Hey stripes!

{in love}

Random acts of style: message of hope

A stop sign captured by red bird vintage brings Journey's uplifting message to the everyday.

Have beautiful dreams

{currently waiting on a package from Calypso -- the above is a photo from their site}

Summer sale at 20x200

Considering I have three things at the framer's right now and another stack awaiting its own glassed-in fate, I may need to hold off on any more art purchases for a while.

But in the meantime...

Look what I scooped up over at Jen Bekman's 20x200, this amazing (and affordable) art and photography site whose mission it is to make everyone an art collector. As their site says, "there are a lot of people out there who want to sell their art and a lot of people who'd like to buy it. They just have a hard time finding each other. The internet is the perfect place to bring those people together, and we're exactly the right people to make it happen. We're passionate about art and the internet at 20x200. We're really excited about creating a place where almost any art lover can be an art collector."

{"Praia Piquinia 27/09/09 15h17" by Christian Chaize}

{"In the Ballpark" by Tatsuro Kiuchi}

I've also bought from them before:

{"Needle-Needle-Nee" by Coke Wisdom O'Neal}

PS. Use the word RIDONK at checkout to get 20% off - expires on June 27.

All that glitters

Remember back in May when I regretted not buying that eagle mirror? Well, feast your eyes on this little number, which I won on ebay for $10. I would've been hard pressed to get such a deal on the one I saw at Brimfield (dealer wanted $30 for it and it was scratched.) This one's in perfect condition and should arrive in a couple weeks. Safe travels my reflective friend!







I can't decide if I want to paint it or not... what do you think? Keep it gold or gloss it over in a bright, classic hue like cherry red, navy, or yellow?

I go the whole wide world

While watching "Sleepless in Seattle" last night for the first time in years, I was overcome by just how gorgeous the lead character's house is.




Sam -- played by Tom Hanks -- is an architect (naturally) who lives on a sort of houseboat meets barge on the water with his son Jonah in, you guessed it, Seattle.

{there's just something so wonderful about Tom Hanks}

There are gorgeous views of the water, wide wood planks, an open and airiness that highlights its aquatic surroundings, and, above all, a retro pull-down map of the US. While watching the movie with my roommate I let out a loud squeal as Hanks pulls open the map to illustrate to his son that Annie Reed (Meg Ryan) lives across the country in Baltimore.

In the spirit of this scene -- more amazing pull down maps (grade school geography quiz optional):

{image via Design*Sponge}

{image via Poppytalk}

{image via Modish}

{image via Mama Without Borders}

'A Passion for Blue & White'

What makes a classic, well, a classic? Is it simplicity? Solid design? Good editing? Or maybe a combination of all three? Carolyne Roehm's "A Passion for Blue & White" expertly displays the wonders of this crisp color combination. Browse through photos from her book, which covers everything from stationary, bathrooms, kitchens, and more. I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

Let's go camping!

When I go camping, it usually looks something like the photo above. Basic tents and minimal supplies with everyone crowded around a fire. But what if camping got a little glam? The term "glamping" has been circulating lately as a way to describe a style of camping that takes all the elegance of the home with it. Is it realistic? Of course not. But we can dream.

{Reminds me of an old-school Colonial era safari}

Happy first day of summer!

To the simple things in life: an ocean breeze, a sun-drenched deck, a lazy morning, and the first day of summer.

To dear ol' Dad

Happy Father's Day to my hero. I inherited your creative nature, your love for hockey and camping, and of course, your last name. Thanks Dad.

Fun with fonts

I love fonts. Love how they can convey a mood, set a tone, change the entire look of something. (One of the reasons why I adore Wes Anderson movies so much has a lot to do with his careful selection of typography.) Despite a lack any sort of formal training, I'm a design nerd through and through. Well, McSweeney's has an incredible piece up on their site right now by Mike Lacher called "I'm Comic Sans, Asshole." Part of their Short Imagined Monologues series, the story gives a wry, hilarious voice to a font that gets no respect.

Here's a particularly choice excerpt:

"People love me. Why? Because I'm fun. I'm the life of the party. I bring levity to any situation. Need to soften the blow of a harsh message about restroom etiquette? SLAM. There I am. Need to spice up the directions to your graduation party? WHAM. There again. Need to convey your fun-loving, approachable nature on your business' website? SMACK. Like daffodils in motherfucking spring."

(My preferred font -- yes the one you're reading right now -- is Georgia.)

A girl's best friend (and favorite food)

{itsgeorgeholmes on etsy}

This post goes out to my good friend and fellow blogger, Ms. Arestia Rosenberg, of Hiker in Heels fame. We both share a love for a certain crustacean, and I have an inkling this glam gal may just fancy this 14 carat gold, diamond-encrusted lobster claw pendant. (Yet at a cool $1,175, who can afford such a thing?) But be still our little lobster hearts if it isn't just the coolest thing I've seen all day.

Shopping on Martha's Vineyard

{Photos by Nicole Cammorata}

I had the good fortune to go to Martha's Vineyard last month, on assignment for the Boston Globe. I scoured the island for great shopping -- from the quirky, vintage finds at Mix, the bright and beautiful bags and clothing at Katydid, and the Abercrombie & Fitch meets J.Crew meets Ben Sherman store Jack Wills, which hopped the pond from the UK and is brand new to the States this year. I had so much fun sifting through the stacks at Bunch of Grapes bookstore, sampling fudge in Oak Bluffs, and singing karaoke at Seasons. Click here for the full story and enjoy some of my photos below.

{Jack Wills in Edgartown}

{Midnight Farm in Vineyard Haven}

{Quirky vintage pennants at Mix in Vineyard Haven}

{See you on the ferry!}

A lovely vignette

Couch at the MFA

A makeshift nightstand

{Peonies mean it's almost summer!}

The layout of my current bedroom affords limited space for both my bed and a permanent nightstand. Instead, I keep a vintage suitcase as a sort of end table next to my desk and move it into place beside my bed at night. In the morning it gets moved back so that I can get back into my closet. Sure, it's not ideal, but it does the job. Plus it looks so darn cute!

The wonder of it all

As seen in the latest issue of Lonny Magazine. I don't know if I'd ever have the guts to paint an entire bathroom black, but doesn't this just scream glamour?

Clingstone

{All photos by Erik Jacobs for The New York Times}

I know this feature story from the New York Times is a couple years old by now, but this Rhode Island house in the middle of the ocean is timeless. Enjoy.

And, to see more photos by the amazing Erik Jacobs, be sure to visit his website.