the haystack needle

purl soho knitting class

Yesterday, I found myself daydreaming about an island vacation. It's partly because I never got in any quality sink-your-feet-in-sand beach time this past summer. But today, I decided I need to embrace the cooler days ahead. I've been wanting to learn how to knit for years. My mom and a few friends know how to knit (and I'm sure would be happy to get me started), but it seems there's never enough time for a true formal lesson. And that's what I'm wanting — a real primer on knitting. So I checked out Purl Soho's site and am planning to call later today and book myself into one of their beginner knitting classes. I feel like it's the perfect early Christmas gift to myself — and a way to get myself excited about the long winter ahead. 

Image: Purl Soho Knitting Photo Gallery

world's smallest postal service

I've been having a rough week. And without even knowing this, two people gave me the most fantastic surprises this week. My brother Steve surprised me with a purple orchid, which I absolutely love (and am hoping to keep alive — any tips welcome!). It's now sitting pretty on my bedroom dresser. And my friend Rebecca sent me a letter using the World's Smallest Postal Service. It's quite possibly the cutest thing I've ever received in the mail. I've heard about these tiny letters and packages, and let me tell you, it was so fun to open and read. I highly recommend sending one of these wax sealed miniature letters (that comes with a folding magnifier so you can read the teeny type) to anyone who's been having a hard time. Or in my case, surprise someone you know just cause. I guarantee it will make their day. Hope you have a weekend full of lovely surprises. 

nightwood ghost line

I just saw an email pop in my inbox about Nightwood's new collection. I'm in love (as usual, really everything designed by Nadia and Myriah seems to call my name.) Nadia describes their Ghost line of furniture, textiles, and artwork as a collection inspired by a few found early American pieces — the Ghosts. The Ghost line combines modern lines with diluted colors and primitive techniques like tea dyeing and weaving. I can't wait to see more!

Nightwood is hosting a preview of their Ghost line this Thursday from 7-9pm at their pop-up shop (be@schermerhorn buillding on Livingston between Hoyt and Smith in Brooklyn.) I'm about ready to have the talented Nadia of Nightwood work her reupholstery magic on my loveseat, so I'm hoping to get a sneak peek at the Ghost Line when I pop by the shop this week to talk fabrics. Sadly, I'll miss the opening as I have a family commitment, but you should definitely stop by if you're in the area.

Photograph: Nightwood

gifted magazine

It seems that this is the year of the online magazine. While I still find the reading format of online magazines rather hard to dive into and relish like a glossy, it's refreshing to see some truly quality content out there. I spent most of my evening last night going through Gifted Magazine. Ez of Creature Comforts is the creator behind this lovely online publication, and I have to say it is simply impressive. There's a mix of interesting interviews with creatives, DIY projects (I want to make the paper mache sailboat!), and a gorgeous gift guide that opened me up to a bunch of new sources and finds (including the shop Redefine Home and their antiqued silver recycled beer bottles, below, that are reborn as votive holders.) I liked the clean layout of the pages, and the photography is fantastic. There's so much to take away from Gifted — I highly recommend a read.

Images: Gifted Magazine

 

shop pod

I stumbled upon this lovely curated Big Cartel shop, Pod, and it turns out there's also a charming boutique in Brookline Village, Massachusetts, by the same name. A few favorites from the Pod collection: the boysenberry-blue-gray color palette of this Kerry Cassill quilt, faux bois soap, beeswax tealights, wire bushels, cotton twine, grain sack cushions, and everything by Fog Linen.

Images: shop-pod

mosaic house cement tile

I'm hooked on a TV show. And it's not Glee or Mad Men (I'll admit I'm one of three people who have never watched an episode of either show.) Nope, it's Dear Genevieve on HGTV. I tend to hate most makeover shows because they easily go to cheesy themes or paint walls orange just for theatrics. This show is different. Genevieve Gorder really listens to the homeowners issues and she blends decorating styles in an effortless way so the rooms don't look contrived or stiff but incredibly warm and homey. I'm also partial to Genevieve's boho vintage style that she brings into her designs — there's typically at least one gorgeous perfectly-worn vintage piece that's brought into the room to add some character so everything isn't new. I always want to steal that piece! But it's the cement tile that I've been obsessing over. I spied this green lattice cement tile (used as an amazing kitchen backsplash) in the last episode I watched and had to find out where the tile is from. With a little research, I discovered the tile is from the Mosaic House. Genevieve has used cement tiles in a few of her designs, which I really love. Below, a couple other patterns that caught my eye. These patterned cement tiles are both rough and beautiful, earthy and dramatic, cottage and modern, and I dream of living in a house with them someday. 

baby girl birth announcements

My dear friend Jenn just had a beautiful baby girl, and she asked me for recommendations on where to find birth announcements. The biggies Tiny Prints and Minted, both with their designer collaborations, are always easy go-to shops for custom stationery – and each site has so many affordable options for birth announcements. (I particularly love this, this, this, this and this design.) Then I tapped into Oh So Beautiful Paper, as Nole has done an incredible job of categorizing gorgeous paper finds (with an entire announcements section.) From there, I found Wiley Valentine's collection of custom birth announcements. Here are a few examples that I love from their designs. 

Images: Wiley Valentine