Monday Links!

Happy Monday! I am happy to say I am feeling much better. I got some much needed rest this weekend, and I think I have finally kicked my cold. I woke up today feeling fantastic and accomplished about a million things. I love feeling on top of everything. I'm sure it won't last, but it's nice.

And now, the links:

I know, I know, I know. I am always linking to A Practical Wedding, but I can't help it. The author - Meg - is amazing and always has an incredible dialogue on marriage going on over there. The latest: What a Wife Isn't (Part I).

Brooklyn Bride is giving away a free engagement session to one lucky couple!

Also on Brooklyn Bride, I am loving the details of this beautiful Brooklyn wedding. Love the combination of yellow and gray!

If you haven't yet seen Nonpareil Magazine, you are missing out. It's fantastic!

And that's that. Wow, that was really wedding-centric. I guess you can see where my head's been lately. I have been working on wedding details a little bit this weekend, and I put the finishing touches on our Save the Dates! Tomorrow definitely won't be so wedding-y.


(Taken by me in Kentucky last summer.)

My New Business Logo

I try not to talk about my business too much on here (yeah, right) but I do want to show off my brand spankin' new logo!

The very talented Courtney of Seamless Creative designed a beautiful logo for me, and I couldn't be happier. Courtney was very thorough and really made me think about my identity as a business. She presented several amazing designs, and I decided to go with something very simple and modern. I love it. Now begins the process of ordering new packaging and adding my logo to my business blog and website.

If you are in need of an amazing designer, I highly recommend Seamless Creative! Courtney was a total joy to work with.

Decorating with Purple

I love purple, especially plum, but I think it can sometimes be a hard color to pull off in a room. When I was in high school I painted my bedroom dark purple, and it was just too much. I think I should have painted one wall purple, but all four was overpowering.

When it's done right, though, purple adds so much to a room I think. Here are some of my favorites from the Domino files:

Photo Montage: It's Still Winter

1. fluffy and soft winter, 2. 1010039, 3. 滄。, 4. ., 5. Untitled, 6. Untitled, 7. Untitled, 8. Christmas bloody christmas, 9. *

Musical Cure: Phoenix

This song reminds me of going to dance parties when I was twenty-one. It just makes me happy.


Too Young by Phoenix.

Bangs!

Before I moved to New York City, I lived in Wilmington, North Carolina and worked at a salon. My hair was never very long and always a different color. That's what happens when all your friends are stylists. As soon as it would start to get long someone would talk me into chopping it off again.

When I moved to New York, I discovered that I couldn't actually afford to get my hair cut and colored anymore, and also that I was really nervous about having someone I didn't know touch my hair. Friends had been cutting/coloring it for five years. So I started doing it myself. And it's pretty much worked out okay for the most part.

When I got engaged last March, I knew I wanted long hair at my wedding. Luckily we decided to have a year and a half engagement, so I've had plenty of time of grow my hair out. (As an aside... my wedding is eight months from tomorrow. A year and a half goes by insanely fast!!) My hair is just past my shoulders now, and the longest it's been since I was a kid. I love it long, but I have gotten a little bored with it. So on Saturday night I decided I needed bangs. Kind of on a whim. Since I can't actually cut all of my hair, I can at least cut my bangs. And I got very very lucky, I think. I probably should have let a professional do this, but I went for it, and I love them! (I am probably going to have a professional even out the sides somewhat, but I don't feel like I messed them up, which is good.) Behold:

Word

8x10 print by Studio Mela - $25.00

Weekend Links!

Happy weekend everyone! Since I'm still sick, we don't have a lot going on this weekend, although I am going to attempt macarons tomorrow if I am feeling better. I'll photograph the process, and share how things go with you all sometime next week. Unless it's a disaster, of course.

And now the weekend links:

Anyone have $265 that you don't need? Because I need these shoes, and I've promised myself that I won't buy anymore shoes for a while. But if you buy them for me...

Creature Comforts has a lovely little Valentine freebie.

These Penguin postcards are amazing. Must have.

I'm sure you've seen the hilarious Regretsy. This post literally made me weep with laughter yesterday. Maybe it's all the cold medicine I'm on, but for some reason I just thought that was the funniest thing I had seen in a while.

If you haven't entered the giveaway I'm having, what are you waiting for?

And that's that. Have a fantastic weekend, and I will see you on Monday!


(Photo taken by me on the High Line in October.)

A Friday Giveaway!

I am so excited to announce Seek & Find's first giveaway! I have been thinking about it for a while, but decided today should be the day sort of on a whim. It's cold, it's about to get very snowy, I'm sick, it's winter... let's cheer things up with a giveaway!

I will be giving away an 8x12 print from Katie Jane Parker Photography (yep, that's my little company), taken last month in San Juan, Puerto Rico (minus the watermark, of course):


The image will be printed on lustre coated fine art paper from a professional lab, to ensure it lasts a lifetime. You have three chances to win:

1. For your first entry, leave a comment telling me where you would want to hang this print in your home. (Make sure you leave a valid email address with your comment. If you don't, the entry won't count.)
2. For a second entry, tweet about the giveaway, and leave a comment here with a link to your Twitter.
3. For a third entry, blog about the giveaway, and leave a comment with a link to your blog.

You have until 11:59pm on Friday, February 12th to enter. A winner will be chosen at random on Saturday, February 13th.

Happy Friday! Good luck!

Musical Cure: Blitzen Trapper

I have been listening to this over and over and over all winter. It just makes me happy.


Furr by Blitzen Trapper.

Etsy Finds of the Day: Pretty in Purple

1. Purple Dress with Dusty Pink Applique - $72.00 2. Flower Wheel Photogram - $35.00 3. I Am Shocked Beyond Belief Fine Art Print - $20.00 4. Amethyst and Carnelian Earrings - $74.00 5. Purple Corduroy Velvet Bag - $39.00 6. Paper Flowers - $1.00 7. Nep Herringbone Wool Grannybag - $58.90 8. Floral Paper Collage - $95.00 9. Purple Puffs Wedding Invitations - $75.00

Word

8x10 print by Field Trip! - $20.00

Thursday Links!

Happy Thursday! This week is just flying by. I don't have much to ramble about today, because I'm actually on the sickish side, so I'll just get straight to the links:

This weekend I'm going to try out the macaron recipe recently featured on Bakerella. I'll let you know how it goes.

Oh Joy! recently collaborated on a set of Four Seasons melamine plates to benefit the relief efforts in Haiti. 100% of the profits are being donated to Oxfam, so go pick up a set of the gorgeous plates ASAP.

A Lifestyle Thing is holding an EmersonMade giveaway! My love for EmersonMade is well documented, so I was so excited to see this.

Bluebirdluxe is giving away a copy of the book Printing by Hand by Lena Corwin. Run over and enter!

And that's it for today! See you tomorrow!


(Photo taken by me in Paris in September 2008.)

Photo Montage: Dreaming of Summer

1. Toni Frissell: Weeki Wachee spring, Florida, 1947, 2. Untitled, 3. color catchers, 4. 354., 5. The Ex, Wellenfliger, 6. Untitled, 7. SUMMER :), 8. " Essence of Autumn ", 9. Bikes

Musical Cure: Tokyo Police Club

This song is one of the best cures for winter ever. It always makes me think of sunshine-y summer days.


Your English is Good by Tokyo Police Club.

Rosebud Lips

I can't remember where I first saw Rosebud Lips featured, but it was a very happy discovery. Rosebud Lips is a shop full of wearable handmade art: headbands, necklaces, hats and more, for both children and adults. It's all beautiful. Here are some of my favorite pieces from the shop:

Word

15.75x22 print by Jessica Hische - $75.00

Wednesday Links!

Happy Wednesday! I'm doing Links a little early today, because I have so much going on this afternoon, and this evening I'm going to a party at John's office.

First of all, I want to give Ryan of This is Reverb a huge thank you! Yesterday I was the lucky winner of his giveaway, and won a copy of The Flavor Bible. I can't wait to get my hands on it; I am so excited!

Secondly, some more shameless self-promotion today. I will be holding a spring mini-session event in April in Central Park. There are only a few slots left, so if you're interested, please let me know!

And now, the links:

A Cup of Jo is holding a giveaway for a gorgeous pair of Leah Sakellarides earrings, so get over there and enter!

Creature Comforts is giving away either a Fuji Instax Mini Camera or an adorable SLR camera bag. While I love the camera, I would definitely go for the camera bag, but that's just me.

I love Design*Sponge's post about foodcraft!

This website made me laugh so much. Gorgeous photos with hilarious captions: Unhappy Hipsters.

And that's it for today. See you tomorrow!


(Photo taken by me in Riverside Park in February 2008.)

Wednesday Wardrobe: Work

Although I don't work in an office, I do feel like I have to dress a certain way when I work. I want to be comfortable because I am always moving around, and I am always on my feet, so comfortable flats are vital. But I also want to look professional and stylish, because that's the attitude I want my business to project. Today's wardrobe is an example of the perfect outfit for me to wear when I'm working.



1. Tucker Printed Silk Georgette Blouse ($280) 2. Mango Double Hoop Bead Drop Earrings (£20.00) 3. Glitz Canvas Bow Flats ($14.80) 4. J Brand Seven Eighths Skinny Jeans ($170)

Musical Cure: The Replacements

No matter where I am, if I hear this song I must sing to it. It's an unstoppable urge.


Can't Hardly Wait by The Replacements.

Word

13x19 print by Please Be Still - $39.99

Tuesday Links!

Happy Tuesday! I have been all over the place today - starting new projects left and right. Sometimes I get several ideas at once and feel like I have to complete all of them immediately. Of course that's not possible, and then I get stretched a little thin. So I'm trying to avoid that.

On to the links:

Okay, a little shameless self-promotion first of all. I got my Etsy shop back up and running! I still have about ten more prints to add, so look for them tomorrow. But the four that are already up are some of my favorites.

I am beyond excited for the premiere of Lost tonight! Last night John and I re-watched last season's finale since I could barely remember what had happened, and it got me all revved up for tonight. One of my favorite places to visit after an episode of Lost is the fantastic The Lost Diary.

One lucky sfgirlbybay reader could win a great set of organization tools by Amy Butler. Remember my office supply post the other day? Yep, I am all over this giveaway.

I recently discovered the blog Ten Dollar Drawings, by freelance artist Alicia Lynn Carrier. Alicia also runs another of my favorite blogs: Bread & Honey. On Ten Dollar Drawings Alicia sells lovely 5x7 drawings for... you guessed it... ten dollars.

If I weren't marrying John, I would probably want to marry Meg from A Practical Wedding. This post on wedding sexism is incredible. She always says what I'm thinking. She has - by far - the best wedding blog out there.

This website is a little crass and probably not safe for work, but I have to share it, because it made me laugh so much: Learn Your Damn Homophones. I am not one of those grammar freaks; I know my grammar isn't perfect, and I'm sure this blog is riddled with mistakes. But I have to say, I don't think anything makes me crazier than the improper use of "your" and "you're."

I am crazy about these journals featured on Design Crush.

See you tomorrow! Have a great night!



(Photo by me, taken on Wrightsville Beach in May 2008.)

Feeling Blue

...But not in a bad way. Blue is one of my favorite colors to decorate with, and Carolina blue is the main color I use in all of my packaging for my business. Here are some of my favorite blues from the Domino Magazine files:

My Musical Cure: John Lennon

Today's song to beat the winter blues is a song that always makes me happy, no matter what.


Oh Yoko by John Lennon.

The H&M Garden Collection

This spring H&M is coming out with a gorgeous new collection of clothes made of organic and recycled materials. The collection is an explosion of blooms, with a vintage 70's flare. Last year they released an organic spring line as well, but I think I love this one even more. I would love to pair one of those dresses up with a pair of my cowboy boots. It's great to see a store like H&M making a commitment to providing earth-friendly fashion.

Designer Kitchens: Glass-front Cabinets

You have seen them in several previous Simplified Bee posts: Clean and Simple White Kitchens, French Inspired Kitchen Design, and Perfect Function - Mick de Giulio Kitchen Design. It seems more than ever, interior designers are incorporating glass-front cabinetry into their kitchen designs. And I love the look!

Glass-front cabinets provide an open, airy feeling and are used to display choice tableware. They are great incentives for you to be organized because any clutter will be noticeable. For this reason however, it is important to place glass-front cabinets strategically and perhaps sparingly in your kitchen. Here are some examples of great kitchen designs - including modern, contemporary and traditional - using glass-front cabinets.

In this soft cream kitchen the upper cabinets showcase decorative stained glass. I am a fan of mixing old with new and love how the stained glass old world look balances the contemporary design elements.

In this Scandinavian kitchen from Vakre Hjem & Interior, the divided light glass-front cabinets are stunning. The X pattern contrasts nicely with the vertical pattern in the country beadboard.

In this kitchen, designer Molly Frey converts an antique hutch from New England into a wet bar. The glass-front cabinet in this case doesn't have to match the kitchen's cabinet style and adds to the overall charm by mixing old and new.

Designed by Elizabeth Dinkel, this kitchen's glass-front cabinets house books and frame an open window into the adjacent living room.

This curved glass display case is beautifully positioned on a corner. Love this use of space! Image via Kitchen Bath Ideas.

Painting the back or interior of a glass-front cabinet allows you to add a shot of color into your kitchen. Select a hue that complements your existing color scheme and is a contrast to your tableware. Image via House Beautiful.

Here is another example {via Decorology} of glass-front cabinets with a splash of color. Notice that all of the items on display are in a neutral white or glass so that they don't blend into the background. Using storage bins such as the large white labeled tins on the top shelf are a great way to display items you otherwise won't in a glass-front cabinet.

Featured in the August 2007 issue of House Beautiful, the interior of these divided light cabinets are painted by architect Gil Schafer and color consultant, Eve Ashcraft. Both the white cabinets and china contrast nicely with the apple green backdrop. The glass insert appears to be reeded which would help conceal the cabinets contents.

A fluted glass insert, as seen in the stainless steel cabinets above is another good option if you struggle to keep your dishware organized. Image courtesy of Luxury Housing Trends.

Frosted-glass cabinet doors also hide tableware, spices and other cooking supplies. In this colorful kitchen featured in Coastal Living, the homeowners etched letter into the frosted-glass to make finding items easy as ABC.

Friday Find: The Bella Acrylic Chair

This week's Friday Find is the Bella Acrylic Chair by Spectrum. Influenced by the Art Nouveau period, this beautifully formed chair has an exquisite scrolled back. This versatile chair would be delightful in almost any home setting.

For over 25 years, Spectrum has manufactured high quality, yet reasonably priced, acrylic furniture. Their quality craftsmanship makes them an industry leader. Each piece of furniture is completely crafted by hand, made to order and available through the trade. I love this romantic chair with a tufted velvet cushion.