One Print at a Time: Inslee by Design

I am constantly looking for ways to add to my room and apartment to make it more mature and put together. I have a tough time finding unique and elegant prints without paying an arm and a leg. My friend Katie, who has a great eye for design, suggested I check out Inslee by Design. 

I immediately fell in love with Inslee's beautiful one of a kind sketches. Each one is different, special, and eye-catching. I wanted all of them!!

Inslee started sketching from an early age and grew her passion for art at Washington & Lee University. It was at W&L during her sophomore year that she created a note card business. That winter she created her first calendar of sketches and now her company has grown.

All of the prints are 8x10 and range from $20 to $40 dollars. Inslee also offers prints that are already framed. So why not order a few favorites prints and pair them with frames you have been meaning to fill, or purchase some new ones on Etsy or at Target? It is a great way to spruce up your living space.

If you cannot decide which print to order Inslee offers a yearly calendar and she just released her 2012 edition! The calendar is $30 and filled with sketches that will make you want the month to end just to get to the next design. 

Additionally, Inslee offers stationary, invitations, and holiday cards. How adorable is this Christmas card?

Inslee's sketches, calendars, and cards are the perfect gift for yourself or a friend. Inslee also accepts commissioned projects if you are looking to create an extremely personal gift. Pricing depends on each project.

I hope you enjoy Inslee's prints and I cannot wait to order my 2012 calendar!

images via Inslee by Design

Hooray for Emi-Jay: Free Giveaway!

I first discovered Emi-Jay hair ties in college at my favorite store, Eloise. I had always been attracted to the numerous colors of hair ties displayed on the main counter so I finally asked the manager about the product. He told me that the hair ties do not break or rip out your hair like many other hair elastics. I bought two colors to test them out and now I am hooked!

The company was started by two teens in L.A. who wanted a functional hair tie that could act as something for your hair and for your wrist. The girls have now expanded into headbands as well as accessorized hair ties. A portion of the profits are donated to various charities such as Operation Smile, Locks of Love, Toys for Tots, Project Knapsack, and Partners in Health. 

Emi-Jay has been kind enough to offer a free 5-pack of their new neon hair ties to a lucky Particularity reader! In order to be entered into the giveaway all you need to do is "like" Particularity on the top right of the blog. If you already have liked it, simply submit a comment on this post. I will then pick a lucky winner to be announced next week!

Emi-Jay hair ties are sold on their website in various colors and patterns. The price depends on the pack and type, ranging from $6 for a pack of three to eight for $16. Once you buy a few you will want to try all of the colors!

Be sure to enter for the free 5-pack, you will not be disappointed!

90+Cellars: Great Wine, Great Price

After hunkering down this weekend and drinking lots of wine while waiting for Irene, I got to thinking about my favorite wines. Many are expensive and not always the most practical for a casual glass or two. 

Last summer I discovered 90+Cellars at my neighborhood wine store. I was looking for a quality wine without paying more than $20. My trustworthy wine advisor suggested that I try the 90+Cellars Pinot Noir that was in stock. I was pleasantly surprised with my purchase so decided to do some research.

90+Cellars is a company that decided to take advantage of the current economic conditions and purchase high quality and highly rated wines directly from wineries at a discount. They then pass these discounts directly to the consumers by simply repackaging the wine to give the vineyards anonymity. Each wine is assigned a "Lot" number which represents a certain wine from a specific winery, thus protecting the brand.

There are many other companies with a similar concept, but they only buy excess or distressed wine. 90+Cellars ensures wine that has a pedigree of 90 or higher ratings, or has best buy or gold medal accolades from a respected wine authority or publication. Many of the source wineries even bottle and label the wines for 90+. Most wines are under $18 which you can order online or purchase in your local wine store. 

Be sure to try 90+Cellars, you won't be disappointed! I have tried multiple lots and varieties and I enjoyed each one. Top-rated wine for a discounted price? How can you resist?

Happy {Macaron} Friday!

In honor of Ladurée's NYC store opening, happy macaron Friday!! These colorful and flavorful treats are my absolute favorite. With flavors ranging from strawberry rhubarb to espresso to the traditional almond wedding, you simply cannot go wrong. So have a macaron {or maybe stock up for Hurricane Irene} and start your weekend off on the right foot!

Have a fantastic weekend!!

Happy Birthday Eataly! Discount Deals

Starting tomorrow, Friday, August 26th, Eataly will be offering its customers 44 quality products at discounted prices to celebrate the 1st anniversary of the store. For those who have not been to Eataly, it is a large Italian food market filled with fresh foods as well as various restaurants. Customers can purchase quality meats, seafood, homemade pasta, vegetables, cheese, and many more items at the store as well as dine in any of the restaurants within Eataly. One of my favorite activites? Ordering a glass of wine and shopping throughout the store.

This special offer lasts for 6 days through Wednesday, August 31st. Click HERE to see the calendar in a larger view. Each customer is limited to 3 of each product while supplies last. Some highlights to look forward to? The Urbani sauce (sauce of white truffles with porcini mushrooms) for $4, eight ears of fresh corn for $2, blueberry and apricot jam for $1, Fontanafredda wine for $6, homemade pappardelle for $2, 8 oz. steak for $2, and many more!! Be sure to stop by Eataly to explore and partake in these delicious deals!

Head Over Heels for Hunter

I love my Hunter rain boots, but my biggest problem is that they get SO hot, even without the liners.  I find that I really only use my boots when the weather is much cooler or in the snow. I also never know where to put them once I get to my destination and change into regular shoes. No one likes having wet feet or lugging around a pair of rubber boots so I began perusing the Hunter website and found a great {and stylish!} alternative.

The Hunter "Turks" Rubber Ballet Flat comes in solid and two-toned colors. The flats have the same great quality and durability as the boots, just not as clunky or as hot.

The flats come in the classic Hunter colors such as green and yellow, but they also have more unique offerings such as eggplant and the two-toned shoes. The two-toned blue flats are my absolute favorite.

These adorable and long-lasting flats are only $98 and if you buy through Zappos the shipping is free. If you have the boots, I recommend getting the same size or even a size down since they run on the larger side. Hunter Turks ballet flats are the perfect weather-proof solution to stay dry without large, cumbersome and inconvenient rain boots.

Just One More? Crispy Peanut Butter Cups

Peanut butter, Rice Krispies, and chocolate? Count me in! I discovered this recipe from a great food blog, Iowa Girl Eats. Rice Krispy Peanut Butter Cups are no-bake, easy to make, and absolutely delicious. With only 6 ingredients, these treats are simple yet they will leave you wanting more.

Ingredients: 

1 1/4 cups smooth peanut butter

1/4 cup butter, room temperature

1 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups Rice Krispy cereal (gluten free is also available)

1 package of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (used to melt the chocolate chips). While the oven is pre-heating, in a large bowl mix together the peanut butter and butter until blended. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla until the mixture is smooth and then fold in the Rice Krispies.

2. Grease mini-muffin pans with non-stick spray and then fill each cup with chocolate chips, just enough to cover the bottom. Melt the chocolate chips for 5 minutes in the oven.

3. Once the chips are melted, mash the chips together with the back of a spoon to create a firm base for the peanut butter cups. Press the peanut butter rice mixture on top of the chocolate and then place the muffin tins in the fridge. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before eating. 

These desserts are so easy and always a hit. The perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter with a crunch. Bring them to a friend's house or to the office and they will be gone in a few minutes!

Enjoy!!

Recipe via iowagirleats.com

Lovely Lockets

French enameled lockets? You had me at hello. These beautiful lockets are made in Paris and sold on Belkina, an eco-friendly online boutique. Perfect for a personal gift, or a treat for yourself, the lockets can hold an image of someone near and dear to your heart. 

The gorgeous colored lockets can be worn alone or layered. Select a gold or brass chain and black, navy, red, soft dove grey, sand, white, and pale pink for the enamel colors. 

The lockets are $98 and shipping is free within the United States. Now, which color to choose?