Cameroonian Juju Hats

A Cameroonian Juju hat is a hat tribal chiefs and dignitaries in the Cameroonian Kingdom wear during royal court affairs. The feathers, which are a symbol of prosperity, are woven onto a raffia base and splay out into huge circles and make a strong statement as wall art…they look absolutely stunning against brick.

You can purchase one these hats for around $450, or you can always try to make one yourself out of yarn for around $10.

Yarn Juju Hat Tutorial

Vintage Moroccan Rugs

I wrote a post last week on Moroccan wedding blankets. I showed a few images of the blankets being used as rugs, but it just doesn’t seem right. They are way too pretty and are probably not durable due to the original intent of it being just what it is…a blanket.

I did, however run across these amazing vintage Moroccan rugs on Joss & Main. They are pretty darn expensive, but oh so beautiful. I love how random and imperfect the patterns are.

Campaign Chest

I am looking for a vintage campaign chest for a client but can’t seem to find any. Campaign chests are portable furniture that were designed for use in military campaigns… use peaked between 1714 and 1901. If you want to read more about campaign furniture, Apartment Therapy wrote an article about it which can be accessed here.

Anyhoo, they are hard to find, so I am thinking about turning a simple dresser into one by purchasing some of the pulls and brackets for the sides.

Via Clementine + Olive

Via Dave & Joi

Moroccan Wedding Blankets

Oh, how I want one of these vintage Moroccan wedding blankets…let me count the ways.

I saw this Handria online today on Marrakesh Wedding House. It is beautiful…I’d so splurge on it as it would go perfectly at the foot of my bed. Look at all of those sequins! These blankets are made by women in the Middle Atlas mountains in Morocco to provide marriages with good fortune and to ward of any sense of evil.

Here are a few more photos I found on Pinterest, which show the different ways you can use these beautiful blankets. Unfortunately, I don’t know the original sources of the photos.

City of Austin Christmas Tree Recycling

Christmas surely came and went fast this year.  Luckily my trash day isn’t until Friday so I can enjoy my tree a few days longer.

If you live in Austin, recycling your tree is pretty easy, all you have to do it put your tree out on your curb on your regular trash day. Just make sure to remove all ornaments, tensile etc. Leave about 5 feet of space between your garbage, recycling and the tree.

How to Cook Brussels Sprouts

I’ve found it! The best way to cook Brussels Sprouts. Nice too, because they are in season right now.

I’ve always either halved or quartered mine, slathered a ton of oil on them and thrown them in the oven to roast for about 40 minutes. Some of them end up mushy and some are still hard…most have burned edges. I don’t really have the eye or patience to cut them all precisely the same. But all that is in the past now because I’ve found a way to cook them evenly and within 10 or so minutes.

Use the shredding (not grating) component on your food processor! This is brilliant. I found out about it through a recipe I used on Thanksgiving. Oh, that Mark Bittman is a clever man.

You will need a bag of Brussels Sprouts, cooking oil, salt, pepper and balsamic vinegar.

• cut off the hard ends of the Brussels Sprouts
• wash
• assemble the shredding component to your food processor
• shred Brussels Sprouts
• Heat up about a tablespoon of Canola or other high heat oil in a skillet on medium high
• throw in Brussels Sprouts
• add in 1/4 cup of water and some salt, stir
• wait a few minutes and stir again
• you might need to add 1/4 cup of water again throughout. Just keep an eye on it and stir every few minutes
• add in a teaspoon or so of Balsamic Vinegar

Here is a photo of shredded Brussels Sprouts taken from the recipe I used at Thanksgiving. This recipe doesn’t have the figs or the bacon. BTW, I highly recommend using the bacon…I could do without the figs.

Alternatives to A Traditional Christmas Tree

It seems like having an alternative to a traditional Christmas (or Holiday) tree is the thing to do this year. Here are a few examples I’ve found over the web.

Winner of the Air Plant Terrarium

Congrats, Shanna-you won the Air Plant Terrarium Kit! Expect an email soon.

 

Mulled Wine – The Perfect Holiday Drink for Parties

If you are having a party this Holiday and haven’t tried mulled wine, you must try this recipe. It is a definite crowd pleaser and makes your house smell super yummy; last week I heard it called “Christmas in a glass”.  You will need some dry red wine such as Merlot or Burgundy, Whole Foods sells a Merlot for $5.

• 1 cheese cloth
• 3 bottles dry red wine
• 4 cups water
• 1.5 cups sugar
• 2 oranges
• 2 lemons
• 6 cinnamon sticks
• 12 whole cloves
• 15 cardamom pods
• 9 peppercorns
• 2 star anise
• 1 cup of brandy (for an extra kick)
• 1 cup cranberries

Bring your water and sugar to a boil ’till it is all dissolved. Turn heat down to low. Put your spices in the cheesecloth and tie to make a little spice bag. Let steep for about 10-15 minutes. Thinly slice lemons and oranges, add them and the cranberries to the mixture. Add wine and brandy. If your wine isn’t spicy enough at this point, continue to steep longer. The longer you leave the spices in the pot, the more flavorful it’ll be.

NOTE: Keep the heat low or all the alcohol will burn out.

Amy Butler Holiday Patterns

Amy Butler is a company that sells beautifully printed fabrics. They have posted some great patterns for handmade projects for this holiday including gift sashes, reversible napkins with rings and a felt stocking. The gift sashes are super cute, the person receiving the gift can even use it as a hair tie during the year. BTW all of these patterns are free, just download off the website.