Heirloom Nursery: Jennifer Murphy Bears

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!

Travel Diary: The Hambledon Gallery

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.

Ahh, Paris in the...Winter?

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!)

Backyard Field Guide: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

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: Three Eyeballs

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...!

See you Thursday!

S and I are off to Kansas City for a couple days to visit with good friends. If you've never been, KC is such a wonderful town. I'm a big fan of the art museum--one of the finest here in the States and with an unbelievable new contemporary wing. On exhibition right now is Art in the Age of Steam and the curators have put out a request for journey stories. I know I've got a few that come to mind--how about you? We're not going by train this time but I sure would like to be! I'll settle for taking in the experience via these two fine paintings though--Kirchner and Kandinsky.

Sweet Find: Wm. J. Mills & Co.

I know I would be sailing with this sun-shiney Mills & Co. canvas flight bag. (Have I ever mentioned my love for yellow? Maybe the header gives me away....)

A Vision for the Event: Venice Vows

Today's vision is all about Old World glamour and bright modern white.  The Vera Wang jacket and pants, top row middle--out of this world. One of my favorite looks of all time is solid white from head-to-toe. Why not do something a little surprising and fresh on your wedding day by wearing a very feminine cut suit?  






Image Sources: Denise Grunstein, Vera Wang, chrysanthemum cake from Martha Stewart, Christian Oth Studio, Brides, carnival image found here, Karen Wise, the Satorialist, Anne Kiel, Caffe Florian found here, Restaurant La Rivista, Ceci New York. gondolas found here.

Home Is Where the Art Is: Shop Talk

Browsing around Living Etc., I've just come to realize--or maybe to articulate--that my design style is 'eclectic' and 'modern.' I've always been a nut for finding the new unique thing--whether found objects or curious books or handmade art or souvenirs. Eclectic indeed. Needless to say, I'm loving this room.

In the gallery they have the space labeled as a living room but what I think it genius is the second level--what a brilliant study/guestroom this could be! As a writer, what I would give for those bookshelves, the lovely lounge, the gorgeous butterfly stool and, especially, the secret hideaway. Maybe I'd add something whimsical (what could go on that bureau to the right? this? or this?), but the room is light and airy, it's grounded in history and culture, and...it just looks so dang comfortable. In the age of laptops, I mean, do you really need a desk anyway?

What would be your dream reading/writing/art-making room?

A Vision for the Event: Sentimental Journey

A Lovely Morning mentioned this silvery vintage purse awhile back--there's just something about it! What about a cool, delicate and maybe a little bit misty San Francisco city hall wedding? I love the idea of designing the event around map colors--the light pink, sea green, fresh yellow--and going for minimal elegance. Why not save your pennies and base the party on the bon voyage, a special honeymoon abroad? Maybe the guests could send you off with these flags in hand?






Image Sources: Paper+Cup in Martha Stewart, Charlotte Casadejus, Saipua, Sarah Perlis, epicurious, Living, Etc., Meli & Angi, Grace Galleries, Martha Stewart, San Francisco City Hall by Alisha Brook Photographers, Melissa Sweet.

Update: I just found Bombus on etsy--such fun stuff. I bet these paper hearts would make for great confetti and, with a little crafting, the envelopes could be added to a journal to make a card & envelope guestbook. A little less of a vintage feel than the board above but maybe there's a whole other wedding to be envisioned here!

Up, Up, Up and Away

I'm off for a little end of summer respite--be back next week! Have a great one!

(Image found here.)

Travel Diary: Museum of International Folk Art

One of my very favorite places to visit when I'm in Santa Fe is the Museum of International Folk Art. The place is filled with every kind of art & craft imaginable: chairs, ceramics, puppets, blankets, wood carvings, collage, you name it. This trip I wanted to be sure to stop in for the exhibition called "Needles and Pins: Textiles and Tools." The curatorial work was wonderful: Greek embroidery, Japanese fabric stencils, a cotton gin from the Philippines, a brilliant blue spinning wheel from Turkey, Swedish ribbon looms, a Buddhist priest robe with swirling dragons of the brightest colors, even Italian suspenders! The gallery was a joy to walk through with everything so tactile, everything made to be living art. (The museum website doesn't have any pictures to share from the particular exhibition otherwise I would have put them up.) Needless to say, if you find yourself in New Mexico and have a love for fine craft and design, this is the place to go. Next time we plan a trip to Santa Fe we're hoping to make it to the International Folk Art Market. The tents were going up as we were leaving and it looked like one great art party!