My favorite Tile

I snapped a picture of this tile that has been in my grandmother's kitchen as long as I can remember it. I lovelovelove it. So very much because not only is the pattern beautiful it signifies a whole lifetime of childhood memories, and conjures up the long summer days and the sandy feet that would stand on it. That's what good design does. It exists on its own but signifies something else.

Wonderful Wallpapers

These wallpapers are perfection. They are used in the Wiltshire country home of my dreams. Via Bliss. Photos styled by Arabella McNie.

I love Audrey and I love Chanel

A little break...

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Hey, Guys. So my life has been a little crazy recently. Weddings, travel, work. I was unplugged this whole weekend and it actually felt great. So I'm gonna take a little break from blogging for a week or two... Promise to come back just as soon as I'm done with the gizillion of things I have going in my life this week and next. Hope you are all well and I will see you here very soon. By the way, have you guys noticed that all of a sudden it is Fall? In September, the light changes...

NY Fashion Week

And then, there's this dress, by J. Mendel, which kind of blows everything else away. I mean how fabulous is that dress? More at Style.com

NY Fashion Week

Some favorites from New York Fashion Week:

Vera Wang

Narcisco Rodriguez

Carrosserie Font

I LOVE this font, Carrosserie. LOVE. -via design work life-

Books for Kids

As part of my MFA degree in creative literature I am taking a class on Young Adult fiction. It is so much fun! And interestingly enough, the words Twilight and Harry Potter have not even been mentioned. It's gotten me thinking a lot back to what my favorite books were as a child. Madeline L'Engle, the author of A Wrinkle In Time, was probably my favorite writer. I loved her stories, especially her strong female protagonists. And Both Were Young and Meet the Austins were two others by L'Engle that I loved. Lucky for me I get to teach A Wrinkle in Time to undergraduates in a few months. What were you favorite books to read as a child?

Today.

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Feeling sad today, as I remember what happened in my own backyard of New York eight years ago. We miss and love you Uncle Don. I will see you guys back here next week. xo

Colour by Numbers

I'm sure a lot of you guys have seen this already, but in case you haven't these photos of random stuff grouped by colour are ahhmazing! I especially like the green one with that gorgeous palm frond. -Via Oh Happy Day!-

The Fixation Continues

This house, in the western France, is slightly larger than your average Scandinavian Cabin, but made out of renewable materials and fully equipped with solar panels, geothermic heat and a wind turbine. Did I mention that the living spaces were inspired by traditional Japanese rooms (see the sliding doors/windows) and the Japanese idea of living in harmony with nature? And yes, there is grass on that roof. Ooh la la, indeed. To view more photos visit Cote Maison.

When there is Space

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Feeling oddly unhinged today, the likely culprit being that my husband has flown East for two weeks to visit family and friends. It's been a while since I've been on my own and I kind of feel rusty at it... But what is not good for the heart is often good for the head, and I'm going to use this time to work and write and get a good start to this thing called graduate school. I miss you, love! Mwah.

I love this town!

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Hope you are all having a great holiday weekend! We are staying put, in the city, and I couldn't be happier about it. I love my new town! Enjoy yourselves, wherever you are. xo H

My Backyard

Summer isn't over here in Northern California. In fact, it feels like it's just beginning. My backyard today was sunny and warm all afternoon.

Burlap Drapes

from Elle Decor

Lately I've been fixating on burlap drapes. I'd really like to make some up for our apartment, but haven't been able to locate a source. Anyone have ideas? I'd really appreciate them!

Your Very Own Sommerhuse

architecture: Hanne Dalsgaard and Henrik Jeppesen

photographs: Torben Eskerod

architecture: Christensen&Co. photographs: Adam Mørk

Ok, so after a little more research I figure out that my dream of building a small home on a beautiful piece of land is not unique. I know, I know and I thought I was so special! In fact, it appears that whole nations of people have done this and have coined the term the "Scandinavian Cabin." Imagine my excite when I happened upon this awesome blog, written by Pippi, who is building her very own Scandinavian cabin. They aren't pre-fab buildings, but they are sleek and small! {via Remodelista}

L'Eau Life

For those of us who don't want summer to end, a lovely short film by Jeff Scher: