Got Bun's Hun

Bobby Pins Print - Rifle Paper Co.

Bun weather is back! Which means an abundance of bobby pins in every pocket, purse, nook and cranny. This print's appropriate, no? (Also adorable: comb, brush, and scissors.)

P.S. Spin Pins are a bun makers dream.
P.P.S. Big bun, little bun.

Shapes of Cities

These are pretty rad.

Regarding city decor, what are your thoughts? Is it tacky to display one town while living in another, or the other way around? I tend to feel that if I live here, I don't need to be reminded of it, but instead would rather look at a dream location (tropical island?), a past memory or a favorite travel spot but that's not saying it's wrong.

Your turn.

P.S. I do love that tiny "bean". :)

P.P.S. And I do have a CTA pillow that'd I'm still mad for.

Of course.

It's the mooost wonderful tiiiiime of the yeeear. And if you work in any form of retail, it's also the most stressful/exhausting time of the year!

My mom e-mailed this print on one of my busiest days last week and it perfectly capture's my career in one sentence. I love this always changing industry, but man is it crazy at Christmas!

It's been wild this week, as will the next one, so I apologize in advance for the disappearing act around here. Don't get me wrong, I'm completely excited and feel beyond blessed to have a busy social calendar, a job that I love in the industry that I love, an entire month of travel plans (more on that later), and the joyous holiday season ahead. But if you're like me and the of fear forgetting something is as real and akin to the fear of say, heights or spiders, then you realize the planning that goes into such situations. My spreadsheets of lists (yes, plural) rival that of the U.S. Constitution in detail. No task left behind!

Hope you're all well and I hope to be back in spurts to spread some holiday cheer. Happy weekend!

P.S. Rules for a successful holiday.

Dîner en Blanc

photos by Humans of New York 

With our annual White Party a couple of weeks away (we're celebrating on Labor Day this year, appropriate, yes?) I am completely intrigued by Dîner en Blanc, which took place at Lincoln Center in New York City yesterday. A classy flash mob of sorts that originated 24 years ago in Paris, the location is kept secret until the last moment, at which "thousands of people, dressed all in white, conducting themselves with the greatest decorum, elegance, and etiquette, all meet for a mass “chic picnic” in a public space". 

These photo's were taken by Brandon of Humans of New York, one of my new favorite Facebook follows. They completely capture the essence of the day, don't you think? 

Coincidently, Dîner en Blanc - Chicago is happening this Friday and you can bet I'm already on the waiting list. 

Très amusant! 

Update 1:30pm: We're un-waitlisted and registered! Expect lots of white from me in the near future!

Diana: A Celebration

Photo by Mario Testino

On Sunday, Brooke & I drove to Grand Rapids, Michigan to view the Diana: A Celebration exhibit. We knew it would be amazing but we didn't realize how honored we would feel just to witness it.

Viewing THE wedding dress, all 25 feet of it, was surreal. Our eyes darted back and forth from footage to the dress, not believing we were in its presence. It was truly a sight to behold. As you wind through the memento's of her childhood, thank you letters from charities and gallery of gowns, you can't help but be overcome with emotion at such a tragic loss. Suddenly, we were within the funeral portion and bawling like babies. What would she be passionate about today? Who would be her favored designers? Why was such a wonderful person taken so soon?

Reading portions of her diary, listening to snippets from friends, family and favorite designers, you realize how incredibly humble and kind she truly was. A few things I enjoyed learning:

- The wedding gown - with the longest train in royal wedding history, 25 feet - and bridesmaids dresses cost $1,900. The designers, Elizabeth and David Emanuel, left false trails to throw off the snooping media including faux sketches and colored threads.

- She was thoughtful in her wardrobe selection depending on the situation. For visits with children, she wore bright colors with larger adornments or jewelry to keep their attention. For babies, she wore a long chain to entertain them. Her designers were also creative with the functions of garments, such as adding weights into hemlines to keep them from blowing in the wind.

- At one time, Diana worked with over 100 charities and organizations. A letter expressing her decline of benefit offers was so moving and heartfelt, you felt her pain at the desire to help without the proper time to do so.

- Being a handwritten note enthusiast myself, one of the highlights for me was a letter she sent to a benefit director expressing disappointment in herself for not being in 'top form' at a recent function. She mentioned her exhausting travels - it was not uncommon for her to travel over 150 days per year - and apologized for seeming 'off'. I am curious to know if anyone other than herself actually noticed that day and was so struck by her thoughtfulness to reach out in that way.

If you'd like to learn a bit more and experience what we were privileged to view in person take a peek at this video coverage from the Today show.

Post exhibit, I'm inspired by love and understanding. Her dedication to charity work and helping others in addition to her personal persona provide an excellent example of grace and class.  Though tomorrow is the final day at the Grand Rapids Art Museum it will move to Kansas City until June. I absolutely recommend it, our 6 hour road trip was worth every mile. It is a moving and emotional experience you will never forget.

The Gifts That Keep On Giving

It's been a little over a month since Christmas and I thought I'd share some gifts I'm still enjoying and thought you might, too.

I adore wearing this Tennessee necklace...

Home is literally where the heart is. Find yours at Truche.  

While I haven't actually cracked these open yet, I'm excited all the same. 

{War & Peace - The Happiness Project - One Last Dance}

  A wicked awesome spider bracelet from Mom is the perfect

mix of glam & goth.

An everyday tote, it means my little cabbage, a term of endearment in France.

 Story People stories warm my heart. So sweet and true.

A CTA pillow makes our Chicago home complete. 

North and South DVD Set - because I could always use more Patrick Swayze in my life. (1212 minutes more to be exact.)

Sweet Petula soaps - the most divine scents in the most 

adorable packaging.

Any gifts you'd like to share?? I would love to know your loves!

Have a lovely weekend, I'm hoping to jump into North & South!

Watercolor Fashion Illustration

You might have spotted the work of Cate Parr in the February issue of Lucky and if so, did you fall madly in love with it like I did??
Always an admirer of fashion illustration, these are exceptionally beautiful. The watercolor lends a dreamy vibe while the details (hearts in hair!) put a fresh spin on the outfit inspiration. I imagine a collection of several in my future fabulous office!

Fine Doodles

Artist Summer Myers, owner of Fine Doodles, turns child drawings into hand painted artwork. Pure sweetness!

(Via Apartment Therapy)

Floating Ballerina's

In love with this photographic art by Brooke Shaden.
See more on Flickr.

Heart Picture

I heart this heart picture.
 Oh, Etsy Love...


(Spotted in Real Simple)

June Calendar

Happy June everyone! A new month means a new calendar page. This desktop version comes from Lisa Rupp - thank goodness for sweet designers who share their talents with the rest of us! Get your June desktop calender here.

Hometown Print

Photo by My Sweet Prints

Add your hometown to this 'usually reserved for big cities' idea.

Neat-o! 

Available at My Sweet Prints. Be sure to check out the rest of Janette's fabulous shop!

Shopping Lists

Debbie collects misplaced shopping lists and illustrates them. This one made me laugh. I make lists for everything. I'll make them prettier from now on in case someone finds them!

via Creature Comforts

Modern Portraits

Remember in the olden days when families would pose for huge painted portraits on canvas to hang above the mantel? Well this is nothing like that.

Illustrator Nan Lawson creates adorable family (or friend) portraits using your photos and a little personal info. It's custom, it's cute and it's cheap - $40 gets you an 8x10 print as well as a digital version to use wherever you'd like.

How seriously neat is that? I totally want one with the hubby and little black kitties :)

Check out her site for more information.

Wizard of Oz Book Covers

Jessica Hische, the artist behind the Daily Drop Caps I'm using for the Alphabet Series, recently taught a class at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She assigned the students one project with several components: book cover design and endpapers, title page, and bookplate for a special edition novelization of The Wizard of Oz. Here are a few they came up with, don't you just love creative people?

 By Bobby O'Herlihy

  By Grace Kennedy

By Sara Wood

By Michael Olivo

P.S. The Wizard of Oz is my Mom's favorite movie, Happy Mother's Day weekend Mom!

Hair portraits

Maria Gil Ulldemolins illustrates the back of hairstyles and each illustration has a story. Read them on her Etsy shop, Nosideup.

Aren't they awesome?!
I'm inspired to try a new look!

Missed Connections

 

The concept behind 'Missed Connections' is so romantic.

Sophie Blackall illustrates the stories of small encounters with strangers, isn't this one fantastic?

Love Garden

Isn't this colorful print fantastically fun?

I wish I could remember how I stumbled on Helen's blog, such a happy place! The 'Love Garden' print above is available in her Etsy Shop: Orange Studio, I love them all!