Snow-a-palooza '11

We're gearing up for quite the blizzard here in Wisconsin and while sometimes the winters here are the bane of my existence you can't deny the beauty of a fresh snowfall. (image via norsk stil)

Wine Label Envy

Some day I would love to be able to design a wine label, because of the psychology behind why people buy wine, the labels are one the most creative mediums for designers out there. As evidenced by the beautiful and eclectic examples below. (images via The Dieline)

I Wish You a Merry Weekend

Well the weekend is upon us, and I'm so happy it's here, do you have anything fun planned this weekend? My boyfriends parents are in town so we are taking them out to eat tonight and we'll probably do a little window shopping tomorrow, maybe go to the winter farmers market, which should be fun. 

So I decided this week I would start doing link round-ups before the weekend because I enjoy them so much on other blogs I read so here's the first in hopefully many. (p.s. the image above is by Irene Suchocki and can be bought on Etsy)

1. I fell in love with these Valentines by The Hungry Workshop as soon as I saw them. (via poppytalk)
2. Beautiful escapist photography (via size to small)
3. You might have already heard but the new Rue Mag dropped and it's spectacular as usual.
4. There were quite a few Alt Summit recaps this week, but this was one of my faves. (via simple lovely)
5. This video is seriously swoon worthy (via dreaming of palm trees)
6. Stunning Couture Fashion (via iiiinspired)

Friday Etsy Round-up

Hooray it's Friday! This week seemed to drag on forever so I'm pretty happy that Friday has finally arrived. It's time for my Friday Etsy round-up, where I compile a list of the best handmade and vintage items I've found while scouring the corners of Etsy (links below image).

1. Silver Feather & Freshwater Pearl Long Necklace - $30

2. Vintage Army Green Wool Crewel Pillow Cover - 69

3. 5 Pocket Willow Bag in Cement - $315

4. Vintage Industrial Swivel Chair - $125

5. Vintage 80's Polka Dot Ruffle Sleeve Blouse - $34

6. Hammered Stacking Rings in 14k gold filled & Sterling Silver - Set of 5 - $54

Swoon-tastic

Does it get any better then Ryan Gosling? I usually don't develop really huge celebrity crushes (ok maybe I do) but this guy is just too much, I can't not like him. Also if you haven't already I would recommend reading the piece over on Jezebel on why Ryan Gosling is the Indie girl, Feminists dream guy. I can't really argue with them. (image via GQ)

Ellen Lupton & Abbot Miller's Home

I think I've mentioned before my love of the Sneak Peek feature over at Design Sponge, and one of my all time favorites was when she highlighted the home of Ellen Lupton & Abbot Miller. Both are such design legends, and Ellen Lupton specifically had a huge impact on my design evolution when I was in school. I remember in my first type class being assigned her book "Thinking with Type" and it really jumpstarted my intense love of all things typography. So to get a glimpse into their home is such a treat, and it's one of the sneak peeks I continuously look back on not only because it's a beautiful and inspiring home but because a part of me hopes I can syphon a smidgeon of their creativity through the images.

Superfine Denim Lookbook

I am so in love with the Superfine Spring/Summer 2011 lookbook. It might partially be because I'm super jealous of her gorgeous full curly hair! The Model Alana Zimmer usually has straight hair so I'm guessing this is some amazing hair product or a wig, either way it's luscious. Via iiiiinspired.

Smitten List

It's Wednesday morning which means it's time for the Smitten List! a round-up of things I'm coveting or smitten with. Sometimes there will be a theme, or it will be more gift focused and other times it will just be things I'm super crazy about that week, so enjoy! (links below image)

1. Large Honeycomb Necklace

2. 5 Ingredient Fix

3. Head in the Sand Melinda Handbag

4. 200 Series Calendar Wristwatch

5. Nobel Lace-up

6. Super Eyeglasses Ciccio Frames

7. Bee House Kyota Teapot

8. Liquefied Hoops

9. Kraken Rum

Aaron Smith

I came across the work of L.A artist Aaron Smith recently on a blog I like to frequent, Art Hound, and I was immediately enamored with his Bearded Bloke series, his work first catches your eye because of the vibrant colors but when you look closer you notice the sophisticated brush work and composition. I would love to have one of his paintings hanging in my bedroom.

Recipe Review: Spicy Squash Salad with Lentils & Goat Cheese

Weekly recipe review time! This past weekend I hosted a lovely dinner party with some of my friends, it was a little bit of a difficult group to cook for because one guest has a gluten allergy and another is a vegetarian, but I embraced the challenge, and in the end I made a roast chicken, pesto pasta, and this recipe I found for spicy squash salad on Smitten Kitchen, that way everyone would have something they could eat, there was also a green salad brought by my friend Rebecca and for dessert I roasted pears to go over ginger ice cream. All in all I think it turned out smashingly but I wanted to specifically review the squash salad. I used canned lentils, which I would not suggest, they were really mushy and affected the overall consistency of the dish, I also would have liked to get more of a crisp browned outside to the squash because it also was a little mushy for my taste. Overall the flavors were wonderful and this is definitely a dish I would try again. Recipe found here.

image via smitten kitchen

Customized Valentines

I just saw these customized valentines over at The City Sage and had to share, you can read more about them here, and to order your own, visit Hello Handmade's etsy shop.

Amy Sedaris I love you!

Last week my good friend Sofie  sent me a link to Amy Sedaris' youtube channel for her new book Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People, and for those of you who haven't been, I highly recommend it. You will learn countless necessary skills such as making slippers for shut-ins, or roasting hot dogs on a common house-hold rake. She's hilarious as usual and I just adore her so I wanted to share.

Jason Lee Photography

I'm a big fan of the photography work of Jason Lee, based in San Diego he went to school for graphic design at the Rhode Island School of Design, and you can tell, he has a very graphic approach to his imagery.

Friday Etsy Round-up

Happy Friday everyone! It's time for my Friday Etsy round-up, where I compile a list of the best handmade and vintage items I've found while scouring the corners of Etsy (links below image).

1.  Mini Creamer - $14

2. Designer Pillow Cover in Duralee Red & Pink IKAT - $45

3. 18 x 24 Mid-Century Bird Poster - $35

4. The Four Seasons Cup Set - $144

5. Sterling Silver Stacking rings - $54

6. Vintage Cut Out Slingback Shoes - $45

Daydreaming About Vacation

Tonight is supposed to be our coldest day yet here in Wisconsin, reaching well below zero, I'm not looking forward to it at all. Which is why I'm currently daydreaming about the lovely trip to Puerto Rico I have planned for February, it can not come soon enough. A friend of mine is there on vacation now and every time I see a picture he's uploaded to facebook I get really excited a little jealous I'm not already there. The first picture below is from the hotel we'll be staying at, isn't it beautiful? I found it from a article in the NY Times, you can read it here if you like.

Pamela Love Jewelry

I can't get enough of the Pamela Love jewelry line, even though it's way out of my price range, a girl can dream. I love how kick-ass it is with sharp points and gritty finishes, I wouldn't want to meet the girl who wears this jewelry in a dark alley anytime soon. 

City Maps

I'm in love with these city map prints from Famille Summerbelle, I want to buy them all.

Smitten List

It's Wednesday morning which means it's time for one of my newest features, the Smitten List! a round-up of things I'm coveting or smitten with. Sometimes there will be a theme, or it will be more gift focused and other times it will just be things I'm super crazy about that week, so enjoy! (links below image)

1. Floating Feathers Tank

2. Domino: The Book of Decorating

3. Fetu PM Bracelet

4. School Bag

5. Tonk Short Bootie

6. Mini Latte Bowls

7. Madeline Chair

8. Wrapped Shimmery Mineral Post Earrings

9. Tivoli Model One Radio

Matthias Heiderich

I'm utterly captivated by the images of Berlin based photographer Matthias Heiderich, the graphic and industrial nature of his work is stunning.

Recipe Review: Corn with feta, cilantro & lime

It's that time again, this weeks recipe review features corn with feta, cilantro and lime, which I found on one of my favorite food blogs, Sassy Radish. I substituted lemon, because I didn't have any limes lying around and I used frozen corn because it's not exactly in season here in frigid Wisconsin right now. But it still turned out amazing! it's such a simple side dish (we had it with my homemade spanakopita) with a really delightful fresh flavor. I can't imagine how delicious it would be in the summer with fresh corn from the farm stand, I also think it would be really nice with the addition of heirloom tomatoes and grilled chicken to create a more substantial salad. Recipe found here.

Andrea Wan

I love it when I discover a new illustrator or artist that makes me feel excited and inspired, and that is exactly how I felt when I first saw the work of Vancouver based artist Andrea Wan. Her ability to tell a story by skillfully mixing the complex with the simple, simultaneously, is amazing.