Posted by KerstinNow that summer has officially started, you are constantly reading about the perfect packing strategy, perfect beach read, perfect hostess gift, etc.
For me, summer is simply the following equation:
+
+
=
Wherever I go, this perfect storm of essentials instantly puts my mind and body to ease. Come to mention it, it would also make "the perfect" hostess gift. (Sorry, just slipped out.)
What does your summer essentials kit include?
Posted by KerstinThis year I am determined to conquer the very thing I attempt each time the weather starts to heat up.
Find that one dress that is stylish, classic, and won't wrinkle or wilt in the sweltering city heat.
It's a tall order, finding one garment that can go from the office (add cardigan) to a dinner out (add dangly earrings), to the beach (add flip-flops), or wear errand-running around town (add shopping bags).
So every time Memorial Day hits, I scour catalogs, web sites, and newly-stocked stores hoping it will be there saying, "Look, over here."
Unfortunately, every Labor Day, I discover the same thing. I have bought way too many throwaway dresses that fit no more than one of the above requirements. And most I never want to see again.
This year, I have come up with a few candidates. Tell me what you think.
And be sure to tell me of any you think could be "the one."
Late Entry: Candidate 4 (I forgot about this one)
Posted by Lisa & RenaWe are so excited this week at Rare Device because we just got a fresh shipment of tote bags from Transylvanian Images. They are a green company that imports hemp bags and other items made by Transylvanian villagers.
The totes are made from vintage grain-sack material that was hand processed, hand spun, and hand woven from organic hemp. The fabric content varies from a makeup of 100 percent hemp to a blend of 80 percent hemp and 20 percent cotton. Best of all, they are machine-washable.
The color options are wonderful. It is a tradition in Transylvania that each village woman weave her fabric with a different stripe color so that she will be able to find her sack at the mill.
Great for beach, farmer’s market, and general toting around, you can find our Transylvanian Images totes in our online shop.
Oops! Sorry for our not-quite-ready-to-go-live post this morning.
We promise to bring this fun DIY project when its good and ready.
Bluelines
Posted by KerstinThere is a well-heeled auction house here in New York called Doyle New York that recently held their estate jewelry sale.
I wasn’t able to attend -- not a huge loss, as the prices were a tad out of reach -- but I loved flipping through the glossy, thick catalog they sent me. The book was filled with tortoise and gold hair combs, platinum and diamond cases, and emerald-incrusted insect brooches to name just a few of the stunning pieces.
A fancy Doyle clip
It started me thinking about a link my friend recently sent me: Carole Tanenbaum -- a vintage jewelry site for those times when I need a hit of the sparkling and refined.
A springy Bakelite bracelet
Surprisingly, I ended up liking the Bakelite and wood sections best. Check it out whether you are in the market to buy or just wander (like me).
Posted by KerstinIf you are still working diligently to file your IRS return, come back and read us when you are done. If you’re finished, here are two great finds:
If you are flush with a return check, think about splurging on a pair of elegant and whimsical flats by designer Loeffler Randall for the spring.
Do you need to tighten you belt due to a looming payment to Uncle Sam? Save some cash by buying some beauty products at Trader Joe's (home of the Two Buck Chuck).
It seems an unlikely place to find pampering goods, but I recently scored a shaving cream as indulgent and effective as any at Kiehl's, as well as a hand wash that recalls a scent from the pricier Molton Brown.
If neither appeals to you, take a few minutes and listen to the Beatles. Always a solid investment.
Posted by ScottSpring is here, and summer is right around the corner which means lots of weekend trips ahead (hopefully!). While I still haven't settled on any destinations, I did find this great duffel bag (on the awesomely-named website, M.P. Karryall) and think I need to have it. At $175, it ain't exactly cheap, but also doesn't entirely break the bank, and just think of how suave I'll look toting it through the airport. For something this cool looking, I think it's pretty reasonable and I might just have to jump on it. (Welcome to my process of buying rationalization.) See y'all at JFK!
Greco duffel bag made from natural canvas and pearl suede
P.S. A tip for you ladies out there: Check out this bag in sapphire blue. Tres chic! (Be sure to read the story behind the bags, as they are highly entertaining.)
Bastet bag in sapphire blue suede
Posted by Christene*Granted, I don't know anyone who has an 8-track player, but I still love the kind of mixes people with 8-tracks used to listen to -- my fantastic mom included. I mean, why is it always Anne Murray and Englebert Humperdink in the 8-tracker collection and not Alice Cooper or The Yardbirds?
Collection of 8-Tracks
*Edtior's Note: Christene is mildly eBay obsessed. In fact, she already blogs about all of the eBay treasures that she may or may not bid on at refinery29. She's going to be blogging about even more vintage eBay crushes on Bluelines every week.
Posted by BluelinesAs promised, Bluelines has undergone a facelift (the fun kind). It might seem subtle but we've made some big additions. Here's a rundown of what's new.
If they're not already drawn there immediately, direct your eyes upward and you'll see six cool new banners by the incredibly talented artist Keith Shore. (More about him later.) We'll be rotating the artist behind our banners every month so if you'd like to be considered or want to suggest someone, please email us.
We've got a new list of contributors who'll be blogging about what inspires them, makes them laugh, and generally makes them weak in the knees. There are a few familiar faces, and a couple of new ones sprinkled in. We hope you come to like them all.
On the top left, we've tweaked our navigation, so play around with it and discover the archived treasures that lie within. Here, you'll find all of the previous Bluelines posts archived.
Navigation button No. 10 deserves a paragraph of its own. We've created a source book full of our favorite websites, blogs, artists, and resources. Here you'll also find all of Blueprint's beloved 100 Reasons To... -- which contain a bevy of links, facts, and inspiration. We'll be adding to that list constantly, so check back often.
You'll also notice that we've created home tours of our favorite Blueprint features. Take a virtual tour of Suzanna Bierwith's Chicago row house, and watch as Sarah Humphreys's tiny Manhattan apartment goes from claustrophobic to chic. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they are also rife with great decorating tips and ideas to steal. And, of course, we'll be adding more of them.
New ideas, a new look, and new contributors -- we hope that's what you've been hankering for.
Just some of what's to come
Posted by Kerstin
Erin's recent post inspired me to start thinking about spring and what its colors mean to me. And although the weather will not drastically change with this Sunday's daylight saving time, I can still start dreaming of fresh-cut lawns and delicate blossoms with the purchase of some Liberty of London cotton fabrics.
These classic English prints are so cheery and whimsical they could turn the grayest, dullest day on its head. I am using the last few weeks of winter to brainstorm what I will do with the fabrics this year.
Since the fabric isn't exactly cheap (Purl has a great selection), I might have to scale down the size of my projects. Perhaps three or four handmade covers to customize otherwise boring, black journals -- perfect make-ahead gifts for a bunch of June birthdays. I might even have some left over to make myself a set of mismatched coasters to set out at my Preakness party.
Calico & Ivy's assortment pack of Liberty fabrics
And this assortment pack sold by Calico & Ivy has inspired me to possibly attempt a nap-friendly blanket for my 2-year-old goddaughter. I figure she can always make it into a mini skirt when she gets too old for a "woobie."
More Liberty prints after the jump--->
