ryan bingham in south end

Saw Ryan Bingham in concert a few weeks ago. (This is a little photo I took with my phone, so not the best quality.) It was at a place near my apartment, a nice dive-y place with plenty of cold beer on tap. Perfect for concert watching. Check out his music here – Southside of Heaven is a really good standard. I also love Bluebird and Depression.

happy holidays!?!

Crazy, I know, but it is time for a holiday card extravaganza at minted.com. Feels like we just finished the holiday season yesterday, right? Well, this is pretty exciting because minted is offering a prize to not just the designers, but also to YOU, dear peeps! Everyone who rates at least 50 entries by 8:00 pm EST on June 6 will be entered into a drawing for a $500 credit on minted! That should cover your own holiday cards, baby announcements, business and calling cards, and stationery gifts for friends and family with more to spare! Yes.

So, my own entries are pictured above, from top: Varsity and Peppermint Stick. There are so many fantastic designs up for the win. Make sure to check out all the great designers and designs in minted's contest and please vote for your favorites by June 6th!

{Images by beth perry DESIGN for minted}

minted for chronicle books

Just entered a new minted.com challenge. This one is for a non-personalized stationery design for Chronicle Books. Seriously. How cool would that be!? My entries are pictured above, from top: Hatfield, Python, Jakarta and Marguerite. There are some fantastic designs up for the win. Make sure to check out all the great designers and designs in minted's contest and please vote for your favorites!

{Images by beth perry DESIGN for minted}

helplessness blues

Excited today for the release of the Fleet Foxes' second album, Helplessness Blues. Loved album no. one, so hoping for a follow-up that tops it. You can listen to the full album on the band's site, and also on NPR's site here.

{Images: Fleet Foxes via NPR}

more small cool 2011

Had to post a few more from apartment therapy's small cool contest. Make sure to vote for your favorites here by May 1st!

{Photos via apartment therapy, from top – Katie in Los Angeles, Nadia in Brooklyn, Lacey in New York, Kim + Scott in Chicago, Audrey in Hawaii, Daniel in New York, Lasse in Denmark, Louisa in Astoria, Molly in San Francisco, Cate in Los Angeles, Nicole in Brooklyn, Michael in New York, Shelby in Chicago, Steve in Sydney, Zach + Sean in Boston, and 2 by Sarah in Sydney.}

small cool 2011

It's time for apartment therapy's small cool contest again! I love looking through the entries and picking my favorites – such great inspiration for my own small, kinda-cool place. Here are some that I really liked:

Make sure to vote for your favorites here!

{Photos via apartment therapy, from top – Elisa in Rome, Haley in Summerland, Carolyn in San Diego, Cate in Los Angeles, Audra in Boston, two by Ellie in Aspen, Erin + Danny in San Francisco, Emily in Covington, Evan in Los Angeles, Franklin in New York, Jordan in Brooklyn, and Julie in Green Bay.}

wine country, pt. 2

More photos of my love affair with Napa Valley. (I believe that is a fig tree in my photo above.) It was just the best trip, and I wish I could have gone for a whole week – definitely next time. I'll just have to gaze longingly at these photos for now. Hope you enjoy!

View from the house at Frog's Leap, my most favorite stop on the trip

Pretty, stripey runner on the stairs at Frog's Leap

Frog's Leap, with its deep wrap-around porch and pretty views, was

really fantastic and so peaceful. This is sweet Abbie, resident pooch.

Wildflower at Cakebread

Sparkling in wait at Schramsberg

Schramsberg tasting, Brut Rosé and Reserve

Gardens at Schramsberg

Lattice flowers at the Palisades Deli in Calistoga,
which serves up a seriously tasty BLT

More pretty flowers, Palisades Deli

Bouchon Bakery cart in Yountville

Pancake-sized roses in Yountville

More Yountville scenery

Comfy bench and pillows at our hotel, the perfectly
delightful Villagio in Yountville

 Absolutely perfect day on the terrace at Joseph Phelps –

another favorite spot with these views and, of course,

some fantastic wine in hand and dear friends nearby.