Localize your art

The best way to add a personal touch to your art collection? Localize it of course! Thanks to designer Laura Belle from Oh Hi Shop, it's fairly easy to do. Simply send her 20-25 words of your choice and she will work her magic to create a custom design of your piece. The words can be anything you want — names, places, addresses, phrases — if it has meaning to you, it goes in! Only you will appreciate the story and interpretation of it all. Isn't that what art is all about? 

(Via Etsy and Urban Scarlet)

The Swingle Singers on the subway

Nothing like a little a cappella to brighten up your subway commute home! Check out this performance by the Swingle Singers in London. I love the calculated style of this impromptu serenade — not to mention the priceless expressions of the commuters all around them.

(Via The Swingle Singers)

Pet organizers for your desk

As a girl who loves to organize, I'm always on the lookout for new ways to optimize my work space. That's exactly why these Desk Pet Organizers from Vacavaliente caught my eye. They're so colorful and cheery, but also get the job done. There's a space for everything: your phone, a business card, your pen. The best part? Try stealing a daytime glance at one of these creatures without cracking a smile. Just try. :)

(Via AHAlife)

Save the Date: The Royal Wedding!

Could they be any cuter? Just one month from today, the world will watch as Prince William and Kate Middleton finally tie the knot! My mom watched when Diana wed Charles and still references the occasion as one of the "most regal" and "romantic" celebrations that she's ever seen.

On April 28, my friend and I already have a sleep-over planned. At 6 a.m. on the 29th, it will be up and at 'em, perfect timing for the 11 a.m. ceremony at Westminster Abbey to begin. We're planning to sip English Breakfast Tea while we watch, and may even nibble on scones and jam! What about you — will you wake up early to see Kate marry her prince?

(Images via People)

Make your bed for Rue

What a clever video from the stylists at You + Me! Rue magazine asked them to team up with Trent Bailey Photography to create a fabulous stop motion tribute to Kate Spade's new bedding line. I love the glitter sequence at the beginning and the children's tea party at the end. Such an adorable way to introduce a new collection. What do you think? Do you like these designs?

(Via You + Me)

Birthday wishes

In honor of my dad's birthday today, I thought I'd post a few pics from his younger years. :) The first one is of him as a kid growing up in Massachusetts. I love the casual attitude he has while pausing to snap this pic for his mom. The second photo is taken with me as a baby on the beach in Maine. As a kid, we spent many summers there with all my cousins and aunts and uncles too. This photo is the perfect reminder — we need to plan another family trip there soon.

Happy birthday dad — hope you have a great day!

The weekend is here!

So happy another weekend has arrived! What do you have planned for your next couple of days off? Matt is taking me to see Anything Goes on Broadway starring Sutton Foster. My high school put on an amazing performance of this show when I was a sophomore, and I've adored it ever since! :) I'm also catching up with a friend for tea at the Gotham Lounge in the Peninsula Hotel. Have you ever been? The whole idea seems so elegant and fun. Here, to get your weekend started right, a few fun posts from around the web:

Good advice from Mary Poppins.

Pretty pink tulips!

Listen to Nina.

How to be a color scientist. 

Multi-tasking at its best!

Oh, the magic. 

This is for my very good friend Ruby.

Make your own custom notepad.

A good excuse to splurge.

One song I have on replay.

Meet the littlest ladies who lunch!

More John Krasinski please.

A gorgeous skirt for spring. 

Silver fox.

Paris can wait.

The one thing you should check out this weekend!

(Image via summer should last forever)

My first trip to the Met

Tell me — have you ever been to the opera in New York? Two weekends ago, I had the chance to see Lucia di Lammermoor, an Italian opera being performed at the Met. What a night! The show was so moving and elegant. I especially loved the intense respect for the performers that the audience had. I was even a bit startled the first time I heard someone yell out "Bravo!"

As a kid, I remember my grandmother talking about her biannual trips to the Met. A singer herself, she had a deep love for opera music, and looked forward to catching a live performance with all her heart. Into her late 70s, she would make the trek from Connecticut to the city and sit in the same seats that I did, just two weeks ago. It felt so special to be able to carry on her tradition, and her appreciation for the opera too.

Have you been to the opera before? What was your experience like? Do you think you would go back?

(Images via Kwarmyw0333 and Cinesystem Cinemas)

The art of conversation

How much time do you spend on the phone each day? According to Pamela Paul of the New York Times, not much. In a recent article, she points out an interesting cultural shift: that phone conversations are a thing of the past. 

But remember the excitement and joy that only came when the phone would ring? You would wait by the phone all night, terrified you would miss a call from your best friend or the boy of your dreams!

I've always been a phone talker — certainly in my personal life, but often times in business too. I look forward to phone dates with friends and have no problem camping on the phone for an hour or two during a relaxing evening at home. Do you agree with Pamela? Do you cringe when a voicemail pops up? Or do you look forward to daily chats with friends? Let me know your thoughts — I'd love to hear what you think! 

(Image via Available Images)

Make your own pomegranate cocktail

Looking for a new spring drink to try? Mix up a pomegranate champagne cocktail like the one pictured above. The recipe is quite simple really. Add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of pomegranate juice, 6 ounces of champagne and voila! Your drink is ready to serve. Garnish with pomegranate seeds for an extra pop of color. This cocktail is so delicious and pretty, none of your guests will be able to resist!

(Via The Weekly Spade)

Starry Starry Midnight in Paris

Don't you just love the movie poster for Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen's next film? Due out later this year, it stars so many actors that I adore — Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Adrien Brody and more. Even Carla Bruni takes on a leading role. But to see Owen Wilson walk the streets of Paris beneath a Vincent Van Gogh-inspired sky? It's the perfect teaser for a film I already can't wait to see!

P.S. Another Woody Allen film. Plus, Paris versus New York. 

(Image via the Chicago Sun-Times)

Win Win

Has anyone else seen Win Win? I saw it at the Angelika this past weekend and loved it! It's such a sweet film and Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan and Bobby Cannavale are each fantastic in it. Here's the trailer just in case. If you've seen it already, let me know what you think. And if you haven't, go now! :) 

(Via YouTube)

The style of music

Who's your favorite musical icon? What's their signature look? The poster above — designed by Glenn Michael of Moxy Creative House and illustrated by James Alexander — breaks down the style secrets of 20 legends that have shaped the music industry today. I love Bob Dylan's look and Miles Davis' too, but Prince's purple suit? That guy is in his own league.

What about you? Which look do you love? 

(Via Yay! Every Day and EveryGuyed)

For Japan With Love

Every day, I can't stop thinking about what's going on in Japan, not to mention my very good friend Koji who lives there. It is heartbreaking beyond belief to think that so many people have been left with no food, no shelter, and no hope. But thanks to For Japan With Love, we can be that hope. Visit the link here to find out how you can donate to help the relief efforts in Japan.

Thanks Ever Ours and Utterly Engaged for launching this amazing cause.

Say 'I Do' on St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I thought a subtle touch of green was the best way to celebrate, much like this couple above. Don't you love their engagement pics? There's something about green and white together that always seems so sweet. Any fun plans for today? What are you doing to toast the mighty Irish?

(Images via Ruffled)

Destination Save-the-Dates

 

Planning a destination wedding? Send out one of these city-specific Save-the-Dates! Lab Partners for Hello Lucky is the designer behind these retro-inspired postcards. You can even choose your own color combination to find the best match for you and your partner's taste. Any readers out there that are getting married soon? Where are you getting hitched?

(Via Hello Lucky and Martha Stewart Weddings)

Bill Cunningham New York

Have you seen the trailer for Bill Cunningham New York? This film by Richard Press celebrates the life and work of the famed New York Times photographer, known for capturing fashion trends in his regular columns — "On the Street" and "Evening Hours" — in the Times Style section. I love the opening quote from Anna Wintour: "I've said many times that we all get dressed for Bill." What a lovely thought, and a huge credit to his talent. I just bought tickets to see it at the Film Forum next week!

(Via YouTube)

The picture cook

A huge thanks to Katie Shelly for coming up with what I consider to be the most innovative recipe re-design that I've ever seen. All part of a project for Good, Shelly (and many others) were charged with pumping up the creativity behind the standard black and white recipe card. For a culinary beginner like myself, Shelly's solution more than works. I love the simple visual cue that comes with each step. Check out the other submissions here and check back with Good on April 4 — Wylie Dufresne from WD-50 and Jessica Helfand from the Design Observer are picking the contest winners!  

(Via Wit + Delight)

Blue Hill at Stone Barns

For you! A few scenes from our night out this weekend at Blue Hill at Stone Barns. What an amazing meal. I tried to snap pics as each dish was brought out, but the lighting was a bit tough, and after a while, I got distracted by all the good food. :) My favorite had to be the mini-beet burgers pictured above. The photos I took only include the amuse-bouche part of the meal. We opted for the five course menu, which turned out to be a very large amount of food. It was such a wonderful evening, not to mention a special treat to escape the city and experience a place very similar to my small town roots!

The weekend is here!

Happy Friday dear readers! What are you up to this weekend? Matt and I are going with friends for dinner at Blue Hill at Stone Barns. How incredible does the March menu look? We're hoping to get there with enough time to walk around the farm before we eat. I'm packing a flashlight just in case! :) Anyways, wishing you a lovely weekend filled with lots of relaxation and fun. Here, to get it started right, a few happy posts from around the web:

Clever coasters.

Inspiration for those who run!

Gorgeous birthday decor.

Jennifer Aniston goes viral.

A rustic Italian Sunday supper.

The secrets to traveling solo!

Think Zara for spring (especially this gorgeous red skirt).

The sun will come out tomorrow! 

Surf weekend.

It seems like old times. 

(Image via The Senses Five)

Strictly no elephants

This photo made me smile. :) Sometimes — in life — you just can't catch a break!

(Image via oh, hello friend)

Inside the offices of Kate Spade

Last weekend, my friend Kristen surprised me with a long overdue visit to New York. We caught up. We brunched. We paused — despite the rain — to peek inside Kate Spade. But our brief moment inside the store on Fifth was nothing compared to the experience had by From Me To You's Jamie. She went behind the scenes at the Kate Spade offices to view the spring collection and understand exactly how inspiration strikes for the most colorful designer in town. Her photos are stunning and every look pops! Tell me — what's your favorite Kate Spade color? Which accessory do you love the most?

PS — Don't miss Kate Spade's redesigned website. More color! Yay! 

(Images via From Me To You)

Something good

How sweet is this print from husband and wife team Justin and Katie? He's a designer and she's a writer so they thought they would combine forces and create a series of tiny prints. This one — called "You'll Find Me Frolicking" — is part of their "Giving Tree" series. Enjoy!

(Via The Match Factory)

Hats off to you

There's something so feminine and elegant about a great big floppy hat. While I typically shy away from hats, this spring, it's the accessory I want the most. Taking my cue from the Town & Country spread above, I love J. Crew's straw hat or this Audrey hat from Barneys. What do you think? Would you try this look?

(Images via bluepoolroad)

DIY gnocchi

Gnocchi. The word alone makes me go weak at the knees. Saturday night, Matt and I ate dinner at Fragole in Cobble Hill. The gnocchi special? Some of the best I've ever had! Equally impressive is Elephantine's at-home attempt — she made the recipe above from scratch! Check out more of her photos here. While she doesn't post the exact recipe that she used, she does offer a suggestion or two for ways to replicate her work. :) 

(Via Elephantine)