Vintage Mint

It’s like a Christmas laser-light show in the sky! A more nebulous, cerebral, sci-fi version, but still mesmerizing. Can you believe these aurora borealis/australis {”northern/southern lights”} actually occur on planet Earth? Pretty freaking awesome. {Seeing this in person is something I’ve always wanted to do and is definitely on my “life: to do” list.}

{Images via Vesa Särkelä, Mila Zinkova}
{Found via Aurora Photo Gallery}

{ Leave A Comment }Inspiration

Let the countdown begin…with one of these awesome Christmas advent calendars {from PB}. Aren’t they great? I’d love to have one of these. For the past couple years I’ve used a makeshift version and put little notes and treats in the pockets. Then my husband + I would try to do a Christmas-related activity each day in December {until Christmas day}. We’d do things like watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” {I tear up every time!}, make/decorate sugar cookies, create a gingerbread house, donate to a charity, deliver homemade bread to neighbors/friends, etc.  It’s a nice way to remember to enjoy the holiday season. This year I’ve kind of dropped the ball, and now I can’t believe there’s only 15 days until the 25th!

{Not really a Christmas advent-advent calendar, but this
wooden wall organizer is a great alternative!}

{ Leave A Comment }Crafts + Ideas, Finds, Home + Garden, Inspiration

Beautiful, modern-decadent interiors by S.R. Gambrel for a West Village townhouse in NYC.  I love how the blue hue walls change from vibrant turquoise to moody midnight.

{Images courtesy of S.R.Gambrel}

Admittedly, I didn’t know who Josef Frank was until I saw the google logo  honoring his birthday last month, but, I did recognize his work / style influence {notably from my overexposure to Anthropologie and Ikea — thanks consumerism!}. After I did a little google-ing, I stumbled upon another Swedish modernist, Stig Lindberg. Both designers created eccentric, whimsical prints, as well as furniture and ceramics/pottery {reminiscent of the ’50s and ’60s}.

Josef Frank: his use of bright colors and organic shapes are almost dizzying — very energetic + vibrant, almost like looking at cellular matter through a microscope.

{Hawaii bomull}

{Himalaya}

{blue foliage}

{windows}

Stig Lindberg: his work often dappled in geometric shapes and were a little more subdued, but still playful.

{melodi green}

{bulbous grey/brown}

{poeme d’amour}

{Images via: Svenskt Tenn, Just Scandinavian, Modernity}

I’m not an outdoor-sy person, let alone a “summer/sunny” person, but these stylish, city denizens make me want to quit my indoor-cubicle-desk job, buy understated-chic summer clothes and wander around the open streets of some European city {I’ll even take NYC, once their heatwave simmers down}.  Who’s with me?

{apparently the summer temp in Florence allows for gorgeous, rich,
brown, linen suits — super lux style, super non-California weather style.
bummer.}

{Photos via The Sartorialist, Stylesightings}

Hello! The next time I get flowers, they are going to be parsed into small glass bottles and placed on window sills around my house. {This spread could even spruce up my dull office desk if only the architects of our newly constructed building believed us office-worker minions deserved windows in our rooms}.

{If you haven’t checked out Ginny’s blog, my favorite color is shiny, go there now! She has great sense of Southern charm + style, and all things nostalgic. Photos above are from her blog.}

This is too cute — what a great idea! I wish I had thought of this {Pixar’s} Up! engagement photo theme. {By the way, I l-o-v-e that movie! I ball every time. It’s such an endearing little story. I highly recommend it}.

{First seen on The Wedding Chicks}
{Lovely photos via Wildflowers Photography}

It’s finally my favorite time of year! I covet everything the Fall season brings: weather, fashion, foods, colorful foliage… Sadly, central California has ephemeral autumns and toilsome summers. {Boo…}

I think my heart would melt if it looked like this outside my window right now:

Now this is what I call tailgating {Husband might disagree}:

{Mmm…cheese…}

{And top it off with warm cider!}

{Photos via Country Living}

Thought I’d share one of my favorite blogs: Hollister Hovey. Hollister and her sister, Porter, share an affinity for all things 19th century British/Indian imperialism (think pith helmets, taxidermy, rich cognac leathers, dark and decadent furnishings…). Very Ernest Hemingway meets Wes Anderson — historical + quirky. Loves. It.

They have an eye for old world vintage wonders and bygone luxuries.

{Their apartment. I know! Jaw-droppingly cool.}

Spectacular themed soirees…

{Great idea!}

And chic-dressed vacations.

{My vacay outfits always scream “lazy tourist”. A far cry from these sisters.}

{ Leave A Comment }Fashion + Beauty, Home + Garden, Inspiration

Ohh…I wish I were in Paris! Don’t you love Sofia’s ad campaign for Miss Dior Cherie? Classically girly, and very French, n’est-ce pas? {Can you tell I don’t remember any of my French from high school? Sad.} I’m sure the spring time over there is just peaches. Until my fantasy Parisian vacation comes true, I might have to settle for this cute bottle of perfume.

{Image via fashionologie}