My Ceramics Addiction: The Latest Damage

Those who know me (and any longtime readers of the blog) will be familiar with my borderline-unhealthy fixation on housewares, which my recent move has brought out in full force.  My hoarding of ceramic objects, in particular, has been raging unchecked. I'm not sure when, why, or how I developed a penchant for collecting handcrafted pottery from far flung places, but I choose to blame my parents and the dizzying assortment of dishes, glasses, vases, etc. that lined the cupboards in our home while I was growing up. I'm trying to reign it in before my apartment becomes a kook's nest of breakables, but it's proving to be quite the challenge.

Despite the fact that there is no more room on our shelves, I recently acquired these lovely white relief mugs from Hakusan by Mori (mentioned in the last post). Masahiro Mori is a prolific ceramic artist hailing from the Saga area of Japan, known for producing beautiful ceramics.

The triangle pattern is now sold out, which is helping me justify the purchase just a little. 

The irregular dot pattern is so delicate and perhaps my favorite:

Source: Totokaelo Art-Object

I'm smitten with this Ben Fiess porcelain cup + stoneware saucer set. I have one of his speckled vessels and love the way it looks, though I have yet to figure out what to use it for other than to adorn the shelf it currently occupies. This crackle glazed cup in a dreamy hue + chunky saucer would look lovely on my dining table.  Made in Minnesota.

 Source: Ship & Shape

I love all things Akiko Graham, and this stoneware and milk tea mug is no exception. Seattle-made, and created exclusively for Ashton Road. 

Source: Ashton Road

A Love Letter to Totokaelo

While in Seattle, I had the opportunity to visit Totokaelo. Their beautiful website, chock full of drool-worthy clothes, shoes, and jewels, had me crushing from afar, so I had high hopes for the actual shop, located on 10th Ave. between Pike and Pine. It didn't disappoint. The beautiful, light-filled space, impeccably edited assortment of treasures, and warm, friendly staff made for one of the most positive shopping experiences I have ever had. Post-visit, Christine, the store director, followed up with a couple of really nice emails, and I was surprised at the details she remembered from our conversation. The level of customer service was really impressive and refreshing.  I ended up going twice in a three-day period, taking home a Raquel Allegra dress and two beautiful ceramic mugs that I am absolutely in love with.

The gorgeousness starts with the door:

It was hard to peel my eyes (and hands) away from the amazing home selection at the front of the shop. You can check out the selection of housewares  and decorative objects at Totokaelo Art-Object.

If you're in the area, you might as well stop by Oddfellows for the deliciously decadent Brioche French toast . . .

 . . . and you absolutely cannot skip a trip to the Elliott Bay Book Company. Be prepared to spend hours perusing the titles and reading the handwritten book reviews sandwiched between the thoughtfully selected tomes that line its  shelves. 

Thanks, Totokaelo! I hope to be back soon. In the meantime, I will be stalking your websites per usual. More Seattle highlights to come . . .

First Fall Must-Haves: Sweater Edition

Behold, my first sweater crushes of the season:

I recently tried on Isabel Marant's cropped, gloriously chunky Quidor sweater and refused to take it off. 

Source: La Garconne

I've also been eyeing the Ouda Wyoming sweater from her Etoile line. The pattern is perfect.

 Source: Maryam Nassir Zadeh

Have you seen these bateau striped cashmere beauties from J. Crew? Love both the caramel and black flax colorways. The silhouette is so very Audrey. Just add gamine, side-swept bangs + slim black cropped pants + ballets.

Source: J.Crew

Vanessa Seward x A.P.C.

The term "lamé shorts" tends to conjure up all kinds of sartorial horrors in my mind. Unless, of course, it's roller derby disco night.  However, these chic little hot pants from Vanessa Seward's capsule collection for A.P.C. are totally real-life appropriate and absolutely beautiful in person. 

Made from archival fabrics from the now defunct couture textile company Soieries Abraham, which once supplied design houses like Balenciaga and YSL, the gold jacquard pattern on beige wool is ultra fine and sophisticated in a modern silhouette.

On a recent visit, I had to pry myself away from them, reasoning that they would be worn but once or twice before I'd have to retire them, and it would be such a shame to let them languish in my closet with the dozens of other cherished-but-too-distinctive-for-their-own-good pieces that are silently accompanying me to old ladyhood.

Lamé shorts in rosy beige, Vanessa Seward x A.P.C. (also available in a silver/blue)

Pattern detail:

Images: www.apc.fr

In Love With: Loeffler Randall's Locker Tote

My favorite style from Loeffler Randall's recently relaunched handbag collection comes in a beautiful blushing nude in buttery soft leather. I like the clean, classic silhouette and minimal hardware, but what I'm most excited about is that it comes with an envelope clutch. Usually one half of a two-in-one turns out to be a bum deal, but in this case, it's a winning combo.

Loeffler Randall Locker Tote. Also available in black and fossil (a soft grey). 

Image: www.loefflerrandall.com

Back to School with ANVE

Thought it's been an age since I was in school, each August, without fail, I experience an inexplicable urge to purchase school supplies. I'm also enjoying having a desk for the first time in years, and as a result, have found myself covetously eyeing many a pencil jar or stationery set these days. I like to keep my desktop simple and minimal, but love a well-placed dose of color. ANVE's beautiful leather card holders in lovely, saturated hues (handmade in Portugal) are just the thing. I'd happily trade in my No. 2's and college-ruled for one of these:

ANVE Envelope Card Holder, Morrocan Orange

Turquoise

Photos: anve.bigcartel.com 

Fantasy Friday: Carven's Drap Caban

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

I really wish I hadn't seen this beauty. Since spying it, I can think of nothing but wrapping myself in its golden wool-cashmere folds and going for a walk through a fancy park, kicking up autumn-colored leaves. 

Carven Drap Caban Coat in Cognac, $1,435.00, available at Maryam Nassir Zadeh

Source: mnzstore.com

Shoe Obsession: A.P.C.'s Blue Beauties

Sorry! I know it's been an age. I got caught up with my move, travels, weddings, summer, etc. Though still very much a work in progress, the new abode is starting to feel more home-y (at least enough for me to fret a bit less over all the things I have yet to buy/make).

Anyway, thought I'd ease back into the blogging with a short, simple one. The more I look down at my beloved, beat up No.6 clogs, the more I feel like I might cheat on them with these beauties from A.P.C.'s pre-fall collection. Though they're gorgeous in all hues (a friend is currently rocking the wine to great effect), I think I just might go blue.

A.P.C. Openwork Clogs, $370

Photos: www.apc.fr

Birthday Reflections

A couple of weeks ago, I crossed over to the other side of 30. Trying to ignore it only lasted but a few hours, as a surprise bouquet of tulips made its way to the office. Cover blown, I surrendered to it and thoroughly enjoyed the day, with pie from the coworkers, a cozy dinner with bf, and, as a cherry on top, a phone call from the family birthday chorus (warbly grandma and all) before turning in for the night.

I've pulled some inspiring imagery for my 31st year from my Pinterest. Among the many things I still need to do in this life, both feasible and fantasy:

Walk down this street:

Cherry blossoms in bloom in Bonn, Germany. Photo by Marcel Bednarz. 

Take a day off to do nothing but laze about. Porch optional, but preferable:

Photo from Planet Blue lookbook, via Spell

Wander through this magical rooftop garden:

Source unknown

Explore otherworldly lands:

Marble caves in Chile Chico, Chile via sun-surfer

Visit towns like this:

Phugtal Gompa, India via tea-light.tumblr

Hole up in a yurt bedroom like this:

via From Moon to Moon

Come home to these doors . . .

source unknown

figure out how to make these floors:

tavansickle

Secretly don fancy birthday pants on all subsequent birthdays:

via juxtapasse

And, perhaps, most of all, to simultaneously live in New York and SF.

Home Find: Creative Women Beach Towel/Blanket

I've been coveting this beautiful handmade cotton beach towel since spying it at Love, Adorned recently, and NYC's recent warm weather spell has me envisioning summer picnics in Prospect Park (especially now that it will be just a hop away). The pictures hardly do it justice. It's actually a bit more like a blanket (72" x 52") and I can see it doubling as a crisp, cool bedspread in the summer months, or even a tablecloth. 

Produced by Creative Women, a Vermont-based collective that worked with a women's cooperative in Ethiopia to make it. 

Pattern detail

Photos: www.loveadorned.com

Jewelry Obsession: MIRTA

I ordered this ring by MIRTA recently and have been anxiously awaiting its arrival. It's currently en route from Zagreb, Croatia, where designer Andrea Simic is based. I found it really interesting that she's also an architecture student -- a lot of the jewelry designers I've been into lately have backgrounds in architecture and industrial design and I'm really curious about how it informs their work.

Thorn oxidized sterling silver ring

More lovely oxidized silver pieces:

Chandelier - oxidized sterling silver post earrings

V-shaped oxidized sterling silver necklace

Photos: etsy.com

Addicted: Brook Farm General Store

I officially have a problem. I've developed a predilection for late night internet shopping (11PM on a weeknight counts as "late" post 30). It begins every night after bf goes to sleep. My body knows it's going to be in for a world of hurt in the morning if I don't get myself to bed right this instant, and yet somehow I cannot resist the housewares (vintage milk bottles! ceramics! neon spatulas! reclaimed wood everything!), that call my name. I have turned into my PARENTS. That this compulsion is written into my DNA makes it that much harder to overcome, and I fear that, like them, I will one day find myself sitting in a home bursting at the beams with mismatched odds and ends while I plot yet another room makeover.

Brook Farm General Store is not making the situation any better.  Someone please tell me I don't need this enamel pasta pot . . .

this set of triangular colored pencils in beechwood storage box . . .

that butter melter . . .

or these iron nail hooks.

Images: www.brookfarmgeneralstore.com

Fantasy Friday: North African Kelim

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

I've met my dream rug - a handwoven wedding kilim from North Africa. The owner of Kira, a Copenhagen shop, travels to North Africa a few times a year to hand select kilims from Berber tribes and plucked this beauty. Unfortunately for me, it runs about EUR 700.

Image: www.kira-cph.com

Tim Walker Book Now $4K on Amazon???

In the spring of 2008, I bought a copy of Tim Walker's delightful I Love Pictures, published by Hatje Cantz, for exactly $34.65 from Amazon.com. Just four years later, a Google search led me to an Amazon listing for the same title and I nearly fell out of my chair when I saw that used copies were going for up to $4,000 a pop. Hmm. I adore Tim Walker and I most certainly love his pictures, but I must (guiltily) admit I briefly contemplated turning a profit on my beloved out-of-print copy. With my move just a month away and lots of furniture and housewares to be bought, couldn't I be just as content with a copy of Pictures, which can be had for under $100? Sigh.

Currently Craving: A Detacher's Burke Wedge Sandal

I've been crushing on these A Détacher wedges from afar for a minute. I love the combo of navy and caramel-colored leather, and the delightful yellow rope detail. 

A Détacher Burke Wedge Sandal, $450

Image: www.creaturesofcomfort.us

Home Obsession: Tatine Candles

Some new favorite scents for the abode, from Chicago-based Tatine. 

Field of Grass smells exactly like freshly cut grass. You don't even need to light it for it to emit a pleasing aroma, which may be a good thing since I can't seem to part with the lovely packaging.

Image: www.abchome.com

Bitter Orange and Lavender from the Garden + Forest Infusions collection smells like my hikes through Big Sur. The beautiful green glass can be used as a votive or small vase after the candle burns through. 

Image: www.redbarnmercantile.com

Fantasy Friday: Rachel Comey Corbey Dress

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


Rachel Comey's Corbey Dress is THE perfect summer dress. At $564, it's an investment, but its timeless beauty (it's hand-dyed with block printed diagonal stripes) is sure to please for many seasons to come.

Image: www.rachelcomey.com