gladiators & clogs

Yesterday I was shopping around for some summer sandals and I noticed that several of my favorite pairs has some far pricier cousins.  I've found these duos after browsing for less than an hour.  It seems that with popular trends right now, someone is always making something similar, often for far less money.  I am a huge fan of quality, but not for items being marked up simply for name brand sake.  Here are my finds.

This pair, Gwyneth had mentioned this morning in GOOP:

Christian Louboutin animal print sandals, $525

I had just spotted these Boden animal print strappy gladiators, $118 (I actually like these ones better).

And I am currently loving Swedish Hasbeens.  I want them all.  Not that I would buy them all, I do have some self restraint.  And besides... not at those prices.  But check out these nearly identical step-sisters.

Swedish Hasbeens Peep Toe, $239

MIA peep toe clog, $88 (the tops of these are basically identical but this one has a shorter heel)

Swedish Hasbeens braided skyhigh, $249

Tinley Road Denmark, $55

Swedish Hasbeens peep toe sling back, $239

 

Lucky Brand Kalista, $99

You have to really look to see some of the differences here.

If you have to shop, shop smart.  Just trying to do my part.

Pinterest

My husband has been traveling for business and what's a girl suppose to do to keep herself amused in the lonely night hours? 

Pinterest.

I do not recommend this site.  It is addictive and it is just another way to lose large masses of time in the blink of an eye. 

If you haven't started pinning, step away.

If you are already an addict, you can follow me here.

You have been forewarned.

{all images are recent pins on my Pinterest}

Ramsign - a giveaway!

Every now and then a company offers me about a giveaway and I really, truly just want to keep the prize for myself.  This is one of those times.  I really love this simple, classic porcelain enamel signs from Ramsign.  They offer all of the classic styles and colors just as they have graced they streets of Europe for centuries.  I think there charm is obvious and they add some instant curb appeal to any property.

There is a large assortmant of sizes and styles and this one with the little heart has plenty of gifting options coming to mind.

Ramsign is generously offering an address number plaque with anywhere from 1-5 digits.  Leave a comment below to enter and I will choose a winner next Tuesday.

Good luck, I'm jealous!

And the winner is #28, Estelle!

12 container house

Prior to seeing this home, I don't think that I would have believed you if you told me that I could envy a house made from shipping containers.  I would have been wrong.  I've decided that luxurious living comes in some unsuspecting packages.

Apparently, according to WebUrbanist -  

"There are countless numbers of empty, unused shipping containers around the world just sitting on the shipping docks and taking up space. The reason for this is that it’s too expensive for a country to ship empty containers back to the their origin in most cases, it’s just cheaper to buy new containers from Asia. The result is an extremely high surplus of empty shipping containers that are just waiting to become someone’s home or office.  There are plenty of benefits of to the so-called shipping container architecture model. A few of these advantages include: they are plentiful, they are easily transported, they’re stackable, relatively inexpensive (as little as $900 for a used container), they can be prefabricated, and they’re extremely durable."

So, there's a thought.  

Would you, could you?

{all images via architecture & hygeine}

a pool with a house

There are so many details of this exterior make over that I am loving that I have lost count.  The raised pool, the custom glazed tiles and the village of houses are a good start.  Really it is the pool anchoring the main house, guest house and office.  I love how the yard has been relegated to the side and the pool now serves as a sort of little lake with houses surrounding it.  The deck and ramp serve as dock & pier and the whole effect is really lovely.

Now I want to see inside the house.

{all images via Dwell}

only love can do that

Are we seeking power for power’s sake? Or are we seeking to make the world and our nation better places to live? If we seek the latter, violence can never provide the answer. The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate. So it goes. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

image

Sarah Jane Studios

I am in love with the series, Children around the World, by Sarah Jane Studios.  Sarah is creating a new print each month of 2011 featuring another famous city.  These are the four that are currently available. 

Aren't they charming?  I would love to frame the whole series for Eva's room.

Blue Carrot Shop

If you love all things vintage and kitsch, you have got to go check out Alexandra's Blue Carrot Shop...

It's a treasure trove.

10 things that make Alexandra happy:

who: Alexandra
where: Akron, Ohio
what: Graphic Designer/Treasure Hunter, owner of the Blue Carrot Shop

1. My cat Mozart. She is so adorable, funny and smart that I almost don't mind when she wakes me up at 4am by stepping in my mouth.

2. The Brooklyn Heights Promenade. It is my very favorite place to be, and it may even be magic.

3. The New York Times. Few things compare to sitting alone in a comfy chair or a coffee shop and reading the Sunday Times for hours.

4. Cape Cod. I love every single thing about it.

5. Meryl Streep. I've seen (and own) every one of her movies (and most other performances), slept in Central Park to secure tickets to see the Shakespeare in the Park production of Mother Courage (twice), driven to Princeton overnight to see her speak and paid way too much for a ticket to her Lincoln Center tribute (which I attended sicker than I've ever been). I may be a tad obsessed.

6. Walking for hours.

7. The Naked Gun and Christmas Vacation: "If I woke up tomorrow with my head stapled to the carpet I wouldn't be more surprised than I am right now"

8. Gilmore Girls and Parenthood (aka Lauren Graham).

9. Buying bargain/used books. The Strand bookstore is heaven.

10. My man. He's adorable and smells better than anything else in the world.

 {NYT, walking, the strand}

royal wedding paraphernalia

Is anyone out there getting excited about the royal wedding?  We over here at Wide Open Spaces are just a tad too enthused.  Tawny is planning a 5 am party with friends and I am going to wake my children for a proper English tea as we watch the spectacle unfold.  Both Tawny and I have fond memories of watching William's parents tie the knot.  We're praying for a more blessed union this time around.  Here's a little roundup of some of my favorite items to mark the impending nuptials:

a cheeky, slightly irreverent guide to get you through

commemorative wedding tin this pretty pillow

Royal Wedding Print by Glyn West

William & Kate Paper Dolls

Commemorative Tea Towel by Taylors Type

hand-painted heart dish by Mary Rose Young

adorable mementos by Kath Kidston

for the diehard fans...a knock off engagement ring by Twilight Orange

I think I'm going to settle for this tea towel from Ben Pentreath:

Brook Farm General store

Here are some of my favorite finds from Brook Farm General Store:

stainless steel straws

aluminum lunch box

hammam towels/shawl/throw

France's go-to cookbook

a cool knife

What a fun store.  If Emily and I had a store, I think this would be it.  Em, do you agree?

-Tawny

God of victory CD - a giveaway!

The Village Church in Dallas just released a worship CD called God of Victory.  Its amazing.  I am slightly biased because I go to the church and my husband played bass on the CD, but all that aside, it really is really good.  It's so good that I'm giving away a copy from iTunes.  Just tell me your favorite album (in any genre) in the comments section.  I'll choose a winner next Monday.

-Tawny

hanna anderson has the best baby socks

These are my most favorite baby socks. Really, the only baby socks I like at all. They stay on. All day. And since I don't often put shoes on Henley, I think the white ones look like cute little boots, or sneakers.

- Tawny

embroidered Penguin classics covers

These Penguin Classics book covers, embroidered by Jillian Tamaki, absolutely blow my mind.  The covers wrap around with French flaps:

And just when I thought books were already as good as it gets.

Thanks, Jess!

where laughter falls like lemon drops

{image}

Tawny's baby shower

{this huge diaper cake served as the outdoor centerpiece}

Remember when I shared the invitations for Tawny's baby shower and then promised to come back and share about the actual event.  Yeah, I'm pretty bad at follow up.  But I just came across these photos and decided they were better late than never.  The shower had a woodland theme and though five of us threw the shower, Tawny's sister, Tiffany, was really the visionary behind the whole thing.  Turned out pretty cute, no?

                                                        {baby pictures of Tawny & Cooper flanked the mantle}

                                                 {this wicker bassinette, a gift for Tawny, made for a pretty focal point}

                                                                {little vingettes like this were set up all over the house}

                                     {I was in charge of the gift bags.  Perhaps I'll do another post about their contents}

                                                               {lots of little woodland friends joined us}

                                                {I always forget to photograph the food before it starts getting eaten}

                                                                    {balloon bear at the drink station}

                                                          {Pomegranete champagne, Raspberry tea & water}

                                                                                         {a whirly-pop garden}

                                 {quizzing friends & family on how well they know Tawny, Cooper and all things baby Henley}

                                                       {strawberry cake over chocolate cupcakes.  pick your poison.}

Creative Crush - all things golden

You can go check out my Creative Crush guest post over at Under A Pink Moon....

 - Emily

to live content

{quote spotted on deliajude}

10 things that make Rachel happy:

who: Rachel

where: Los Angeles

what: the blogger behind heart of light and owner of a shop by the same name

1. Useful vintage treasures. I love beautiful things, but I also can't stand clutter. My vintage kitchenware gets used daily, so I feel completely justified in purchasing pieces when I find them. My CatherineHolm nesting bowls and my Dansk Kobenstyle enamelware are my absolute favorites.

2. Black licorice (and licorice allsorts in particular, whenever I can get them).

3. Fresh flowers brighten up the house. I buy them for myself almost weekly and I love picking them out and arranging them.

4. Eggs. Usually poached, but I love them in just about anything.

5. Reading. I read (and re-read old favorites) a lot.

6. Afternoon naps. I only wish that the workplace condoned a 2 - 4 pm siesta. I would be so much more productive.

7. Tea. Black, with milk, no sugar.

8. Good boots. I bought this particular pair as a post-Christmas gift to myself and I've been wearing them non-stop.

9. Baking. I don't get to do enough baking, because it seems silly when there are only two people in our apartment. But I find the whole process soothing and I will bake anytime I have a halfway decent excuse.

10. Our CSA box. I love veggies, but I hate having to make decisions about what to buy and I tend to fall into ruts. Having a box delivered means I don't have to go to the store, we're guaranteed seasonal and local(ish) produce and I get to experiment with new recipes.

{all photo are Rachel's}

3 diy projects with hair pin legs

I have always loved the look of haripin legs as they have the winning rustic/vintage/modern combo.  My friend Jill made a little entry console that I covet every time that I walk into their home.  I, for one, do not believe in coveting, so I try to talk myself out of such things as I make my way to thier front door.  Thus far, it's been a losing battle.

Then recently I came across a these tutorials for hair pin leg projects that:

a) I love.

b) look doable.

c) are super duper cheap.

I may be moving on from coveting to acquisition.  Not exactly overcoming my weaknesses but it's a start.

I spotted this one at the stir.  The whole project cost $109 and that includes using beautiful reclaimed wood.

This desk diy is from For Me, For You and also cost just over $100. 

This dining room table is simple and lovely with clean lines and a great floating affect.  All three of these projects sources their hairpin legs from here.

I am so doing one of these.

-Emily