An Illustrated Life

I was delighted to come across this book at a bookstore in Pittsburgh. Charley Harper: An Illustrated Life" is the collaborative effort of designer Todd Oldham and the late Charley Harper. The book features over 400 pages of Harper's charming illustrations, and now in its second printing, has a more affordable price tag of only $32. (The 2007 edition retailed at around $200)

Harper is known for his bold, colorful illustrations, a style he called "minimal realism". One of his better known and more sought after books The Golden Book of Biology has fetched upwards of $400 on ebay.

Enjoy!

Happy Friday!

Here's to trying to capture the last bit of fall... Happy Friday and enjoy the weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Green With Envy

Love these calming shades of greens and teals. On the hunt for a vintage style fridge... and off to Pittsburgh for Thanksgiving!

Beet Martinis, my new weakness

Ever since visiting the Yakuza Lounge in Portland a few weeks ago I have been craving the incredible Beet Martinis we indulged in. I knew we could recreate this incredible drink, and we decided to make them for the progressive Thanksgiving dinner our friends organized last night. 

The first stop of the night was our house for appetizers and cocktails, where we debuted our own version. We infused Svedka for three days with three medium fresh greated beets, combined with homemade simple syrup and a splash of lemon juice, garnished with a lemon slice, these are just as beautiful as they are delicious. 

Also on the menu for the hour were Spicy Rosemary Peanuts, Aged Goat Gouda and Smoked Chevre from Integration Acres, Bacon Wrapped Beets and Wasabi and Soy Roasted Pumpkin and Squash Seeds.

The rest of the evening included sweet and savory salads at the House of Rage, a tasty lentil soup at Mary and Laura's, a delectable array of autumnal entrees at the Savage Pony and incredible mini vegan pies at Sarah's for dessert. I'm loving living in a neighborhood where we're fortunate to be so close to close friends. The first progressive dinner was so fun and successful, I'm sure it won't be the last. Below are a few photos of the night.

Kitchen Styles, Pick Your Flavor

Putting the aggravation of drawing up the perfect house plans on the back burner to dream up the perfect kitchen. Between the two of us, we put out some delicious and amazing looking dishes, so the same care and thought needs to go into the design of the room. Which of these is your favorite style? I think i'm drawn to the rustic charm of the third set. Antique whites, galvanized steel and reclaimed barn wood and glass would make me a happy chef!

Elegant Spook

Oh Martha, how I heart your elegant take on Halloween, getting inspiration for my Halloween Party that I've spontaneously decided to throw this Friday

color by numbers

hat box, florals and shades of blue

Well, Polaroid, it's about time..

If you've not heard of the Impossible Project, be sure to check out there website, I've been following this project since the beginning. Heard this BIG news tonight:

"Already holding the first working hand-coated samples in our trembling hands, we are pleased to herewith announce an epoch making cooperation between Polaroid (who can no longer resist the stir we are making) and The Impossible Project:

The new licensee of the Polaroid Brand – The Summit Global Group – will re-launch the legendary Polaroid One Step Camera and is therefore commissioning The Impossible Project to develop and produce a limited edition of Polaroid branded Instant Films in the middle of 2010."

I'm still hording a pack of Polaroid Time Zero and Spectra film... and eagerly awaiting the purchase of my first pack of new instant film!!

Market Day

mmmm Asian long beans and concord grapes... beautiful fall day for the market.. apple cider, chicken of the woods, smoked chevre, and butternut squash... i think athens has the best farmers market ever.

On the Farm

This lovely collection of images was shot by own of my co workers, Susi Rankis at her home down in Vinton Co. They made me smile and I wanted to share them with others.

A lovely night for a stroll

I guess Fall's here. Looks like he snuck in the back door and made himself comfortable while no one was looking. Took a walk with Piper tonight over to the lot where we will build our first home. We ran along the wooded hill, counting pawpaw trees, and trying to see of the squirrels had left us any chestnuts. But they were good squirrels and not a one could be found. We met a turtle and imagined where we will plant the fruit trees. A truly lovely evening. Here's a few photos I took tonight.

Way down yonder in the pawpaw patch...

Crafting had yet again kept me captive for the month of September. My parents came down a few weekends ago to keep me company at the Pawpaw Festival. My mom and I sold crafts together for the first time and it was wonderful. I wish we had longer together but the visit was nice and a lot of people came through our booth. I sold all of my elephants. Auguste, Eduard, Marie, Jolie and Sabine have new happy homes and I must get on top of making more. My Pawpaw Plushies didn't sell as well as I'd hoped they would- I sold out in a few hours last year!! Oh well, save making them again next year I suppose. Check out www.playingelegant.com for custom orders.

Charming Ruffles

Came across this etsy shop today. Holly Stadler does custom orders on beautiful lace and ruffled caplets, shrugs, and apparel. Her work is stunning.

Kitty Come Home

My favorite friend in the whole world is missing. Billie Holiday is my four year old black cat and she disappeared Friday night. She likes licking my ice cream bowl clean, decapitating small rodents and leaving them on the bathroom floor, playing with sycamore seeds until they explode, walking under my feet, perching on the wood pile, sitting on my laptop when I'm trying to type and going on walks in the woods. I really miss her so much. I keep waiting to hear her scramble up her kitty ramp into our bedroom window. Kitty come home -- we miss you!

Pale Pals

Sultana San Francisco

My friend Jeff just sent me a link to Sultana, San Francisco, a vintage shop some friends of his own. They have quite a selection. I particulary love the Hefty Vintage Table Fan. Sales via 1stdibs. Check them out!

The Benevolent Postcard Society

What a lovely August afternoon (I can't believe it's August by the way) I've just joined the Benevolent Postcard Society, a postcard exchange project that lori from automatism has organized. "The Benevolent Postcard Society aims to bring a smile to its members through a one year random exchange of postcards." What a beautiful idea!! She plans to show the postcard in a gallery show and possibly publish the project. Now I have an excuse to by a new mailbox. Don't want my postcards getting wet. (silly worthless mailbox) Check it out and join!! Looks like she has 100 folks signed up so far. Something lovely to look forward to all year long.

I won't grow up...

So today I joined the League of Quarter-centurions. Thinking fondly of childhood birthday memories, wishing my grandparents Doris and Lloyd were still here to blow out the candles with me. My grandmother and I share the same birthday and my grandpa on the 18th. Here's to remembering youth and never growing up. Looking forward to an evening of picking blackberries with Piper and friends.

chat noir chat blanc

If you're looking for something fabulous to add to your netflix queue- this is it. Saw this about a year ago, but its one of those films I think about often, and is hands down top of the list of movies to recommend. Black Cat, White Cat is directed by Emir Kusturica and in addition to being wildly funny, has the most incredible soundtrack, a gypsy orchestra that's reason enough to watch. Rent it, you won't be sorry.

postman brought me love

I received a lovely little package from Nantaka Joy about a week ago. But with all the chaos surrounding my move, i just got around to getting a picture taken. I was given these charming little note cards and a mini notebook for being a contest finalist on Oh Joy's blog & Dwell Studio. Aren't they precious! Be sure to check out her shop for more adorable paper goods

lovely yellows

these charming florals are bringing a little sunshine to this gloomy and chilly {shocking!} day. Makes me want to go pick up the butter yellow kitchen chair i saw in that thrift store last week...hmmmmm

color by numbers

lavender and olive love

Holy Holga- I'm Seeing Double!

I nearly jumped out of my seat when perusing the pages of urbanouttfiters.com i saw- A Stereo Holga!!! I can't believe it. At $120, I think I'll be holding off until my bank account recovers from my trip to Vegas but Egads!! I can hardly contain myself!! I want one so bad it hurts.

post man brought me love...

So I recently returned from a week in Vegas to find pure love waiting for me at my doorstep: Anthropologie's June 2009 catalog- a collaboration with Hatch Show Print!! I could hardly believe my eyes. The location scout for this issue surely deserves a bonus. Page after page of brilliant eye-candy.... oooh be still my heart

color by numbers

I have been long romanticizing the days of circus trains and traveling performers, the big top and glamourous costumes. I recently received a letter from my grandmother, telling the story of my great Aunt Dodo, who ran away and joined the circus as a young girl. I only wish I had gotten to meet her.




Photo Credits:
Row 1: Left: Debi Treloar, Right: Circus Museum
Row 2: Left: Circus Museum, Right: The Circus, 1870-1950" by TASCHEN
Row 3: Left: Anna Kern Right: 666 Photography

Oh Joy! & Dwell Studio Contest- UPDATE!!

I'm a finalist!! I just got word this morning that I am one of 10 finalists in the Oh Joy + Dwell Studio Contest. With the contest bringing in over 500 entries I am most pleased to be considered. The winner will be selected at random on Friday so keep your fingers crossed for me! Oh Joy will be featuring the finalists all week, so check it out! I desperately desire the Draper Stripe Set for the bedroom in our new tiny apartment - I think this might be the universe's way of making it up to me.

Oh Joy! & Dwell Studio Contest

Oh Joy! and teaming up with Dwell Studio for a give away contest. Here is my entry:

I absolutely love the Draper Stripe Duvet Set in ash, the mustard yellow makes me squeal... (really you should hear it, i think i've confused my office mates thoroughly) Paired with the Yellow Oxide Petal Skirt from etsy seller hierapparel

There's No Place Like Home...

Got an email from my brobot today... really excited to go home over memorial day weekend and visit with my family.


Photo Credits: Top row left: Tom Leighton, right: Petrina Tinslay
Row 2 left: Joanna Vintage right: Alicia Bock
Row 3 right: Flickr
Row 4: Getty Images