London Part 3: Brick Lane

When I was in London I spent a morning exploring Brick Lane.  It was fantastic vintage shopping.  I ended up spending quite a bit of time in one store, called 'The Shop', which sold vintage scarves and textiles.  I picked up a whole bunch for myself as well as for work.  I highly recommend exploring this area if you love vintage textiles and flea markets.

More photos after the jump...

Sketchbook

Another page from my sketchbook.  I'm not sure how I feel about these pages, but I have decided it's ok to make things you're unsure of or even think are ugly.  Sometimes you learn something new or discover something better than if you were trying to make something beautiful.

Mémé LAFLEUR

What to wear to work is something I always struggle a bit with.  I am certainly no fashionista.  Luckily, I work in a very casual environment!  Jeans are a staple, but for important meetings I dress up more.  Ideally, I'd like to strike a balance of being modern but romantic, classic but eclectic, and casual but elegant and chic.  That certainly rarely happens.  I think most women do struggle a bit with what to wear to work, so when a friend of mine told me about Mémé LAFLEUR I was intrigued.

Mémé LAFLEUR hopes to help working women dress professionally but with style for the work place.  For me, many of these dresses would only be worn on 'important meeting' days - but I love the concept!  Oh, and did I mention, these dresses are all made in New York?  Love that!  Right now the dresses are only available at trunk shows, but the e-commerace shop will be launching in the fall. 

My favorite dress was the 'Narie', pictured below.  This dress and the 'Lydia' are made of a soft double knit jersey from Italy... and feel a bit like pajamas.  No surprise why this would be right up my alley!

Nautical Roundup

Growing up on Cape Cod has instilled in me a love for nautical inspired products.  While I don't live by the beach now, I still like to have a nod to it.  I think these products hit the right balance; they are elegant, while still casual, and could fit into many environments besides a 'beach house.'  What do you think?  Would you put these into your home?

1. 1910 Westinghouse Electric Brass Fan from High Street Market
2. Colorblock Apothecary Jars from Terrain
3. Han Blue Euro by John Robshaw
4. Rabari Light Indigo Decorative pillow by John Robshaw
5. Anchor Paperweight from Jayson Home
6. Wind Bolster by John Robshaw
7. Seaweed Decoupage Tray by John Derian
8. Riviera Armchair from Serena and Lily
9. Shades of Grey Cup from Leif
10. Basket by Doug Johnston
11. Ship Silhouette Artwork from High Street Market Etsy Store

Taking Time to Relax

I have to admit, I really needed this long weekend.  Everything has been go, go go... and it's been very nice to take some time to relax with no obligations.  I've even been able to sleep in, which has felt great.  Normally, even when I'm tired, I seem to wake up at 7:30 on the weekends and can't fall back asleep.  We went on a bike ride (my first one in years), and we had that picnic I wanted to in Prospect Park.  We kept it simple and stopped at the Farmers Market in Grand Army Plaza for cheese, bread, and prosciutto.  We also finally made it to see the Hunger Games.  I also found time to do a bit of painting, and tonight I am going to cook a 'real' meal.  I hope you all are enjoying your long weekend!

Print and Pattern Roundup: Vintage Scarves

For this month's print and pattern roundup I wanted to share with you some of my vintage scarves.  They belonged to my great aunt Libby.  When she passed away I kept a few of her scarves, but have to admit I wish I had kept more.  She had an amazing collection of scarves.  I also absolutely love the label on the back of one of her scarves, which is embroidered with her maiden name. 

Memorial Day Weekend!

{Boat drawing on left by Sonia Delaunay}

I grew up on the Cape, and for me Memorial Day always meant the kickoff of the season.    This painting by Sonia Delaunay really reminds me of summer has me dreaming of sitting on the beach and enjoying time with my family!  We're planning on having a quiet weekend in Brooklyn, with a picnic in Prospect Park if the weather allows.  I hope you all have a wonderful long weekend.

Friday Photo

It has been a gray week here in Brooklyn, and I have to say I really miss the sun!

London Part 2: Darkroom

The most interesting store I visited in London was Darkroom. It's an independent boutique with a well-curated mix of accessories and home products.  They have created little vignettes, which are mainly styled by color, and are filled with lust worth product.  They've recently launched an online store as well (be sure to check out their jewelry!).  If you're in the area this store is a must visit!

Sketchbook: Shades of Gray Collage # 1

Another page from my sketchbook

Color Study: Black & White

This week's color study looks at the classic pairing of black and white.  When pulling items to photograph for this post, I remembered how much I love black and white patterns.  Quite a few of my favorite pieces in my closet fall into this category.  I hope you enjoy this week's post, and be sure to check out Chartreuse and a Twist for more colorful inspiration.

Cheese of the Month: May

Last week we indulged in cheese the night before Steve's law school graduation (hooray! still so excited about this!).  We opened a bottle of champagne and enjoyed the following:

Cremont: This cheese is made by Vermont Butter & Cheese Creamery in Websterville, VT.  All that's pictured above is the label as we devoured the whole thing!  I didn't have time to take a picture until the next day, so you can see that we really enjoyed this cheese.  It was a delicious buttery goo.

Ewe's Blue:  This cheese is made by Old Chatham Sheepherding Company in Old Chatham, NY.  This is the kind of blue cheese I like.  It's not too intense, but is still strong and creamy.

Pawlet:  This cheese is made by Consider Bardwell Farm in West Pawlet, VT.  It's a mild satisfying cheese.  Lucy's Whey suggests pairing this with sliced apple, prosciutto, or nuts and we think that would be a great idea.  It sounds like a perfect snack!

Friday Photo

Last weekend we were on the Cape.  The weather was beautiful, and we took a walk on Bayview Beach.  I can't wait to go back this summer.

London Part 1

I had a great time in London and was lucky enough to have two days to spend walking around and checking out the shops.  The weather was a bit cold, and pretty gray - but it was still exciting to explore a new city.  Here are a few shots from my trip.  I'll be sharing more over the next few weeks so be sure to check back.

More photos after the jump...

Sketchbook: Blue #3

From my sketchbook: more blue leaves

Color Study: Purple

This week's color post is in honor of my Mom whose favorite color is purple.  I was home this weekend and photographed some of her purple objects as well as the purple flowers from her garden.  Right now violets, 'money plants', and lilacs are all blooming.  For me, purple will forever be associated with Mom.  She is the best!

Be sure to check out Chartreuse and a Twist for more color inspiration.

Things I'm Afraid to Tell You

Meg Biram has organized for a whole bunch of bloggers (listed below) to participate in ‘Things I’m Afraid to Tell You’ series which was started by Jess from Makeunder My Life.  I am sure many of you know about this series, as there is a movement among bloggers for more transparency.  So, here it goes, contradictions and all:

• I’m a bit of a homebody, and like to go to bed at 9:30 or 10 pm. 

• ‘Social media’ is a bit of a daunting world to me.  I’ve only recently learned how to use twitter.  The whole nature of all of this being twenty-four/seven is a bit overwhelming.

• I want to be able to unplug, for as long as I want to, with no apologies needed.

• I appreciate the honesty of bloggers, and support the idea of transparency, but also firmly believe no one should feel they owe it to their readers to share very personal things.

• I don’t really exercise.  I like to do yoga, but have only gone to three classes in the last several years.  I do want to change this, but really lack the motivation to do so right now.

• Our apartment is often a mess, and we’re frantically cleaning before people come over.

• I’ve been scared of showing my personal artwork; but the support I’ve found has encouraged me to do so.

List of bloggers participating today:

Cassie: Coco + Kelley / Christine: Court & Hudson / Caitlin: Sacramento Street / Roxy: My Cup of Te/ Crystal: Blog / Meg: MIMI+MEG / Ashlina: The Decorista / Katie: Modern Eve / Erin: Apartment 34 / Erica: Design Blahg / Victoria: Vmac & Cheese / Christine: Miles to Style / Franki: Life in a Venti Cup  / Sue: The Zhush / Erika: Radiant Republic / Gabrielle: Savvy Home / Monika: The Doctor's Closet / Naomi: Design Manifest /Tobe: Because It's Awesome / Lynzy: Sparkling Footsteps / Hitha: Hitha On The Go / Sarah: Note To Self / Liz: So Much To Smile About / Sarah: Blogstar/ Alissa: The Goods Design / Jessie: Style & Pepper / Erika: Small Shop Studio  / AV: Long Distance Loving / Maggie: Maggie Rose Blog / Nicole: The City Girl In Me / Priscilla: The Best Laid Plans / Jen:Concrete Jungle DC / Janelle: Food Fashion Fitness / Natalie: East Coast Chic

Thanks again to Jess for her initial post, and to Ez for starting the movement. 

Here are the bloggers that participated in Ez's Wave No.1 of Things I'm Afraid To Tell You:

Design for Mankind | Little Brown Pen | Beautiful Hello | Curating Style | Sweet Fine Day | The Jealous Curator | Happy Days | Sage & Berries | Really Handmade | Peck Life | Satsuma Press | Rena Tom |For the Easily Distracted | The Hemborg Wife | Vitamini Handmade | Courtney Khail Stationery and Design| Meg in Progress | Dando Photography Blog | Widdershins22 | Alison Citron | Pink Moon Daily | Just Pretty Things | From China Village | Tea with Me | The Darling Ewe | Not Your Average Ordinary | The Electric Typewriter | Elleby Design | Parsimonia {Secondhand With Style} | Life as an Artistpreneur | Hello Cupcake | Dellie | The A & B Stories | Pretty Little Things | Feistyelle | Nib & Zed | Well and Cheaply | I Ripple. I Dance. | Whitfield Awesome Blog | Foxtrot Press | Dry As Toast | The List of Now |Apple Blue | For the Love of | Four Flights of Fancy | Miss Modish | Snapshots & Secrets | Dirty Laundry | Bubby & Bean | Penelope's Press | Little Nostalgia | Vale Design | Pikaland | Fleurishing |Print Pretty | Vespa Tales | Hazel & Agnes | Amanda's Musings | Mo' Funk Designs | Ordinary Mommy | Camp 1899 | In Honor of Design | Liberty's Yarn | Love, Life & Pictures | Stacey Winters |Owl in the Rain | Living Life Creatively | Emma Elizabeth Clease | I Live in Vacouver Now | British Cream Tea

I'm leaving London today, and headed straight to the Cape.  This weekend is my Dad's 60th birthday (and Mother's Day)!  My sisters and I are all going home and it's sure to be a fun weekend with the family.  I hope you all have a good weekend as well.

Friday Photo

I found this record while walking around Brick Lane vintage shopping.  It made me laugh - what a funny record label!  More photos from London to come next week - stay tuned.

India: Printing Factory

Today I am sharing another bunch of photos I took on a trip to India.  These were taken at a printing facility near Delhi.  I loved the bright colorful plastic buckets which held dye.  One of the things that always strikes me when I'm in India is the colors.  If you go to a hardware store here, all the buckets are black, grey, or white - not pink, lavender, orange, blue, and mint green.