Etsy Love/ Hideminy

I'm crazy about this delicate, lace patterned china from Hideminy.  Hidemi herself, is originally from Tokyo.  She obtained a degree in apparel design, then worked as an entertainer, singer and model before moving to NYC to craft pottery.  She has the sweetest mission statement; create ceramics that express the beauty and joy that she sees in the world and share something that can be reacted to as if it was a lovely flower. 

Discovered via The Style Files

March On!

Hurray, we're four days into month three.  Two more weeks and it will officially be springtime!  (And I already see buds out!!!)  I just checked the weather report and there may be some showers this weekend.  But I must say, the weather (albeit, chilly) has been so uplifting this week!  So much sunshine in New York; I feel chipper and enthused!!!  Planning the upcoming tropical getaway hasn't hurt my outlook either!  : )

Just a few things on my radar for the weekend...



- Head out to LI with the BF, and bring his parents some tasty CA goodies!
- Pick-up some cherry boughs at the Union Square green market.  (I'll be in anxious fits waiting for them to bloom!)
- Also from the green market, grab some maple candy.  The parents and I got some last weekend, it's was out-of-this-world delicious.
- Head over to my buddy's shop A Little Wicked; visit little Benny dog and try on vintage duds.  Possibly pick up a few things for Hawaii!

Pretty cherry tree blooms found on Flickr

ABT Spring Season!

Last night I received my Spring 2011 American Ballet Theater mailer.  So Excited.  What will I go see this year?  I'm going through the trio subscription options now...  the series packages are such an incredible deal!  For least expensive seats you get three shows for $60.  Crazy.  If you're looking for a deal, that it a deal!  Decent seats are twice as much, and if you want to get way up close it'll cost you considerable pennies.  But, sigh, it's so worth it.  Right now, I'm leaning toward Giselle, Don Quixote, and either Lady of the Camellias or Cinderella.  Swan Lake is my all time favorite ballet, so I may go to it as well.  It was also the first ABT show I ever saw.  Do you have a favorite ballet?

Oh, and another amazing thing?  ABT's 19-29 club; $30 orchestra seats.  All you need is to be 19-29 years young!

Head over to Joanna's blog now!  It's super exciting!  Can you tell I'm super excited?!  Inspired really.  Cuz... you know, I sport a bun daily (despite trying to branch out).  So the how-to for this triple-knot threat is exactly what I need!!!  Tomorrow, I'm playing copy cat; mousy brown locks in a clump of twists and my white and navy sweater.  No, really.  I'm serious.  That sweater is totally making the hair-do.  I can't explain, just go with me on it.

Etsy Love/ Rose & Raven

I guess my love for this Etsy shop was kinda destined.  I mean, the name Rose and Raven pretty much had me.   Flowers and birds?  Cool!  Tons of cute charm jewelry?  Cooler!  There are pages full of wonderful necklaces.  And, if you're an earring wearer there's also a handful of quirky pairs.  I particularly like the golden pearl acorns!  Read about this sweet little store based in the UK.  And check out the sister shop Poetic Sparkles, where you'll find sterling, fine gems and crystal baubles.

Yiorgos Kordakis

I feel like I'm in a dream when I look at Yiorgos Kordakis's photos.  Were I to be dropped into the photo, I feel like it would be very, very quiet.  Are you feeling enveloped by the stillness within them too?  I think they're beautiful; a little lonely and unsettling.  But, so-so pretty!

Found via Patusibu

1960's Mod

I'm really loving in influx of 60's mod silhouettes on the Fall 2011 runway.  Many lines are featuring strong throw-back influence in cut, color, and print.  The shifts, taper trousers, turtle-necks and cocoon outwear look really fresh in Aquilano.Rimondi and Bottega Venetta.  But Jill Sander is my favorite collection channeling the 1960's.  These ski-bunny looks immediately reminded me of the film Charade.  You know, in the beginning when Audrey is vacationing at Megeve?  And everyone in so chic, sunbathing on the lodge terrace and taking in a breathtaking view of the French Alps?  And she's dressed in a hooded onesie with some sort of boxy sweater and huge sunglasses.  Yep.  Love that movie.

Jill Sander images via Style.com
Charade poster via Fringe Bloggers

Pretty Picure/ Things Organized Neatly

Do you know about Things Organized Neatly?  For someone with a little OCD (or a lot) it's such a fun place to hang around!  I just love the orderly photos of well spaced items.  How lovely is this dissected rose?  Check out these tomatoes and this picture of laboratory vials too!

Discovered via Rarities & Randomness, thanks Helen!

Pickles Please?

I saw this recipe and swooned.  Yeah.  And after regaining consciousness, intense salivation commenced.

See, I come from a family of pickle lovers.  I happily eat any and every pickled veggie I come across.  I've yet to meet a pickle that didn't tickle my fancy.   You pickle it?  I eat it; cucumbers, cabbage, carrots, beets, peppers, asparagus.  Pickled is just about the only way I like cauliflower.  Onions?  Oooh, onions...  I must point out that the pickled red onion (that comes with Counter's vegan cheese burger) is the only onion that they BF, "actually liked".  I tip my cap to the pickeler.  That guy does not like onions.

I've never pickled a thing myself though.  I guess I figured that it was difficult.  Or, that it took too long and I would be taunted by brine-filled jars of un-ripe pickles every time I opened the 'fridge.  But, I just found these Refrigerator Pickles on Katie Flaim's site.  And really, it doesn't seem difficult at all.  And I can totally wait out the 3 days of brine-magic, till they're all ready and tasting fabulous.  I believe I've found a weekend project!

Found via An Apple A Day, photos are from the blog's super talented author Amy Merrick

Congratulations!

Something huge has happened... my little sister was accepted into grad school.  And not just any program, but one that will bring her to NYC!  Yay, Snow-elle!!!

These paintings and more can be viewed on her site.

We Olive

Familiar with California company We Olive?  I wasn't.  At least not until very recently.  My parents brought some goodies from their local store.  Parental praise inundated my ears (apparently they like it).  I'm sure I will too...  Caramelized red onion and fig dip?  Artichoke and black olive salsa?  Tapas dinner tonight?  Mmmm, yes!

Not in Cali?  That's okay, you can shop online too.  They've got so much great stuff; fresh, local CA olives and oils, vinegars, mustards, tapenades, books, gift sets, bath and body products and even an 'olive oil club membership' for hard core fanatics!  Check 'em out!!!

Pretty Palette/ Cool Corals

It's still a bit frosty out, but my head and heart are full of spring.  Aren't these perfectly peachy colors happy?  They make me smile.  They also make me want to pack a suitcase and hop on a plane; maybe headed for this spot.  Oh wait... I AM.  Yes, that's right.  Headed to the tropics.  Can't wait!

Top image: Incredible candles from Red Flower, an environmentally conscious company based in  NYC.  Brose through more choices here.

Left to right:
- T Magazine's case study on "England's Cosmo", the Bramble
- Super flattering peach dress by Whistles, available at Asos
- A gorgeous bunch of amaryllis and sweet peas, from Saipua

Farewell

We're a day away from March, February 2011 is on it's way out.  My parents are leaving today as well.  (I'll be seeing them again in just a handful of weeks.  But, more on that some other day.)  We had a jam-packed last 5 days.  I'm in need of a vacation from my stay-cation.  Note to all you out there- craving a restful, relaxing vay-cay?  Do not visit the Big Apple.

It was tons of fun though.  Recap in a nut shell...

Day 1- exploration of, and lunch at the Chelsea Market, stroll along Highline Park, Chelsea neighborhood walk, the Intrepid (Growling and Concord), Ground Zero, quick dinner at the Wholefoods hot-bar, tour of my design room.

Day 2- the Cloisters, Fort Tryon Park, the Met, Upper East Side neighborhood walk, dinner at Curly's (yum!) with the BF.

Day 3- bus tour of UWS, Harlem and UES, the Museum of Natural History, lunch at Peace Foods (yum again), MOMA, St. Patrick's Cathedral, dinner at Broolyn Mac (yum o-rama ) and tour of the BF's pad complete with home-baked gluten free-carob-pecan-coconut-oat cookies (yum, like whoa!!!).

Day 4- shopping at the Union Sq green market, hot chocolate and treats at The City Bakery, Financial District neighborhood walk (Stone St. is sooo darn cute!), Staten Island Ferry ride (and back), dinner with the BF and his parent's at Wild Ginger in BK.

Day 5- Williamsburg neighborhood walk including the waterfront and pier at The Edge, coffee and treats as the Verb, factory tour at Mast Brothers' Chocolate, walk around McCarren Park (including a stop at the dog park, of course), tour of the Brooklyn Brewery,  dinner at Papacito's in Greenpoint (yum, super super nachos).

Okay... that was most definitely the largest nut shell ever.  But, I swear it was as concise as possible!  How was you're weekend?  Did you do any adventuring?

The Search Is On!

If you take a quick look to the right you'll see a new addition to my menu sidebar; a search box!  Okay, so maybe that doesn't warrant an exclamation point.  Then again, maybe it does?  (And, yes, I know our dear gal in the lovely red gloves is completely looking in the wrong direction.  But she's impeccably dressed so we'll forgive her obliviousness this once.)

Dearest readers, if you have a POV please let me know.  (We're back to talking about the search bar, not the illustration.)  Does the search function matter one way or the other?  Do you use searches on other blogs?  Do you find yourself combing my archives?  Will it be helpful for locating older posts here on w&w?

Illustration available on Mimi Galore's Etsy store

Four for Friday

You didn't think that I would leave you without a FfF post, did you?  Please.  Parents-in-town or no parents-in-town, you are getting your four!

- I was searching for a raw cheesecake recipe and came across the site Manifest: Vegan.  It is, hands down, my new favorite food blog.   All vegan, all gluten free, all types of food.  Each recipe sounds more delicious that the last.  And the photos...  ooooh the photos!

- Quite possibly the coolest wallpaper ever.  Wall and Deco has so many other amazing patterns too.  Check out the collection; namely Alphabet Swirl, Svalbard, and Losting Map.

- The blog Sketchbook is so darn cute, I can barely stand it!  It's an illustrative journal, cataloging the daily events of  Denise Holmes life.  Simple in concept, adorably exectuted, and thoroughly addicting.

- Two fabulous worlds collide!  Joanna from A Cup of Joe was stay-cationing this week (just like me!!!) and she had the incredible Diana from Miss Moss guest posting.  Go check them out, her posts are so fun.  Her "Things I like Right Now" is great; The Beatles' Michelle! Steven Allen! Bicycle Portraits!

Update: Pantone Party

Remember these fun odds, ends and eats?  I was doing a little online shopping at A Plus and found all these goodies!  Cute tins to keep these fresh.  Espresso cups for those who prefer a little nip to the bigger gulp.  Cute folding chairs (with padded seat!) to keep your tushie comfortable while you work through this!

Interior Lust/ Dream Bathroom

Remember my dream kitchen?  And my fantasy design studio/ library?  Now I bring you the perfect bathroom.

Check out those upcycled, vintage, glass pane windows!  I'm melting; disolving into a puddle of interior-architectural desire.  I have such a weak spot for antique industrial details!  Besides the (beyond stunning) extra-large shower, notice the framed mirror, tiling, and basin.  OMG, the basin... see the faucet?  Perfection.  I could loose the sconce (I'm a mini-lampshade hater to the core, sorry sconce fans).  And, I would definitely need one of these somewhere too.  But besides those two details, this is my bathroom of bathrooms.  Are you loving it too?

Image found on the vtwonen blog

Squirrel Love

Nearly every weekend my BF and I discuss my fear of squirrels.*  That may sound weird (the subject of squirrels coming up so often).  But, in Brooklyn and Manhattan there are parks about every quarter mile.  So, you see a heck of a lot of squirrels out there.**  Anyhow, despite my phobia these two little lovers are pretty cute.  They nearly dispel my disquietude!  Sort of.  You know... as long as the stay carved in wood and holding that heart.  They're availavle for purchase at Enormous Champion.  While you're there, read a little about the company, which is based in Brooklyn.


* I attempt to rationalize my fear and he shoots me down (sweetly, of course), exposing my squirrel terror for what it is, totally irrational.
** If I were being completely honest and divulging all information I'd have to admit the following; I'm a dog-ophile.  I find a bench outside the fenced off dog-park and watch the furry puppies play.  Sometimes I'm there for 30 minutes.  Watching.  All the while being tormented by squirrels darting in my peripherals.

Found via Brooklyn Bride

Stay-cation Time!

With the exception of two brief periods of unemployment, I've never had more than a three day weekend in New York. (yes, that means I've worked the Friday after Thanksgiving every year, for the last five years). The unemployment stints don't really count as time off, because stress plagued my every moment. So, I'm really looking forward to the following 5 days off. Possibly filling those 5 days with some these activities:




- A good ol' touristy, hop-on-hop-off, Big Red Bus tour
- The Moma Museum (For my momma)
- The NY Transit Museum (Dad is going to loose his mind!)
- The Met Museum (I've been to the Met at least 20 times and am convinced that I will never, ever tire of it. The armor wing alone keeps me going back.)
- The Cloisters (Medieval art? Eh. Not so much. Architecture? Hudson River? View of the Jersey riverbank preserve? Ft Tryon Park? Oh yeah, all that good stuff!)
- The Highline Park (Great views...it's a park, along the Hudson, on a deserted Railroad bridge. How cool is that?!!! I love the Highline, even when it's freezing!)
- Tour of the Brooklyn Brewery (Dad loves beer- he used to home brew!)
- Tour of Mast Brother's Chocolate Factory (Mom loves chocolate)
- Roosevelt Island Tram
- Staten Island Ferry (Just for the fun of it- not to actually hang out in SI)
- The entire slew of restaurants and cafe make up another list completely. I'll not bore you with that. Yet. Hehe!


I'll be posting less frequently for the remainder of the week. Still, some juicy bits will be served up before Saturday arrives. Promise!

Photo by Sydney Shaw, found on Deviant Art

A Numerical Stack

I'm a bookworm, through and through.  Remember the ode to my collection here?  There is always a novel in my bag (right now it's Kate Chopian's The Awakening and Selected Short Fiction ).  I'm such a literature nut, anything bound and leafy catches my eye in an instant.  These photos from Paul Octavious are right up my alley.

Wouldn't the three photos below look lovely framed and hung in a row?  The stack would also be wonderful for party centerpiece; birthday, New Year, even a wedding!  How sweet would the date 'in books' be adorning your place card table?  Or better yet, swap numbers for letters and arrange the bride and groom's first initials!  Too cute for a bookish couple!!!

Found with the help of Alkeemi and Pinterest

Update: Mushroom Medley

Remember this post from last Thursday?  Check it out, Studio Choo let their fungi creations dry!  Dare I say it... they're even cooler!  And a quite spooky.  Love it

The Living Wall

Vertical gardens are blowing up (and completely blowing my mind)!  I spent most of last night researching them; indoor, outdoor, ornamental, agricultural, small scale, grandiose, private, public, eco-minded, conceptual, ect.  If you're interested in learning more, here are a few articles to get you started:

- DLF (a non-profit educational site) reviews 15 different different gardens, including a 43 foot vegetation covered puppy sculpture by Jeff Koons. 
-  Barefoot Floor's blog features some stunning interior garden walls and a couple buildings with a green exterior.
- If you're a New Yorker, check out Convert.   They specialize in sky gardens.  Their projects, from Park Ave. to Park Slope are stunning.  Plus, these green roof's garner a serious tax break!
- Also cool is window farming, made famous by Brooklynite Britta Riley.  Read more about her veggie crop on NPR.
- And, if you're considering a living wall of your own, check out vertical planting units at A Plus, The Green Head or visit the Window Farms site.

Top Photos:
- Garden Window illustration from the Window Farms Project
- Hydroponic window crops found on the NPR site

Bottom photos, left to right:
- The Musee du quai Branley, Paris
- Restaurant at the Pershing Hall Hotel, Paris
- Department store BVH Homme, Paris

A Presidential Morning

Did you have a nice weekend?  Off to a super Monday?

Unfortunately, I do not get President's Day off.  It seems that everyone else is curled up at home in bed (gauging from the traffic on the subway this morning).  But, I'm not letting that get me down.  Huge fluffy snowflakes are flitting by my window (soooo pretty).  And my cup of coffee is upping my perkiness with every sip.  Besides, I have lots to look forward to this week.  The parents are coming!!!


Photo by Jamie Katz

Four for Friday

Aren't you excited, FfF is here!  Time to dive in...

- In need of inspiration?  Just want to rest your weary eyes on something awesome?  Check out Grain Edit!  It's filled with classic design from the 50's-70's and contemporary designs that draw from retro influence.

- Post "In The Hot Seat" from Rue mag, is awesome!  I too loved the pre-fall Chacharel show (minus that stupid knit caps- sorry!!!) and I'm totally in fits over interiors company Pippa Caley (OMG, I want this lampshade)!

- I love all things botanica (yeah, you totally already knew that).  And yes, I have taken a pro-fesh florist crash course (minus the crashing, fortunatly).  But, Project Wedding's DIY bouquet instructional is so super!  It's fabulously specific but still leaves plenty of room for creativity. 

- The adorable blog Hello, Friend just begun the sweetest series, Handsome.  It's bit size interviews with the boys behind blogger babes.  Such a great idea!  Because behind every girl and her blog, is a wonderfully supportive guy.

One Fine (Fri) Day

Happy, happy Friday! 

Just a week ago I was lamenting about the weather, wistfully and half-heartedly planning my weekend.  How the tables have turned!  Today is a (positively balmy!) 66 degrees.  I'm nice and toasty and absolutely cheery!   (I wore shorts today!!!  Albeit, with tights and a cropped wool coat.  After all, it was still about 40 this morning.)



So, dear chickadees, I'm full of cheeky banter and bouncing through the day with spring in my step.  I'm overflowing with excitement; my sweet parents will be here in just a handfull o' days!  I'm taking most of next week off to spend time with them.  And, I just received a terrific text from my longest-had (of 15 years!) and dearest friend.  She just got a new job.  Congratulations Steph!!!  I wish I could celebrate with you!  (the entire country separates us- boo)

Have a fabulous President's Day weekend!

Photo via We Heart It

Deanna Staffo

This is the cutest illustration set!  There are more too, check out the entire collection of Deanna Staffo's What I Wore Today.  She has a diversified portfolio on her web site and lots of sketchbook doodles on Flickr.  She's also got a blog, Mischief and Madness, filled with tons of quirky bits.

Discovered via Color Collective

Owl Love

Fads bug me like crazy.*  Even animal fads.**  So... even though I adore owls (all birdies really) it just rubbed me the wrong way when they blew up.  But, I couldn't resist sharing a few recent finds.  I think they jumped out at me because I gave myself three brutal paper cuts yesterday and am using these bandages.***  Also, my iphone is newly covered in this Gelaskin.****

* For someone's who's livelihood depends on trends, I join the band wagon grudgingly.
**And I'm an animal nut (just ask my BF).  He'll tell you, NUT-SO.  Like, whoa!
*** I know... the fad is totally sucking me in.  When you wear bandages covered with cartoon owls, from Urban Outfitters, the game has been lost.
**** I'm hopeless.  100% team owl.

Photos, clockwise from left:
- Owl logo design by Luke Bott (he's got lots of other cute designs on his website too), via Fffound
- Photo found on Pinterest
- Illustrations by Josh Brill available for purchase at Lumadessa, via Ffffound

Mushroom Medley

Design Sponge has the most amazing feature on fungi centerpieces.  The posting comes from the floral designers at Studio Choo, and offers both some general mushroom info along with tips for creating your own movable fungi garden.  The photos from their "Mushroom Madness" identification walk with the Bay Area Mycological Society are incredible.  I had to force myself to practice good blogger etiquette and not scrape every single photo!  They're sooo beautiful!!!

Studio Choo has lots more prettiness posted on their blog, go check them out!  And, if you're in the bay area stop by their shop at Prairie Collective, on Divisadero St.  Pssst, they teach floral arrangement classes too!

Pretty Palette: Ocher, Fuschia & Bordeaux

Deep red, hot pinks and neutral yellow hues are so lusty; rich, vibrant, incredibly dynamic!  This palette was inspired by that catwalk shot on the lower right.  I nearly fell out of my seat when that two-tone sweater and ocher dirndl skirt opened onto my screen.  I mean, wowzers!  Tell me, you're getting blown away too?  Right?  Yeah.  I knew it.

Top photo from the Saipua blog

Below clockwise from left:
- Swatch from Inkaystickos
- Flowers from Sarah Rhyanen 's Flickr
- Look from Fall 2011 Sophie Theallet
- Beet 'hummus' from Simply Recipes
- Colorful mini plums from Poires au Chocolat

Jean Shin

I love this.  But, I'll let you in on something... I'm a shirt designer.  So, I suppose it's fitting.

Seams by Jean Shin, via Ffffound

3 Potato 4/ Enamel Turkish Pots

If you've stopped by w&w before, then you may know, I like:
1) Three Potato Four
2) Vintage pitchers
3) Enamel finishes
4) things Turkish
5) things colorful

Imagine my excitement to find Enamel Turkish Pots on Three Potato Four!!!  It's like all the loveliness in the galaxy came together in the embodiment of these darling petite-pots.  Hurry, they still have a variety of sizes and colors!

Pineapple Quinoa

I wanted to share this delectable photo with you (and brag a little).  This is my Valentine's Day dinner.  And, as I'm sure you can tell, it was really, super-duper, darn good!  The recipe came from the vegan cooking bible, Veganomicon.  This dish is a little time consuming and labor intense.  But, oh my goodness, it's tasty!  Full of things I LOVE; pineapple, red peppers, chillies, peas, garlic, basil, mint, ginger, lime, cashews, and a dousing of soy sauce!!!  Yum.

AlphaDeath

This "morbid take on the alphabet where fruits and vegetables are being killed" is so darn cute!  I included a few of my very favorites, but check out designer Philip Tseng's full series here.  I love that the carrot is getting julienned and that the orange is being juiced to death, so clever!  And look- that yam has a mustache!!! 

Tseng's site Mini Cubby has so much adorable-ness, I can hardly stand it.  Check out the nursery rhyme series and his original prints (the fat squirrels are too funny).

Discovered on Ffffound

Turkish Delights

I stumbled upon the (super pretty) blog The Sphinx and The Milky Way about a week ago.  While combing the archives I found this incredible photo of Turkish candy (more here).  It implanted a serious hankering for savory sweets.  One which, alas, went unsatisfied.

But... this week my boss returned from traveling Europe and the fertile crescent.  He brought back French clothing and Turkish candy.  I'm in heaven... a chocolate covered pistachio-brittle heaven!  The French threads are nice too.


I found a recipe here that looks like it may come close to what I'm devouring.  Mmmm.

Steven Allen: Fall 2011

I'm loving the retro vibe of Steven Allen.  I'm so excited about these shift dresses, the heavy crochet lace, leopard prints, cotton velvet, and dusty jewel tones!  They remind me of these vintage vinyl covers, collected and archived by the owner of Jive Time Records; so hip!

The great thing about Steven Allen is, it so incredibly, absolutely, wonderfully wearable.  You can count on a perfect mix of classic prep and a pinch of fashion.  Attired thus, I feel so effortlessly cool,  And, the colors and fabrics are always yummy!  This fall, the line will be no exception to the rule. 

Record images found on Project Thirty Three (the most awesome collection of record jackets, ever!) and Steven Allen collection viewable on Style.com