yes, please

Butcher paper, check! Blank wall, check! Dedicating an entire wall of my apartment to these?

Too much?

Idea found here by the lovely ladies of Ruche.

bike season!

I feel like bikes have been all the talk lately with me and my co-workers, maybe it's the arrival of beautiful weather that has us all yearning to bring them out of hibernation. Though I already own two bikes, if I were ever in the market for a #3, I found her.

Urban Outfitters has partnered with Republic Bike and allows you to customize their single speed Aristotle bikes to whatever color and size your heart desires.

lauren conrad for kohl's

I admit it, I have a tendency to turn my nose up at Kohl's until I go and remember some of the deals that can be had on some super cute lines. Joining the likes of Vera Wang, Lauren Conrad recently debuted her new line (I'm sure she calls it her more "affordable" line) in stores. There is a Kohl's near work that I sometimes wander on my lunch break to get away from the office. Like any store, I find it very hit or miss but today I was blown away. I think the main reason I am so drawn to her dresses is their length. I've become so accustom to the current trend of dangerously short hemlines that I forget how flattering a dress can be that hits right above the knee. The floral chiffon dress was my favorite. I didn't see the white, sequin sheath in the store but I love the cut.
Floral Chiffon Dress / Ruffled Dress / Sequin Sheath Dress Set / Motorcycle Jacket
All available in stores and online here

london calling

London tops my list as my favorite city; regardless of the fact that I've spent less then 5 hours in it, and a majority of that was in an airport. One day I will get there. In the meantime, these could keep me company.
Sold here but seen in Max Wanger's Home Sneak Peak on Design*Sponge

this sums up my week

I feel like I used to be very optimistic but I'm getting cynical in my old age (tomorrow is the big 2-4). I keep waiting for the day things get easier. I like that this poster reminds me that I'm not alone.





















the work of Matthew Walkerdine found via design is mine

globe collecting

I have a little ledge above my cabinets in my kitchen that (for now) I use for storage. I've been on the look out for something cheery to brighten up my closet sized kitchen. Wouldn't vintage globes be just the item?





















Image from We Met in a Bar

lace up riding boots

Riding boots are my current shoe obsession. I have fallen in love with the lace up style and decided to track down some of my favorite variations.



Tall Vintage Brown Leather Lace Up Riding Boots from SuperKitsch Etsy shop / Ariat Heritage II Field Boot from Rod's / Frye Melissa Riding Tall Boot from Zappos / Vintage Brown lace up Riding Boot from Nstylevintage Etsy shop / Romana Leather Riding Boot from Delia's

erie basin antique jewelry

Cameo rings run in my family and they will always hold a special place in my heart. I love the variety of styles, shapes, and colors that the rings take on. I came across a great collection of cameo rings on Erie Basin's tumblr which led me to Erie Basin's stunning shop. I wish I could visit the Brooklyn store and see all the antique pieces in person. In addition to a wide selection, his prices are ridiculously reasonable for the age and condition that all the jewelry is in.

Visit the shop for the most unique selection of antique jewelry.

decisions, decisions

I swear I've been on the duvet cover search since 2007. The options seem to always fall into one of two categories, ridiculously expensive or bland and boring. I've fallen in love with a few but hesitated just long enough for them to sell out. My current cover used to be yellow but has faded to a off-white and now blends into my bedroom's off-white walls. My search has led me to these two beautiful but drastically different styles. You have to just picture the left duvet cover in a chocolate brown; they didn't have a good photo. I was elated to happen upon the first one because Anthropologie had similar bedding about 1 1/2 years ago and I couldn't justify spending $200 on it. Compared to that, this one from West Elm is a steal! The right one is from Urban Outfitters and is just so perfectly vintage that I think it could spice of my otherwise sparse bedroom. Ohhh the dilemna!

the avett brothers

My favorite group, The Avett Brothers, performed on Austin City Limits on Sunday night. I totally spaced and missed it but caught it online today. I'm looking forward to getting to see them live again in a few weeks, but this will help tide me over until then. Go here to see a spectacular performance.

the regal twelve

This gem has been sitting in my inbox for weeks and I can't believe it's taken me this long to share it. Photographer Alexia Sinclair created this beautiful series featuring "histories most fascinating women" using a combination of photographic and illustrative elements. Included with each photograph is a brief history of the woman and a little background to educate you about the corresponding beauty. The whole series is well worth an extended gander.




Elizabeth I - The Virgin Queen, Elizabeth Báthory - Countess of Blood, Marie Antionette - The Extravagant Queen

mad men fashion

I'm in the midst of catching up on my Mad Men, and am thoroughly obsessed. So much so that I have gotten NOTHING accomplished this week. Like so many others, the 60s fashion makes me drool. I love how each character's personality comes through in their dress and the detail and personal style is apparent down to every last individual secretary. Mad Men has made such an impact on this season's trends that the influence of the 60s is everywhere. If you want to dress like Mad Men's three leading ladies, here are a couple of outfits to get you started.

Betty Draper – Her flowery house dresses and lavish Manhattan dinner gowns make her a housewife to be envied. Furthermore, I lust after her riding boots each time she goes for a ride.

Rose-Print Sally Dress from Fred Flare / Saving Lace Coat from Modcloth / Ralph Lauren "Stara" Riding Boots from Bloomingdale's / Ariat Challenge Field Boot from Equestrian Collections

Peggy Olson – Dressing for the office never looked so good. Peggy's style gets better with every episode, as does her ability to handle the boys.
Fifties Sitcom Dress / Cinnamon Girl Dress / Dewey Decimal Dress, all from Modcloth / Stop Staring Dress from Unique Vintage / Style Promotion Dress from Modcloth Miss Darling Dress from Modcloth

Joan Harris – Who knew the hourglass figure could get an even bigger boost. Living vicariously through Joan is guaranteed to never be boring.

Sally Jane Dress / Plum-Perfect Posies Dress / Showstopper Dress,
all from ModCloth,

cool new calendar

Sometimes calendars tend to blur together by this time of year but this one definitely stands out. This would be a perfect Christmas present for the bf if I wasn't already done with his shopping.

From The Wild Unknown, Songwriters Calendar, drawings include bob dylan, john & yoko, emmylou harris, kurt cobain & more...

a stethoscope for a giant

While doing some Christmas shopping on Mass Ave the other day I noticed this spectacular over sized stethoscope on the building front. Our downtown needs more cleverness like this to spruce it up.

christmas wish list

The holidays are officially here and my holiday shopping is in full swing. I was inspired by the Design*Sponge editors' gift guides and decided to create my own.

Ash Canvas TOMS in a size 7 / Sky Planter / Stainless Steel Water Pitcher Milkmaid Butter Dish / Handmade Home / Silver Measuring Spoons