Highlights of the Year: Cupcake Fridays

We'll be taking a little break New Year's and return with more fun posts Monday. Since we'll be skipping our weekly Cupcake Friday posts, how could I not post another highlight of the year...our obsession with sugar and all things cupcake!

Happy New Year everyone! See you in 2009!

Highlights of the Year: From the Studio

There are so many highlights from the studio. While we work hard, we also play & laugh hard. There is the night we all crammed into the Picture Machine Tattoo Studio to watch a certain "unnamed" member of the team get a tattoo of one of our illustrated flowers (see the post Tattoo Friday). Since then, I have to admit there have been more tattoos added but I'm not spilling the beans who got them!

Another is when the controversial Olympic Torch Relay went covert and was diverted just one mere block from the studio--talk about random luck! It was thrilling, but I still don't know how I ran two miles in those darn heels...

Highlights of the Year: Shop Friends

Wow...can you believe the year is almost over? Thank you all so very much for reading, visiting and allowing us to share our quirky ongoings at the studio. Most of all, it has been a joy to share the immense talent of my Shop Friends and the overflowing talent of creatives from all over.
I have to admit, I can't wait for '09 to begin butI thought I'd post some of our favorite highlights of the year this week!

First up, who can forget the many, many talented Shop Friends who blow my mind away with their ingenuity, vision and talent. I feel so lucky to befriend and be surrounded by their creative genius!

I wish I could put it all in one post, but these are just a very few of our inspiring Shop Friends from the year (click to see their full stories!): the absolute go-to for flowers Natalie Bowen, Jubilee Lau's expert wedding planning, Heidi Swanson (aka food guru) of 101 Cookbooks, my inspiring and genius friend Shinmin of I Dream of Cake, amazing and brilliant friend Abby, the creator of Style Me Pretty, Muscari's ring bearer pillows, Pretty in Pink at The Pampered Girl, gorgeous letterpress with Alee & Press, adorable Meghan at Haute Bride, Susan, her Frenchie and her much beloved salon Teashi, faint-worthy rings at Shibumi Studio, the wonderful dynamic duo of Delphine Press, another dynmaic duo at Paper Cup Design, divine decor finds at Paris Hotel Boutique, vintage teaplates with Pleasing Pantry, killer acessories at A.Jaron, the lovely perfumed creations at C.Marie...

Happy Cupcake Friday

Another genius Martha Stewart cupcake creation!

Hope all of you are either in bunny fleece pajamas, picking away at leftovers...or stomping pavement for post-holiday sales. Today I am recovering from my little feasting fest but it never means I don't have room for one more cupcake...
Happy Cupcake Friday everyone!

Happy Holidays!

This is for all of you guys (and gals!) who aren't into the frilly...this 'stache stocking made of repurposed herringbone trousers will look dashing over the mantel!
We are off for the 25th but on behalf of everyone at Cat Seto, we wanted to wish all of you a wonderful Happy Holidays!

Global Snowball Fight

I thought this was so neat! London Design Agency, St. Luke's, created this "snowball" email/video. You can personalize your message and when your victim opens it, they will get a snowball message thrown at them. All you do is type in your message (mine was Haha! I got you!) and it will send snowballs to all of your friends...or foes! Click here to send one.

Pretty In Pink

This glam pink room in Domino inspired a hunt for grown-up pink accessories...including this fun little frock which I think would be perfect to ring the new year in. I don't know about you, but I can't wait for 2009!

Happy Cupcake Friday

mini cakes by Just Fab

Another Friday, another excuse to indulge the sweet tooth as I scramble to do some last minute holiday shopping!
Happy Cupcake Friday and weekend everyone!

Jcrew Bridesmaid Dress

Hurry! I sound like a used car salesman here, but Jcrew is having a major clearance of their Lorelei silk tafetta strapless dresses...49 buckaroos to be exact, yes $49 for a silk dress! They are perfect bridesmaid's dresses and even come in petite sizes. Click here for the link.

Paper Bouttonieres

I was emptying out some of my files the other day and found this old bookmark. Such intricate, harmonious paper bouttonieres...their colors just make me want to smile!

Liebling Designs

A gorgeous, solitary flower on a strand of stones or pearls...what more could a girl ask for? These pieces by Liebling Designs are so lovely and feminine. They are the kind of accessories that inspire the dress...a canary yellow strapless for the first, a Prada blue shift on the second, your little LBD for the third...

Shop Friend: Thi Makeup Studio

Taylor Pham is well known in the Bay Area for her expert makeup styling and is always overbooked during wedding season. Now she has opened up a brand new studio of her own in Palo Alto called Thi makeup Studio. It features her new makeup line and her one-of-a-kind false eyelashes (the most natural looking set of eyelashes you'll ever own!).

Happy Cupcake Friday

Leave it to Ms. Martha Stewart to create an igloo cake mold for your holiday creations!
Happy Cupcake Friday and weekend everyone!

Shop Friend: My Little Fingers

I just love these vintage-esque animal pillows by My Little Fingers! They would be perfect for hanging on the door of a bedroom or kid's room.

Mod Gingerbread House

Did you see this in the NY Times? I was just remarking with my sis the other day how we were never into gingerbread houses as kids...mostly because we were never allowed to eat them once they were finished which was highly disappointing! Well, this Gingerbread masterpiece by April Reed is definitely too stunning to bite into. Modeled after Mies van der Rohe's Farnsworth House, the cost is a steep $4320 but a portion of proceeds will go into the restoration of the Farnsworth House.

Wedding Gowns for under $500

This ensemble costs a total of $367. No joke. And I got the idea from a bride of ours who borrowed her aunt's antique lace shrug and bought a crepe strapless wedding gown from Jcrew. She looked like a million bucks. This lace shrug by Mary and Angelika is $69 and the gown is a Charmeuse Calvin Klein for $298. Here's to luxe for budget!

Artist's Retreat

In this month's issue of Metropolitan Home I found myself going back again and again to Raji Radhakrishnan's DC home. A self-taught interior designer, her flair for displaying artwork is just incredible. I absolutely love the free form painting above the bed in the master bedroom!

Happy Cupcake Friday

I've accumulated so many cupcakes for our Friday posts that I thought it befitting to post this adorable ceramic cupcake holder by Whitney Smith.
Happy Cupcake Friday and weekend everyone!

Audrey Chair

And since we're on the theme of black and white...
isn't this chic, little Audrey chair perfect for your bedroom or powder room?

Angela Marcuccio

above: Angela Marcuccio, Colston, Embryo

I am so enamored with what a little black sash can do for a dress...
whether it's wedding or your upcoming holiday party, a snowflake white with a dash of black velvet is just perfection!

Fox and Clover

Artist Sabrina of Fox and Clover hand etches graphics onto glass, creating these whimsical, intricate little pieces. We're always big fans of sustainable designers and her plates are made from reclaimed, vintage windows. To purchase, click here!

Vices

What's your vice? Whether it's too much "Crackberry", Guinness or smokes...these holiday gifts are funny little reminders for you and your friends to keep on the steady in the new year!

above, clockwise: Coffee & Cigarette ring, wool felted Wine Pocket, Beer & Soda Can Bracelet
made in Vermont of sterling silver and real beer and soda cans, Jonathon Adler MP3 and cellphone cozies.

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! Happy gorging of all things turkey and pumpkie pie, but most of all, take time to give thanks. We're taking a little day off for Friday so I thought I'd include an early "Thanks-Giving" cupcake for our cupcake Friday post.

Seed Clothing

I love the delicate finishes and silhouettes by Amy Brea of Seed Clothing. With a jacket or cardigan, these are perfect work to cocktail frocks!

Greedy Girl Calendar Swap

Caroline, over at Greedy Girl let us know about a fabulous calendar swap that she's hosting! You have until November 30th to email her. You will then be assigned a "swapmate" to send a calendar (of your choosing between $20-25) to. How fun..and ahem, not to bias you all but I can think of a great eco-calendar to send off. To read more about the "The Great 2008 Greedy Girl Calendar Swap" Click here.

Sixth and Elm

These zen-like boxes and bonsai replicas by Sixth and Elm are the kinds of objects you want near you on a cold, fall night when you're curled up reading a book.

For the Love of Lace

I don't think I will ever get tired of lace patterns, especially in household objects and accessories. So romantic, charming and timeless!

above: necklace and earrings by Elizabeth's Lace,
candle by Fringe, Lace packing tape by Stella Bugbee

above: Moulin Lace Lamp, glass vase by Fringe

Happy Cupcake Friday

by Blues Cupcakes

This little owl cake is too adorable to eat... And I am loving that one owl's long, wispy eyelash!
Happy Cupcake Friday and weekend everyone!

Sweet Perfection

I have a ridiculous affection for felt creations. And don't even talk to me about macaroons...I have known to swallow the lavendar ones at the Boulange whole without blinking. These little gems by Smarmy Pants have definitely combined the best of both worlds!