kitchen envy

Image courtesy of elledecor via hookedonhouses.net

I have seen this one shot of actress Ellen Pompeo's home no less than a dozen times in various places online. Every time I think- I love this kitchen. It is not at all what I usually covet, which are the crisp, light, white kitchens with large islands and streamlined cabinets as far as the eye can see. This is actually one of those spaces I can see living in. I mean truly living in...with toddlers... and their often spilled delicacies and tracked in mud and ground in crayons. I think I am usually drawn to light and white interiors because they are total fantasies at this point- any night of spaghetti or afternoon with Crayola would be a looming disaster, but this room is different because it feels "real".

It is laid back and stylish (I think it has to do with the awesome choice of an oversized black and photograph for the wall) and the terra cotta floor makes the space, otherwise filled with the more industrial feeling stainless steel, so warm and welcoming.

Time to start saving my pennies for terra cotta tile :).....

desperately seeking

I do not know about you, but I have a list of certain things I am always looking for online. Once in awhile I will find one of them, only to lose it in a bidding war or because I spotted it too late. It is so disappointing and now I can not imagine ever actually getting my hands on one of the things from my list. I suppose everyone has a list like this or maybe I believe that because then I can seem less obsessive.

In any case, I am sharing the three things I am constantly hunting for -so if you spot one out there -drop me a line! The first is the Secret Garden CD single from Bruce Springsteen circa 1995. I covet this particular disc because the "b-side" is the most incredible live version of Thunder Road I have ever heard and because I had this cassette and promptly wore it out on my long drives back and forth to college my junior and senior years.

The second item is the book Pippa Mouse: Six Read Aloud/ Read Along Stories, 1973 by Betty Boegehold. This was my very favorite book in second grade. I think I checked it out of the library half a dozen consecutive times before my mum gently persuaded me to give another book a try. Oh, how I loved this book though- multiple stories, perfectly penciled illustrations, and a sweet mouse protagonist.

I can't believe how difficult it is to track this down ( for less than 50 dollars and in truly "good" condition), but I probably scour the Internet twice a month with my fingers crossed anyhow!

The last item is an issue of the now defunct, but always awesome, Sassy magazine from January 1990. I always thought this would be a killer gift for Vivi - we were crazy about Sassy and this particular issue is her birthday month and from the time we were most dedicated to the teen periodical. How cool would it be to find it some 21 years later?

This may be the item I would like to get my hands on the most.

So there you have it- my quest for Bruce, Pippa, and Sassy continues.....I'll keep you posted :).

Image 1 courtesy of springsteenlyrics.com ; Image 2 courtesy of amazon; Image 3 courtesy of magazines2go

"National Geographic" yellow

by Sally Curcio

As a bookend to Lorelei's post about images from "National Geographic" - here's a round-up of images of the "National Geographic." Mostly of its famous yellow-colored spine and how it can be just the right shot of color in decor or as decor (yes, that is a bookshelf made out of magazines near the bottom of the list!).

Bookcase for National Geographic magazines, 1990 by Mats Theselius

via Patricia Gray

sustainable magazine shelving by Sean Miller

via apartment therapy

"National Geographic"

My parents have had a subscription to National Geographic for as long as I can remember. Even now when I go over there, I love to see the features and admire the photography. Being that these days the internet is certainly more "go to" than periodicals- you can also enjoy National Geographic online.

The photography section of their site is, as you would imagine, incredible. They break it down into categories and even have a "newsletters" option for those interested in various aspects of the magazine's photography. If you see something you just have to have, prints are available as well.

All images courtesy of National Geographic

Holiday Images

Around this time every year, I wish that Norman Rockwell still created magazine covers. I think his artfully captured marriage of the exaggerated and the familiar is unparalleled. His depiction of expressions and, equally impressively, an overall spirit or emotion, are accomplishments that remain admirable and incredible decades after his pencils and paints touched the paper.

If you ever find yourself around Stockbridge, MA- there is no excuse- you have to drop by the Norman Rockwell Museum. It is home to 574 Rockwell works and celebrates his tremendous contribution to American illustration.

All images courtesy of google

Thursday, Arrrgh, and Etsy

happy birthday matey blank card via happydaystudio

So I have an almost 4-year-old pondering what kind of birthday party he would like....there have been a few ideas batted around so far- robots, pirates, sea creatures. Last year it was construction trucks all the way- no waffling or doubt, but I can tell the decision will be tricky this time around.

Now if he does go in the pirate direction, then I already have the whole thing figured out! I love the illustration on these postcard invitations.

let's parrrty set of 9 postcard party invitations via MerryBluesArt

Do I admit I would have him wear something in keeping with the theme? (because I would)

Ships Ahoy Tee via plumtreestudio

I can't believe there is a pdf available that will ensure every guest gets a fantastic hat, eye patch, and....... parrot!

Pirate party hats/ eye patches/ parrots (printable pdf) via HomemadeHappinessNL

The decorations would be simple- flag garland and jolly roger balloons.

Birthday banner/fabric flag bunting via BlueMoonStudios

8 Pirate Balloons via ThePartyFairy

For the party games- pin the patch on the pirate, a treasure chest pinata, and these snazzy crayons next to stacks of paper for drawing your dream ship or the ultimate treasure map.

Pin The Patch On The Pirate Banner via brendalynndesigns

Treasure Chest Pinata via PinataQueen

Pirate Crayons via LiveLoveCraft

Even the cupcakes would get into the spirit of things!

Pirate cupcake topper set- Pirate party via rafikasuhandi

Finally, each party goer could depart with a goodie bag perfect for the party's end- complete with cookies, stickers, and a pin.

Pirate cookie favors via FunFavors

Pirate Stickers Aarrgh via waddlinonion

Badge Bag x10 Pirates via PaperFish

Hopefully the final decision will be made soon- for now I will keep my fingers crossed for the pirates to win out. Ahoy matey!

Stampington & Company

I was introduced to the magazines published by Stampington & Company this weekend and let me tell you- they are charming. I saw Somerset Life and Artful Blogging and then went searching for more online. The photography is just beautiful and they run the gamut in terms of subject matter. I felt the same way I do when I receive the Anthropologie catalog- the images are worthy of matting and framing for your walls. Many of the magazines not only have photographs of stunning finished projects, they provide the instructions for how to duplicate them. The next time you are in the bookstore check them out...

{All images courtesy of stampington.com}

"My style may be described as a kind of loving criticism" - René Bouché

René Bouché was an Austro-Hungarian born artist who is best known for the work he did as an illustrator for Vogue magazine beginning in 1938, but he also produced portraits, works for the theatre, and abstract paintings. In general, his pieces are fun, sophisticated and have this great sketch-like quality to them - even the richly painted pieces that became Vogue covers.

Work like this is just gorgeous and I just do not get why it went out of style. Seriously, if art like this appeared on the covers of magazines now (rather than the art of air-brushing) - I know I'd buy more copies than I do now. Anyone with me?

(To see more images of Bouché's work, go to: http://www.renebouche.com/artist/)








last image via: giam.typepad.com
rest of images, info and quote via: renebouche.com