Hello, Friday

Ahhh, the weekend.  It's finally here and I'm taking it in with open arms.  Doing anything good?  I'm planning a lovely night in the city tomorrow and hoping for a sunny afternoon on Sunday.  Here's a round-up of some of my favorites this week:

These amazing murals drawn with markers! (via here)

Fabulous canvas bags...I can vouch because I have two :)

A neat idea for disposable cameras...results are magical.

Can I work in this office, pretty please?

MK's a natural! Check out her cover and feature in Fashion Mag.

A NY Favorite talks about winter camping and 36 hours in Brazil!

Inspired by wallpaper lately and completely infatuated with these vintage styles.

xo!

photo via le blog de betty

Stockholm Men

Just some Stockholm men looking studly on the street. Which would you choose? Cleaned-up and proper or rugged and cultural?

Sleeping in a bear's belly

I know this bear sleeping bag has been blogged about some 1,500 times, but on Tuesday CasaSugar reminded me how cheeky and clever it really was. Definitely an added chuckle to any summertime camping trip.

via CasaSugar, Eiko Ishizawa's Great Sleeping Bear

Dreaming of the outdoors via domino

Ahhh, fresh air and cocktails...still weeks away.

Leanne Marshall, just doing her thang

a) If you don't already visit/subscribe/obsess over Leanne Marshall's blog, please consider it. Not only is she wildly awesome, but her work is utterly breathtaking.

b) You'll be happy to know that she's at it again (thankfully!). Isn't her Fall '09 collection just cupcakes and sprinkles with cherries on top? Each piece is clearly the fruit of her hard work and creativity, but there's no harm in choosing favorites:

What do you think? Hit or miss with these 9 pieces?

p.s. HUGE, HUGE THANK YOU for all your birthday wishes!! It was a pretty normal day, no fuss, all fun...finalized by some chocolate cake with raspberry filling and mousse topping (sorry, no photo, the thing didn't even stand a chance).

top shots via stylewhipped, bottom photo via leanne m.

It's my birthday and I'm taking the day off

23 will be a good year.
(photo, me, age 5, rocking an elastic Little Mermaid watch)

Why I can't cut my hair

Courtney's post got me thinking about my hair...you know, growing it out or saying goodbye to 7 inches. After seeing this, how could I possibly think of chopping anything off? She makes it look so fuss-free! Are you convinced?

original source unknown. photo via here

Happy, happy weekend

Holler for Fridays.  So anyone up to anything good?  I'm having a birthday party on Saturday (real deal is on Tuesday), followed by...a pretty nice little Sunday, maybe go to Bed, Bath, and Beyond, I don't know, I don't know if we'll have enough time.  Here's a round-up of some of my favorites this week:

Buy a pint of your favorite and make these to go along.

A great DIY to pep up any pump.

Chic wool with a silly name.

Melisa's recovering tactic is honorable, plus her new blog is the shizzzz.

I want to buy these lamps and hang them on trees.

Pretty street looks: here and here.

The greatest pet accessory ever crafted.

A Portland designer knows how to win a girl's heart.

Elizabeth and James shoes on the way?! Yippie.

Can't stop watching these videos.  Press "random" and it'll whip up something special for you.

Lastly, get some neato blogging tips from some prettyyyy cool pros.

xo!

photo source unknown.

Still Life Hats and Vintage Shades

Still Life was founded in 2006 right in the heart of the Lower East Side with the intention of creating eclectic designs, tailored for the individual. To this day, they fully design and produce custom pieces in Red Hook, Brooklyn...and all I can say is that they bring fantastic taste to the table (for both men and women). Now, wouldn't you agree? I'm completely drawn to ALL of these pieces...find many more on their site.

All photos via here

Homemade donuts and donut-holes

Mouth.  Won't.  Stop.  Watering.   The kicker?  They're made out of PIZZA DOUGH.  How amazingly simple is that?  I'll take about 3 batches.  Recipe, here.

Re-post from 10/22/08 because it's necessary

Come on America, seriously.
(original post)

Denim, denim, everywhere

 

The one thing I'm fiending for: DENIM, ANYTHING.  Who knew it could be so flirty and femme?  Need. Now.  (from top left: 1. Built by Wendy, 2. Urban Outfitters, 3. Phillip Lim, 4. Current/Elliot)

Mary Kate Steinmiller Bracelets

{the girl}

{the bracelets}

Feast your crazy little eyes on these handmade bracelets by Teen Vogue's Associate Market Editor Mary Kate Steinmiller.  It looks like some are neon, some are liberty print (top and second from bottom).  I'm not picky...I'll take them all.

Don't be caught in a Facebook folly

Set the scene...you're out at a bar and you see a high school bud or college acquaintance. Don't tell them you actually know what they've been up to...even though you may very well know their favorite book, band, and most recent three ex-boyfriends. Just take my word on this one, it really doesn't hurt to know the etiquette for surviving the stalking experience better known as Facebook (via Fashion...Finance...F it). You'll be better for it. So, spill, are you the stalker or the stalked?

photo via here

Ebay find: 1870s map of NYC

I am utterly fascinated with the fact that this used to look like the maps above. Don't you wish you could walk through those streets just for a day? Yes, sir.

I love you from the top of your head to the tips of your toes.

I hope everyone has an amazing, love-filled weekend with whomever you share it with.  Any one traveling or doing something ultra-amazing?  Report back.  Even if you're going to sit home and watch re-runs...report back.  Really big hugs and happy weekend!

photo via me :)

Pretty, heirloom necklaces

I've always had a soft spot for heirloom jewelry, mainly because they've been the prize of trekking through a flea market or a smelly consignment shop.  I keep them near and dear to my heart...many are under $20, but look like a hell of a lot more, which is the best satisfaction I can get.  Here are some inspirations and cues on what to look out for on your next hunt:

{1. Doyle & Doyle, 2. Urban Outfitters, 3. Forever 21, 4. Doyle and Doyle, 5. 1928}

Keep your stems spankin' fresh

 

I love getting flowers, even if I buy them for myself.  Whether you splurge on a little self-encouragement, or get a bunch from your Valentine, be sure to make them last...it's not like money grows on trees these days: 

• Use cold water, not warm, makes them dry and limp. Yuck.
• Water should not exceed more than 6"...also clip off leaves that may be under or touching the water, or else you'll end up with moldy mush.
• Cut the stems every so often, like every other day, I'd say.  Be sure to replace the water everytime you do!
• Use a tiny bit of lemon juice or white vinegar in the water vs. "flower food"...that junk doesn't work.
• If your stems look super wilty, quickly dip the ends in near-boiling water.  Perks them up in a flash.

Tips, verbetum, via CasaSugar

Photo via Rosenow Floral via frolic

Fishnets can be classy

I think its the contrast of the raw white and fearless fishnets that sucked me in.  I can't really place my finger on it exactly...

EDIT: THEY ARE BRASS STUDS ALONG BACK, not fishnets.  Thanks, k.  I obviously must've been half asleep when I was looking at the photos. Still...she makes it look classy and not very trashy at all.

via the sartorialist, of course.

Show-offs

 

 

Don't these fellas make you all giggly?  I wish I knew what they were thinking...they'd probably be hysterical!  More day-making photos of the Westminster Dog Show, here.

(thanks, jj!)

Oh, it's February? I have my cleaning cap on.

The warmer temps in the New York Metro area are faking me out big time. My heart's telling me its Spring and my mind's being a huge buzz kill...because, I know, it's only February. Nevertheless, I'm in mega "Spring" cleaning mode. So, in the spirit of getting my life in order (getting a job, wanting to start Zumba classes, cleaning out my desk drawers, and my other 100 new year's resolutions), I figured I'd freshen up my baby a bit: the 3-column template was getting out of hand. Also, I might finally be satisfied with my header...for now. Wishing you a happy Wednesday! big x.

photo via flickr

Sew Bettie, so smitten

Ugh, utterly obsessed with this fabric from Sew Bettie.  More specifically, I want that french bulldog fabric to throw up all over my house in the form of pillows, tablecloths, bath robes, pajama pants, etc.

The Police would be proud

Inspired by Ann Cameron's "A Curve in the River", an Edison, NJ teacher and her students throw a message in a bottle into the Atlantic Ocean. Seven years later, an amazing Montana couple stumbles upon the exact bottle while beach combing Elliot Key, FL! Isn't that just utterly inspiring and hopeful? My mom suggested that me and JB do the same...just for kicks. Very appropriate considering a very special, lovey-dovey holiday is coming up.

photo via house of secrets

Found paper + dark wood = heaven before happy hour

While scrounging through my scrapbook of favorite magazine clips, I found this address file featured in a really old issue of domino.  I've been stalking the heck out of lovely design to try to snatch one.  Word on the blogosphere is that she makes a couple here and there.  I have the worst timing, apparently, because they are always SOLD OUT.

It would look so perfect on my desk...I need it.  Sharilyn, if you're reading this, I'll buy one for double the asking price.

Dedicated: To big sisters who love nerdy things and look alike

I actually wish I was obsessed with Star Wars just to have a reason to buy this.  Nonetheless...I know some people who will enjoy it thoroughly.  JJ and A, for you guys! :)

via kaboodle

Chuck and V getting to first base

My heart is swelling at this. And despite all those previously unconfirmed rumors, the couple was spotted at a Knicks game (and the airport), playing tonsil hockey. So, seriously, how many people are dying to be Jessica Szohr right now?

photos via here and here