I have a confession to make: I’m not really sorry to see House & Garden go. I found the writing pretentious, the prices outrageous, and, most importantly, the designs so overdone they were almost laughable. Once in a rare while I found an inspiring photograph or a mildly translatable idea, but, seriously, this mag was for those people who give their dogs diamond-encrusted collars. I am not one of those people and I bet you’re not either.
Having said that, Godspeed to all who are now searching for new jobs!!
[[image via the soon-to-be-defunct House and Garden website]]
I’ve been gazing at these gorgeous photos for days and then realized I should probably just share them with you.
[[delphine amelie journal, $11, Cotton Idea Studio]]
[[peculiar pair hello, $17 for 6, Cotton Idea Studio]]
Two thoughts:
1) The name of the product is everything. Do I want to own brown thank you’s? No. Do I want to own rustic Delphine Zen Chipboard? Absolutely.
2) Letterpress rocks.
Everybody knows design*sponge. Everyone. Grace Bonney is the uber-blogger and she rocks my world everyday. Last Wednesday, she posted this awesome DIY applique pillow project that I really want to try myself. I might take a stab at it this weekend, what with the holiday and all. Check it out for yourself.
[[image via design*sponge]]
I know this has made the rounds in other blogs, but I wanted to share it because of how ingenious I think it is! You could slip all the magazines you have yet to read on the table, then put your feet up on it and watch TV. Brilliant!
[[magtable coffee table, $158, Umbra]]
I’ve longed admired my friend Kaelin’s gold hoop earrings. I think she got hers at Banana Republic, but I’m a 21st-century woman…I only shop online. I found these while browsing M. Flynn Accessories:
[[large hoop earring, $44, M. Flynn Accessories]]
Hate sending out that annual Christmas letter? The task won’t be quite so laborious if you send one of these delightful cards from Turtle Papers.
[[let it snow, $20 for a six-pack, Turtle Papers]]
[[happy holidays, $8.95 for six, Turtle Papers]]
[[peace & joy, $8.95 for six, Turtle Papers]]
By the way, I think I’m obsessed with penguins.
In preparation for a Christmas gift guide I’m thinking of compiling, I remembered Knock Knock, a “semi-spanking-new” company that sells goods with a sense of humor. Each of these items I would love to give as gifts, except they might not be well-received by those who take themselves too seriously.
[[things that might kill you, $19.95, Knock Knock]]
[[keep it real notes, $3.25, Knock Knock]]
[[newsflash self-mailer, $11 for 20, Knock Knock]]
I’m in mad love with this online boutique I just discovered. Love, love, love. Take a look at this jacket:
[[short sleeve double breasted jacket, $58, Frock Shop]]
and this jacket:
[[cool canvas asymmetric jacket, $96, Frock Shop]]
and this necklace:
[[quartz lariette, $48, Frock Shop]]
And the best part is that it’s all pretty affordable. Don’t you want to be the girl that wears cool things like these? (And all the male readers gag.)
