today i am crushing over the antler themed tablescapes showcased on the inspired bride blog. the setting for the weddings have a wonderful rustic modern feel. after you check them out hit ebay to bid on a collection that will make a dramatic table set-up and great conversation piece in your home this fall.

the style of these two pieces are so dissimilar. i wonder how i can like them both so much. price and function might tip the scales in favor of the military coat by aryn k., but i'm still swooning over the hippie influences of the joie judith cotton top.

the creators call these paper pots. they are brilliant design! the clever design is more eye catching than any tissue box i've ever seen. it is wonderful to see how designers reinterpret everyday things. notice my signature turquoise?

these richly died canvas totes are dreamy. the ez canvas bag and the classic bag by kinies of malaysia have a gang of cavities to hold all kinds of gadgets, (including but not limited to) a cell phone, laptop, water bottle, umbrella, pen and notebooks. i have a great appreciation for designers that understand how much stuff i lug around with us when we travel or even day to day. one of these might be just the ticket for our upcoming trip to italy.

one of my favorite stationers, smock paper , has introduced new gift wrap styles. you've seen their papers here before. i'm loving the bright and cheery color combination of their new eco-wrap (yes, it's 100% PCW). as a paper fanatic i am crushing on the graphic pop of the orange "koi " on the swimming pool turquoise and white, and the kinetic "quadrille " with it's red blooms on a lavender background. another reason i think these prints are so dreamy is the harmonious pattern on the opposite side of the paper. it's like getting two-for-one!  later this week, i'll have some great examples to share ways to use these and other decorative papers you might have on hand.

earlier this week my husband, mark, informed me that one of the things on his life list is to own a pig. honestly… i laughed, from surprise mostly. mind you, this announcement came an hour after he feed me a pork belly taco he had made (yum!). obviously, the little piggy will not be considered a pet. now, where will we be able to pen a pig in town? until we find a spot this piggy tote from renegade handmade will serve as a reminder of what's to come.

this color combination, gray, teal and mustard. i'm even contemplating an update to the color scheme in our bedroom to it. unfortunately, i cannot envision installing this fantastic whirling dervish wallpaper in our apartment. i'll stick with swapping out the smaller accessories in the room. this means out with the eggplant accents and in with some elements in teal.


as a continuation of my obsession with teal, these peacock congratulations cards are now on the lbc etsy site. the folded notes are letterpress printed on cream cards with teal ink. check them out when you have a minute!

today's wardrobe addition is accessories. an area i don't give as much attention to therefore, my outfits don't always look finished. i prefer pieces that are neutral in their color scheme (silver or gold) or jewelry with a multiplicity of colored stones. the variation of colors allow me to grab a necklace or pair of earrings that will harmonize with whatever i've got on. these pieces from jaunebleu fit the prerequisites. i'm also a fan of how irina organizes the complimentary earrings without a matchy-matchy look to the necklaces.

all the kids are headed back to school, and the rest of use are feeling nostalgic. the start of the school year offers a fresh start, and like new year's resolutions there's an urge to buy all kinds of new "school supplies" for the office. for me, one of these fabulous pencil sets will suffice. the pleasant sentiment "create happiness" of the earmark pencils is one to live by.  for the foodie these "chef's pencils " from paper pastries offer reminders of some basic know-how in the kitchen. the final set, from atypyk , just make me laugh. maybe they remind me of curling my upper lip towards my nose to hold a pencil in place while contemplating the answer to a math problem.

for over a year now i've been holding onto some paper that i had cut to make booklets. i have yet to design a cover. my goal is to design a cover and produce the books for sale on my etsy shop for the holiday season. i enjoy having little books in my bag to make notes in while i am traveling or just running around town. you never know when an idea will strike or you think of one more thing to add to your to do list.

these books are great motivation for re-purposing all types of old books and paper into cherished booklets, art and home accessories. both playing with books by jason thompson and re-bound from jeannine stein offer an abundance of intriguing "upcycling" and binding examples with how-to details for you to follow. not to mention they are so extravagantly designed they will look lovely resting on your coffee table.