small cool

Apologies for the scarcity of posts these days - I'm hard at work on lots of new and exciting projects. Stay tuned - I'll definitely share some photos when things are ready. In the meantime, voting has begun for apartment therapy's annual Small Cool contest! Readers can vote and decide on the year's smallest, coolest homes. The photos above are from various entries in the contest. Based on the ones I picked, I realized I'm starting to be a little obsessed with different ways to layout framed photos and pictures on walls. And, as usual, since I'm knee-deep in my own office makeover, I can't get enough of the home offices. Head over to apartment therapy and vote for your favorites! {Thanks to the lovely Meg and her tumblr blog for the inspiration!}

april elle decoration

The UK-edition of Elle Decoration is always a great read, filled with good inspiration and beautiful spreads and photography. The April edition has become one of my favorites. From top: loving the cover image, especially the wild and branch-y flowers on the table, gorgeously shot by photographer Tom Mannion and styled by Faye Toogood; cheerful plastic and melamine home goods, shot by Diane Hendrikz; wonderful prints: 'Upside Downside' bird print by Charlie Harper, 'We Not Me' by Christopher Cox, 'Hexagon I' print by James Brown, 'New England' print by Sharon Elphick, and 'My Home...' print by Rob Ryan; beautiful tabletop from the "Living Masterpiece" spread of English designer Mark Chalmers' Amsterdam home, produced by Frank Visser and photographed by Paul Barbera; last image is of a simple but stunning NYC loft, owned by architects Solveig Fernlund and Neil Logan, photographed by Verne/Owi. Love this loft and especially the clean, open spaces that still feel comfortable and truly lived in.

fresh stack of good reads

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brontibay paris

You have to get creative when trying to save pennies these days. If you want something fresh for spring - without blowing the budget on a whole wardrobe - recycle old favorites into a new outfit with costume jewelry or pretty heels. And, a bag is another nice, simple option for updating your staples. Even better, you can carry it every day! The brontibay paris site is stocked full with bright and colorful bags, wallets and clutches. Their new line is all about cheerful silk prints and soft leather totes. I love these. Photos: brontibay paris.

hi there, spring!

It's really here! Although, a little chilly and breezy today. Regardless, I'm so glad for springtime. In honor of pollen dusting the sidewalk and tiny plants peeking through the potting soil, here are some new beth perry DESIGN foldover notes. From top - Hothouse, Barton and Roadside Stand - the last two were commissioned by a client as birthday gifts for her friends. She wanted them to reflect the different personalities of each recipient. I love the grey and pink color combination in the Barton design and the pop of aqua blue with the black flower in Roadside Stand. Flat printed on soft Italian papers, they really turned out beautifully.

the far east

My friend Caroline just got back from a trip to Thailand and Vietnam. I loved the photos, such beautiful places and inspiring images. The first was taken on the Mekong River, second and third were taken at Ha Long Bay.

taking note

A brand new notebook can always help get the creativity flowing. Continuing my theme of school and office supplies from earlier in the week, I bring you my favorite notebooks, lots and lots of them to be exact. Some are new discoveries and others are old, stand-by classics. Pictured above is a new find from etsy: a clean gridline tablet from the Matterial line by Matter.

The Field Notes notebooks, designed by Portland-based Draplin Design, are perfectly nice and simple, with brown covers and clean type.

Like the Field Notes notebooks, Postalco Notebooks are another new find from the lovely and well-edited shop, Canoe (via {frolic!}). The covers are made from starched, pressed water-resistant cotton in several colors.

Rhodia notebooks are always a classic choice and the smooth pages are perfect for any kind of note taking, grocery-list writing or sketching.

My most favorite are the crisp, french-made Clairefontaine notebooks. The bright covers and vellum papers inside are always my go-to place for list and idea keeping.

Last, but certainly not least, are the luxurious Vergé de France writing tablets from G. Lalo. These seem almost too nice for regular note writing, but the beautiful covers and softly colored papers inside might assist in producing some good, solid creative plans.

new obsession: (malin+goetz)

I recently ordered some great travel-size (MALIN+GOETZ) products. Oh my goodness, I am in love with this stuff, particularly the vitamin e face moisturizer and the peppermint shampoo. I'm also a little crazy about the non-fussy packaging, too - clean, crisp, colorful design in simple white containers. According to their website, each (MALIN+GOETZ) product “blends trusted natural ingredients with gentle performance technologies to address skin sensitivities, irritations and allergies resulting from unnecessary products, over-marketed harsh ingredients, and false claims.” These guys put their money where their mouth is, and actually deliver on their promise to customers. I really like the idea behind the products and am liking my travel-sized products (and the free samples that came with them!) even more. I will definitely order some full sizes when I run out. Images from (MALIN+GOETZ).