AS THE WORLD HANGS?

I spotted this incredible chandelier made out of vintage globes made by Benoit Vieubled on Black*Eiffel yesterday and I swooned. It's so awesome I can't stand it! It reminds me of the illuminated globe I bought last year and totally suits my ongoing obsession with all things cartographic (see here and here).

See the Black*Eiffel post here and the Vieubled website here.

AROUND THE WORLD

First things first:  many many apologies for being MIA recently.  This past week has been a whirlwind of activity (thanks to all those folks who came to visit me at Newton Open Studios despite the gorgeous weather!  It was a success!) and I am happy to say that I am now back in action.  To get back in the swing of things I thought I would highlight items with my favorite subject matter: MAPS!

Here are just a couple of examples I found in my perusing of Etsy (it almost hurts me to tell other people about them since I want them all for myself!), from top to bottom:

1. Rand McNally Portrait Globe, whiteelephantvintage
2. Crossing Paths, amandajean
3. Atlas Envelopes, Bombus

Need to get your map fix in person?  I recently discovered two major map-related sites in Boston: A) the Globe Corner Bookstore in Cambridge which only sells maps, travel guides and travel related literature and B) the Mapparium in the Christian Science Center, a 3-story  stained glass globe.  Perhaps one day you will find yourself there . . . 

PARTY PLANNING: A TRAVEL-THEMED BIRTHDAY

For most of the summer I have been eagerly planning a birthday bash for my beloved Mom, who turns the big 6-0 in September. It's been cool to brainstorm together and think of various means to make the party feel as special and fun as she is. Needing a theme, we decided to reference her worldly ways and make it a travel-focused party complete with tons of vintage maps and globes (my favorite!). After the party I will be excited to share all the fabulous projects I put together, but in the meantime I thought I would feature some of my inspiration.

Here are a few parties and products that have been jump off points for my planning process:

A bright, cheery teacher appreciation party. How awesome is that pull down map? I may have bought one of my own . . . 

This classy globe-focused wedding. I love the idea of vintage globe centerpieces!

This cake topper is too cute, perfect for that first birthday party!

The moment we decided to go with the travel theme, I thought of this print by Lisa Congdon as inspiration for the invite. Aren't they great? 

So here are some of the pretty things I am thinking of incorporating into the party. Clearly we are going with a light blue, turquoise and yellow color scheme (conveniently similar to my Dad's party last year) with pops of other bright color here and there. Overall we want to capture the vivacious, fun-loving, adventuresome character of my dear Mom and, with these sweet ideas, I think we can do it! Any other travel-themed things you can think of that I missed? Suggestions are welcome!

one  pull down vintage school map, $59.99 | two ocean light string from bright lab, $29.95 | three metal globe bank, $18 | four fun yellow and white bouquet | five stripey straws, 25 for $6.85 | six chocolate earth balls, one pound for $8.99 | seven yellow streamers DIY

HOLIDAY SHOPPING

Hello again! I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving—I did! I have some photos to share tomorrow of the tasty dessert I made for Thanksgiving dinner, but until then I thought I would tell you about some of the great holiday decorations I picked up while shopping over the weekend.

Perusing the goods at Urban Outfitters is always tough: I hate the music but love their selection of small cheeky gifts, decorations and books. I picked up this great set of 24 multi-colored ornaments for $10! Since I have only just started buying a christmas tree my ornament collection is still pretty small, so this set should be great!

Pick up your own here.

I also stopped by Home Depot; I was planning on just picking up some batteries but I found so much more! There I discovered Martha Stewart's Holiday Collection and, like everything she makes, I was impressed with the unique, quality products for (surprisingly!) reasonable prices. I immediately snatched up a set of these snowflake lights to hang in our apartment window, but I eyed several other styles including these gumdrop-like globe lights. Aren't they cool in an old school way?

Pick up the globe lights for $7.98 here, and the snowflake lights for $10.38 here. See the other Martha Stewart options here.

Oh and because it is 'Cyber Monday' there are some solid coupons for both these sites: spend $75+ at Urban Outfitters and enter the code 'GETSTUFFED' at checkout for free shipping; Home Depot is also offering free shipping (today only) with no minimum purchase. Enjoy!

(p.s. I am going to do a bigger post on Martha Stewart Holiday offerings later this week, so check back in!)

SAVINGS AND LOANS

Lately I have found myself falling in love with things that are FAR beyond my budget. Like the $19,500 diamond ring my friend convinced me to try on at Fred Leighton (a jewelry store so intimidatingly high-end I had previously never set foot in it). Sigh. So I thought I would start a new series on the blog called 'Savings and Loans'. Here I will share some of the expensive but exquisite things I find here and there, a.k.a. those that require "savings" and "loans".

My first edition is as follows:

Balfour Bag, Aubin & Willis, £398

Chalkboard Globe, Michele Varian, $450

Talitha Rug, Jonathan Rug, $1500 (for 6' x 9' rug, $2200 for 8'x 10')

MY DREAM HOME: MAP WALLS

Anyone who knows me knows I hold a few things dear in this life: family, good food, stripes, polka dots and maps. I love all things cartographic: maps, charts, globes, everything! So for a long time when I have envisioned my dream home I have pictured it to heavily include maps of all shapes and sizes in the decor. Like how great are these map murals? I am drooling over that bathroom, especially with that oversized gold mirror. Swoon!

sources: top, bottom

Click through to see my other map-loving picks!

GOING, GOING . . . (20X200 GIVEAWAY AND PICKS)

As you may have read yesterday, the obsessive imagist has teamed up with the awesome online art gallery 20x200 to do a fabulous giveaway: two Armory Week Survival Kits (tote bag, guide to the shows in NYC this week, snacks, coupons and more)! You can read all the details here, but basically you can be entered by leaving a comment with your favorite 20x200 print to this post. You can also double your entry by following the obsessive imagist on twitter (@katiejosephson). Enter by 2PM EST today to win!

Need help choosing a favorite? I will let you in on some of my current 20x200 picks . . .

for the explorer:

Emily Shur, Victoria's Peak, Hong Kong

Raul Gutierrez, Red Truck on the Back Road to Manigango

Rachel Hulin, Globe (totally feeding my globe/map obsession)

for the collector:

Lisa Congdon, Day 1: Vintage Erasers

Hollis Brown Thornton, VHS

for the wordsmith:

Mike Monteiro, Untitled (My Bad)

Craig Damrauer, The New Math of Relationships: Laughter

Trey Speegle, YES (You Complete the Picture)

Good luck! Check back in this afternoon (2PM) when I will announce the two winners. In the meantime, go check out the 20x200 booth at PULSE art fair:

PULSE NEW YORK
125 W 18th Street, New York, NY
Booth #b-4
Thursday, March 3: 1 p.m.–8 p.m.
Friday, March 4 + Saturday, March 5: noon–8 p.m.
Sunday, March 6: noon–5 p.m.

TRAVEL IN STYLE

My current dream trip involves two major components (well three, if you include the company of my favorite man): British Airways and Globe Trotter luggage.  What better way to travel in style than first class on British Airways - with full beds, turn down service and the ultimate in gourmet food - with an armful of elegant leather bags?  It helps that the Globe Trotter website is beautiful (check out that store map!) and that British Airways flies to Athens (oh how I want to see the Greek Isles!).

PUT A PIN IN IT

Keeping this post short and sweet: how fabulous is this cork globe? A perfect palette to display my map pin obsession and a worthy addition to my map/globe/cartographic collection . . .

Pick up your own here for $200.

'TIS (ALMOST) THE SEASON: PART TWO

This is part two of my holiday series—where I am getting myself excited about the holiday a little bit early this year because, well, why not? Here are some of my favorite garland and decoration picks.


-1- Confetti Ribbon, $24
-2- Typeface Monogram Ornaments, $8
-3- Snow Felt Garland, $38.50
-4- Glass Ball Garland, $19.95
-5- Christmas Light Garland, $15
-6- Snow Globe, $39.95
-7- Felt Garland, $19 
-8- Raffia Confetti Garland, $68
-9- Pop Up Christmas Ball, $5.99


Keep an eye out for the last holiday post next week!

MINTY FRESH

I read somewhere that apparently the newest trend in fashion is pastels. As you likely know from reading this blog, I prefer a big, bold color to any light and dainty hue, but I can make an exception for mint. Something about it just seems cool, unfussy and sophisticated.


So I thought a little round up all of things 'mint' was in order. Hopefully it will help you start your weekend feeling fresh and clean! Enjoy!




1 ~ monochromatic outfit
2 ~ little geometry pillow 
3 ~ swiss alps cushion cover
4 ~ kimono fat wizard watch
5 ~ satchel photo
6 ~ pineapple mint agua fresca
7 ~ essie nail polish
8 ~ anthropologie ad for swimsuit
9 ~ dwr table globe
10 ~ baggu pouch

THREE POTATO FOUR

There is some pretty cool stuff--particularly vintage stuff--over at Three Potato Four.  If you need something cute for a loved one for Valentine's Day (or a birthday, or just for yourself) go check them out here.

Not surprisingly, I really like this antique tin Globe Bank but I can't justify the $28 price tag.

NSS 2011: LADIES, LINDA & HARRIETT, GOLD TEETH

This post is FINAL part of an ongoing round up of my favorite vendors at this year's National Stationery Show. Head here to find out more about the series.

Today I am sharing my last round up about the National Stationery Show. And I can tell you I am ending it on an epic note! First off, I am so excited to show you the (new-to-me) booth: Ladies of Letterpress. They represent a whole bunch of fabulous women who work with paper, but my two favorites were Anemone Press and Heartfish Press. They both have this colorful vibrant style with an emphasis on funky type. Anemone Press has a great series of pun-filled cards (Well done! Ha!) and super fun fluorescent cards. I also love the alphabet cards by Heartfish Press and, did you see her button? Paper obsessed! A girl after my own heart!

Check out Anemone Press and Heartfish Press here and here.

I have always liked the funky, cool-kid style rocked by Gold Teeth Brooklyn and this year's booth totally lived up to that bill. Her simple cards that feature different types of paper are my favorite, but I can totally see how wonderful it would be to give her flamingo, sailboat or sled card for a ton of different occasions. And check out how well her booth is decorated! A vintage globe and peonies . . . yup, this is a booth after my own heart!

Check out Gold Teeth Brooklyn here.

Last but not least: Linda & Harriett! One of my all-time favorites. The Linda & Harriett booth always looks so clean and fresh (my apologies for the uneven lighting). I love the patterns, the palette, the watercolor . . . everything! I would be so happy to hang one of her calendars on my wall. I mean, really, how could you not smile when you see that adorable October mask pattern?

See more of the goodness here.

Thank you for sticking with me during these recaps. It has been so much fun sharing my picks from this year's Stationery Show this week. I hope you liked them! Feel free to drop me a line or leave a comment if you have any questions or feedback. I am always trying to make the o.i. better! Meanwhile, tomorrow we will return to regular posting.