a-linemagazine.com | october 2011 | 01
04 Lists & letters A letter from the editor The a-list
Popular Woodworking’s Megan Fitzpatrick lists the tools every homeowner should have—and how to use them
Tiny Bits
Pretty, colorful and freaky finds for the home
06 Fashion & beauty Test kitchen
Find out if the Mister Steamy dryer ball softens and removes wrinkles via the power of steam
Mirror, mirror
Eyebrow expert Jenny Simon gives advice on how to shape and maintain these hairy frames for your face
The good life
Tips on how to add a little Feng Shui to balance your space
Beauty alert
One woman’s search for long, lush, dark eyelashes
First look
Cobalt blue, leather trim, and printed and patterned shoes
Fashion
Finding antique charm in the Wooden Nickel antique store
18 Arts & culture Style sampled
PARIS designs’ Debra Moreland lets us dissect her unique sense of style By Tamia Stinson
Quick Home Updates
Three easy projects to give your decor a face lift
Projects by Hayes Shanesy, Rebecca Sylvester and Patty Wilson; Compiled by Sidney Hilley
Make a House a home
Home decor tips by local experts and women of style By Jessica Kuhn
Music to our ears
Our soundtrack to autumn
Mixtape darlings
Local ladies Iolite list their top tunes By Jac Kern
29 Projects & recipes Make your own
Use natural dyes to personalize plain linens
Cookbook
Midwest Culinary Institute’s Grace Yek makes Malaysian street bread
Homemade happy hour
Molly Wellmann crafts a Jameson cocktail
Lightborne Publishing Inc. 811 Race St., Fifth Floor Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: 513-665-4700 Editorial Fax: 513-665-4369 Business Fax: 513-665-4368 E-mail: info@a-linemagazine.com a-linemagazine.com Editor in chief Maija Zummo CREATIVE Director Rebecca Sylvester editor at large Judith Turner-Yamamoto contributing editor Tamia Stinson Contributors Jacqueline Burris, Megan Fitzpatrick, Kristina Gerig, Jac Kern, Jessica Kuhn, Hannah McCartney, Elle Morris, Hayes Shanesy, Leyla Shokoohe, Jenny Simon, Gina Weable, Molly Wellmann, Patty Wilson photographers Jesse Fox, Valda Hilley, Cameron Knight, Emily Maxwell, Tiffany Dawn Nicholson, Zac Petit, Amy Elisabeth Spasoff Interns Lisa Flick, Sidney Hilley, Colleen Robinson, Hannah Smith, Kelly Tucker, Courtney Tynan, Jessica Wolcott director of sales and marketing Chuck Davis Advertising Account Specialist Shannon Loeffler Advertising Account managers Tony Frank, Lauren Faulkner, Katharine Harrow, Hilary Snyder, Tracy Walker, Neil White Circulation Manager Steve Ferguson BUSINESS Manager Jeff Dorsey receivables Latha Mannava administrative assistant Brandi Ballou events and marketing Sara Beiting, Brittany Huffman Publishers Dan Bockrath, John Fox On the cover PHOTO BY Jesse Fox Entire contents are copyright 2011 Lightborne Publishing Inc. and may not be reprinted in whole or in part without prior written permission from the publishers.
street style
Tamia Stinson recreates Cincinnati street style
a-linemagazine.com | october 2011 | 03
the
list Megan Fitzpatrick, Managing Editor of Popular Woodworking Magazine, lists her favorite must-have tools:
Brad point drill bits in 1/4inch, 3/8-inch and 1/2inch. “Brad point [spur] bits are nice because they won’t skitter across your work surface.”
All-in-one screwdriver with all types of tips— typically stored in the handle. “You won’t always want to use your drill...Plus, screwdrivers can get into small spaces.” Fitzpatrick’s favorite.
Crescent wrench. This wrench can adjust to fit a varying nut and bolt sizes. “You’ll need this for many plumbingrelated jobs from changing a faucet to attaching a new water line to a toilet (or turning off a leaky one!).”
04 | october 2011 |around the house
18-volt lithium-ion cordless variable-speed reversible speed drill. Lightweight enough for any job around the house, and the batteries hold their charge.
Stud finder. “Don’t cheap out here. Get the more expensive kind that finds both wood and metal studs and detects electrical outlets.” Claw hammer. “You’ll have to knock a nail or picture hanger into a wall at some point, and the heel of a shoe just doesn’t cut it. ...And with the claw, you can pull that nail back out when you decide to move your pictures.”
Tape measure (12-foot or 24-foot). Utility knife. “This will come in useful for all sorts of jobs—scoring drywall, cutting carpet, opening clamshell cases—and you don’t want to dull your good steak knives!”
Pliers. Locking and needle-nosed, which can double as a wire stripper.
PHOTO By zac petit
tiny bits
A collection of A-Line’s favorite odds and ends
letter from the editor Legendary French novelist Colette (author of Gigi) was known as much for her controversial sexual escapades as her sensual sense of style—which translated into all aspects of her life from her written works to her home decor. And after an illness forced the vivacious Colette to take to her bed for the last decade of her life, she transformed her sickroom into a luxurious extension of herself. Covering the walls in red paper, wallpapering the ceiling so she wouldn’t have to stare up at blank space, putting blue bulbs in her lamps, affixing mounted butterflies to the walls, scenting the room with perfumes…all of this to create an environment that, even though she couldn’t, she didn’t want to leave. Home may in fact be wherever your heart is, but home should also be a place you want to give your heart. Our homes—our environments—support us, soothe us, nourish us, help us create. They are our own tiny ecosystems, the places memories are made. In this issue we take a look at the home through quick DIY projects; expert advice on discovering your personal style; a sneak peek into the abode and work of Debra Moreland of PARIS designs; and a fashion spread that takes place in the fanciful Wooden Nickel antique store. Coco Chanel may have said it best when she said, “It’s not the houses I love, it’s the life I live in them.” But a bright red door, inspirational artwork and a beautiful boudoir can’t really hurt the cause of creating a beautiful life. —Maija Zummo
Madrid pendant Tech Lighting, Switch, Over-the-Rhine Starting at $280
Osborne & little wallpaper HighStreet, Downtown price upon request
Barnyard Brothel Ladies Freak Works by Kateri, Fabricate, Northside $45.00
Ugly Dolls Shake It Records, Northside $19.99-$39.99
Hip Hut The City Flea, hiphuts.com, $145.00
Cincinnati Hood Map Mica 12/v, Over-theRhine $50 unframed
Lady Bug Magnets HighStreet, Downtown $0.99
Tiny Bits/A-Line Editor Maija Zummo likes wallpaper, pillow animals and home accessories.
a-linemagazine.com | october 2011 | 05
Test kitchen
Botanical Therapy Hair Treatment
Product reviews from A-Line’s favorite friends
Mister Steamy This dryer ball claims to reduce wrinkles and soften clothing via the power of steam. No dryer sheets. No chemicals. No waste. We found one at T.J. Maxx for $7.50; available on Amazon.com for $19.99
✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ jac: 23 Doing a load of laundry only to find your clean, dry clothes full of wrinkles is a pain. This product was easy to use and really steamed out the wrinkles in my clothing —even though they sat in the dryer for a bit after the load was finished. The eco-friendly aspect of foregoing dryer sheets is great, and because of its shape and size it doesn’t get stuck between clothes like a sheet can.
Beautiful Hair starts with
Repair
✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ Colleen: 30 My first impression was that Mister Steamy looked a lot like a dog toy, which made me really happy because dogs are super cute and fun. I think I’d like it better if it actually was a dog toy. Mister Steamy proved to be a little tricky and loud. You have to pour approximately 4 oz. of water into it prior to placing in the dryer. How much is 4 oz of water? What happens if you put too much water in, or too little? Mister Steamy wasn’t as convenient as simply reaching for a dryer sheet and it made noise as it was tumbling around the dryer. All in all, a cute but unnecessary laundry accessory.
✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ 8740 Montgomery Rd. 5625 Deerfield Blvd. Cincinnati, OH 45236 Mason, OH 45040 513-794-0202 513-770-2120
06 | october 2011 |around the house
sharon: 64 I don’t think Mister Steamy is as good as fabric softener, liquid or sheets. It really is very noisy. It thumps loudly like it’s coming through your dryer, it’s so loud! I didn’t notice any scent in it—my clothes smelled fresh but they didn’t smell as fresh as when I use fabric softener. In its defense it did a good job in reducing wrinkles. But to me it was just much too noisy.
DetermiNe Shape
1
2 3
{mirror, mirror}
frame your
face
tips from eyebrow expert jenny simon {illustration by lisa flick}
B
row Shaping is one beauty service that should never be skipped. Well-shaped eyebrows enhance your face the same as the right frame enhances a portrait. They draw attention to and lift your eyes, creating a younger-looking appearance.
tips
TO MAKE IT EVEN EASIER...
See an eyebrow expert. Doing your own brows is kind of like trying to cut your own hair. An expert can assess all of your facial features to determine what shape and position will look best on you. Tweezers. Maintaining beautiful brows means investing in a good pair of tweezers. It may hurt to spend more than $20 on a pair of tweezers the first time, but once you’ve used them you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. My favorite brand is Tweezerman ($22). Brow pencils. Pencils should be firm—harder than eyeliner but not so hard you draw blood. Blondes look best with taupe or light brown pencils; redheads and brunettes with light to medium, warm brown; midnight brown and ebony brunettes with dark brown; and taupe pencils are generally flattering for those with grey hair. And never, under any circumstances, use black on your brows.
Take an eyeliner pencil and place it vertically against the side of your nose. Your eyebrow should begin where the pencil tip meets the brow. Next, move the pencil so it hits the outer edge of your iris. Where the pencil and brow meet is where your arch should be. Next, place the pencil against the side of your nose and rotate it out diagonally from your nostril until the tip hits the outside edge of your eye. Your brow should end where the pencil stops.
Groom
Step 1: Brush eyebrow hairs up and trim excess above main growth with small grooming shears. Step 2: Hold skin taut, tweezing in the direction of hair growth. Tweezing any other way risks breaking the hair off at the follicle, resulting in little black dots and ingrown hairs. Pull one hair out at a time. The most common mistake is overtweezing. Step back and assess after every 3-4 hairs. Remember, brows will never be totally symmetrical. They are sisters, not twins. Step 3: A common myth is to never tweeze above your brows, but you want the tops of your brows to be as smooth and clean as the bottom. However, the arch often consists of only 3-4 hairs. If you take them out, you risk looking expressionless and bored until they grow back. Step 4: Unless your brows are so thick and dense you can’t see any skin between them, break out the eyebrow pencil. Sharpen after every 3 uses so the tip stays pointy, then fill in the brow with soft, feathered strokes working from the inside out. Step 5: Apply a brow setting product to keep your brows in place all day. Maybelline Define-a-Brow gel ($6 drugstores) is an option, but so is spraying hairspray on an old eyeshadow brush and gently coating the brows. Jenny Simon is an licensed managing esthetician, master facialist, contract make-up artist and eyebrow expert. www.eyebrowexpert.com.
a-linemagazine.com | october 2011 | 07
{the good life}
By Kelly Tucker
Feng Shui Your Way T
here isn’t exactly a flourishing community of Feng Shui experts in Cincinnati, but evidence of the ancient practice is everywhere: from local elementary schools to top corporations like Procter & Gamble. Much of this can be credited to a design company called Enriching Spaces, led by president Dawn Schwartzman. Schwartzman has studied the various schools of Feng Shui and currently works to provide Feng Shui-friendly design to businesses across the city. To the everyday homeowner, Feng Shui may be a mysterious subject. Some might already know that it involves symbolic furniture arrangement and decor, but the rest of the facts aren’t so clear. Schwartzman says that the concept of Feng Shui is “…taking all of these principles of understanding where the ideal places in nature are to build, and then how we create environments that can support us and our health.” Whether a certain location retains positive or negative energies is entirely subjective. But remember that Feng Shui is not just for the super-spiritual or the seemingly superstitious. Many of the basic principles are beneficial for intuitive reasons—for example, fountains, chimes and calming artwork not only attract positive energy to your home, but they turn your space into a relaxing haven to kick back at the end of the day. What’s not to love about that? For folks just dipping their toes into the pool of Feng Shui, Schwartzman recommends focusing on these main principles first:
08 | october 2011 |around the house
Location, Location, Location It’s best to choose a house or apartment in the “commanding position,” backed by a line of trees or a hill.
The Front Door
The front door is one of the most important aspects of the home in Feng Shui, Schwartzman says. The door symbolizes the entryway that allows good fortune to find you, so it should be unobstructed. In order to keep that positive energy and opportunity flowing (or give your guests a good impression before they enter), it’s important to pay careful attention to this area. Give the door a fresh coat of paint or stain and make sure there aren’t any creaks or cracks. “Enhance the energy at the front door by adding a wind chime, banner, flag, colorful flowers or a water fountain flowing towards the home,” Schwartzman adds.
The Bedroom
The bedroom is considered a restorative area, and there are some big rules regarding this slumber spot. Schwartzman recommends a solid headboard for the bed or placing the bed against a solid wall. She also stresses keeping as few electrical appliances in the room as possible— especially if the wires run underneath the bed. There are symbolic and scientific reasons for this. Research suggests that too much electricity interfering with our electromagnetic fields might cause health problems. And not only is nixing the electronics likely to be good for your physical health, but it stands to improve your romantic connections, too. “[The bedroom] should be all about your rest, and also your intimate relationships,” Schwartzman says.
The Stove
Feng Shui is rooted heavily in symbolism, and the stove is one of the strongest symbols in the house (yep, even if you cook all your dinners in the microwave). “The stove is symbolic of the nourishment,” Schwartzman says. She recommends using a different burner each time you cook and making sure that the stove is always in working order. The stove is also viewed as the wealth generator of the home, so even if you’re feeling skeptical, simply keeping your stove clean might just land you some financial luck.
{BEAUTY LERT} LASH ENVY {by elle morris}
W
hen I see a woman with lush, long, dark eyelashes, I have lash envy. And I’ve spent the better part of 25 years searching for the secret to obtaining those lashes. There are a myriad of great mascaras on the market. The best drugstore brand I’ve found is Maybelline’s Volum’ Express “The Falsies.” This mascara delivers long, lush lashes without the clumps. You can’t beat it for around $8. If you’re going to invest in a more expensive mascara, there are two stellar standouts. Believe me, I’d rather spend less on mascara, but these are really worth the money. For long, separated lashes, try Chanel Inimitable mascara. Find it at Dillard’s Chanel counter for about $30. For lush, thick lashes that have a high impact, runway drama try Christian DiorShow. It’s available at Sephora for $24.50. For those of us who prefer to enhance our beauty through pharmaceuticals, Latisse is a great option. Originally I shied away from it because of the possibility of the product turning light-colored irises brown. I was informed (by a nurse) that the odds of that were slim, and once I understood the application process (brushing the product across your top lash line) I felt more at ease. I’ve been using Latisse for 6 weeks now and I love what I see: longer, thicker, darker lashes. You can obtain Latisse from The Sanctuary DermaSpa in Blue Ash for roughly $130 per 4-week treatment. Advice from the VP & General Manager of LPK Beauty The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of Libby, Perszyk, Kathman Inc. or any of its affiliates.
a-linemagazine.com | october 2011 | 09
10 | october 2011 |around the house
first look from top left chiffon maxi skirt Forever XXI $12.50
ASOS mesh heels The Mustard Seed, Clifton price upon request
blouson wrap sweater The Limited
Tangled Up in Blue Early autumn’s new hue is cobalt blue
$49.90
Bordeaux “Disco Royal” seamless tank The Wardrobe, Madeira $57.00
lady messenger bag Francesca’s $48.00
1969 blue legging jean GAP $69.95
beret H&M $5.95
blazer H&M $49.95
pashmina Khaki’s, Hyde Park $165.00
a-linemagazine.com | october 2011 | 11
Men’s and Women’s Full Service Hair Care | Facials | Waxing | Nails Make-Up | Massage Bridal Services Gift Certificates available
501 Salon & Spa 501 Fairfield Avenue Bellevue, KY 41073 www.501salon.com Tues-Thurs 10-8, Fri 10-7, Sat, 9-4 Please call 859.581.0501 to schedule your appointment.
o k sh a Mhot Yoga
Moksha Yoga ciNciNNati 3527 Columbia Parkway Columbia Square building A Cincinnati, OH 45226 513.321.YOGI (9644) www.mokshayogacincinnati.com
Moksha Yoga NortherN keNtuckY 2428 High Street Crescent Springs, KY 41017 859.344.YOGA (9642) www.mokshayoganky.com
DoN't Miss our Next 30-DaY challeNge october 1-30!
12 | october 2011 |around the house
Mix leather and fabric for an edgy polished look
first look
LEATHER Bound
from top left
leather trim sleeveless wrap dress Ann Taylor $168.00
imitation leather leggings H&M $24.95
plaid lined black jacket 525 America, Monkee’s, Madeira $186.00
leather pewter cuff Couture Couture, Over-the-Rhine $17.00
Pleated Knit Dress White House|Black Market $168.00
red leather studded gloves Fetish, Hyde Park $29.00
faux leather trim ponte pencil skirt Calvin Klein, Macy’s $89.50
cardigan H&M $34.95
Kiki zigzag sweater coat Mike Gonzalez, Sara Benjamin’s, Mariemont $385.00
a-linemagazine.com | october 2011 | 13
Yo u r Aw a r d - Wi n n i n g Personal Baker presents,
Easy Entertaining!
Pies & Other Fall Desserts Cakes for All Occasions Fresh Baked Breads all made from scratch with only the finest, fresh ingredients.
special requests & pre-orders welcome
(513) 549-8623
CakeRackBakery.com visit us sat/sun at findlay market & select a delight!
14 | october 2011 |around the house
first look from top left Wicked leopard wedge Steve Madden, Dillard’s $149.99
neutral snakeskin heel Qupid, Mulan Shoes, Over-the-Rhine $65.00
foot prints Pretty patterns for your peds add effortless chic
Maddox Canvas Flat Fossil, Macy’s $68.00
Forwood fabric wedge ALDO $90.00
navy floral low Heel Forever XXI $22.80
Vermice kitten heel Missoni, The Wardrobe, Madeira $575.00
diamond brocade wedge Anthropologie $148.00
Ying Aztec flat Jeffrey Campbell, Morrison & Me, Hyde Park $98.00
a-linemagazine.com | october 2011 | 15
On Kristina: little black apron dress, Kismet, O’Byronville; ginko leaf and owl necklaces, Kismet, O’Bryonville; geometric pattern coat, Tulle, Kismet, O’Bryonville. Opposite page On Roxy: leopard print trench blouse, Ann Taylor; necklaces, Kismet, O’Bryonville; Mad Men collection leopard print belt, Banana Republic; rosette skirt, Banana Republic; tall rain boot, Hunter, Morrison & Me, Hyde Park. On Kristina: plaid hunting jacket, Talbots; skinny riding pant, GAP. On Roxy: belted dress, Tulle, Kismet, O’Bryonville; necklaces, Kismet, O’Bryonville. Hair, makeup and nails: Aveda Fredric’s Institute with Stylist Tiffany Cotterman and Assistant Stylists Kate Durbin, Becky Dunn. Models: Kristina W. and Roxy for New View Management. Production assistants: Gina Weable and Hannah Smith. Big thank you to the Wooden Nickel antique store, 1410 Central Parkway, Over-the-Rhine, woodennickelantiques.net.
{Styled by Jacqueline Burris} Photos by Tiffany Dawn Nicholson 16 | october 2011 |around the house
a-linemagazine.com | october 2011 | 17
debra Moreland designer and ceo of paris
style sampled
{profile By tamia stinson} photos by jesse fox
D
ebra Moreland is the designer and CEO of PARIS, a luxury bridal accessories line that grew from a single creation for her sister-inlaw 25 years ago. Since that first design, her business has expanded into an empire at the forefront of the bridal market, including a custom collection for Anthropologie’s bridal shop BHLDN. “I had no idea when I started out of my home there would be 300 stores carrying my product someday.” Achieving the level of success PARIS has reached requires dedication. Two weeks after donating a kidney to her eldest daughter, Moreland was back to work. “I’m a workaholic,” she says. Inside her Northside studio, talented artists hand-craft each piece to meticulous specifications. “I like creating a culture for artists to work in where they can thrive.” The Tudor-style North Avondale home she shares with her husband is a place for family. “With two grown daughters and their families in town, I want our home to be the center of holidays and weekend swims.” Even after a quarter century and more than 1,500 designs, inspiration strikes frequently. “I’m always reinventing because you have to change to grow.” www.ParisTiaras.com 18 | october 2011 |around the house
turning the page Lipstick Jungle “I love products that enhance my confidence. Chanel ‘Fire’ lipstick makes me feel pretty.”
“Many things inspire my creativity. Having a huge body of work to play off of is helpful. Each new collection is like turning the pages of a book, as each new idea relates to the previous.”
Small Touches “I always try to create an experience that people will remember. From rose petals at the threshold to perfect lighting, small touches create an inviting and memorable experience for my guests.”
american woman “American film, music, culture, history and fashion impact my sense of personal style as well as the trends I create in the industry.”
99% “I am a self-admitted workaholic. I try to balance work, family and friends.” Moreland also points out Confucius got it right when he said: “Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
Culinary Creativity “I love to create delicious appetizers and inspiring desserts, especially since I love to entertain.”
a-linemagazine.com | october 2011 | 19
compiled by sidney hilley {photo by emily maxwell} 20 | october 2011 |around the house
Staring at the same furniture is like having the same haircut since high school: Outdated and mundane. A makeover is way overdue. Perhaps your throw pillows have more stains than your nephew’s bib after Sloppy Joe night, or your coffee table is starting to look like a tie-dye of eroded oak. Don’t panic. A home décor overhaul doesn’t mean you need to heave everything you own to the curb— that just leaves a bare living room and a soon-to-be-skinny wallet. Instead, take a look at these chic and budgetfriendly DIY tricks.
a-linemagazine.com | october 2011 | 21
Hayes Shanesy, coowner of the Brush Factory, had a spark of inspiration when taking a look at the filament of an oldschool incandescent light bulb.
Nationwide® has an exciting opportunity for you.
Are you ready?
Nationwide Insurance® has an exciting New Agent Program for those with an entrepreneurial spirit. The new program offers: • base salary plus incentive compensation • notebook computer
• office space
• comprehensive training
• blackberry
For more information and to find out if you qualify, please contact me. Karen Kremer Nationwide Insurance (513) 479-4959 kremerk@nationwide.com nationwide.com/careers Nationwide is an equal opportunity employer. EOE/E/M/F/D/V Nationwide, Nationwide Insurance, the Nationwide framework and On Your Side are federally registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2008 Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.
photos by Valda Hilley and hayes shanesy Step 1: Take the clamp off the work lamp so all that is left is the aluminum shield-like shade. Step 2: Measure the circumference of the shade with a soft tape measure. Divide the circumference by 4 to find four locations 90 degrees away from each other all the way around the circumference. Mark the four locations with a pencil. Step 3: Punch each location at the pencil line with the awl. This helps guide the drill bit. Drill through the shade at the four impressions. Step 4: Take one of the coil springs and use the needle nose pliers to bend the end of the spring open so you can feed the end of the coil into the hole, feeding it from the inside of the shade to the outside. Use wire cutters to clip excess off of the ends. Fold the tip of the wire coil over the lip of the lamp shade. Place the other end of the coil in the hole straight across from it, or 180 degrees from the hole. Repeat for the second coil. Step 5: Cut the Bristol paper into 60 2¾” x 4¼” squares.
Minutes from Downtown & Northern Kentucky! We winterize ponds Garden Center open year round! M-F: 8-5, Sat: 8-3 889 Anderson Ferry Road | Cincinnati, OH 45238
513.922.1313 allison_landscaping@yahoo.com www.allisonlandscaping.com
22 | october 2011 |around the house
Step 6: Place the paper squares between the coils, starting at the end of the longer coil by the punctured hole. Space them about every 5 coils. Repeat for the smaller coil, skipping the middle of the parabola—you’ll need room to screw in the light bulb. Step 7: Screw in the light bulb. Place the ceiling hook into the desired location and hang your new lamp.
What you’ll need: Simple work lamp (found at any hardware store); long ceiling lamp cord; low wattage light bulb; scratch awl; soft measuring tape; 1-inch drill bit; needle nose pliers; wire cutter; metal hook; two coil springs: 9/16” x 16½” and a ½” x 10¼”; X-acto blade; Bristol paper Cost: $20 Time: About an hour
photos by emily maxwell
Patty Wilson, a graduate of the Art Academy of Cincinnati and painter who often uses furniture as her canvas, suggests a simple yet elegant idea to turn a weathered furniture find into a mock mature beauty. She gave this old nightstand, once covered in stickers, an organically aged look.
Step 1: Pour Elmer’s glue into a container. Add 10 percent water to loosen up the glue. Cover the surface with the glue mixture. (The glue is what will make the paint crackle.) Don’t worry about trying to be Van Gogh while painting with the glue; you can get messy. It sets fairly fast and you don’t have to let it completely dry. Wait about 10 minutes before you begin step 2.
Step 4: Once the paint is dry, put a toning glaze over the whole piece. The toning glaze brings out the hairline cracks that often don’t show up unless a glaze is used. Dab your brush into the toning glaze and paint onto the surface. There’s no right or wrong way to apply the glaze; it’s just your own aesthetic. Use a heavier amount of glaze in the corners to create a dark finish that becomes lighter in the middle.
Step 2: Grab a small brush and start painting. Smaller brush strokes create the pattern in the cracks. Paint in short, choppy strokes. Strokes can be at random. Do not paint over areas where you have already applied paint.
Step 5: Take a dry brush and smooth out the glaze so that you can’t see the brush strokes that were created as you dabbed on the glaze.
Step 3: Take a hair dryer and blow dry the surface on a medium setting. If you let it all dry naturally, the paint will still crack but not as dramatically. Use the hair dryer for about 2 minutes and let the rest of the paint dry naturally, about 3 to 4 hours.
What you’ll need: An old piece of furniture (Patty suggests a piece that is worn or has chipped veneer—and there’s no need to sand!); chip brushes; Elmer’s glue; water; flat acrylic paint; glazing liquid (available at any store that sells paint); hair dryer Cost: $30- $40 Time: 6 to 8 hours
a-linemagazine.com | october 2011 | 23
362 ludloW avenue CinCinnati, ohio 45220 513-961-0145 WWW.artiStSBeadS.CoM artiStSBeadSShop@gMail.CoM
Monday–Saturday 11–iSh until at leaSt 8pM Sunday 1–5 photos by emily maxwell
Let your jewelry be as innovative as you are
Rebecca Sylvester, A-Line’s Creative Director, found herself a victim of a sub-par pillow. Her simple solution turns a drab pillow into a cute living room accessory.
never beaded? Come in and purchase your favorite beads and findings and we'll be glad to teach you the basics for free. Your enjoyment is our reward!
Step 1: Place a pillow on the desired fabric, folded with the right sides together. Use a ruler to mark 1 inch from each edge of the pillow on the fabric and cut to create your seam allowance.
Beaded before? Sign up for more advanced classes, bring your projects in to show off, enjoy new products, visit with other bead fanatics, or just come and relax in a laid back atmosphere while selecting beads from 6 of the 7 continents.
Want to party? Give us a call at least a week or two before your birthday bash, bachelorette party, girls' night out, movie night, book club, or holiday shindig and we'll put you on the calendar. Your private party can be scheduled for 8pm Mondays through Saturdays or 5pm on Sundays. You bring the food, drinks, and friends we'll supply the expertise and design ideas for you to create beautiful one-of-a-kind jewelry. All you pay for is your bead purchase!
Prepare to have fun!
Step 2: Rev up your sewing machine and sew a straight stitch on one side, beginning your stitch about 1 inch in from the corner. Remember to backstitch the first couple stitches. When you reach 1 inch away from the next edge, pivot your fabric and continue sewing the next side. Repeat for the third side. Or hand sew following the same pattern.
What you’ll need: A pillow in dire need of a cover; fabric; ruler; scissors; push pins; sewing machine (or hand sew if you have nimble fingers and the patience); sewing needle; thread Cost: $5 to $10 depending on cost of fabric Time: 20 minutes
24 | october 2011 |around the house
Step 3: For the final side, only sew about 1/3 of the length. Trim the sewn sides with pinking shears to keep them from raveling. Then trim half of the excess fabric from the seam so it doesn’t look bulky. You’ll have to stuff the pillow into the case at this point and finish the rest by hand. Step 4: Flip the fabric inside out and stuff the pillow through the open edge. Pull the corners of the pillow into the corners of the fabric. Double thread a hand-sewing needle. Fold the fabric in along the seam and use straight pins to secure. Pick the edges of either side of the seam and whip stitch together.
Tips to Tap into a Style That is Truly You {by Jessica Kuhn}
D
o you ever enter someone’s home and immediately find your eye exploring every nook and cranny, staring wistfully at the medical cabinet your friend converted into a vanity or dissecting the color scheme like a hawk gaping at its prey? It’s got style peppered with quirk and leaves you yearning to infuse your own space with your own personality. But how do you decorate in a way that reflects your tastes? We went to the experts—interior designers and a few savvy women whose homes we all envy in the most flattering of ways—to dish tips to coax your inner style out of hiding.
1
Set a Vision
Style pros at HighStreet chimed in on what personal style means:“You have been able to accomplish an aesthetically pleasing environment that most anyone could appreciate, but no one appreciates more than you,” says Matt Knotts, senior designer and partner at HighStreet. Leah Spurrier, senior designer and partner at HighStreet, adds, “It means also that you have created for yourself an aesthetic sanctuary that stimulates and rejuvenates, that you most intimately understand.” To achieve this, make a creative brief for each room, pulling in cues from things you are drawn to and finding inspiration in magazines, textures, patterns, etc. “If you devise what you are certain of in a well thought out design plan, for the love of God, stick to it. Deviate only when some real magic happens and it demands a slight shift,” Spurrier says. “A good design is most often a completed one.”
2
Follow your instincts
Do you have a fondness for vintage ephemera or collections, yet find yourself keeping this stash locked away? Strut it. Madisonville resident Megan Patrick, content director for design magazine and brand HOW, is not ashamed of her attraction to animal-inspired artwork
(ranging from rat skeletons to sculptures). She displays these conversation starters beautifully in what she calls the “Mini Museum of Natural History.” Wooden pop crates she repurposed for shelves that house an intricate collection of tiny chairs hang on the opposite wall. “It has to be something that really attracts you,” Patrick advises, when starting your own collection. Spurrier loves kitsch as an important arm of self-expression for interiors. “However, there is a point where the self-expression departs the realm of beauty and starts to scream. You want to stop short of that,” she advises. To avoid this when displaying collections, Patrick dictates a set amount of space for display.
3
Take Cues from Your Wardrobe
Finding your inner decor diva can start by peering into your closet. “If you like simple elegance in your clothing, then it is likely that you will be most happy in an environment that also exhibits a certain self-control. If you are a person who wears color enthusiastically and sports whimsical accessories, then you will probably need a more whimsical interior to feel lifted and happy,” says Knotts. “Our [HighStreet’s] lifestyle concept is built on the belief that we express ourselves in everything we do, wear, patronize and buy. If that is true, then of course there is a link and you can take cues from your other tastes.”
4
Cut Yourself a Break
Instincts tell us that we must get our homes together fast, but the last thing you need to do is make rash decisions just because your friend is visiting and then feel locked in and committed to pricey purchases that just aren’t you. If you haven’t found the ideal piece of furniture or can’t afford what you really want, Patrick recommends seeking cheap first (or even better, a handme-down) and later replace those items with something that you truly love. “I’d start with pure functionality,” she says. If you need a table, try IKEA or ask around. You never know what people have to get rid of “Then, when you find that perfect table, just replace it,” Patrick says.
5
Be Resourceful
There are plenty of ways to procure the perfect additions to your home outside of the typical avenues. Events manager at F+W Media and Kenwood resident Alicia Newton loves perusing stores and catalogs. When inspiration strikes, she invests a little time into research and finds a similar item online with a lower price tag. “If you’re willing to take the time and find what you’re looking for, it’s worth it,” she says. When sifting through antique stores or garage sales, open your eyes to items that you can breathe new life into with a coat of paint. Or find a completely new purpose for a piece of furniture. Patrick’s one-of-a-kind entertainment center draws many compliments. It’s a freestanding cabinet that she repurposed and painted. Look in her bathroom and you’ll find a vintage kitchen stovepipe cabinet. Even something as simple as changing pictures, pillows or artwork in frames can go a long way.
a-linemagazine.com | october 2011 | 25
music to our ears What we’re listening to now.
✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ Is it possible to be in love with someone’s voice? Like, head over heels, imagine playing in leaves together, riding a Ferris wheel, pledging undying allegiance, in love? Cause that’s how I feel about Justin Vernon’s (the driving force behind folkindie project Bon Iver) aching, lovely and powerful crooning. Bon Iver’s self-titled third album is a marvelously cohesive string of sung memories, reflections, and stream-of-consciousness observations on life, love and reality. Evoking unnamed emotions with every tremulous, subtle note reached, each delicate piano line, swelling strings, and finely-tuned hazed effects and wash outs, Bon Iver has crafted an autumnal music box to wind up and absorb during the changing seasons. Start with genre-amalgam gem: “Calgary”
✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ ✳
The opening track on Cults’ self-titled debut album is entitled “Abducted”, and this indie-pop duo does just that. Your eardrums will be held captive for the next half hour, and there will be nothing you can (or want to) do about it. Each ‘60s-popreminiscent song is undercut with an ominous, modern, synthesized vibe. The album is angsty in a simplified suburban youth kind of way, but each song is entirely relatable at any age, filled with yearning and confusion. Arrangement is a key factor here; guitar lines blare into sharp focus and fade out to let aching, clever synthesizers and samples take the spotlight, Madeline Follin’s sage, sugary voice floating atop in reverbed waves. Listen closely during a long drive with the windows down and let the happy disillusionment set in. Start with addictive opener: “Abducted”
✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ ✳ This haunting, ethereally gritty third album from St. Vincent (Annie Clark) is essentially an audio diary of somebody talented and tortured in that appealingly pretty way. St. Vincent’s contained fury is released through her taut vocals and raucous, spasmodic instrumentation. Rising, riotous guitars, crashing drums and potently seductive vocals combine in unorthodox ways to create a ticking time bomb of an album. Thrashing gracefully from clarity to confusion, musical lines follow suit, taking pieces of indie dream pop and interjecting them with moody synth and piano effects, creating a frenzied whirlwind. St. Vincent walks this tightrope in a gleeful, daring way, mocking the impending fall. This heightened twilight mood through which St. Vincent beguilingly rips is one to leave on repeat all autumn long. Start with internet favorite: “Cruel” Leyla Shokoohe’s background in communications from the University of Cincinnati and her near obsession with chord construction lends a hand in her writing and reviews.
26 | october 2011 |around the house
TRACK 1: Broken Bells, “The High Road” - AB: “We both knew we’d pick something off this album.” JJ: “I really like the lyrics. I do think the high road is hard. It’s harder to do the right thing all the time and maintain those ethics.” TRACK 2: The Flaming Lips, “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Part 1” - JJ: “It appeals to the nerd in me that loves comic book stories. The fact that it’s a heroine instead of a hero—it’s a girl power song!” TRACK 3: Aaron Neville, “Hercules” - JJ: “We’re going to cover it. I love how one groove can be used artistically throughout a whole song. It’s the same bass line.” TRACK 4: Sam Cook, “Bring it On Home to Me” - JJ: “This is a song reminiscent of my childhood when I’d listen to oldies with my dad.” BY Jac kern {photo provided by iolite}
{mixtape darlings}
J
iolite
ulia Johanan and Annie Benick of local jazz/soul outfit iolite are back and active in the music scene after a summer “staycation” spent revisiting old songs and writing new ones. The two appreciate this creative process and don’t want to rush through it. “We really care about what we’re doing so we want to take our time and perfect it,” says Johanan. “We gained a lot of experience gigging and playing out a lot,” explains Benick. “We toured New York last fall and it was great, but the writing is what’s important to us.” If you dig a funky, bluesy, relaxed sound, check out their next happy hour show from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 28 at Arnold’s (210 E. Eighth St., Downtown), a venue they feel is a perfect match for their style. “There’s definitely an intimate vibe and closeness about our music,” says Benick. “We’re really mellow. We’re not get-up-and-dance and get loaded,” she says, laughing. Next year brings more regular shows at Arnold’s as well as Walnut Hills’ The Greenwich, where they’ve performed since the band’s inception. We’ll also get a chance to hear the songs to which they devoted their summer. “We’re definitely recording next year,” says Johanan. “We’re probably going to release another EP.” “And we’re going to do another awesome release party,” Benick chimes in.
TRACK 5: Curtis Mayfield, “So In Love” - JJ: “The lyrics sound like he wrote them for someone he really cared about; it wasn’t a made-up love. He not only loves her, but appreciates her entire being, what she brings to the relationship, all that.” TRACK 6: Junior Murvin, “Police and Thieves” - AB: “We’re both big reggae fans. I’ve been inspired to write two songs by the B-side of this album. This really identifies that era— not only just in Jamaica, but here, too.” TRACK 7: Sun Ra and Hattie Randolph, “‘Round Midnight” - AB: “I’ve heard a million people sing this but nobody’s touched it the way Hattie Randolph has. I’ll say it, I like her vocals better than Sarah Vaughn—and that’s a bold statement.” TRACK 8: Sade, “War of the Hearts” - AB: “I grew up with Sade. It’s a great song to listen to when you’re falling in love.” TRACK 9: Radiohead, “House of Cards” - AB: “My friend burnt me this (In Rainbows) and I listened to it when I was in Bangledesh on a long nighttime train ride under starry skies and I know it sounds cheesy, but that’s how I got into it. This song came on and it filled me with incredible longing.” TRACK 10: DJ Shadow, “Midnight in a Perfect World” - AB: “Endtroducing is one of my favorite albums of all time. The vocals are so amazing and it’s a really beautiful song.” a-linemagazine.com | october 2011 | 27
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28 | october 2011 |around the house
Kristina Gerig is a DAAP graduate who currently designs for Nike in Portland, Ore. Her work has been featured in media publications such as Frame Magazine, PBS’ Art21 and Design*Sponge.
materials
{make your own}
2 large cooking pots water salt measuring cups strainer large bowl white cotton bed linens—dye everything or pick a few integral pieces such as the pillowcases and a duvet cover cooking spoon(s) ripe fruits/vegetables—berries (blackberries, boysenberries, strawberries, blueberries, etc.), plums, red onion skin, carrots, beets, grape juice
Natural Dye Basics Eat your veggies and sleep on them too {Instructions & photos BY KRISTINA GERIG} STEP 1: Simmer the fabric in a pot of “fixative” to ensure the dye remains colorfast. To create the fixative, use a ratio of 1/2 cup of salt to 8 cups of water. Adjust the ratio per the size of your cooking pot. STEP 2: Bring the fixative to a boil and add your linens. Submerge the linens and simmer for 1 hour. STEP 3: While the linens are simmering in the fixative, prepare your dye in a second pot. Chop, puree or blend your fruits/vegetables. Fill the pot with water and add the fruit/ vegetables. Bring the mixture to a boil. I used boysenberries for my first dye. Halfway through soaking everything, I transfered the pillowcases and sheets to a second dye made of red onion skin and beets. STEP 4: Once the first pot of dye or “dye bath” has reached a boil, turn the temperature down and simmer for 1 hour while the linens continue to simmer in the fixative. STEP 5: After 1 hour of soaking the linens in the fixative, rinse them in cold water and wring out. STEP 6: Strain the dye bath after 1 hour of simmering and return the dyed water to the original dye pot, keeping the burner on medium. Begin the dying process.
The goal is to dye your bedding in the same color family, but with varying hues and saturation to create a unique, dimensional palette that emphasizes the natural dye. STEP 7: Place the linens in the first pot of simmering dye. Add more hot water if the linens are not fully submerged. While that dye bath simmers, clean the fixative pot and repeat the process of bringing your second dye pot of fruit/vegetables to a boil, simmering and straining. STEP 8: Allow the linens to simmer for at least 1 hour in the first dye bath then turn off the heat. At this point you have the option to let them soak longer (4-12 hours), move some pieces to the second dye bath or remove them from the dye altogether. Try splitting the duvet between the two pots for a nice fade. The intensity of the colors depends on the ripeness, quantity and which fruit/vegetables you use and how long you leave the linens soaking in the dye. STEP 9: Imperfection is beautiful and you always have the option to re-dye. Wash completed linens in cold water with a small dose of detergent and dry as usual before using. a-linemagazine.com | october 2011 | 29
about the chef
G
race Yek has something for foodies to remember: don’t underestimate that TV dinner collecting freezer burn in the back of your fridge. It’s been tested and slaved over by culinary experts for hours in labs—they’ve exhausted themselves making sure the flavors, colors and aromas are delectable, healthy and as close to feeling fresh as possible. She should know; she helped them do it. Yek is an Associate Professor in the Culinary Arts and Science program at the University of Cincinnati and a Chef Instructor at the Midwest Culinary Institute, but she spent 10 years of her “previous life,” as she describes it, as a chemical engineer. Since converting to the culinary field, her first love, after a “quarter-life crisis,” she now she spends her time in the research and development sector of the food industry. She works with food manufacturers to perfect the “processing” process—creating dinner kits, frozen meals. “More women are working, more single parents, two-income households. That adds up to a time-starved society…what a great effect to the mass consumers when you’re able to make quality, safe, nutritious convenience foods.” Her husband, Jay, encourages her to “keep her nose bloody” and stay real. The two recently launched a booth at the Mt. Lookout Farmers’ market, selling a bread recipe near to Grace’s heart, brought over from her birthplace, Malaysia. “People get lost in cubicles and laboratories studying food, analyzing food, but they’ve lost that connection between making the food and offering it to someone,” she says. So she wakes up at 3 a.m. every Saturday morning to roll the bread dough, flip it in the skillet and add in the flavors that make it hers. Her favorites? The meals with the most contrast—sweet, sour, savory, salty, all at once. “It makes the meal more interesting. Like an orchestra as opposed to a virtuoso.” Grace and her husband now have their own booth at the Mt. Lookout Farmers’ Market; snag her street bread on Saturday mornings.
30 | october 2011 |around the house
profile BY Hannah McCartney {recipe by grace yek} photos by emily maxwell
{cookbook} Mama Yek’s Malaysian
Street Bread Malaysian Street Bread (Roti Canai)
STEP 1: Sift the flour and salt into a medium bowl. Add ghee and enough water to bind the dough. Knead the dough on a greased countertop for 5-8 minutes then place it back in the bowl and let rest for at least 2 hours. STEP 2: Form a portion of dough into a small ball. Press and lightly stretch it with your hands. Then place the dough on a well-greased countertop and roll it well with a rolling pin. Pull at one end of the dough and stretch it as thinly as possible without tearing. Continue to do this until the entire piece of dough is stretched; you should be able to see through it. Sprinkle the dough sheet with ghee and fold the edges in to form a square. STEP 3: Preheat the griddle or pan and lightly grease with ghee. When hot, put on one dough square and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
Homemade Caramel Sauce
STEP 1: Pour water into 2-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add sugar to center of pot to keep granules from adhering to sides. Bring to boil over high heat, covered. Uncover pot, insert candy thermometer and continue to boil about 15 minutes until syrup is thick and straw-colored (300 degrees on thermometer). Reduce heat to medium and cook 5 minutes longer until sugar is deep amber and begins to smoke (350 degrees on thermometer). STEP 2: When temperature of syrup reaches 300 degrees, bring cream and salt to simmer in a small, heavybottomed saucepan over high heat. (If cream reaches simmer before syrup reaches 350 degrees, remove cream from heat and set aside.) STEP 3: Remove sugar syrup from heat. Pour about ¼ of hot cream into sugar syrup. Let bubbling subside. Add remaining cream. Let bubbling subside. Whisk gently until smooth, then whisk in butter. Let cool and serve. Can be covered and refrigerated up to one month. Reheat in microwave or small saucepan.
ingredients
Malaysian Street Bread 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour ½ cup ghee or clarified butter ½ cup water
Caramel Sauce
2 cups sugar 1 cup water 1 cup heavy cream Pinch of salt 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cold
a-linemagazine.com | october 2011 | 31
You’re already a part of the A-Line community Join us at our monthly events to meet new friends, see new trends, and support charities focused on issues central to our lives. We went to Wonderland at the Cincinnati Art Museum Sept. 8 with a white rabbit fashion show, Alice projections, whimsical floral displays and a mad tea party table.
Find details for future events at a-linemagazine.com Photos courtesy Amy Elisabeth spasoff 32 | october 2011 |around the house
T
he history of whiskey in Ireland and particularly of Jameson Irish Whiskey is interesting. No one really knows when the distillation of Irish whiskey began or, for that matter, who began it. It is thought, however, that the secret of distillation was probably brought to Ireland by missionary monks from the Middle East around the 6th century. During the 12th century, Henry II and his soldiers paid their first visit to Ireland and quickly took a liking to a liquor distilled by the Irish monks called "Uisce Beatha," or "the water of life." Uisce Beatha was Anglicized in later years, first to "Fuisce" and finally to "Whiskey.” John Jameson's Dublin distillery was founded in 1780. His family motto and guiding philosophy was "Sine Metu" meaning "Without Fear,” which appears today on every bottle of Jameson. Jameson is produced from a mixture of malted and unmalted—or "green"—Irish barley, all sourced from within a 50 mile radius around the distillery in Cork, Ireland. The barley is dried in a closed kiln, fired by clean-burning anthracite coal to preserve its flavor. Like most Irish whiskey, Jameson is triple distilled for optimum smoothness. The philosophy is balance, ensuring that no one flavor element overpowers another. The end result is a sweettasting whiskey.
{happy hour}
PLUMB CRAZY
{RECIPE BY MOLLY WELLMANN} PHOTO By cameron knight Shoot location: JAPP’s, Over-the-Rhine
INGREDIENTS
Plumb crazy
1 1/2 oz. Jameson 1/2 oz. vanilla syrup* 1/2 oz. plum juice 1/4 oz. lemon juice
Put everything in a shaker and add ice. Shake, shake, shake. Pour into a cocktail glass. Drink!
*Vanilla syrup ½ cup sugar ½ cup water 2 vanilla beans, split
Put ingredients into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off heat and let cool to room temperature. Strain through a mesh strainer into a jar. Syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
vanilla syrup
Molly Wellmann is an award-winning mixologist who has been featured in The New York Times.
a-linemagazine.com | october 2011 | 33
EST
NOUVEAU
A Boutique Consignment Shoppe
3071 Madison Rd Oakley, OH. 513-386-9885 Wed, Fri, Sat 11-6 | Thurs 11-7 Closed Sun, Mon, Tues
street style
LE MONDE
ANCIEN
maggie paulus, downtown Keep the color-blocking trend going by wearing a bright pencil skirt and equally vivid (yet contrasting) bag with a simple striped tee and nude heels. Guatemalan scarf Little Mahatma, Over-the-Rhine $28.00
Cutout Shoulder stripe shirt Tresics, Pangaea, Clifton $22.50
Pencil Skirt J.Crew $120.00
Purse H&M $24.95
Melina Heels Bakers $85.00
Tamia Stinson is the culprit behind the fashion and lifestyle blog TheStyleSample.com and works as a freelance graphic designer and marketing consultant.
34 | october 2011 |around the house
a-linemagazine.com | october 2011 | 35
Winedog International Fine Wines & Fine Art Gallery “A Perfect Union”
Souleiado Art presents: Works by many local artists in various media
Owned by Nationally Honored Artist
Donna Schwarz Gallery Viewing & Wine Tastings All Day - Every Day Mon-Fri 11-9, Sat - 9-9
Mark Your Calendar Paired Tastings
Thurs Oct 6th & 20th 6-9 pm RSVP Required
Wines Paired with Hors d' Oeuvres by
BabeeBites Catering Artists on Site Live Music
More Details at www.winedog.com
451 Ohio Pike | SR 125 | Union Twp Just West Off 1-275 Exit 65 513-494-6321 or 888-288-0668