Crispy Creative

These cookies are off the chain. They're like something Deborah Foreman would eat after Barbizon modeling lessons back in the '80s. I don't even want to eat them; I want to collect them and trade them like stickers. I met Danielle Cheek (the woman who makes these) at First Thursdays and she is just as charming and fun as the cookies she creates.

Love Ashbery

I'm drawn to the narrative quality of these works by poet John Ashbery, who recently had his first gallery show at age 81. The figures in his collages seem like intrepid little adventurers in their own upside-down, fairytale worlds. Even though Mr. Ashbery's main focus in life has been poetry, he has been creating collage as a hobby since the 1940s.

Bathroom Bunnies

If you ever shop at Room Service here in Austin, you simply must go to the bathroom. They have this insane bunny collection covering every surface. It's a real mind-bender. Whenever I see this collection it really brings Easter to life, no matter the time of year. 

Biomorphic Birdwatching

I've been exploring the outer reaches of the interwebs and I've come back to bring you Sugarloop. This inspired collection of prints, by artist Bernadette Sipkes of New Zealand, provides a wonderfully whimsical interpretation of Mother Nature's wonders.

Packaging Circa 1970

This shiny object was found in my TA desk on campus, where it seems to have languished for decades (it's still full of paperclips). I like the way the stylized image of a paperclip is integrated into the overall design. The colors, the typeface, and the logo were all carefully laid out. Even the registered trademark is neatly centered above the "o".

Mid-Century Modernist Mosaics

Clever Container Cultivation

I think succulents are my favorite plants. They're like little flowers that never fade. They're easy to maintain and easy to propagate, and they look great in containers.




The garden above belongs to my neighbor down the street. I haven't met her yet but I really want to talk to her about her garden. I love how the Southwestern pottery compliments the colors and textures of the plants. The images below are from Flora Grubb Gardens in San Francisco, where they make these eye-catching wall hangings out of succulents.

Triumphant Typefaces

One of the first things I noticed when I moved to Austin were the wonderful old signs on all the mid-century apartment buildings. These simple painted wood cut outs have an arresting visual impact and imbue the structures they adorn with an added sense of style and pride. It's as if they're saying "we might be apartments but we're still upper middle class, thank you very much."

What Spring Is Like on Mars.

Matte Stephens is an artist and illustrator living in Portland, Oregon. His Etsy shop provides a window into his wacky, wonderful world. Matte's paintings and sculptures cover a range of subjects, but I find myself drawn to his birds in particular. These enchanting, whimsical feathered friends project enough space age optimism to fuel a day-trip to the moon.

Wild for Walnut Wallpaper

If you're looking to put your taste on display in a big way, check out Walnut Wallpaper's curated collection of chic wall coverings. Everything in their collection feels very fun and carefree. The foil paper, in particular, really takes me there. Looking at these, I feel transported to another place and time (where I don't have to worry about anything).

A Touch of Tall Cotton

Local interior designer, Kimberly Renner, did this charming house in Austin's Hyde Park neighborhood that was featured in Austin Monthly Home recently. The thing that's great about this interior is the way the charcoal gray walls and ceiling lend drama and make the white furnishings and trim really pop. I also enjoy the eclecticism in the choice of pieces that Renner effortlessly blends to create a fresh and fabulous environment.

Uptown Backyard

Today I visited one of my favorite shops here in Austin, Uptown Modern. The owner, Jean Heath, is very friendly and she has a wealth of knowledge in addition to her yummy selection of mid-century antiques. I especially love the shop's selection of patio furniture (shown here). I can really picture myself creating a great outdoor chill-out space, where I can relax with all my friends while we listen to yacht rock.

Cozy Collage Community

Today I found this great blog focused on collage called Not Paper. The blog's creator, Aprile Elcich, is a Canadian graphic design student who only recently started sharing her passion for collage online and she already has an amazing group of loyal readers and contributing artists.




She also has this great monthly feature where she commissions artists to create downloadable iPhone and desktop wallpaper (pictured below). (If you know of any other great places to get free wallpaper, please let me know).

Dream Sequence: Austin

If you've never been to Austin, Texas, it's hard to describe the spirit of this magical little town. It really has a distinct look and feel that is unlike any other place. Being here is like splitting a six-pack with your best friend on a lazy summer day with nothing on your mind except taking a walk down to the shady swimming hole.

Here are some photos I've taken over the last few months that attempt to capture the mood of this special place. (If you have pictures of Austin that you'd like to share, please send them to me; I'll be posting more in the future).

Shiny Objects: Zoological Throw Pillows

These pillows from Areaware are a major cute overload. They're just begging me to take them home. I really want to feed carrots to the deer.

California Memories: The Nut Tree

Anyone who grew up in Northern California before the 1990s probably remembers the Nut Tree. It was a very popular roadside attraction on the Interstate between San Francisco and Sacramento. Constructed in phases between 1952 and 1971, the whimsical and unapologetically modern architecture was a testament to post-World War II optamisim. The main dining room with its soaring aviary was designed by Dreyfuss & Blackford and the gift shop sold Eames furniture in its heyday. Sadly, the comlex fell to the wrecking ball in 1996 to make way for a soulless outlet mall. But in my mind's eye and in the hearts of others, it remains as spirited and real as ever.