Happy Camper

If I ever have the good fortune of having my very own moutain cabin, I will most certainly decorate in a vintage fashion. I am absolutely obsessed with retro camping style. Here's a very good Etsy article on how to recreate your own woodsy home, no matter where you live.

Enchanting

This enchanting bedroom, posted on The Cherry Blossom Girl, is every little girl's dream come true. (Via Creature Comforts ).


I just can't get this to-die-for photo from Ouma Clothing on Etsy out of my head.

Illustrations

What a wonderful blog by Maira Kalman, who's also given a totally inspirational speech about the creative process at TED.

Thanks to Hidden Los Angeles, another wonderful blog of sorts, I discovered it this morning. Love, love, love it.

Garden Party

Isn't this the most inviting looking garden party? I love the bright colors and the refreshing jug of lemonade. You can practically taste it. (Via Etsy ) The article shows you how to make your own version of this outdoor soiree.

Bonus link: a night time garden party.

Another outdoor activity I wouldn't mind taking part of is the San Diego Zoo's Roar n' Snore. Get out there before summer's over!

Howdy, Partner!

I really like the casual feel of these wedding invitations from the Yellow Owl Workshop. They look like a mash-up between a gig poster and a rodeo flyer.

Sweet Stuff

This sorbet, first posted at The Small Object blog, looks delicious.

On the Mend

Lately it seems there's a renewed interest in all things Blitz. Perhaps it has to do with our own economic difficulties, because they've recently reissued this 1940's British book on how to make do during tough times. Find it here .

And I may be late to the party, but my friend Christa introduced this artist and video to me at a bonfire party (turned youtube party) last night.

Old Tins

Look at how gorgeous these old tins can be when you have the right flower arrangements in them.

This is via Creature Comforts .

I'm so inspired, I might have to go out and find some of my own vintage tins. Or maybe this one from Three Potato Four would work.

What do you think? Would it be worth opening up and burning the candle? If so, what kind of flowers would you put in the arrangement?

Looking Pretty

These look like a beautiful stack of sheets, but they're business card holders by Annie42 on Etsy.

Another pretty Etsy find is this vintage candlestick from Spain.

Far Flung Places

Sometimes you can find unique jewelry and gifts at the most unusual places. This ring looks like it's right out of a buried treasure, but it hails from an on-line shop that transforms typcial nautical themes and souvenir kitsch into fine jewelry. For more summer vacation jewelry, check out the Cape May, Florida, and Hawaii collections.



For more viking and replica celtic jewelry, try the National Museum of Denmark. The above is a picture of a Fede ring, the precursor to Claddagh rings.

Bonus Link: The Plimoth Plantation has another version of the Fede ring and some interesting poesie rings.

For Friends...

One of my favorite websites is Three Potato Four. Here's a sticker book from Japan that they feature. I think these bunnies are adorable, but they also have ones with pelicans, doves, whales, and pandas.

Another great thing to share with friends is a cup of tea. I discovered this very English tea shop, Rose Bakery, in Paris because of my friend, Ellen.

The One That Got Away

Sold out. But a wonderful website to browse for new finds. Check it out here.

Check out Olivia Singer's photos on flickr.



For more portraits with a touch of melancholy, check out swanbone's work on Etsy.

As this is partly Olive's blog as well, I thought I'd include a little something in her honor. This is a tote from Rosie Music's etsy page.

60's Pop & Girl Crushes

I have a new girl crush. It's Michael Moore's fault. He included a French version of Simon & Garfunkle's "Feelin' Groovy" in his documentary, Sicko, and after hearing it, I just had to track it down.



It's "C'est Bon La Vie" by the Greek girl, Nana Mouskouri, who despite having a five decade long career in music, seems to have flown under the radar. Or, at least, my radar. Shame. She's adorable. Look at that hair flip! Those glasses! She's definitely rockin' the sexy librarian look, and as a matter of fact, if Mary Tyler Moore had moonlighted as a singer, I'm sure she would have looked like this.

Colorful Containers

This Welsh hand balm by Gwdihw Natural Balms is made using traditional methods and contains Marigold flowers. It feels silky and not greasy.

Even though I'm over drinking games (and have been for years), I love the look of these colorful shot glasses and dradle-esque top, introduced by ModCloth.

I'd love to check out this concert with Bill "Tappy" Tapia, a man who at 101 is still performing traditional Hawaiian music. Plus, the concert benefits the California Surf Museum, which can only be a good thing, right?

Fantasy Kitchen

There's hardly any counter space for this retro-modern gadget in my tiny kitchen, but I love how it combines two fuctional measurements in one: weight and time. And because the clock on my vintage stove has never worked, I could use an extra timepiece to keep me from over-cooking my sweet potato fries. And the scale? That would, ahem, keep me from eating too many.

On the topic of fantasy kitchens, I would hang this lamp in mine. I spotted it at Elemental in the UK.

Finding new products when you travel is part of the fun. I first discovered this organic hand sanitizer by Surya while in Paris.It doesn't dry out your hands or have that funky synthetic smell that the other brands have. I quickly became a fan, especially while spending days sightseeing and using public transportation.

This may be stating the obvious, but I love searching the Internet. I'm endlessly surprised at the things you can discover in just a few clicks. For example, tonight I went searching for a cover of Nirvana's "Come As You Are." In addition to finding that (there are several), I stumbled upon Laura Love and her take on The Clapping Song.

And then I discovered this clip of the original.

After that it just a few clicks until I found out Laura Love wrote a gripping memoir titled You Ain't Got No Easter Clothes. Here's a picture of the cover:

After browsing all the rave reviews on Amazon, I can't wait to read it myself.

Today was the last day of the Orange County Fair. I think that marks the beginning of the end of summer.

At the circus.

Watching the Piglet Races.


Alaskan Racing Pigs, ready at the gate. Notice two are facing the wrong way!

For awhile now, I've been watching and discovering the charm of kids' movies from the 60's & 70's.

Here's one that I recently stumbled upon, with a young Kurt Russel.

One of my favorite shops is The Kids Are Alright .

I love the print on this sundress by Covet.

Summer is...

E-Mom's Travel Pictures

Can you believe how amazing my E-Mom's photographs are?

This one looks like it's taken straight from the pages of National Geographic.

Two Seals on Glacier Ice

Two Forest Rangers Kayaking in Alaska

Summer Meals

The Danish Open-Faced Sandwhich, or Smørrebrød.

This picture was taken at Peder Oxe.

A Coffee & Open-Faced Sandwhich.

This was taken at a cafeteria by the sea.

A delicious bowl of tomato soup.

Somewhere, Ireland.


One of my favorite time wasters.