Oh So RB

A Postcard from Home: Big Times!

2009-09-19T02:08:00.015-05:00

All sorts of wonderful happenings, ladies, since last I wrote!

Our Wyatt has arrived--we're just madly in love. The little guy was born August 4th in the middle of a big summer lightning storm. We've spent the last month with him in our arms and, I can tell you, nothing compares. It's a very sweet time, indeed. In this photo, he's 13 days old--our sweet friend and wedding photog Allison Garrett dropped by to snap some pics of him. He's lying on the quilt we received as a wedding gift. We tease about what he's listening for here...ocean waves, the wind, some sweet song...!

Also, exciting: Clover & Bee has officially launched! We're having a blast with all things wedding and home in the Midwest. Real weddings, engagements, flowers, handmade details, sweet finds. Our first giveaway began this week--a chance to win a copy of Amy Butler's excellent book Midwest Modern--love! I would be so honored if you would stop by, friends!

Miss you all and can't wait to catch up soon--hope you'll drop me a note with what you've been up to, too! ox!

Oh-So RB Sabbatical

2009-07-06T12:23:00.011-05:00

So sorry it's been so long, friends! I certainly should have written sooner.

With baby on the way (so soon!) and our new venture, I've been spending some time reflecting on all the big changes. It's looking like I'm in need of a bit of a vacation from my little blog here and it may just be that I need to close up shop on Oh-So RB altogether. Blogging seems to have changed so much since I began (would you agree?) and I'm hesitant to post just every once and a while (doesn't seem quite right!). Certainly, I've gathered unbelievable inspiration from reading your blogs, writing here and being a part of a great circle of art-minded friends. Any thoughts & suggestions you have would be welcomed. While I'm away, I'll definitely still be listening!

Happy summer to all--enjoy, enjoy!

(Memory jars and handmade thank-yous from Martha Stewart--so lovely!)

Heirloom Nursery: Sneak Peek!

2009-05-26T16:15:00.012-05:00

Happy spring, friends! I'm sorry for these gaps between posts--I feel like I'm sending you postcards lately from where I am! Things are busybusy with designing and writing for the soon-to-be Clover & Bee (can't wait to share all the exciting bits in the works there!). Plus, I admit, I'm a little caught up in baby-ness--resting and preparing. But, between these adventures, I thought I might share a snapshot of the little man's room in progress (click the images for a larger view). We're trying to keep everything simple--a little modern, a little organic, a little heirloom and very much budget-friendly. I just finished hanging the Ida Pearle alphabet this week--one of my favorite aspects of the space. Every letter is like a poem--e is for elephant, g is for garden, q is for quilt, s is for swim...how wonderful to get to be a kid, am I right? More soon! Do keep me posted on what you're up to!

Sneak Preview: Clover & Bee Weddings!

2009-05-09T20:08:00.011-05:00

After many months of secret keeping, I'm so excited to say we have a little sneak preview of my new site up and live: Clover & Bee Weddings!

With all the fun I had designing our wedding and writing here on Oh-So RB, we decided to take the leap and expand: a wedding guide and blog devoted to all the remarkable professionals and artists here in the Midwest. The process of creating the site has been so joyful--I can't wait to show you the rest! And, I promise, despite all the big things in the works (baby included!), I plan on keeping up here. Oh-So RB is without a doubt my original labor of love--from the first posts I wrote just for myself (can you tell? I didn't think anyone would be reading my little reflections!) to the latest connections I've been so lucky to make.

Thanks for all your support and generosity these past couple years (hard to believe we've been here this long!). I can't say enough about the happiness being a part of the blogging community has brought me and I'm so looking forward to what the future holds for all of us. Cheers all around!

Heirloom Nursery: Cloudy with a Chance of Fun

2009-05-05T11:12:00.010-05:00

So sorry for the long delay on posting, friends! My soon-to-be not-so-secret project (!) has been taking up most of my time. Plus, being many months pregnant has finally caught up to me--whew! I really appreciate your patience and hope to return the favor with our exciting news very, very soon!

In between the sparks of busy-ness, I have been gathering a few new things in anticipation of our little boy. We're thinking his middle name might be Gray--one of my favorite colors--and I'm looking forward to celebrating with a few hints of the hue in his room...! Bunny booties from Pretty Little, 'Sweet Bunny' print from decoylab, eco plush blanket from boopalina bebe, fabric from skinny laminx (lovely and subtle!). I just love all the new modern possibilities for baby these days, don't you?

Great Wedding Blog: So You're Engayged

2009-04-22T11:28:00.008-05:00

The absolutely gorgeous New England wedding of my friends Emily and Erica is on So You're Engayged today and I'm so excited for them! Our weddings were a week apart and it was a blast to talk plans. Aren't their dresses so elegant? Not to mention, if you haven't yet checked out Kelly & Natalie's beautiful new site you certainly should--it's the next big thing, I just know it! (Oh, and, no, that's not a rice toss in the shot above but tiny marshmallows--mmhmm, that's right!)

Find It on Film: Grey Gardens

2009-04-22T09:31:00.009-05:00

Even more than films, I adore documentaries and Grey Gardens is among my very, very favorites of all time. Fashion, poetry, dance, song, design, architecture and, of course, gardens--it's a near-perfect piece. Because of this, I have to admit, I'm pretty skeptical about this new version of the musical (Drew Barrymore? really?) and I'm probably not going to tune in (maybe you can convince me!). But, that said, all the talk of the movie has brought about some great remembrances from those who knew the Beales, their home and style, and I'm reveling in it. Especially these photos from the current owners of Grey Gardens. As Little Edie says, "It's all embedded together. Believe it or not, the past is part of the present and the future is here with us now."

Designing Wedding Heirlooms: Lovely Lace

2009-04-20T08:52:00.006-05:00

Daytime lace, moonlit lace--I can just imagine a wedding with a subtle feminine theme like this. Martha Stewart has the fine filigrees on her mind too. Wouldn't a Tree & Kimball necklace be the perfect accessory? The top image has me thinking someone should really do a mint green and indigo wedding--such a fresh palette.

Designing Wedding Heirlooms: Pop-Up Decor

2009-04-10T11:24:00.012-05:00

Loving the new Chanel spring show with these amazing cut-out paper florals. Wouldn't a 'pop-up' wedding be a great theme? I can imagine all sorts of whimsical details. To get you started, there's always Paper Source's series of flower kits. (via Oh Joy!)

Heirloom Nursery: Jennifer Murphy Bears

2009-04-07T09:36:00.014-05:00

You've heard me sing Jennifer Murphy's praises before--she and her work are wonderful. I'm so excited to share that we've been talking about creating a custom made bear for our baby....

Once upon a time, when I met S, he had just returned home from a 6-month stay in a backcountry Oregon ranch, an hour and a half from the nearest town, writing in solitude, where there were--being a city girl this always gets me!--black bears. Wild black bears roaming around, eating blackberries, scratching up wasp nests, doing all the things very real bears do. It was a special time for him to say the least--out there roughing it in the wild. And now, here we are, six years later, with his memoir about that time due out next spring a new little bear on the way even sooner. I'm so thrilled Jennifer is going to help us celebrate and commemorate with a another bear friend to be dragged around with love.

If you missed out on the JM spring sale yesterday, definitely sign up for her newsletter to get the latest on the up-and-coming and read up on her sweet blog. Oh, and wish her congrats as well! She's also due this summer with her first--hooray! hooray!

Designing Wedding Heirlooms: 3 Photographers

2009-04-04T11:18:00.007-05:00

These shots from 3 Photographers are making my day--so charming, so glamourous! That cameo shot especially moves me. All the lucky Brooklyn brides-to-be, wow! Just imagine the wonderful vision you could put together with these talented folks...!

Heirloom Nursery: Baby's First Artisan Pieces

2009-04-04T10:33:00.016-05:00

Ceramics and stitching, lines and designs--I think the sweetest pieces for baby are those that have history and those that will. Just a few of my favorites for starters: wobbly pin dolls from Sian Keegan, Heath Ceramics kid's set, Matching Game of Marimekko fabric designs from Plastic Shop, 'Many Hands' quilts from Fun Quilts (the story as wonderful as the blanket!).

Heirloom Nursery: Style on a Budget

2009-04-04T08:19:00.020-05:00

What a wild week--I'm so sorry to have been away for so long and can't wait to get back in touch! Hope you're getting the first tastes of spring where you are. We've got daffodils here but also a couple inches of snow in the forecast...could it really be? Whew!

In the midst of my busy business, I've been dreaming about the nursery for our baby-boy-to-be--a surprising challenge and a delight. You know me: I love big colors, sentimental art pieces to keep, staying on budget, craftiness, hands-down good design. After our wedding last year, I thought, how different could it be? You pick a palette, pick a theme, have some fun. But, wow, the project and the resources are completely different (as S says, 'look out, baby culture is after us!')--or at least it seemed at first.

Wanting to hold on to those same principles, I decided to simplify, simplify, simplify. Instead of buying an expensive coordinating crib set, I went with a nice basic white bumper and skirt for the vintage-looking Jenny Lind crib we chose (I'm sad to say I don't see them in the Land of Nod collection anymore--it's a beautiful, inexpensive piece--if you can get your hands on one, snap it up!). The beauty of this is the set cost $60 (total!), it looks so clean and fresh, and now I can mix-and-match sheets, curtains, other furniture, accessories and what-not to my heart's content.

That one choice has made the designing process really come alive and now that we're back to basics, I'm ready to build up the vision: I found this sweet wild kingdom mobile (from Copenhagen Styles), three colors of gingham sheets to match (Pottery Barn Kids), and a 'Keep Calm' poster that I could potentially add (for some humor, of course!--this one from the Keep Calm Gallery). So, what's next? I'm on the look out for some patterned fabric (maybe from Purl) to complement and contrast the gingham...some fun toys and accessories...some fine touches of heirloom pieces...hmmm! Any suggestions for me? I need all the help I can get!

In the Spotlight: Dutch Door Press

2009-03-30T15:11:00.011-05:00

So exciting--Dutch Door Press has a lovely spruced up site! Check out their custom designs and the new line of signature wedding suites. I just love their folksiness--the holiday cards we sent were a hit and I'm definitely thinking of this baby announcement for welcoming our little bear into the world this summer...!

Heirloom Nursery: Baby's First Quilt

2009-03-22T14:37:00.013-05:00

It's no secret I love quilts--really love them.

Recently, I've been editing the memoir of one of our quilter friends and got to thinking about the possibilities for our baby's first quilt. Looking around for nursery bedding, I've been pretty disappointed in the range of colors and style for little boys (did I mention? we're having a boy!). Everything is blue, red and brown and--I'm going to say it!--so boring (!). Have you noticed this too?

This feeling led me to start researching the baby blankets of the past at our local museum, Lincoln's International Quilt Studies Center. What I found was that the traditional of the crib quilt is really a fascinating one--especially here in the Midwest where these small blankets were an Amish tradition. The rich blacks and deep blues, the modern-feeling stripes, blocks and cubes. Hope we can find a way to do something similar--so many creative possibilities for our tiny new guy!

Backyard Field Guide: Busy Bee in Springtime

2009-03-22T11:28:00.020-05:00

Like a bee to nectar, I'm buzzing! Did you know that the bumble bees you usually see among the spring bulbs and flowers are usually the queens? I find it just remarkable how after overwintering alone these little ladies found the year's new colonies themselves. Sweet humble bumbles.

I was reading this week that some gardens have little nooks and caves built into the walls just for this event--brilliant, right? Other times the bees will just make themselves at home an empty birdhouse (I love this one answering the doorbell above!). I'm thinking I need to find some more places in our backyard plot for them.

(This might just be another clue to my secret project!*)

(Images from here and here.)

Simply Sweet Courthouse Wedding

2009-03-20T09:31:00.006-05:00

Isn't this Portland wedding so vintage and darling? I just love the floral work of Ink & Peat--pop on over to the blog to see more.

Pretty Belly Pics

2009-03-19T18:49:00.002-05:00

Jo had these cute mama photos up today. Photog Ryan Marshall is taking weekly pics of his wife to go along with these charming journal entries to their baby. I keep thinking I need to write a letter to our little-person-to-be and this has me so inspired!

The New Heath

2009-03-19T10:15:00.005-05:00

The new special edition Heath pieces are so minimal and so vibrant. Don't you just want to eat your granita out of one of these? (Maggie & Shiv, any recipes for us?) The color is simply just right.

Luck o' the Irish!

2009-03-17T21:31:00.008-05:00

A thousand lucky clovers to you! Hope everyone's enjoying this fine St. Patty's Day--I've been dancing all day in my kelly green!

(This pic might be a clue for what's to come with my secret project!*)

Colorography: Sentimental Shades

2009-03-16T11:45:00.008-05:00

It's not too often that I'm really struck--I mean, with a strong visceral reaction--by a combination of colors. For some reason, the palette behind these tees got me: they're the color of my childhood. Light aqua, light lavender, a faint peach and grey. Maybe it's a New England thing. There's something so sweet and fine there. Like wild irises. Or icicles clinging to the eaves. I can't place it but I think one of my first memories of beauty had to do with this scheme. Ever had an experience like this?

Oh, and, by the way, if you haven't seen it, the new JCrew spring collection is wonderful...! If you were to do a wedding in any of their color combinations, it couldn't help but be an aesthetic success.

Hard at Work, Missing You!

2009-03-13T19:23:00.005-05:00

So sorry to be absent, ladies! I've been busily working on a soon-to-be-not-so-secret project-- saying 'yes' to a dream, really. I hope you'll forgive me for not posting daily--I'm hoping my time away will be more like 'worth the wait'! More on that soon as well as more posts! What fun things have you all been pursuing? I'd love to hear!

(Image via Desire to Inspire.)

New York Times Wedding

2009-03-10T13:37:00.004-05:00

Such a sweet wedding story from the NYTimes (and, yes, that is Stephen Colbert!).

Location, Location

2009-03-09T11:30:00.009-05:00

Readymade's WPA poster series is so spot on--especially these two. I've lived on both coasts but somehow not until I moved to Nebraska did these ways of living really come into focus for me--farmer's markets, gardening, bicycling, local schools. I'm a city girl at heart but somehow living here is the perfect fit.

Sweet Find: Laura's Left Hook

2009-03-05T09:49:00.008-06:00

Cute, kitschy and a little bit squishy--I love Laura's lovely little letters! I can see them on couches, in cribs...what great gifts too!

Sweet Find: Bonpoint

2009-03-03T08:32:00.010-06:00

Parisian designs for the little ones--Bonpoint has some utterly charming clothes.

Pretty Primer: Crafty Books

2009-02-28T07:33:00.010-06:00

Friday evenings, sometimes S and I go out for dinner and head to the bookstore--it's one of the best dates, hands down. We dream about travel, art, nature, music...there's simply nothing better.

This trip I found some lovely new sewing books: Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing for Baby by Lotta Jansdotter, Handmade Home by Amanda Blake Soule and Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross and John Gruen. I just adore the aprons and baby bloomers in the Ross and Gruen book--patterns included. So many great projects, now I just need to learn how to run a sewing machine--this girl can hand sew like there's no tomorrow but...! Most of my clothes were handmade as a kid--isn't it great that the trend is returning and with style?

Browsing the shelves, I also leafed through How to Be an Explorer of the World by Keri Smith and she has come up with such a refreshing list of 'explorations' (one of my favorite words, by the way!)--many of which would be great for the kids, too. Take this one for example:

Exploration #46: "Found Patterns -- Collect or document as many patterns as you can find while on your travels. You may decide to use only patterns in nature, or human-made, or both. Pencil rubbings work well for this."

You could write, collect scraps, draw, paint, record audio descriptions...so many possibilities. Once upon a time, when I was in ed school, I had a professor who had a whole lecture class--I'm talking 100+ people--observe the moon. Those were the instructions: 'observe the moon.' It was simply remarkable how many ways we approached the assignment. I've never forgotten--what a lesson in the range and depth of human curiosity. What are your favorite explorations?

Heirloom Nursery: Handmade Baby Bibs

2009-02-26T16:11:00.010-06:00

When it comes to preparing for baby, I've been pretty disappointed in the mealtime linens out there--the bibs simply aren't practical, they're expensive, they're (dare I say it) so gaudy or they just seem so industrial for a little person. Instead, I'm thinking of trying to make a handful of these Martha Stewart towel bibs--I imagine they'll be soft, sturdy, tastefully colorful, imminently washable. What a great shower gift, too! My best friend got us these beautiful jacquard hand towels from Anthropologie (she's got the best taste!) and I'm thinking of getting a few more to try them out. If not for a little person, then why not for sewing up one of these great tea towel aprons? Oh, how I love Martha's craftiness!

In the Spotlight: Naomi Shihab Nye

2009-02-26T11:11:00.014-06:00

One of my very favorite poets, Naomi Shihab Nye, is teaching here as a visiting writer in just a couple weeks and--it would be an understatement to say--I'm excited. I'm scurrying around trying to find poems to share with the workshop (it's been months since I wrote, eek! what do you show to someone you adore?) and can't help but think of her remarkable spirit.

The author of poetry, young adult fiction and children's anthologies, Nye lends her voice to the warm, peaceful and genuinely heartfelt: she is a true humanitarian. In an interview a couple years back, she spoke of poetry's meaning: "I think for many of us 'the fuel that feeds us' is language in the sense that language can carry us to understanding and connect us to things that matter in our lives. For those of us who trust poetry and the power of linkage that poetry gives us, it's a way of sitting quietly with words and letting them lead us somewhere." The poem Nye's referring to is called, "Hidden,"

If you place a fern
under a stone
the next day it will be
nearly invisible
as if the stone has
swallowed it.

If you tuck the name of a loved one
under your tongue too long
without speaking it
it becomes blood
sigh
the little sucked-in breath of air
hiding everywhere
beneath your words.

No one sees
the fuel that feeds you.

If you were to take one book of poetry of the library this year, I would highly recommend her collection Words Under the Words. Her poems about love and family make me believe in times like these.

Great Books: Baby's Box

2009-02-24T20:21:00.027-06:00

In my 101 things list I mentioned expanding my children's literature collection and now I have a great excuse for doing so...such a guilty, wondrous pleasure! I found this funky 'Squirrel Brand' peanut taffy crate on eBay and I've been filling it with favorites:

The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco
For You Are a Kenyan Child by Kelly Cunnane and illustrated by Ana Juan (plus Juan's website is the most sweet and wacky thing)
The Five Senses by Herve Tullet (love this multimedia book for kids and adults alike!)
The Gardener by Sarah Stewart and David Small
Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats (Keats collages have always been magical to me--plus, little Willie looks a tad bit like our pooch!)

Don't kid's books just make you feel like the world is so curious, rich and alive?

Sweet Find: Basic French

2009-02-24T18:18:00.015-06:00

Thanks to everyone for the sweet, kind and ever-so generous messages about our little baby news! Your support means so much. I can't help but feel inspired and a little sentimental these days about the lovely design popping up all over for kids. Aren't these simple Basic French baby announcements darling? I'm such a fan of this boutique--for little people and big.

Oscar (Wedding) Fashion

2009-02-24T18:10:00.008-06:00

How wonderful were all the light dresses at the Oscars--are you seeing a trend here too? The draping, the pleats, the glittering satin...I was starry-eyed! Penelope Cruz may just be my favorite actress--I lovelovelove this movie. More white dresses to be found on etsy.

Pretty Pink Party

2009-02-24T14:59:00.013-06:00

Artfool recently created this simply fanciful kid's party for Modern Bride--pink, pink, pink and that cotton candy blue, seems like something out of a dream!

Designing Wedding Heirlooms: Blumchen Vintage

2009-02-21T11:55:00.016-06:00

Oh, someone please plan your wedding with some of these vintage florals from Blumchen...! Invites, favors, napkin rings...so many possibilities!

Great Blog: Artisan Sweets

2009-02-21T11:02:00.010-06:00

I just stumbled upon Ashley's Artisan Sweets blog and her pastries are just so sugary, sexy and sophisticated--it's no wonder her work has been so sought after! Plus, her posts on her two little boys are a delight.

A Vision for the Event: Just Comfortable Elegance

2009-02-18T18:52:00.026-06:00

Dreamy cream and watery blue--I've been imagining an easy, easy-going LA restaurant wedding. Elegant cake, dinner and fine clothes you'll definitely wear again. What's your feeling--could the bride have one bridesmaid dressed in relaxed shades of white too?

Image sources: Jennifer Behr, Anna Williams, JCrew, Truli Confectionary Arts, Banana Republic, JCrew, the lettered olive, Dandelion Ranch.

Beauty Bliss: Simple Luxuries

2009-02-15T19:35:00.021-06:00

Lately, I'm all about the beautiful, unbeatable basics. My favorites: Origins Paradise Found body scrub, flat bobby pins (also available in gold), fresh sugar lychee soap, Aveda vintage clove shampoo and my favorite jewelry, Wide Arc earrings by By Boe--they look so modern and organic with a bob!

A Little Valentine's Day Announcement

2009-02-12T20:30:00.001-06:00

Happiest of Valentine's Days, friends! With all this love going around, I thought today might be a good day to tell you our exciting little news: I'm four months pregnant! We are so, so thrilled--I feel like my heart's got wings! Thank you for all your support these past few months--oxoxox!

(Red booties from here and love birds from here.)

Travel Diary: The Hambledon Gallery

2009-02-12T15:13:00.018-06:00

Each time I'm in England, I love to spend a lazy day in Winchester walking the streets, enjoying the cathedral (Jane Austen's no less) and perusing the shops--all especially fine in the summer. I was reminded today, going through some old memorabilia, that, without a doubt, my favorite boutique is The Hambledon--such a wonderful collection of well-designed goods. Each time I'm there I buy myself a new Cath Kidston change purse--as a tradition and because I use mine so often (every day, I admit) that the beloved thing gets tatty after awhile (I still have the first one I ever bought from 10 years ago!). Now, I'm so glad to see, they have an online shop. Elderdowns, Kilner jars, hawthorn and almond scented perfumes...so British, so lovely.

Sweet Find: Sugarboo Designs

2009-02-10T12:37:00.008-06:00

Minimal, reconstructed art and pillows-- I love the feel of these pieces from Sugarboo Designs.

Find It on Film: Vitus

2009-02-09T18:52:00.007-06:00

On a friend's suggestion, we rented Vitus this weekend--a nice little film! The winding story of a German boy and piano genius, we really loved Vitus' relationship with his sweet and eccentric flight-obsessed grandfather (my favorite scene was the one above--he toddles around with these enormous bat wings!). Great for the kids, too.

Ahh, Paris in the...Winter?

2009-02-09T11:00:00.011-06:00

I admit, it's a bit kitschy but I have an Eiffel Tower webcam on my iGoogle page...each time I open my browser, no matter how many emails I need to reply to or how big the deadline is, there is Paris! Often there's the blue sunset or the Tower is lit up with jubilant lights, all lovely, but for some reason I thought today's rainy shot was especially romantic as we're having that same blustery weather here today. All the delightful dreariness makes me want to leaf through the books of all my favorite French photographers...Doisneau, Brassai, Lartigue...oh, of course, all in black and white! It's been ages since I visited and I would love to get back--what are some of your favorite Paris memories and snapshots?

(Doisneau photographs from here--click images to enlarge, each has a sweet couple sneaking a kiss!)

Wedding Week on Good Stock

2009-02-09T09:18:00.006-06:00

Good Stock is having a week of wedding books and I can't wait to see what Kim has created. Check out the beautiful bindery here.

A Vision for the Event: Folk Art Festivities

2009-02-07T14:30:00.008-06:00

Bright jewel tones and cream, bold floral designs--I love an heirloom wedding and I love folk art. So many events are based on two colors these days--why not go with a scheme of several rich hues?

Image sources: welcome bag tags from every jot and tittle, Night Owl Paper Goods, Martha Stewart, JCrew, VivaTerra, Cake Girls, Martha Stewart, Tim Evan Cook via Snippet & Ink.

Backyard Field Guide: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

2009-02-07T11:13:00.012-06:00

It's no secret: I love gardening. I love getting my hands dirty, going to the garden center, reading about gardeners and garden history, and--guilty pleasure--browsing catalogs from different regions of this fine country. One of my very favorite greenhouses--despite never having visited (some day!)--is Annie's. Every page of their yearly catalog is filled with passion and whimsy. Today they sent out this wonderful spring slideshow to the email list and, oh, it has me so sentimental for California spring and the flowers to go with it! It's been 65 degrees here the past day or so (strange for Nebraska, right?) and I can't help but feel a little closer to the coast than we really are.... What's your favorite spring flower?

Sweet Find: Pourdrier Rose

2009-02-07T10:19:00.005-06:00

Oh my my. With fine French sugar tablets and orange blossom Ortigia soaps, the selection at Pourdrier Rose is the peak of gift-giving perfection--just right for the bride-to-be or her bridesmaids! (Via Simplesong.)

A Vision for the Event: Deep Red Romance

2009-02-06T21:00:00.005-06:00

Valentine's Day has me dreaming of romance: a deep red and rustic wedding on the edge of the woods. Stardust Pastry does such lovely, lovely work--I would love to see this wedding full of rich wine-colored tulips and white peonies just like the ones on the cake.

Image sources: Recchiuti Chocolate, Anthropologie, tablescape from Red Bliss Invitations, invitation suite by Dauphine Press, Brides, Stardust Pastry, Martha Stewart.

Great Book: Jamie at Home

2009-02-06T20:40:00.018-06:00

S and I went on a little date this afternoon--bookshopping and local barbeque for dinner. Looking around the cookbook shelves (we've been eating in a lot lately), I couldn't help but leaf through Jamie Oliver's new book, Jamie at Home. The photographs, recipes and garden stories are a pleasure to see. English onion soup with sage, crispy asparagus and potato tart, creamy rice pudding with strawberry jam--yum, what a fine dinner this could be! Plus, you can't help but love the way Jamie lists his ingredients--"three knobs of butter." We don't have cable tv so I'm really looking forward to catching up on the cooking show sometime. Have others seen it? Is it as fine as the book itself?

Great Blog: Wide Open Spaces

2009-02-05T22:31:00.008-06:00

So delightful--I'm completely enamored by Emily's blog, Wide Open Spaces. Poetry, design, gardening, lovely lists--everything is fresh and sweet. Definitely pop by and check her posts out for yourself--I'm so glad I did.

Sweet Find: Dosa

2009-02-05T18:39:00.009-06:00

Oh, Dosa--such fine organic designs. I absolutely love the use of subtle textures. Don't you just want to slip one of these on and just relax?

Goodbye to BFF Bridal

2009-02-05T09:01:00.007-06:00

Along with Domino magazine, I was sad to hear this week that BFF Bridal is closing its doors. If you weren't a subscriber, you can still catch up on their weekly e-columns online...well, at least for a couple more weeks! (It was from BFF that I learned one of my favorite wedding beauty secrets: these vitamins do wonders for the skin, true story! Gwyneth Paltrow agrees.)

A Vision for the Event: Thank-You Party

2009-02-04T09:37:00.041-06:00

I just love the idea of nontraditional ideas for parties--how about a dressed up thank-you dessert for a friend? I based this image board off the lovely Anna Melcon notecard at left--her sense of color is divine. Emerald green, light mint, bright yellow, black. Sometimes I just love the look of an event that's fancy eclectic and a little country...! Plus, this little party could be pulled off on a serious budget--what's not to love?

Images: Anna Melcon Bond (of the soon to be opened Rifle Design Shop--March!), lemon ginger cake with pistachios from epicurious, Paulette Macarons, Anthropologie, Martha Stewart.

A Vision for the Event: Love Light Shining

2009-02-02T20:00:00.003-06:00

We've had a couple surprisingly warm days here in Nebraska and this morning I woke up feeling what the coming of spring light is like--one of my favorite, favorite things. So soft, full of hope, just delicate. If I ever got the chance to marry S again, I think I might have to go with an early spring yellow and pink blush ceremony...!

Image Sources: Lulu Paper via Snippet & Ink, James Carrier via Santa Barbara Wedding Chic, Stardust Pastry, JCrew, Martha Stewart, Nordljus, Eva Lindh, Christine Rudolph.

Home Is Where the Art Is: Tony Fitzpatrick

2009-02-01T09:36:00.010-06:00

Looking at the latest copy of Poetry, I found myself completely enamored with the cover art by New Orleans artist Tony Fitzpatrick. The events of Hurricane Katrina are something I care deeply about--watching the documentaries, reading various writers experiences, taking in the photographs. I don't have any direct ties to the community--no family or friends, never traveled there--but, years after the levees broke, I still feel this great empathy for the people of the region. In an interview with the Times-Picayune Fitzpatrick was quoted as saying: “We love in poetry but, unfortunately, we live in prose. Sometimes the two are not congruent. What we remember of love is usually a fiction. What we aspire to is haiku: short, sweet, perfect.” Aren't these collages doing just what poetry should? The music of the words, the energy of the images, the vital remembrance.

{Click images to enlarge and see all the wonderful detail.}

Last Day of the Rose & Radish Sale!

2009-01-31T09:58:00.009-06:00

One of the most charming shops online and, I imagine, in person (I'd love to visit!), Rose and Radish is having a January sale--but it ends today! Thinking ahead for Valentine's, there are just so many fine pieces to choose from. Enter code THANKS09 on the shopping cart page.

101 Things: The Big To-Do List Part 10

2009-01-28T10:10:00.037-06:00

53. Get to work on adding photographs to our wedding album and make plans for a family heirloom book (aren't these Good Stock books so delightful?).

54. Grow my first rose bush. I simply love the descriptions--this one from David Austin's catalog: "The flowers are initially tea-scented but often develop a wonderful combination of sauterne wine and strawberry." Some day I would love to have the skills to grow a pergola tumbling with roses....

55. Write more letters--more inspired, thoughtful, sentimental letters. (One of my very favorite letter writers is Elizabeth Bishop (if you've never read her poem "One Art," you must). There's something profoundly passionate and inconclusive about her loving correspondence with Robert Lowell.)

Update: Starting a letter-writing project for our baby-to-be...more on this soon!

56. Hear a new poet read every year.

Elizabeth Alexander's beautiful poem at the Inauguration had me wishing to catch her in person in the most near-as-possible future...! She wrote, "What if the mightiest word is love?/Love beyond marital, filial, national,/love that casts a widening pool of light,/love with no need to pre-empt grievance./In today's sharp sparkle, this winter air,/any thing can be made, any sentence begun./On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp,/
praise song for walking forward in that light." Love indeed.

To find out about poetry near you, National Poetry Month and more, visit the Academy of American Poets.

57. Learn more about dance history (this book reviewed in the NYTimes last week looks wonderful) and read some biographies of Martha Graham, Anna Pavlova and Rudolf Nureyev. Is there anything more romantic, truly?

To be continued...!

Home Is Where the Art Is: Rose Cabat

2009-01-27T18:57:00.014-06:00

Reading through the NYTimes art section today, I feel in love with this image (top) of Rose Cabat's pottery. After her children were raised, Cabat returned to making the art she loved as a child. Often working in isolation, critics have said her work is truly original, influenced by no other potter or trend. Cabat created a line of pots she called 'Feelies', vessels with narrow spouts and glazes that feel feathery to the touch. Some are as small as 2 inches (to fit in your hand!) and others of much grander sizes. Get this: Cabat is still living in Tucson, she's almost 100 years old and she continues to make work! I can't get enough of the jewel tones, the rich earthy tones--I need to see them in person. I'm truly becoming ceramic obsessed...!

(Images found here, here and here.)

Sweet Find: Bold & Noble

2009-01-26T16:53:00.008-06:00

Simply elegant--I love these intricate, folksy designs from Bold & Noble. I'm all about giving art--wouldn't these be great for weddings and baby showers?

Pretty Primer: Design a Play Tent

2009-01-25T18:46:00.009-06:00

How darling are these play tents? I'm wondering how hard or easy (hopefully!) it might be to make one of these--future gift for my niece and nephew, maybe. Four long dowels, some wide pieces of fabric, some ribbon, a little sewing--what's your sense, is it possible? I can just see a little one playing pretend or snuggling up reading...so cozy! These kiddo hideaways from vessel and Anthropologie.

Home Is Where the Art Is: Kim Sayer

2009-01-21T20:20:00.013-06:00

I was reading the backlog of Desire to Inspire entries I'd been meaning to get to (such a super blog!) and, in the process, fell head over heels in love with the work of Kim Sayer, especially the fresh and witty photographs of her Dinky Toy collection. The first of their kind, these snappy little die-cast cars were first released in England in 1934 and meant to accompany model train sets already in production. Maybe you remember my beloved vintage pickup from our wedding? I just couldn't resist expanding the collection and found some lovely companions on eBay. Can't wait til they arrive! What collectibles have been on your mind lately? Any fun new finds?

First Lady Style: Designer Isabel Toledo

2009-01-20T08:56:00.014-06:00

Michelle Obama looked so elegant this morning in yellow brocade from Cuban-American designer Isabel Toledo. I just adore the lines she creates for each garment--such a rich array of shapes. Of her work, the curator of the Kent State Museum writes, "Effortless at first glance, her garments are actually painstakingly engineered to be fluid and comfortable and to feel familiar. Even the elaborate spinning helixes, suspended shapes and geometrical constructions are anchored with both pragmatism and poetry." Truly.

(Images from here, here and here.)

Into the Kitchen: Valentine's Sweet Treats

2009-01-19T09:29:00.018-06:00

When it comes to Valentine's Day, I just love breakfast--something slightly sweet (m'm french toast!) with a nice rich cup of coffee. Of course, I admit, I won't turn down dessert at any time of the day...! What are your favorite love-inspired culinary treats?

Recipes: vanilla-maple french toast with warm berries, amaretto and cranberry kiss cocktail, Lulu's Bake Shoppe linzer cookies, Amy Butler's red velvet cupcakes via d*s, cranberry coffeecake, caramel pecan cakes.

Great Read: New Southern Weddings Magazine!

2009-01-16T19:26:00.003-06:00

What a wonderful weddings development: the new Southern Weddings Magazine! Some of my very favorite designers and bloggers are featured--congrats, ladies! I can't wait until my copy arrives. Order yours here.

Making My Day: Kids Letters to Obama

2009-01-16T12:31:00.007-06:00

This article from the NYTimes is absolutely endearing. A couple of my favorites:

Dear President Obama,

Here is a list of the first 10 things you should do as president:

1. Fly to the White House in a helicopter.
2. Walk in.
3. Wipe feet.
4. Walk to the Oval Office.
5. Sit down in a chair.
6. Put hand-sanitizer on hands.
7. Enjoy moment.
8. Get up.
9. Get in car.
10. Go to the dog pound.

— Chandler Browne, age 12, Chicago

Dear President Obama,

I am small, quiet, smart. I love to swim and play basketball. My mom and dad are from the Dominican Republic. I am going to the Dominican Republic next year. I think you should try to change the world by building shelters for the people who live in the streets. It’s the beginning of January, and it’s cold. Good luck being the president.

— Pamela Mejia, age 11, Boston

Into the Kitchen: Quick Weeknight Dinner

2009-01-15T19:26:00.014-06:00

With a busy, busy schedule, I haven't made a proper dinner in what feels like ages. Today I was so happy to get back into the kitchen and I whipped up our meal in under an hour--I couldn't believe it! Potato-corn chowder from Martha and yummy popovers from epicurious.

For the soup, I left out the green beans for S and added some heavy cream to thicken the broth--in the end, delectable, creamy goodness!

I finally got to use the popover pan my mother-in-law gave me last year and it worked like a dream. If you're nervous about making the pastries work, I highly recommend following the recipe closely: get your pan nice and hot first and when you mix the batter, definitely warm the milk--it does the trick for every time! The gruyere isn't necessary but, boy, it is a nice subtle treat. Crunchy, light, soft--they're just the best.

(Images from here and here.)

Designing Wedding Heirlooms: Card Birdcages

2009-01-15T19:06:00.010-06:00

Lovely new birdcages at Anthropologie--one on sale too! We had a painted bamboo cage at our shindig and we're still using it as decoration in our living room. I've heard they look awfully nice with potted violets inside, too.

I Have a Dream

2009-01-15T17:02:00.007-06:00

"At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love." Monday is Martin Luther King Day--this new year is flying already! I'm excited to enjoy the long weekend and give back on the National Day of Service. S and I are going to spend some time at our local women's center assembling HIV education kits. More information about opportunities near you on the Obama's USA Service site and the MLK Day site. Volunteering really feels like a great way to get geared up for the inauguration festivities!

Home Is Where the Art Is: Michael S. Smith

2009-01-15T12:26:00.007-06:00

How amazing are these rooms by Michael S. Smith? I'm so eager to see what he'll do as the new White House interior decorator. The fresh, airy expressions with antiques--what a brilliant choice.

Valentine's Day Dreaming

2009-01-14T09:30:00.008-06:00

I'm already starry-eyed for my favorite holiday a whole month in advance. There's just so much to love about Valentine's, don't you think?

Personalized 'postcups' from Bailey Doesn't Bark--one of my faves.
Gorgeous satiny gala clutch from JCrew.
Chain, chain, chain--bracelet from bario-neal (how brilliant is their gift packaging?).
Merino moustache gloves from Jack Spade for your favorite handsome, hilarious gent.
Puppy-love from Fauna via DesignPublic.
Je t'aime--why not wake up to these instead of giving chocolate this year?

Sweet Find: Three Eyeballs

2009-01-14T09:13:00.006-06:00

One of my studio pals from college, Emily Wick, was featured on National Geographic this past week--so exciting! She's created a wonderful US map with each of the state mottoes--isn't that just brilliant? I'm thinking "Equality Before the Law" would look pretty sharp by my desk...!

Designing Wedding Heirlooms: Milla Love

2009-01-12T08:00:00.004-06:00

I can just see a perfectly tiny, cozy wedding or baby shower with these delectable flower garlands and cupcake toppers from Milla Love. Dreamy, just dreamy.

Sweet Find: Summersville

2009-01-11T20:27:00.011-06:00

I've got such a crush on Summersville textiles (oh, the notebooks, buttons, magnets!) and now I'm just trying to decide what kind of project I might use a few yards for...suggestions welcome!

Home Is Where the Art Is: Eliza Jane Curtis

2009-01-07T11:08:00.013-06:00

I'm just in love with the colors of Eliza Jane Curtis' house in Buenos Aires. Is there such a thing as muted jewel tones? Everything feels so rich and faded in the perfect ways. Plus, the view from the kitchen and the delightful courtyard eatery--such great architecture. You can check out Eliza's sweet stationery, Morris + Essex, here. I've tucked a card in a wedding vision here as well. To sum things up in a word:

(Via d*s.)

Happy Birthday, BFF!

2009-01-06T11:20:00.016-06:00

Today is one of my favorite days of the year: my best, best, best friend Lola's birthday! Nothing makes me happier than getting to celebrate who she is: brilliant artist, photographer, traveler, politico and unbelievably loving and supportive friend...who just happens to have been born three days before me! (Practically sisters! You know, me being the younger and cuter one, right, Lo?) We met the very first day of college and have been bosom buddies ever since (she just loves Anne of Green Gables--don't we all?). So, what's extra special about this year? We're both turning the big 3-0! Happy day, Lo--here's to a decade of inspiration, confidence, laughter and happiness beyond compare! Can't wait to enjoy it with you!

(M'm, cupcake image found here. Photo of my bff from our wedding--isn't she gorgeous?--taken by the wonderful Allison Garrett.)

Backyard Field Guide: A Glimpse of Spring

2009-01-05T11:24:00.011-06:00

At this time of year, along with the resolutions come the wheelbarrow's full of garden catalogs--one of my most favorite things of all. Our mailbox has been overflowing with them (to do: a good trip to the recycling center!) which means S and I have started plotting and planning our beds for the upcoming year. Heirloom red zebra tomatoes, snowpeas, hot chile peppers, chioggia beets, dill, basil, lilies, dahlias, cosmos, morning glories, and, of course, tons and tons of zinnias...I can't wait. Does anyone else already have spring fever? What are your plans once the cold breaks?

(Images from here and here.)

A Vision for the Event: New Year's Baby Blue

2009-01-04T18:05:00.026-06:00

Kathyrn posted a charming, charming photograph today on Snippet & Ink and I couldn't resist building a board around a Three Photographers shot (aren't those flowers the most delicate shade?)--beautiful work!

Image Source: aquamarine necklace by Anne Sportun, iCi Restaurant in Brooklyn, JCrew, Three Photographers, The Lettered Olive, embroidered welcome bags from Cox & Cox, Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart.

Happiest of New Years!!

2008-12-31T18:15:00.007-06:00

Cheers! I hope you've had a wonderful holiday season and you're celebrating this new year in style, friends! It has just been too long--what a whirlwind of a few weeks it's been for me and, of course, my resolution is more posts and soon. Needless to say, I have so much to share. Can't wait to catch up!

(Image found here.)

Into the Kitchen: Best of Gourmet Cookies

2008-12-15T10:11:00.008-06:00

Just in time for the holidays, Gourmet has laid out this wonderful selection of cookies--vanilla crescents, kourambiedes, linzer bars, rugelach...ooo, the choices! We're getting on the road today for the holiday family & friends rounds--Kansas, Indiana, Massachusetts. I can't wait to land at S's parents and set to baking. Have I mentioned my mother-in-law is the most amazing confectioner? She makes caramels from scratch. I just love those old-timey candies and processes (putting the marble slab in the snow!)--they make me dreamy for all the special family traditions. What recipes do you celebrate year after year?

Blogger Book Love on The City Sage

2008-12-12T09:53:00.008-06:00

Speaking of my bibliophilic tendencies...! You've heard me say it before...I love love love The City Sage! In a word, Anne's taste is impeccable. The rooms, the fashion, the recipes (the brioche--I tried it and yum!)--it's my first read for loveliness. You can imagine my delight as a guest in the favorite books series...! Thanks again, Anne--a complete pleasure!

A Vision for the Event: Sunshine in December

2008-12-10T20:40:00.004-06:00

We had our first snowfall this week and today our house has been full of all this warm bright light. Looking out, I was thinking, wouldn't a bright and lively little Italian wedding party be great? Limoncello, struffoli, pizelle, tiramisu, espresso...casual and decadent, doesn't it sound perfect?

Image sources: Brides, Gourmet, Brides, JCrew, epicurious, Martha Stewart, Morris + Essex valentine, Martha Stewart, Jenny Yoo.

T-t-tagged!

2008-12-10T17:10:00.006-06:00

The lovely Courtney of Under a Paper Moon has tagged me! Five things you might be surprised to know about little 'ol me:

1) I'm a huge reader. Huge. Okay, maybe you knew this already by way of certain posts (here, here, here).... From poems to art history to garden stories to memoirs to children's lit to novels to philosophy to...you name it, I'll read it up. I'm so excited for the winter break and snuggling up with some new reads--nonfiction, photography, craft, design, poetry, biography, baking.

2) Once upon a time, I was a competitive figure skater. Still, to this day, I don't think anything compares to flying on ice. What I miss most? Doing figures. Now obsolete, skaters used to work through rigorous tests tracing super-precise circles into the ice. I wish skaters today still had the opportunity to do this remarkable meditative practice.

3) I'm known--and consistently teased!--for my extended food cravings. One month I have a weakness for sushi, the next oatmeal, mangoes one month, chocolate cake the next. To say I looooooovvvvvve food might be an understatement.

4) I've lived on both coasts, the no-coast of the Heartland and in the Southwest. I grew up in New England, went to California for college, worked in New Mexico, and later, settled into the Midwest for grad school.

5) One of my very favorite things to do is volunteer at our local museum. It's so fulfilling--not only spending time around great artworks but to feel like you're inviting others to connect. Listening to children tell the stories of different paintings by Warhol and Thiebaud and O'Keeffe...I just adore it.

6) I usually like to have a little secret I keep to myself. Whether it's a little indulgence or a dream or a memory...I always like to keep a little special something in mind to inspire me.

How about each of you? What's your story these days? Any new realizations you've made about you?

Boo, Sick in Bed

2008-12-08T11:44:00.004-06:00

So sorry for being such an absent blogger lately, dear readers! I'm sick (again!) with a terrible cold. Be back as soon as I can!

(Images from here and here.)

Great Blog: embloggery

2008-12-05T19:25:00.001-06:00

Nicole's embroidered posts, so wonderful! Reading 12/3/08, I feel like we must be living parallel lives--that was my day in sum as well! She writes, "Basically I think blogs are hilarious and tedious projects are fun." Maybe we're kindred spirits too? Happy Friday, folks!

History of Heath

2008-12-05T19:13:00.011-06:00

Beautiful shots by Laurie Frankel from an American Craft article on "one of the most celebrated, slighted and generally misunderstood workshops to emerge from California’s studio pottery movement," Heath Ceramics.

Nuts! Where are they?

2008-12-03T19:12:00.009-06:00

Maybe this is a bit of a tangent from my usual topics but I was so surprised I had to share: The Washington Post had this article the other day and I couldn't help but wonder if here in Nebraska we were missing our acorns too. Imagine: acorns, altogether missing! Well, we walked our daily mile with the dog and we looked and counted and scanned every block. How many did we find? One little acorn--just one! Granted, we have some pretty fluffy, chunky squirrels running around but...it's all a little unsettling. Are the acorns missing in your neighborhood, too? Hmmmm!

(Napkin ties from here.)

Sweet Find: Donna Wilson

2008-12-02T18:49:00.012-06:00

How fab and funny are Donna Wilson's monsters? Such imagination! Their little expressions (those eyes, mouths!) crack me up...!

Find It on Film: Happy-Go-Lucky

2008-11-30T11:03:00.006-06:00

S and I are off to the movies on this slightly snowy day to see Happy-Go-Lucky--which looks like just what I need to cheer me up! A teacher learning to drive--girl, we have so much in common! Have you all seen it yet? What's your review?

Pretty Papillons

2008-11-29T17:27:00.006-06:00

Browsing on Oeuf's site, I came across these lovelies: hand-crocheted butterflies, so fine!

Little Rock Star

2008-11-28T15:41:00.006-06:00

Right this second, I'm rocking out to the new Lucinda Williams album--tell me, could life be any sweeter? Granted, I'm working away to whittle down a stack of student papers a foot-and-a-half deep but I've got tunes, a little dog at my feet and a cup of hot tea...happy Friday!

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

2008-11-27T18:41:00.008-06:00

Hope you're having a lovely, lovely holiday! Sorry to have been so quiet this week--we had a super-fabulous birthday party to attend in Kansas City (yay!), some home fix-up duty, then we were on the road--big times! But now we're home and I have plenty of posts I can't wait to share with you. Before all that, tell me: how was the big T'giving feast where you are? M'mmm!

Three things I'm thankful for:
1) The health & happiness of all those we love (my wish for you too!),
2) The chance to enjoy another season of giving (looking forward to sharing here!),
3) The days counting down to time with our families (is there anything better?)...!

Amy Butler, Absolutely Beautiful

2008-11-24T09:48:00.012-06:00

Amy Butler is always up to something new and wonderful it seems! My favorites are the bright blues and reds. Can't wait for the Kyoto quilt to come out, not to mention the rest of the organic collection! Wouldn't this shade of Prussian blue be such a fresh color for the bedroom?

Sweet Find: Kiki & Polly

2008-11-21T21:16:00.006-06:00

I adore these line drawings from Kiki and Polly--so playful!--and get this: you can order custom portraits. What a delightful gift one of these would be this holiday season!

A Pause for Poetry

2008-11-18T21:22:00.008-06:00

There are some times when nothing satisfies more than a love poem. Here are two sides of the coin, the being together and apart, both by Matthew Rohrer, a wonderful young poet living in Brooklyn:

Credo

I believe there is something else

entirely going on but no single
person can ever know it,
so we fall in love.

It could also be true that what we use
everyday to open cans was something
much nobler, that we'll never recognize.

I believe the woman sleeping beside me
doesn't care about what's going on
outside, and her body is warm
with trust
which is a great beginning.

Poem

You called, you're on the train, on Sunday,
I have just taken a shower and await
you. Clouds are slipping in off the ocean,
but the room is gently lit by the green
shirt you gave me. I have been practicing
a new way to say hello and it is fantastic.
You were so sad: goodbye. I was so sad.
All the shops were closed but the sky
was high and blue. I tried to walk it off
but I must have walked in the wrong direction.

I can't help but think the short poem form here is a little bit like a lucid, lyrical polaroid (maybe with a little stitching...!). For more, read on on poets.org.

Boy oh boy, busy!

2008-11-18T19:02:00.005-06:00

Wow, it has been such a busy day! I've been rushing from teaching to writing to letter-writing to planning to conferencing--whew! I hope you'll forgive me for being slow on posts. It's simply been one of those weeks. Amid all this running around, walking home from my neighbor's I looked up and saw our resident red-tail hawks floating overhead. Beautiful full wingspans. Life never ceases to amaze. I'm going to follow their pattern and keep flying through the week. More tomorrow!

Oh! And you should totally check out Anne's very cool book features over the The City Sage--great reads!

(Image from the lovely Alicia Bock.)

Designing Wedding Heirlooms: Vintage Purses

2008-11-16T20:33:00.013-06:00

We all know about my love of Chlorine Los Angeles--could someone, please, live it up with one of these at your wedding? I don't think it gets too much more glamorous....

A Vision for the Event: Gilded Grey & Blue

2008-11-14T19:33:00.009-06:00

Why not save on flowers and go with feathers and fine china? Light blue, grey, gold, I think this spectrum could look lovely no matter the season--simply replace the pumpkins below with leaves.

Image sources: Vera Wang gown from Brides, Martha Stewart, Todd Reed diamond ring from Twist, feather bouquet from Emplume, Karen Mordechai, Jose Villa, Jose Villa, The Lettered Olive.

Sweet Find: Emily Sutton

2008-11-13T14:34:00.009-06:00

Alyson posted about Emily Sutton's birds the other day--aren't they just the most engaging little things? I'm loving the illustrations too--such fine lettering and color.

Good Giving Back

2008-11-11T20:37:00.012-06:00

Who doesn't need a new totebag? Macy's Shop for a Better World has some colorful, change-making new pieces--not to mention these black and white baskets, so covet-worthy! When better to give back than the holidays, am I right? I can think of a whole list of nonprofits I would love to support this season (see also here, here, here). What are some of your favorite shops and organizations working to make a happier, healthier, safer world?

Sweet Find: House on the Hill

2008-11-10T21:07:00.010-06:00

On the cover of the new Martha Stewart--the holiday cookie edition!--is this classic molded cookie and it was love at first sight! House on the Hill offers a wondrous range of cookie making accessories and supplies. I'm thinking ahead to my neighborhood cookie swap...!

Into the Kitchen: Quicker Coq au Vin

2008-11-10T13:35:00.005-06:00

Boy, this cold weather has me feeling homey--in a sort of French way! Outside, we've had this really chilly rain, almost freezing, and I figured I ought to use some of the last of the fresh thyme from our garden in tonight's dinner (what a sight I must have been this morning out there in my slippers hurriedly clipping all the herbs I could find!). I'm putting my own twist on this coq au vin recipe and, as they described, cutting out the fanfare of Julia Child's version (flaming cognac--oolala!). I'll let you know how it goes (I mean, it has to be good since the recipe calls for those cute pearl onions, right?). What are your favorite fall recipes these days?