New Prints from The Wild Unknown

My 2010 calendar from The Wild Unknown makes me happy every single day. Loving the simplicity of their newest prints, just released this morning.

Love: Pendant Lights

Just starting to dabble in the condo hunt again, and am noticing that every newish condo in DC is plagued by cheap pendant lights on the counter that usually divides an open kitchen from the living area.

The good thing is this is super easy to fix, and is certainly not a deal breaker. An ideal replacement would be two of these beautiful, crocheted (but large) pendants from Openhouse above -- which would work equally well above a kitchen table. I'm also loving the more affordable speakeasy inspired offerings from Anthropologie below.

Inspiration 7.30

Via Smoke & Ochre

(Inspired by) Acquaintance Cards

After listening to friend's Match.com horror stories, I'm definitely feeling wistful for the very tame (and sometimes mischievous) sentiment behind acquaintance cards, which ladies and gentleman looking for love used in the 1870s and 1880s. Consider it the 19th century version of a "poke" -- except it was probably less creepy - I mean, who else uses the Facebook Poke function besides creeps?

Either way, these are super cute, and ripe for a comeback -- but, perhaps in a different context.

Discovered here.

Inspiration 7.29

Via Automatism

Inspiration 7.28

Definitely having an al-fresco dining moment and loving these sheltered looks.

Images via We Heart It, Apartment Therapy

Love: Bayan Hippo Sailor Tote

I know beach season is already half over, but I cannot resist this adorable, sunny little tote bag from Bayan Hippo. You cannot be in a bad mood if you've got that thing hanging on your shoulder. It's just not possible. (Available in blue, too)

Discovered on Oh Joy!

Inspiration 7.27

Lake houses conjure up a lot of bad images for design-lovers -- plasticky attempts at a log-cabin feel, wall-mounted talking fish and "memorabilia walls" from the T.G.I. Friday's school of decorating.

I really hate seeing hokey-"fishing widow" decor in a lake house because it seems like such a wasted opportunity to go for a more quiet, sophisticated look where the view provides all the wow factor you need. Simple furniture, a muted palette, candlelight...

I promise you won't miss Big Mouth Billy Bass...

Images via Sweet Paul, Canadian House & Home

Inspiration 7.26

On another muggy Monday, I'm feeling inspired by cool whites, pinks and silvers, and lush, blooming hedges...Remember Spring? Yeah, that was nice.

P.S. I was beyond thrilled to pick up the August issue of the Washingtonian to find Department of the Interior named as one of the three best design blogs in the region, along with DC by Design and Aesthetic Oiseau! I'm so, so flattered, but now I've got to work extra hard to deserve it!

Images via Erin Ever After, For Stars will Rise Again and Plush Palate

Irene Suchoki & Weekend Recap

Sooo, what to say about this weekend? It was, um, a little toasty. And as a result, I spent a lot of time indoors with a fan pointed at my face, AC on full blast, dreaming up about a hundred unnecessary projects to take on around the apartment.

With all of the extra time on my hands, one thing I was able to accomplish was tracking down an affordable large-scale photo that will remind me of my Paris vacation without screaming, "I went on vacation in Paris and now want to cover my entire apartment in pictures of the Eiffel Tower."

I ended up purchasing the photo above of a tree-lined park in the Jardin des Plantes -- nicely priced at 20x24 for $125. The photographer, Irene Suchoki, has a great Etsy shop filled with dozens of similar dreamy photos of Paris, Italy, and other pretty places she comes upon in her travels.

Other than obsessively searching for affordable art on Etsy, I did make it outside for a dip in the pool, a late night adventure in Columbia Heights to new bar Meridian Pint (beertaps on the table = mind blown) and a trip to the Dupont farmer's market where I stocked up on peaches, plums, okra, greens and beautiful, purplish Cherokee tomatoes. I then girded myself for the walk home with Dolcezza Mojito sorbetto, and all seemed right in the world -- although in hindsight I'd attribute that to mild heatstroke.

So enough about my weekend, what fun ways did you come up with to beat the heat?

Inspiration 7.22-23 (Trine Thorsen)

There are simply no words for how obsessed I am with every room that interiors photographer Trine Thorsen shoots. Absolutely, some of my favorite spaces...well, ever.

Etsy Fave: Faded Summer Memories from Jena Ardell

In my mind, summer memories look just like these lovely faded, polaroid-style art prints from Jena Ardell -- filled with sun-bleached settings, happy people, and curated collections of seaside ephemera, you can practically smell the Hawaiian Tropic through your computer screen. Purchase here.

Inspiration 7.21

Via My Little Things

Inspiration 7.20

Remembering this gorgeous Chris Barrett home. Sigh.

Fall Style Inspiration

As a card-carrying member of the anti-pants club, I'm always looking for ways to stretch skirt wearing all the way into the fall. I came across these looks during a weekend shopping binge -- I actually bought the entire outfit with the blue shirt below (because I'm creative like that) and plan to make this my fall weekend style inspiration. Loose-fitting button-ups and sweaters + mini skirts/dresses + totally sweet boots. Easy, right?

P.S. My computer crashed over the weekend with the world's worst virus -- it actually disables any program you use to remove it, so I've lost access to tons of files and posts I had planned out for the week. I'm doing my best to recover everything, so bear with me!

Look 1 available only through Maje France (sad face, I know), Look 2 -- Acne Realities Sweater, Acne Lifetime Rib Dress, Alexander Wang Boots, Look 3 -- Rag & Bone Jean Shirt, Pleasure Doing Business Mini, Elegantly Waisted Harlow Belt

Inspiration 7.19

Love this idea for revamping drap pull-down shades.

Via We Heart It

Happy Weekend!

Images via Audrey Hepburn Complex; For Stars will Rise Again

Inspiration 5.16

Via La Dolce Vita

L'affaire française Vol.1

Going to try for a weekly download of some of my favorite French memories. In volume 1 -- views from private courtyards, hidden cafes, sitting by a fountain in Arles and finding the perfect floral sundress.