Dinner Parties

I'm co-hosting a dinner party for six of my favorite people this Saturday. And we're throwing a bene magazine soiree on Wednesday. So this week will be all about parties...and the debauchery that ensues.
(Photo by Berlin-based Marcus Gaab)

Travel Fantasy #3: Rollercoasters

Check out these pedal-powered rollercoasters in Japan. Don't they give you goose bumps?!
(via Core77)

Come sit on my lap

New at design public are the staggeringly expensive but beautiful modern bamboo chairs. I love how they look almost human.

Have a great weekend!

This weekend, I plan to catch up on some reading. What will you be doing? Have fun and enjoy the warm weather!

The Art of....Hanging Art

I have no problem finding art that I love. But once I get it, I'm stumped on how and exactly where to hang it. I end up arranging everything symmetrically. So boring! Seeking help, I downloaded inspiring shots from various blogs, including Design Sponge, SF Girl by Bay and Domino. I love these offbeat arrangements -- they show that it's okay to mix it up a little. Get out the hammer and nails!

Coffee Maker Love

I don't drink coffee. But if I did, I'd make it in this gorgeous coffee plunger.

Chandelier earrings

Chandeliers are wonderful. Earrings are wonderful. And so, as it happens, are chandelier earrings.
(via Design Sponge)

Cars

My dad and brother were obsessed with cars when I was growing up--my dad worked for Chrysler and Porsche, my brother drove a toy Morgan around our basement, I had to tape the Grand Prix whenever they were out of town. Now cars have seeped their way into my design taste (exhibit A, exhibit B)...yes, I have pretty much accepted that they will haunt me for the rest of my life.
(Photo by Fashion is Spinach, a lucky owner of this Orla Kiely car bag.)

The Return of Mom Jeans

Ahhh, I am hearting this ensemble from Tucker by Gaby Basora.

A Good Old Clock

At a dinner party a few weeks ago, I couldn't stop admiring the clock on the wall across from me. It was totally basic, but its simplicity complemented the room's artsy surroundings. (You can kind of see it in the top pic here.) The next day, I couldn't find any similar versions on the expensive design sites, so I ended up at Crate and Barrel, where, lo and behold, they had just what I was looking for! Nothing self-conscious or overly "designy"--just a nice, normal, good old clock. (Bonus: It's less than $20.)

I Always Wanted to Be a Tenenbaum.

I recently discovered the (brilliantly named) blog I Always Wanted to Be a Tenenbaum. It's written by Jack Mudd and Ian Smith, who are college freshman in Colorado. Don't you love Ian's illustrations (below)? His quirky drawings have a great sense of humor, much like the Tenenbaums themselves. When he gets super famous, this post will be proof that I discovered him.

Peacocks, now you can wear 'em.

Cool tees brought to you by the French company Six Pack.
(via Spray Glue)

Travel Fantasy #2: Giraffes

Everyone seemed to love the South African hotel from last week, so here's another one to add to the mix. Aside from top-notch cooking and comfortable accommodations, The Giraffe Manor is known for, you guessed it, a friendly herd of giraffe. Bizarre! (As one reader sweetly put it, "I so want to wake up to a giraffe batting her eyelashes at me. Adorable.")

So Good, So Good

I'm a huge fan of typographic prints, and I'm a hopeless romantic. Put them together and what have you got? This amazing poster. (Look how cool it looks in a house.) I would buy one immediately, but alas they're sold out. Anyone think they could make one??

Bene's Back!

Exciting news: The fourth issue of Bene Magazine just came out! I hope you enjoy our articles on the shakeup with Barolo wines, two grandmas taste-testing pasta, swimsuits in Capri (on a chartered yacht!), high-school friends in the season's freshest dresses, a designer's whimsical house, and the truth behind Italian mama's boys. Subscribe here....

The Fabulous Fifi

Meet Fifi Lapin, a bunny who is inspired by the runway shows. Isn't she fabulous? Visit her blog here, or get a print of her here. On this page, she wears Diane von Furstenberg and the gorgeous Gucci.

(via Love Made Visible)

No Boys Allowed?

The question of the day: Can straight guys get away with using clear umbrellas? My brother Nick loves them, but he's worried that they seem too girly or gay (not that there's anything wrong with that). I told him that he is tall and cute and can pull anything off, but what do you think, readers?

Living etc. goes online etc.

Living etc. magazine (British!) recently launched an online photo gallery. Their rooms are simple yet creative, with a nice use of color. Click here to take a look...

Double Life

Head's up: Yossi Milo Gallery is having an opening tonight of Kelli Connell's photography exhibition Double Life.

At first glance, the photographs seem to examine the relationship of two female friends. But the same model actually portrays both characters, "changing her body language and clothing for the given role," says the gallery. "By using a single model to enact multiple roles, the artist explores the complexity of shifting identities within intimate relationships." Very interesting.

I agree with this concept -- when you're so close with someone, whether it's a best friend or sister, you do shift around in your roles as you grow closer. There are so many ebbs and flows in a friendship, and they're all lovely and help bring you together as soulmates and kindred spirits. This photographic series makes me miss my best friend Brooke, who is inspiring and beautiful. We've gone through so many stages together, and I look forward to many more.

Mischen Dress

We interrupt our programming to present the most beautiful dress of the season. Love. Lurve.
(via Shiny Squirrel)

Travel Fantasy: South Africa

Yesterday morning, I stumbled upon this incredible open-air hotel in South Africa. It's called the Outpost and it's smack in the middle of Kruger National Park. Well, don't mind if I do.....

(When they went to Africa, Lucy and my dad trekked up Mount Kilimanjaro. Is it wrong that I'd rather just hang out in that bath?)

Color Me Vase

Pretty! Handblown vases would add a nice pop of color to a sidetable or mantlepiece.

Girly Notecards

Such lovely letterpress cards--and they're printed on Italian paper! From Ella Studio.

Fantasy Shopping

What would you buy if money were no object? That was the question I had to answer, when Lauren Cerand asked me to contribute to the fantasy-shopping section of her blog this week. Check out my answer here, and leave your answers in the comment section below...

What's Up, Doc?

A debatable dialogue I had with my psychiatrist last week:

Me: What does 'half-life' mean?
Doctor: It's how long a medication takes to fully absorb into your body.
Me: So why do they call it a 'HALF-life'?
Doctor: Huh. Well, maybe it's how long it takes half the medication to absorb into your body.
[Pause.]
Doctor: It's been a while since med school.

Then she GOOGLED the medication.

Man, anyone know a good psychiatrist?

Look, Lucy, more mobiles!

I was already into these colorful mobiles, but then I realized that they're made from magazine pages! Now I'm in love. Luce, what do you think?
(via Bloesem)

Motivational Posters (For Real)

Remember those painfully cheesy motivational posters that were always sold in malls? Well, Right Brain Terrain has designed cool versions, which actually do inspire. I LOVE this focus poster. And it works well, because now that I've filled my apartment with artwork, I'm moving on to my office...
(via Happy Cavalier)

Where the wild things are

After a very rainy Nor'easter weekend, cheer up with these bright and pretty glasses, which kick off a color-themed week. Full set for $32.

TGIF!

I'm taking a break from posting this weekend, but if you're in the blog mood, I warmly invite you to check out the archives. Perhaps you will like this, this, this or this, or you can read through January, February, March or the really old stuff. Thank you, as always, for visiting! Have a great weekend, and see you soon.
(Photo by Andrea Stern)

Yes, please.

Here's one for the boys, who have been suffering bravely through this very girly week. Every morning, on the way to work, I walk by an enormous billboard with the top photo below. (You may recognize Natalia from Alice in Wonderland fame. God, talk about a girl crush.) Anyway, the billboard inspired me to check out Calvin Klein's new collection of underthings, and I was very taken by them. Any woman would feel really sexy in these. Enjoy...