Happy July 4th!

Happy 4th of July! I am busy in the kitchen making cheddar biscuits and peanut butter whoopie pies. I thought I would share this because it just felt appropriate. The print was done by a good friend of mine in our undergrad years. These days Jacob does less political prints and sticks to images of beeboxes and seagulls.

July 4th in a reminder to all of us of our independence and freedom. Please remember: register to vote! Don't forget to keep your voter registration up to date if you have moved to another state or changed addresses. Be involved in your future and take back our country. Go Obama!

Yellow Owl Workshop

I just hit my wall. One last nautical-themed post. I met Yellow Owl Workshop when I was at the Stationery Show a few months ago. I fell for their Je'taime card, but now I falling for this affordable ship painting and stamp collection. The both sport my new favorite theme! Ship painting on wood panel, $16.50. Stamp Collection, $36.50. To purchase and check out more: yellowowlworkshop.com.

Evan B. Harris

So I kinda wimped out on making all my desserts. I bought a strawberry shortcake and a peach pie. I did decided to make my childhood favorite from scratch: peanut butter whoopie pies. It's way to hot in the house right now to crank up the stove so I'll get up early and make up a batch. In the meantime I thought I could do a few blogs and watch a movie.

I've really getting into nautical themed art and textiles lately. I'm thinking its going to be one of the big themes of my store. Kinda of a perfect idea since I will be living in an old New England seaside town. I found these prints via something old something new blog. Totally charming and nautical. The prints are of larger paintings done by Evan B. Harris. Prints are $20 for about a 11" x 11" piece. Check out more at: charmingwall.com.

Ethnic Embroidered Ribbons

One last post before I head off to the store for baking supplies. I saw these embroidered ribbons yesterday and was reminded of the post I wrote about embroidered curtains. What about one of these ribbons sewn onto a white sheer? So fun and colorful! I found one of the styles available for purchase on M&J's website: mjtrim.com. Have a nice 4th!

Link Love: Fourth of July Dessert Recipes

This afternoon I am cruisng around for recipes for July 4th. I've been assigned adult desserts. It's a backyard party my sister is hosting with about 30 people—1/2 of which are children. I was thinking cookies, bars, pies, and maybe my all time favorite: Rhubarb Pie. Here are a few recipes that caught my eye.

Rhubarb Pie: Everyday Food

Strawberry Shortcake: Martha Stewart

Frozen Lime Pie: Joe's Stone Crab

Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies: Everyday Food

Toasted Marshmallow Cupcakes: Jennifer Shea, owner of Trophy Cupcakes

Sour Cherry Pistachio Crisp: Martha Stewart

Peanut Butter Jelly Bars: Barefoot Contessa

Lemon Bars: Barefoot Contessa

Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisps with Cardamom and Nutmeg: Bonappetit

Rifferaff Paper

I got a lovely e-mail from Shannon Riffe of Rifferaff as a potential for my new online store. I am in love with her designs that she features on cards, journals, and wrapping paper. Totally digging the modern, ethnicy, colorful motifs. My new store has kinda been put on the back burner because I am in closing hell with the house. Eventually I will get the store up and running. I am definitely keeping Shannon in mind. To purchase products from Shannon check out: rifferaff.etsy.com.

Missoni Dots Pillows

I feel in love with this Missoni pillow last year. I saw it in a number of UK home magazines but I couldn't find anyone that carried it stateside. My luck has suddenly changed: Auto in New York now carries the dots cushion! Auto has a huge collection of Missoni textiles including pillows, poufs, and bedding. Everything is available for purchase online: thisisauto.com.

M&J Buttons

One of my favorite things about New York are button stores. The floor to ceiling boxes of buttons is like being in a candy shop for adults. Check out M&J for a superstore filled some of the best and widest assortments of buttons and ribbons. In the store you'll find designers, crafters, and interior designers all searching for that one perfect button to complete their project. The energy is exhilarating. M&J has a great website filled with most of the things you can find in the store. A good compromise if you can't make it to NY. Check out the website: mjtrim.com.

M&J Buttons
1008 Sixth Avenue
Between 37th & 38th
New York, New York

Bauer Pottery Company

I love the vintage quality of these ceramics from Baurer Pottery Company. Baurer is actually a vintage brand that has been recently revived in Southern California.

"Starting in Louisville, Kentucky, and then flourishing in Los Angeles, California, J. A. Bauer Pottery Company created simple, yet beautiful stoneware from the late 1880s to the early 1960s. With lines ranging from redware flowerpots to brilliantly colored dinnerware, Bauer Pottery was a staple in American homes for many decades. Today, the work of J.A. Bauer has been reintroduced by a ceramics studio in Los Angeles, located just minutes from the original plant. The new Bauer line, Bauer 2000, is being produced using original pieces as models, with an emphasis on items originally manufactured by Bauer in the 1930s and 40s."

Any of the pieces would be amazing for backyard summer party. Find out more about Bauer and to purchase products featured here: bauerpottery.com.

Les Indiennes: Indian-Inspired Fabric

I'm in love with these Indian style fabrics from Les Indiennes. Exactly the kind of prints that make me fall into a hoarding crazy fool. I'm going to be good and file this source away. I will definitely check it out again when I am working on a bedroom or living room project. You can purchase pillows, bedding, table clothes, and fabric by the bolt straight from their website. Prices range from $66-$550. Check out more: lesindiennesshop.com.

Inspiration: Embroidered Curtains

I just spotted these beautiful embroidered curtains on dominomag.com. I would love to use some my ribbon I bought last week at Daytona to copy this look. Super easy! Just sew strips of ribbon onto a sheer white curtain. You can pick up inexpensive white sheers like these at Ikea.

Edward del Rosario

I was just reading an article on the nytimes.com about the lack of new babies in Europe. The article was interesting but I was really attracted to artwork the Times used to illustrate the story. Edward del Rosario is a Brooklyn based artist that shows at Richard Heller Gallery. I am totally impressed by Rosario's work. Check out more: richardhellergallery.com.

Sunday At The Laundromat

One of things I can't wait to have in my new house is a washer and dryer. I will never again have to waste a beautiful day doing laundry. I took a couple shots this morning to remember my local laundromat in Darien, Connecticut. I have to admit I will kinda miss the giant orange industrial washers.

Daytona Trimmings Co.

One of my favorite place to go for inspiration are ribbon stores. Daytona Trimming has a great selection and often prices are cheaper then M&J's superstore around the corner. Aisles are full of floor to ceiling spools of ribbon. I love all the color and pattern. Resisting the temptation to buy out the whole store can be trying. Decorative ribbon can be used for all kinds of different craft projects. I love it as a border on curtains, sewn onto white sheets, glued onto a lampshade, or sewn onto the bottom of a bedskirt. The possibilities are endless. Prices range from about $.99-$12.99 a yard. See more images I took by checking out my flickr photostream here.

Daytona Trimming Co.
251 W. 39th Street
(between 7th Ave & 8th Ave)
New York, NY
(212) 354-1713

Waterworks

The closing is thankfully going smoothly. Looks like we will have the house by July 11. I am so excited. I can't wait to get started on all my fun projects.

I headed over to Waterworks showroom in Greenwich today to help me get a little bathroom inspiration. Waterworks is great store to check out if your going for a traditional looking bathroom. I totally fell for these open washstands and the 2" hexagon shape tiles. The hexagon shape is so classic but the larger shape tile in an unexpected twist. I think I might pair it with a subway tile on the walls or covering the inside of bathroom stall. I can't remember the name of the tile shown in the hex shape but I told is was pretty pricy. They suggested using carrera marble which is a cooler looking stone and a more reasonable price point. Check out more: waterworks.com.

Fourth of July Invitations

Preparing for a fourth of July bash? Step up the style with these waspy-chic printable invitations from Kate Spade. I am in love with the lobster card above. I would totally use them for lobster bake wedding or shower too! 10 cards and envelopes for $25 available at crane.com.

Romantic Floral Glassware

I am loving these adorable flower-inspired glassware from Anthropologie. "The fluted amethyst rim and vibrant green base recall delicacy and grace of African violets." Love! $6-$12 each at anthropologie.com.

Convex Mirror

Damn, I'm bummed I missed out this gorgeous convex mirror from Paris Hotel Boutique. This mirror would have been perfect for my new entryway. I love the black leather detailing around the edge. If you come across anything similar let me know. Check out more great finds from this San Fran store: parishotelboutique.com.

Waterfall: Bathroom Vanities

Over the past few days we have compiled a list of projects that are first priority before moving into our potential new house. Walls have holes, stairs are caving in, chimneys leak, and lots of other little not so fun things. I know we need to get these things done first but I just want to get to the decorating part.

This afternoon I was dreaming of luxurious bathrooms and came across these vanities by Waterfall. These beauties are not only glam but their green too! The Canadian based company uses FSC-certified and formaldehyde-free wood and the lowest VOC paint possible. I love their sleek lines and timeless shape. Prices start at about $1,400. Check out more: waterfallbath.com.

House Color Inspiration

So I think we maybe homeowners in the next couple of weeks. Keep your fingers crossed and if nothing crazy happens I will have my house by mid-July. I can't sleep at night because I'm so excited for all the fun projects we get to do. One of first projects I want to get done before winter is cleaning up the outside of the house. The roof needs work, chimney is caving in, put in a brick driveway, and the house needs to be re-painted. I was thinking maybe something creamish toward brownish color? My boyfriend thinks the color is a little to blah. I think it would be amazing with big green variegated hostas and hints of pink bushes and shrubs. Here are few photos I took of cream colored houses in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Marblehead, MA over the past few weeks. What do you guys think?

Strawberry Banke

I was up Portsmouth, New Hampshire over the weekend getting inspiration at Strawberry Banke. I was there checking out 18th century architecture similar to my potential new house. Strawberry Banke has a walking museum tour that allows you to tour restored homes dating back to 1740. I was surprised how much colorful wallpaper appeared in all of the historic homes. The wallpapers are reproductions of French and English papers that were typical during the time period. To check out more of the tour click on any image to view my flickr photostream page. Enjoy!

Dermond Peterson: Sealife Pillows

I was telling at friend yesterday how I become so into sealife pillows and prints. She showed me this awesome Octopus pillow by Dermond Peterson. I saw the pillow a few months ago and I couldn't for the life of me remember who made it. Love! I am really in love with Dermond Peterson's entire collection of Seaside motifs that include pillows, napkins, runners, and kitchen towels. Check out more: dermondpeterson.com.

Imaginary Friends: Flower Cards

One last post about Renegade. I know I saw a lot more great stuff but the extreme heat clouded by ability to take photos and pick up cards. I loved these colorful and pretty cards by Imaginary Friends out of South Pasadena, Ca. Each cards is hand silk-screened on natural color felt weave paper with blended inks. $4 for one card. Check out more at: imaginaryfriendsinc.com.

Pistachio Press: Bird Cards

Some cute and elegant bird cards by Pistachio Press out of Rochester, NY. Each card is hand lettepressed onto Crane's Lettra paper which is 100% cotton. Cards are available as singles or in sets. To purchase visit their etsy shop: etsy.com. To check out more of Pistachio Press's portfolio: pistachiopress.com.

Foxy Winston: Animal Prints

O.K. one last kid post for the day. Renegade just seemed to have all kinds of things that were cute for kids. I love these animal prints by Foxy & Winston available at prints, tees, and cards. Fun gift for a baby shower or kid's birthday. Prices range from $4.50- $26. Check out more: foxyandwinston.com.