You love chalkboard paint right? Me too, but I've been dying to find it in more interesting colors. The Society Inc makes gorgeous chalkboard paint, but they're in Australia. I also know you can make it yourself by adding something gritty like sand to your favorite paint color, but I was looking for something a little easier, less messy, and I was hoping to find a big selection of color options. Boy did I ever. Meet the geniuses at Hudson Paint. They offer their brilliant chalkboard paint in 24 different colors. I was able to buy small sample jars of my four favorites. And the best part is the paint is really easy to clean up, which was especially good news for me because I spilt a little on my rug while taking these photos. Oops. Don't tell the hubs!
One of my favorite bloggers, Oh Happy Day, is doing the best giveaway ever... a trip for two to Paris! I entered immediately. I've never been and it would be a dream vacation for the hubs and I.
Image via: paris2london
Sadly, we are nearing the end of Lilac season. I grew up on the East Coast and it's one thing I miss living in California. On the East Coast it's not hard to find a lilac bush, the fragrant smell will lead you right to it! I even went to college in upstate New York, home of the Lilac festival. Each year my mom and I would buy a different color bush to plant, and she still has them in her yard, well, at least two of them are still going strong. What's your favorite flower or season? Since I don't really get to experience lilac season anymore, I would have to go with the Tulip. But wait, I'm forgetting about Peonies and Ranunculus. It's a tough call, right?
Images from top, left to right: via unstitchedblog; via fabulousfifi; via brabournefarm; unknown; via dreamywhites; via pictophilia
I've been in love with the typography and chalk art by Dana Tanamachi for some time. She recently did an installation for the Ace Hotel in NYC, pictured above. The coolest thing about this project is they also filmed her at work. Watch her while she creates this charming piece of chalk art inspired by vintage playbills.
Just wanted to share with you the books I am loving right now. The newest three just so happen to be on the top of my stack. I adore "work/life 2" from uppercase magazine. It's packed with so many great illustrators. If you are an art director or designer who hires illustrators often, this would be a great resource for you. I know it will be for me, I'm already dying to hire Alyssa Nassner. "At Home With Handmade Books" has tips and instructions to make sweet one of a kind creations. Jonathan Adler's "Happy Chic Colors" is so bright and cheery and contains some of my favorite things...paint samples and fabric inspiration boards. Ah, then there are my style books, my dirty little secret. I love style books. I have way too many. I heart the way "I heart Your Style" is organized and "The Elements of Personal Style" reminds me a little of Polyvore. So much fashion to drool over. Lastly, and the most exciting, is Etcetera. I can't say enough good things about this book by stylist Sibella Court. The production values are amazing. Lovely paper, pages printed on vellum, just gorgeous. I keep it on my nightstand and love to flip through it before I go to bed. My dreams are much more stylish that way.
Did you know Anthropologie has a special home gallery on their website where they showcase special collections by artists and craftsmen of their choice? Well they do, and it's a brilliant idea. I just stumbled upon it while shopping for shoes. Love browsing Anthro shoes, anyway, my favorite creations were these quilts by Fred Shand. They are works of art, aren't they? I love the color palettes, textures, and graphic themes. I don't love the prices, but considering each one is handmade and one of a kind, well, that makes them pretty special.
After way too many days of rain the sun has finally come out and warmed up San Francisco. Could it be that spring is here? In celebration of all this sunshine, I've made a little mood board for the month. This April, I'm feeling neutrals and gray with a pop of orange. I'm also loving the combination of lace, stripes, and polka dots. What are you feeling this month?
This morning I had some quiet time to finally catch up on my growing stack of magazines. I made my way through them all including the new issue of Anthology that I picked up last week. I love the format and cover stock, but I'm always a sucker for a nice matte finish. My other favorite was the Toast home catalog. Toast does an amazing job creating something that's much more than just a catalog. Their images tell a story and are impeccably styled. Topping off my favorite way to spend a Sunday was snacking on my favorite scone from an adorable bakery called Vanilla Moon. I'm so happy to finally have a decent bakery down the street from my house. I hope your Sunday was filled with some of your favorite things.
{ In my stack from the bottom up: Lucky, Sunset, Nylon, Marie Claire, Anthology, Toast Home, Toast Spring 2011. }
