{frolic!}

happy new year!

I know 2009 was rough for a lot of people, so here's to a brighter 2010 and a brand new decade! Happy New Year, everyone! 

Image from Erin Templeton via Modish + Mary Ruffle.

alt design summit

Are any of you attending the Alt Design Summit? It's a conference just for design bloggers and I think it's going to be loads of fun (I'll be attending and also on one of the panels).  I am most excited about meeting some of my favorite bloggers, face to face but I am also excited to learn some new stuff. It's at the end of January in Salt Lake City (during Sundance!) and if you sign up before January, you get $50 off the registration. You should do it!

2009 work + projects in review

Here are some of my favorite projects (some just for fun + some for work) in 2009. I feel really grateful for the creative opportunities I've had this year and the people I've had the chance to collaborate with. After spending several years cooped up in a cubicle it felt good to unleash a bit of creativity. I still have a long way to grow and a lot to learn, but I am having fun. Thanks for sharing it with me.

 

January. A Winter Picnic at Luscher Farm with friends + Polaroids. More here.

March. Prop + Set styling for a dreamy shoot with Elizabeth Dye, Twigs & Honey, + Lisa Warninger. (Photo by Lisa Warninger)

 

April. A lilac + khaki table for Project Wedding.

 

May. An English bouquet of viburnum, hellebores, lily of the valley, and strawberry flowers.

 
 

June. I started Urban Weeds: Street Style from Portland with photographer Lisa Warninger. (photo by Lisa Warninger).

 

September. A geranium flower arrangement for Once Wed. (Photo by Lisa Warninger)

 

Aug- Nov. (OK, not really a project, but a highlight and definitely an inspiration!) Living in Sweden. Photo from this house tour.

 

October. Photo-shooting around Crete with my friend Amber. The Catholic garden was a highlight. More here. Returning to Greece after 10 years and being able to share it with my sister and dear friend Jenny was also a personal highlight.

October. A Simple Wedding in Santorini for Project Wedding. This was one of my all-time favorite projects. Of course, it helped that we were in Fira and there was a cute French boy on set.

 

December. Began a comfort food series with my genius of cook, sister, Elizabeth. Hopefully this won't result in too many additional pounds!

Thank you so much for sharing so many projects and moments with me this year!

new years table

I love the styling of this table. Last New Years I had a cozy get together in my apartment and decorated in all white, with lots of candles and Mostly Martha playing in the background (because I love all the white in that movie:).

By Sofie Lawett via Olivet.

comfort food #3

 
I am not usually a cake person but this Caramel Tangelo Cake is almost custard-like, I can't resist it. Full recipe and instructions here.

Recipe by Elizabeth Fuss. Photo by Me. More recipes here.

pinhole camera

 

We don't get really big into gifts and usually just draw names, but one of the gifts I received this year was homemade and very special. My nine year-old nephew made this pinhole camera for me. Hopefully I can get some shots with it soon. Learn how to make your own right here. How was your Christmas?

on film: when the wind blows

Tamara Muth-King is probably one of my all-time favorite photographers. Her work is not only beautiful, but emotive. As both a fan of her work and a lover of Super 8, I couldn't resist posting this clip. It takes me to another world.

bright + airy kitchen

I love the spacious, fresh feel of this kitchen balanced with the wood table and chairs. Cooking here would be a treat!

Photo by Jonas Ingerstedt via Emmas Design Blog.

project wedding: diy bouquet

 

I used to think waxflowers were just ugly grocery store flowers but once the pinkish buds are removed, and the flowers are arranged in mass, they look like little fruit blossoms. Read my article about making your own waxflower bouquet over at Project Wedding. 

 

If you are getting married and doing your own flowers, waxflowers are inexpensive (you can get a lot of milelage out of one bunch!), wilt-resistant, and quite charming, I think.

art in the age

  

Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction carries a spot-on collection of those classic, low-key styles, so many of us love. You'll find: a snug-fitting toggle coat, the perfect leather satchel, easy tops sewn from plaid and pretty high waisted skirts that look like something Rachel from Glee might sport. 

I love the balance of the utilitarian twill fabric with the wee bit of gold in these two pieces. Just enough sparkle for a natural girl like me.

Via Lucky Magazine ( a great issue this month!).