Brand Logos - A Kids Perspective

Designer Adam Ladd had his five-year-old daughter give her take on several well-known logos. As a designer this made me laugh out loud. It is interesting to see what logos she knows, I was surprised by a couple.

Found here.

Flaming Pink Address Numbers

If my landlord would only let us...even though they are expensive I think I would have NO CHOICE but to splurge on these beautiful hot pink numbers from Modern Dwell to hang by our front door! I would want to shout my address in large type in this crazy color - I love it. My husband...probably not so much but a girl can dream....sigh. They would be brilliant in a little girls room too - just the right touch of girl crazy fun and modern clean lines.

Arts and Crafts Family Style

So now I know how our family is going to bring in that extra money - put little Saxon to work! If Dutch designer Lucas Maassen of Furniture Factory can put his three sons to work painting the furniture that he makes and sells, so can we!  While child labor is not my thing (according to Dutch laws, the kids can work three hours a week and make 1 Euro for every piece they create) it IS an interesting concept, the whole family affair. Because they only have so much time, the kids paint fast and furious and so a distinct fit-as-much-in-as-you-can style evolved. While I dig the dreamy unfinishedness of the products, I think I'll stick to doing my own DIYs.

Found here: Design-Milk

Top Bun Know it All

Tulip Louise Tutorial from jade Howard on Vimeo.
I am a little obsessed with hairdo tutorial videos. Those and cat eye how to's...neither of which I can seem to master perfectly so it's a great thing that I am a lover of the whole undone look. Saw this tutorial over at apartment 34 and thought while it seems like pretty "duh" material, it helps to watch someone else do it. The fact that she is pretty sweet and made me laugh doesn't hurt either. I think it depends on your hair amount/type on whether it STAYS up there in that bun. I can get mine to be all cute and tall but after 20 min, it gets tired and starts making it's way down the back of my head...or leans over to one side like it's trying to escape.

Tinnlily

These are friendship bracelets and then some. Since I am somewhat limited in my bracelet braiding skills (or more like entirely way too impatient) I am all for paying someone who has the skills. Love the juxtaposition of gold hardware and soft colors like the last three lovies and I dig the patterned versions too. Delicious arm candy by Tinn Lily.

Bathroom Beauty

Anthropologie always has the most beautiful homegoods...right now I am lusting after their bath towels. We have nice solid colored towels from Pottery Barn that we got for our wedding but we must be rough on them because they are all starting to slowly fall apart and die. I would love to be able to ditch them all and buy all these beauties but because they are a little pricey I might have to sneak them in one at a time - especially those ikat ones - PERFECT for a beachy bathroom that needs an injection of style and fun. The mix of the ikat towels and the flowered pretties actually really appeals to me too. I used to think I wanted all the same color towels but these days that feels boring to me and I favor this eclectic mix of colors and patterns. Since I don't usually buy towels, I am a little out of the loop - what is the average price for good towels? Is it worth spending your money on?

Tom's Ballet Flats Coming Soon...

Again, I am on the fence about the Toms...they are sooo comfortable and caaaan be cute but mostly I just think they are a goofy looking. That being said, my pair are pretty worn out as they make the best shoes to   beat around in, in the summer time. BUT I just read in InStyle that they are coming out with a ballet flat version soon and I am sort of excited to see how this pans out - the little teaser they show online looks pretty sweet to me and comes in some fun shades and patterns. Tom's ballet flats - sounds good?

Richard Mosse

I recently saw these photos taken by Richard Mosse and was struck dumb by the contrast of such a loud and festive color and the subject matter - wartorn Congo. Mosse used Aerochrome infrared film for these photos of rebels during wartime and the results of bright color (well, at least me personally) get you drawn into the photos first for their apparent beauty and then for their shocking imagery and subject matter.

"This Aerochrome infrared film was developed by the US military in the 1940s to detect camouflage and to reveal part of the spectrum of light the human eye cannot see. But where this technology was invented to detect enemy positions in the underbrush, Mosse uses it to make us call into question pictures we thought we understood. These are the images we take for granted from Congo: the ruthless militia commander, the rape victim, an unwitting peasant. But in Mosse's pictures, Congo's photographic clichés are represented in a counterpoint of electric pink, teal blue and lavender. By representing the conflict with an invisible spectrum of infrared light, he pushes us to see this tragedy in new ways."

Sock Bun!

THE PERFECT BALLERINA BUN from BREATH OF COLOR on Vimeo.

After watching this tutorial from Everything Fab I though FOR SURE I could perfect the sleek ballet bun that I have been coveting. While my attempts at this point have just resulted in a crazy explosion of knotted hair on my head (I am NOT talented in the hair-do department) a co-worker just recently proved to me how frickin easy it is. She walked in today with this perfect bun and I was like waaaaiiiiiiitttt a miiinnnnnuuute and sure enough it was an old cut up sock inside the hair ...which caused a whole mess of conversation around the office and resulted in a real life demonstration on my friend Brooke...it was seriously the easy looking thing ever. Have you tried it?

Thank you Brooke for so kindly letting me take your picture in the bathroom.....

I AM

"What's wrong with our world and what can we do to fix it?" After director Tom Shadyac is rocked by a near death experience and goes out into the world to ask leaders these questions...the result is a very profound and moving documentary that is about "human connectedness, happiness, and the human spirit."and has the possibility to change your perceptions on your place in the world. 


Thanks for the tip Stacie!

Dannijo

This line completely fascinates me...the fierce chunky bold style that still conveys a sweet feminine side has me drooling over these pieces. I'd love to own one of those insane statement necklaces from Dannijo with the chunks of turquoise and metal. And the Neha bag - the lavender one has me just staring at the computer screen with little hearts coming out of my eyes...it's so so beautiful. And if you can keep a secret - I am going to buy the little Zoe rose gold ring as a little Happy New Year to me present...it's rare to come across a simple band that is good quality, beautiful AND affordable. Shhhhh....my new accountant (husband) is listening.

Heidi Merrick - Spring 2012

Loving all the Spring collections coming out...especially this latest one I've seen from Heidi Merrick. There is a little something for everyone in this season...from color blocked dresses and tops to striped linen loungey wear to sexy lace to bright pops of neon and soft neutrals - it's hard to pick favorites! See the whole collection here.

Madewell Spring 2012

My budget and Madewell do NOT get along...it's like Target to me, I can go in meaning to get dishsoap and next thing I know I am at the register wondering how I spent 100 bucks. I just love the vibe of the store - somethings might be a liiiiiittle too preppy for me but I love the majority of it all, and I especially appreciate the sense of humor they have when approaching the pieces. Their Spring 2012 Lookbook already has me rationalizing how I can get back into the store without my bank account noticing. Since I would love to incorporate a little more "girly" into my life this year, that green dress/boots outfit and the pink number with the comfy cardigan/red flats are calling my name. And on a side note, I want the models messy sexy hair too please.

Fingers Crossed

I have long been obsessed with these bags - although there was a moment in time where you couldn't see a photo of a celebrity starlet without a new one dangling off her elbow and it got a little tired. They are just such a classic shape with distinctive hardware and come in so many different colors depending on the season (I think my favorites are black, deep blue and one year there was a crazy amazing dark purple). So when I saw the chance to enter to win one over at Fashion Chalet, I couldn't pass it up!

Christiane Lemieux of Dwell Studios

THIS is the kind of place I obsessed over having one day...super kid friendly but stylish and full of light and clean. It's a fine line between allowing your kids (and all their crap) to have full access to your place without it looking like a trampled toy store. Plus I have a thing for disco balls in odd settings and wide open spaces. It's also a nice read as a mom to gain some insight into the brain of a successful working mom who is juggling full time work and full time mom duty. See lots more photos and conversation over here on The Glow (my new mom obsession).

Heyoka

Over Christmas vacation (too short!) I went to visit a new favorite store in Newport Beach - LMNOP. Super small knitting supply store also stocked with all kinds of handmade goods, housewares, candles, jewelry...all kinds of fun and beautiful things you never knew you needed. They were having an amazing sale and I walked away with a new favorite necklace - this little leather pouch by Heyoka. It's slightly different from the one online but made of the same buttery soft leather and just the perfect size to store some little charms and talismans inside it. I am also a little obsessed with the Ghost Beads they make - see for yourself here.

Iris Apfel

I am obsessed with the blog Into The Gloss and probably check it like 5 times a day even though I KNOW there won't be a new one everytime. Something about peeking into people's bathroom and medicine cabinents appeals to the product junkie in me. Actually I don't BUY a ton of stuff, but I do like to know about it all. Although I did recently purchase this "beauty elixir" by Caudalie two days ago because of this blog and I think its pretty fabulous. NO IDEA if it's doing anything dramatic but it feels good and makes me feel pretty. ANYWAY, I dare you not to be humored by the latest post on Iris Apfel and to not fall in love with her. I would love to take her out to dinner, buy her a glass of wine and just listen to all her stories.

Leopard Love

These girls and I are going out on the town tonight. I bought these Sam Edelman booties on a whim because I am obsessed with my tan pair...can't say they get out much but every time I wear them they make me soooooo happy.

Instagram photo

Short Stack

Part of the reason I love my wedding rings is because they are two different looks stacked on top of each other - I like being able to have some versatility with your jewelry. These tiny rings from Favor Jewelry are the perfect way to mix up your rings a little bit - stack a bunch of them with other rings or wear just one for a really delicate look. At 16 bucks each you can afford to get a fingerful!

Hand Blocked Quilt

I have been obsessing over this quilt for so long that I feel like I might have already posted about it...I spied this hand printed quilt from West Elm on Amber Interior Design blog (obsessed with her bohemian glam aesthetic. I want her kitchen, her dining room, her living room...) and put it on my Christmas list - - and guess what Santa brought! Our bedroom is the skeeviest room in our beach rental and until lately I have just kind of accepted that, but I am now determined to make the best of a crappy room and at least dress it up a little bit. Little things like a pretty bed and a throw rug and hanging up some artwork are helping, I'm only sorry I took so long to get around to it. Next on the to do list is a DIY fabric covered headboard...just have to find the right fabric. Will show the before and after when it gets done - maybe. The room really is that depressing.

Pretty Ink

These pens and pencils are perfect little stocking stuffers...so many different designs to choose from. I am pretty choosy when it comes to pens and how they write, but I want these just based on their looks alone!

From iomoi

Pole Dancing

Take what you picture when you hear the term "Pole Dancing" and chuck it out the window - what this woman can do is unreal. Not sure what she does for the first few minutes, but after that its purely amazing.



(Stacie - she has nothing on you...)

Fake Trees

This installment by Tom Price in Washington D.C.'s Industry Gallery proves that you can make something beautiful from the ordinary. Specifically polypropylene pipes and nylon cable ties. “The blossoms are made from small chopped sections of pipe that are arranged on a large hot plate and melted together on one side so that they form into a sheet. They are then attached to the trees with the cable ties and suspended from the ceiling with ultra-fine stainless steel rope.” Made to replicate the cherry trees that were gifted to the city in 1912 by the Japanese government, they really do take your breath away.

Ornamelle

Been doing some research on modern calligraphy for a friends tattoo and came across the blog "Ornamelle" by Masha in Bulgaria. I love her style of writing and the random exercises she does with paint and pastels and charcoal. Makes me want to get out my sketchbook and just play around with my pens. I forget how fun that can be to not have a purpose with your art, to just put on some music and get lost in the lines and dots and textures...makes me miss art school.

Warm Feet are Happy Feet

When you walk into our kitchen in the morning, if you were even the LITTLEST bit sleepy, you are in for a giant shockingly cold wake up call. The tile looks good but will make your toes go numb pretty much upon contact in the wintertime. What more reason does one need to pick up some pretty AND warm slippers to shuffle around the house in?

From Anthropologie