Love the Manimals

I have been a longtime fan of the work on Manimal, the creation of designer Kristen Lombardi of Brooklyn, New York. She recycles and reworks her materials to create these hand made creations inspired by the crafts of the American Southwest. I don't know if it was watching Clan of the Cave Bear as a child or what but I'm a girl that loves a moccasin. Below are a few of my favorites from Manimal, available on the Manimal website and Belinka.

Congratulations Design*Sponge!

Good news. A Design*Sponge book is in the works. I need to start making room on my crowded shelves for this.

Wall Painting Project Update

All went well. I did change my mind at the last minute though. I went with the richer color called "Natural Wilderness". I like the name better and the color came out great. I went for a the semi-gloss which ended making my wall seem so much bigger. It didn't smell bad either. My previous painting projects have usually resulted in my needing to step outside for a breather to avoid passing out. I like It seems impulsiveness works for me. I now want to paint the whole room. Overall I have to give Mythic paint a big thumbs up. Non-toxic, Low VOC and the quality looks just as good as any other paint I've seen. Why doesn't everyone use this paint?

Blk Jks

Going to see the Blk Jks tonight!


BLK JKS in series: Ears To The Ground from Dig For Fire on Vimeo.

Some Healthy Color

I had a pretty nice weekend. I got most of what I wanted accomplished. I even gardened despite the rain. Here is a pretty picture of my farmers market loot.

I'll be quiet for the rest of the day for I will be painting our bedroom wall a nice color called "Of The Earth" by Mythic. Sounds pretty. It's actually a taupe-y color. I think it will feel cozy. No VOCs in this paint, of course. Safe for pets, safe for people. I will post a picture when I'm done.

In the meantime, did anyone read this article about the EcoDorm in the New York Times Sunday Magazine? If not, you should. It looks like such a happy peaceful place to study. Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE the North Carolina mountains?

A nice way to start a Monday

I love this band. Is it just me or do I hear a little Big Star in this song? Enjoy!

Being British

So it's a rainy Saturday. Might as well go with it. We did some serious gardening, drank some tea and went to the pub.

Settling into the Weekend

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I'll be getting our garden together, going to the farmer's market, watching National Parks, visiting the National Book Festival and possibly going to the Maryland RennFest (really).

Here are some of the things I found interesting on the web this week:

via re-nest

ReNest ranked the best outdoor spaces in DC.

DesignSponge announced Terrain's new e-shop.

via once wed

I love everything about this wedding on Once Wed. Where can I buy that hair color?

I was inspired by DesignSponge's homegrown pharmacy.

This picture of Durango on Wide Open Spaces is for my friend Callie.

A Continuous Lean has a girlfriend.

Apartment Therapy found these cool State Bird Prints.

And I was on actually on one of my favorite store's website.

Ashley Watson Bags

Small Shell Clutch

I first discovered Ashley Watson's bags on a recent trip to Wilmington, NC. They were so soft and beautiful that I made a mental note to look her up when I got home. Based in Vancouver, she creates one-of-a-kind bags and walled from recycled leather. I admire her talent for design and eco-friendly approach to production. Her use of recycled leather give her bags they're unique and lived in feel.

Murre

Large Phoebe

Green is the New Nail

Or so I have heard. And that's just fine by me. The trick to pulling off this look is to keep it dark. Think: the woods at night. Or Hunter rain boots. I love any trend that's cool and earthy. Here are my picks:

Zoya Nail Polish in Envy

Opi's Here Today... Aragon Tomorrow

OPI for Sephora's Dark Room

Emersonmade

At Emersonmade you can find the coolest handmade flower accessories. Each piece is dyed, cut and stitched by hand. I love her photos which she styles herself. Her cute personality and amazing personal style really shine through. 

I must get one of her pretty flowers for myself. I think her Fiery Big Wild Rose is perfect for the fall.

Don't forget to check out her blog where there are tons of more great photos and musings.

Ken Burn's The National Parks

Source: Library of Congress

This Sunday PBS will air the first part in a 6-part, 12-hour series of Ken Burn's new documentary The National Parks: America's Greatest Idea. I'm a big fan of Ken Burn's work and this is a subject close to my heart. My favorite place is in the middle of the woods. While we can expect some breathtaking shots of the parks, the story focuses mainly on the people who devoted themselves to preserving these places. One of those people is naturalist John Muir. I visited Muir Woods about this time last year and it was an unforgettable experience. I could have stayed there forever.

For those of you who live near DC, Burns will be signing books this weekend at the National Book Festival on the National Mall this Saturday. He will be in the History and Biography Pavilion from 3-4pm.

Source: Library of Congress

Source: Ted Orland

Source: QT Luong, terragalleria.com

Style + Grace

via flickr

I saw The September Issue over the weekend and I realized Vogue Creative Director Grace Coddington is the reason I've been reading it all these years. My favorite scene is when Grace riding around Paris and talks about how she learned to always keep her eyes open because one never knows where inspiration will come from. While she over looks a beautiful garden you can see this true artist getting inspired. I admire her so much. She is such a classy lady.

See Grace in action here.

Sleeping in the Treetops

Fall is finally here and I'm ready to take full advantage of it. I've planned our first mountain getaway for next weekend to celebrate our one-year anniversary! We're staying in a treehouse cottage at a campground. I just can't get a way from the city ad do some hiking. I hope it gets chilly enough to use the wood burning stove.

So I've put together the perfect fall outfit for myself!

The Georgette Longsleeve Henley from Martin + Osa:

This shirt is classic and easy. I can see it being a go-to piece for the next two seasons.

The Slim Fit Jean in the Rip + Repair Rinse from Martin + Osa:

These cut of these jeans is so flattering. And let's face it, skinny jeans are hard to wear for most women. These look manage to make you look classy while pulling off the distressed trend.

Patagonia's Kitlope Vest in stonewash:

This is so warm and the colors are beautiful. I love the pocket's and shirring. It's perfect for walking the trail, the dog or the route to work.

Martin + Osa's Mercerized Wool Scarf:

Soft. Pretty. Classic. Goes with everything. A scarf always ands a kick of style and femininity (plus warmth!) to any outfit.

Martin + Osa's Classic Leather Glove:

This glove is a wardrobe basic. It's made of the softest leather and comes in other great colors.

The Nine West Jurra Boot in Dark Green:

This is my favorite boot this year under $100. I wouldn't do any actual hiking in these but they are comfortable and extremely cool.

blue crush

I spotted these amazing wine glasses at a vintage barware store over the weekend and I can't get them out of my head. The color is amazing. They are so cool. I think I need to go back and get them...

The 2 Bandits

As a person who LOVES boots I know how expensive a habit they can become. So I was thrilled to discover The 2 Bandits, a collection of boot bands and accessories created by Erica Chan and Tamar Wider of NYC. The bands can completely change the look of your boots practically giving your a new pair. I love the Native American and americana inspired patterns they are using.

Project Garden

Inspired by a weekend trip to the Botanical Gardens and this post from Design Sponge on how to make a homegrown pharmacy, I have decided to tackle the unruly planting bed in front of our condo. Currently it's just the not-so-pretty ornamental plants that came with the condo and some dill we planted at the beginning of the summer that got a little out of control. I picked up some chamomile, curry, purple basil, golden sage, goldilocks, oregano lavender and rosemary plants at Garden District and Ginko Gardens. I'm so excited to finally have a beautiful garden to look at and to be able to step outside when I need something fora recipe.

Here are some other inspiring garden pics.

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Eco Tools

I recently purchased the Eco Tools 5-piece Mineral Brush Set and couldn't be more pleased. The pack comes with a mineral make-up brush, concealer brush, eye make-up brush and baby kabuki. All the brushes are made with bamboo handles, recycled aluminum and synthetic taklon bristles. Even the case is made from natural cotton and hemp. These are hands down the softest brushes I have ever used. They feel wonderful on your skin. Another great thing about them is the price. I picked them up at my local Target for $10. I can't justify paying more for make-up brushes any longer.

What to do on a rainy DC day...

Waking up to the gray skies today I wasn't encouraged to do much outside of the house. But, it is a perfect day to get a jump on crafts. And for a little background inspiration I luckily ran across The Secret Garden on the television. It certainly looks like England outside. I settled in after a quick trip to the craft store and putting together a mini terrarium and potting a cute little succulent I just bought (my own secret garden!).

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I was hoping to work on a little Christmas decorating project but I was unable to find any ornaments or holiday items at the store and unfortunately my ornaments storage. Any thoughts for a halloween/Thanksgiving project I can put together with all this yarn in the mean time?

Sometimes you just have to create your own secret garden.

Loving Lulu Organics

I first bought Lulu Organics Hair powder about a year ago when I was looking for a way to refresh my hair between shampoos. Never having tried hair powder before I wasn't sure what to expect but it did the job by absorbing excess oil and it smells fantastic. I adore the vintage image of the brand and packaging. And, of course, it's USDA organic. My favorite is the tuberose. Check out the great blog have a great blog on their very cute website. Lulu Organics is just an all-around yummy company.

Dirt Candles

One of my favorite new discoveries is Dirt Candles. They are made from GMO-free soy wax made with organic soy cultivated in the USA. Not only do they smell great but the packaging is made from recycled material and printed with soy inks and the labels are made from corn making them biodegradable. Also, a portion of the profits from each candle goes to charity. It's always important to take into consideration the ethics of a company.

Dirt's Beach Bum must be the perfect summer candle. With notes of seawater, kelp, fresh rain and white sand it will help extend your vacation long after you leave the beach.