In My Imaginary Closet

My actual closet has been filled for years with far to many "throw-away" items (pieces that don't even hold up well enough to donate the following season). For this coming year (and on) I've decided that it's time to start purchasing well-made clothing that I can wear for years to come (time to hone my personal style too). It sounds simple enough, but on the sort of itty-bitty budget I have, owning quality pieces (mind you I'm not even talking about the über labels here) will take time and saving. I suppose that things worth having are worth waiting and working for, right?!  What's in your imaginary closet today?

• Cashmere Sweater from Uniqlo (found via pinterest and A Cup of Jo). Oh how I love it (but I don't think it's still available - sadness)!
• Solid Chinos from Scotch & Soda - love the cut of these (be sure to check out the rest of their line too).
• This might be the ideal bag for me - casual but luxe at the same time.
• Gold Bar Bracelet - A little something shiny on the wrist never hurt anyone.
• I finally found my perfect wallet. It is everything I wanted and more (and the price was perfect). *
• Black Canvas Tretorn Shoes *

from Creature Comforts

IPhone Cases

1.) Dannijo iPad, iPhone 3GS/3G, iPhone 4 cases. 98.00 - 150.00. Dannijo.com  2.) Kate Spade iPhone 4 cases, 40.00. KateSpade.com 3. ) Lilly Pulitzer iPhone 3GS/3G cases, 20.00. The Preppy Princess  4.) Jonathan Adler iPhone 3GS/3G cases, 20.00. Needlepoint cozy, 48.00 . JonathanAdler.com 5. ) Graphic Image iPhone and iPad cases, various colors and leathers, 48.00 - 155.00. Monogramming 7.50. GraphicImage.com
from THE LOVE LIST by Jessica@thelovelist.net

Books I'd Like...

 

Ikea, The Book

Ikea gives industrial designers a look into the company's most successful designs with its 450-page tome "Ikea, The Book." Stories include how they persuaded various creatives—including the iconic Danish designer Verner Panton—to make an original piece to how Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad turned his vision into an international brand that the rest of the world instantly associates with Scandinavian design.

Understand Rap

Successful lyrics decoders got opportunities to win prizes during Jay-Z's recent treasure hunt in support of the recent launch of his new book, but sometimes insight is the prize in and of itself, as "Understand Rap: Explanations of Confusing Rap Lyrics You and Your Grandma Can Understand" proves. Divided into chapters that explore ten categories from fashion to places, the book breaks down the slang and diction of lyrics like "Hockey players pagin' me to practice on my wrist" into plain English (with so much diamond jewelry, my wrist is like an ice rink). This is reading for the whole family.

Never thought I'd be into this but...

 Look at these amazingly bright and beautiful consoles on Overstock.

A pair of this chest would be great as night stands.

I'm absolutely dying over the green one! A little bit of fluorescent color in a room feels so modern and fresh.

from Little Green Notebook

Runway Inspiration: Elie Tahari, New York

. . . at the moment a little time off, but when it's back to business, it will be belted blazers and high-waisted trousers, gold leather opera gloves and cozy capelets, elegant knee-length hemlines and always classic trenches . . .

{p.s.} more pre-fall picks:

* burberry prorsum

* fendi

from {this is glamorous}

Olivier Valsecchi “Dust”

Olivier Valsecchi’s latest collection highlights bodies in motion and accentuates the human form as it is met with dust. These photos convey beauty and discomfort. It looks as if some individuals are embracing the impact of dust and others are retreating from it, and still some seem to glide through it as if in water. Whatever may be the case for the models, the powder brings out the details of the bodies, even when obscured by small clouds. The images are haunting and beautiful.

You can see more of this work and Valsecchi’s other pieces on his site.

[via Change the Thought]

from Street Anatomy by Aman Agah

Anthropologie Christmas Window Displays 2010

Anthropologie of course had to have its separate post when it comes to window displays. They hit another home run with their various looks throughout the country this 2010 Christmas season. I love how each store has a slightly different take with their creative details.

from Black*Eiffel by rachel @ blackeiffel

(Image credits :1 - Spring, Texas 2, 3-4 , 6 - Rockefeller, New York City | 5 Houston, Texas)

Circa 1900 Subway Signs

Before the Helvetica Bold invasion of the 1960s (and even before Mad Men), New York’s subway system directed travelers with an eclectic array of handsome rollsigns. Now you can give a glimpse of NYC’s Metropolis past with Flying Junction‘s hand-lettered canvas subway scroll signs, available on Etsy. The larger Manhattan-themed signs run, ahem, almost $200; but you can net the smaller Brooklyn signs for just $19! Hang ‘em up, dim the lights, crank up some machinery noise and it’s like commuting to your own Madison Avenue advertising firm at the turn of the century.
Via Becoming Brooklyn
from Brokelyn

IPhone Amplifier

My friend Keren sent me a link to this iPhone Amplifier. It totally made me laugh. No, I would never buy it, but it shows how inventive people are when it comes to iPhone Accessories. I then Google-Image-Searched the word ‘iPhone Amplifier’ and found some other interesting designs and hacks:

iVictrola iPhone/iPod Dock

The Phonofone III looks like a gramophone from the future.

or take this super-low-tech iPhone Amplifier. All you need is a toilet roll. (via DIY Life)

from swissmiss by swissmiss

Black and White Stripes!

Just great black and white striped rooms!

1. From Cote Maison via Remodelista

2. From Elle Decor via Take Sunset.

3. From Ddaarryynn via Coco Cozy.

4. From Elle Decor via Eden Rose

5. From Country Living Magazine.

6. From Mobilleffe via Design Milk.

from {BLACK. WHITE. YELLOW.}

Paul Smith China

Black and white (and a little yellow) striped china from Paul Smith...

Found thanks to Bright.Bazaar.from {BLACK. WHITE. YELLOW.}

Shiny and White and Fantastic All Over...

Kate Spade Ticker Tape Tidbit + Russell and Hazel Binder in White Patent + Midas Glassware Collection via Oh Joy + West Elm Winter Ice Plates + Gold Bowl + Anthropologie Mod Pomme Pot + Tse Tse Thirsty Tea Cup Gold + Workshop Impossible Prints + Feather Leather Headband from Thief and Bandit + Layered Metal and Gemstone Necklaces from The Vamoose + Gold Dipped Quartz Necklace + Petal Pusher Wallpaper by Oh Joy for Hygge & West

from {BLACK. WHITE. YELLOW.}

Terrarium Inspiration

The Botany Factory offers terrariums at a few stores in san francisco or you can commission and pick it up yourself. katie goldman macdonald takes such special care in making her terrariums they look like little worlds unto themselves.

i like the idea of a family of terrariums. they come in so many different sizes. the slug & the squirrel has an amazing array of all types of terrariums. you could probably find one for everyone you know. the glass they choose to work with is really lovely and has such character, from vintage to modern. each one has such a great look.

More after the jump...

the ladies who run twig terrariums have such a sense of humor and mischief with their work. i hope to get to see them next time i am in brooklyn, if not i may have to mail order a kit. too fun and a great gift to boot!

wendilands minimalist terrarium kits are both beautiful and pretty funny. perfect for your black thumb and ‘serenity now’ moments.

paula hayes living art pieces are so amazing to me. i really love that she has brought the terrarium into the galley space. her pieces are truly living beauties. be sure to explore her whole site — she brings plants to a whole new level.

and lastly, i want to share my little guy. mattie and megan of far out flora, who taught the class at workshop definitely ignited a new passion for me. so excited to explore more terrarium building endeavors in the future!

from sfgirlbybay by victoria