Last Look: Trick or Treat

via design*sponge

I've never been much of a Halloween person -- I still hold my breath when I pass by cemeteries, have had panic attacks when my dishwasher clunkily stops at 2 am, and my old roommates' insistence that we had a "spirit" in our dorm room has left permanent emotional scars.

So while you won't ever see me cozying up to a haunted house, I think neglected old gems like the one above are gorgeous. After years of hastily constructed McMansions, it seems like more and more people are falling in love with older homes and are restoring them back to their former stateliness.

Definitely a trend I'm fully on board with. The sparkly vampire, True Blood, "O.M.G. vampires are like so for realz" thing -- not so much. :)

Wishing you all a very fun Halloween weekend!

Vintage Schoolhouse Chic

Lili Abir Regen

After a way-too-long hiatus, my series on workspaces is back. Today's workspace is inspired by all sorts of mid-century educational ephemera -- schoolhouses, science teachers, writers and university professors.

Basically, imagine what your tenured english lit professor's home office would look like. Then make it cooler. Signatures of this style include salvaged furniture, wood, managed clutter, wrought iron, brown leather, natural curiosities, vintage classics, prized first editions...and some vintage scotch for good measure.

Examples:
John Derian
Marie Claire Maison
Tim Carrigan
Pottery Barn

Furniture:
This style is built on staples like wood, leather and clean, classic design.(left to right) 1. Danish modern rosewood writing table (1stDibs) 2. Barrett writing desk (Matthew Fairbanks Design) 3. Berkshire desk (Pottery Barn) 4. Redsmith dining chair (Anthropologie) 5. Devon leather chair (Restoration Hardware) 6. Boothbay chair (Maine Country Cottage) 7. Vintage leather chair (Empiric Studio)

Lighting:
Task lamps are practically a necessity for studious types. Left to Right: 1. and 3. Love these vintage task lamps from Empiric Studio 2., 4 .and 5. I am also obsessed with these charming offerings from Sundance Catalog.

Artwork:
How great are these science and literary inspired prints, postcards and books? Left to right: 1. Illustration of centrifugal force (Empiric Studio) 2. and 5. Postcards from John Derian 4. Illustration of the Moon (Empiric Studio) 3. and 6. For most of us, these lushfully painted first editions are just for inspiration, but if you happen to have 35,000 dollars to spend, head over to Vivre.com. :)

Accessories:
1. and 4. I love the versatility of vintage flower frogs as desk accessories. The cage style as seen in the first photo is great for holding pencils, pens and paintbrushes and the pronged style is perfect for holding postcards and business cards. (Etsy) 2. When it comes to vintage containers, even Anthro can't beat the real thing. There are tons of great options on Etsy, like this treasure jar in one of my favorite shops Livingston and Porter. 3. Globes are everywhere right now, but this vintage one from Empiric Studio lights up -- such a fun accent for a caffeine-fueled all-nighter. 5. Give your back some support while adding gravitas to the space with this cute Harvard alum pillow (Livingston and Porter) 6. John Derian's style is perfect for these spaces -- these paperweights are a more affordable way to bring in some of his style. 7. Vintage book from Paris Hotel Boutique 8. Vintage bourbon bottle (Etsy) 9. Remington vintage typewriter (Livingston and Porter). 10. Cubby organizer (Pottery Barn) 11. Terrariums are a great way to add greenery to the desk, while keeping with the educational theme (Anthropologie) 12. More vintage books from Livingston and Porter.

Other posts in this series:

• The Eclectic Glam Desk
• The Fashion Editor's Desk

Last Word: Neruda

I've never found a poem that captures enduring love the way these few simple lines do. From Pablo Neruda's 100 Love Sonnets and a Song of Despair.

Etsy find: Caitlin Keegan

I discovered designer and illustrator Caitlin Keegan's prints after her adorable hand-printed holiday cards were featured on Etsy this morning. I love the clean and simple look of her work, and the incredible detail work in the patterns.

Around this time of year, I try to knock out some of the smaller holiday gifts that are nearly impossible to find when the fourth week of December rolls around (Have you ever been in CVS on Christmas Eve?-- not pretty).

I think Caitlin's 2010 calendar would make an amazing gift for coworkers, busy moms and any organizational freak in your life. Each month includes a little space to mark down important dates like birthdays, anniversaries and events and I love the one-page format. Check out Caitlin's Web site and Etsy shop -- it looks like these are going fast!

Shiny Object Syndrome

If you've been reading for a little while, I'm sure you've noticed I write about Anthro....a lot. It's almost embarrassing, I really should be getting paid by them (note to anthro: I will work for decorative tableware). I'm not sure whether or not they have a little factory of mind-reading elves working there, but somehow they manage to constantly churn out a ridiculous number of offerings that keep my bank account on life support.

Case in point: These fantastic, glittery baubles they are promoting for the holiday party circuit. I just have to get my hands on (ring finger in) that adorable octopus ring! All pictured jewelry available here.

Last Look: Out of Focus

I can't find the source for this, but thought this is a cool look (in small doses). Who needs artwork? P.S. Remember that workspace series I had going back in September? It will be back this week!

Where I Want to be Right Now

It's 8 am on a brisk October Monday. What do I want? Early morning light, french press coffee, a country house, and to be reading the Post in bed.

(image via ffffound)

Last Look: JBKO

via impossible cool

Love: Bird and Banner Stationery

Every now and then, I come across a find that I adore so much that I can actually feel my heart beat faster and find myself babbling Rachel Zoe-like catchphrases to myself. (I die. Bananas. O.M.G.) This is how I feel about the adorable creations at Bird and Banner. Bird and Banner was created by two graphic designers who were once detail-obsessed brides-to-be themselves, and haven't forgotten how important it is to make every communication personal.

Of course, these adorable invitations, save the dates and party favors aren't limited to weddings -- Bird and Banner does everything from baby showers to housewarmings to birthdays.

If you don't happen to have any fun events coming down the pipeline, check out the Etsy shop where you can buy some more basic stationery and these fantastic vintage handkerchief "cards" to send to someone you care about. Oh and did I mention, they also have a great, inspiration-filled blog? Yeah. I die.

Polaroid Walls

Marie Claire Maison

Lately I've been seeing these ultra cool collages everywhere and it definitely seems like old-school Polaroids are poised for a comeback. In fact, last week Polaroid announced they are re-releasing a selection of instant cameras. In this age of digital everything, there's something to be said for the tangibility and sentiment of polaroids. Plus, I'm not sure you could ask for more unique and affordable artwork. I do admit the photo at top isn't really Polaroid art, but how cool does it look? I couldn't resist.

P.S. Hope you all like the new look at The Department. The design is from a wonderful Australian blogger Tabitha Emma. Check out her stuff -- I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do!

Oh Bedlam
DecorPad

Rita Kong's apartment via Pretty Lovely

Layered Chic

I fell in love with this look on ShopBop over the weekend. Such a cozy uniform for fall weekends, and it manages to NOT make you look like a sweater-shaped lump. Brilliant!

Inuit dress by Leyendecker, Free Way scarf by Twinkle, Cowl neck top by James Perse, Loeffler Randall knit cuff booties, Helmut Lang leather skinny jeans, Chloe sunglasses, Elizabeth and James cardigan sweater.

Love: Taylor and Wood Frames Wallpaper

I am obsessed with this artsy wallpaper from British artists Chris Taylor and Craig Wood. The paper comes as plain black and white frames and you can customize it however you like -- paste in photos, art prints or even fill in the boxes yourself. So cute! Available at Graham and Brown.

The Best Wellies

So, I'm still trying to figure out when, exactly, it became January in DC. The temperature has hovered in the 40s, winter jackets were dragged out of closets and this morning I saw sleet (!). The only good thing about bad weather is the guilt-free shopping that accompanies it. Sure, you've had your eye on those cashmere-lined leather gloves for weeks, but now you need them.

Considering this awful weather, picking up a pair of long-coveted Hunter wellies was really just the least I could do for my health and well-being :). Left to right are some of my favorites for rainy days.

1. Shiny Hunter Wellington boots in Grain (J.Crew) 2. Tory Burch Reagan boots (ShopBop) 3. Shiny Hunter Wellington boots in Grey Slate (J.Crew) 4. Burberry Rubber Rain Boots in Berry Red (Saks) 5. Wool and rubber riding boots (J.Crew) 6. Burnished Rubber riding boots (J.Crew) 7. My favorite! Jimmy Choo for Hunter (Saks)

Leontine Linens

One of my favorite spreads in Elle Decor this year was Mark Badgley and James Mischka's Kentucky farm. I loved their traditional but unfussy style in general, but the standout details in every room were the tailored and gracious monogrammed linens.

All of the linens in the home were from the Leontine Linens -- the maker of THE most beautiful monograms. Unfortunately, at $70 per napkin, Leontine's out of my reach for now (ever?), but definitely provide lots of inspiration for incorporating this Southern tradition into your home.

Last Look: Forgotten Songs

"A woman takes a photograph of an art installation in Angel Place, a laneway in central Sydney on October 6, 2009. The installation called 'Forgotten Songs', has suspended bird cages (above) plus the sounds of some of the birds which may have lived in the area before the city replaced their native habitats. The project is one of eight installations in the network of inter-connected laneways in Sydney's central business district and is part of the art festival 'Art and About' which runs through October." GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)

(via Jezebel)

Happy Friday everyone! Don't forget the Taste of Georgetown and Book Hill Fall Fair are tomorrow. As long as my sense of smell and taste return by tomorrow (I've got the obligatory autumn cold), I'll be there.

Great Wall of China

I discovered this room on House Beautiful today, and was kind of surprised that I liked it so much -- I've never been the type to mount decorative plates on walls. Of course, my first memory of this look was the home of my elderly neighbors, way back when I was just a bedroom-rearranging kid on the mean, suburban streets of Staten Island, NY. Maybe I'm just scarred.

The above photo definitely seems like a very different take on the look compared to the late 80s kitsch show I remember. It actually looks like something I'd see on the floor of Anthropologie (hmm, maybe this could be an excuse to buy about 30 of Nathalie Lete's plates.)

The key to the keeping the look more Vie Boheme and less Retirement Village is using boldly printed plates, fluid arrangements or monochromatic colors. Here are some other un-granny like examples.

(Domino)
(Elle Decor)
(Eddie Ross)
(Blueprint)

(Martha Stewart Living)(Country Living)

Vintage Book Heaven

I've had my eye on Osa Johnson's I Married Adventure for ages, but the picture of it in Eddie Ross's home in Lonny Mag sent me over the edge -- I had to have it. But my quest for Clark's classic travelogue helped me find an even greater treasure -- the vintage book selection at Paris Hotel Boutique, which has now spurred a love affair with Cecil Beaton's books. (By the way, I am officially declaring Beaton's books the new "it" books. I'm convinced it's only a matter of time before we start seeing them popping up everywhere in catalogs and design mags.)

Check out some of the amazing selections available below...and Mom....are you out there?...Christmas is seriously right around the corner (hint, hint)


Cutest recipe book ever...Ever!

That title....I die.

Books like this one seriously made me not want to even post about this. As you can see, I was a good blogger...but seriously, if you buy it...I'm coming for you ;)

P.S. Workspace week (er...month) is not over. More to come on that front soon