The Coolest Studio Apartment Ever

So, I'm admittedly tardy to the party on this post, but I just rediscovered this article in the October 2009 issue of Glamour, featuring Nate Berkus' sister's apartment and I just had to post about it.

The article is titled "How to Make a Small Space Feel Big," but they probably should have named it "Life's Not Fair: What your Apartment Would Look Like if your Brother was a Superstar Designer instead of a Level 32 Elf Hunter on World of Warcraft."

Fortunately, Nate gives lots of detailed tips for those of us whose siblings don't get to throw back wine coolers with Oprah. (Hmm...Oprah + wine coolers? This is why I should stick to not posting on the weekends).

Yup, Nate used magazine holders to store clutches. So smart.

Love: Yellow Owl Workshop

I did not think it was possible for me to find another purveyor of custom stationery that rivaled my love for Bird & Banner, but I think Yellow Owl Workshop just did. I love their fairy-tale inspired invites and their adorable "imperial" stationery. Want.

(Discovered on super-cute blog Peppermint Bliss [who also has an amazing Jersey Shore scoop right now])

Inspiration 1.29

Rumor has it snow is on the way in DC and I'm loving this pretty little winter wonderland. Doesn't this look like the most amazing place to read something like The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe to an adorable little kid? Very magical.

via White Trash Beautiful

Cute Rugs from Urban Outfitters

I am one of the biggest defenders of Urban Outfitters. I am constantly impressed by how far they have come from strictly dorm-room decor, and I constantly find the store stocked with fun, cheap and stylish products, like these affordable but fun rugs. Love the bold graphics, vibrant florals and witty designs...and with prices ranging from $18-68, what's not to love? Buy here.

Inspiration 1.28

I have had one heckuva crazy week and the only thing keeping my head from spinning off and exploding is this browser-based to-do list TeuxDeux, which Jane at Seen and Said tipped me off to. If I don't write something down the second it crosses my mind, I won't remember it until it emerges from my subconscious in 4am nightmare form.

Which brings me to this cute chalkboard-paint calendar wall. I think it's such a great way to fit organizing into your decor without compromising on style.

Via Martha Stewart Living

Vintage Reads: Romeo and Juliet

Do you all remember this gorgeous spread in Vogue? It was definitely one of my favorites from the past few years -- styled beautifully of course, but cliche as it is, Romeo and Juliet is also one of my favorite Shakespearean plays.

I think my "should know better" love for it is rooted in time spent as a walking test tube of tweenage hormones and emotions in 1996 when Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet hit movie screens nationwide. Obsessed with the lovely wardrobes, set design, and of course mid-nineties DiCaprio, I decided to read the original work. I remember feeling so clever and mature as I painstakingly pieced together the dialogue using the index in the back.

Flash forward to today when I'm more likely to be styling rooms using vintage classics than actually taking the time to read them. (I also have fewer DiCaprio posters on my wall).

If you've been reading a while you know that I love, love, love book cover art and enjoy hunting for really intriguing copies of iconic works. So I went on a little hunt for some vintage copies of Romeo and Juliet, and these were some of the coolest ones I found.

Left to Right 1. 1963 reprint edition, published by Modern Library 2. Tales from Shakespeare Designed for the Use of Young People, published by Blackie & Son 3. 1936 MGM Souvenir Program 4. 1914, A Village Romeo and Juliet by Gottfried Keller, published by Charles Scribner's Sons 5. 1899 Maud Adams Acting Edition, published by R.H. Russell 6. 1948 Collector's edition, published by Pocket Books 7. 1991 edition, published by Oxford University Press 8. 1959 edition, published by Washington Square Press 9. 1966, First paperpack edition, published by Clarke Irwin

By the way, if you love the 1996 movie as much as I do, you must check out this Design Sponge post.

Inspiration 1.27

I'm not sure what it is, but I'm totally digging deep, dark purples this week. I guess it just fits this moody and romantic time of year. I love, love, love how the color plays off of the warm and weathered wood on the floor and ceiling here.

Via Moodboard

Undercover Frills

Yes, this is a lingerie post, but don't worry Mom, I'll keep it clean. To be perfectly honest, I never wear cute sleepwear. Once I get home, I throw on pajama pants and a giant tee shirt. It's the opposite of cute. But this post over at Style Redux inspired me to take a closer look at the innerwear as outerwear trend that was all over the spring runways. I personally plan to take a (fully-lined!) lace tee and pair it with a short but structured skirt and flat t-strap sandals when the weather turns warm. My inspiration from Elle below:


However, for those of you who prefer to rock this trend in the privacy of your own home, two names to watch are Undrest and Damaris, who make some of the most gorgeous, haute couture undies out there.

I love the pretty bow detail on the back of this Undrest bralette, available here.
And, while I do think Damaris is a tad too dramatic for my taste, I love how they are pushing the boundaries of what lingerie can be.

They also use some seriously pretty fabric!

Inspiration 1.26

I couldn't choose between these two heavenly spaces for today's inspiration. Now, let's all collectively exhale and pretend this is where we are!

(Photo credits: Sandra Lane)

Penne with Marinated Tomatoes, Basil and Mascarpone

I've been blogging for almost a year now, and for some reason, I've never posted a recipe of something I cooked myself. Ok, I do know the reason why. I like cooking and consider myself decent at it, but I'm certainly no wunderkind in the kitchen. I forget crucial steps, mess up measurements, and often add chunks of butter at the last minute because my "healthy" approach has left the dish tasting like kitchen counter.

So when I make something that is not only good, but revelatory, it means I have one damn good, idiot-proof recipe. I adapted this recipe from Martha Stewart Living, and it is hands down one of the tastiest things I've ever made. It's best to make in late summer, when you can get colorful and super-ripe heirloom tomatoes from a local market, but even now, in the dead of winter, it leaves me with a glorious summery feeling. Bon Appetit!

Serves 4

Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
* 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
* 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes (depending on how much heat you like)
* 1 bunch asparagus, cut into penne-size pieces, spears removed
* 3/4 to 1 pound cherry tomatoes, halved
* 3/4 cup fresh basil
* Sea salt to taste
* 1 pound dried penne (rigatoni works too)
* 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
* 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Directions:

1. Cook oil, garlic, and red-pepper flakes in a small skillet over low heat. After 3 minutes, add chopped asparagus and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Let cool.
2. Place tomatoes, 1/2 cup basil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Stir in asparagus-garlic mixture. Cover, and refrigerate for 2 hours, tossing occasionally.
3. Cook pasta according to package directions in salted water, and drain. Meanwhile, mix mascarpone and pepper in a small bowl. Add pasta to asparagus mixture. Stir in remaining basil, and serve with peppered mascarpone on the side or mixed in.

I love this desk...

I was flipping through the Viva Terra catalog, which to be honest, is not usually a particularly thrilling experience, when I saw this little stroke of design genius. I would have killed for this desk in college when my desk was a cluttered mass of textbooks and looseleaf. As an aside, I was pleasantly surprised by many of Viva Terra's latest offerings and I recommend moseying over to their site to check out this desk and all of their stuff if you haven't been in a while.

Inspiration 1.25

An old favorite via Domino

Valentine's Day Collection from Rifle Paper Co.

Of course, the day after I post my huge Valentine's roundup, one of my favorite stationery shops Rifle Paper Co., releases their collection. So here's a special weekend shout out for the cuties pictured above. Buy here.

My Big, Fat, Hand-Crafted Valentines Day Roundup

I know it's not even February, but I'm already crazy-excited about Valentine's Day. Not just the fluffy, romantic stuff (although I do love a nice V-Day dinner date), but also about the cute tokens of affection I get to send to love ones.

To me, Valentine's Day is about more than celebrating your relationship with just one person (or however they celebrate the day in isolated polygamist communities --hair braiding competitions?), it's also a great time to say thank you to the people who make every day awesome.

I'm not huge on expensive store-bought gifts for this holiday. I prefer to get away for the weekend, or to receive something sentimental and from the heart. That's why I am smitten with the adorable valentines below -- they're sweet, thoughtful and almost one of a kind. What more could you want? Did I mention how cute they are?

Vintage:
Clockwise: 1. 1880s Valentine (Forgotten Papers) 2. and 4. Props from Bright Star 3. Circa 1920s Children's Homemade Valentines (Pink Grapefruit Style)

Pen and Ink:
Clockwise: 1. Custom Calligraphed Letter (Via Paddington) 2. and 3. Custom Love Letter (Linea Carta) 4. Regency Valentine with Swallows (Hello Handmade)

In Stitches:
Clockwise: 1., 2. and 4. Embroidered Valentines. Fave is "Elephant Shoe." Remember that?? (Pink Mist Industry) 3. "Be Mine" Cross Stitch and Embroidery Sampler (Julie Ellen)

Make, Bake or Grow:

If you're feeling really ambitious, nothing is sweeter than a valentine made by you. All are Martha-approved craft ideas. 1.Heart-covered Wax Paper for Baked Goods 2. Heart-Shaped African Violets 3.Quilled Valentine Cards 4. Paper Heart Wrappings 5. Quilling Stationery 6. Seed-Starter Valentine

Crafty:
Clockwise: 1. Be Mine Milagro Heart Ornament (Paloma's Nest) 2. Banner Necklace and Valentine (Monkey Puzzle) 3. Arrow Candy Container (D.Sharp) 4. I Adore You Bouquet (Emerson Made)

The Best of the Rest:

Clockwise: 1. I Love U card (Smith Letterpress) 2. Love all Lovely Card (UpUp) 3. Conversation Hearts Flamingo Postcard (Garden Angel) 4. Set of Six Arrow Cards (Stern Illustrations) 5. Ten "Do You Like Me?" Mini-Cards (Sweet Harvey)

Inspiration 1.21

From the home of the very talented and very lovely Lauren of Pure Style Home. P.S. that amazing faint spring green wallpaper, is not actually wallpaper. It was done with stencils. See how Lauren and her husband got the look here.

Inspiration 1.20

Proof there is hope for galley kitchens.

P.S. I was interviewed for Washingtonian.com today. Check it out, I had so much fun!

image via KatyElliott