The House In My Head

Do you know the book- The House In My Head?  I've written about it before, here. 

There is something about the title that just appeals to me.  Doesn't everyone have a dream house in their head?   I know I do!  Even though owning a home has never really been important to me, the idea of having your own space to decorate with an endless budget however you wish is intoxicating.

So I am starting a new feature on this blog- things I would have in my dream home-
The House In My Head.  Today we are talking dishes.  Everyday dinner plate patterns.  I have two that I am obsessed with:

 

1. Mikasa Nature's Song
This pattern consists of several designs- the two I love are below- plates with a bright orange & brown circle and the speckled bowls.  There are also gravy bowls, cups & saucers, S & P shakers, and sugar & cream sets.  Available on Ebay here.
 

2. Heath Ceramics Spring Collection
I have long coveted anything from Heath Ceramics, and this classic set would fit into any decorating scheme and hold it's own.  I have heard many an urban legend where someone finds an entire set of vintage Heath dishes at a thrift store but I have not been this lucky.  Sigh... maybe someday.

 

Well, there you have it.  Your first peek inside The House In My Head.

NEW

Hey guys!  I listed some new necklaces in the 'ol Etsy shop this weekend.  I'm especially excited about the new glitter polka dot design- polka dots are so cute!  Please take a look and spread the word! 

Holiday Gift Guide

Hey guys! I felt the need to write a gift guide this year and then after I did, I realized it was pretty girly. I guess it makes sense considering I'm a girl, and I'm assuming most of my readers are girls... so without further ado, here it is- Blend's 2011 Holiday Gift Guide for the Ladies! Enjoy.

Diana Vreeland- The Eye Has To Travel

Can you believe there is a new book about Diana Vreeland out?!? I'm dying! Written by Lisa Immordino Vreeland (who is married to Diana's grandson), this book features more than 350 illustrations, including original magazine spreads and many famous photographs. Heaven!

Marisa Berenson: A Life In Pictures
I've been obsessed with Marisa Berenson ever since I watched Cabaret when I was 19. For me she is the perfect mix of worldly glamour and 70's inspiration.

70's Style & Design
Speaking of the 70's... this book is amazing! A must have for the fashion obsessed.


Midwest Maude Ornaments

Inspired by Enid Collins, these ornaments are so fantastic I felt as if I had found something I was looking for my whole life! They come in tons of color combos and are perfect for any woman in your life.

Dylan's Candy Bar Chocolate Covered Potato Chips
I'm obsessed with sweet & salty combos and this one sounds so good. Wouldn't you love to find this in your stocking Christmas morning? Yum.

Did you know that a Dylan's Candy Bar is opening next year in Los Angeles? Color me excited!
West Elm Hand Blocked Triangle Pillow Cover

If there is one thing in life I stress out about, it's throw pillows. I feel like they say so much about a person, so I don't want them to be too crazy or trendy. When I saw these gold beauties at West Elm, I knew my year-long search had ended. These would fit into just about any decorating scheme- and don't forget to buy some pillow inserts!


Dorothy Thorpe Glassware

I find the best way to find and collect this Mad Men-ish style is to do a simple Ebay search for: you guessed it- Dorothy Thorpe Glassware!

Giant Round Ice Cubes

Extra Large Square Ice Cubes

I'm super into the idea of using just one huge ice cube to keep your drink cold- since there is less surface area, these cubes keep your cocktails chilled without diluting the flavor. Adds that extra special touch to any get together.

Champagne Coupes

I'm partial to this set of six by Schott Zwiesel. The simplicity of the design lets your cocktail take center stage, and the Tritan-infused glass resists scratching and breakage.

My Favorite Things- The Madonna Inn

My visiting friend Polly brought me this lovely gift from The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California.  It was so pink and so beautifully wrapped that I wanted to share it with you!

I've never been to The Madonna Inn but I feel like I have.  Polly has told me so many tales over the years and I've seen so many photos and talked about it so much that I feel a special connection to the place. 

This gorgeous milk glass goblet is exactly what you would drink out of at The Inn if you were lucky enough to stay there.  I collect milk glass objects so this was the perfect gift for me! 

My Favorite Things- Signature Fragrance

Parfum Sacre by Caron

Have you ever been to The Perfume House in Portland, Oregon?

It's a unique experience.  The fact that The Perfume House even exists there is pretty amazing.  Portlanders are not known for their style and fragrance, unless you are talking about Gore Tex and patchouli.  I'm not trying to be rude but that's just the way it goes.  Also, The Perfume House is located on Hawthorne Boulevard which is known for being a "hippie" part of town, and it's in this old brown house which has been converted into an amazing perfume shop. 

I first went there years ago with my bestie Lauren and we had an amazing time.  The owner Chris was in for the day, he's a wonderful old world European gentleman and this guy is the best salesperson I have ever come across.  You don't even realize what he's doing to you, he sits you down and tells you some amazing story and the next thing you know, you buy everything in sight.  We talk about Chris all the time and when we go back we are disappointed if he isn't there.  Every time we visit we learn something new, and one time Chris sold us on this wonderful rigamarole about day and evening scents.  Day scents are made with flowers that bloom during the day, are only worn during the day and you can have as many as you want, switching back and forth.  Evening scents are special.  You only have one, and it is your signature fragrance.  It is made from night blooming flowers and it is a very personal thing, what you are known for.  Of course I became obsessed, and it took me a couple of years but I found it (at The Perfume House of course) and it is Parfum Sacre by Caron. This is what Chris told me- it takes 117 minutes to develop on your arm and it's true, it smells weird and old lady at first but after it develops, it's the yummiest thing ever- spicy and powdery.  I use it sparingly, only for very special occasions, which is silly because it's supposed to be my signature. 

You have to check out this review on a great perfume blog, Now Smell This, and you will see that I am not exaggerating about this place!  If you are ever in Portland, do stop by and allow yourself to indulge in the wonderful world that is fine fragrance.

The Burning House, Super Girly Edition

Have you guys been reading The Burning House where people have to pick possessions as if their home was burning down?

I've been obsessed with it and thought it would be fun to make a super stylized one, as if I had hours to pick through my belongings and was in no immediate danger.  Obviously, my real list would go something like- cat, phone, handbag- but this one represents my super girly stylish side!

(clockwise from top left)

1.  Complete collection of Domino Magazine.

2.  My RGB, Butter London, & Chanel nail polishes.

3.  The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford, one of my fav girly reads.

4.  New ring from H&M, which I've been wearing every day.

5.  The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy, another fav girly read.

6.  My signature scent- Parfum Sacre.

7.  Signature lipstick- Strawberry Suede by Revlon, sadly discontinued.

8.  Ritz & Saltine cracker necklaces.

9.  The Secret Life of The Lonely Doll by Jean Nathan, a book I wish I had written.

10.  D.V. by Diana Vreeland, my favorite book of all time.

Diana Vreeland

If I had to pick one person in the whole world to name as my personal style icon, it would be Diana Vreeland.  I'm not going to tell you all about her here because I cannot do her justice by shrinking down all her accomplishments into a few paragraphs.  Just to get you interested, here are some of the claims made by Ms. Vreeland:

• She INVENTED NAIL POLISH
• She discovered CHER
• She brought sandals to America
• She was somehow present at just about every important historical happening between 1900-1970 including the abdication of King Edward.

If you would like to learn more about DV, these 3 books are a must for your reading list:

1.  DV by Diana Vreeland

My favorite book ever, this is Diana's life story.  It is incredibly entertaining!

2.  Why Don't You?  Diana Vreeland, The Bazaar Years

This is a compilation of the column that Diana wrote for Harper's Bazaar magazine.

3.  Allure by Diana Vreeland

Diana collects all of her favorite photographs into this stunning book and provides an explanation for each.

The House In My Head

A few years ago a friend asked me a question over lunch- Have you ever read Dorothy Rodgers books? - and an obsession was born.  Dorothy was the wife of one of my favorite composers, Richard Rodgers of Rodgers & Hammerstein/Sound of Music fame.  She wrote 2 books in the 60's, "My Favorite Things" and "The House In My Head".  They featured her lifestyle, hostess & entertaining tips, decorating advice, and tried and true recipes. 

I was still living in Portland, Oregon at the time and so I hightailed it over to the world famous Powell's Books and found a copy of "The House In My Head".  The book details the Rodgers' journey as they design and build their dream home in Connecticut.  I promptly read it and fell head over heels for Dorothy's design style and insane attention to detail.  I would daydream over what it must be like to choose all the colors for your own home and buy paintings by Picasso for the living room, just like she had. 
Sadly, I didn't know what happened to the house and couldn't find any information on it.  I worried that it had been misunderstood and cruelly torn down by evil modern day homeowners with no taste.  I vowed to go to Connecticut someday and find out for myself.  Then recently, I tried to track it down again and wouldn't you know it, there was an article on the House Beautiful website on a designer who had recently redecorated the home.  The good news:  It's still standing!  The bad news:  the renovation isn't that great, and they didn't keep everything in original condition, which I would have done and made it work, no matter what.  I'm just crazy like that.  Maybe someday it will be restored to it's original glory.  A girl can hope!
If you have an interest in modern design or are thinking of building your own home, do take a look at Dorothy Rodgers work.  You just might find yourself with a new obsession too.

PS- How stoked was I to get an autographed copy?!?

(more photos below)