perfectbound

j'adornment

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:00:00 +0000

I was one of the lucky ones that got to Kate's shop just in time to get one of her amazing necklaces. It arrived last week and I've been trying not to wear it everyday! I love the purple hues in the embroidery thread combined with the vintage brass chain. Lately, I just can't seem to get enough handmade and/or vintage accessories. I guess it's partly because of my love for things that have a story. But everything seems a little more special that way, don't you think?

left to right } lucky seven pyrite chunk polyhedron necklace, wave ring set, Golden Leaf Earrings

So of course this mini obsession has lead to a bunch of new favourites on etsy. And what are favourites if you can't share them? First, there's this great pyrite chunk necklace from Ball & Chain. I really like the rawness of the stones combined with the subtle sparkle of the facets. I'm absolutely in love with all the creations at onestonenewyork. This wave ring set is one of favourites though. The organic lines are simply beautiful. And ever since I saw one of shlomitofir's necklaces over at Melissa Loves, I've become a big fan of her work. I think these leaf earrings are calling my name. They would add the perfect bit of whimsy to any outfit.

I can't get over how cute and funny this little guy is!

And how good does this look?!

Wishing you all a bright & sunny weekend!

good as new

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:00:00 +0000

I love that looking through magazines, pouring over the details of the most perfectly styled rooms, and searching for the real thing online even though you may not be able to afford it can all be considered research. And if that really is the case, I should have been a researcher. Sourcing out prints, patterns, and objects... that would be a dream come true. I suppose I've been researching quite a bit lately, and reading up a bit on spotting great vintage finds. It's true what they say: they just don't make them like they used to.

left to right } Yellow Triangle dishes, The Carrie Clutch, Mid Century Danish magazine rack

I haven't sought out specifically vintage items lately. But after last weekend's stop into a few of our favourite vintage and antique shops, I felt it was time to see what's out there. I found these cute Yellow Triangle dishes at Kitsch Cafe which reminds me of Kath's triangle post a little while back. (And of my favourite SuzyJack* paper goods pattern.) When it comes to vintage accessories, The Carrie Clutch at Adore Vintage pretty much qualifies as a great find in my book. It's a perfect dress it up/dress it down piece in pearly leather. And to round things out today, I found a fantastic Mid Century Danish magazine rack at the Modbots shop. I suppose you could use this for anything really, (nicely lined up umbrellas anyone?) because with it's classic design, you know it'll look good doing it.

I adore this, this and this. There are so many lovely things to look at today!

Be well, friends!

sweet tooth

noreply@blogger.com (perfectbound) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Good Morning friends. Hopefully the sun is shining on you today. It has been grey and rainy here. Really rainy. It does have a refreshing feel to it, though. Like everything is clean and new again. To break the greyness, a lovely package arrived from Tara. She so thougtfully sent a batch of these sinfully good cookies. If you haven't visited her blog, what are you waiting for?! It's filled with great photography and charmingly written anecdotes. She is also featured in issue two of UPPERCASE Magazine. We can assure you, these cookies will not last long around here! Thanks again, Tara!

left to right } Quince and Tea Crème Brulée, Lemon Yogurt Cake, Cinnamon Swirl Buns with Cream Cheese Glaze, Vanilla Cupcakes with Milk Chocolate Ganache Frosting

We just couldn't resist sharing some other sweet treats that have been added to the list of desserts we need to make. This tea infused Crème Brulée looks oh so good, doesn't it? Check out spicy icecream for more delicious inpiration. Jeannette's lovely Lemon Yougurt Cake sounds like the perfect summer dessert. Her love of cake is so endearing, and her explaination of why it's so great makes a lot of sense. Who would turn down a fresh, out of the oven cinnamon bun? No one, that's who! We came across these irrestible Cinnamon Swirl Buns while perusing Smitten Kitchen and have been drooling over them ever since. And somehow it makes us feel a little better that the recipe is listed under breakfast. Finally, we have these Vanilla Cupcakes with Milk Chocolate Ganache Frosting. We're pretty sure that's all we need to say about them, just look at that photo!

Happy Wednesday!

fall in line

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Hello and Happy Tuesday, everyone! I hope you're all doing well. A few months ago, I did a post about lines and ever since then, I've noticed them everywhere, in everything. Just this weekend while digging around for a CD, I ended up with a stack of cover art with line work of all kinds. From pen and ink to watercolour and linocut, it was clear that I lines needed to be revisited.

left to right } Blossoms Series Original Drawing, Maramiki Pin Cushion, Lines and Arrows Cushion

I didn't even need to look beyond the shops of Etsy to find some lovelies for today's line up. (You'll have to pardon the pun, but it had to be said.) I'm loving this Blossoms Series Original Drawing I found in siiso's shop. The colours remind me of days at the lake and the line quality is just lovely. (Her shop and portfolio of work are stunning. Be sure to check them out!) I've had this Pin Cushion by Maramiki in my favourites for a while. It almost looks as if it's embroidered on, doesn't it? Which totally suits it, as it's a pin cushion after all! Finally, I had to include the Lines and Arrows Cushion from be still. It has a nice graphic quality to it with it's thick lines. Very reminiscent of a linocut and just as charming, don't you think?

Happy Wedding Anniversary wishes both Heather (yesterday) and Holly (today)!

And I caved into my brownie craving yesterday. I've wanted one ever since I saw this.

Have a wonderful day, friends!

bookmarked

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:55:00 +0000

TGIF! It seems like it's taken forever for today to arrive. I seem to be looking forward to weekends more than ever. There's just so much to do and so little time to do them during the week. We're hoping to change things up here on the blog, (we've been meaning to for a while now) so hopefully this weekend will afford us the time to get something started! I also have some major catching up to do in this blogosphere of ours. I've been looking for new sites and blogs to explore. Do you have any recommendations?

clockwise from top left } Proximity Magazine, The Book Cover Archive, James Gulliver Hancock, J'M Photography, Public School, Randi Brookman Harris

That being said, I thought I'd share a few of my bookmarks as of late. There's some great information and visuals here so hopefully you guys can check them out sometime! Proximity Magazine is a contemporary arts & culture magazine based in Chicago, with a lot of great online content. The Book Cover Archive is nothing but fantastic online content. After I discovered this one via Joy, I can't stop clicking through pages and pages of books. My reading list has certainly gotten much longer! I've really enjoyed going through James Gulliver Hancock's portfolio of projects and illustrations. Currently working from L.A., I find his work has a certain charm about it.

J'M is a blog by Toronto based portrait and wedding photographers Justin & Michelle DeMers. Their portfolio of work is stunning. Their studio looks amazing. They seem like just all around fun people. Public School is a creative collective from Austin with a blog filled with neat and curious things from around the web. Finally, we have the porfolio of Randi Brookman Harris. I dream of styling photos as she does one day with clients the likes of Martha Stewart Living and Kate Spade. Le sigh!

And if you haven't read, Kath and I got the opportunity to write the next Blog Beautiful column on the ever sweet and lovely Heather Smith Jones for issue 2 of UPPERCASE magazine! (Which, by the way, is now being carried at the National Gallery of Canada's bookstore! Congrats, guys!)

Wishing you all a fantastic weekend!

paint the town pink

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:00:00 +0000

It's no secret that Peonies are one of my favorite flowers. But ever since we moved into the apartment they've been hard to come by. So my mom graciously painted this lovely portrait for me and now I have them around all year round. Thanks, Mom! I'm really liking the old world quality it has. I feel very lucky to have parents that enjoy creating things and sharing them with family and friends.

left to right } golden frosted leaf bracelet, pink english ruffle chiffon top, Brown Cork Louise clutch, Jeffrey Campbell Disco in Gold

I'm always so excited to read Ez and Melissa's Chic for Cheap posts. They both find such fun and wearable pieces. And if you haven't already, be sure to update your bookmarks to Melissa's new site!

Inspired by the golds and pinks of my new painting, I thought I'd look for some clothing picks of my own. Have you been to Ruche yet? I think I might want one of everything on their site. It's a good thing their prices are so amazing! A couple of my favourites right now are this golden leaf bracelet and ruffle chiffon top. How great would that top be paired with black or grey jeans! This Louise clutch by Lauren Merkin is such a wonderful colour, I'm loving the flecks of gold and that it's made of cork! Last but not least are these Jeffrey Campbell shoes, called Disco in Gold. There's nothing like a little disco to get you going!

The July issue of Mankind Mag is here! And be sure to check out Heather's interview over at YellowGoat.

Happy day to you all!

snail mail

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Lately I've been trying to rediscover things I have. So often I get this or that and it ends up stored away somewhere; I never even get to use them sometimes! It's so easy to forget and I go out and get something new instead. So as I was rereading UPPERCASE magazine, (patiently waiting for issue 2 to arrive) their Postal Service feature had me realizing we haven't done a mail post in a while! Also that I have a lot of envelopes and such that I haven't used for various reasons. But we'll fix that. I adore mail and mail ephemera. Don't you? It always puts a smile on my face.

left to right } Pen and Ink mail set, vintage post labels, Envelope Mail Sorter

It's never very difficult finding something good when it comes to the mail. Take this Pen and Ink mail set I spotted at Present&Correct. So sweet and retro, even a note to say hello will seem extra special written on these. (Which is important, wouldn't you agree?) My favourite part about mail is the packaging, since it's what's seen first. A few charming, vintage post labels from Sweet Kate cheer up the plainest package! I love the colours of these. Especially the Special Delivery labels in that green and yellow! Last but not least, I came across this Envelope Mail Sorter from Kit Kelley Organize. Simple but fun, what better way to keep your mail organized than in an envelope? It comes in a dark stain as well as a natural finish. A perfect addition to any office or studio!

Side note: how beautiful is this?

Have a great Tuesday, everyone!

desk job

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Good morning friends. I hope you all had a lovely weekend. In an effort to save a little money I've been trying to stay in and work on things that require attention around the apartment. Currently in progress are a couple of chairs that are in desperate need of new cushions and the studio which has yet to evolve. I think Julie and I have a general consensus on how we'd like it to look (something similar to this would work well for the desk set up), but I'm sure both our individual personalities will come through at each of our work spaces.

left to right } Lab Partners, Domino, Marie Claire Maison

While thinking of all the possibilities I got caught up looking at all the wonderful inspiration out there. I seem to be attracted to what I like to call "organized clutter" the most. I really love all three of these spaces. Lab Partners studio has that cool retro feel that I'm always drawn to. The Domino image (found via sarahleeab's flickr) has the bookshelves and the subtle feminine touches that I like. And the Marie Claire Maison image (found via MadeByGirl) is kind of eclectic, which I am also strongly drawn to. Although, I'm not sure about the antlers, they might be a little too much for me. There are always so many options. But we're getting close, I can feel it!

What is your studio space like? Are you a collector or a clutter free worker?

How many of you want one of these to play with? I know I do!

Have a fabulous day!

love triangle

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:50:00 +0000

It seems I've gotten off to a late start this morning! I hope it is as sunny and bright where you are as it is here today. It's Friday once again and for our friends to the South, it is a holiday weekend! The fourth of July always gets me thinking about backyard cookouts and colourful decorations. Traditional triangle bunting is one of my favourite ways to dress up a party. What's yours?

left to right } Double Pyramid Necklace, Double Triangle Sheet Set, The Decemberists, 1970s Geometry Puzzle

I've been thinking a lot about different forms lately and triangles keep popping into my head. And of course this got me wondering what sort of items I could find that utilize this fun shape. I found this great pyramid necklace over at beth pohlman's etsy shop. I love the open framework and since each pyramid is made by hand, each one is unique. I'm also really enjoying this sheet set by Alexander Girard from Urban Outfitters. The subtleness of the colour and pattern is quite striking. This gig poster by Nate Duval is so much fun. The colour palette and repetition of shape is lovely. Finally, the kid (and the grown up!) in me loves this geometry puzzle from Present&Correct. All the different configurations are so interesting.

Here are a few more wonderful shapes. I'm not sure what I'd use them for, but it's fun thinking of the possibilities!

Also, we want to send out Happy Birthday wishes to Shanna on Saturday and Janick on Sunday! Hope you both have wonderful days!

See you Monday!

blue streak

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Hello July! And hello to you all! I was so close to asking how your weekends were. Our day off yesterday has got me a little out of sorts. Funny how one day can throw you off track. It was a nice day to have off; it wasn't too hot out, but still warm and sunny. A nice day to sit back and pretty much do whatever you feel! I went through some old magazines and revisited some things I once would have ruled out. Perhaps it's because I adore my blue plate so much, (I know it's a plate but the pattern makes me smile) but blue is beginning to look much more promising as a room colour for me.

1. Two-tone living room 2. Petrol blue sofa 3. Blue entry 4. Sky coloured kitchen 5. Modern blue 6. Vitamin coloured kitchen 7. Boldly blue bedroom 8. Gorgeous and stylish 9. Teak four-poster bed

Initially, I was looking for only three images to share with you today. But once I began looking, it seemed I had found more than I had bargained for. I thought it would be a little tricky, finding blue spaces that caught my eye, especially predominantly blue ones. As you can see, this wasn't the case. I ooo'd and ahh'd at these cool, striking shades. Every room had a lovely blue treatment, and even though shades were similar, each space has a completely different tone. Which one is your favourite? (Right now, I'm really smitten with 1, 3, and 4.) Do you have a blue space in your home?

Remember everyone, Sandra's blog has moved on up! You can now visit her here.

After I saw this post on Marichelle's blog, I sat around for a while and clicked away at all the possibilities! And as Heather mentioned yesterday, don't forget to check out Echoes, now posting every Mon/Weds/Fri for the summer!

Be well, friends!

bookworm

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

The idea of a book club always seemed fun to me. Although I don't think I could ever be part of one. Having to read a book on a deadline makes me nervous. I'm not quite sure why. Perhaps it's because I'm not the fasted reader, it feels like I have to rush through it to be able to finish by the set date. But when it comes to summer, it feels like it was meant to be spent reading away the days. What kind of books do you like to bring to the beach with you?

left to right } The book as companion book plate, Lili Lite, Letterpress Mini Notepad

I've always loved writing my name in a book. Each year in elementary school we'd be assigned our text books and have to write our names in the little stamped area along with all the names of the kids who had the book before us. So I guess this explains my fondness for book plates. I really love these ones created by Andrea Wilkinson. Personalized versions are available in the form of a rubber stamp upon request. Have you all seen the Lili Lite? It acts as a bookshelf, place holder and reading light all in one. And it looks great too. An added bonus is that it ships worldwide! Having a little notebook is always handy to jot down those titles you've been meaning to read. These mini notepads are just the right size, and the letterpressed pencil on the cover reminds me of being in school.

Issue No.2 will be available this Thursday, be sure to get your copy!

I'm currently loving this and this.

Happy day to you all!

a numbers game

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Happy Monday, everyone. Did you have a good weekend? I hope the weather was nice where you are. We had a grey and rainy day on Saturday, the kind perfect for staying in and watching a movie. Yesterday, I dug out a few of my design and type books to study the form of letters and numbers. I thought it would help with my lettering. I stumbled upon this page of numbers that caught my eye. Numbers are truly one of my favourite things. I always notice numbers and odd number combinations. What's your favourite or lucky one? (Mine is 6.)

left to right } numbered napkin rings, Calendreco perpetual wall calendar, Helvetica Iconic panels

Naturally, I went in search for numbers to see what I could find; some delicate, some bold, and some simply spectacular. I found these lovely numbered napkin rings in BROOKLYNrehab's Etsy shop. I love that they do double duty as placeholders and napkin rings. They remind me a bit of Janine's. Being that it's almost July, including a calendar might seem a bit odd. But this Calendreco perpetual wall calendar found at See Jane Work is good for now, later, or even years from today. We've been looking for something to add some graphic punch to the studio walls and this may be it! If not, these Helvetica Iconic panels from B&N Industries will have to do. Who am I kidding? They're pretty fantastic, aren't they? Texture and typography: always my favourite combination! It makes such a statement but still isn't loud, which is perfect.

This charming little necklace now comes in silver! I also really love this bag.

Kathryn and I are excited to see this. We're always suckers for a good love story.

Wishing you well today, friends!

what goes around

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

I don't know about you, but I'm so happy that Friday is finally here! Though I'm not quite sure what to do with my time this weekend: relax or get things done? Hopefully I'll fit in both. What do you hope to get done this weekend? I hope to pick up some more mini donuts, plain and simple. There have been a few fairs and the like in the city lately, and the best part about them for me is always the mini donuts. They're sugar coated joy in bite-sized pieces. But have you noticed? They're only delicious for a short period of time. All the more reason to shove my face full of them.

1. orange collection, 2. Mashti Malone, 3. color dots, 4. from chad, 5. Double chocolate cookies, 6. perfect circles, 7. Untitled, 8. circles, 9. circles

Never one to pass up inspiration in all its glorious forms, I let the donuts guide me today. I suppose it's because I thought about how none of them are perfect circles, which led me to circles in general. So many good things in life are round. And there's something so visually pleasing about circles. Continual, connected... or maybe I like them because, let's face it, the lack of corners, the seamless boundary it creates, just makes me smile. There's also something very playful about them, don't you think? What's your favourite shape? Bonus points for fun answers like "rhombus".

How great must this wedding have been?

This makes me smile. And is it weird that I'm jealous of this doll's outfit?

Have a great weekend, everyone! The kind with a funny story you can retell throughout next week. Those are always good.

red white and black

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

With Canada Day coming up next week, red seems to be popping up everywhere. It is one of those colours that I don't seem to have a lot of, in my wardrobe or my decor. As much as I love the graphic quality of straight up black and white, sometimes it's just that much better with a touch of red. Since our sofa is a dark charcoal grey, it lends itself to many different accent colours. I'm starting to think that black, white and red might be a good way to change things up.

left to right } Anna Svanfeldt, Erica Wakerly, Joel Dewberry, Anna Salander

I love Anna Svanfeldt's work and her 2008 Fialena collection for Ikea is no exception. It's been in my favourites for a while and the only problem is choosing a favourtie! If I could order every design of Erica Wakerly's wallpaper, I think I would. They are all fabulous, but I especially love this fan pattern. It reminds me of string art. This Joel Dewberry fabric is available in Fabric Flair's etsy shop. I'm quite enjoying the bits of red and am thinking it would make a great toss cushion. Along with Anna Svanfeldt, Anna Salander has a great collection available through Ikea. This black and white pattern might get my top vote, althought it would be nice paired with the red version as well.

This is lovely, and as it just so happens, fits nicely into today's colour scheme :)

And have you seen this? I'm loving the vintage quailty it has, and the great story of how it came to be.

Wishing you all sunny skies.

to the letter

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

I revisited the efforts of my pack rat ways, again. Oh, the things you find when you dig around! A bag full of Letraset and Letraset-like letters. They're old and scratched up, but I like that they're not pristine and perfect. I actually have no idea what to do with them. Any suggestions? Maybe create some falling letter art like these.

left to right } make yourself at home rug, think sign, Come In/Go Away doormat

I love type so much, and when it comes to prints, it's easy to find ways to incorporate it into a space. But I got a little curious as to what other ways you could bring the written word home. This make yourself at home rug by John Pour Home is made of hand-cut felt and comes in a plethora of colours and sayings. Better watch your step! I was thinking of something like this think sign, from Cox & Cox, in the studio. Keeping the walls the same creamy white plays up the interesting shadows, don't you think? Like looking at clouds, maybe it'll help spark some ideas. Last but not least, is this very cool Come In/Go Away doormat over at Generate Design. Funny how an ear here and a tail there can create a whole new way of reading something. I kept turning my head to the side, not quite believing it was the same doormat. (A major plus is that there's free shipping within the U.S. and Canada on most items!)

We've been working on a few things that we'll tell you about soon! And I had one of these in hamburger form when I was little!

Lastly: yum.

Have a great day, friends!

the san francisco treat

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Hello friends! I hope you all had a nice weekend and that all the great dads out there (including mine!) had a relaxing father's day. It was very warm and humid all weekend yet I had a craving for some rice pudding. Is that weird? Oh well, it was delicious either way! I've only just come around to rice pudding, I think it was one of those things that I just thought I didn't like but hadn't really given it a chance.

left to right } Chocolate-Hazelnut Rice Pudding, Ricotta Cake, Rice Pudding Tarts with Blood Oranges

And since I'm now hooked on the classic rice pudding, I wondered what other kinds of sweet treats could be created with rice. It was all over once I started looking through all the delicious options over at Martha Stewart. Doesn't the Chocolate-Hazelnut Rice Pudding look sinfully good?! I'm reaching for a glass of milk already! One review referred to the Ricotta Cake as rice pudding in cake form. I don't know about you, but that makes me want to try it. If cake isn't your thing, how about a tart shell filled with rice pudding? The tarts with blood oranges look like a wonderful summer dessert.

Speaking of tarts, I'm wondering how this turned out. It sounds yummy :)

And, it's getting closer...

Happy Monday!

fun in the sun

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Since it's Friday, I thought I'd take a break from the usual for a little summer fun! As I mentioned on Wednesday, the temperatures have been feeling a lot like summer this week. It is quite a change from what we were getting just a few days ago. Here in Winnipeg the start of the season is marked by the arrival of our largest summer fair – The EX. I remember being so excited as a kid because once The EX had arrived in town it meant that there were only a few more days until school was out!

1. religion called cotton candy (365/37), 2. crossed lines, 3. lazy days of summer, 4. Mashti Malone, 5. 11.42 am., 6. Untitled, 7. Summer Time, 8. pattaya.park, 9. Untitled

Do you remember the anticipation of summer vacation and how hard the last couple days of school were? I seem to recall that we didn't get a lot done in those last days and it was mainly playing games and being outdoors.

I gathered up some flickr images that evoke the same anticipation. And for someone that's not really a summer person, these photos even have me wishing I had two months of vacation again. I love the smell of carnivals, don't you? All the deep fried goodness and the cotton candy. To me, that's what summer smells like. Well, that and rain. And fresh cut grass. Do you have any traditions to kick off summer?

If you live somewhere that prevents you from having a garden, here's a fun project. And this little hideaway would be a great addition to any backyard, especially here since we tend to have a unbearably high number of mosquitos each summer.

Wouldn't these be yummy at a picnic? I must try them!

Happy weekend to you all!

wall to wall

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Last weekend, Kath and I did a little painting, replaced some hardware, and contemplated just what we were going to do next. We live in a fairly old building, (built in 1910, I believe) so we're not necessarily dealing with perfect conditions. In hopes of finding the best solution to covering up some things we just can't fix, I've been looking at different wall decor. I found this great image in an old issue of Inside Out of painted pieces of paper tacked to the wall. I love the hand-painted aspect which adds more character than using regular stock paint chips.

left to right } striped wallpaper (LivingEtc.), a patchwork of squares, kitchenware library (both Marie Claire Maision)

These aren't entirely feasible for a rental, but it doesn't mean they aren't visually stunning enough to share. Much like the impact of a wall covered in paint chips, I chose these for that wow factor. You all know that we've been dying to get some wallpaper up somewhere... anywhere! I really love this striped wallpaper treatment with the stripes running opposite under the chair rail. Being a fan of tile, I thought this patchwork of squares tiled bathroom was fantastic! I don't know if I could ever go multi-coloured but it looks great, don't you think? The last image is of the wonderful idea of treating your kitchenware like books. A library-inspired wall of shelving to showcase your goods, stacked neatly in their appropriate categories. All that's missing is a rolling ladder...

I stumbled upon this spectacular piece via the other Julie (of Up Up Creative) over at each penny pretty. Now, if I could just find a few thousand dollars today, I'll be set.

And because we all need to smile at least once today, you must see this and this cuteness.

Be well, friends.

good times

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Hello friends, how are you today? All of a sudden it feels like summer here. Hot and humid with the occasional thunderstorm. I forgot how much I missed sitting outside in the evening and going for a walk when it's dark but still warm out.

The other day I was going through some things and found this little package of old souvenir photographs that my mom found for me at a flea market a couple of years ago. They've just been waiting for the right place to be displayed. Dated August 2, 1952, this set is dedicated to the Will Rogers' Memorial Shrine in Colorado Springs. I also found a bit of background information on the Sanborn Sovenir Company who produced these photos. I love finding out the story behind vintage treasures.

left to right } Candemir Pouf Ottoman, Patricia Urquiola Smock Seating, Yves writing desk

Finding these old photographs again got me thinking about the history of objects in general. I seemed to have developed an aesthetic that has a retro feel. This is probably because to me, there is nothing better than finding an original vintage piece at a garage sale or thrift store.

And as much as I love having original vintage pieces, sometimes they are unattainable for one reason or another. So I wanted to share some of my favourite finds that may not be considered retro quite yet, definitely have a vintage feel. I always wanted a bean bag chair when I was growing up but never had one. These pouf ottomans by designer Nathan Turner might just be the next best thing. Featured in the June issue of Elle Decor, I am loving all the fun colours! Don't you just want to curl up with a good book in this Smock Chair by Patricia Urquiola? The Yves writing desk would be a dream to have, I can imagine this getting passed down through the family for years and years.

Do you have a piece of furniture that you would never give up?

Have you all seen the lovely tribute site to Paul Rand (via grain edit)?

And a very happy anniversary to Shauna & Stephen!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

hot off the press

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

There are many occasions coming up that I'll need cards for, like birthdays and weddings. And sometimes, when simply saying hello is occasion enough. But I realized my stock of cards and notes is a bit low! It's always nice to have some solid general greetings on hand, since it's so easy for an event to slip my mind. I suppose I've been too busy practicing addressing the envelopes rather than worrying about that's going in them. We can fix that, can't we?

left to right } Simple Birthday postcard, Seraph Pink Letters, Sea of Moustaches card

I haven't looked for cards and notes in a little while, so there were a lot of favourites for me. The Simple Birthday postcard from simplesong is perfect to have on hand. Easily customizable and great to send to anyone! I love that it's a postcard, as well. Something else I love is this Seraph Pink Letters note card set. The cards are edged in pink and the envelopes are charming, featuring a letterpressed flap. (It also comes in teal.) And with it coming up this weekend, I thought I'd share a cute Father's Day card I found. When I think of my dad, I think of mustaches. Mainly because ever since I was little, I've told him to shave his off, as I believe he looks much more handsome without it. They have a nice selection of Dad-friendly cards at Egg Press. Be sure to take a look!

Look what I bought from the lovely Dear Golden the other day! My first one. Aren't the numbers fantastic?

I love this. Have you heard that before? About the stamp? It's like a secret smile from miles away. I love things like that.

Have a lovely Tuesday, everyone!

put in place

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Yesterday, I was looking for a business card. (I remember liking the font it was set in.) Just one business card, and I ended up making a mess, looking through every little thing I had trying to find it. I've organized quite a few things: my CD's, magazines, books. I even sat down one day and added album art to every one of my albums in iTunes. But there remains quite a bit to sort out. Luckily I picked up some People Tracker pages from R+H so that, at the very least, I'll have my contacts organized!

left to right } 70s Elephant Pot, Brocade Letter Holder, Orient Express Storage Trunk

Whether it's a place for the little things, or a larger storage solution for a space, there are some great finds out there! And there are some to suit any aesthetic. These adorable 70s Elephant Pots spotted over at Present&Correct can store desk staples like pushpins and paperclips or even loose change. I think you need playful things like these in the office! For a fanciful solution to your notes and mail, there's this pretty little Brocade Letter Holder. (There are other brocade office products at See Jane Work, so be sure to take a look!) Finally, I found this Orient Express Storage Trunk at Graham and Green. It adds a charm and hints at a dream of far-off places. Sort of romantic, don't you think? I'm in need of storage in my bedroom, and finding a piece just right has been hard. Now I think I'll have an eye out for something like this piece.

Question: does anyone else love watching So You Think You Can Dance like Kath and I do? I don't think I can dance. I know I can't; It's catastrophic at times.

Also, who else thinks Anabela's new spectacles are just perfect for her? I could never rock those frames.

And yesterday's Noticing Project post made me smile.

Whatever you're doing and whomever you're with, I hope you enjoy your weekend!

CMY but not K

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Good morning friends. How is your week so far? It has been quite grey and rainy this week so when I found this fun vintage necklace at an antique shop the other day it brightened my spirits. I had been searching for a yellow necklace since last spring but never found quite what I was looking for. Then when I spotted this little beauty hanging amongst the other colours I automatically walked over and picked it up. And it was only five dollars! It was a good day. I hope the sun is shining on you today.

left to right } The Small Stakes, Holga Starter Kit CMY, Origami Blossom Bedding

Since it's almost officially summer I thought I'd leave out the black (for the most part) and find some things that utilize cyan, magenta and yellow. I think I've mentioned how Julie and I are big fans of The Small Stakes. We always find something we like, one of our current favourites is the poster for School of Seven Bells/Black Moth Super Rainbow. It's a prettier version of a colour wheel. How great is this Holga Starter Kit CMY? Have fun tinting your photographs with yellow, red, or blue! I can imagine entire weekends could be consumed with experimenting. And if that's not enough, you can dream in technicolor with the Origami Blossom bedding from Urban Outfitters. This bedding would be great to liven up a bedroom at the lake.

Here's a little more fun with these three cheery hues.

And I've been drooling over this sneak peek for the past few days.

Happy Thursday!

dine-in or take-out

noreply@blogger.com (Julie) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Ever since we got back from our trip, we've been a bit preoccupied with all things home decor for the apartment. Things are starting to feel like they're headed in the right direction of what we want. But just as we think we're getting somewhere, there's a million other things on the to do list! We've been racking our brains trying to sort out our dining room. My family never really used ours except for special occasions; something I'd like to rectify with ours. We have the table, (a very simple Danish teak find) but we're at a loss as to the rest of the space. This is a call for help!

1. Modern mix L.A. dining room: Stained tile floors + shell chandelier, 2. Modern elegant dining room: White mirrored buffet + wood + blue, 3. Modern mix dining room: White + wood + leather chairs, 4. Blue + white interior: Dark + light in Frank Roop's midcentury modern dining room, from Elle Decor, 5. Living_1.jpg, 6. Untitled, 7. wood, white, red, 8. dining room table + chairs, 9. stripey dining room

Our dining table will most likely serve as an 'everything' table. We want to be able to hang out, brain storm, and chow down in the same space. Do you use your dining room formally? Or is it a more casual spot? I gathered a few different looks and hopefully you can sound in with what you think. I think currently, ours would look most like the last image, (bottom right) seeing as we have that aqua chair! It's a bit of a mishmash right now, which is fine. We like character and personality that comes with mixing styles. It also makes it more relaxed, don't you think? Also, what are your feelings on lighting? (Pendant, lamps, sconces?) I'd love to know what you have in your dining room.

Side note, that fortune cookie pictured above is not for consumption. (It's porcelain!) It's my new favourite thing I got here.

Remember to check Heather's latest shop update! And I think I want a few of these hanging in the corner of my room. Though I'd probably sit there for hours, batting at it like a cat.

Also, we'd like to wish Grace a very happy birthday!

Have a wonderful day, friends!

knock on wood

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Last weekend my mom found this lovely vintage table with plans to strip and paint it. I think it will look great painted, but as I looked at it more I started to really like the worn patina it has. I've been debating on how much natural wood I want in my bedroom as I already have two dressers of different types and don't want to over do it. I do love the feeling natural wood creates in a space. It always seems more inviting and relaxed to me.

left to right } STAAB walnut desk clock, Keyaki wood tea cup, Cedar Box, Tealight Candelabra

Of course this led me to search out more objects that showcase the natural grain and colour of wood. As I've mentioned before I am still looking for a bedside clock that isn't hideous. And since my search for the perfect vintage flip clock has proved unsuccessful thus far I have turned my attention to some gorgeous options from Furni. This desk clock is one of my favourites, but check out all of their clocks here.

There is something about turned wood that begs to be held. These Keyaki wood tea cups are no execption. I can imagine a warm cup of tea nestled in the palm of my hand. The zig zag pattern of this fun cedar box would look great on a desk top or side table. And this tealight candelabra designed by Kai-wei Hsu is definitely being added to my wishlist. For a look into his living space, check out this sneak peek on design*sponge from last week.

Some Monday prettiness.

Have a great day!

all dressed up

noreply@blogger.com (Kathryn) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0000

After a couple of summers off from having any weddings to go to, I now have one to attend in August. So, I was looking through my closet and realized that I really do not have a very good dress wardrobe. I mean it's actually pretty sad. Aside from a couple of bridesmaid dresses and a few other casual options, there is nothing that I can wear to a formal event. Now it isn't all bad, since this gives me an excuse to look for a new dress (or two)!

clockwise from top left } frock dress, Raspberry Perfection Dress, The Canary Dress, Honeycomb

I decided to spend a little time searching out some dresses online to see if I was drawn to a certain style more than others. And the verdict is...I'm not. I had bookmarked about 15-20 dresses that were all very different in look and feel. I guess I'm going to have to get out there and start trying some on!

In the meantime, I thought I'd share some of my favourites with you. I really love the folds and pleating in the frock dress by acne jeans. And I've always enjoyed a good boat neck. I don't wear a lot of fuchsia, but when I saw this Raspberry Perfection Dress I couldn't take my eyes off of it. It would indeed be perfect for a summer wedding. I also can't get enough of The Canary Dress
from Holly Stalder. A yellow dress is definitely something I'd like to have in my wardrobe! Finally there is the Honeycomb dress. I've had this in my favourites for a while now. It's just so beautiful to look at, don't you think?

Here's one more that is really fun. I like the 80's feel it has.

These look delicious!

Happy weekend to you all!