Tuesday, August 23, 2011

tim convery


I really love these graphic Tablescape posters by Portland artist Tim Convery, who has teamed up with Rogues Gallery.  To learn more about these prints, contact Tim at  tconvery@timothyconvery.com 

found via

Monday, August 22, 2011

dark woodwork







In contrast to Friday's post, this farmhouse's renovation involved painting much of the woodwork in dark shades.  Normally a fan of whitewashing, I am shocked by how much I like this darker look.

images found on Decorology, originally from Trad Home

Saturday, August 20, 2011

woodwork gone white





A modern colonial farmhouse in Hillsdale, New York owned by designer Shawn Henderson shows how just how warm white painted woodwork can be.  I love the rustic feel of the decor.

images by Quentin Bacon for House Beautiful 

Friday, August 19, 2011

rogues gallery

I dragged Dan out to the Old Port to peruse my favorite shops.  Just when he was starting to hit his shopping limit, I coerced (more like forced) him into going to just one more shop with me - Rogues Gallery. Catering to men's fashion (although I must admit they sell many items that I would like for myself), Rogues Gallery was the perfect last stop for Dan.

there's nothing better than a vacationland tee
this one is pretty awesome too
love this one so much, I'm seriously wondering if it would fit me
they call this a mapcase. I call it my new make up bag? 
love the plaid on this flannel
shark jaw awesomeness
The guy apparel perked Dan up.  Of course it also didn't hurt that when we walked into the store, the guy working there said, "you went to KU [must interject that Dan was obviously wearing some piece of KU apparel]? I went to Mizzou."  In case you don't know, KU and Mizzou have a rivalry not unlike that of the Red Sox/Yankees.  Still, when you're in Maine you can forget about this a bit and be happy that somebody knows KU isn't in Kentucky.

Of course, the coincidences didn't stop there.  I'm pretty sure the phrases "small world" and "parallel lives" were dropped a dozen times.  Adam (the guy working at RG) is living in Maine with his girlfriend for the summer and fixing up her family home on an island.  Not unlike what Dan and I did last summer.  He also used to live in Colorado.  And, he was heading back to Kansas City the following weekend to go to a wedding, while we were in town from Kansas City for a wedding.  I think there were some more random connections, but they have since slipped from my memory.

Great clothes, lots of plaid, and a fellow Midwesterner - Rogues Gallery was just what the doctor ordered for tired Dan.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

fall wish list

Here are a few of the things I'm coveting for fall.  Now I just need to get a job so I can afford to buy them.  Sounds easy enough, right?

1. Desert boots from Clark's



2. Green gingham shirt


3. A silk dress with a unique silhouette from L.L. Bean Signature.  (I tried this on at the store and it is awesome!)

4.  Fall TOMS


5.  Still dying for a pair of high-rise Emersonmade bluebells 




6.  The perfect animal print pumps




7.  A new scarf perhaps?



8.  A simple watch from J.Crew and Timex



9.  My new favorite sweater! Complete with a duck motif, where could it be from? L.L. Bean Signature, obvi.  I tried this on too.  I'm happy to say it lived up to my very high expectations.



10.  And last, but certainly not least, an awesome pair of Warby Parker glasses


What do you think? What is on your wish list for fall?

one week + huset

Klippan Fjallnas Blanket

Brita Sweden Ingrid Potholder
Almedahls Herring Tea Towel
Gustavsberg Adam Tea Cup (and Saucer)

One week from today, I will set foot in Copenhagen!  I can't believe how quickly the time has gone!  In honor of my approaching trip, I wanted to show you a little bit of the Scandinavian design that I love.  Luckily for all of us, you don't have to go to Scandinavia to get it.  All of these pieces (and more!) can be purchased from Huset an online shop for modern Scandinavian living.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

maine blueberries

I know I'm a little behind on this one, but bear with me please.  Up until a few years ago, I didn't realize blueberries sold in grocery stores are usually grown in a different way than those that grow wild in Maine.  When you only ever see blueberries growing on low to the ground shrubs, why would you think they might grow another way?  Maybe because I have never seen a wild blueberry grow so big?  Or because they taste a little different?  Because they're available in December?  My brain let me down and failed to make these distinctions.

Dan Neville/The New York Time
Dan's mom sent me an article in the New York Times about wild blueberries from Maine. It explains how Lynn Thurston works with farmers all over the state of Maine who grow wild blueberries.  She runs Blue Sky Produce, a business that buys the wild blueberries from these farmers and distributes them throughout the Northeast. It's a win-win situation: farmers are given an option of something to do with the blueberries other than just freeze them and people who might not otherwise be exposed to fresh Maine wild blueberries get the chance to enjoy the delectable treat.  What a great business concept!  Now if only they could find a way to get those berries to Kansas :)

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

blog love: mae mae paperie





Being in Maine has re-awakened my nautical side.  My head is always in the clouds, dreaming about how I would decorate my imaginary seaside cottage.  MaeMae Paperie's blog is full of inspiration.  I especially love these illustrations that were brought to my attention by Hooray (another blog worthy of a blog love post). 

Monday, August 15, 2011

made in maine: ktaadn

The textiles and notebooks of Ktaadn caught my eye, while I was wandering around Portland shops.  Their Scandinavia meets coastal Maine prints are right up my alley.  And when I saw the name Ktaadn and sounded it out (in my head! I'm not crazy!), I was so excited to find they are a local company!  Ktaadn is pronounced just like Katahdin - the highest mountain in Maine.


Ktaadn sells pillows, tea towels, and notebooks that they design and produce in their studio just outside Portland.  And as if that wasn't enough to make me love them, they use high-quality organic cottons, natural linen, recycled paper and environmentally-safe, water-based inks.




The designers behind Ktaadn, Olan Boardman and Rollin Leonard, moved from Brooklyn to Maine in 2010 to start their textile printing company.  And I couldn't be happier about it.  

Friday, August 12, 2011

love that dirty water, take 3

When I say that Fenway Park is my favorite place in Boston, I mean it. The energy there is amazing - not to mention the history of the park coupled with my family's multi-generational status as die-hard Red Sox fans. At Fenway, the buzz of Boston pride runs so deep it's almost tangible.


The picture above was taken at 5:00 p.m.  That's more than 2 hours before the Red Sox game began.  Fenway and Yawkey Way were already alive with fans.  Whenever I go to the game with my dad, we get there early to watch batting practice.

Three of the most famous signs around Fenway


The crowds all lined up (I use this term loosely - there was much comparison to European ski lift lines) and waiting to get in!  Again - this is 2 hours prior to game time and I'm 99% sure if you leave you can't get back in again.  That is some serious fanaticism aka dedication :)






The infamous Green Monster.  This high wall has prevented many a ball from becoming home runs.  Given its height and uneven nature (there is a ladder and the manual scoreboard on the wall) it can be extremely difficult for left fielders (especially those from away teams) to field balls that are hit off of the wall. 


The Citgo sign guided me through Boston more than once before I moved there and learned my way around.  I would walk the streets until I could see that sign and then walk towards it, knowing that once I made my way to the landmark I would be in the familiar surroundings of Kenmore Square.

Fans lined up to catch fly balls during batting practice.  

Underneath Fenway always felt like a maze of hot dogs, pipes and ramps to me.  When I was little it scared me a bit, but I have grown to love the hint of creepiness.





Packed crowds.  In fact, our game was the highest attended game in Red Sox history!  This seems kind of crazy to me, since it wasn't a particularly special game.  It wasn't against the Yankees or to clinch any sort of title.  Maybe that means the seats were cheaper? In any case, Red Sox games are always packed.  Most people stick it out through the whole game.  I have never left a Sox game early.


I just realized that I haven't explained the title of these posts and to anyone who doesn't know, they might be a bit confusing.  The song continues, "Oh, Boston you're my home" and is of even greater significance because they play it at the end of every Red Sox win.  Unfortunately, the Sox lost the game we attended.  A win would have been nice, but just being in Fenway Park and watching the game with my parents and Dan was enough for me.