MY DREAM HOME: FEELING DOTTY!

When I was on Pinterest recently I stumbled across a mini trend: decorating small spaces in this fabulous dalmatian-style dot print. I love polka dots but this organic take on it is spectacular!

So, I thought I would start a new installment of 'My Dream Home' featuring none other than—you guessed it—polka dots in all sizes and, apparently, shapes! I know, what took me so long?!

sources: spotted bathroom, spotted entry (painted with a stencil!), spotted bookcase

Click through the link to see more spotty goodness!

SUMMER CHIC: STRIPES AND DOTS

We all know I love polka dots and stripes and, this summer, JCrew is totally feeding my obsession. It seems like every other top or dress is in one of these patterns (or anchors), but you won't find me complaining!

So without further ado, from top to bottom, left to right:

-------------row one---------------------
Kimono-Sleeve Maxidress, $118
Big-Shot Dot Dress, $158


-------------row two-------------------
Drawstring Tunic in Stripe, $88
Zip-Front T-Shirt Dress, now $69.50


-------------row three-----------------------------------
Vintage Cotton Pocket Tank in Stripe, $29.50
Naomi Top in Polka Dot, $110


-------------row four------------------
Elinor Dress in Polka Dot, $148
Maritime-Stripe Blazer, $118


Have a great weekend! I will see you back here on Monday!

METHOD & LIBMAN: GOING DOTTY

I have noticed a lot of cleaning products are starting to feature really bold designs, especially polka dots. I saw a commercial for this Method laundry detergent last week and I almost fell over at the sight of their new 'dotty' logo. I LOVE the brightly colored overlapping circles and would probably wallpaper my whole apartment with that pattern if my boyfriend would let me (though really a pillow or two might be kinder on the eyes and look better with my couch). I also LOVE the red and white polka dot pattern on the new Libman wonder mop (I feel like a commercial voice-over just typing that). The old mop only had the small dot pattern, now seen on the inside. The new mop uses the scale of the polka dots to represent different absorbencies in the fabric, giving bigger dots to the more absorbent strips on the outside. The result is a bright modern twist on an otherwise retro 1950s-era pattern. Awesome! This dot patten has also been used for the scrubbers of this green and yellow mop -- a clever and attractive solution to the intersection of form and function.

If you are interested in buying these prettily designed cleaning products check out the Method website here and the Libman website here.

FABULOUS FIFTIES ROUNDUP

I have never gotten into Mad Men, but I can appreciate the chicness and modernity that permeated design and fashion during the 1950s. This round up aims to fall somewhere between Jackie O and Charles and Ray Eames with items inspired by a super stylish dinner party, complete with a gorgeous ride to get you there and the perfect party frock.

one | flensted three movement mobile, $69.50

two | kate spade billie heels, $345

three | vintage polka dot dress from millstreetvintage, sold!

four | jeepers peepers cat eye glasses from asos, $14.82

five | porsche speedster type 354A, $300,000+ (good luck finding one!)

six | vera vintage polka dot scarf from alessandrasvintage, sold!

seven | kate spade carroll park adelaide clutch, $298

eight | carlo hauner credenza from r & company, price upon request


Now I'm off to lay a patch with a hip cat. Later, Daddy-O!

ENGAGEMENT PARTY: DECOR

My sincere apologies for disappearing at the end of last week. I have been working on an exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art—interning, doing research, etc.—for nearly three years and it finally opened last week! I just needed an a little down time after all that excitement. I will do a proper post about the exhibition soon, but in the meantime, you can read about it here.

So, without further ado, here's my last post about my engagement party, hosted in Connecticut on Saturday, June 25, 2011.

As you already know, I love balloons. Love! The bigger the better! So I bought several dozen super big balloons that fit my blue theme. These happen to be 24" diameter, but I also bought some that were 36" diameter but just didn't get a chance to blow them up (things get busy right before a party!). I did a bunch of research to find the best prices, since balloons that big tend to get expensive, so if you are in interested in where I bought them just say so in the comments!

Everything I read online about big balloons made me nervous about how much helium I would need to fill these babies up. In the end I decided to just buy a 'party kit' at my local Target: a big box that contains regular 10" balloons, ribbon and a disposable helium tank. The tank actually went a lot further than I thought it would, so I would highly recommend that solution to anyone looking blow up a few balloons at a time.

Of course we had to have tons of flowers. These were mixed bouquets that I assembled from blossoms bought a local farmer's market and (surprisingly!) our local supermarket. Normally I like arrangements that are very structured, but I was actually quite happy with the free-flowing looseness of these vases; I think it suited the mood of a casual afternoon get together by the beach.

A couple weeks before the party I decided I wanted to have a lettered banner (like these) to hang on the front of the house. After deciding on my text (which mirrors the language used on our wedding website and save the date), I simply designed an Adobe Illustrator document which contained 3-4 outlined letters on each page (you don't need design software to do this, but if you print out letters through Microsoft Office programs just make sure you use an outlined font). Then I printed them on heavy blue cardstock and cut out each letter. And to ensure the garlands didn't rip in the breezy outdoors, I added a couple of eyelets in each letter a matching shade of blue and strung the whole thing on blue and white baker's twine. If I do say so myself, I think they looked pretty great!

The drinks and table, of course, also had to fit the 'blue' theme. As I mentioned here, we used Ikea polka dot curtains and super cute polka dot glasses to add a little pattern and fun to the party. I also bought these Kikkerland straws for a reasonable price at an online store called the Gray Goose.

A party wouldn't be a party without some atmosphere! We bought a couple strings of these string lights (only in clear bulbs) from Target that look delightfully vintage and elegant and only cost $12.99 for a 24 foot strand!! Though I forgot to take a photo of them at night, I can attest that they cast a beautiful (and surprisingly strong) glow.

Lastly, I personalized some of these $4 Ikea stoppered water bottles with big vinyl stick on letters (I bought these 4" versions) to spell out celebratory phrases and our initials. Top photo, left to right: 'HELLO', 'T', 'LOVE' and 'K'. Not only do the stickers stay on super well, but they also look wick the condensation off the bottle in a beautiful water. And the bottles can be reused over and over again. I mean, really, who wouldn't smile when served water from a bottle that says 'hello'?

Hope you liked the recaps (and sorry they took so long!). If you have questions about anything feel free to ask a question in the comments. If you don't, well, we will be back to regular posting tomorrow!

PUKA PUKA DOT MOBILE

I have been looking to add a mobile to our apartment decor for a long time (that and a collection of bouncy balls, a movie marquee, a photo booth . . . the wish list goes on and on!). I was originally thinking of something black and modern (like the one I mentioned here), but this soft "polka dot" mobile by Puka Puka is super adorable. I know it is supposed to be for "babies", but I think it would be wonderful to have two or three of these hanging above a long dining table. They would certainly give a pop of color to a white-walled rental!

See more lovely handmade mobiles, even some intended for adults, at Puka Puka here.

SAVINGS AND LOANS: KATE SPADE AND iPHONE

Have you heard the rumors about Verizon getting the iPhone 4 next year? I have been waiting for the iPhone to go to Verizon forever, and am sort of giddy over the idea that I could finally have a super cool smart phone and good service. Imagine that!

Well, this news has sent me on the hunt again for a cute but practical iPhone case. Not surprisingly, Kate Spade hit it out of the park with this black and white polka dot number (I mean, I do love polka dots). You can pick it up here for $40.

And, while I was there, I hunted around for some other "dotty" accessories and found these two adorable, drool-worthy options. They totally make me want to pack up and go. . . as they say on the website, these two are "spot on"!

top: Gifting Dot Small Henrietta Makeup Case, $60

bottom: Give It A Whirl Large Colin Makeup Case (with interior pouch), $125

INSIDE OUT PROJECT

Yesterday I made a quick little trip to the Highline—a beautiful elevated park in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York—to give some people a presentation on the Whitney's new building. Well the weather was so beautiful, I decided to stroll the rest of the park (which is looking extra lush these days) before I headed back to work. At the end of my walk I stumbled upon this beautiful mural-sized portrait and, not surprisingly, had to snap some shots to share with you. After all, it incorporates two of my favorite things in the whole world: photography and polka dots!


    

Looking a little closer at the work, I was impressed by the way the portrait had been carefully pasted over a number of obstacles, including wiring along the wall, window panes, and indents in the brick. Clearly this was done by a professional. Far to the right I spied one polka dot with writing on it and suddenly everything clicked into place! The mural is part of street artist J.R.'s latest project (remember when I wrote about him here and here?), which is called the Inside Out Project. Here's a description of the super-cool project from their website:

"INSIDE OUT is a large-scale participatory art project that transforms messages of personal identity into pieces of artistic work. Everyone is challenged to use black and white photographic portraits to discover, reveal and share the untold stories and images of people around the world. These digitally uploaded images will be made into posters and sent back to the project’s co-creators for them to exhibit in their own communities. People can participate as an individual or in a group; posters can be placed anywhere, from a solitary image in an office window to a wall of portraits on an abandoned building or a full stadium. These exhibitions will be documented, archived and viewable virtually."

A fabulous idea, right?





I immediately went and checked out some of the other projects completed in New York (above in East Harlem and the South Bronx, respectively). Check out Inside Out locations near you and all over the world here.




Still jonesing for more info? Watch this video; it gives you a fabulous sense of the spirit, optimism and joy behind this global initiative and let's you see some of the brilliant uses already in place.

KENTUCKY DERBY

Did you watch the Kentucky Derby on Saturday? It was a big day for daytime fun (and big hats!) since it was also Cinco de Mayo. I decided to watch the derby and, as always, was struck but the colorfulness of the celebration.





Not only do people go all out with their fashion—wearing big hats and beautiful dresses (or suits!) in bright hues—but they also go all out with the jockey silks, too!




These were the silks worn by the jockeys yesterday. Aren't they amazing? Apparently the colors and patterns are registered by the horse's owner and this tradition may date back to medieval times where knights jousted. Cool, right? I bet you can pick out my two favorites (the polka dot obsession continues!).

Read more about the derby and the amazing come-from-behind win of 'I'll Have Another' here.


(top photos from the New York Times, bottom photos from the Associated Press; jersey icons from Kentucky Derby website)

BLACK, WHITE AND GLITTERY

As winter starts to insinuate itself here in New York and a new year sets in, I find myself itching for things that keep it simple and get the job done. Though I have a perpetual love affair with any- and everything bright and colorful, there is something about January that makes me want to reach for that one chic and subtle failsafe in my closet (or cabinet!) that I know will always look great. More often than not, that surefire option involves black and white, gold and/or geometric pattern.


So here is a tidy little round up of things that are both lust list-worthy, practical and timeless. Perfect for a housewarming gift, Valentine's Day present, or just because!


1 /////  Yoshimoto Cube, MoMA Store, $65
2 /////  Lightweight Merino Wool Shawl Black Polka Dot, Virginia Johnson, $13
3 /////  Midas Collection Glassware, Design Within Reach, $42-$70
4 /////  Nylon Stripe Chad Laptop Bag, Kate Spade, $338
5 /////  Gemma Hatch Bowl, Crate & Barrel, $5.95
6 /////  Stephan & Co. Metal Bangle Seven Pack, Madewell, $38*
7 /////  Gold Flecks Tank, Anthropologie, $89.95
8 /////  Pyramid Post Earrings, Madewell, $18*


*Madewell, a new discovery of mine, has the best (and most reasonably priced!) jewelry. I would love (hint, hint) to see either of these things show up on my doorstep sometime.

HAPPY EASTER!

Happy (almost) Easter! Do you have any fun plans this weekend, whether you celebrate Easter or not? I am heading home to hang out with my family, eat way too much delicious food, and generally enjoy some nice spring weather.But you know what else I will be up to this weekend? Crafting, of course! Here are a couple of fun Easter-themed projects you might like to do too . . . 
Bunny ears headband for kids

Polka dot easter eggs

Felt bunny finger puppets

Spring centerpiece of paper flowers

Conversation bunny centerpiece

Bunny dinner rolls

Paper cup Easter baskets

Happy Easter and Happy Spring!

MODERN QUILT PATTERN INSPIRATION

You know how Pinterest can be this black hole of inspiration, where you start searching for something on a whim—in my case modern quilt patterns—and hours later you look up from your screen with quilt piecing patterns burned on your retina and a lingering confusion where the afternoon went? Yesterday I fell head first into that black hole and came out with these pattern-perfect quilts that will, hopefully, search as my muse when I endeavor to make my first quilt this winter (I will do it, gosh darn it, even if it seems overwhelmingly complex!). Even if you are not a craft nerd like me, I have a feeling you will appreciate these beauties. Take a look with me, will you?

the pattern of the quilt above was derived from computer code!

I love the color and traditional-cum-modern pattern of this example.

Love this bolder take on a sweet crib quilt.

This simple, fresh design was based on a Society 6 print. Cool!

Again, modern yet classic, this quilt is full of bright orangey goodness.

Who doesn't love chevron? This would be a graphic example for a minimalist home.

Or go even bolder! This pattern reminds me of Charlie Brown!

I love the use of ombre in this girls quilt, proving feminine can also be modern and cool.

I am dying over the colors in this example. So pretty!

This cross pattern/plus pattern baby blanket is AWESOME. Very grown up without losing its playfulness, don't you think? 

Grey, mustard and yellow are always an elegant combo. This triangle patterned piece is no exception.

Last but not least—this one is my favorite of the lot—is this chic orange, coral and B&W number. I think it would look fabulous on a bed with tiny white and black polka dot sheets, don't you?
p.s. Feeling quilty? Previous quote about my favorite quilt patterns here.