collections : sticks and stones.

1. Long Handled Tasting Spoon Set ($38, currently out-of-stock), 2. Binchotan Pumice Stone ($14), 3. Faceted Chunky Stone Bracelet ($110), 4. Moustache Pencils ($14), 5. tree ring holder ($9.95), 6. Pierres Graphiques 2011 ($100), 7. Handmade Scottish Stoneware Salt and Pepper Pinch Pot (£4.50), and 8. Woerther 3 mm Wooden Pencil ($39.90)

a kitchen gallery.

One of my favorite things when redecorating my home (which I am in the process of right now) is figuring out the art to go on the walls of each room. Today I am working on the kitchen, a place where I want to be spending more time in, but I am realizing that none of the illustrations and photography prints I own seem to work right in there. And so, I am dreaming of a wall of perfect food-related kitchen art that I could look at every day while baking, cooking, and drinking my coffee. I think a collection is in the making...

1. Tea Revives You - Red (£18), 2. A Good Egg is Hard to Find Print 8x10 ($16), 3. Chocolat Print ($60), 4. Maxine ($250), 5. Heather Amuny-Dey Apple Bird Print ($40), 6. Cupcake equation Print 8 x 11.5 ($20), and 7. Lumberjack Breakfast. Limited edition 11x14 print by Matte Stephens ($45)

collections : cotton candy and bubble gum.

Sometimes I just can't help but adore candy-colored pieces...

1. Paradise Blue Vintage Eyeglasses Frame ($29), 2. Reconditioned Pink Target 746 Telephone (£95), 3. Park View in Pink, 8x10 Metallic Photo Matted to 11x14, Edition of 50 ($55), 4. snowball mittens ($65), 5. limited edition panton chair ($260), 6. Alessi Kaj Watch ($110), 7. ballerina dress kelp copper ($295), and 8. modestly mavellous mug, ls dot block old blue (£10)

apparel & accessories collection : seeing the world...

...in black and white.

1. Paw Stripe Tee ($176), 2. How-Tie ($18). 3. Shell and leather necklace ($315), 4. Natalie One-Piece ($148), 5. Black Pearl Collar Top (£38), 6. Black and White Fingerless Wool Gloves, Missoni (£95), 7. Tokyo Bay Petticoat Watch ($80), and 8. park avenue perfection polka dot dress ($40.99)

collections : a clean slate.

It is the beginning of a new year, which means a fresh start and blank canvas...

1. Keel's Simple Diary Volume One (brown) ($15), 2. tacktile message board ($29.95), 3. Mini Goals Chalkboard - After Tea - Foamy ($37), 4. Slate & Teak Tray ($54), 5. 2011 Wall Planner (£14), 6. One Year Of White Pages ($38), 7. Miquelrius Diplomat Notebooks ($4.50-$10), and 8. Blank Nesting Dolls ($12)

guest post : (inspired by) stephin merritt & the magnetic fields.

(The following post is by a new Design is Mine contributor, my dear friend Christopher Williams. From time-to-time, he will be posting his favorites for style and design inspiration. Hooray for finally having a male guest blogger!)




To celebrate the release of "Strange Powers", the documentary about Stephin Merritt and his band The Magnetic Fields, I've chosen some items that (to me) carry a touch of Mr. Merritt's personality and signature themes that run through his songs.

Pour yourself a nice stiff drink, que up your favorite ABBA vinyl, and enjoy.

1. 69 Love Songs Vinyl Boxset ($99.98), 2. Chaplin ($38), 3. Original Gin, 4. Yes, a Voyage to the Moon is Possible! ($49.99), 5. Mandolin -10 different woods ($1200), 6. Greeting Card, Just Arrived in New York City ($4.95), 7. THE MAGNETIC FIELDS ($25) and 8. Stephin (price unknown)

thirty stocking stuffers.

1. 172 things 'to do' ($6), 2. Vintage Post Earrings- Coral Rose ($24), 3. Pink Marilyn Monroe Tall Ceramic Latte Mug ($18.50), 4. Cream Lace Edge Umbrella (£12), 5. MONOGRAM SATCHETS ($18), 6. Thomas Paul Ms. Kitty Doll Pillow ($24), 7. APOTHECARY SOAP SET ($22), 8. macarons ($19-$36), 9. Cassette Lighter ($30), 10. Cap Gun ($10), 11. Am Notebook ($5), 12. SMALL OVAL KEYCHAINS ($10), 13. Hopes and Dreams Notebook ($15.99), and 14. Handmade Paper Bunting (£9.50)


15. Recipe Cards - Bunnies & Squirrels ($8), 16. Set of 3 Moisturising Lip Polishes ($28), 17. Grey Ashley ($12), 18. Postalco A6 & A7 Cotton Notebook ($19), 19. snow day mittens ($22), 20. Cat Eye Sunglasses Sleeping Mask ($25), 21. Pipe Brooch ($30), 22. Thinking To Some Purpose Pelican Mug (£9.95), 23. Darling Deer Coin Purse ($12), 24. String Notebook ($5), 25. iphone 3g hard cover ($40), 26. Crazylibellule's Les Garçonnes Collection Hommage à Gabrielle ($18), 27. FAMILY MONEY CARD HOLDER ($12), 28. Crocheted Sand Dollar Specimen ($15), 29. CDG 8 88 Candle 150g (£48), and 30. Otis Batterbee Travel Eye Mask - Shirt Check (£28)

collections : (inspired by) mad men.

Due to the fact that I am throwing a Man Men-inspired holiday party this weekend, it seemed only fitting to create a collection influenced by the show. Oh, Mad Men, you are one stylish program.

1. 1952 Smith-Corona 'Sterling' Portable Typewriter (£645), 2. Tidy Plaid 60s Wiggle Dress ($60), 3. eames soft pad group - management chair ($1,849), 4. 1960s Rototherm Teak Cased Desk or Wall Thermometer (£210), 5. Red with Black Stripe ($88), 6. New York ($19.99), 7. vintage 1960s CAMEL wool car coat ($58), and 8. 1956/66 Bakelite Telephone GPO 312L (£575)

five holiday party ensembles.

Ahh yes, the time of year for fabulous holiday soirées. With already two that I know I am attending this month, I am quite ready to eat, drink, and be merry. And of course, have girlish daydreams of the perfect party ensembles...


1. Floats Your Fancy Dress ($104.99), 2. take a chance necklace ($75), 3. Black Glitter Floral Clutch (£10), 4. Mink Satin Ballerina (£16), and 5. Mini-Painting Pins ($40)


1. Jarlo Ruth Dress ($107.58), 2. vintage 1950's PEARL DROP black velvet veil hat ($21), 3. Shawl of the Wild Scarf" ($19.99), 4. Katy Peep-toe Pump in Leopard ($230), and 5. deluxe plush scottie ($225)


1. Pixie's Plume mini (£140), 2. midnight sky clutch ($36.99), 3. Matte Silver Cut-Out Chandelier Necklace ($21), 4. Feathered Headband (£29), and 5. Frill Court Leather Shoe in Green ($227)


1. sequins of glamour dress ($56.99), 2. twirl margie ($255), 3. Lovely Golden Key & Bow Necklace (€22), 4. The Formal Fascinator ($39.99), and 5. twirl karolina ($350)


1. Mies Side Button Dress ($236.60), 2. A Promise Made Comb ($16.99), 3. Natural Beroque Bow X Body (£13), 4. Bow'n Places Heel in White ($129.99), and 5. Antiqued Silver Peacock Pendant Necklace ($21)

collections : snow white.

With December a mere two days away, I am yearning to see Portland covered in a blanket of snow. Crossing my fingers for a very white winter...

1. Cream Beaded Cape (£32), 2. Menagerie Prowling Cat in White by Jonathan Adler ($135), 3. Holga Bent Corners 35mm Camera ($48), 4. Dreams' Projections ($90), 5. k studio Round Face Male Pillow - White ($124), 6. Dobby Pintuck Nightshirt (£59), 7. Clear Bubble Umbrella - White ($18), and 8. Antique White Trim Tree ($30)

collections : (inspired by) the dreamers.

I ended up seeing The Dreamers accidentally in the theater back in 2003, after sneaking out of a film I just couldn't get into. I immediately fell in love with its style, music, old film clips, and abundant sexuality (and be forewarned, it deals with incest.) Director Bernardo Bertolucci did a truly beautiful job with the entire look of it- plus, it takes place in Paris in the sixties, which can be a major weakness of mine. And it should be mentioned, the three film-obsessed stars are absolutely gorgeous.

1. Bow Beret ($16), 2. Unknown Band of Outsiders Poster - 11 x 17 ($25), 3. Marabou Boa Pillow ($88), 4. Tan Striped ($88, currently sold out), 5. 1960 CROWN 8 EZS 2X8mm Reflex Zoom Cine Camera with Handle ($79.99), 6. World Imports Elizabethan Classics Grand Slipper Cast Iron Clawfoot Tub ($2,980), 7. Dark Green Velvet Dress (€86), and 8. Antique Scaferlati Levant Tobacco Tin. Regie Francaise des Tabacs ($19)

apparel & accessories collection : singin' in the rain.

Hello November... and hello rain. Might as well deal with all the downpours in style.

1. Adult Guy de Jean Lady w/Dog Black Umbrella ($95 CAD), 2. Anorak (£145), 3. Jacklyn Moto Jacket ($69.50), 4. Green Original Wellington Boots, Hunter (£60), 5. Loop Stitch Pom Pom Trapper Hat ($32), 6. Unikko Varjo Raincoat ($295), 7. Acorn Cup Print Raincoat ($455), and 8. Guy de Jean Short Umbrella Floral ($95)

apparel & accessories collection : coffee with cream.

1. Wool Check Coat ($640), 2. Porter Canvas Tote ($260), 3. Love-For-Lace Bottoms ($32), 4. Chocolate Java Dress (£36), 5. Angelique Dress ($89.99), 6. We Who See Spectator Oxford Shoe ($59.99), 7. Stem Printed Leather Iris Bag ($395), and 8. Pearl Trim Cardi (£38)

apparel & accessories collection : (inspired by) an education.

See: An Education (if you haven't already.) I fell so in love with it when I first saw it and still think about the story and the style all the time for inspiration. And oh, that Carey Mulligan is a doll. (More film stills here.)

1. Viola Jacket (£165), 2. Royal Apothic Eau De Parfum ($32), 3. Charlecote Tie (£49), 4. Classic Beauty Dress ($109.99), 5. Fall Solid Remy Skirt ($188), 6. Applethwaite V-neck (£79), 7. Zibo Midnight Sheath ($258), and 8. Triple Latte Scarf ($24.99)

collections : tied up with string.

...these are a few of my favorite things.

1. Felt Ball Necklace ($58), 2. Wood Yo-Yo ($25), 3. Wickle Organic Wrapped Soap ($10), 4. Album de Mon Jornal (25€), 5. Postalco Travel Wallet ($250), 6. BLACK CONFETTI GARLAND ($125), 7. Illustrated Lavender Bag Stack, Manolo Blahnik for Liberty (£10.95), and 8. A Year in Caps A 2011 Typographic Calendar ($32)

apparel & accessories collection : fashionably plaid.

Good morning everyone! I hope you all had a very lovely weekend. It finally seems like fall has hit Portland, which means lots of rain, a crispness in the air, and for me, a craving for stylish plaids. Pacific Northwest, I love you.

1. Plaid Military Peacoat ($734.25), 2. Bleacher Plaid Ajax Duffle ($395), 3. Button Boot ($175), 4. The Archaeologist's Daughter Dress ($64.99), 5. Rosario Jacket ($475), 6. Tartan Wallet (£53), 7. Plaid Scarf ($165), and 8. Plaid Voile Tie Front Shirt ($185)

collections : cocktail hour.

It is probably due to all of the old movies and Mad Men I have been watching lately, but I am voting for cocktail hour to make a comeback. Who agrees?

1. Test Tube Shot Set ($14), 2. Drinks tray (£12), 3. Celebrity 7-pc. Satin Bar Set ($19.99), 4. How To Mix Drinks ($19.95), 5. Drinking Glasses (£15), 6. Matsuri Saki Set ($48.99), 7. Heather Lins Home Numbered Edition Coasters ($66-$110), and 8. Rocking Whiskey Glasses ($29.95)

apparel & accessories collection : black & white...

...with pretty lacy details. Such a sexy and romantic look for the fall.

1. MOSSY Crochet Lace Up Shoes ($55), 2. Black Lace Victoriana Top (£30), 3. Zucca Accordion Pleat Lace Detail Dress ($323.70), 4. mrs marshall weekend bag, loop the loop charcoal (£64), 5. Lace Embellished Bib ($70), 6. Romper Romance ($84.99), 7. sweet secrets lace dress ($38.99), and 8. Tennessee Walk Pumps ($148)

collections : foreign language.

I admit, I'm having quite a bit of wanderlust these days. I've been daydreaming of wandering the streets of someplace where I don't speak the language. And so, a collection of foreign tongue...

1. Travel Bingo Game (£15), 2. Bag Collection (£2.00-£2.45), 3. "Sakura" Japanese Print (€20), 4. Eglise Du Dome Butter Dish ($18), 5. German Dial Plate ($60), 6. Sailor and Pekka, trilogy by Jockum Nordström ($36), 7. Hallo mein Liebling Print ($15), and 8. Lolita Bag II - GREEN ($35)

apparel & accessories collection : black and gold.

I know that it's more of a winter color combination, but I think black and gold is going to be worn by yours truly a whole lot this fall. It's just such a classic.

1. Golden Garland Dress ($67.99), 2. Beaded Ribbon Collar ($40), 3. Lace Wrap Cuff ($28), 4. Mixed Gold Sequined Skirt ($374), 5. Gold Revealed Flats ($98), 6. SHE IS YOUR GUIDE ($120), 7. Chunky Metallic Ring ($3.80), and 8. Sweet Jamz Dress in DJ ($104.99)