rustic style

I love taking clean and modern design elements and adding a rustic touch. These items would do nicely to create a lived in, worn feel.

1. Vintage 1939 WPA poster, Vintagraph

2. Porcelain Kerr Jar Planter, Pigeon Toe Ceramics

3. Porch Swing Rock Collection, CoriKindred

4. Cowhide Rug, West Elm

5. Scavenger Pouch, Scout and Catalogue

post vacation blues

I just returned today from an eight day vacation in Montana, followed by a three day road trip home through Wyoming, Utah and Nevada. You'll have to excuse me while I take some time to acclimate to the daily grind...

photo: source unknown

Portland Cello Project

I'm gonna be honest here, when Britney Spears' Toxic came out years ago, it was my favorite song to dance to, whether in the club or in my living room. So glad The Portland Cello Project revived it for me.

a little color for your Monday

I am well-known by my friends to shy away from any sort of color in my wardrobe. It's hard to go wrong with a classic neutral like black or brown. But as the weather warms up, I can't help but crave a little burst of color in my wardrobe, whether it's a literal floral print or just a floral-inspired color like bright poppy. These ladies know how to do it right.

clockwise from top right: Hanneli, Mr. Newton, dsquared2 resort collection, lookbook.nu

let's hear it for the girls

This weekend a blessed thing happened...my roommate and I both had our boyfriends out of town at the same time! It feels like it's been ages since we just spent a whole day doing lady things, and it was so much fun. We rode our bikes up to our favorite Mexican Restaurant, El Coyote, for lunch and margaritas, then braved the Saturday crowds at The Grove to shop for shorts and summer dresses and finally wound up at The Village Idiot where we partook in some Ginger Tops, a brilliant elixir of 1903 Prohibition Lager topped off with ginger beer (highly recommended).

I'm already thinking about next weekend, not a good way to start the week!

top: The Sartorialist, bottom: Jordan Sondler

small things

I'm going to be moving in a couple of months and am already tucking away little treasures for the new home. Here are a couple of things that will be making their way into my new kitchen. Looking at them just makes me happy!

top: LA CUCINA print. This old Italian saying translates to "A little kitchen makes a large home."

bottom: Christopher Stiles spinning salt and pepper shakers

green thumb

There's nothing more satisfying than a few hours out in the sunshine, getting your hands dirty in the soil and seeing the fruits of your labor (sometimes literally!) sprout up. It's that time of year again when I want to do nothing but putz around in the backyard (or kitchen for city dwellers) potting an assortment of herbs and veggies.

However, I was not blessed with the greenest of thumbs, so I'm always on the lookout for low-maintenance ways to give my home a little burst of green. Here are a few new ideas I can't wait to try out.

1. Kokedama (Japanese moss balls) are so unique and would add an original touch to any room. Check out the Design*Sponge tutorial for instructions for making your own.

2. Dried Billy Buttons brighten up a room the same way a pot of flowers do, but are zero maintenance, which means they're safe for those of us without green thumbs.

3. Air plants (Tillasandria) are my new favorite household companions. They are so easy to care for. No soil, indirect sunlight and they only need a good soak once a week. Get this adorable air plant/sea urchin combo right over here.

this made me stop in my tracks

Occasionally, I'll see the work of another graphic designer and just think "Damn, I wish I had made that." Like, for instance, these vintage-style soccer posters by Zoran Ludic.

footloose

My heart will always belong in the desert. Especially when spring and summer roll around, I get an itching for those open spaces and starry skies. For now I'll have to settle for infusing a little southwestern style into my wardrobe. These three babies are going to be landing in my closet real soon.

top to bottom: Vintage Darling, Santoki Vintage, Bygone Mister

cats on the internet

I'm a dog person to the core, but one area where cats win, hands down, is on the internet. Nothing makes me happier than cats on the internet. Like this Tumblr, Dreamcats.