Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Cannoli

I took the train from New York to Boston on Monday {which is a very pleasant way to travel BTW.} Boston is really lovely and has exceeded any expectations I had. Now I'm sitting in my hotel room. Paul is at the HOW Design Conference for the day and Moses is still sleeping soundly so I'm just sitting here in my fluffy hotel robe enjoying my nice big breakfast that room service just brought up. We had a fantastic time in New York--I wish I had a few more days there. The Stationery Show was wonderful, I have loads of posts to write but I probably won't get around to it until I get back.

Here is a picture of me on the T holding a box of cannoli from Mike's Pastry. Thank you to the wonderful wonderful Katie for babysitting last night.

 
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Monday, May 19, 2008

Pomme

We were in Dumbo on Saturday {so much to do there!} and we walked by a children's store Kendra wrote about. It was all I could do to not give the shopgirl at Pomme all the money I own in exchange for those beautiful beautiful things. Plus I think they win the contest for cutest logo ever.

Sprüngli

My friend Michelle just got back from Europe, her last stop was in Zurich. Right as I was leaving to New York she dropped off this box of mini macaroons. They were so colorful and small and yummy. I love the packaging. They were a little smooshed from weathering the long flight but trust me, they were tasty. Thanks Michelle!


Jonathan Adler

We were walking by the Jonathan Adler store in Soho on Thursday so I popped in to take a quick look. I was SO impressed with their store in person, everything was so happy. I especially fell in love with the big lemon pillow.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Kirtsy

The site formerly known as sk*rt has relaunched this week as kirtsy and is better than ever. I looooove kirtsy. Change your links and buttons!



If you want to read the scandal why they changed their name see this article here or else the behind the scenes {and hilarious version} here.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

All my bags are packed I'm ready to go

We're off to New York and Boston for 8 days. We fit all of our stuff in these two suitcases + two carry ons + baby gear. {I was really proud of that.}

I'm planning on blogging a bit during the trip.

Economic Stimulus Check

Ours finally came in the mail. Like true patriots, we refuse to put this money in savings or pay down student loans. Nay, we will spend it on consumer goods.

Things I'd like to use our E.S.C. on:


1. Art
2. New Desktop {our imac is 3 years old and is starting to be quite loud.}
3. Things for Moses
4. Things for the house {Some nice pillows and maybe some new bedding.}
5. Equipment for my studio {I'd like a guillotine and a corner rounder, and a drying rack please.}

In reality it will probably get sucked into paying for part of our trip back east. :(

What will you do with your Economic Stimulus Check?

La La La

I love this print Elizabeth found, buy it here.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Life and Death

I went to go pick up Moses' birth certificate today. The people who handle birth certificates also handle death certificates. In the long line there was either a mother with a baby or someone looking alone and sad. It was strange.

Leaf Rug

I wish this rug came in another color. I really love the brown but I am looking for something brighter for my entryway. The price is right.

The Bell Jar

These cloches from Jamali are the cheapest I've seen.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Happy Mothers Day

On our walk today.

Friday, May 09, 2008

Making me Happy Right Now

1. The orchids Paul bought me for our anniversary.
2. My new business cards I printed yesterday on super thick cotton paper.
3. A quick trip to the flower mart today.

Also, this weekend is the Printer's Fair in San Francisco. I can't wait.



Thursday, May 08, 2008

Printing

I'm heading out to finish printing Moses' birth announcements. I started the job several months ago but other projects took priority. They are so close to being done, I'll be glad when I can cross this off my list. {He is almost five months old!}



This announcement from Bella Figura.

New Haircut

I got a new haircut. I saw a shopgirl on Union Street with a similar cut on Monday and it has been in my head all week. I woke up yesterday and decided to chop it off. I told the hair stylist, "Katie Holmes."


Wood Block Prints

These prints are perfect for a little corner. A steal for only $12. Buy them here.


Wednesday, May 07, 2008

THREE

Three years ago today I married Paul Ferney. I love what we are together.



{photo by Aubrey Trinnaman}

Maker Faire

Saturday I went with some friends to The Maker Faire. I'd never been there before so I was excited I would finally be able to attend. I'm not even sure how to describe it, it was SO AWESOME. Watch this video to see more. Moses was oblivious but I can't wait until he is older, he'll love it. It is crazy but so so so cool. It is definitely worth planning a trip around.



Photo from Pretz

Sunny Belliston

When we were in Salt Lake City last month we went to see Sunny Belliston's studio during the gallery stroll. Sunny is a friend from high school and is super talented. She just updated her site and there are so many wonderful pieces. Paul fell in love with one of them and we're saving our pennies to get it.


Sweet Details

on these shirts from the Gap. Here and Here. Reminds me of Anthropologie. {Lately it seems like I'll see lots of cute things at the Gap but when I go online the pictures look awkward.} They are super cute in person.


Tote

Old Navy has great straw totes for only $10. Lots of different patterns.

Monday, May 05, 2008

Sample Sale ABC

Which of you New Yorkers is going to run down to the sample sale at ABC carpet and going to buy a Madeline Weinrib rug for me? Pretty please? I'll be there next week to pick it up. I'm tempted to change my ticket.



Baby Shower

Saturday morning Brooke and I threw a little baby shower for Emily. It was super simple and very fun. We had it on the back patio at Axis Cafe. For decorations we rented a tablecloth and made little arrangements in Weck jars {when it was over everyone took a little jar home.} For favors we filled up these cute green boxes with macaroons from Miette. I'm not too into shower games but Brooke came up with a clever one. She got these little babies and froze them in ice cubes. The first person to melt their baby out of the cube won. I like throwing parties at restaurants because all you have to worry about is the fun part: invitations, decor, and favors.



Friday, May 02, 2008

Studio?

In the next few months Paul and I are going to be looking for a new studio. We've outgrown our current one. Does anyone out there know of a good studio? We'd like it to be in the city and around 1,000+ sq ft.

Painted Ikea Bed

Oooh I'm inspired by this painted bed I spied on AT yesterday. Amy from Day Lab DIY took a boring silver IKEA bed and turned it into this wonderful yellow bed with nice lines.

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Debi Treloar

I saw the lovely photos of Debi Treloar on Inside the Loop. That first photo is wonderful to me.



Spring Sale at J Crew

J Crew is having a tidy little spring sale. 20% off the sale price.



Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Jen Gotch goes to Vegas

Jen just went to Vegas for her three year anniversary to renew her vows. Just look at her beautiful flickr set. Our three year anniversary is next week, it puts our nice dinner and movie plans to shame.



Labour and Wait

If I ever opened a store I would want it to be exactly like Labour and Wait. Design Mom posted about these guys a few months ago. It is every beautiful household or garden item you can think of.





Pretty Beach Gear

Do the amount of warm beach days in SF warrant these purchases? I don't think so. Here, here, and here.



Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Flowery Sandals

Not in my price range for sandals, but still really pretty. here, here and here.

Things I am thinking about right now

This beautiful design by Gunta Stölzl. I can't stop staring at it. {Do you think I could make a quilt like this for the baby's room?} via Reference Library



Scout Bike by Jorg & Olif. They make a child seat that attaches, I'd like that too.



This print for above the crib.


Otomi Bedspread


Two of these floor lamps for each side of the sofa. via Elizabeth, my decorator.



This rug, maybe for the entry way.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Start Spreading the News

We just bought our plane tickets to go to the Stationery Show in New York and then the HOW Design Conference in Boston next month {the stationery show for me and the design conference for Paul.} We also can't wait for Moses to meet his cousins on the East Coast {here, here, and here.} I'm excited, I've always wanted to go to the NSS and I've never been to Boston before.



photo via MarkDM

Pottery Barn

I've been so impressed with the new Pottery Barn stuff. They've really stepped it up. I would love to own one of these.

Couture Wedding Invitations

I'm helping a friend with another design project and she showed me this article in New York Magazine on the process of creating a couture wedding invitation. It goes through the process of creating these invitations {designed by the always amazing Ceci New York.} It isn't cheap but it sure is pretty.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

New Paintings

Paul has updated his site with some new paintings. I love the direction his stuff is going.

Eye Candy

Oh my. Domino has some great new eye candy up. This painted room slideshow makes me wish I could paint my rental. {My landlord comes over often so repainting it before I move isn't even an option.} Besides that I love the how-to on pairing lamp bases with shades.

How to Hire a Decorator on a Budget

I don't think I'm the appropriate person to write about how to hire a decorator because as of a month ago I had never done it before. But a lot of people have asked about it so I'll tell you what I do know. Basically I needed help finishing my one- bedroom apartment. We will only stay in our current place 3-4 years so I didn't want to put it off or it wouldn't be worth doing. {One of the advantages of hiring someone over using a talented friend is they can help keep you on task.} I've heard that decorating a house is sort of like planning a wedding... most people don't do it very often so they make a lot of mistakes.

I have definite opinions about what I like but I needed a professional to help me avoid making mistakes. I realized this when I decorated my last place--I made a few expensive bad choices that could have been avoided. A good example of this is our sofa. For me, if a sofa fits through the door and there is room against a wall, then it fits. The decorator talked me out of buying the sofa I wanted and instead showed me a few examples of sofas that were similar but smaller and better for the space. Things like where a rug should fall and how to hang curtains are other easy mistakes to make. {I know because I always seem to get them wrong.}

One of the biggest concerns I had before I hired someone is I wasn't sure if they were "my style." What I've learned is that if your decorator is good, once they understand your style, they know what you want and can help you with your ideas.

I hired an interior design student who is building her portfolio. Not only is this better for me because she is more affordable but she is closer to my demographic and is used to finding things off Craigslist and at Flea Markets for her own house. {That kind of decorating is in my budget.}

I sent three or four emails out to people I knew who were either students or were starting out. I told them what I was looking for and asked if they were available and how much they charged. Elizabeth wrote me back pretty quick so we set up an initial meeting. If it didn't work out I would've ended it there {like a bad first date.} But I really liked how she worked with me. I think she is helping my style come out more than if I did it myself.

Besides an ongoing working relationship some people prefer to just do an initial consultation and then the designer or decorator puts together a book with paint swatches etc. Another idea if you are on a budget is to do all the groundwork before hand {choose swatches and couches you like etc.} and then have a decorator meet with you and make adjustments and suggestions.

Anyway, thats all I got. Domino has an article here on the subject. If you don't have money for a decorator try a talented friend.

Anyone else with more experience have ideas on how to hire a decorator on a budget?



{photo via Domino}

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Shower Invitations

Here are the shower invitations I finished last week. The invitations had a solid pattern on one side of each of the cards. Then I put them in a cellophane wrapper with the pattern side facing outward and made some labels to wrap around the outside with the addresses. I had been wanting to mail something in a cellophane wrapper for a while now--I would have done a few things different but I'm pretty happy with how they turned out.


Pink

One pair of these, in a size 8 please.