Object of Desire: United Nations Stamps

Who doesn't love snail mail? An old fashioned, hand-written letter is one my favorite things in the world. They feel so personal and are inherently a considered notion. I have a collection of stationary I've kept over the years (along with wax seals!), so I think a new book of stamps might be next. I love these stamps artists created for the United Nations over the years. The stamps below are vintage, but the UN Postal Administration began issuing souvenir books last month. Buy them here. 

Watch This: National Geographic Augmented Reality

I LOVE THIS! This is such fantastic marketing by National Geographic for people to interact with their brand. They hooked up with a company called Appshaker, and using the principles of augmented reality, people in Hungary were able to immerse themselves in surreal situations. Such a cool idea. Watch it below, or here.

Style Guide: Cinza Araia

New (to me) designer. I love, and think I may need, these boots. Too bad she currently only has shops in Tokyo and Milan. Below is her mission for her 2012 collection. Keep an eye on this one and view more here.

"Continues the research on shapes, volumes and designs

through the overlapping of different and outdated materials. 

Innovative techniques liven up elaborate and suggestive creations, 

even when street-styles and male looks inspired.

The color palette rarely moves away from the rigor of black, 

although it embrace deep shades ranging from brown to grey. 

The collection spirit remains the expression of the fantastic game of decomposition and composition, 

aimed to the representation of a dreamy woman, almost an alien one."

Read This: When The Words Don't Fit

I stumbled across this New York Times article on modern love while drinking my French-pressed Stumptown coffee before my kettlebell class this morning. I highly recommend. Read it here.

*image via bippity boppity boo

Object of Desire: adidas by Stella McCartney

Whether it's a walk through Saks Fifth Avenue or adidas, there's not much Stella McCartney can design that I wouldn't wear. I've always been a Lulu Lemon snob when it comes to my workout wear, but I definitely need some of these pieces. My favorites? Those bright blue running tights with loop detail at the calf, and that super comfy looking white tank (hello, Christmas list!). The super chic asymmetrical zip jackets are pretty awesome, too. Shop here.

Watch This: Eames, The Architect & The Painter

Today I took a field trip with my company to the Eames House in the Pacific Palisades, California. Nestled in the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean was the famous design couple's home and studio they built and designed in the 1940's. Not usually open to the public, we were given a private tour of the interior of the home!

It was pretty special to be able to see it, and perfect timing for the new Eames film that's coming out November 18. I can't wait to see this! Watch the trailer below, or here, and read more about the Eames House here.

Object of Desire: Alexander Wang Cardigan

I've been searching for the perfect versions of a couple of fall staples and I can now check one off the list! This Alexander Wang chunky cardigan will look super chic with tailored black ankle pants and flats. I love Alexander Wang's neutral palette. Shop The Outnet here. 

*image via the outnet

Watch This: Murmuration

Wow! I've never seen anything quite like this. Two canoers were able to capture one of natures greatest and most fleeting phenomena. Kudos to the girl behind the camera, Liberty Smith, for such controlled camera work. Take a look below, or for my RSS feed viewers, watch it here.

Object of Desire: Baggu Does Leather

Just in from Baggu, the classic ripstop nylon reusable shopping bags have gone leather! While the concept isn’t new (there have been Japanese variations floating around), love the direction Baggu keeps evolving beyond what you can stash everything from groceries to random shopping in. In addition to the new leather small and regular sized Baggus, they've also launched leather pouches in two sizes. Shop here!

Edition01: The Next Best Thing To Happen To Your Closet

One of my favorite weekly reads is Wall Street Journal's "Off Duty" section. This past Sunday they did a feature on a new shopping website for women called Edition01. It's not open to the public yet, but luckily, I was able to take a sneak peek at what they have to offer. Here's the deal:

"Edition01 is curated style. We collaborate with the most talented fashion designers to create limited edition collections of their quintessential pieces. We commission every item with the idea of creating a perfectly edited wardrobe, just what you need, and exactly what you want. We admire quality, workmanship, new world global influences and old world attention to detail. And just like a limited edition work of art, each item is hand-numbered and made exclusively for Edition01. We’re putting luxury back on its pedestal, but just high enough so you can reach it." - Edition01

And who am I to stop them? I'm all for companies that value craftsmanship and have an eye for good style. My first finds were these beautiful fox fur vests. But let's be honest, I'll be buying the cheaper version in downtown Manhattan when I'm back home in New York for Christmas. Get on their waiting list here. 

Object of Desire: "Little America" Backpack

Herschel Supply Company pulled their inspiration from classic mountaineering to create this timeless "Little America" backpack. A little too masculine for me to wear, but if I were one of my guy readers (Walt) I'd totally buy this. Shop here. 

Make This: Spiced Pecan Pumpkin Bread

I have a work halloween party tomorrow for which I made these delectable mini pumpkin pecan cupcakes. Since I've been learning how to cook, I went a little crazy at Williams-Sonoma a couple of weeks ago and in the midst of my shopping spree, picked up this amazing bread mix. I don't actually love baking, mostly because I'd much rather eat something savory, but these muffin/cupcakes/bread bites are too good not to try. They're. So. Good. 

The mini cupcake trays are perfect for these since I topped them with a very sweet (homemade!) cream cheese frosting. I actually prefer them without the frosting, so I'll be sure to make this as a bread next time for a warm fall breakfast, or as a treat after Thanksgiving dinner. Recipe below, and buy the mix here. 

        

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Line cupcake well with papers

In a large bowl, combine mix, 8 tbs (1 stick) melted unsalted butter, 1 cup of water and 2 eggs

Mix until smooth

Divide batter among cupcake sheets and baked for about 20-25 minutes

Let cool for about 30 minutes before frosting

Cream Cheese Frosting:

In a large bowl, beat together 3 tbs unsalted butter and 8 oz of cream cheese, both at room temperature

Then beat in 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

*images by peek of perfection

Travel Season Has Arrived

Okay, so maybe I haven't stopped traveling all that much. A big reason I moved to LA in the first place (other than taking a shiny new job) was to live and explore somewhere new. Since I arrived in California last summer I've made it my mission to see everything I can. So far this year I've been to some amazing places- Palm Springs, Napa and Sonoma Valleys, San Francisco, Portland (Oregon- not Maine), Mammoth Lakes for some California-style powder skiing, and of course, back home to New York and Nantucket. But there's still so much to see! From now until March, I have one trip planned per month all around the West Coast. That's right, one a month. The most exciting of them are probably the two ski trips to Vail, Colorado and Park City, Utah. I'm so looking forward to seeing the good friends that will be there with me. Travel season has arrived!

*image via kate spade new york

Object of Desire: Best Made's Horn Whiskey Tumblers

As you can probably tell from most everything I post, bright, intrusive colors are not my thing. I'd much rather surround myself in a 'nest' of sorts- a soft, comfortable space with an easy-on-the-eyes color palette  of whites, creams and natural wood elements. With that said, these Ankole cattle horn tumblers are right up my alley. From one of the coolest companies I know, shop Best Made here. 

*image via best made company

Object of Desire: Grey Flannel Vans

I love grey. It's a color that transcends all seasons, always looks effortless and is just plain cool. I'm not much into grunge, and I put Vans in that category, but I love these! I couldn't help it. I'd pair these with white jeans, obviously! Shop here. 

*image via nicekicks

Style Guide: Fall Favorites

It's Ocsnowber! Well, it is if you live in or around New York City. My family and friends had a very unwelcome snow storm this weekend while I enjoyed 80 degree sun in the desert. But, I have to say I'm a little jealous. I really love bundling up with tights, boots and sweaters. Alas, here are some fall favorites to get you through the fall season that never happened on the east coast, and inherently doesn't exist here in LA. Shop below!

1. Rag and Bone Floppy Brim Fedora. Shop here. 

2. Stella McCartney Geometric Diamond Dress. Shop here. 

3. Fogal Grey Himalaya Tights. Shop here. 

4. See by Chloe Leather Moccasin Ankle Boots. Shop here. 

5. Mulberry Alexa Satchel. Shop here. 

Currently Listening To: Fall 2011 Playlist

Let's talk music. Every once in a while I get completely frustrated with my music library and go on a downloading spree (Spotify is amazing for this). My college-friend-turned-hipster-friend, Russ, in Brooklyn, shares my love for melodic singer songwriters and gave me some suggestions. Below is what I've been listening to. I highly recommend each of these albums- they're on shuffle in my earbuds/car/apartment!

clockwise from top left: 

Feist "Metals"

Charli XCX "Stay Away"

Youth Lagoon "The Year of Hibernation"

Kurt Vile "Smoke Ring For My Halo"

Real Estate "Real Estate"

Wilco "The Whole Love"

Object of Desire: Royal Rose Syrups

I found these yummy syrups over at Cup of Joe. The perfect way to spruce up some cocktails for the upcoming holiday drinking season! Plus, the packaging is adorable and would look great on your bar cart. Shop here. 

Object of Desire: Rodarte Prom T-Shirt

I'm loving this grungy Rodarte 'prom' t-shirt from Opening Ceremony. I need a good tee to wear with skinny jeans and black leather booties. I think this might be it! Shop Opening Ceremony here. 

*image via opening ceremony

Travel Guide: Portland

I went to Portland, Oregon to visit my childhood friend Claire this past weekend and fell in love with it! We explored a lot of downtown, drank so many local beers, ate at amazing local eateries and caught up on the past year and half of us both living on the west coast post-bars on her back porch drinking wine by the fire. Unexpectedly, I ended up seeing some family and friends that I didn't plan to, which was also wonderful. In leaving, I knew I would be planning my next trip back there soon. There's so much to do and we didn't get to half of it.

Claire would laugh at these images. Why? Because we did NOT go hiking, and we definitely did not go camping (although those are two things she enjoys and does frequently). I, on the other hand, do not! Still, these images conjure the spirit of how beautiful Portland felt to me.

*images via bippity boppity boo