Inspiration

Top 25 Takeaways from Craftcation

by Aida Mollenkamp —

Craftcation Conference Logo

If you follow me on Twitter, then you already know that I spent last weekend engrossed in the amazingness that was the first-ever Craftcation: Indie Business & DIY Conference.

Delilah Snell (who was November’s TasteMaker), and her cousin, Nicole Stevenson – aka two of the busiest bees I know — somehow found times in their ridiculously packed schedules to create this much-needed conference. I say much-needed because it’s clear more and more people are getting into the handcrafted world (including food in there too, of course) and that we can all benefit from converging, conferring, and, collaborating.

Here are 25 rather random observations and takeaways:
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Inspiration: Clover Green

by Aida Mollenkamp —

Aida Mollenkamp Clover Green Design Inspiration

Doesn’t the color green just scream Spring?

I don’t mean just any old green because, let’s be honest, forest green belongs squarely in fall and olive would be out of place durant le printemps. No, I mean those bright greens that first buds paint everywhere with all their cheery glory. Of all the early Spring shades, my favorite is clover green, especially when a clover-filled holiday like St. Patrick’s is just days away.

In honor of the most Irish of holidays and the quickly approaching spring (or it may already be around depending on where you call home), here is a selection of clover green items I’m currently coveting. (Spoiler Alert: There is NO green beer to speak of!)
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Inspiration: Hawaii

by Aida Mollenkamp —

AidaMollenkampHawaiiDesign

I’m back on mainland and, just as quickly as my tan lines are fading, so are my memories of my recent trip to Hawaii. My experience house sitting an exquisitely eclectic house has me lusting after any and every design and decor items remotely Hawaiian in look and feel. So, in an attempt to bring home a slice of the laid back, breezy style of Hawaii, I’ve pulled together this collection of tropically spirited kitchen and tabletop items.
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TasteMakers: Dani Fisher

by Aida Mollenkamp —

Photo by Mia Locks

Have you ever heard someone’s name again and again before you’ve ever even met her?

That’s how it was for me with prop stylist, Dani Fisher. People kept assuming I knew her and would go on about how great she was to work with, what a fabulous eye she has, and her fabulous prop collection. It wasn’t until this summer when we were shooting cookbooks down the hall from each other that my friend, food stylist, Lillian Kang, made a proper introduction. Then, not even a month later, we ended up working on the same shoot. Not only are we both California girls and both went east for school, but we’ve also both worked at magazines and are now forging our own freelance paths. Dani was a shoo-in for this month’s TasteMakers interview because I wanted her to give us some tips for tableware shopping and table setting during this, the height of the entertaining season.

Be sure to check back tomorrow when Dani will share her tabletop gift ideas.
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Pomegranate-Vanilla Sparkler

by Aida Mollenkamp —

Aida Mollenkamp Easy Recipe Pomegranate Vanilla Sparkler

One of the questions I’m asked most often is where I get inspiration for recipes. It’s a hard question to answer because most the time I know I’m inspired though I can’t really pinpoint why. Was it that trip I just took? That art show I just saw? The album I was just listening to? Or that hike I took the other day? Sometimes though I can pinpoint precisely where and when I got inspired, like with this non-alcoholic pomegranate-vanilla cocktail.

I worked with OpenSky to add these upcycled tumblers to my store because I’ve been giving them as gifts for my eco-conscious friends for the past few years and they’ve always been well received. When asked what I’d put in them, something bubbly and colorful came to mind and, in an effort to play up the festive nature of the green glass, I came up with this red-hued pomegranate soda.

For a homemade gift, you could gift the syrup in a large canning jar — perhaps even with a recipe for the drink and a few of the Bottlehood tumblers. If you’re feeling adventurous (and have a lot of spices on hand), go ahead and add a few cardamom cloves, or a star anise piece with the vanilla. And, if you haven’t yet had your fill of libations, feel free to spike it with a shot of your favorite booze — it’s safe to say either rum or bourbon would work especially well.


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Inspiration: Mid-Century Design

by Aida Mollenkamp —

Aida Mollenkamp Mid-Century design gift ideas

I’ve been inspired by California Design every since my recent trip to LACMA latest exhibit. If you live in the Southern California area, I highly recommend checking it out, but even if you can’t make it, you can still embrace the aesthetic. Here are a few of my favorite finds — some more affordable than others — that scream mid-century design (and would make great holiday gifts too).
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