Friday Thoughts

So... if you haven't heard and aren't lucky enough to be experiencing it firsthand (yes, that was sarcasm) NY got more snow.  It's a little warm (about 30!) so I have a feeling that lots of melting is going on outside.  Unfortunately, the weekend temps are supposed to plummet, with the highs hovering around twenty and lows of five!  Ugh, all that melty, slushy, dirty snow will re-freeze into icy grossness.  Bummer.  In light of this forecast, I'm taking some time to contemplate my weekend agenda.  On a cheerier note, I wont feel guilty about hibernating.  Definitely planning to stay indoors as much as possible, see my list below!


Cute map print available for purchase on Etsy




- Need to put this book to use and find a recipe for the butternut squash sitting atop my counter
- As mentioned in the post below, I need to practice this (a lot)
- Going to get a little crafty and make one of these since my jewelry box is (literally) busting at the seams
- I'd like to check out this place for the ultimate hot, heavy comfort food: mac n' cheese (vegan!)
- Last weekend I was terrible and only made one tea latte, this weekend I'm going to conquer latte foam art (and try out my new espresso grinder!)

What are your weekend plans, sweet readers?  Will your weather be dictating the activities?  Whatever you do, enjoy!  See you Monday.

Ooh- and just for fun, read today's post from Garance.  So funny!

Celineobsessed!

Celineobsessed you say?  That's right!  I'm so taken with the Celine pre-fall collection that I can't separate the label name from my emotions.  Let's define this new term shall we...

Celine: (nown)  French luxury house founded in 1945 by Celine Vipiana. Today, owned by LVMH.  Phoebe Philo has acted as brand creative director since September, 2008.  She rocks.*

Obsessed: (verb~ used with object)  To dominate or preoccupy the thoughts, feelings, or desires; haunt persistently or abnormally.

*Okay fine, that's not technically part of the definition.  Geez.  But Wikipedia needed some help!

How to: French Twist

Yes.  It's true.  Last night I Googled, "How to French Twist".  For years I've been unsure... Am I not twisting it up correctly? Is my hair type wrong?  Is my hair cut wrong?  Do I need a different type of hair pin?  Do I need some other hair product?  All of these queries proceeded a pleading, "Why can't I do this?!!!" and an urge to pull out my locks by the root.   Defeat followed next; a bitter mix of disappointment and irritation at my complete failure.  Then enter: hasty ballet bun (or a painfully basic ponytail) and a move-on to some other distracting task.

But now, I have the answer (watch the video here)!

Photo found on Hip Hip Gin Gin

Trinkets/ Les Jumelles

How fun are these little charms?!  I'm smitten with them all.  Les Jumelles, a shop created by twin sisters, is based out of Paris and Barcelona.  They house a collection of contemporary and vintage pieces (read more here) that come together in an eclectic (but thematically seamless) range of jewelry.  And, most importantly, they ship to the US too!

Top photo: Le Messager

Below, left to right:
- Medaillon Petit Noued
- Machine a Coudre
- Alice in Wonderland

Kelly Thompson

Courtney Saunder's writes, "She is a photographer, illustrator and art director, with a creative eye and attention to detail which ensures not only does the job get done, but the job gets done as was envisioned in that nonchalantly sexy way that made you want to work with her in the first place."

Sexy nonchalance it is, in deed.  Check out all of Kelly Thompson's illustrations and photographs.  Select prints are also available on her site for purchase.

Pretty Picture/ Shelved

Isn't this a picturesque row of verses?  Sigh... how I do love books.  Besides clothing, it's books that I have in the most absurd quantities.  When I moved to New York I left them all behind at my parent's home.  I happened to be reading my mother's copy of The Decameron at the time.  It was the only leafy bound beauty that I brought.  A couple years passed, and by then all my babies made their cross country trek back to me.  I felt a little lonely without them; incomplete.  I think being reunited with my treasures makes me love them all the more!

Photo from Seesaw, via Ffffound

Burberry (Bride?)

I've completely fallen for these three dresses!  Wouldn't each of them make a lovely wedding gown?!  Personally, I'm a fan of non-traditional wedding details (crazy about the idea of going for a short, two piece or colored dress).  And these blooms compliment the misty blush and mauve tones so well!

Photos: stunning flowers from Saipua and gowns from Burberry's pre-fall collection.

Off the Wall !

This funky wallpaper from Mr. Perswall would (of course) be darling in a child's room.  But, I'm actually loving it for myself.  It reminds be of yesteryear; flashcards, picture books, crayons and the like.  The colors are understated enough not to throw my adult living space out of wack.  And the content is just playful enough to inspire a daydream (or maybe even a coloring-book session)

Wallpaper found on Purple Area, via Style Files

Pretty Palette/ Green & Gray

Today's weather is absolutely awful!  It's dark and dismal, sleet-filled with periodic hail.  The pavement is a mess of melted and hard-packed ice, depending on where you step.  It's treacherous!  I landed myself in puddle upon puddle this morning, only to slip across stretches of rink-worthy ice just after. 

On one hand, this moody color palette fits my solemn (maybe even a little surly) countenance today.  On the other, it sure is pretty!!!  Colors like this can't help but bring a smile of resignation to my lips.  Makes me dream of dusky pastoral landscapes in heather green, alla Wuthering Heights... coincidental association?  No, not really.  I was reading it on the train.  Still!  It's totally fitting.

Top Photo: cool blonds found at Scout Holiday, via Pinterest 

Above, left to right:

- Scabiosa Pods from Saipua
- Grey polish from Sunkissed Dreams, found on Pinterest, via A Butterfly in my Hair
- Sunglasses from Tokokaelo, via Pinterest

Ernstwhile Jewelry Co

During yesterday's perusal of my favorite blogs, I came across the amazing Ernstwhile Jewelry Co!  They have such a lovely history; four generations of jewelers, beginning in a seaside district of Russia selling rare belle epoche gems and watches.  The family Odessa functions out of New York these days, but they continue sourcing the most exotic & the unique jewels of ages bygone.  The lovely pieces now range beyond Victorian and Edwardian Nouveau styles, into Deco and uptoward 40s retro.

Pictured: Gold Diamond Star Pendant (And isn't it just gorgeous?!  It reminded me instantly of the stunning chandeliers in the Metropolitan Opera House.)

Mini-Donuts & the Enduring Mystery of Babycakes

Someone very sweet (who's heard the rehashing of, and witnessed firsthand, the misadventures of my vegan and gluten-free baking) gave me the wonderful gift of 'Babycakes'.  Inside the glorious bake book, Erin McKenna shares her sought after recipes.  She also kindly supplies guidance; advice for common pitfalls in vegan and gluten-free desert baking (I payed special attention to this section).

But, after reading through my main question was, "where are the baked mini-donuts?!!!"  Alas, the cookbook includes them not.  Sneaky temptress, that Erin!  I should've known better than to think that all the secrets to Babycakes would be revealed.  I will have to suffice with an internet supplied recipe.  If ingredient adaptions are necessary I'll run to 'Babycakes' for substitution advise.

And, as fourtune would have it, some additional inspiration fell into my lap.  Oogle worthy photos?  Oooh, yum.  A Wilton pan for baking?  Bookmarks- Amazon - One click purchase!

Photos from Such Pretty Things, found via Twig & Thistle

Bunney (And Bunnies!)

Jewelry brand Bunney is all about simplistic design. They aim to create, "beautiful, intriguing and understandable" pieces which encourage the wearer to, "consider and compose [the jewelry in] a variety of combinations".  They manufacture the loveliest badges (Brit speak for "pins").  I like the solid sliver pyramid studs, they look great in a row fastened onto a shirt collar.  The Black Onyx and Amethyst studs are pretty too.  I especially love their 2010 advertising, the bunnies melt my heart!

Discovered via Ffffound

Initial Rings

Saturday evening I did some leisurely window shopping in the neighborhood.  Since returning from vacation I haven't been out much in Brooklyn.  My BF and I wound throughout Williamsburg, hitting our favorite spots along Bedford Ave; snaking a block east, then west as the night progressed.  We made sure to devote lots of time to our beloved Bedford mini-mall.

Amidst many finds, I happened upon a collection of delicate initial rings.  I loved the concept, but not the rings in particular (they were cheaply adjustable and overpriced).  But I did find these pretty flourish-filled wire rings on Etsy.  There are lots of letters available, in both gold and silver.  I particularly love the 'g' pictured here and this golden uppercase 'A'.  Go check them all out!

Sarah Rose Storm

Check out this darling little watercolor!  Sigh, how I do love butterflies.  And birds.  She's got lots more birds at her Etsy store, Created by Storm.  I'm loving this gorgeous gold breasted birdy and these somber seeming Aspens.  Sigh...

But, wait.  There's more... this talented Miss is more than just a paintbrush.  She's got a degree in environmental science and biology!  Geez.  Professionally she's a horticulturist (plants? cool!) who enjoys entomology (bugs? oh yeah!)... so neat, right?  She's definitely an artsy nature maven after my own heart.

"Gynandromorph Study No. 1" discovered on Unruly Things

Pretty Palette/ Chocolate & Honey

I go through brown phases, and it's definitely a love hate thing.  Right now I'm loving deep espresso against a range of warm chocolates.  These browns look especially beautiful paired with multiple shades of earthen khaki, and hits of honey gold.

Top photo: by Garance Dore



Photos above:
- Star Anise from While the Sun Shine's flickr, via Pinterest
- Macaron images from Mad Baker's flickr
- Brown bunny from It's Mary Ruffle, via Pinterest
- Danish Modern bedroom/ office on Apartment Therapy

Latte Art!

I received so many wonderful gifts this Christmas.  One of the most surprising was an Espresso machine!  Unfortunately, I've been forced to go with caffeine free beverages so far.  I seem to only have milk-steaming free time after 8pm (late evening plus espresso being the ultimate recipe for insomnia).  But my herbal tea lattes have been super tasty thus far.  I'm dreaming up lots of caffeine/ soy milk creations for the weekend- complete with foam designs!  Can't get over these little flowers, so adorable!



Photo via Flickr

Pretty Picture/ Winter Table

It's been a wild morning... but this image brings me back to a peaceful rest.  A noontime pause, before I jump back into the day's madness.  What an unaffected, provincial, charming centerpiece!  It's a bountiful display of winter's vegetables; deep aubergine cabbage heads and potatoes, two-tone ombrey turnips,  pebbly kale bouquets and bundles of sinewy green onions.

Photo styled by Joy Thigpen for Once Wed, photographed by Tec Petaja.  Found on the design blog Mint

Interior Lust/ Dream Kitchen

Q)  What is an open kitchen, with stainless appliances, modern wood surfaces and an entire wall of glassy paned conservatory windows? 

A) My dream kitchen.

This kitchen (that really, I might kill for) was design by the incredibly skillful, Brazilian Architect Vitor Penha.  Found on Desire to Inspire, via Pinterest.

Juliette, It Hurts!

Recent find: Juliette Hogan.  I'm particularly captivated by her Winter 2010/11 collection, "So Pretty It Hurts".  Her bio notes, "[Hogan has the] ability to blur the line between classic femininity and contemporary fashion. Her clean minimalist approach to tailoring, along with her careful selection of textiles, textures and colorations make for functional yet beautiful garments. Each piece is modern yet shrouded in a timeless quality, making it able to surpass the seasons."  I couldn't agree more!

Discovered via Ffffound

Book love/ How Things Work

I'm blessed with the most handy BF ever, so I'm not in dire need of this book.  Still, in the wish to become more self reliant, I'm thinking it would be a great addition to my library (plus the cover is soooooo cute).  And, it's only $14 on Amazon!

Adorably practical, 'How Things Work in Your Home (and what to do when they don't)' found on Size Too Small

Pretty Palette/ Chemistry: Acid & Base

Isn't this tart mix of citrine and chartreuse stunning against deep reddened browns?!!  I love the various wooden tones below and Bordeaux speckled flowers on the left.  It's such an exciting burst of color!  Definitely not your typical swatch card of tranquil mosses.  While still calling to mind the harmonious hues of nature, this color story is incredibly refreshing.  I think it's the perfect combination of acid and base.  And, just what I need to kick my week into gear.  Happy Tuesday, friends!

Top Photo: gorgeous orchid arrangement from Saipua

Below:
- Photos of end table and bedroom interior shot by James Merrell
- Image of Japanese fruit from Jollygoo, via Pinterest
- Delectable greens by (the incredibly tallented!) recipe artist and food stylist Susan Spungen, photographed by Big Leo Productions

Kathryn Elyse Rodgers

Check out these calender girls! What pretty fashion illustrations.  They're the handwork of 'Katie' Rodgers, a designer at Reebok up in Boston. 

Now, the last thing I need is a calender.  Gracious knows how many I've got... phone, home computer, work computer, hard copy at work...  I recycled 3 gifted 2011 agendas before the year even started!

On the other hand, this one is full of so many beautiful watercolors that it's really more of a booklet than calender (or at least that's how I could rationalize this purchase).  True, I could just buy a few prints.  But it's so much better having the collection!!!  While pondering, I'm going to head to Katie's blog,  and hop around at her Etsy store just a little longer.  Come check them out too!

Pin It Up

I love quirky jewelry, so this playful ornament is right up my alley!  You know how people say, "tie a string around your finger to remember something"?  Now you can just write out your reminder and pin it there!

Ring by Ayse Kozaci, visit her online shop here
Found via Automatism

Pretty Picture/ John Tibbett

 I just adore this illustration by John Tibbett, titled Montague and Capulet.  Venn diagram hearts with an overlap that denotes their tragic end!  How clever!

This, Tibbett's most recent design is up for vote on Threadless.  I hope he wins; it would make such a cute graphic tee!  You can also purchase a print at Society 6.  Tibbet has other work here for sale as well.  Check it out! 

Photo discovered via David is Going to Die (an awesome Tumblr and one of my new favorite spots for discovering talented illustrators).

Type Happy/ 9 Loves

I've been quite a delinquent.  One of my favorite sites, Typography Served, hasn't seen my patronage for the last few weeks.  I'm not really sure that they missed my perusal, but I sure have missed perusing!  When I finally made my way back, I met a plethora of fanciful typefaces.  These are my favorites.

Top image: Dream Shepard

Below, row one: Drops, Archipelago, Flora Font and Umbria

Below, row two: Matilde, St Friska, bag design by Province and Toscana

Blond Betty

I'm a huge fan of the Betty Autier and her quirky "Le Blog de Betty".  I check it daily to see what the pretty young Parisian is wearing.  Every ensemble is fun and laden with Betty flair.

But just look at this photo, Betty as a blond?  I can't get over it; I love!  Brunette Betty hasn't really bleached her long locks (here is a glimpse of her real tresses) .  She's just modeling a (beautiful!) wig while on her trip to China.

I want some platinum faux locks now.  Trip to the wig shop on 14th Street this weekend?  Perhaps I will...

Pretty Palette/ Ink blues & Blush

This delicate wash of color, in shades of dove gray, hits home with kisses of soft pink and shadowy pools of indigo.  It's perfectly appropriate for today; a quiet Friday with overcast skies and steady snowfall.

Top photo: palette by Lauren Willhite of Color Colective, photo by Carlotta Manaigo

Below:
- All flower images from Saipua
- The fabulous Fifi Lapin, print available for purchase here
- A gorgeous room full of Danish Modern found at Automatism (I think...oops)

Winter Window

I was feeling a bit lonesome without all the cheery holiday decorations.  But look, see what I've found!  This wonderfully wintry window banished my wistfulness.  The ice and snow go on through March, wouldn't this be a pretty sight to come home to?  Pretty flakes filtering the season's chilled sunshine!

Image found on the super crafty blog Bugs and Fishes.  There are more pretty photos by "not-quite-grown-up girl" Laura "Lupin" Howard, so go take a gander.

Meow Eyes

Whilst (very guiltfully) skipping around Net a Porter's What's New section I found these two cat eye glasses.  Sigh... I need them not.  But want them, I definitely do.  I feel just like Marilyn.  Can you hear her wide eyed ponderation, "dear me, what is a girl to do?"  Except, Marilyn already has her cat eyes.  So she must have some other sort of trouble. 

Below left: the perfect kitten face frames by Culter and Gross
Below right: to die for tortoise by Selima Optique

Lovely Lollies

I saw these little suckers a while back at the Etsy shop Vintage Confections and immediately fell for 'em.  What gorgeous earthy colors!  And then I read on... barley candy?  Cool!  Tea flavored?  Neat-o!  I held off buying any of the rooibos, white, black or Thai tea sweets and when I returned these lollies were sold out.  But I did find some other cute candies (the salted caramel pops sound heavenly)!  Also, check out the pre-assorted orders for events and their custom candies featured in Martha Stewart Weddings!

Little Flower School (Goes West)

The talented duo, Sarah Ryhanen and Nicolette Owen are "making a pilgrimage to sunny California in heated pursuit of the most beautiful ranunculus, poppies, heirloom roses, and hellebores. Along the way they’re stopping off to teach a few classes".

So Angelinos, the Little Flour School is coming your way in March (sorry East Bay kiddies, the Berkeley class is already full)!  To register and read more about LFS click here.

Dinner/ Baked Acorn Squash

After two weeks of huge meals and endless treats, I'm craving rustic veggie dishes.  I'm talking 5 ingredients or less people.  So last night (after some tiring post-work shopping in Union Square) I was Brooklyn bound with a rotund little squash under one arm.

Photo and original recipe (see my modified version below*) from Whipped



- 1 acorn squash
- 1 tbsp Earth Balance butter
- 2 tbsp Turbinado brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp caramel flavored simple syrup
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt

Directions: Halve the squash and remove seeds.  Mash softened butter, brown sugar and simple syrup . Coat the squash meat with mixture.  Sprinkle with cinnamon and salt.  Bake at 400 degrees for about 45 minutes.

* I realize this recipe has more than 5 ingredients.  Since everything but the squash is a kitchen staple I'm going to say that it meets the rustic marker anyway!

Book Planter!

Aaaahhh!!!  I love staghorn ferns!  I love books!  Look how lovely they are when combined!!!  So many exclamation points!  Okay... I'll stop.  I'm getting excessive with my emotional punctuation.  I know.

But really, I love this!  It's clever, beautifully simplistic, modern and unfussy (but not cold or stark).  Vessel and vegetation is part of the series Underground by Aurelien Arbet and Jeremie Egry.  Make sure you check out their site and menswear label Hixsept too !


Photo found on Tumblr, via Ffffound

Pretty Palette/ Parisian Cream + Grey

I love this neutral palette playing on the theme winter white.  It's a beautiful move on from clean-flat-modern white. The range of ivory, from milk white to cream (and moving into caramels!) playing off the gray tones is so fresh.

Top image: garlands by Confetti System, found on Anglea Hardison's Seesaw Designs.  Also, check out her personal blog here.

Left to right:
- Alix, the ever-lovely Cherry Blossom Girl
- Photo by Sherry Page of Culinary Gettaways, via Reverie Daydream, via Pintrest
- Macaroons from Torie Jayne's Flickr, via Pintrest

Pretty Picture/ Paul X. Johnson

I am crazy about this paining!  Very De Chirico meets Hitchcock!

* I'll try to abstain from taking a complete side bar, but I love Giorgio De Chirico and Alfred Hitchcock.  DC is one of my two favorite painters and Hitch well... I've got his velvet encased box set.  Ask my mom, ask my BF, they'll tell you!

But back to this ominous number, titled The Dagger.  It was illustrated to accompany a murder mystery story in the Saturday Times review.  You can look through more of Johnson's work on his web site.  Check out his blog too!

Found on Miss Moss

Cozy

I love my ensemble so much that I feel compelled to share it.  There are so many not-so-great things about today (going back to work, winter, dirty/snowy/icy sidewalks, jet lag, head cold...) but my outfit is balancing it all out.  It's dreamy layers of warmth and softness.  The only way to improve this outfit?  Teleport it (and me) home to my chaise, with hot tea and Wuthering Heights in hand.

Above, clockwise from far left:
- Bralets from American Apparel
- London Sweater by Express (on sale in solids, stripes, and heathers!)
- Silence and Noise Seamed Leggings at Urban Outfitters
- Striped Jersey Scarf by Design Studio available at the Myer Gift Store
- Instructions for the perfectly imperfect top knot on My Heartistry
- Fair Isle sock fever (photo via Grumperina)
- Frye's Dorado riding boots (photo via Designer Shoes)

Happy 2011!

It's the new year!  I'm back in New York!  Best wishes to everyone, I hope your winter holidays were wonderful!

My NYE was mellow.  I'm sick (again!) and have been taking it easy for the past week.  Friday night's celebration included a small glass of Lindemans Framboise and a movie (with parents and BF).  I promptly went to bed after toasting and receiving my first kiss of the new year.  It was great, the best NYE in years!  I have a feeling 2011 will be incredible (after all, 2010 was pretty darn super). 

Cute champagne and socks photo from Peppermint Musk found via Pintrest