Friday find: vintage camera pencil sharpener

[does it get any cooler than this? via Graham & Green]

Writers' houses illustrated

[all found via here]

A beekeeper in waiting

I am hopelessly infatuated with the idea of keeping bees.  I picture their little bodies buzzing about the garden, pausing at each squash blossom and tomato plant before returning to the hive to turn the pollen into sweet, sticky honey.  I daydream about cranking the centrifuge, watching as the golden liquid flows out into mason jars, which I will then give as gifts to all my friends.  It's just a dream now, of course, for apartment living doesn't exactly support this agricultural dream.  It's only a matter of time though.

I have always been fascinated with the industriousness of bees.  In the fourth grade, there was a school-wide competition where students were invited to submit their nominations (with accompanying illustration) for what our mascot should be.  I nominated the bee of course, and with it included my drawing of an anatomically correct Apis mellifera, copied out of my parents' encyclopedia.  The students took a vote, and the bee was indeed voted in as our mascot.  Except it wasn't my bee that won, but a fellow classmate's cartoon version. 

As spring sits on the horizon, I am wrestling with the idea of getting hives for my tiny backyard garden.  The start up costs are high and the reward sweet, but I worry about how my landlord (not to mention neighbors) would feel about these new tenants.  In the meantime, a girl can dream.

[via dreams for weary sailors]

[urban beekeeping via The Selby]

Graphic wallpaper makes a statement in a small space

Dreaming up wallpaper options for some friends who will soon be decorating their new space -- one of the things we talked about was the idea of doing a big, graphic wallpaper in the entry way and/or in the bathroom.  Here are some striking images that caught my eye with them in mind.

[found via here]

[via Niche Interiors]

[Patrick Cline in Lonny Magazine -- wallpaper is from Cole and Son]

[Chloe Sevigny's hallway -- wallpaper is Imperial Trellis by Kelly Wearstler]

[from Jennifer June's now defunct Hermitage wallpaper company]

[Domino Magazine -- December 2008]

[Feather Wallpaper by Ferm Living]

Make your own maple syrup

[click on image to see full size]

Graphic by Shawn Braley, found via flavoreddelights.com

Sugar shacks and the art of maple syrup

The New England springtime ritual of maple syruping is just around the corner.  Here's to the sweet life!

[via RealNeo]

 [via trekearth.com]

[via Hilltown Families]

[via Country Living]

[via squidoo.com]

[via Formaggio Kitchen's blog]

[yum!]

The romance of rail travel

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."

Helen Keller

I have always been inspired by the romantic notion of traveling by train -- the world whipping past as you lounge in an elegant dining car with fine china and all the comforts of a luxury hotel.  Or doze in a sleeping compartment with bunk beds.  Perhaps that's why I loved "The Darjeeling Limited" so much.  In the spirit of adventure and travel, here are some photos that epitomize this dream ideal of mine.

[Originally from El Pais, seen here on tumblr]

[via Mulberry Home]

[The Orient Express, found via here]

Check out the new blog header!

That new blog header you see above was designed by the lovely and talented Annemarie Buckley of Scout's Honor Co., who just recently launched an online shop for her one-of-a-kind line of notecards and other clever paper projects.

Check it out:

Thank you Annemarie!!

Menagerie of home design photos

Happy Friday!  Here are some pretty pictures to ease you into the weekend.  They've been living on my computer for months and are therefore lacking credits.  If you know where any of these were from or who the photographer is, please let me know so I can link back appropriately!

Street Style: Angela Su

Angela Su, student at Harvard University (photo taken January 2011)

Freckle face

I have spent many, many years trying to suppress my freckles.  I own multiple hats, numerous high-powered sunscreens, and the most adorable beach umbrella you've ever seen.  But despite my best efforts, I am still covered after even a limited amount of time in the sun.


Is it time to embrace the freckles?  I do believe it is.  I've decided to take inspiration from the lovely faces featured below.