I’m seriously gaga over neon this summer. Who isn’t? Neon (especially neon pink) looks good on everybody, and its just the bright shock of chip-cheeriness the world needs right now, if you ask me.
I’m also loving the delicate way neon is surfacing in more elemental areas of design and jewelry (especially kids jewelry! so cute!) vs. the bold statements we’re typically seeing in clothing and bags:
Top image + above: Kids Wear Neon by bloesem
Neon Pink & Brass Hex Nut Bracelet: MaggieMayMary
Neon Macrame at Catbird (via design*sponge)
Sphere Necklace: nonchalantmom.com
Megan Whitmarsh: NEON CONSTELLATION, 2011, embroidery thread, spraypaint, marker, fabric
Since I started my office make-over last week, I’ve framed all the prints I had, laid the rug (love love it), mounted the bulletin board and generally enjoyed the small fruits of my labor. Still considering adding some vibrant drapes for a pop of pattern and color against the white walls, and I’m dying for a white leather office chair. I’ve finally decided on the last piece of art I simply MUST have for my space: This Is Only A Temporary Solution (Deer) by JenMarie Zelenak over at U Gallery’s amazing sister site, Paperwork.
Don’t you love it? I feel like that deer most days of my life, and the title kind of says it all.
A little birdie told me about some exciting new enhancements and upgrades happening soon at Paperwork, so be sure you bookmark this fantastic online art resource and start saving your pennies, because I know you’ll find quite a few fantastic and affordable pieces you just can’t (nor shouldn’t) live without.
While mayhem ensues outside in our back yard, I’m taking the time to spiffy up my office. Since we closed down Delight.com, I have been very blessed with just about as much consulting work as I can handle right now. I’m working on so many exciting projects with so many amazing companies! Additionally, I’m so excited that NewNOW seems to be just what the Dr. ordered for my clients needing my PR services.
Work is great, and I love it, but that means I’m spending a LOT of time in my office. Luckily I love my office too – but it needs a little jazzing up. I’ve made a few purchases this week, and am setting about framing a couple prints I’ve had in storage. I think my ridiculous new pink rug (my compromise after falling in love with this Madeline Weinrib rug) will make this room feel like it’s all mine, as well as make the dogs (and Evie) happy with a soft place to lay.
Once I’ve pulled everything together I’ll post pics of the finished product!
1. Untitled #46 from “Stories” print by Jessica Bruah / 2. Birch Forest No. 7 print by Lisa Congdon / 3. Vinea Wall File / 4. Tacktile Message Board / 5. Strawberry Daiquiri Rug / 6. Jonathan Adler Chevron iPad Cover
Jenn Ski’s mid-century inspired artwork has always made me smile, but this adorable German Shepherd print has just put a giant grin on my face.
Nearly two years ago we decided Lucy needed a playmate, and without really knowing what kind of dog we wanted or if we could possibly love another dog as much as Lulu, we went to a Colorado Puppy Rescue adoption event and came home with a quirky little runt we named Fran. Frannie is one giant ray of sunshine, a happy, perky, hilarious pup who will lick anyone to death if she’s allowed. That dog has nothing but love in her heart…so much so that we can’t decide if she’s stupid or literally nothing bothers her. Her entire world revolves around Lucy, and second to Lucy comes Evie.
We’re not exactly sure what Frannie really is – she’s mostly German Shepherd, but she’s small – only 45 pounds with the biggest pointy ears you ever saw. In short, she’s absolutely adorable.
If you’re considering getting a dog and are hesitant to adopt a rescue puppy, let me put a big vote in the corner of DO IT for you. Both Lucy and Fran were adopted from Colorado Puppy Rescue, we don’t know anything about their heritage or lineage, and we couldn’t have been luckier.
Anyway, this print looks a lot like Frannie, and captures that perfect wide-eyed expression with those “flaps” standing straight up that we see from her every day. Thanks Jenn for giving me a few minutes to gush about my dogs. With a newborn in the house I’m afraid our first two “girls” have been a bit neglected these past few months, but that doesn’t mean we love them any less!
It started with our Adler Giraffe Lamp in the front room, then the nursery fell into a Giraffe theme. For quite a while now my husband and I love giraffes as a decorating motif. Clearly we’re not overly obsessive about it, but we seem naturally drawn to any giraffe accessory, and lately (as previously observed in a wall hook round-up) I’m seeing lots popping up in the background of room designs and as fun home decor pieces & art.
Perhaps my affinity for giraffes stem from my being 6ft tall and somehow I (we) both relate to the tall and slightly awkward creatures (I had a Spanish boyfriend who used to call me “Giraffeee”, so the comparison is a long-standing one). I think birds/swallows/any fowl sitting on a wire/owls/any woodland creatures, especially squirrels have had quite an extensive limelight…I guess I’m just happy to see giraffes leave the nursery and make their majestic debut.
Will the giraffe ever reach Faux Trophy status? Only time will tell. In the meantime here’s a quick roundup of some lovely giraffe decor & accessories. (BTW, I’m calling the Elephant as making a comeback soon too.)
Giraffe Rainbow Stacked Pots, $32-$128 / Command Sergeant Giraffidae Plate, $62 / View From Here Hook, $20 / Savannah Story Bust, $68 / Giraffe Print, $18 / Antiqued Giraffe Tapers, $38 / Sharon Montrose Giraffe Prints, $25-$5000
The aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan is heart-breaking beyond words. I just read this article about a four-month old baby who was rescued out of the rubble. She survived for 3 days. It always amazes me how miracles and hope can be so intertwined with sadness and despair.
Here are two unique ways you can support relief efforts for the victims:
20×200 Limited Edition Emily Shur print “Imperial Palace Gardens with Wall, Tokyo” > All proceeds benefit Japan Society’s Earthquake Relief Fund
Help Japan Poster by W+K Studio > Designed to raise relief funds for the devastating earthquake and subsequent massive tsunami that struck Japan March 11, 2011. They are asking a donation of at least $25 for a print, with 100% of the profits going to The Red Cross. But they will of course accept and pass along a donation of any amount.
I have been drooling over a these sexy/haunting/retro beach photographs by Christian Chaize ever since he was featured on 20×200. He reminds me of Massimo Vitali…an aritst I have REALLY been drooling over for years. Someday I will have $20K to buy one of his massive diptych C-prints. Someday.
In the meantime The Hus and I are bemoaning whether or not we want to invest $600 in Christian’s awesome Praia Piquinia subscription series. (Apparently I’m not the only one who’s been drooling over this photo series.) It’s a bit complicated, but a truly fabulous idea for artists and art collectors. Problem is, we have like 1000 other more practical things to drop $600 on. But when art calls, its hard to ignore it, I tell ya. Also, I’d love to have a piece from his original series, rather than an open-ended edition; so the other debate is do we just start saving and buy the piece we want, in the massive size we want and forgo the totally fun subscription idea?
I know one day we’ll have a piece from Chaize’s series hanging on our walls. In the meantime, thank goodness I can gaze and drool on his website whenever I’m feeling lonely for it.
Well wasn’t this a pleasant early morning discovery! Outblush tipped me off to the delightful retro-modern prints of Czech Republic based Etsy shop, ReStyle. I’m always a sucker for bold graphic prints with text, and these are no exception. You Make Me Happy When Skies Are Gray might just have to be squeezed somewhere in the nursery. And I am SORRY, but I Love You Like A Fat Pug Loves Cake?? Ahahahahahaaaaaaaa!
The Star Wars poster is pretty fly for those who are into it, and I love this mid-century modern inspired In The Kitchen print too.
And Kiss Me Right Under My Mustache. And pretty much everything else in the shop.
It’s not secret that I’m insanely attracted to anything sporting a rainbow spectrum of colors. Would I use this gorgeous Spin Wheel Tea Towel to wipe my hands? Maybe. But I think I might also frame this puppy and gaze upon it’s loveliness.
