Spring Fever

 "It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!" -Mark Twain

My dear friend Kate, from Afternoon on a Hill, sent me the above quote this morning, which I think is pretty insightful to how I know myself and my friends at this time of year. There is truly something in the air and with my windows open and warm wind sweeping across me as I sit and drink my coffee at my desk - I think spring fever is in full effect. 

image credit: blog.forever21.com

Salle de Sport

I was brought to a quick halt when I came across this new sports and dance hall design in Calais, France by Pierre Frinault and David Jouquand from Remingtonstyle Architects. It's not everyday that you see such beautiful design for a community center type building, which is a shame when they could all bring a more rich design appreciation to neighborhoods and communities as this one does. I wish I had more info about the building and construction, but Remingtonstyle's beautiful website is all in french. I find myself drawn to and fully enjoying the geometric dark wood paneling that covers the building facade and the juxtaposition of the light wood paneling that wraps itself throughout the interior. Beautiful. I hope you enjoy the architecture and design as much as I do. 

Lighting and landscape design also get honorable mention. Cheers!

Oh Chevron!

Place these textural chevron totes from Virginia Johnson Sack Luggage at the top of my spring wish list! I'm swooning over the hand woven chain-stitched in Kashmir textile, charcoal and teal colors, and the use of leather details. I would be happy as pie walking through my neighborhood with this on my shoulder.

You can find them here on Beklina, Cheers! 

Sprained Ankle {silver lining}

So, I had a wonderful sxsw week here in Austin full of sunshine, friends, and music. I had so much fun that I landed myself on crutches for the week (sprained ankle). However, I can always find the silver lining in any situation and here is what I have come up with... the need to always have my toe nails polished and for cute spring sandals (at least until I can wear heals again).

Spring Sandals: Dewey Sandal $58, Nyle Sandal $58, Dacia Sandal with Snake $125 all from Dolce Vita, found at NeedSupply.com; Long Live Nails: Jaffa, Artful Dodger, and Aston all $14 at Butter London nail polish.

Happy Hour {oh so happy}

It is officially the kick off of my SXSW week; last night I went to my first event at Art House (one of my favorite spots in Austin) to join the Dachis Group and my good friend, and fellow interior designer, Michala Monroe in good conversation and free libations.

This evening is when my studious friends get to start their MUCH need spring break. So, starting now they can join in all the debauchery and get drunk on friends and music.

In celebration of the week to follow, I will leave you today with a cocktail to jump off from to start your week(end) off right!

Basil French 75

Muddle 5 basil leaves with 1 teaspoon superfine sugar in a shaker. Add 2 ounces gin, 1/2 ounce lemon juice, and ice. Shake, and strain. Add ice and 4 ounces champagne [makes 1].

Cheers, friends!

Image and recipe from my good friend Martha (Stewart).

 

Yes, please!

Kate Spade ballet flat Tipsy has officially made it onto my spring wish list.

Spring Forward : Part 2

Moon Diamond Print by TBP

Periodic, 2010 by Caitlin Foster

Half, 2011 by Caitlin Foster

Black Hole by Lulu Wolf

Eclipse by Lulu Wolf

Daylight Savings always seems to spark a curiosity in me about the cosmos - the sun, the moon, the solar system and how it all works. The above are beautiful examples of these curiosities and how each of these artists try to make sense of it all. See more boundary pushing works of TBP here, Cailtin Foster here, and Lulu Wolf here.

Cheers!

Spring Forward

In spirit of Daylight Savings this weekend (Saturday to be more specific) I am posting a few inspired clocks. Some of these are really great.

Normal Time Piece series by Ross McBride

Notime, Nightime, Finetime clocks by Farrow Design for SCP

Numbers LED Clock by Jonas Damon

Cubert Clock by Luis Luna

Time In Words clock by Qlocktwo

Twice Clock by Jonas Damon

Vintage Mauthe clock c. 1950's

 Because there is always room on my nightstand for a perfect vintage clock.

Cheers!

J.Crew Video Series

J.Crew is doing a 3-part video series to help explain their product and the stories behind why they use the materials they use. The first two are pretty great; About a Shoe and About a Thread Count (the third will be About a Print) tell the stories about the 5, 6, 7th generation shoe and textile makers J.Crew uses in Italy. The companies they work with have such an heirloom quality because these people have been a part of these trades their entire lives, they were born into it and they appreciate the knowledge the generations before them have bestowed onto them. It's really lovely to watch and learn a little more about. 

The videos aren't that long, which is nice in terms of keeping your interest. They have also logged a the story of each video, which is also accompanied by a photo journal. 

About A Shoe : See video here

About a Thread Count : See video here

About a Print : Coming Soon!

Enjoy!

Photo Project : Back To The Future

I can always be suckered in by a good photo project. This Back To The Future project by Irina Werning is an amazing concept. She takes people back to their childhood by having them reconstruct and re-shoot their childhood photo's. This series is seriously fantastic. Take a look at a few of my favorite and visit the rest of Werning's brilliant works here.

Ben & Jerry's Late Night Snack

OKAY seeing I am from Vermont and grew up knowing exactly what my home state had ownership of - the best ice cream ever - I feel the need to promote there newest flavor Late Night Snack. The teaming of Jimmy Fallon with the two kings of ice cream good-ness is a little questionable but the ingredients make up for any apprehension Fallons involvement may have had on me. Underneath the iconic Ben and Jerry's branding you will find yourself a mixture of a salty caramel swirl and fudge-covered potato chip clusters. Um, yes please. Both salted caramel AND fudge covered potato chips have been in my top 5 food obsessions for quite some time now. Ben & Jerry, you are still my heroes.

Images by Erik R. Trinidad, courtesy of slashfood.com

Cavalier Essentials

A new brand I stumbled upon about a week ago, Cavalier Essentials is a well curated masculine punch in the face. I mean that with the utmost respect. As described by Taylor Pemberton, who's brain baby was this project, says that:

"Cavalier Essentials is a line of vintage products designed for the rugged, yet sophisticated gentleman. Cavalier was always briefly explained as--"If Steve McQueen carried a beat-up leather duffel bag on the back of his motorcycle; what would be in it and how would the products look?" This simple idea married an appreciation for lifestyle design and vintage accessories. All of the products possess a hand-made quality while responding to the modern influences of today's culture."

I thoroughly enjoy the Cavalier 'project', however, my one criticism is that I wish there were a little less branding of the "C" on the pieces. I feel that if omitted, the product could better speak for it's self. I can say, though, that I appreciate the love and thought that went into this. The product design and art direction are really quite wonderful.

Cheers!