max wanger print shop

Tulum

I've admired Max Wanger's photography for ages: It's off-kilter, dreamy, and cute but not cutesy, you know? I wasn't looking to book him for a destination wedding, so I never had the chance to own his work. Luckily he's opened up an online print shop. Eighteen images come in varying sizes, from petite 5-by-5 square to a generous, room-making 30-by-45. Any one of these would look beautiful in my house—or yours.

(spotted on the adorable Oh Joy)

Red Shoes

New York

Teepee

Palms

purl soho

Learn to Knit kit

Let me be clear: I don't sew. I don't knit. I've never been interested in sewing or knitting. But Purl Soho is making me reconsider. Just look at these beautiful fabrics, yarns, craft kits, and finished embroidery and needlepoint art pieces. (I'd love to mix the embroidery or needlepoint with some sleeker, modern images.) Purl Soho's pretty graphic design, styling, and typeface—love the logo—don't hurt either.

4 seasons of embroidery kit

Liberty quilt swatches

Blanket kit

Zebra needlepoint canvas

Baby blanket pattern

monday thoughts: pop-radio guilty pleasures

I can't stop listening to this song. Or Some Nights by Fun. (Seriously, I can't avoid it; it's on the car radio every time I drive somewhere. Oh, and check out Carry On, too. Retro-cheesy in the best way.) Two more that are sounding perfect right now: Home by Phillip Phillips (I know!) and Feel Again by One Republic. These songs share a stop-and-start rhythm, and they're almost wincingly earnest (usually I like my music a little faster or more ironic), but they pull it off. Inspiring and just a little bit corny for a Monday morning. Happy week!

design project: bedroom update

We recently made a few small but long overdue improvements to our bedroom. We had the walls painted dark slate gray. We got a new flat-screen TV and had it hung on the wall, because our old one was so small that I could barely see it from the bed, even with glasses on. And we threw out all the sad little piles of stuff cluttering up the corners—and finally hung some art that had been propped behind doors or stashed in the basement. I'd still love to add a few things: a new rug (our old striped one is too small); new bedding (ours now matches the walls—too much gray); and some sheer white curtains. And I'm torn about that corner, above: I like the blank space—but I could also see a second framed artwork next to the Joshua Davis print. (I'm thinking Perla Anne would fit the mood.) But we're almost there. And it's sooo much better than it was.

We've had these photos here for years.
But they look a million times better against a dark color instead of blah white.

The white trim works great with the dark walls.

a birthday

Not mine! RP has a significant one today. Happy birthday to the best husband! I got him a Dan Clowes first edition and a Chris Ware print, both from the amazing Heather O'Donnell of Honey & Wax books. (I like all those graphic-novel boys just fine, but RP has *loved* them forever.)

sneak peek: blue locket website

Jamie Kleiman, a talented Brooklyn designer, has been working on a website for me, with access to this blog as well as all the details on my art consulting work. I know this is just a tiny, hard-to-read preview, but I had to share. (I especially love the logo she designed.) And of course I'll let you know when it's up for real.

frazier & wing mobiles

Kelly mobile

Frazier & Wing makes beautifully spare mobiles. They definitely appeal to the little ones, but I could see them in any room. How about a light-filled living room? Heather, the Portland-based designer, has a great sense of color and scale. And her styling is totally inspiring. (For a similar look, check out Puka Puka Design, an Australian firm.)

Georgia branch mobile

Flynn mobile

Snow mobile

Ava mobile

Puka Puka's Marine mobile