Furled

My boyfriend and I recently returned from a short vacation in Maine. My favorite part? Sailing! Here's a shot I took after the sails were furled, just as we were coming in to dock.

mmm...Birthday Cupcakes

Coconut-custard-filled cupcake with coconut buttercream frosting

And one to spare...for breakfast, of course!

It's That Time of Year

Vintage Prom.

Animate

Pretty.

Japanese Cherry Blossom

April 2010

Beach Baby

Basic and black. It even comes in vintage. I love this suit.

Sporty Spice

I had to take my boss's car in for service today. The dealer gave me a loaner to drive for the day. And while generally I am not so easily seduced by candy-apple red German automobiles, this Audi A4 had me swooning. If only I weren't up to my eyeballs in student loan debt... alas.

In the doghouse.

It's house meets bed meets carrier meets car seat. It's form and function, Fido-style. If you have a truly pampered pet, check out this fabulous Sleepypod at Sleepypod.com. In the meantime, try not to drool over the models...

Possibility

I love this cut and style... decisions, decisions.

Just What I Need

Ray Ban Aviators.

A Classic

One of my favorites: J.S. Bach's Prelude and Fugue No. 2 in C Minor

Consider Vegetarianism

The Radical Write

The Bentley Azure Limited Edition Rose Gold Rollerball in Cognac. I can only imagine how fine a writing instrument this must be; and at just over thirty-two grand-- yes, that's $32,200.00 -- I can only imagine.

Singing in the Rain

I might be if I had one of these stylish umbrellas. This is one of my favorites from pare*umbrella. Sure, it's a little plain, but that doesn't mean it isn't pretty. It's called Sonnet.

Just for fun, I included some of my other finds. It was difficult to narrow my picks but I did the best I could. This one is by French designer Guy de Jean. It's the Can Can Parasol (there are also some colors available in full umbrella). Sorry ladies and gentlemen, this pink parasol is all sold out.

This is the Rorschach Umbrella by "World Renowned Calligrapher Bernard Maisner." Kinda puts the fun into functional, wouldn't you say? It (along with other fabulous finds) is available on the Tray 6 website.

A more-affordable designer umbrella by Marimekko: the Petrooli in blue and green, available at Umbrellas.net (as are the final two designs on this post).

If you want striking, try this Black & White Pinwheel Pagoda by Bella Pagoda (another of my favorites!).

And for those of you in mourning, 1800's-style, try this Vintage Black Mourning Parasol, fully restored from the "silky black fabric" to the "deckled finish [post] and beautifully detailed silver knob."

Under things

Since I can't read Japanese, I'm not sure whether this lovely garment is a sold as a dress or a slip (from Ni-Kiyo). Whichever the case, this is one clever -- not to mention stylish -- unmentionable.

Serenity

This is what I need.

Not that anyone needs an excuse to have Sushi...

From designer Felix Stark, the Sushi-plate Quadratic. See more pieces at Formstark.com.

Smitten

The REK bookcase by Rotterdam designer Reinier de Jong. A work of art that expands as your book collection expands. (Not to mention how elegantly it accommodates books of varying sizes.) Anyone heading to Milan in April? You can check out the REK bookcase there. And while you're at it, buy me one?

Pretty please?

In Full Bloom

A little wishful thinking on my part -- considering there is still snow on the ground -- but isn't this vintage dress just too charming? It's easy to imagine the full ensemble complete with hat, pearls, and wrist gloves... now, which way to the garden party?

Say Cheese.

[aesthetically] Pleasing.

Thank You, Kindly.

I'm sure there are better but, in my mind, Crane & Co. is the best company for high-quality paper products. I generally get my notes from the local Barnes & Noble or Borders. A few years ago, during a trip to the city, Aaron got me some exquisite Thank-You Notes from the Crane & Co. store on W. 49th St. (at Rockefeller Plaza). Despite my temptation to save a set for myself, I eventually sent off all ten Thank-Yous.

This evening, while browsing the Crane website, I saw that Kate Spade (one of my favorite designers!) has her own line of Crane papers. And so I find myself, once again, tempted.

New Vera Wang

From her new Fall 2010 collection, simply called: Look 32, described as "Silver distressed sequin and black Swarovski crystal stone tank dress." I love the contrasting textures of this dress, two of my faves: sassy, sparkly sequins and feminine, sheer illusion. (This appears to be a popular combo in her new collection. Check it out Wang's Ready-to-Wear Fall 2010 collection.)

Look 5 (If you're going for just plain Hot.)

Form, Function, Fabulous.

These ceramic bowls with round, wooden covers (that double as drying boards/trivets/serving plates) are a beauty to behold. Designed by Vincent Van Duysen for When Objects Work.