In the Aftermath of Sandy...

A week ago today, a storm of historic proportions swept over the eastern seaboard of the United States. It's name was Superstorm Sandy.  It was a hurricane, nor'easter and post-tropical cyclone all coalesced into a single monster of nature's power. (And proof that the effects of climate change are upon us.) The effects were felt from Virginia to Connecticut and west to Ohio and West Virginia by the time the harsh winds, storm surge, rain and snow passed. Fortunately, the impact of the storm was relatively minor in my "neck of the woods." My heart goes out to all those members of our little community who were more seriously affected. In the aftermath of the storm, it has become clear that the clean-up will be a long, arduous process. For anyone who would like to help, the Red Cross has details on exactly what you might do.

Getting Ready for All Hallows' Eve

Played the characters:
Cole & The Source

The Book of Shadows

Accepting Mini Mod Pod's challenge, I pulled together this scene for Halloween.  Looking at it now, it's hard to believe I began with the idea of creating a haunted house but that quickly turned into a room decorated for a Halloween party which finally morphed into...the witches lair. Think good witch as in the television show, Charmed. One may perhaps seek the counsel or protection of a witch just like a palm reader or fortune teller.  But it's not a place that's just easily accessible off of the main street. After all, a witch needs privacy to create potions, cast protection spells, or hold The Source (of all evil) imprisoned in crystals---that's a third Charmed reference in case you missed it. 

When not casting spells and such, the witch takes a load off by
 reclining on the daybed writing in her journal, My Life As A Cat.

This little set up is a private party for the witch and some of her most beloved clients on All Hallows Eve.  There's a chair and a place to recline in the lair.  The real workspace has been cleared of pots, potion bottles, and the Book of Shadows and replaced with party treats...champagne in midnight colored flutes and serving trays full of sashimi and sushi (okay, that's the only tiny food I have.) And for dessert, tiny cakes decorated to look like rolling dice.

Approaching back deck from the right side.

Take a closer look inside.

Guests enter through the door on the left.

Details: Chair, ReacJapan; orange storage tower, Rement; table, orange tray and round platform, The Container Store; food, (magnets) Urban Outfitter; black bird (a wineglass charm) and dice, Morgan Imports; champagne flutes, The Dollar Store; disco ball and picture frame, swap with margaret_loves; dress with hat, The Enchanted Pumpkin--an Etsy store; rug, TheShadeStore.com; yellow book, orange vases and daybed with pillows, Kaleidoscope House accessories; wooden sign, bowl and black barrels, AC Moore; remaining accessories from Dolls House Emporium or eBay; "leather" daybed cover, pumpkins and leaves made by me.

See more Halloween Scenes at Jazzi Minis and MinisBHappenin.

Form Over Fame

Day 59. Image source: brandspirit.tumblr.com

What happens to an object when you take away its branding? Andrew Miller is the branding and marketing strategist behind Brand Spirit, a 100-day design project where he gives us the answer to that very question. He documents the results on his blog by the same name.  He describes the project in this way:

"Every day for 100 days, I will paint one branded object white, removing all visual branding, reducing the object to its purest form. I can purchase each object for less than $10, it can be something I own, something another person gives me, or something I find."

From top to bottom: Days 100, 39, 60, 61 and 14.
Image source: brandspirit.tumblr.com

I really enjoyed this project and was surprised to see how a simple paint job could alter the way I viewed an object. Some of the most humble minutiae from everyday living was elevated into an interesting study in form, perhaps even a soothing sculptural object. Well, that's my take on it but what do you guys think?

And the Winner Is...

Thank you to everyone who has joined the tribe by following Mini*Aestethetics and participating in my inaugural give-away.  I used an online random number generator to complete the drawing.  

Retro TV & champagne flutes

set of toys

Drum roll please...

and the winner of the retro television and set of champagne flutes (choice A) is Jazzi of Jazzi Minis! More drumroll...

The winner of the toy set including skateboards, soccer ball and truck (choice B) is Angela of El Mundo de Angela!

Congratulations!!! Please send an email to me: miniaesthetic at gmail dot com telling me exactly where to send your package. 

Time for a Good Soak

A few new (well, not quite so new anymore) purchases inspired me to create a spa bath room.  You can see from the accessories, I decided to mix modern fixtures with classic and antique accessories to keep things from getting too cold and sterile. I'd love to climb into that free standing tub for a good soak.  Tell me what you think.

Details: bookcases, pitcher & bowl and vase are from Dolls House Emporium; sink & tub fixtures by ELF Miniatures; chair by ReacJapan; vessel sink from Ikea; sink pedestal is napkin ring from West Elm standing on Mighty Magnets from The Container Store; free standing tub from Crate & Barrel; wire baskets are an Etsy shop purchase; TV is a keychain by Kikkerland; telephone is from Rement; wooden backsplash, glass jar, metal box, all mirrors from local craft store; wood flooring are samples from Lowe's; shower and washtub are eBay finds

Fall's Arrival

Like many of you, I jumped at Mini Dork's suggestion to scoop up free samples from The Shade Store and incorporate them into my mini-interiors.  I quickly pulled this scene together after opening up my sample pack. Lot's of color plus a little 70's...Oh joy! Quick trivia question guys---without studying the "details" section how many items used in this scene were free??? Have a great week everyone.

Details: rug by The Shade Store at www.theshadestore.com, floor samples from Lowe's, screen Bumble & Bumble packaging reinvented, coffee table assembled by me with supplies from Michael's and The Container Store, cabinet from an Etsy store, vase is Jonathan Adler for Bozarts' Kaleidoscope House, side table is Rement, and chair is ReacJapan.

Must You Really Do That Here?

I have memories throughout my childhood years of my mother grooming her feet while everyone was gathered around the TV in the family room. To say grooming is very polite. I suppose in the grand scheme of things it was a pedicure but it seemed more like foot surgery. First soaking the feet to softened all of the tough layers of dead skin.  This was followed by lots and lots of peeling skin and picking at corns....well, you get the idea.  Perhaps, if I'd been acquainted with pumice stones back then I could have saved my dear (thrifty) mother so much self-inflicted mutilation.  So this modern living room scene is a tribute to a kinder-gentler version of foot care for mothers well, women everywhere. Note the bottle of epsom salts...And ya'll know how I love my shoes!

Details: white breadboard from Miniatures.com; grey 'wall treatment' and acrylic coffee table top from Michael's; coffee table legs are Mighty Magnets from The Container Store; Couch is Kaleidoscope House by Bozarts Toys; sheepskin, white vase and irises from Dolls House Emporium; chair by ReacJapan; wash basin and painted metal frames are eBay purchases; rug by PRD Miniatures; jar from local bead store; screen, towels and pillow are handmade by me