cat party invitations

 

I forced myself to forgo my default white/black/kraft palette, and incorporate some color. Thus, we have here some hand-lined chartreuse envelopes. Lining your own envelopes is so quick and easy, and adds such a great texture and presence to any mail. In fact, I just ordered a couple great pattern books from the V&A, with high hopes of elaborate envelopes in the future. (I think working in the stationery store has turned me into a freak.)

stamps

I'm loving all of the customized stamps I've been seeing of late, especially the ones above from MaeMae Paperie and Holly's Houses. The first one's so simple and versatile! I love the idea of stamping a business card, and having a stack with different colored inks. I even considered purchasing one, but as a graphic designer, I suppose I shouldn't be selling someone else's designs.

Holly's stamps would make such a great housewarming gift—hint, hint—and maybe someday I'll live somewhere long enough to deserve one. Either way, I found this tutorial, ordered a Speedball Carve Block, and will soon begin construction on some sort of seal of my own.

[images: MaeMae Paperie and Holly's Houses]

in almost every picture #7

 

I find chronological photo compilations incredibly interesting. Seeing a person age is fascinating in itself, but with photos you can watch surrounding people, environments, and the medium of photography evolve as well. Ria van Dijk, who looks a lot like my grouchy Great-aunt Maxine, took a self-portrait every year at the same Dutch shooting gallery (you have to hit the target to have your picture taken—how cute!), with the exception of a break between 1939 and 1945. The photographs have recently been published in her biography, In almost every picture #7 (which you can buy here).  

On quite a side note, I love that only the first word is capitalized in many European book titles. It looks so French and chic to me.

[images from The Year in Pictures, via Abbey]

oktoberfest

As I sit here tonight, planning my upcoming Cat Party (more details to come), I'm thinking back to an Oktoberfest meal I made a couple weeks ago. Mmm. It was complete with pretzels, salad, spaetzle with a delicious mushroom gravy, a German apple cake, and seasonal beer. In fact, I think the lack of photos of the finished product is a testament to how long the food lasted. And, my rooftop view wasn't so bad either.

Despite the deliciousness of each course (c'mon, who can go wrong with one of Deb's recipes?), the simplicity and balance of the dressing was impressive in its own right. Hailing from the October issue of Martha Stewart Living, it can be prepared quickly, stores well in a little glass jar, and is so so tasty.

ROMAINE SALAD WITH ANCHOVY DRESSING
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 small shallot, finely chopped
1 small garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup red-wine vinegar (I was out, and used apple cider vinegar with a splash of red wine)
2 anchovy fillets, finely chopped
1 large head romaine lettuce, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick shreds
......................................................
1/ Heat oil in small saucepan over medium heat. Cook shallot and garlic until just turning translucent, about 2 minutes.
2/ Toss lettuce with dressing just before serving.

Easy.

julianne

Living in London, one of my fashion-student-flatmates was obsessed with her monthly issue of British Vogue. Naturally, my infatuation began. I particularly remember the July 2009 Ageless Style issue with Julianne Moore on the cover. Not only is she completely stunning, intelligent, and well-informed, but she gave me a fix of autumnal romance in the eye of summer.

Cheers, Julianne. I will soon be purchasing this issue on ebay.

[photos by Alasdair McLellan, via Artistic Critique]

doily rug

 

I have to learn how to crochet (a similar rug to this one by Ladies & Gentlemen). Can you believe Jean hand-crochets these? They're available for sale on her etsy shop. A warm thank you to Caroline, and her talented hands, for sharing this with me.

[image by Ladies & Gentlemen] 

a wedding

I recently created all of the paper goods for a gorgeous Seattle wedding. The ceremony took place at Steven Holl's Chapel of St. Ignatius, on Seattle University's campus.

mimi weddell

I'm always inspired by beautifully—and naturally—aged women. Between the snowy hair, deep wrinkles, oft-flamboyant fashion sense, and implied wisdom, I can't help but hope...

that someday...a twenty-something will look at me...and think...wow.

[image via Canobie Films]

leaf as a medium

 

 

 

[work by Jenny Lee Fowler, via Abby's this is not my work]

muffins

 

I'm feeling quite guilty for leaving my blog alone for (over!) a week. So, in an effort to make it up to you, dear blog, I promise to start giving you the attention you deserve. Through thick and thin, whether brilliant or mundane, you will be a means of documentation.

So, that leaves me here—exhausted, at 2:30 a.m.—leaving you with a photo of the muffins I just baked. Yes, muffins. They are Low-Fat Blueberry Bran Muffins, and admittedly taste like healthy muffins. But they're hearty, easy to grab in the morning, and the blueberries are delightful. (The brilliant or mundane, remember?)

xx

beautiful people holding books

 

[Photos by Anna Fischer for Racked]

happy saturday

[photo by Valentin Chenaille, via vic]

mmm

I love these recipe posts by What Katie Ate. The food, photography, and design are perfect.

I'm hungry.

one last hoorah

...for one of my favorite songs to dance around to over the past few months. But, oh, how the mood is changing.

Goodbye, summer—you were great, but I'm moving on.

watercolor cards

...have been on my list of projects for the summer. So, last night I finally got out the supplies. Of course, it took a oh-no-it's-midnight-and-i've-drank-too-much-coffee-what-do-i-do-now incident for me to get around to it, but nonetheless--it was a treat! I can't wait to imitate the upcoming autumn colors and creatures.

Also, how beautiful is Etsy seller dimdi's fox? Oh, and I just saw that she does birds too. That chickadee! (I have this thing for chubby birds...? I don't know.)

[top image: me // bottom image: dimdi via Abbey]

the earth is mostly just a boneyard

...But pretty in the sunlight.

I just finished a novel that--with absolutely no doubt--has changed my life. I can't recall ever being so effected by characters as I have been by those in Lonesome Dove, especially Augustus and Clara. In particular, there's one line that I can't stop going over in my head. I've never heard life condensed so simply, yet beautifully, as: It's a fine world, though rich in hardships at times. 

I've been daydreaming of cattle trails on the bus, and have been constantly confused about which life I'm actually living--maybe it's a little of both?

Either way, it feels great to be alive, and I'm sure Gus would agree.

[Photo taken at dawn in Union Grove State Park]

simplicity

...is inspiring.
I need to get my scalpel out of the drawer, and take on some paper projects.

[Image from mrYen's etsy, via Design*Sponge]

thrifty patterns

My weekend consisted of nothing less than thrifting, eating, making my first batch of yogurt (a post to come!), and drinking fancy beers over casual conversation. I promise more elaborate posts in the near-future, but for now I'm swamped with a new job, old friends, and this wonderful thing we call summertime.

metallic deco

The design community is going crazy over Coralie Bickford-Smith's latest project--she's brilliant! As a senior cover designer at Penguin Books, Coralie is absolutely incredible at her job. (I'm sure you've seen these beauts before. Those colors! Those patterns!) 

And to continue with my Flapper-Era infatuation, she just designed this new set of F. Scott Fitzgerald classics. They're sadly, but conveniently (hello, Christmas!), not being released until November, and unavailable in the U.S.; however, you can pre-order and have them shipped from the UK via Waterstones.

Their designs are wonderfully playful, yet systematic, and they would create a lovely display on a bookshelf or nightstand. I think I might play a little game with myself, where I buy one, read it, and buy myself another as a reward for completing the last. See how that works? Hehe, a surefire way to amass the collection.

If you're not finished lusting, read this cute and informative interview.
(All images via Coralie's website)

the end of the world

The Great Salt Lake
07.29.10