how to win a girl over.

[ thanks, gary. ]

in progress.

You may recall that I was having trouble deciding whether to knit myself a scarf or a blanket this winter.  In the end, I chose something in between.  I've been working on an oversized (18 inches wide!) double cowl--essentially a big, wearable blanket for the uppermost portion of my body.  I'm using a luxurious alpaca yarn from Purl (in mocha and black, if you were wondering).  It's so warm and soft and... is this weird?... I love the way it smells.  Clean and earthy.  Presumably like an alpaca who has been thoroughly bathed?  

If spring comes early this year (yes please!) I may not get to wear my cowl right away, but I'll certainly share a photo of it when I finish.  As with most things, I think this will look excellent with red lipstick.

calico.

No. 1:  once wed

No. 2:  fruit salad vintage

indoor gardening for the botanically impaired.

Shane Powers' new collection of vessels for west elm are designed to hold those varieties of low-maintenance plants which require only air and/or water to thrive.  I like the clean lines and versatility of the cut clay cylinders in the last picture.

[ photos via west elm ]

24 hour party people.

If you went to a Beach House show last year, or if you lingered in front of J.Crew's holiday windows, then you've seen the work of CONFETTISYSTEM.   Art/design duo Nicholas Andersen and Julie Ho have been bedazzling the fashion and music worlds with their party-inspired installations for several years, but recently it seems like I can't turn around without seeing one of their geometric piñatas or elaborate tassel garlands.  Not that I mind in the least... I definitely need more gold mylar in my life.  Party on.

[ I want this in my home! ]

[ photos by CONFETTISYSTEM ]

marry me.

Two of my favorite people are getting married!  And they took cute, Brooklyn-centric engagement photos!  Congratulations, Bethany and Jerod!

 [ Photography by Reams Photo ]

optimism.

My roommate Sarah wrote this on her chalkboard after our mathematician friend informed us that 2011 is a prime number.  Spread the word... It's gonna be a good year!

 [ Thanks, Phil! ] 

big sky. [No. 2]

West Village.

hide.

Painted leather cuffs by Lauren Manoogian.

sick.

I spent all of last week getting walloped by the flu.  But now I'm back.  

So there.

[ photo via diamond stash ]

a battle of knits.

I've got big plans to knit something useful for myself this winter.  I think a scarf or cowl or other neck-warmth-provider would be a good choice, but I am oh so tempted to make a me-sized version of these simple baby blankets from Purl Soho.  I love the bold stripes and the rectangularity ( my knitting ability does not, as of yet, extend beyond rectangles ).  And just look at all the color combinations!

This one's my favorite:

Of course, the scarf or similar neck-cessory would be the more economical choice in terms of yarn.  And should we take probability of project completion into account ( we don't, mostly ) the blanket wouldn't stand a chance.  But for now, this race is just too close to call.

 [ images from the purl bee ]

picture book. [one last weekend of fall]

[ Prospect Park. ]

post-feast.

Several weeks ago we hosted a dinner party at our apartment--a pre-Thanksgiving harvest sort of deal.  Perhaps you can tell from those gorgeous fall veggies up there, but my roommate Justine totally dominates in the food department.  Anyway, Justine handled all the comestibles and my humble task was to set the table.  (I agree, the balance of responsibility in our household is dreadfully disproportionate.)  We wanted something fun but not fussy so I ended up wrapping the table in kraft paper and using a food- or flavor-related quote to demarcate each place setting.  Super low-key.  I just whipped out a Sharpie and had at it.

Conveniently, the quotes double as conversation fodder.  Here are a few of them in the wake of the feast.

PS:  Do you recognize the quotes?  Bonus points if you know all three!

PPS:  This idea can easily be modified for different audiences.  Maybe you could make a game out of it for a child's birthday party?

sound it out.

hooked on phonics!  vintage charts from lacklusterco.

fresh.

The most beautiful eggs.

harvest.

 

The Catskills.

big sky.

[ Fall is here. ]I spent the weekend in the Catskills.  The trees are showing off.

handwriting.

Hand lettering ( Gocco print with stamping + letraset ) by Linzie Hunter.

ace.

A few more photos from Carl Kleiner.  These are from a series called Heal and Hurt.

raw material.

[ click images to enlarge ]

Excellent, excellent, excellent.  A conceptual cookbook for IKEA.

Photography by Carl Kleiner
Styling by Evelina Bratell 

[ via all the mountains ]