EASEL AS TV STAND

I have completely fallen in love with this easel-as-tv-stand idea that I spotted in my February issue of The World of Interiors.

When Justin and I moved, we kinda wanted to get a sweet flat screen tv...but we realized there was really no good place to put one in our bedroom OR living room. There are so many windows and doors...and the way the furniture was oriented would make any of the available wall space a really awkward spot for a tv. So we stuck our hideous old one in the guest room and hid it behind a folding screen. Which meant we NEVER watched it. We eventually canceled our cable subscription and the tv got relocated to the attic. Now we exclusively watch things on Justin's laptop while lounging in bed (yay for hulu, netflix, and itunes!). This works well until you have guests over. Three people trying to watch something on a small computer screen is NOT ideal. And forget foreign films. Reading those tiny subtitles is headache inducing.

But putting a tv on a moveable easel opens up a whole new realm of possibilities. And it does a lot to warm up the look of cold, cold technology. So, I'm in. I want a tv again.

via Unplggd

via House Beautiful

via Remodelista

IKAT ATTACK

My dream textile for the curtains in our living room is one the these amazing handwoven ikats from Madeline Weinrib. Sadly, they cost several hundred dollars per yard...so that's not going to happen.

But I CAN afford some of these sweet ikat pillows from Bali.

They are all handmade with stunning Indonesian ikat fabrics and are available in a slew of different patterns and colors. $40 for two or $160 for a mixed set of nine! Yes, yes, and yes! Check them all out here!

WATER PRISMS

Okay, so since writing my last post I have gotten on a serious prism kick. I want MORE. I mean...why not? We have so many rooms that get great sunlight. And great sunlight = great rainbows. And who doesn't like rainbows?

While combing the internet for all available prism options I stumbled upon waterprism.com. I am LOVING the looks of these. Perfectly new-agey and magical-mystical.

I've never seen one in action...but judging from the pictures on the site they seem to make some pretty sweet rainbows.

I think I need one. Or two. Or three.

RAINBOW MAKER

Okay, so I am currently OBSESSED with this Kikkerland rainbow maker. I bought it last month at Hammertown in Rhinebeck...and it has made every morning since then magical.

It's a solar powered prism that you stick on a window....and it turns when the sun is shining. Pretty genius! Right? Ours is in the bedroom...which has east facing windows and fantastic light all morning. So now we get to wake up to a parade of rainbows every day. Love love love.

IMAGES FROM THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

I am currently OBSESSED with the photo galleries on hubblesite.org.

The images of stars and nebulae and galaxies are all unbelievably magical. I mean...look at that picture above. That's what outer space looks like? Are there wizards and unicorns there too?

Here are some more of my faves.

PRETTY PAPER

Justin and I decided it would be a nice tradition to buy ourselves a joint present each year that follows Emily Post's old-school list of wedding anniversary gifts. First year--paper, second year--cotton; third year--wood...and so on.

For "paper" we decided to splurge and get this lovely tassel garland from Confetti System.

12 feet of bright, cheery, sparkly goodness. It think it's a perfect celebration of our first year together.

FEELING NAUTICAL

Urban Outfitters has some sweet vintage looking sailor inspired outfits right now. And since I am officially a boat owner...now seems like the perfect time to expand this genre in my wardrobe.

Above: Pins and Needles piped sailor romper in white

Cooperative silk bow dress

Pins and Needles Peter Pan striped tunic

Pins and Needles piped sailor romper in navy

Oh...and I should mention that most of this stuff is on SALE! For under $40! Wait...does that mean that summer is almost over?!

CANOE LUST

Ever since our neighbor took us kayaking a month ago Justin and I have been wanting to get a boat of our own. We considered getting kayaks...but I think a canoe is more our style. There is just something old-timey and romantic about a canoe.

If money wasn't an issue we would totally get a beautiful hand-crafted wooden one...

But, honestly, I think we'll be perfectly happy in whatever inexpensive canoe we manage to find on craigslist. And we can just spruce it up with some adorable canoe accessories.

Like some pretty wooden paddles...

And some lovely canoe packs...

And some old fashioned wooden seats....

Hmm...now if only we had a vintage Chevy wagon...

sources: vintage postcard of girls in canoe found here; american traders wooden canoe; sanborn canoe co. wooden paddle; john mcguire canoe basket; mcgarry's canoe pack via selectism; essex industries canoe seats; chevy wagon photo by john wilmot. and as always: if i used one of your photos and you would like me to take it down or credit you differently please let me know. i would be more than happy to change it. xx darbie

CAMPBELL’S À LA WARHOL

Did you know that in 2004 Campbell's Soup issued a limited edition set of Andy Warhol inspired tomato soup cans? I had no idea! They exclusively sold them at Giant Eagle supermarkets...which only has locations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, and West Virginia. Not that that would have been a problem if I had known they existed. I mean...Pennsylvania is only a few hours away. I would have happily driven to ALASKA to buy some.

But, alas, I found out about them 6 years too late. I scoured the internet for more info...but all of my google research led me to believe I would never get my hands on a set of my own. Until...lo and behold...what is this in my search results? A craigslist post? Somebody in Dallas selling several sets of the Warhol cans?!

To make a long story short...I bought them. Justin's parents live in Dallas and the seller was nice enough to drop them off on their doorstep. Now we just have to get them up to New York. I can't wait to see them in person!

PORCELAIN BERRY BASKETS

Every Saturday I come home from the farmers market with a slew of berries. I always have intentions of baking some kind of pretty little tartlets...but I usually just end up making fresh whipped cream and eating them as is. Simple AND delicious. Can't beat that.

Unless, of course, you are eating them out of these adorable porcelain berry baskets from Jayson Home and Garden. I mean...I NEED these. Right?

image from Jayson Home and Garden via Oh Joy