How To Make a Boutonniere
Published: June 18th, 2008Posted in: Mintish Living, diy projects
Mintish Living
Hanajikan – must read if you like floral designs
Published: April 13th, 2008Posted in: Mintish Living, diy projects
Recently, I recevied a few emails asking if Mints will offer any floral design classes in the future. I am very flattered, but currently, it is not on our plan. However, I promised these girls I will start posting more DYI ideas and resources on this blog. So here it comes.
Hanajikan – a Japanese Floral Art Magazine. It’s a monthly magazine and it features many ideas as well as new trends. Although they are in Japanese, you will still learn a lot as they have step by step picture instructions. I am a big fan of Japanese floral designs because their work is articulate and dimensional and their color combinations are usually very soft yet romantic. Of course, I also think I am heavily influenced by my mom as she studied floral design in Japan and I remember flipping these magazines even though I didn’t understand much and found them fascinating. I thought, wow, these people are truly amazingly creative!! Just to give you some ideas I have attached some pictures from Volume March ’08. This is a great spring time coffee table idea!! It uses tulips and their leaves to make loops, adding an interesting touch with something you probably gonna through it away.
Wanna check it out?! go to Kinokuniya (San Francisco Japantown 2nd floor).
DazzleWorks
Published: March 24th, 2008Posted in: Mintish Living, gift ideas
Sterling silver earrings with lime green Czech glass. Super cute for any occasion. check it out at Dazzleworks.
Cardboard Safari
Published: February 20th, 2008Posted in: Mintish Living, eco chic
Come check out cardboard safari!! The moose, rhino and deer are 100% recyclable cardboard!! Want something cool, easy DIY and environmentally friendly. yep, you got it all in one.
Flowers for Chinese New Year
Published: February 9th, 2008Posted in: Mintish Living
1. Blossom – Love & Charm
2. Kumquat- Gold Fortune
3. Narcissus – Prosperity
4. Chrysanthemum - Longevity
5. Bamboo – Luck & Longevity
My picks for tiny ones
Published: December 16th, 2007Posted in: Mintish Living, Mints Picks, gift ideas
1. sherlock overcoat by jack sprat 2. dagmar daley jacket @ modernchild.com 3. blossoming joy holiday cards by tiny prints 4. deep sea fishing game @ backtobasictoys.com 5. paul frank small flip flop @ sand box couture 6. Munchlers lunch tote @ built NY 7. retro neck tie bib by dragonfly boutique 8. ornaments from hallmark 9. hot pink tulle skirt @ gymboree 10. autumn blossom hat by chinny chin chin 11. skinny jean @ babygap 12. converse (double tongue broken heart purple) @ robert wayne
Relish at home
Published: November 21st, 2007Posted in: Mintish Living, eco chic, gift ideas
I got to admit I love notebooks. Not that I have too many things I need to write down, but I am just obsessed with the feel of different types of paper, patterns and illustrations. In my collection, Jill Bliss design is one of my favorite. I got her native flowers notebook 2 years ago and till now I am still very much in love with it. The notebook features 5 different flower design and is printed on 30% post-consumer waste recycled paper (yea!! greener is better). Her illustrations are packed with fun details and vibrant colors. So for this Christmas, maybe pick up a card or notebooks from Blissen.
You may also check out Relish at Home in Berkeley, where you will find a series of Jill Bliss’s gallery exhibitions, plus handmade items from local artists. Some of the items I love are Wood Bowls and Kelly’s handmade hairpins ( they are featured on Martha Stewart Wedding 2006).
Take the PLEDGE – Buy Homemade!
Published: November 13th, 2007Posted in: Mintish Living, gift ideas
So have you started making your list? I am always a last minute shopper, but this year I’ve decided to plan early, so not only I can get some good deals, but more importantly, I can get some cool and unique handmade gifts for people I truly love and care about. And just when I was scratching my head, I received an email from Anne-Marie, who’s the Chief Wife of the Succulent Wife, and she shared this excellent site : http://www.buyhandmade.org with me, where you can make a pledge to buy handmade this holidays and check out some indie shops.
I am also going to share some of my finds with you here too. =)
Winter Care
Published: December 10th, 2006Posted in: Mintish Living, eco chic
So it’s winter!! and you want to prevent your plants from getting a cold… here comes the tips.
1. Too much or too little water
I hate to tell you there’s no golden rule. While some people turn on their heater all day long and some don’t, your watering routine is really decided on a case by case basis. If you don’t mind getting your hands a little dirty, use your fingers to feel soil to check whether it is moist or a bit dry out. And remember, every time you water your plants, make sure you water it thoroughly and let the water completely runs out of the bottom.
2. Too cold
Well, if you are sitting in your cozy room with your blanket, think about your plants!! One of our customers put the new plants in the garage for few days, and unfortunately, the roots were freeze to death.
3. Too Dry
You can’t live without your lotions and so does your plant. It’s really a dry season and most of the indoor plants are not used to it. So put a dish of water next to your plants or turn on your humidifier.
Frog prince
Published: December 9th, 2006Posted in: Mintish Living, gift ideas
Here is another great gift idea. We only have a few left and so be hurry!! They are all natural goose eggs and can be used as jewel boxes, collectible items, or elegant decorative displays. Or maybe instead of hiding the engagement ring in the chocolate cake, you may hide it inside this lovely egg and give her a double-surprises.All of them are handpainted and decorated with gem stones and crystals. They are so delicate that make you wonder (amaze) how these artists created them. The penguin one is definitely my favorite. It is not only a jewel box but also a music box, which plays the music “Somewhere in time.” Another cute one is the Frog prince, which has a little gold crown and many shiny crystals on its body.
