51.

It’s almost the New Year!

Besides New Years Eve, (which is just an excuse to buy a sparkly, shiny dress. My top choice right now is this one. With black tights and booties–yes!)  fresh starts, and champagne, the best part about the coming of a new year is buying a new calendar.

It’s been quite vexing.

Here are my top 5 choices:

1. A 2010 Lunar Calendar Created by Alec Thibodeau

I love how it glows in the dark…

(photos via Tiny Showcase)

2. UrbnCal 2010 Stockholm by jollygoodfellow

Such a clever calendar…each number of each month is a photograph taken on the streets of Stockholm.

Love the look of this.

(photos via the Supermarket)

3. The Wild Unknown Year of Feathers Calendar

Saw this on Design Sponge. I’m a sucker for anything with feathers…

(photo via The Wild Unknown)

4. Illustrated Calendar by leahduncan on Etsy

I like calendars that are set up this way…and aren’t her illustrations darling? I’d love to put this up on a big corkboard somewhere.

5. Pentagram Typographic Calendar

Had to do it. It’s becoming such a classic. And I’ve always loved these.

It might end up becoming my calendar by default if I can get my dad to give me one for free…

50.

Aren’t these pretty?

They were on the Etsy homepage today.

(from studiopowerflower on Etsy)

I love that they don’t really use the traditional red and green combo–but they’re still so completely and utterly Christmas-y.

They’re pretty girly, but I’d love to use them as Christmas cards this year.

49.

I read a truly excellent article from the New York Times’ T Magazine this afternoon, and I really wanted to share it.

It was all about the re-emergence of American style. I love the author’s definition and discussion of what differentiates American design from the design produced by the rest of the world.

More often than not, American design is based on practicality. We design things to do a certain job, and to do that job well.  I love the example of jeans. Denim started as workwear–valued for its durability and comfort. Same with Converse–which started as a simple solution to a basketball shoe.

I was especially struck by this quote:

“And there we have it: the secret spiritual promise, traceable to our nation’s religious origins, that subtly underlies American style and fuels its resurgent allure. American style whispers of a day when all will be attractive, healthy and competent, when style as we know it — that urge to differentiate — will finally prove obsolete because all will be equal, idols every one.”

I think that most people can identify with that subtle, underlying desire. Whether you’d like to admit it or not.

I love this ad. It might sound cliché, but I feel like they really captured the essence of American spirit.

It’s a feeling that I think even the most cynical citizen loves and appreciates.

Don’t you feel inspired and kind of wild after watching it?

48.

I love buttons, don’t you? They’re like mini works of art.

I actually did a report on buttons in the fifth grade. I think I just wanted an excuse to glue a bunch of buttons to a posterboard.

This Etsy shop has the best vintage buttons.

I’d buy them all but I can’t figure out what to do with them yet…

47.

After an extremely lazy Saturday morning of bagels and weekend television, the boyfriend and I decided to get off our couch and actually do something.

Nothing too strenuous mind you. We were still digesting our Thanksgiving leftovers.

So we ventured up to the Fillmore to wander for a bit.

I finally went into Nest, on Fillmore and Clay, which I had heard SO much about.

Look what I found!

I must to go back and buy it

I was so excited.

The store is put together beautifully. I kept on saying: “This is exactly what I want my house to look like.”

I loved their custom chandeliers. Shaped just like little nests...

Rich, gorgeous colors. So much thought and detail. I love the lighting and all the little nooks and crannies.

Beautiful jewelry display. Doesn't it look like something you'd find in someone's closet?

 

 

I want this bedspread SO BAD

I could’ve stayed in there for hours…

Cute little desk display with books etc...

I was a huge fan of these tapestries. Kind of Marrimekko-esque but I don't know who they're by...

Bookshelf display with lots of treasures

Definitely worth a trip to the Fillmore.

I liked wandering around in there…but for now, all of these things will have to go on my “when I finally get rich” list.

46.

I love underwater photography. Everything looks so serene…

Here are my favorites:

Photo by Zena Holloway

I see lights by Elena Kalis

Photo by Elena Kalis

Photo by Elena Kalis

It really reminds me of being younger. You know how when you’re little, you could spend all day in the pool? I did underwater tea parties, underwater gymnastics, and I had about 20 different mermaid personas. It was a perfect summer day if I had spent three hours playing sharks and minnows with my sister in the pool.

It’s so quiet under the water. It always feels kind of magical.

Does that make sense?

45.

Finally!  I got ahold of my camera cord so I can share some photos from my trip to Mexico.

I was in Punta Mita for four days on a press trip for the magazine. I had never been to Mexico before (I know, so embarrassing for a California girl) so this was really a first for me.

It was absolutely amazing. Nothing can beat waking up to the view of perfect, sky blue water and bleach white sand.

Here’s a glimpse into my little business trip, in 10 of my favorite photos:

From the left: The beach at the Four Seasons, and my favorite breakfast on the balcony of my room

 

The view from the cliff at the Four Seasons where we had cocktails, Dinner on the beach with sample menu from Ketsi by Richard Sandoval

Private residence in Porta Fortuna, dessert from our Ketsi beach dinner

A cove at the Marietta Islands where I went snorkeling, the view from one of the hot tubs at the St. Regis

The view from the St. Regis lobby, the bathtub from heaven in my suite at the St. Regis

This trip left me feeling truly rejuvenated.

I like how people have such a different perspective on life in Mexico than in the US. A lot of people I talked to said that when you move there, you get on “Mexican Time.” It’s about savoring the moment. It was so refreshing–I need to start doing that more.

 

 

44.

Did you know Vanessa means butterfly in Greek? It’s one of my favorite things about my name.

Needless to say, I was kind of butterfly obsessed when I was younger.

The obsession still exists, but I like to think it’s more refined.

I knew a girl in middle school who was terrified of butterflies. I always thought that was so sad–I think it’s hard not to appreciate their simple yet complex beauty.

Clockwise from top left: Butterfly painting by Osso, Photo by Irene Suchocki Photography, Interiors shot from Decor8, Photo by Julcha on Flickr

 

 

 

 

43.

I’ve been very into all things French lately. I’ve even been considering whipping out my beret.

I’m not totally sure why, it might be because of the book I’ve been reading (The Elegance of the Hedgehog. I highly recommend), which is set in Paris.

Or the fact that I’m going to Paris in TWO MONTHS!

Here are some French things I like:

 

Via parisdailyphoto.com

 

Isn't this cute? via Oh Joy!

La Tour Eiffel stationary set, from petiteparis.net

Paris Je T'Aime Japanese poster, via www.lolita.se

Paper dolls from Zoe de Las Cases via petiteparis.net

I just feel like Paris is everything  that is thoughtful, detailed, elegant, and softly feminine.

42.

I know I just put up that Thomas Edison quote a little bit ago, but this was in a NY Times article I read today.

I liked the way it made me think, so I wanted to share it.