love forever

Specks & Keepings

How are you doing with your Holiday shopping? Done, sorta done, not even started? I'm in the sorta done category this year. I'm trying to do a combo of handmade gifts and those bought from small businesses this year so it's key to be a little more prepared!
If you are still looking for some beautiful gifts, everything in Specks & Keepings, a gorgeously curated webshop, would be sure to make someone on your list very very happy.

Braided Spiral Pins by Anschtecka



Stick macrame by Debra Weiss

Cave Claw Necklace by Natalie Ebaugh

Braided Necklace by Anschtecka

Edith Ann Dress by Rebe

Horse mobile by Hillery Sproatt

Car in Half sculpture by Drabby Nook

The Cuteness: Handymaiden

Danielle Pederson, aka Handymaiden, makes tiny hand-painted animal scultpures, totems and medals. They are incredibly lovely, thoughtful and cute. I am particularly in love with her little tiny medals like the Badger of Honor Medal.

A Bounty of Baubles from Leif

Bright and summery punches of color in jewelry from the awesome online shop Leif.
1. No. 422 Bracelet by dullDiamond, 2. Sisters Bracelet by Minoux Jewelry, 3. Edo Bracelet by Apres Ski, 4. Porcelain Facet Earrings by Julie Moon, 5. No. 357 Bracelet by dullDiamond

A {Pretty} Pouch A Day

Yesterday, I went in to get my weekly allergy shot. As I was leaving, the receptionist watched as I gathered my purse, tote bag, jacket, scarf and cup of tea and dryly commented, "you don't travel light, do you?"
This is one of the NY things I have not been able to let go of in my Philly life. Like a modern-day nomad, I travel with everything I need for the day, including but not limited to: my make-up, a snack, at least one beverage, a wallet, a notbook, my phone, a change of shoes and a magazine or two. Sometimes I throw a few groceries in there too. People who have cars use them to throw all their junk in, I carry mine on my back.
One thing that keeps my bags from falling into complete disarray is my love for pouches. Here are some favorite pouches, so cute they inspire rhymes...

Sunday's pouch is grey and flat, in the whimsical shape of a sleeping cat.



Monday's pouch is of fine feathered flocks, it's bright photoprints will knock off your socks.


Tuesday's pouch with delicate beads, is a tiny purse of a highbrow breed.


Wednesday's favorite is no slouch, it's a rosy pink fold-over pouch.


Thursday's pouch is patterned and fun- oh-so hard to just pick one.


Friday's pouch is worth the hype, with worn-in leather and railroad stripe.



Saturday's pouch, with colors electric. Each one is unique + quilted geometric.

Loving {Forever}: Dot's Nice

When I was a kid, I vividly remember reading a magazine with my mom and flipping to a spread about polka dots entitled "Dot's Nice". I'm not exactly sure why but my mom and I thought it was the funniest thing ever. We still sub "Dot's Nice" for "That's Nice" in our daily chit-chat.
I'm not sure if this formative memory made me love dots or the other way around but either way, dots are a forever favorite print in my book.


Sabine Finkenauer Painting


Bleach Polka Dot Chuck Taylor from Karmaloop

Top right: Lynchburg Lemonade necklace by House of Kami Bottom right: French Bull Containers Bottom left: Marimekko Rasymatto Coffee Cup

Left and Right: Paintings by Lecia Dole-Recio

Print by Castle


Denisa Dvorakova for Elle Uk photographed by David Slijper


Left: Tim Walker for Vogue Italia Right: Vintage polka dot blouse by Dirty Birdies Vintage


Installation by Yayoi Kusama


Shokoladnica coffee cups design by Grisha Sorokin