happy halloween!

Laser-etch doubleskull print from Mama Tried Studios.

pumpkins

Whoa! via notcot

blogroll: merry mishap

Okay, I officially have a blog crush on A Merry Mishap by ::{J}:: from Boise, Idaho. She keeps busy with handmade, DIY projects and has been blogging her favorite finds since March 2008. Since then, I don't think there's a single post that I haven't loved. Miss ::{J}::, you have excellent taste! Here are some of my favs from A Merry Mishap:

Images from Claire Wayman's portfolio

Graham & Brown enchanted forest wallpaper

Photo by Adrian Briscoe

Cabin + Cub Etsy shop

Camera from Domstikate

Spring designs by Marimekko

P.S. It was nearly impossible to choose, as I had about 100 favs.

random find

I was doing a Google image search at work this morning and came across these wonderful drawstring bags at British store, Random Retail. They also have pillows and bags with other vintage prints.

letterpress: election day

I am behind on my blogroll post for this week, which I will post later today. In the meantime, above is pic of my first shot at letterpress printing, from my weekly class at the Center for Book Arts in NYC. I thought I'd do something timely, so I borrowed an idea from from kwvh's etsy shop. Even though I'm not in a swing state, I'll be giving these out to friends in the next few days to remind them to exercise their right to vote. I encourage you to do the same!

marc jacobs: affordable!

via the moment

casa orlandi

Photos of this AMAZING 18th century palazzo, Casa Orlandi, in Prato, Italy were posted on the style files a few weeks ago. When I own a palazzo in Italy I will take a similar approach to decorating that Sabrina Bignami took here. Click here for more photos (definitely worth checking out).

happy birthday!

One year ago today, I started this blog with a picture of a cute handmade purse from Sassi Designs at Etsy. They are still making lovely purses, as you can see above, one of their current designs. Here is Particular Aesthetic's very first post:

sukie

Coming out next week from Chronicle Books is this title by British artists Darrell and Julia Gibbs. The book contains 30 iron-on transfers and instructions. Click here for more information and other titles by these artists. 

greenhouse

A few weeks ago I was at the Atlantic Antic in Brooklyn with my sister. It was totally packed with people, but somehow I managed to run into my friend from summer camp, Howie, who I hadn't seen in a zillion (okay maybe 18) years. His wife, Toni and her business partner had just opened Greenhouse, this incredibly nice store on Atlantic Ave in a neighborhood with lots of great small shops. Not only are the housewears and furniture super attractive and the color palette really beautiful, but all the products are also eco-friendly. I completely fell in love with the wide-weave linen fabric on the furniture. Greenhouse is definitely worth a trip out to Brooklyn, and if you're already in the neighborhood it's a must-see. Click here for Greenhouse's website and directions to the store.

nothing's shocking

I wish I had seen this John Varvatos photo shoot with Perry Farrell, just two blocks below my office on the Bowery. I walk by this intersection every day on my way to and from the train. You can actually see the building I work in; it's the brick one left of the second 'one way' sign. 

this is jazz

The jazz uniform circa 1960, from Blue Note: The Album Cover Art.

blogroll: hi + low

Former Senior Art Director at Kate Spade, Abby Clawson Low is currently a designer/art director, a faculty member in the Communications Arts department at FIT, and the author of hi + low. She has also worked for such interesting clients as Chronicle Books, West Elm, and Takashimaya NY, and lists her interests as "stamps, ebay, used books, found objects, music, lists, and a good burger."

Abby finds inspiration in found objects, many of them dating to the 1960's, such as the French cookbook above, La cuisine est un jeu d'enfants, or in a grouping of old record sleeves:

She also posts more modern work, such as the 2007 Royal College of Art catalog by Filip Tydén (below, left)... 

...and her own work, like the monthly newspaper she creates for Madewell (above, right) and the 2008 Kate Spade agenda she designed (below).

I find hi + low reminds me to look closer at objects that I wouldn't normally turn to for inspiration, and I eagerly await Abby's new posts each week!

many thanks

I bought these letterpress cards by Elum last weekend.

quilts

Because I'm in a fall mood: clockwise from top left Eileen Fisher pebble silk quilt (from $308) and Cortland quilt (from $138) from Garnet Hill; Solid seed stitch quilt from Urban Outfitters ($39 full/queen); chainlink quilt (from $59) and Velvet linen quilt (from $159) from Pottery Barn

tights

Wow! I am so behind on posts, but I promise I will make it up to you guys soon. Work and social obligations have certainly been heavy this week. Taking a cue from Uncle Beefy, I discovered these awesome photos of Keira Knightley. In NYC (at least) patterned tights are all the rage. I'm trying to decide if I have the legs and the wardrobe to pull them off. In the meantime I'll admire Keira's.

keys!

Keys from the Liberty, NC Antique Festival, via please sir.

Heirloom quilt ($129-$169) and slipper chair ($399) from West Elm

Keys small lampshade ($16) and 2x3 keys printed rug ($14) from Urban Outfitters

pop up alphabet

via notcot

locatelli

I recently received this book by slow food movement follower, Giorgio Locatelli from a friend. It has lovely photos, great anecdotes and explanations, and recipes that aren't daunting. I highly recommend.

guess what...

...I'm taking a day off from posting because it's my birthday. :) 

blogroll:

I read a lot of blogs and sometimes I am reluctant to add another to my feed because – less face it – there are only so many hours in the day and you can't procrastinate for all of them. Design for Less, however, is one new blog that I didn't hesitate to add to my list. Sisters Julka and Kristin Almquist, finding themselves both trying to live on a strict budget, set out last August to write a blog on good design at affordable (and sometimes free!) prices.

The Almquist sisters have an excellent eye for style, posting clothes, shoes, and accessories at reasonable prices. Clutch purse from Payless ($25) and Seychelles shoes ($85) from Zappos.

I also like their taste in low cost housewears, such as this TEKLA towel from IKEA (49 cents), and this tray from CB2 ($34.95).

Best of all, Julka and Kristin have some great ideas about how to repurpose what you've already got. With countless design blogs out there tempting you to empty your wallet, their "working with what you've got" series, including this post about the different ways you can wear a scarf or this post about exchanging paperbacks through the website Paperback Swap, is the most sound design advice I've read in a while.

DfL has some good tips on where to find great artwork. They also recently started a series of interview posts, like this one with novelist Colleen Miloni to glean others' ideas about stylish and affordable ideas for living. I highly recommend! (Tiger from Berkley Illustration and bird from 20x200)

delight

Just the thing to brighten up a dreary fall day: handmade 14k gold and enamel votive from delight.com.

funny bones

I kind of like these new rug tiles from FLOR. Very October-appropriate.

chocolate letterpress

Oooo, I heart letterpress. Letterpress chocolates from typolade.de. via designmilk