Category Archives: Uncategorized

Map Embed Test

https://getbreadcrumbs.co/embed

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where to find great art

Animal Locomotion from 20x200

In my opinion, one of the most important parts of creating a home is choosing what to display.  An edited eye is key to this process, as the best spaces are those that have been carefully curated and display only pieces that contribute to the overall theme of the space.  This means that not everything you own should be put in a frame and hung on a wall. Be selective about it.  On the flip side though, I definitely think it is important to show your walls some love and decorate them!  Every now and then I will see a space with blank walls that pulls off the clean modern look, but most of the time it just looks empty.  I personally love to pick up a piece of art every time I travel, so my walls are a tribute to the places I have been.  Art is everywhere, and it does not necessarily have to be expensive either.  There are so many great sources out there, so whatever you chose to collect, invest in some key pieces and (don’t leave out this step!) invest in some quality framing!  How you choose to present the piece (i.e. whether it is framed and the type of frame) is just as important as the piece itself.

Do you have empty walls in need of some TLC?  If so, check out these great resources!  20×200 is one of my favorites.  It started in 2007 based on the idea of bringing affordable limited editions to the masses.  I highly recommend visiting this site for all your art needs!  Canvas & Canvas is another great resource that sells original hand painted pieces by its own artists and produces only 99 pieces of each design, and wait for it… presents it on stretched canvas!  Worthwhisland functions more as an affordable online gallery, while Exhibition A is a members only (think Gilt) gallery exhibiting established contemporary artwork.  Also Luster is an online photographic gallery, and Buy Some Damn Art is a limited edition gallery that updates a new show each week.  Don’t forget about Etsy either.  There is SO much amazing stuff on Etsy.  Two of my favorite shops are EyePoetryPhotography which features some of the most beautifully whimsical and romantic photos inspired by travel and nature and also TinyFawn which offers the most adorable animal featured prints (great for kids rooms!).

Linus Bear Print from TinyFawn on Etsy

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lines i love: mara hoffman, the queen of prints

Even if you have not heard her name, you have probably seen her work.  Mara Hoffman is a fashion designer based out of New York who produces some of the best prints around.  Each season, she reinterprets her work in a new and fresh way.   Inspired by travels and by nature, Hoffman mixes geometric shapes with tribal elements and vibrant colors to create some really fresh designs.  I have always been a fan of her maxi dresses, but this season I am totally loving her swimwear!  Not only does her swimwear line incorporate some awesome prints and beading, but she really mixes up the shapes as well.  I cannot wait to sport one of these at the pool in a few months!  Check our some of her fashions at Les Pommettes, Sirene, and Bona Drag.

One Piece Swimsuit from Saks

V Wire Bikini from Revolve

Two Piece Bead Detail Swimsuit from Saks

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The Joy of Dining

Last week, in between meetings and phone calls while at work, I took a moment to check my inbox.  Usually I quickly browse through my emails mentally noting whether something warrants more than a second to read, whether I should trash it, or whether I should star and save for later.  It’s a quick process and unfortunately most emails receive only a perfunctory review.  However, while I was quickly browsing over an email from The Kitchn (which usually provides some stellar recipes), I was swept away with a wonderful post written by Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan, the heart and soul of the blog (amazingly, her husband is Maxwell, the founder of Apartment Therapy).  Not only is it beautifully and poetically written, but it really reminded me of the importance of enjoying the ritual of dining.  When my boyfriend and I sit down for dinner, often times right in front of the television, we rarely take advantage of the opportunity to reflect on the food we are eating or on the day that we have had or just on the opportunity to be together.  These days, dining is rarely seen as a distraction free environment. However, reading Sara Kate’s post reminded me that I should not only take those moments and enjoy them for their simplicity, but also, to respect the physical space of dining.  Our “dining table” is hardly that.  Usually it’s filled with paper work or books.  Currently it is housing my seedlings.  However it is hard to refute the correlation between where you eat and the amount of distractions you face while eating.  I know some nights we are just happy to throw together a quick meal and plop down.  However I hope at those times I can remember to take the opportunity to sit distraction free and enjoy the company of those that I am with.

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Playful Wall Decals

Tracy Kendall Floral Wall Decal

Wallpaper can be a mixed bag. There are some gorgeous designs out there, but most of them, I find, to be a bit overwhelming. Also, wallpaper can be a big commitment which is not always a possibility for some (such as myself, as a renter). There are, however, some more practical options for those that are interested in adding some imagery or pattern here and there, but don’t want to commit to wall papering a whole wall! Wall decals are a great way to spice up a wall and usually require little to no installation. They come in a variety of sizes, so you can create a mural or just accentuate the floorboards. Best of all, they are usually removable! My absolute favorite are the wall coverings by Tracy Kendall. I *love* the black and white images that she designs, especially the floral and feathers collections which add just a dose of drama and levity to a room. Walltat, Not On The High Street, and Blik are a few sites to check out which each offer a wide selection of decals. I think these are a particularly great solution for decorating nurseries. They are relatively cheap and you can easily replace them as your child gets older. Plus, there are some of the cutest images for children!

Birds on a Wire Decal from Not on the High Street

Space Monsters Wall Decal from Not on the High Street

Skirting Board Heroes Wall Sticker from Not On The High Street

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Stylish Sustainability

In the world of Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, etc etc, one can get overwhelmed with the availability of different resources.  I am constantly discovering new sites, each with some bit of wisdom to share.  That being said, when you find a source that is so spot on with your personal style and interests, it can be an invaluable match!  If I had to choose one,  my match in the digital world would probably be Remodelista.  Remodelista is an amazing site which I visit for virtually every design need (defined very loosely, of course).  To me, it really encapsulates all that is simple and modern and minimalistic.  I have always thought that one’s environment should compliment the style and personality of the people who live in it, and this is reflected in everything that Remodelista does.  I wanted to share this great video that reminds me to find beauty in even the normal and mundane and inspires me to incorporate sustainable practices when doing so.

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Furniture Giveaway

DCers: Check out Urban Turf, a great guide for DC real estate and be sure to like Urban Turf’s Facebook page for a chance to win $500 to your choice at either Room & Board (my choice!), Miss Pixies, Good Wood, or CB2.  I am already thinking of what 500 babies could get me! Good luck…. and may the odds be ever in your favor!

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Score local Craigslist gems!

Craigslist is a great marketplace to score local finds. However, just like any resale marketplace or thrift store, it takes time and patience to find the best stuff. This unfortunately means that busy people do not always get to take advantage of everything it can offer. Since I myself often do not have time to parse through all the crap to find the gems, I frequently refer to a few sources that do the searching for me! Apartment Therapy (one of my main go to sources for virtually everything) posts the Eastern Daily Scavenger which is a roundup of the best items posted on Craigslist. I try to check it out a few times a week for any good inventory. One of the best scores I have ever found is this amazing mid-century Danish chair. I had to have the frame reinforced, but it is still one of my favorite pieces. Another great resource is the DC specific blog called Listed District, created by a local graphic designer who highlights some of the best offerings throughout DC. Hunting sites like these are becoming more common, so no matter where you live, try to find resources that will take some of the leg work out of the search!

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Hello world!

Welcome to my new WordPress blog!  I have started this blog to really be a collection of things I like or may find interesting and want to share with others.  I anticipate that the scope will be quite broad – because I like a lot of things! Of course, I welcome all comments and criticisms.  I consider this somewhat of an adventure and look forward to sharing it with you.

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