BEST OF LAST WEEK.

• I really love the idea of a winter picnic. I must have one soon.
  
• A DIY countryside wedding. So very lovely.
  
• I am a deep lover of beautiful branding.
  
• This week I am going to try making my own granola.
  
• How-to make mini crepe paper flower favors, perfect for a springtime party.
  
• A bunch of inspirational photographs from Bard College history.
  
• Simply stunning personalized print-yourself wedding invites.
  
• Photographs from cafes never seem to get old for me.
  
• I've always thought Blow-Up was ridiculously stylish.
  
• I couldn't make it to Alt this year, so it's great to read such a great list of lessons learned from the conference.
  
• Incredible installation art.
  
• There's no denying it: Liz Lemon says some funny shit.
  
• I am in awe of these dresses made from vintage paper maps.
  
• Peter Pan collars are the best, and now you can make your own.

A little late, but since I was out-of-town, I thought I'd still share some goodies from last week. I had a lovely time back home in southern California with the family. I hope you all had a great weekend and are ready for a brand new week ahead. (embroidery art above by Jazmin Berakha)

FLICKR PHOTO OF THE DAY : CALIFORNIA.

"sea and sand" by NicaMom.

I'm California bound- leaving this evening on a plane to Los Angeles. Looking forward to the sunshine and beach and the smiling faces of my family. See you all after the weekend!

interior inspiration : more pinterest lovin'.

Oh my dear Pinterest, you inspire me greatly on a daily basis. And make me desire for major changes in my own home.

(All images above can be found on my Pinterest page)

flickr photo of the day : an open book.

"my diary" by Le Portillon. (See also: portfolio & blog)

aubin & wills 2012.

Oh goodness: I am madly in love with this season's lifestyle shoot from the always-fab British label Aubin & Wills. Not only are the shots and styles completely stunning, but they feature my favorite model of them all, Miss Irina Lazareanu. I am smitten.

thought of the day : every word.

"SPEAK KINDLY," an archival pigment ink print by Shelli of Studio Mela. ($20, see also: tumblr)

collections : spring dreaming...

...with pretty girly florals. It's official: I'm ready for winter to be over.

1. waltz through the field floral dress ($49.50, on sale), 2. Pinwheel Push Pins ($15), 3. bathing cap, hankie flower chalky pink (£10), 4. 2012 Garden Calendar Print ($20), 5. Gilmerton Jumpsuit (£175), 6. Edenham Liberty Print Knot Watch (£59), 7. Crazylibellule's Les Garçonnes Collection Pompon Gardénia ($18), and 8. meadowbloom 1937 socks ($12)

flickr photo of the day : true blue.

Untitled by Laurence. (See also: website)

total eye candy.

Tonight I'm finding myself terribly smitten with the interior shots from Swedish photographer duo Amelia and Andreas Lönngren Widell. Pretty as can be. (See also: blog, via desire to inspire)

our little words : valentines.

Pssssst... we're selling valentines now, using some favorite song lyrics. Won't you take a peek? ($4 each)

thought of the day : master.

"INVICTUS," an art print available in English or French from Eva Juliet. The quotation is from Invictus poem written by William Ernest Henley in 1875. ($29)

ten images of inspiration : a cabin in the woods.

A group of my friends are up in Northern Washington, situated in a cabin in the snowy woods. And now, I just can't stop thinking of having my own little cozy, rustic retreat surrounded by trees, lakes, and fog. I'm getting a bit lost in cabin daydreams today.

Sources (from top to bottom): anja louise verdugo, ann th, The Makers, 100 Abandoned Houses, Cristian Ordonez, John Van Noate, The Selby: Dan & Shannan, Jake Stangel, Cari Wayman, and Mary V. Robinson.

flickr photo of the day : white.

Untitled by alice b. gardens. Perfect for this snowy Portland day. (See also: shop & blog)

collections : art prints...

...that I have decided I must buy for my home this year. One every two months, perhaps?

1. Quote print Typography art Black and White art - You plus Me equals Awesome by Jan Skácelík ($19), 2. Carnival and Circus Art from The Black Apple - Heart and Key Print 11x14 by Emily Martin ($35), 3. FIN Amour by Richard Roberts (£46), 4. Music Lesson Print by im smitten ($40), 5. Family Portrait. Limited edition 11x14 print by Matte Stephens ($45), and 6. Monsieur III print by Blanca Gomez ($30)

friday the thirteenth.

• First things first: the new Wes Anderson film trailer. I want to weep, I'm so excited.
  
• Chocolate and lavender make a delectable combination.
  
• This is the kind of shop I'd love to be in constantly and/or own.
  
• Victoria's Breakfast Club of kitchen loveliness.
  
• Koto Bolofo on photography.
  
• Such a beautiful simple Australian garden wedding.
  
• It is no secret- I'm positively smitten with balloons.
  
• Make a Nepali ceiling hanging with lots of colorful tissue.
  
• Andrea's year in Polaroids.
  
• Ideas for making the perfect care package. I need to send more of these out in 2012.
  
• This dollhouse is crazy stylish and beautiful. It's true, I really want it for myself.
  
• A voyeuristic peek into Anabela's bag.
  
• A couple spooky rooms for Friday the 13th.
  
• Sigh. Yet another video making me long to visit Iceland.
  
• A neutral and rather masculine Aspen retreat.
  
• This Swedish lookbook looks damn good.

Enjoy the long weekend! (Above illustration by the dear Ward Jenkins)

thought of the day : up high.

"high five me," a print of an original painting by pretty little thieves. ($15, see also: website & blog)

collections : a pirate's life.

Tonight's collection theme was actually inspired by the song I was listening to when I sat down at my computer... but really, it's hard not to adore pirate-esque treasures.

1. emerson embassy ruffle coat by Pink Martini in camel ($167.99), 2. Traveler Coffee Table ($998), 3. Black Cats Eye Stone Ring ($18), 4. RECYCLED ARMY CANVAS CIRCULAR RUG ($125), 5. Compass with Lid ($12), 6. Antique Chandelier ($2995), 7. Anchors Away (£9.50), 8. Antique Field and Marine Binoculars with Leather Covering ($89), 9. UNG DRILL Mirror ($39.99), 10. "LOOKING FOR TROUBLE" Scrimshaw Horn Box ($32), and 11. Raise the Sails Boot ($59.99, currently out-of-stock)

vintage photographs & art...

...in sticker form. I'm pretty sure that I would like to stick these on everything. ($6.50 for two sheets)

flickr photo of the day : glitz.

"687" by alltherage_. (See also: blog)

thought of the day : lonely.

"Everyone Gets Lonely," a signed silkscreen print on heavy card from Hello Polly. ($48, see also: Andy Smith)

interior inspiration : european country homes.

For the person who daydreams of living in a beautiful home in an European countryside. It does seem like a perfectly lovely place to be.

Sources (from top to bottom): Design*Sponge: Ulrica Wilborg, Shootfactory, jj Locations, house to home, Shootfactory, Design*Sponge: Di Overton, Shootfactory, jj Locations, Design*Sponge: Elisabeth Dunker, Skona Hem, and Rachel Whiting.