February 7th, 2013 No Comments

paint unexpected pops of color to brighten up your home this spring

Sometimes you might love a color but don’t want to commit to an entire room or wall. Painting underneath a table, doors, inside drawers, a closet… these are all unexpected places where pops of color can personalize your home. I painted the inside of our hallway closet in Benjamin Moore’s Calypso Blue 727 and it makes me happy everyday we open it to get our coats and bags. I also added a very inexpensive little lantern that hangs from the ceiling vs. the standard unattractive flush mount light that you usually find in closets. Our color palette this week … Read more

February 6th, 2013 No Comments

introducing our february wedding contributor gail brill: hand calligraphy and the printing process

Thank you Lynn for allowing me this space to do a little talking about my craft. I started working with Lynn when she was at Martha Stewart Living many moons ago. We have worked together on various projects since. In fact, you can see my hand lettering throughout Lynn’s blog template! I often joke that my career as a calligrapher began in 3rd grade when I had to write 500 times “I will make an effort to improve my conduct in the cafeteria” and it was an exercise I loved doing! The reason for why I had to write those … Read more

February 5th, 2013 No Comments

candy heart favor tins for each placesetting for a valentine party

Another little candy favor is these heart tins from Paper Mart for about $1.10 each. Fill with candy hearts or any candy of your choice. For a more sophisticated party, wrap each heart with a ribbon in the candy heart pastel palette. For a more youthful party try these candy heart stickers from Michaels Craft Stores centered on each lid. Either way the tin is a nice little keepsake. Note: you can get candy hearts in bulk for $2.99 per pound from economycandy.com.

February 4th, 2013 No Comments

this week’s color palette: candy heart hues

I thought it would be fun to talk about the colors of candy hearts this week, since we talked about Valentine red and pink all last week. The pastel palette of the candy hearts is showing up everywhere with spring right around the corner. Uniqlo, a Japanese clothing retailer that has stores in the US and a shop online has all of these colors for men, women and children. If you haven’t heard of them before, I hope you’ll check them out- we’re big fans of Uniqlo. Cashmere blend scarves are on sale for under $10, cashmere sweaters for … Read more

February 3rd, 2013 1 Comment

a special valentine from carmine minardi nyc

Carmine Minardi is offering us a very special Valentine! Thinking you need a FABULOUS haircut before the big day? Schedule anytime now until February 14th and you’ll receive $50 off your haircut with Carmine himself! Or $50 off highlights from any of his team members. All you have to do is mention my name “Lynn Butler Beling” when making your appointment- how great is that? Carmine just opened at his new location at 19 East 62nd Street, 3rd Floor, NYC (next to Amaranth restaurant). This is not just for the gals… men, take advantage- It’s like we’re putting … Read more

February 2nd, 2013 No Comments

valentine’s day wrapping made simple: 4 containers, 8 different ways.

If you are looking for a few simple wrapping ideas for your Valentine’s Day treats we pulled together 4 containers, each with two different ideas… four containers, eight ideas. Let’s Start with the four containers and where we got them. Jug with red cap, $3 each, red polka dot candy Cup, $4 for 20 cups, glass milk Bottle with lid, all from Shop Sweet Lulu. Bucket, $12 for 12, from Candy Warehouse. These mini jugs are perfect to share your favorite punch or valentine’s cocktail with your friends. We dubbed it the “Joy Jug”. … Read more

February 1st, 2013 No Comments

shopping for red & pink valentine goodies

We’ve selected some goodies from the web so you don’t have to. Red Dots Treat Bags, pack of 20 for $8.95, Valentines Day Circle Stickers, pack of 12 for $2.50, Sweetheart Fucshsia Red Circle Stickers, pack of 12 for $2.50, all from Paper Source. Planning on making your own cupcakes? We love these Heart Sprinkles, 4 oz., $4.99, from nycake.com. Don’t have time to bake? Order these Mini Iced Valentine Vanilla Cookies, $22.95 for 30, from Williams-Sonoma (order by 2/6 in time for valentines day) or if you are in New York order from one of our favorite … Read more

January 31st, 2013 No Comments

valentine’s day specials from michael george flowers, especially for you!

If you are gearing up for Valentine’s Day here are three specials selected personally by Michael from Michael George Flowers. We order from Michael anytime we need to send flowers in NYC. These are especially for you! (pictured above) Please mention Little Blue Dish/and or Lynn Butler Beling sent you! Box with Dozen Red Roses and Wax Flowers special $100.00 Red Italian Fringe Tulips                          special $150.00 Kissing Pink Tulips                                  special $150.00 … Read more

January 30th, 2013 No Comments

weddings with liz banfield: a bride and groom embrace valentine’s weekend with red, pink… and a lot of fun in San Francisco!

When Diego and Suzanne decided to be married on Valentine’s weekend, they wholeheartedly embraced the holiday with style and also a little wink to the kitch that often goes with it. First they enlisted Isabella Sikaffy of Florabella Weddings to design the event. She made a plan to transform the Menlo Circus Club, from the elaborate red-on-red dining room all the way down to carpeting the floor of the cocktail space shocking pink. Guests couldn’t help but smile at all the little details, including candy-heart inspired table names (like “U R Hot” and “Soul Mate”) calligraphed onto heart … Read more

January 29th, 2013 No Comments

tabletop: scalamandre teams with lenox to bring their iconic patterns to the table

Scalamandre textile house is collaborating with manufacturer, Lenox, to bring five of their fabric & wallpaper patterns to the table. Bloomingdale’s just debuted the collection. Among the five patterns is the iconic Zebras that was originally a wallpaper that adorned the walls of the legendary New York City restaurant, Gino’s. Gino’s has since closed but Scalamadre has resurrected the wallpaper in it’s line and now in a china pattern. The Bouvier pattern (picutred directly below) was also originally a wallpaper that was in the private home of Averell and Marie Harriman. Jacqueline Kennedy stayed with the Harriman’s in Washington after her … Read more