Great read.
On repeat
So November-y.
Yesterday on Dumbarton Street
Quoted
"No scientist in the world can make winter follow spring. It's rather a relief, don't you think?"
—C.Z. Guest, from her book First Garden
Mixed greens
Loved making these picks for Matchbook's February issue, and love the way the collage turned out! Really feeling green right now - so crisp and springy.
From my inspiration board
Cache looking thoughtful; that delicious Pierre Frey "Arboretum" fabric.
Downton Abbey paper dolls
Yes. There's Sybil ("With female empowerment accessories!"), and Thomas and O'Brien ("With conspiring action and evil playset!"), too. You can print them all at New York Magazine's Vulture blog. Genius.
Quoted
An ad from the April 1950 issue of Flair.
Winter whites
Hellebores blooming in Georgetown.
Snaps
I'm gearing up for a big move and snapped a few shots this weekend of my current apartment, how it was arranged before I started taking things down. I could not be more thrilled about my new place, but this little No. 404 has been good to me and I wanted it to have its moment in the sun before I move on to other issues like... why am I trying to move all of these stacks of magazines? Alas, it's unpleasant, but they're coming with me. Boxing them up as I write. Thank goodness Matchbook is digital ;)
Quoted
"Could you please, please, please make me a sugary milky coffee the way I like it?"
Sophie Dahl, Playing with the Grown-ups
Photo: Garance Doré
A visual life
So darn inspiring.
Christmas on the farm
My sweet friend Daniel snapped this photo on the farm where he's been working in Oregon and my jaw dropped when I saw it. Isn't it such a spectacular shot? On top of that, I just love sheep. Really! I can't explain it. And it's exactly how I think Christmas on a farm in Oregon ought to look.
I'll be further east this weekend, celebrating Christmas with my family in Pennsylvania, and I can hardly wait to be home. But in all the hustle and bustle, know that I'm wishing each of you the happiest of holidays, filled with so much love. I hope you get to wear lots of tartan, and I hope you get to be merry! XOXOXO
First snow
Happy Friday! The weatherman in me is eager and so pleased to report that D.C.'s first snow of the season came yesterday. It started during final presentations at the Corcoran -- when I walked outside, nothing could have matched my sense of relief quite as well as those snowflakes, sticking to everyone's eyelashes! Oh how I love a good snowfall. As for the photo, a disclosure: it's from D.C.'s first snow last December. I was sans-camera yesterday, but the scene was the same - same boots, same girl... fresh snow ;)
Haul out the holly
I have reccuring dreams about big white Georgians just like this one, and that's not even at Christmastime. This one is featured in the December issue of Greenwich, CT's Serendipity magazine - the gracious holiday trimming is the handiwork of a one very talented Mr. Eddie Ross, and it's almost more than I can handle. What I would give to deck out such a stately home! For now, while decidely smaller in scope, I've done my best to gin up the same holiday spirit in my own 400 square feet. A touch of garland here, old ornaments there, sprigs of pine on the bar - switch to Comcast's Yule Log On Demand and we've got ourselves a party! Cheers! Anyway, Eddie lends his holiday decorating magic each Christmas season to this home (the lucky owners!). This shot in particular is from his 2009 job, but he's promised on his blog that next week, he'll feature photos from this year. Eddie -- I'm waiting with bated breath! XOXO
Holiday pink
Can you believe it's December?! It sunk in this morning over my Starbucks Christmas blend, I was perusing the Vogue archive for a good December cover, and here's what turned up - British Vogue, Dec. 1960. Something about that soft spray of fur, her elegant nails, and hello, that pink organza coif! The editor's take? "Such a look, that might once have launched a thousand ships, would now launch a radiant evening life." I love it. And her pink pout is not entirely unlike Angelina's, December cover girl exactly 50 years later, don't you think? Anyway, I'm off to Minnesota tomorrow to celebrate the wedding of two dear friends and you'd better believe I'm taking notes. Pink December nails? Check. Pink December pout? Check. Now, if only I could pull off a pink December turban... ;)
Until Monday, Happy December! XOXO
God save the Spades
Behold, the high priest and priestess of charm in their cathedral of style. Looking especially Spade-y and good by The Selby's discerning lens I must say. A big thank you to the NEO-trad for word that these shots are up. I'd give an arm and a leg for that yellow striped headboard, to say nothing of all those Matchbooks ;)
Limited options
Wish you were here
Greetings indeed! Picked these up recently at the D.C. Big Flea - something about the colors and letters and the weight of the stock, and check out those wheels in front of the Corcoran! I just love a good old post card, and these two are among my favorites.
Quoted
"The personality of a house is indefinable, but there never lived a lady of great cultivation and charm whose home, whether a palace, a farm-cottage or a tiny apartment, did not reflect the charm of its owner."
Emily Post, Etiquette, 1922
Dollhouse by Gloria Vanderbilt, from New York's Fall 2010 Home Design issue; scan by me.