Some Lovely Ladies + a Mini-Vaca

Hello my dears! I am composing this post from a lovely beachy apartment in a magical place called Surfers Paradise. That said, I have waves to bob in and sand to walk on so today's post is a bit of a redirect.
Notice that I don't have a profile pic in my bio? Well this was a purposeful decision but lately I've been thinking a bit about this and wondering if I ought to put something up so you can put a face to all of this rambling. So, as I make my way through my massive blog-roll I've been noticing the different types of profile images people choose.




Cute right? What do you think — picture or no picture? Hmmmm.
So, while I'm enjoying an ice cold drink with an ocean view, you should go check out these lovely ladies blogs (from the top): yes! // lara collins // darling clementine // dandelion + grey // design love fest // jessica hische // home love // the neotraditionalist // promise tangeman // angela hardison // lindsay letters // bash please // patricia mumau // rifle paper co
Wish you were here! xo

Listen To This

I've been listening to the beautiful boys that are "Local Natives" all week. And when my new friend (Sarah of Walking Around) had a video of them performing a cover of Simon and Garfunkel's "Cecilia" I knew that that would be the song to end this week. They're adorable and talented and fun to watch—I know you'll agree.
(local natives // cecelia)
I'm also trying something a little new this week. As a design exercise for myself, I've decided to create a digital piece of art with a lyric of the featured song. I hope you like it, I thought it turned out quite well!

Have a good weekend my dears!

Nancy Mitford + Penguin Books + Lab Partners

This post is going to swerve a bit, I hope you're ok with that! It all started with a purchase. I wandered into a bookstore today and wandered out with the classic "the Pursuit of Love" by a Ms. Nancy Mitford. Now, I'd heard of this book but didn't know much about it, and since I'm only a few pages in, it's still a bit of a mystery. Know what I do know about it? It's a Penguin (so it's automatically cool), the cover is pink and yellow and black (my new favorite color combination) and there's a series of 5-books that the amazing Lab Partners has designed. More than enough to make me have to have it. See:

Obviously I'll be purchasing them all.
(swerve)
But, while I was browsing the Penguin website I couldn't help but notice there are so many great collections of books (with even greater covers) that I wouldn't mind having adorn my book shelves. For example, these two series: Penguin Decades—1960's and Central European Decades. Ok, maybe they sound a bit stuffy, but they couldn't possibly be—look at these gorgeous covers!

(and back around once more)
BUT I couldn't let the stunning work of Lab Partners themselves go unmentioned in this post. Man oh man do I love the work they've been turning out. You really need to pop over to their site and get better acquainted with them. But take a look at these beauties first:

In other news: what are you reading?

Let's Go Play!

The weather has felt particularly summery lately—not the oppressive heat of Australian summer but the familiar just-hot-enough heat of Illinois in July. Now let's not forget it's February, so it really doesn't make any sense that it feels like mid-summer, but let's go with it. So, I thought today we'd look at some fun summer day backyard activities. If you're here with me in the heat, let's have some friends over this weekend... if your summer is still a few months away, well, turn the heat up and poor yourself an iced tea and have a rousing game of pretend.

teepee // table with umbrella // outdoor movie // clothesline tent // tire swing // soda // play house // badminton // picnic // figure 8 // sprinkler
And since we're on the topic of reliving childhood, look at this fun project from photographer Irina Werning. The idea was to take an old photograph and have the subject recreate it as best they can. Hilarious and charming.

Library Ladders (Not Just for Libraries)

I've always loved library ladders. You know, the kind on a track that you can hop on and with one good push you're circling a huge room full of books and singing about being in love? Of course I adore them. But. What I didn't realize is that I love library ladders even more in rooms that aren't huge and full of books. Rooms like closets and pantries and bathrooms. So many old houses have huge ceilings and since we seem to be acquiring more and more stuff, it seems silly not to fill that open space with storage (albeit beautifully organized and attractive storage). But the question is always, how do I get up there so I can remember that I have a punch bowl in the first place? The answer is obviously to install a whimsical and indulgent library ladder. What a good idea.



Images from: bekahstewart // nibs // arch in home // elements at home // inspired by life // walking around // zhush // chateau + bungalow // the selby // folder of ideas

Oliver Peoples + Autumn De Wilde

I can't remember where I first saw this video campaign for the California eyeglass designer Oliver Peoples, but I do know that I loved it. And I still do. Shirley Manson and Elijah Wood are so lovely. Throw the incredibly talented photographer/director Autumn De Wilde in there and you've got something amazing. Watch the video, I'll catch up with you after...

Isn't it pretty? The costumes and the set design are so romantic and modern. I love his bowtie and her bright pink tights and that dining room. Oh yah, and the glasses. Don't you adore the flip-up sunnies? Just like Dwayne Wayne on a Different World. Classssssy.

I thought I'd also chat a bit about Autumn (since she's a good seventy-five percent of the reason that campaign is awesome). I didn't realize she was as big a deal as she is. She's photographed some of our most iconic musicians; people like Beck and Rilo Kiley/Jenny Lewis and the Flaming Lips and Elliott Smith. You'll enjoy these images I'm sure of it. (Starting with some stills of the above video - just in case you didn't watch it like I asked you to. Naughty.)




Great huh? There's more to see on her site. And you should definitely check out the other Oliver Peoples' videos (another one directed by Autumn and starring Zooey Deschanel + Matt Costa and a super sexy one with Devendra Banhart). PS. Isn't Fiona Apple gorgeous? Those eyes!

Listen To This

To be honest, I know very little about my new friends: US Royalty. But I know that they sound like Fleetwood Mac and that makes them a-ok by me. The sound on this isn't great but you get the idea (the idea being: they're quite groovy). Mark my words— they're the next big thing (are they already big?). Have a fantastic weekend my friends!

(US Royalty // Monte Carlo)

Paper Creations

You and I are crazy about paper. We love stationery and magazines and illustrations of paper airplanes flying through the air. Know what else we love? Paper that looks like a cookie or a flower or the Empire State Building. Am I wrong? I didn't think so. Do you (my American friends) subscribe to Real Simple? Well you should, and even if you don't you've probably flipped through it while standing in line at the grocery store so I'm sure that you're familiar with their dedication to unique and beautiful and interesting photo/prop styling. That said, you've probably seen some of this amazingly gorgeous paper art by Matthew Sporzynski. There is very little about the man himself online (there's not even a proper portfolio site) but Real Simple has done a nice job of putting together a photo gallery of some of the work he's done for them. Here's a handful from that as well as from white cabana and material archive.


I love the boat made of maps and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in particular.
And as long as we're on the subject, let me show you these stunning paper wigs created by the duo Nikki Salk and Amy Furry. Love the masses of curly-q's and bows and flowers. So romantic, no?

She Works Hard (For the Money)

I went from working in a basement to working at my dining room table (ok, it's not exactly my table and it is in Australia, but still)... Point being that I've never had a cool workspace. But ever since I powered up my first Mac I've wanted to be one of those cool kids who has a "satchel" and enjoys "sandwich o'clock" and works at a long piece of reclaimed wood (that also doubles as a ping-pong table). Know what I mean? Who's with me? Let's drool over these studios together, shall we?



I wouldn't mind working/playing/living in any of these spaces. I'm particularly drawn to darling clementines space though (the black and white checked floor is gorgeous!).
images from: yellow trace // darling clementine // de cesare design group // design crave // abduzeedo // candy black design // my favorites // minted design // the design files

Nautical Tangerine

I was at the grocery store yesterday and I happened down the cosmetics aisle (aside: I've noticed that as an "adult" I leave the grocery store way too often with makeup and magazines and completely forget the laundry soap I went in for... back to the story). Long story short, I bought some a-ma-zing bright orange nail polish (I needed it obviously). And as I was sitting on the bus on the way to work this morning I couldn't stop looking at this beautiful polish against the dark wash of my jeans and I was inspired to put together a little nautically striped + bright orange story board for us.




striped dress with ruffle // orange pants // orange bangle // long striped skirt // striped capris // striped cap-sleeve dress // striped shoe // umbrella // striped shirt // nail polish // orange capris // orange maxi // striped socks // orange flats // striped with mesh dress // watch // short striped skirt
Do you have a favorite color combination?

My Valentine (don't worry, we can share)

If I had a Valentine I'd like a lot of gifts on this cheesy, sweet holiday. Of course I'd be happy with a handwritten note and a cup of coffee but... I'd also like any of these:



raspberries for breakfast // glittery banner // you float my boat // tissue paper heart // we go together like milli and vanilli (girl you know it's true) // gilda + gene t-shirt // we've got mad chemistry // cupcake // mini bouquets in paper bags // sweet bouquet // gin + grapefruit cocktail // days of the week underpants // horseshoe pendant // love letter pendant // feather ring
All the single ladies: I've made us a dream man (compilation). Yay!

musically inclined (mr. bruce springsteen) // bearded and rugged (but clearly from nyc) // dapper dresser (jon hamm) // sexy dancer // appreciates personal space + is kind to birds (luke wilson)
How are you spending the day?
PS. You didn't think I'd forgotten did you? BHLDN launched today! I'm sure the internet is going to be full of posts gushing about it (I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone likes it.). I'm heading over to explore now. See you there!

Listen To This: Music for your Friday

Just a sweet little song (and video set in Paris) to start off your Valentine's weekend. xoxo my friends!
(camera obscura // french navy)
PS. Just in case you haven't had enough Paris, check out this gorgeous video (do yourself a favor and make it fullscreen).

Red + Hearts + Plaid

Engagement shoots have really come a long way. They've been given a story line and props and heart shaped marshmallows. But, the sweetness of new love still remains at the center of it all. Let's enjoy some lovely valentines-y pictures shall we (what's more romantic than plaid)?




images from: wedding chicks // the sweetest occasion // sitting in a tree // green wedding shoes // dandelion and grey

Designed by Mr. Adler

Oh Jonathan. Not only does he have amazing personal style and creates stunning pottery, but he's funny and quirky and a talented interior designer. I didn't realize that his brand offered interior design services, but when I visited his site in preparation for this post I was excited to see the little tab at the top of the page. He's done private residences as well as commercial spaces (and his stores aren't too shabby either). I've collected some for you:


Aren't they great? They're cheeky and retro and modern and bold—just like Jonathan.
So, maybe we can't afford to have the man himself come and design our house, we can (with one or two less latte's a week) afford to take home a great piece from the online store. Priority number 1: hilarious Acapulco pillow.

Gosh. They're just so gorgeous and fun!

Bows and Arrows

It's nearly Valentines Day and although I haven't been particularly excited about the holiday since we were all forced to exchange she-re/he-man cards in fourth grade, I do get excited about stationery and cupcakes and pretty little gifts. So, here's a handful of lovely, cupid-inspired (get it, "bows and arrows"? I'm a dork.) items to get us in the holiday spirit.

cardigan // dress // purse // tiffany mug // leather bow necklace // headbands // pillow sham // ring // flats


dress // jane austen clutch // ring // felt cupcake toppers tutorial // necklace // mary kate mcdevitt print // sweater dress // note card

Meet: Holly Farrell

Holly Farrell is not classically trained. She says that she started painting to escape her day job (counseling children with emotional and/or developmental needs) and was pleasantly surprised when she discovered that her hobby could be her full-time job. This is another one of those situations where I can choose envy or awe. I think because her paintings are so lovely, she must be lovely and therefore I choose awe (with a glittery haze of envy because I can't help myself).





Don't you just love them all? Wouldn't they look so great in your house? I agree. Let's all pool our money and get one. We can share it like the Traveling Pants girls. (My vote is for the cookbooks one.)