inspiration today

two things i couldn't keep from you.



artforms of nature by ernst haeckel via design you trust.





these lovely watercolors from jaakko mattila via design you trust.

craigslist finds

i want these two things to sandwich my desk (sometime to be a nice metal desk or white work table from ikea): mid century highboy dresser, $160 & mini credenza, $125.

etsy wednesday - on thursday

i want this sweater from ninu's etsy shop; so cozy & classy! goods include sweaters, jackets & bags. prices are really quite reasonable: $67-$100 for sweaters; $165 for jackets; & $33-$70 for bags.

the new place

there are things i like about moving. in addition to making a home with a wonderful man, i get to start fresh & move into a blank canvas. last week i shared my mood board for the new place & this week i'm giving you the space as we received it. the apartment is wonderful - lots of light, high ceilings, a balcony, awww the pics do the work.

i'm going to do some postings of our progress, although we've vowed to take our time decorating & making any big purchases. our goods are moved in, but boxes are still flooding the floors - more pics later this week or early next.

fashion blitz

portland shop frances may has wonderful stuff in their online shop & i really enjoy the blog. the pieces are really quite simple & feminine, effortless chic?

found textiles

blogging is light this week - i'm focused on the new apartment & work is pretty busy. even though, i can't resist sharing the work of the uk based, husband & wife duo fiona & ben o'brien working under the name wish you were here!. i find their collaboration so inspiring, taking the skills of each person & putting out a fantastic product that reaches the right people (the duo does commercial & editorial work in addition to their goods for the home). their fabrics & prints are lovely & full of life & can be purchased in their shop.

library of congress shop

check out all of the amazing prints for sale through the library of congress! most seem to run around $28 for an 8"x10" or screenprint or lithograph (great deal right?).

music to listen to

i purchased the bat for lashes new album, two suns a week or so ago. now that i've had a second to give it a good listen, i am definitely recommending it & feeling sad that i'll miss her in seattle at the crocodile on june 10.

craigslist finds

i'll have to do some more measurements, but i'm pretty sure that our kitchen can fit an small island, providing me more counter space & provide a spot for guests to sit with me & sip wine while i cook. here are some stool options i likey: set of 4 cream bar stools, $145 & this set of two woven stools, $70.

losing numbers

i know this post is off topic, but i can't help it.

there were a lot of things on my 2009 to do list, but one task was really important to me & i'm happy to say that i can cross it off! this morning i was brave enough to step on the scale & was pleasantly surprised to see that i lost 11 lbs since january. seriously, i'm flipping my shit.

i hadn't gained weight since i was 19, when i decided to take the extra lbs off for good. in november, when i realized that i was 10 lbs heavier than my original goal weight set so many years back, i was really disappointed. i had ignored the fact that so many of my outfits were just too tight or off limits completely. after many failed efforts, i listened to bart & saw a trainer. she gave me simple tasks that i know firmly believe in: cut calories (no matter how hard you work out, you sit at a desk allllll day), keep a food & exercise journal, drink a lot of water, cut or reduce simple carbs after lunch, interval training, strength training & keep intensity in each workout.

i (as many women & men often do) struggle with weight - keeping it off, placing too much value on it, fantasizing about being thin, working at accepting my body, balancing health & vanity, etc - but i have always tried to be as healthy as i can with weight loss. my time at the gym or exercising outdoors is mine to think & reflect about what is important. my efforts with eating are for me to make conscious decisions about what my body needs. for all of you trying to lose weight or get into the stack of jeans that no longer fit & for those of you who are just trying to be healthier or more active - good luck & remember to be good to your body, even if that means eating marshmallows & ice cream.

image from guy aroch on photographers limited editions.