Happy Halloween

In  honor of Halloween, and to hide the fact that I don't have anything super good to write about today, I want to leave you with my 3 favorite movies to watch on Halloween--preferably with some fondue and Halloween cupcakes!

1. Ghostbusters (otherwise known as my favorite movie ever)

2. The Lost Boys -- because hunky vampires are always a must

3. Sweeney Todd -- A movie starring Johnny Depp and a huge amount of blood? Perfect!

Westport Holidays

Hi bon bons! Sadly, this will be a quick post, with (hopefully) a better one later in the day, as I am surrounded by boxes that need to be opened and stuff to be priced! And, for once I should probably get to work on it!
Anyway, I do have one thing..You know our awesome Holiday Open House on the 8th? Well, it's also Westport's Holiday Open House! There will be a trolley and everything to take you from store to store! How Dickensian! (I secretly wish it would snow and everyone would be wearing top hats!) Anyway, the store participating are..Us, Trapp & Co., Neat Ideas, Pryde's Old Westport, On Broadway Antiques and Urban Mining Homewares. It will be a holiday extravaganza. Remember it's November 8th and 9th!

Blue lights

I'm not going to lie to you, it's been perhaps a more stressful season than usual over here at the bon bon. The election, the economy, the subsequent slowness at the store--it does give one panic attacks sometimes. But then a little light will shine through and make everything OK for a while. Yesterday the light came in the form of these shoes. Now, in the pictures they just look blue, but let me assure you that they are the most breathtaking turquoise color. Ever. I think I actually gasped when I opened the box.

We only got 8 pairs of these lovelies. There may only be 6 left if E and I run off with some. They are $168 and worth every penny. Come in and gaze at there splendour, or wait until this evening and gaze upon them on the website.

Aaaah.....

Look how lovely they look with stripey socks. Please excuse the fuzz all over the carpet--i've been sewing and it gets everywhere!

Party of the century!

Join us for our Holiday Open House!
Saturday, November 8th 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

We'll be gussied up and bursting with all the gifts you need for the Holiday Season. We'll have everything you could want for the women in your life--and maybe a few for the men too! Don't forget to bring a friend!

See you there,
Betsy & Emily

Silk ribbon Embroidery

So, last week my mom brought me a book that her friend lent to me on silk ribbon embroidery. The book itself called, non-surprisingly, The Art of Silk Ribbon Embroidery is pretty, but definitely dated, as it was published in 1993. (it was a lot of faux Victorian/English country in it. Which can be good or bad) Anyway, I am seized with a fire for ribbon embroidery! The only drawback is that it seems incredibly difficult. I read some the stitch instructions and it was like a foreign language. Ah well, you know I'll try it anyway! Here are some pics from Flickr fiend Norehan--who has quite the dab hand at the embroidery. Anyway, if anyone has tried it, let me know--I want to be prepared if there is disaster ahead!

sugar addiction

So, for the most part I try to keep away from sugar--with disastrous results. Longing, sadness, an intense desire for one Coke or cookie. I'm not going to lie, it can get ugly. Anyway, as I am sitting here dying for something yummy I was inspired by The City Sage (see post below) who posts her baking skills for all to see.

Now, normally my baking comes out OK--usually it tastes good but looks kind of iffy. However, this recipe looked good and tasted so good that I thought I was addicted for a while. It's been a long time since I've made them though, so I think it's safe to bake again! They are so easy, I highly suggest trying them! (from the wonderful Nigella Lawson: How to be a Domestic Goddess) however, be warned--your chocolate life will never be the same!

Half stick soft unsalted butter, plus more for greasing

12oz bittersweet chocolate

three quarters cup sugar

4 large eggs, beaten with a pinch of salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
third of a cup flour

6 individual pudding moulds, I used cupcake tins

butteredbaking paper

Unless you are making these up in advance, preheat the oven to 400F, putting in a baking sheet at the same time. Lay 3 of the moulds on a sheet of doubled baking paper. Draw round them, remove, and then cut out the discs as marked. Press them all into the base of the tins.Melt the chocolate and let it cool slightly. Cream together the butter and sugar, and gradually beat in the eggs and salt, then the vanilla. Now add the flour, and when all is smoothly combined scrape in the cooled chocolate, blending it to a smooth batter.Divide the batter between the 6 moulds, quickly whip the baking sheet out of the oven, arrange the little tins on it and replace in the oven. Cook for 10-12 minutes (the extra 2 minutes will be needed if the puddings are fridge-cold when you start) and as soon as you take them out of the oven, tip out these luscious babycakes onto small plates or shallow bowls; hot, chocolate goo will ooze out of them as you break them with a greedy spoon. Serve these with cream, crème fraiche, or ice cream as you so desire.Serves 6.

Blog to Blog: The City Sage

On my morning blog-a-thon I came across this The City Sage, and thought that the images, ideas and general coziness was just to good to keep to myself. If nothing else, I love a girl who puts up delicious cookie recipes for all to share--check out the smore's brownie pic below--it has me drooling!

Gorgeous lifestyle shot from DAY Birger et Mikkelsen. I would love to be curled up on that sofa on this rainy day...

Smore's Brownies--Yes please!

Guest Blogging!

Hiya! I just wanted to let you know that I am guest blogging this week over at ofifteen! I'll still be blogging here this week, but you might want to scoot over there to see more! And to look at their fantastic site!

Shorpy Photo Archive

I love seeing old pictures of stores--the merchandising is always spectacular. This one I found on the Shorpy Photo Archive which has slews of fabulous old pictures. This one by the way is called "the vibrator photo" As the middle display of the store is filled with vibrators. Apparently you really could find everything in the old general stores.

Ooh, yummy George

I wanted to leave you with this video--it will keep you laughing all weekend. And yes, it stars sexy George... 

blog to blog: The Cherry Blossom Girl

bon bons, meet The Cherry Blossom Girl. I think you will like her...

Partridges, Pachyderms and Polar Bears!

Oh, bon bon blog friends, I've got a little present for you! I just got some new Loop wallets and wanted to give my blog readers a chance to get them online for a discount! (well, actually the discount will work on everything, so go to town with it!) So, go to the site, pick out something nice for yourself and get 15% off when you enter "patch" at checkout!

Perhaps some early holiday shopping?

Crafting + Politics = Fun!

So, perhaps you are all politically riled in time for the debates tonight--yet, what do you do with your hands? Craft something! Ahh, but what? Well, how about some Obama crafts? A quilt? bag? crossstitch? Or even a sweater? Learn how over at The Obama Craft Project:Crafting for Change. It is hilarious and at the same time really impressive to see all the finished products!
You can even donate $10.00 and win this quilt made by none other than Denyse Schmidt!

Serious kudos to you, iwriteplays for this incredibly impressive sweater.

I love crossstitch!

Snippet & Ink

In the realm of wedding planning I ran across the blog Snippet & Ink, which is awesome. My favorite part of it is when Kathryn puts together her design boards. I think they are inspiring in general, not just for wedding planning, so I wanted to share them with you!

Look At Me

Will these be me one day? Surrounded by ribbon and socks(?) in my store? I hope so. Well, with the dark hair, it is more Emily, but whatever. I found this at Look At Me: A collection of found photos. I find old photos very inspiring, so I am bound to spend days on this site.

Sonia Rykiel

I know, you've all probably already looked at the Spring/Summer shows, but I've been meaning to post how much I loved Sonia Rykiel for weeks. So-finally- I am blogging about it. I'm not sure really why it struck me so, it just seems such an interesting mix of beautiful pieces and some that are just really witty and funny. Best of both worlds...

I especially love the lavendar platforms.

Runway for Obama

So I was playing around the Obama store on his site and what did I find? A "Runway to Change" section with t-shirts, bags and other accessories designed by big designers! Isaac Mizrahi, Zac Posen. Diane Von Furstenburg and more! Who knew? Anyway, I thought that was cool and I wanted to put some pics up for you...

Tank by Zac Posen

Shirt by Vera Wang

Tote by Derek Lam

My Marrakesh in Rwanda

My Marrakesh, which usually shares with us stories with beautiful color and light shared a darker story this week, after a trip to Rwanda. Although sad to read, it highlights an important organization called AVEGA, a Rwandan NGO dedicated to widows of the genocide. Although the economy is tight right now, it is always worth sparing a little for such organizations. Read more here....

Rachel Papo

Here are some gorgeous pics from photographer Rachel Papo. I had them bookmarked, but had forgotten about them. When I accidentally clicked on the link just now and the images popped up, it was like someone had presented me with lovely flowers! Enjoy the couple of pics and then go to her website to explore more!

Of course I went for the apparel pics, especially since the bottom two are Nutcracker costumes from the New York City Ballet company. The top is a costume from the Metropolitan Opera.

Disguises

Who is the mysterious person with the villainous mustache?

It's me sillies! I'm playing with our Halloween disguises that we made for the store! Come and get your own, because there is nothing more fun that a villainous mustache!

eye patch $10.00

Mustache $5.50

Beard on a stick $9.00

Halloween decor

Hello bon bons, are you feeling spooky? If so, come down and check out the Halloween decor that we have! my crafty sistah made wall hangings with scary hands, skulls, crows and bloody heads (as seen below!) Aren't they cool?
$30.00


$30.00

Flick Flack has arrived

Hey shoe lovers---looky what we have here...a most beautiful patent black shoe named flickflack. And it has it's own spats!! $125.00 and she just arrived at bon bon! (will be online soon!)

Tina

I apologize for the weird blogs this week--it's been one of those vague weeks where I can't decide on anything. So, in honor of the total excitement of the Tina Turner concert last night I'm going to put up a bunch of pictures of her. Because she is awesome. And you should totally go see her. (she's back in KC next week!)

The only bad thing about last night was finding out she has been here in KC for a month and I didn't know! I could have sat next to her in a restaurant!! She could have come in my store (although, probably better she didn't, as both e and I would have burst out crying--ah well) Anyway..no one rocks out a weird outfit like Tina......

Lifelong dream? To be a Tina backup dancer--not yet achieved
Last night she dressed up in full Mad Max silver mesh gear for Thunderdome--it was like a dream come true Lucky Tina rubbing up on David


So this is the newest pic of her--I don't care about looking like that "at her age" What about now? I'm only 27 and don't look like that--sad, her twilight years are better than my prime. Maybe I'll better with age... Oh, she got the long spiky wig back--that made me happy.

Sorry we are geeks and made you look at Tina pics! But you should know that about us by now!