peace out

photo lifted from the papa d'anjo catalog (pretty much one of the most beautiful children's catlaogs out there)

have you seen my pride and joy?

one of the first observations my S.O. made about mi casa , was that i have very few personal photos around the old beach bungalow. he of the: refrigerator covered in 'party pics' of friends and family. he of the, on every surface lets have lots o' framed photos. later, he took it personally that i never put a framed photo of us next to my bed. nothing personal my love. i just don't really decorate with personal photos. i don't like a ton of photo clutter everywhere.

i don't know why i don't. i mean, i do, but they're all kept on one wall.

very art directed and orderly. so my question, do you decorate with personal photos? and in what way? in a group on a table? slid beneath a frame around a mirror? on the refrigerator? do tell......

this just in from reader and fellow blogger rowhousecreative her lovely hallway-nicely done!~

that magical fruit...

check these crazy beans out: each bean has a word lasered onto one side, and a complementary image on the other. All one has to do to see the "message" is grow the bean. The recipient simply pulls off the foil top and bottom piece (to let the water drain), and adds about ½ cup of water to the soil. In about a week or so, the bean will poke thru the soil revealing the special message.

isn't that cool? found here spoonsisters

Blythe

Blythe, the creepy and mysterious doll with the big head and moveable eyes (there's a string behind her back). Introduced in the 70's and quickly pulled from the market because she scared kids, has resurfaced due to one woman's obsession. (i sort of think that steve madden was inspired by blythe dolls for his print ads) check this woman out. she looks like rhoda morgenstern.

alli gerrish-mixed media artist

remember my old friend alli ? the one with the kick ass lake house? (that's us-in the mid 90s - nice coat.) she also is an exquisite artist. and who knew. i mean she was just another ad producer, running around san francisco in doc martens.....and then decided to start painting.

and boy can this girl paint:

really, beautiful mixed media paintings.

this is such a good lesson for all of us, try something new everyday. you may just be the best painter, violinist, samba dancer, juggler, baton twirler, worm farmer, stripper (wanted to see if you were still reading) surfer, writer out there. you'll never know until you try!

alli's work is shown frequently in and around the denver area. or you can see her website to purchase your very own.

" I am interested in one life touched at a time. Art can be a great teacher for daily life and can connect people in a way that technology cannot. We all dream in color. We just need to remember to take the time to see…”

the bell jar

i love a great glass cloche.

anything given a little glass dome of its own, suddenly becomes special.

birds words and more: the art of charley harper

"Charley Harper is an American original who created his art from his home studio in Cincinnati, Ohio - until his death on June 10, 2007 at the age of 84. He is beloved for his delightful, graphic and often humorous illustrations of nature, animals, insects and people alike. Charley liked to say, that when he paints a bird, he doesn’t count all the feathers in the wings – he just counts the wings. Minimal realism, he called it, and his unique and precise style continues to resonate and inspire his admirers".

(and btw, with all due respect, how cute is he? you know he had a great sense of humor. you can just tell)

todd oldham rediscovered this extraordinary wild life artist and collaborated with him to produce this beautiful tome. you can find it at AMMO books.

hammitt bag sale~!!!!!

my dear friend and luxe leather purse designer, stef hammitt, will be having a store wide sale starting this weekend (saturday, september 1st, 10:00 a.m).

stef's bags are pretty much all that i carry anymore. they're beautifully made using fine italian leather, and in the most fabulous colors.

if you need any celeb endorsements, look who else favors these amazing little pets.

this is a once in a rare event to pick up a bag or 4 at a large discount. these puppies are going to fly so come early.

"Of course my recommendations are the Georgia, Ashley & Jennie Styles!!! If you live in the area definitely pop by our retail store starting Saturday September 1st. You can reach us at #310-545-3935, or for direct inquires my cell #310-925-8485 " hammittbags.com

hammitt bags 3616 highland ave manhattan beach, ca

the gucci ballet, ankle strap

this makes me excited about fall....

so is it really back to the opaque tights? hmm. ok, i'd be game if i lived in a cold climate. what's old is new again.

i love this shoe but i may want it peeking from a pair of trouser cut jeans, when i cross my leg.

home spun

while my tastes don't generally gravitate toward colonial anything or homespun, apple pie williamsburg, i think a little thrown in here and there can be a great touch. a bit quirky even. in the right environment.

this is hawaiian from the 1930s. really quite stunning. it's in pristine condition.

how about insta ancestors? these are fantastic.

sofa schwing! a little bit of the men's grill makes for a great sofa choice.

all of these were found at east meets west antiques.

peter harper

being the youngest of five, talented siblings, i know what it's like to be in somebody else's shadow.

imagine what it would be like if you were, say, the younger sibling of a grammy award winning hotty singer (ben harper)? i mean, your talent and looks rival his but, by the nature of his career choice, he gets more ink.

peter harper creates beautiful, spiritual art. working in clay, wax and bronze, using techniques dating back to the ancient Egyptians, he cuts, scrapes, heats and polishes until each sculpture is revealed and its story told. some of my favorites are these groovy belt buckles (i'm a sucker for a big brass buckle--and the back story is terrific here)

Peter's collectors include meg ryan, laura dern, courtney and david Arquette. Peter's work can be seen at peterharperart.com.

or you can see peter and peter's work in person at the rico garcia fine art-opening september 22nd 7-10 p.m.-1599 superior avenue, costa mesa, ca

i would like to sincerely thank the woman (ellen chase-verdries) who brought these men into the world. not only did she raise some good boys (there's another son, 'joel') but she is the daughter of the claremont folk music center founders. with the help of her son, ben, the folk center continues to be a venue for folk singers and musicians. the apple never falls far from the tree.

i'm so waisted

you're going to think i'm insane. i love a fanny pack. no seriously. i have a fanny pack, that i wear and love.

no, no, not the kind seen on matching couples at the amusement park (even though the above photo was taken at disneyland-try and ignore that, as i continue to try and convince you).

but this fabulous custom made one:

it's so excellent, i tell you. i can put keys, money, driver's license, credit cards AND my phone in it, and be out the door. no hands. hands free. the one i have was made by my friend and fabulous maker of luxe leather bags, stephenie hammitt. but i've had my eye on these gucci versions:

i must hop in here and tell you, i've seen prada's version of this. and....it's no bueno. it looks like the fanny pack 'don't' above but with the little prada logo tag slapped on. the louis vuitton version. no. it just doesn't translate like this one.

maybe it's that this gucci print has a bit of a retro feel. a bit 80s. (you know, the more i look at this one, i think it's a fake)

some of you may be reading this with eyebrow raised. but this is chic i'm telling you! it's chic and completely efficient. just don't wear it with your matching running suit.

ebay finds

lil' bit o' ebay love tonight......