Home Finds: Schoolhouse Electric

Lovely black and white finds from Portland-based Schoolhouse Electric and Supply Co.:

Blackline stoneware pitchers, $58 each

Handblown glass shade, $69

Hand carved stone soap dishes, $14

Blackline stoneware tray, $36

Apartment Living Solutions: Vintage Crates for Storage

In trying to tidy the apartment a bit, I've been searching for the perfect vessel to neatly store the throw blankets we use on a daily basis. I tried folding and draping them over the sofa, but that required constant straightening up. I'd like to park one of these couch-side.

This Large Vintage Industrial Orchard Crate is from a town neighboring the one I grew up in!

AMradio

Good Luck Margarine Crate

threepotatofour

Franklin Sugar

threepotatofour

Fantasy Friday: Zero + Maria Cornejo Devo Dress

In which we shop with imaginary money and indulge our fanciest fancies.

With the splendid weather we're experiencing in NYC this week, visions of summer dresses are dancing in my head. This white hot linen number with neon silk underlayer is just the ticket. Unfortunately for me, the price tag is not. I will be stalking until it goes on sale. 

Zero + Maria Cornejo Devo Dress, $850

Image: lagarconne.com, via Pinterest

Chevron Dreams: Ariele Alasko's Coffee Tables

With an(other) impending move on my mind, all thoughts have turned to furniture. I imagine that an x-ray of the ideas in my head at any given moment would resemble a Tetris-like pileup of chaise lounges, credenzas, a random assortment of ceramics, and the like. The prospect of fiiiinally having a place of my own to decorate with furniture I actually planned to keep has me giddy with excitement.

Though I'd been saving up for a Nakashima splay-leg table, Ariele Alasko's beautiful work caught my eye via The Makers Project and I was instantly smitten with her chevron-striped wooden wonders. A California girl now living and working in Brooklyn, she creates beautiful furniture and home accessories from reclaimed lath. I reached out to her and was elated to find that although there was a waiting list, she was willing to work with me on a custom design for a coffee table. We'll be getting started in a few weeks, and I can't wait.

brooklyn to west 

A former tabletop

brooklyn to west

Ariele at work on a headboard. She made the wall covering in the background out of dried eucalyptus leaves.

the makers project

Love the incorporation of painted pieces in the tiled pattern.

the makers project

A gorgeous window bench

brooklyn to west

Cheeseboard

brooklyn to west

Beauty and the Beach: Eres Spring/Summer 2012

Inspired by the Mediterranean and Middle East, the Eres S/S '12 collection features exotic, bazaar hues and deep jewel tones. As always, the campaign images are stunning (Camilla Akrans again). Though I've already got a couple of Eres suits that I love and don't really need a new one, I can't help but covet these:

Calliope suit in Damas multicolore from the Bazaar collection. And that tilework! I'll take both.

Habil one-piece in Noir, from the Persee collection

Calpurnia top, Khiva bottom in Byzance/Nefertiti from the Sultane collection

Taksim top, Aliya bottom in Vizir/Nefertiti from the Sultane collection

Calife top, Souk bottom in Noir from the Babylone collection

Photos: Camilla Akrans for Eres

iPhonery from Aubin + Wills

I bought a temporary rubber cover for my iPhone immediately upon purchasing the phone to protect it from my clumsiness and other disasters, but am on the hunt for a more permanent deal. While I'd love to get one of the beautiful wood cases from Miniot, they cost half as much as the phone itself and I just can't bring myself to pull the trigger. Also, the edges of the case are flush with the screen, offering no protection if it falls on its face. I'm now considering this sly fox:

Aubin + Wills Saltash iPhone case, ₤12.50

Image: www.aubinandwills.com

Spring Underthings from Myla, Stella, and Valery

My annual spring wardrobe purge means out with the old, in with the new, starting with the foundation. Some refreshing brassiere finds to prettify the underwear drawer:

Mint satin + dainty shell pink lace are so rococo. Myla Isabella Non-Padded Balcony Bra, $200

Blush silk straps + black mesh with velour overlay = divine. Stella McCartney Florence Acting Underwire Bra, $105

At first glance I thought it boring, but in person there's something very lovely and Downton about this steel blue/gold lace number. Valery Elisabethan Rose Balconnet Bra, $175.

Images: www.journelle.com

Pinterest Picks: Blush Beauties

My New York wardrobe rarely ventures into pastel territory, but I can't get these blush-hued beauties out of my mind.

The trouble with patent apricot oxfords is that you can only wear them so often before they start to get old. Still, it doesn't prevent me from coveting these lovely Dieppa Restrepos.  Available sometime this Spring, apparently.

via Breanna Jackson

This gorgeous mystery blouse. I thought it was Acne, but it's not and it's infinitely better than my Madewell top. Any help?

via Aleksandra Cornea

And a fuzzy nightlight, just because.

via Kate @ Wit + Delight

Current Obsession: Beauty & Youth United Arrows for Moleskine

I want every gorgeous color from Beauty & Youth United Arrows' Moleskine collab (but especially the green and yellow). How do the Japanese find a way to improve on everything? And, more importantly, where to find in the US?

Images: beautyandyouth.jp

Out, Damned Spots: In Which We Rescue a Pair of Isabel Marant Booties

Tragedy struck last week when I discovered that my jeans had bled indigo dye onto my golden suede Isabel Marant Dicker boots. Granted, the offending stain is only along the top edge where my jeans tuck in, but those who know me and my maniacal shoe obsession know that this would drive me mad. I take pains to keep them safe from harm (and in NYC, disaster lurks on every sidewalk - salt! gum! feces!) and should have been pissed.

However, being that I've been so tired lately, I lacked the energy to muster the appropriate level of shock and despair. Instead, I was mildly heartbroken and told myself, rather calmly, that there had to be a solution.  I vaguely recall buying a buffing block/brush set in Argentina for another pair of shoes that suffered a similar fate, and after a bit of rummaging in the back of my closet, managed to unearth it. It works like a magic eraser when used, gently and carefully, to sand away stains on light-colored suede (Argentines know their hides, so trust). And you don't have to trek to sub-equatorial regions to buy one -- you can order one online for under $10. Here's a quick guide that explains how to do it:

 via ehow.uk

I skipped the last step and my beloved booties were as good as new. Try to do it as soon as you discover the stain -- the more it settles, the harder it is to get out. And remember to always spray new suede shoes with a water repellent stain guard before wearing.

Taking Flight: The Perfect Getaway Pack

Oy vey. It's only Monday, but what a week/month it's been. I don't know when down time will come next and I can't help but wishing tomorrow would stay away for a while longer. Dreaming of stuffing this lovely green backpack with a book, a beach blanket and some sunnies so that I can run off to someplace warm and far removed to fall into a deep slumber beneath the shade of a tree.

Hessian Backpack from Aussie shop Tractor HQ, which works with weavers and craftspeople in disadvantaged communities in Africa.

They also make these beautiful paper tealight cups:

Images: www.tractorhome.com.au

Diamond Rings, Shiny Things: Fancy Jewels from Blanca Monrós Gómez

I've been eyeing Blanca Monrós Gómez's beautifully delicate creations for a while now, but have had the hardest time choosing from among the lovely designs. The Barcelona-born designer's handcrafted treasures are the perfect combo of fine and earthy. Can I have them all?

via Steven Alan blog

A teeny tiny black seed on a whisper thin band - great for stacking or on its own:

A faceted solitaire:

Mini emerald studs:

Hammered rose gold perfection:

Images 2-5 via blancamonrosgomez.com

Craving Cozy Knits: Raquel Allegra, Toast, and North Circular

NYC has frozen over, and I'm gravitating towards all things warm. A few cozies to warm your winter days:

Raquel Allegra Cable Knit Cardi. Loving shawl collared cardis for the ladies, and this color is gorge in mohair.

totokaelo

Raquel Allegra Crop Cable Knit Sweater. Beautiful marled cables and a perfectly slouchy fit.

totokaelo

Toast Astrid Sweater (alas, currently out of stock). Love the extra-long sleeves -- keep hands toasty or scrunch 'em up to reveal a wrist adorned with a delicate bracelet or two. I've been seeing a lot of oversized sweaters paired with longer skirts lately. Seems counterintuitive, but the right combo makes it look anything but grandma. How to pull off?

toast

North Circular Fingerless Mittens. How could you say no to these beauties after reading the description: "Hand knit (and signed) by grannies in the UK from locally shorn and organically raised sheep." And they're unisex.

no. 6

Get Band-Aid's Friction Block Stick. Your Feet Will Thank You.

If, like me, you are a shoe fiend, you've probably endured the agony of friction-induced blisters for a favorite pair more than a few times in your life. While going through some boxes recently, I rejoiced upon discovering a forgotten Band-Aid Friction Block Stick. I'd long been suffering the burn for a pair of Dieppa Restrepo oxfords I can't stop wearing, even though I know they'll start to rub me the wrong way by day's end. After gliding the invisible blister stick on each heel where the shoe tends to offend, I completely forgot they'd ever caused me any pain. I've even recommended it to guy friends who have used it for the back of sneakers with similar results. If you're not equipped with one of these already, stock up -- they're currently on sale at CVS.

Band-Aid Friction Block Stick, now $5.52 at CVS.com

via CVS.com

Office Space: DWR's Celine Desk = Perfection

I've found my deskmate.  It's been ages since I had a desk, and I can no longer ignore the fact that I sorely need one. The Nazanin Kamali-designed Celine desk and I were meant to be together because:

a) She is named Celine (!) -- how could I not?
b) The simple, streamlined design won't take up too much precious space.
c) The tapered splay legs and white drawer add just the right dash of character.

I road-tested her over the weekend and we got along famously -- perfectly proportioned for moi. I'll let you know how she wears once the big move rolls around and I can give her a proper home. In the meantime, I shall hunt for the perfect chair.

Celine Desk by Nazanin Kamali, exclusive to Design Within Reach:

Images via DWR

Sunday Linkage: Let's Go Back to Big Sur

My trip to Big Sur last September was nothing short of magical, and a sojourn I hope to repeat many times over in my life. Though I'm not sure I'll be able to make it back this year, flipping through the photos rekindles the odd sensation that came over me while traversing this place that felt wild and removed in an edge-of-the-world kind of way that all at once makes you completely forget your life, while recognizing all the strange possibilities in it. Some snapshots and links to favorite spots:

Amid towering redwoods, waves pounding windswept, driftwood-strewn beaches, and dense fog, you can't help but feel connected with nature and simultaneously frightened by it.

The food was fresh and delightful. We couldn't get enough of Big Sur Bakery, and ended up getting their amazing cookbook, which offers a glimpse into a year in the life of the bakery.

Would love to stay at one of the lovely cottages at Deetjens next time around. 

Spent an afternoon browsing at the Henry Miller Library. We were bummed to find out that Fleet Foxes had just played a show there shortly before we arrived. Helplessness Blues was the perfect soundtrack for our trip, and it's no wonder -- I later found out that Robin Pecknold wrote part of the album at the guest house here.