa & Hearts has an iPhone case made from two of my paintings (more colors to come).

But, for those who prefer a little more BLING, I'd like to introduce you to Elegantly Untamed. Anya, who is the owner has been in love with crystals and sparkly things ever since she was a young girl. So, it's no surprise she offers such amazing statement pieces like gemmed-up iphone cases. Is that even a word "gemmed-up"? Hmmmm

Either way, these cases are like works of art and she says that a lot of her vintage jewelry and stones are sourced through her travels in US, Europe, Canada, and many other locations! The cases start at about $300 and go up from there. You can check out the rest of them here. Happy shopping!

-images via elegantly untamed

Food: Baked Tofu Chevre

Hey MBG readers!  It’s Caren here. Am I getting old, or is this year really going by at lightening speed?

This past weekend marked the start of the holiday season for me, as it’s Canadian Thanksgiving.  Then we will celebrate the US version real soon, then onto the Christmas holidays.  The next few months will no doubt be filled with way too many opportunities to over indulge.

Whether I’m entertaining, or I’ve offered to bring a dish to a party, this appetizer never fails to hit a home run.  Not only does Tofu Chevre put any baked brie to shame, it’s also super low fat and high in protein.  Served warm with some crackers and fruit preserves, it doesn’t get much better than this.

         They're also fabulous served cold on salads.

Ingredients

• 1 16-ounce container of extra firm tofu
• 2 tablespoons of French mustard
• 2 tablespoons of miso paste
• 1 tablespoon of tamari or soy sauce
• 3 cloves fresh garlic

1. Press tofu for 15 minutes under a weighted plate to extract any excess liquid.
2. Mix ingredients in a food processor until it becomes a well formed ball.
3. Portion chevre into disks or a long roll (much like a goat cheese log would look like)
4. Feel free to use sesame seeds, dried basil or any other seasoning to dress the cheese
5. Place chevre in the freezer for 20 minutes until well formed.
6. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
7. Serve warm & enjoy!

-Images and post by caren Magil 

Which Sofa Color?

Thanks to one of my readers, Janice for doing these quick mock ups of the sofa color-candidates!

It turns out the color I FINALLY selected yesterday is discontinued!! Just my luck! So, now I'm more confused than ever! 

If you think you have a good sense of design, PLEASE take the poll to your right & help me choose which color you the think will go best with the rug, daybed, lamps & python benches. 

  Thank you so much! Can't wait to see what you decide.

Light gray

medium gray

charcoal gray

And below with my artwork, which may be included in the living room somewhere:

light gray

charcoal

 

Thank you Janice.

Made By Girl now on Instagram!!

Many of you have asked if MadeByGirl was on Instagram. Well, I was.

However, it was a private account with family photos & so on. A couple days ago I asked my assistant Daisy, to revamp it & allow you guys to follow.  Sometimes when I get sooo caught up in work, I don't realize how popular things are getting. I almost let this pass me by! #OHMYGosh

But nonetheless, I'm now on Instagram & you can follow me here if you like.

I update almost everyday & most of the pics you will  only see there & NOT on my blog. See you there!

 

Are you on Instagram? Do you use it often?