Smitten List

Smitten List time! 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. (links below image)

1. Black King Snake Pillow

2. Traditional Balsamic Vinegar Trio Set

3. Felt Clutch

4. Verona Calf Hair Driving Moc

5. Henri Dining Chair

6. Simple Belt in Papaya

7. The Passenger Clutch

8. FrancisFrancis Stainless Steel Espresso Maker

Kitchen Islands

Sometimes I daydream about having a beautifully massive kitchen island, where I can knead my dough and use all my kitchen contraptions while on the opposite side friends or family members can sit and chat with me while drinking wine. Of course I'm not quite there yet but if I just look at these lovely options I can almost imagine it's real. via Pinterest

Vacation Envy

Earlier today while perusing my twitter I came across a tweet from a fellow blogger about her vacation on the beach in Puerto Rico. It immediately made me so nostalgic for my own vacation to Puerto Rico with my hunny last year. The warm sun, beach and blue water is all I can think about right now. To tide me over I've just been scrolling through endless images of vacation inspiration on my 'Escapes' pinterest board and I thought I would share a couple of my favorite beachy, jealousy inducing images.

Daniel Freytag Photography

Daniel Freytag is a U.K based photographer who celebrates the commonplace in his imagery, the subtle mastery he displays in promoting what is often overlooked is mesmerizing. With a background in graphic design you can definitely see his eye for color and spatial awareness. As a fellow graphic designer I always appreciate those attributes in an image.

Friday Etsy Round-Up

Hooray it's Friday! Which means 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. Leather Bracelet in Burnt Orange with Silver Accents - $38

2. Porcelain Feather Dish - $16

3. Eco-Friendly Girls Cotton Summer Blouse with Lace - $32.70

4. Ethnic Print Burnt Orange Wristlet - $38

Weekend Meal Inspiration

This week I have been so incredibly busy I find myself rolling home late in the evening, barely able to muster the energy to open the fridge let alone make an entire meal. On top of that it happens to be the most gorgeous weather, reaching the mid 70's and sunny everyday. Which I'm mostly missing out on huddled in my cubicle. So I've found myself fantasizing about all the meals I'm going to cook this weekend when I finally have time. These fish tacos by one of my favorite food bloggers Cannelle et Vanille is exactly what I've been craving, especially if I get to eat it outside on a sunny patio with a mojito, yum!

Made Her Think

I have been a fan of Made Her Think Jewelry for a while, the villainous nature of the pieces appeal to that inner bad girl side of me. So when I recently went to their site and saw one of their more recent collections lookbook I instantly fell a little deeper in love. The gritty photography and high contrast are amazing, it makes me want the jewelry that much more.

Color Combo: Browns & Blues

Today in the Bay Area it feels like summer with temperatures in the low 70's but to capture a little of that wintery feeling I've decided to do a post on blues and browns which always feel kind've cool and desolate to me, just like winter. I also just love this combination, it's so earthy and calming, like dirt and sky, very elemental. 

Michael Carson

Figurative paintings by Minneapolis based artist Michael Carson. Such lovely use of color and form.

Yo Vintage!

When I got an email last week about Portland based shop Yo Vintage! I was super excited. It has such a fun eclectic vibe, which isn't surprising considering owner Sarah Radcliffe sources items from Geneva, London and Portland, finding the best items for her shop. And it's most recent lookbook is beyond adorable with it's gif action and mixed prints. What makes it even more exciting is that Yo Vintage! is offering Conundrum readers 15% off on their entire shop! All you have to do is enter the code 'charming' when checking out. Enjoy!

Ceramics

I love these overhead images of organic ceramic vessels shot by Dietlind Wolf, such a stunning eye for color and shape. They kind of remind me of how my mom and I shop when we are in a beautiful interiors or home goods shop, we always pick things based on how they look with other items, placing them next to each other and creating our own little diorama of the perfect combination of items, even though we know once we get home they rarely will be used in that perfect visual representation. I suppose that is the talent of a really good stylist, creating a story with items that would not capture your attention quite the same way if standing alone.

Smitten List

Smitten List time! 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. (links below image)

1. Taylor Sectional

2. Geode Claw Necklace

3. Ridgeback Rings

4. Bai Square Retro Wall Clock

5. Belle Bow Belt

6. Salton Strip Jumper

7. Ad Hoc at Home Book

8. Flat Ankle Boot

9. Poppy Pillow

My Nuptials: Texture

Unfortunately today has been one of those crazy whirlwind days where I barely have time to catch my breath. Which means I don't have much time for my usual posting, so I thought I would just post this one image that I keep on being drawn to as wedding inspiration. The beautiful texture and non-traditional color are right up my alley. Also in other wedding news I think we found our venue, which is so super duper exciting, I'll have more on that later.

Friday Etsy Round-Up: Valentine's Day Gifts

Hooray it's Friday! Which means 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. And todays is super special because I've decided to focus on all things Valentine's day, so if you need a last minute gift idea, look no further. (links below image)

1. Handmade Double Silk Chrysanthemum Hair Clips - $82

2. Diamond Stacking Rings

3. Chocolate Gingersnap Cookies - $9

4. Moon and Back Valentine's Day Card - $2.95

5. Large Gold Paper Bowl - $68

6. Assorted French Macarons, Set of 12 - $16.50

7. Botanical Print - $30

8. Big Gold Filled Hoops - $35

Jenny Harmsen

I'm absolutely in awe of the landscape photography by Boston based Jenny Harmsen. They are so languid and calming with her subtle painterly effect. An added note, a lot of her work is shot in Iceland, which I've been dying to visit and these images only compound that fact.

Pinterest's Power Players Mention

I was so shocked an delighted yesterday when I found out I was being featured in Refinery29's article on the best Pinterest pinners to follow. So if you hadn't heard yet, I thought I would post about it here so you guys can all go check it out. You should also check out the others who made the list, it's a pretty amazing group of pinners, put together by the lovely Dree Harper, so enjoy!

Mike McQuade

The beautiful and thoughtful use of typography by Chicago based graphic designer Mike McQuade. 

Eclectic Portland Abode

I love the mixture of styles in this home, it's clean and modern but also keeps intact many of the original details and elements of the original Victorian structure. Then they top it all of with just a dash of whimsy, perfection! via Dwell