moodboard: graphic love

{dana tanamachi chalkboard, swanson wines, letterology vintage office supplies, merchant and mills tape measure, momo living}

{photo by arthur elgort, chloe black ballet flats, BHLDN sash, coterie small gravity bowl, BHLDN top hat favor bags, vulture print(or stuffed one), merchant and mills buttons (cute escort cards)}

the work of dana tanamachi is super inspiring. we've all seen chalkboards used in every configuration, but her grand scale and use of old-timey, turn-of-the-century handlettering knocks my socks clean off. i started collecting items that i thought could compliment a wedding inspired by one of her pieces.

personally, i think the merchant and mills website is full of ways to incorporate graphic elements without it being overly designed. lots of potential escort cards, favor gifts, and bunting supplies. also a great source for any dressmakers or tailors who are getting married and want to bring in a few touches from their trade!

i also can not shake the idea of incorporating dark as night blooms into the mix. black hellebore? amazing. and that black magic elephant ear is delicious. throw in some black and white anemones, silver brunia, and dusty miller and call it a day!

true grit kind of spring...

{cabbages and roses dress, cabbages and roses blouse, ebay chore jacket, minnetonka moccasin, a homemade life, miu miu pants, hamam towel, bass patent loafers, etsy basket purse, lily of the valley talc, beatrice booties, stetson hat, banded collar shirt}

my husband is a huuuuuuuuuge jeff bridges fan, bordering on man crush territory, so of course we went to see true grit when it came to theaters. the movie was fantastic and i wish i could have jumped into the prop and wardrobe rooms of this film. wow. so good. western workwear at its finest. dusty, faded, worn perfection. i kind of want to bite this style a little(ok a lot) this spring, and here are a few items on my wishlist.

*the book isn't on my wishlist. i'm reading it now and can't put it down. miss molly's book and blog touch my heart. have you read this? it's divine.

lovey dovey...

{1. painting by waldmuller, 2. i love you ring, 3. heart measuring spoons, 4. red and white bakers twine, 5. lipstick pencil, 6. floral bib necklace, 7. bralette, 8. heart compact}

of course valentine's day gets me all jazzed, duh. i have been lingering a little longer on some of my favorite sites trying not to buy all their lovey dovey wares. here is a sampling of some sweet nothings that have been piquing my interest lately...

honestly i'd be super stoked to have a jar full of juliet roses and a refill of my favorite rose perfume for valentine's day. and maybe some delivery pizza and 30 rock on hulu...

resolution: get organized

{martin bag, embosser, numbered pins, siwa envelope, labels, pencil case, things to do list}

sigh. i don't even know where to begin... all i want to do is throw everything out and start over. but i don't have that kind of courage... on another note, i'm also convinced an ipad would magically make me the most organized and efficient girl in the world. surely that must be true!

*also, that siwa kraft envelope is so calling my name! i almost purchased one in nyc but chickened out last minute. but it is super soft and extremely strong(nearly impossible to rip). i could easily see myself using them to organize each styling gig(all the receipts, notes, and shot lists...).

personal wish list...

{coffeemaker carafe, travel to new york & morocco(ha-now i'm truly delusional), coty powder, bakelite toys, 1920s dress, schwinn bicycle, tom binns necklace, kiss kiss, hand soap)

phew. with christmas only 3 days away, i am actually giddy that the holiday shopping is all but taken care of. this season has been a series of unfortunate technical difficulty... flat tires, broken phones, ailing computers, and deceased coffee pots. therefore, a "christmas list" is somewhat unrealistic based on all the necessary household repairs and replacements. anyway, a gal can dream, right? that might be one of my favorite things about gift guides, a little make-believe goes a long way!

bookworm gift guide

i have been treating myself to lots of books this holiday season. i can't get enough of 'em, and here are some that are on my list to give others.

1. encyclopedia of the exquisite
2. a perfectly kept house is the sign of a misspent life
3. the principles of uncertainty
4. let's bring back
5. jack spade bookmarks(everyone needs a good bookmark)
6. the book of secrets
7. jane austen the complete novels
8. how to keep him on a short leash
9. life is meals*

* i am currently reading life is meals and am head-over-heels for this foodie memoir. the book is chock full of fun facts about all sorts of food and mealtime rituals, punctuated by endearing anecdotes.

also, check out katie's list which has some great suggestions too!

shiny gift guide, design*sponge style...

here is my latest gift guide that is up on design*sponge right now! grace asked all of her contributers to chime in with their holiday gift picks. of course i had to do a shiny one... go on over to design*sponge for the full details and for more awesome gift guides! come on, who doesn't want something sparkly waiting for them under the tree?

for the studly man in your life...

1. j.d salinger box set
2. leather flask
3. bourbon sampler
4. leather handmade football
5. all weather hunting journals
6. j.crew socks
7. portable turntable
8. leather match box

so i was all pleased with my gift guide when my husband peeked over my shoulder and stated, "umm, i wouldn't want any of that for christmas... well, maybe the bourbon sampler". ha! well, i had all these bookmarked as things i would have bought ed. he suggested the "30 for 30" box set for any guy who likes sports. i took a gander at it, but it didn't look pretty in my roundup :)

*check out grace's husband's suggestions for the real male perspective!

lovely rita...

{top photo via apartment therapy via domino, bottom photos via wsj}

the oh-so-lovely rita konig just divulged some of her favorite london antique shops in the wsj. i studied in london one summer and wish i could have had her as a tour guide. she's as charming in person as she comes across in her writing. and don't get me started on that fantastic car she drives! back when i worked in the west village, i would often see her zipping around the cobble stone streets in her sweet ride. if only i looked as chic in my minivan ;)

*also, when i first discovered chelsea fuss's {frolic!} blog, i fell in love with her "rita konig decorating tips" series. definitely worth a gander!

gifts for the wanderluster...

{four years in paradise & i married adventure, women travelers}

{woerther 3m wooden pencil, warby parker monocle, pith helmet, compass, swissco tortoise toothbrushes, leather passport cover, zebra rug, j peterman carry-on bag, pentax k1000 camera}

man oh man, have y'all been reading miss amy merrick's travel diary on her blog? i have totally been bitten by the travel bug. i wanna make like penny lane and hightail it to morocco with my cute husband. or maybe just read osa johnson's books. or watch disney's UP. sigh. here are some treats for the explorers and adventurers in your life!

for your (not so) secret gardener...

top photos via belle fleur de lis blog
{a little piece of earth, denim apron, hunter wellies, paperwhite & amaryllis bulbs, galvanized watering can, gardener's hand cream, gardener's soap, nutscene twine, chinese scissors}

here's a little gift guide inspired by this secret garden blogstress. i'm stocking my home with houseplants to brighten up the place and i have already purchased some paperwhite bulbs and mason jars for some impromptu host/hostess gifts. this is my favorite roundup of garden gear for the green-thumbed enthusiast in your life!

fancy pants gift guide...

{mason pearson brush, bobbi brown gold eyeliner, hermes aline bag, hermes lock, fountain pen ink, caran d'ache ecridor fountain pen, iris hantverk nailbrush, trip to argentina, nespresso citiz espresso maker, claude morady brooch, daosto portico luggage}

allow me to indulge in some serious fantasy gift giving!! if you have any fancy pants friends or family with champagne tastes, these are some quirky and luxe suggestions. just a little guide for the folks who are recession proof(those lucky ducks)or for those who enjoy a healthy game of make-believe :)

gifts for your overly eccentric friend...

{sources via new york times, the snail and the cyclops}
{grey gardens book, vintage fur coat, hermes silk scarf, steiff cat, wallpaper box, little edie's diary, flower brooch, wolford bodysuit}

*****also check out amy merrick's living in post for more edie beale-inspired items!