Here & There

I'm completely captivated by Katie Shapiro's photographs. I saw her entry in the 2009 Hey, Hot Shot! project and now I can't get these images off my mind. They are beautifully composed, thought provoking and full of life. It's hard to not stare at that funky looking tree...love it. Check out more on her website and great blog Only Diptychs.

Oh, and I got a new car...YAY! I decided on a silver Honda Civic Coupe. I'm very happy with the decision and I think the Civic suits me well. Thanks for all your input and have a great weekend! I'm heading to Ikea on Saturday to enjoy a little shopping inspiration and Swedish meatballs. I'll bring ya back some Lingonberry jam...

Omniarte Design by Erinn Valencich

Doesn't that pool look great right about now? A relaxing poolside view is only a fraction of the goodness found in the portfolio by Omniarte Design by Erinn Valencich. The design firm specializes in modern and chic environments with a bold signature style focused on color and pattern. I love the mix of motifs and the hints of gold in small accessories like bottles, lamps and mirrors.

On a complete personal side note...my car is slowly dying and I'm on the search for a new one. I do not...repeat do not...like car shopping. It's stressful and involves lots of debating and money. All things I'm not good at. But, I think I've narrowed my search to either a Honda Fit or Honda Civic. I love hatchbacks which is why I'm leaning towards the Fit, but I keep hearing how "ugly" it is. Again, stressful and sad.

Got any car recommendations? What car are you driving and loving?

Early Fall Fossil

Fossil is known for their high quality watches and handbags...but did you know about their other fun clothes and accessories? I recently browsed through the Fossil Early Fall 2009 catalog and I like the mix of earthy tones and pops of color. They are also pushing the "Vintage Revival" look complete with Fossil Vintage Finds and a Vintage Photo Contest. Oh, and I really...really...like these shoes. I can't believe Fall is just around the corner.

Unique Wedding Cake

My friend, Nick, recently went to London for a friend's wedding and lucky for us...photographed the couple's lovely wedding cake. Nick said, "The wedding cake was moist and white, lightly flavored with lavender and orange, and topped with a creamed honey glaze. The honey-bee things were made of white chocolate using bubble wrap for the form." Doesn't it sound unique and yummy?

Besides being widely jealous of Nick's travels (did I mention he is now in Poland?!) I'm also glad to live vicariously through his travel photographs. Check out his Adventure Blog and photos. Safe travels!

HGTV Green Home

A recent project at work needed a little research into the HGTV Florida Green Home 2009. Being an avid interior seeker I happily accepted the task. Initially I didn't love some of the styling elements in the green home, but after reading about it I'm impressed by what they've done.

Here's a list of things that stood out to me:

1. The use of bold, modern patterns and colors. And hello, alligator room?!
2. A rooftop deck complete with a great view, spiral staircase, lounge furniture, herb garden and whiskey-turned-rain barrel. Par-tay!
3. A screened-in porch also with comfy furniture and another key party/relax zone.
4. Access to a hall bath from a private patio entrance, which eliminates unnecessary trips indoors. Ok guys...no more excuses for peeing in the potted plants.
5. A small solar collector to power the irrigation system that waters the lush, vertical garden.
6. A bocce court...sure, why not?

Kudos to Linda Woodrum, the interior designer who managed to create this livable and fun green home.

Happy Weekend

Hello weekend! Just a quick post to say hello and linger in beach fantasies. Doesn't the beach sound good right about now? I love this photograph by Wes Frazer...looks like a hazy and wonderful moment. Perfect for beach dreamin'.

What are your weekend plans?!

{image via Hey, Hot Shot by Wes Frazer}

Duets

Take time to sense the world around you. I get this impression when looking at the delicate and nature-inspired pieces by Leslie Walker Noell. These works are created using a variety of materials including archival ink-jet, wax, graphite, gouache on paper, oils, thread and pins. I love the mixture of textures and translucent layers. Also, each work is named Duet with a number like Duet 1, Duet 4. A clever and perfect way to title these lovely paired pieces.

On a side note...I'm feeling better and thank you for all the kind comments. TV and soup can only last so long...back to the swing of things!

Recovering

Sometimes sick days are a blessing. Even though you feel like crap, the endless daytime TV and hot bowl of soup are a plus. Compare TV/soup/warm bed to a stressful day of work and a sick day seems like recovery paradise. Plus, it feels like your body's way of saying it's time for a mini-mandatory break. My flu-like symptoms are not fun, but I'm hiding back under the covers and taking a sick day. Here's to cold meds and feeling better...

{image via Triangle Triangle by Maarit Hohteri}

TenThings

I love the styling and overall feel of TenThings, an Etsy shop full of bohemian chic jewelry and feather hair accessories. My favorite piece is the brass four-leaf clover that reads good luck in many languages. The clover piece is a neat way to revitalize the use of a good luck charm. Wouldn't it be a nice reminder in your office, car or studio?

Check out more lovely jewelry and accessory pieces at TenThings. I hope you enjoyed the weekend and here's to a lucky week ahead!

Colorful Victorian

Happy Friday! Let's start the weekend off with a colorful Victorian home featured on Livingetc. The fabulous home belongs to textile designer Chrissie Probert Jones. The modern-retro space has an open-plan basement, a kitchen-diner, conservatory, sitting room and office, five bedrooms and four bathrooms. Wow...all that space and a conservatory! Just the word conservatory sounds fancy. You could tell your guests, "Oh yes, welcome to my con-ser-va-tory" (said with a British accent of course).

I can't get enough of the bright textiles, vintage styling and welcoming staircase. This one is definitely going in the inspiration folder under "future home."

Joanna Louca

After many battles with hand weaving I can appreciate the hard work and effort that goes into a Joanna Louca bag. Each bag is created entirely by hand on domestic handlooms with high quality yarns. Hand-woven fabrics, leather and hand dyeing artisan techniques come together to create a defined accessory. I love when traditional textile methods can be used in a modern and stylish piece. Check out the Fall collection here.

Let's Make the Best of It

I love when an image or photography articulates exactly how you feel...even if you didn't realize you felt that way. I encountered this feeling while looking through Tere Arigo's amazing Thresca Flickr and Tumblr page. Tere's distressed Polaroids and genuine quotes create a heartfelt and everlasting impression. Her photographs make it easy to be happy, thankful and love life to the fullest. Truly inspiring and talented - I look forward to seeing more from Thresca!