May Day

What better way to celebrate the launch into spring fiestas during warm nights with cool drinks than a Tiki calendar for May!  Have fun with this DIY calendar from the Curiosity Group this weekend. - l.o.d.

Bold Scandinavian Design (not from IKEA)

Yea, it's here! Finally, my long-awaited access to the Marimekko design house products on Crate & Barrel. Now the tough decision - what to buy?

A Nor'eastern Mood

April is a damp month. Some significant things have changed in my life in between the drops of rain. But it's the sense of saltwater that I want to focus on today. I'm struck by the overwhelming urge to explore my Northeastern roots. To walk along a sandy path towards a wind-whipped beach, feeling the cool spring air dampen my face. To smell the salt, fish, and sea grass as they only exist in New England; tough yet vulnerable. These are my visions, tastes, and smells today. -l.o.d.

Long Leg by Edward Hopper

West Elm's collaboration with Lourdes Sanchez

French Sea Salt Caramels by FusionSweets on Etsy

A Day, Captured

Back when we had warmth and sun to enjoy (aka last week), I took a moment to capture the everyday greetings of my morning cactus, mid-day parking view, and evening porch at sunset. Today is a dreary one so I need this reminder that my day can be beautiful. It can be special enough to post on the l.o.d. It can be celebrated.

 

Seaside designs

This a great new collection from West Elm called Stray Dog, a collaboration with Mexican artisans to re-explore the summery world of paper mache.  Clean and beautiful. - l.o.d.

West Elm

The Blog is Blossoming

I'm pleased to announce the new look for the little orange desk!  It's my attempt to streamline and simplify the design of this blog to highlight the posts rather than the background.  I hope to incorporate my own design into it sometime soon, but until then, here it is. 

In celebration of my continued interest in this blog, I decided to get cards to pass around to friends, family, and willing bystanders.  I've posted one below in case I haven't gotten to you yet with a paper copy.  Have a great weekend! - l.o.d.

Fauves

To celebrate my last watercolor class of the season (which actually happened last week), I'd like to tip my hat to the Fauves. You may know them best as Matisse, Seurat, and Gauguin among other post-impressionist painters. Their use of bold, striking color is admirable and completely enthralling to me. I painted this scene from a completely normal photograph of a picturesque river scene. I'm looking forward to working with this style all summer long. To me, this is the celebration of the warmth and audacity of carefree and wild days of summer.

Kindle With Ads

Amazon Announces Cheaper, $114 Kindle With Ads

Seriously, ads are already invading my angry birds, and now this?

Working in digital advertising does not mean that I think an ad-supported kindle is a good idea. Actually, I feel that the act of reading a book is sacred and not to be interrupted by ads. If they indeed are able to sell any of this Kindle edition, I strongly believe that it should cost no more than half the regular price, preferably a third. Amazon is seriously double dipping. What do you think - is it worth the $25 savings?

Lounge

This is where I want to be today, sipping an ice cold Caipirinha while listening to some groovy basso nova lounge music. It's a far cry from the soppy cold rain here in Michigan, but a girl's gotta dream, right?

Soho Beach House, Miami

What I'm Loving Today

Love the photo, love the clothes, love the store, love the graceful flow of outfits into spring.  Love.

Anthropologie

A spring in your step

Ah, the siren song of summer sandals.  It's what I look forward to the most about spring arriving and the impending warm summer days: