August 2010 Archives - not your average ordinary

Entries from 31 August 2010

Aug 31

When did the parasol go out of style, and why? It’s such a practical object, not to mention beautiful. Somehow, carrying one seems to add a sort of whimsy to your day.

It makes you feel like you’ve tumbled back in time a bit, to a place where you flirt with your eyes and words that sound like Oscar Wilde’s, to a place where there are hefty adventures waiting around corners for you to chase down…

And let’s not pretend that the parasol isn’t the cherry on top of this gorgeous ensemble.

I would love to say I’d use one every day, but I can’t deny that it wouldn’t look quite right with my school bag. But that just might mean that I need a new bag.

Would you carry a parasol? Every day or just for special occasions?

{first image by photographer Metin Demireley, found here; second image here; third image here; fourth image from The Sartorialist}

31 CommentsStyle

Oh, Nanette…

Aug 30

As M and I were leaving New York City yesterday afternoon, we drove down Broome Street, through the outskirts of Chinatown, past what remains of Little Italy, and into Soho. The car had stopped at the light and I glanced over to him in the driver’s seat when suddenly something caught my eye: a pink dress in the Nanette Lepore storefront. I momentarily wanted to bound out of the car, weave my way through traffic (which technically had stopped), and stare at the dress up close. But the cars started to move and we were speeding off toward the Holland Tunnel before I could even fully process what I had seen.

Nanette has been a favorite designer for some time: her careful details, bright colors, and feminine lines make her pieces hard to resist. And her fall/winter 2010 collection is exceptionally delicious. But the crown jewel for me? This amazing ensemble below.

This, I’m certain of it, needs to be my fall uniform. And that includes the hair.

{all images from Nanette Lepore website, from Fall/Winter 2010 runway collection}

15 CommentsStyle, Threads

Symphonies

Aug 27

I was almost about to sneak away for the weekend without writing this post. And then I stopped by Melissa’s blog, Oh My Darling, and I knew I needed to share a link to her post. Won’t you join Melissa, me, and other bloggers who want to Spread the Love? Little acts of kindness can make a real difference, so whatever you decide to do, put your heart into it.

More wonderful links for you:

Swoon over this pretty Bohemian wedding posted by Lillian of Unstitched.

You + Me Lifestylists is one of the most brilliant business ideas I’ve seen lately. (discovered via green april)

Ana of Live & Enliven shared Jamie Oliver’s latest products: some wonderfully cute jams.

If you’re in the NJ/PA/NY area, keep your eyes out for Sandy’s paper cranes.

And check out how Ann Cooper is helping the Food Revolution spread (with the help of the fantastic Whole Foods).

Happy Friday, dear friends! I hope each of you has a lovely weekend!

{image via it’s mary ruffle}

22 CommentsWander

French Toast

Aug 27

I would like to declare this a french toast weekend — a complete weekend devoted to all things french toast, from the simple to the fancy. From the fruit-topped to the syrup-drenched.

I have two confessions. First, I’m never sure if I’m supposed to capitalize the “french” in french toast. I choose not to, as I consider it far enough removed from any French origins it actually has. (Actually, french toast traces it’s origins back to ancient Rome, with a recipe for Pan Dulcis appearing in a 4th century Roman cookbook.)

Second, while it’s often meant to be a solution for dealing with that loaf of bread you’ve left out on your counter long enough to go stale (many countries call it “lost bread”), I have baked loaves of bread and specifically let them go stale so I could indulge in this, my favorite breakfast.

Or lunch. Or dinner. And most certainly dessert. Because, let’s face it, french toast is so awesome, it can be eaten anytime (in my book, at least).

Will you join me in this weekend culinary adventure? Whether you make it yourself (I recommend challah or brioche breads) or head to a nearby restaurant (Lokal in Brooklyn and The Mission or Hash House a Go Go in San Diego have excellent versions), I say you should indulge a little.

{first image from Alton Brown’s French Toast recipe; second image of Amaretto-baked French Toast with Pecans from Sweet Paul Magazine, discovered via Delightfully Sweet; third image of Strawberry-stuffed French Toast from The Pioneer Woma n – Tasty Kitchen Blog, discovered via The Pink and Blue Blog}

27 CommentsSavored

Hooray

Aug 26

There is some seriously cute items at Hooray. I have to confess that every time I see those airmail envelopes, I want to become a professional letter-writer and spend my days mailing correspondences off to foreign locations.

(I’m off helping M move into and organize his new apartment today. I’ll be back with more later today hopefully!)

{all images from Hooray}

15 CommentsDiscoveries

Glow

Aug 25

Barry Underwood’s work has this wonderfully unique and ethereal quality to it. It’s like stepping into a different world, where when the sun goes down, the landscape around you begins to glow.

People would leave streaks, you could see paths, watch things grow and move…

I think it’s time to get outside and see those summer fireflies before they disappear.

{images by Barry Underwood via Johansson Projects, discovered via The Diversion Project — a lovely blog you should to visit}

22 CommentsDiscoveries

English Fog

Aug 24

Just as the West Coast is finally getting a real taste of summer, the rain has rolled in here on the East Coast. The temperatures have dropped a bit and it feels like fall. I’m ready for warmer clothes.

It’s almost as if the fog has rolled in, and suddenly, I find myself longing for a trip to England.

Walking around old parts of London, grabbing a cup of tea in the middle of the afternoon, people watching, and running in the rain (I hear they have lots of rain there)…

I would bring skirts and dresses into the fall by adding tights and boots.

And scarves. I started wearing one regularly after being advised to do so by Miss Hannah, my high school voice teacher. It was better for the voice and helped prevent illness, she claimed. Miss Hannah had a cute English accent and a lightness about her that I looked forward to every week, and she spoke about England like it was some utterly charming place.

Don’t you suddenly want to spend a week or two (or several) in foggy England?

{photographs by and clothing from Cabbage and Roses}

32 CommentsThreads

Easy Days

Aug 23

Aren’t these photographs of Grace Kelly gorgeous? They’re so natural and easy. It’s like she spent the day around the house and someone just happened to convince her to pose for a photograph or two.

Do you notice the easy days of summer slipping past? I don’t even want to think about my to-do list this morning. Instead, I’m going to indulge for a while, finish a good book (I just started it last night too), then set off to cross things off my list. I have so many things I want to share with you too — little finds, a project, an adventure or two — but they’ll have to wait until tomorrow. Hope your Monday starts out wonderfully, and if you’re working, that an unexpected box of goodies appears to brighten your day!

{images from K.I.D. collective, discovered via the neo-traditionalist}

25 CommentsDiscoveries

Tidbits

Aug 20

Today I’m heading to New York City to check out the giant bamboo forest that’s grown up (and still growing) on the roof of the Met, and later grab dinner with some wonderful friends. The rest of the weekend will be spend doing some serious cooking: Saturday night M and I have dinner with more friends, Sunday night is a grand family dinner at my parents’ home. Somewhere in all that, I’m hoping to relax.

Just a few lovely finds from the week:

Ana impressed me with another mouth-watering recipe.

It was easy to fall for these pretty ceramics, seen on Ill Seen, Ill Said.

Have you heard about Raven + Lily yet? They’ve got some lovely pieces from a variety of artists and proceeds from sales go to helping empower women all over the world by giving them design and micro-enterprise opportunities. (I learned about this site via Fill Your Well.)

Anyone want to go on a road trip? The only rule is that you’d have to wear something fabulous.

Have a wonderful weekend, you fantastic people!

{photograph via Starn Studio, the home of the brothers behind Big Bambu}

21 CommentsWander

Mumford & Sons

Aug 19

I can’t get enough of this British band whose music has such a nice country twang. (It’s the banjo, isn’t it?)

{Warning: There is one cuss word used in the chorus of the song. I think it’s used well, but you may still want to make sure any little munchkins are out of the room while you play this one.}

11 CommentsSoundtracks