with Jill (roller-skater and cookie-baker extraordinaire)

My new boyfriend

How-to-make everything from sock puppets to lampshades



This blog rocks my design world
Not sure what's up lately, but I seem to have caught the home-decorating bug. Now, just to set the record straight, I have NEVER been one to match my duvet to my curtains, and I'm also still kind of living in one of those "no-longer-a-student" but "not-quite-adult" apartments. However, I do think that it's important for your home to be a place of comfort as well as an expression of your individuality. And I have a sense of pride (as well as a sense of humor) about my humble abode.

For starters, what better way to add a personal touch to your place than by honing in on your inner craftiness and making something from scratch? I recently picked up an awesome book, Super Crafty, which I highly recommend. It has an entire chapter on fun, hip crafts for the home. From a cool boudoir lampshade to handmade place mats and coasters, it's full of step-by-step instructions for retro-modern decorating alternatives. Compiled by four crafty girls from Portland, Oregon, this book is a one-of-a-kind resource.

Now, if I decide I want to let someone else do all the hard work for me, I turn to my new favorite blog, Design Sponge, a daily website dedicated to home and product design run by Brooklyn-based writer Grace Bonney. The site features store and product reviews, sale and contest announcements, new-designer profiles, trend forecasting and store/studio tours. It's a great way to view work from up-and-coming artists/designers, and my #1 source for finding out what's about to surface in the design world. Check it out at www.designsponge.
blogspot.com.

I know that you guys are probably full of your own great ideas. (JANE readers are generally a pretty clever breed.) Which is why we like to keep the dialogue going with you guys, not only about home-decorating suggestions for yours truly, but also what you like to read, do, and covet to make your life easier and more fun. That's why we're inviting you to join our Preferred Subscriber Network, Simply complete the questionnaire at our website as soon as possible. As our thank-you, you'll be immediately eligible for a sweepstakes giveaway to win $10,000.  That's a lot of vinyl. Or lipstick. Or concert tickets. Oh, you get the idea. Just click on the link below or cut and paste it into your browser, http://surveys.advancemags.com/
cgi-bin/qwebcorporate.dll?
idx=JWT9WC Then enjoy all of the benefits of being a member.
reader_cd
Maybelline New York and The Like want to make your rockstar dreams come true

The Maybelline New York/JANE Reader CD
Well, we've got all the submissions we can handle (and that is A LOT.) And we're gearing up for our party on August 23rd to pick our ten winners. Keep checking www.janepromo.com for more info on the party, and to find out how you can win our hot little CD. It gets better every damn year.

For more details: http://www.janepromo.com/
0608/readercd.cfm


THIS WEEK'S LINKS

1. Buy-One-Get-One-50%-off Sneaker Offer
Check out the Buy-One-Get-One-50%-Off Offer at Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Champs Sports and Footaction USA starting Tuesday, July 18. Offer details: Buy One Get One 50% Off.  Second item must be of equal or lesser value.  Offer excludes Nike, Jordan, Asics on 2nd item, and multiple offers.  See store associate for details. http://ww2.ladyfootlocker.com/
2006/lfl071306_bogo/index.html

2. Super Crafty, by: Susan Beal, Torie Nguyen, Rachel O'Rourke and Cathy Pitters: available at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/
1570614504/sr=8-1/qid=1153156318/ref
=pd_bbs_1/102-
2062518-8814537?ie=UTF8

3. Design Sponge
www.designsponge.blogspot.com

4. Become a JANE Preferred Subscriber
http://surveys.advancemags.com/cgi-bin/
qwebcorporate.dll?
idx=JWT9WC
For sweeps rules: www.condenast.com/PSN_Rules/
SweepsRules.html

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