Lately I’ve been day dreaming about lounging with a great book and a yummy cocktail. This summer you’ll find me relaxing in my backyard, but my head will be in the Côte d’Azure.
SOURCES || Rattan Lounge Chair | Paris book | St. Germaine + Hendrick’s Cocktail
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I’ve been using big 17in laptops for nearly 10 years … and I’ve been searching for a cool laptop bag to fit my 17 inch laptop for nearly 10 years! After fruitless searches (they’re all too ugly, too boring, too small, or too expensive) I’ve resigned myself to using a big tote bag as a laptop bag instead of a traditional laptop bag. The Orla Kiely one I have now is awesome for day to day toting around my MacBook Pro, but not perfect for traveling because the handle isn’t long enough to go over my shoulders if I’m wearing a jacket. It looks like I’ll be doing a bunch of traveling over the next few months, so it’s the perfect time to invest in a new travel tote bag. At least this is the way I’m justifying the expense. Which one do you like best? I bought one … can you guess which?
SOURCES // top left: yellow tote top right: emerald green tote 2nd row: canvas tote 3rd row left: cognac brown leather tote right: mint green leather tote 4th row left: navy and white stripe tote right: brown leather tote
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I think Christmas shopping is super stressful. I REALLY don’t like crowds — the noise gives me migraines and all the people who shop with runny noses and hacking coughs make me crazy. But I do really love wrapping gifts. I think it’s one of my favorite parts of the whole holiday season. Finding the right wrap and the right ribbon, with the oh so perfect embellishment is way more fun than shopping for the actual gift, in my opinion.
I’ve rounded up some of my favorite trimmings for a pretty package: 1. Knit owl, fox and bear ornaments 2. Silver deer, penguin and bear ornaments 3. Silver and Gold Washi tape 4. Faux wreath — a perfect canvas 5. Beautiful velvet ribbon 6. Brown baker’s twine 7. Winter scene wrapping paper 8. Woody with Christmas tree ornament 9. Bottle brush trees 10. Owl on Branch Christmas ornaments 11. Mirrored letter ornaments
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Chilly weather is the perfect time for casual get togethers with neighbors and friends. My parents are the ultimate hosts, and they taught me to always have some cheese, wine and crackers in the kitchen, so as to be prepared for guests at any time. The tip has served me well, and I’m looking forward to lots of impromptu happy hours at my place with my neighbors this winter.
Right now I use an old wood cutting board for serving, but it’s old in a scary did-you-find-that-in-a-dumpster way, not in a that-must-be-from-a-turn-of-the-century-estate-sale kind of way. I’d love to have a fancy slate board or a pretty wood serving paddle so I can serve in style (holiday elves, are you listening?). Also on my wish list is the darling juice glass caddy from Bixby & Ball — I’d use it for dips, cornichons, and olives.
Entertaining wish list, clockwise from Crate & Barrel Slate Board / Crate & Barrel Cheese Tool Set / Northern Natives Numbered Wood Coasters via Etsy / Yummy Saxelby Cheesmongers Choice / Orange & Pear Rams Head Knife Set / Crate & Barrel Acacia tree slice serving platter / West Elm Raw Wood Board /Bixby & Ball Juice Glass Caddy
I do love the color turquoise so so much. Turquoise reminds me of happy days sailing, snorkeling, and lounging about with my family. Green is my absolute most favorite color in the world, but turquoise is a close second. It’s the color right next to green on the color wheel, so it’s no surprise that I love it so. Looks lovely paired with gold accents, don’t you think?
Some beauties representing my fave color of the moment: No. 1 Cotton taffeta J. Crew strapless party dress in fresh emerald No. 2 Pretty Elva Fields ”Keeping Them Close” turquoise triple strand necklace with gold accents No. 3 “Slapper” turquoise Butter nail polish for my toes No. 4 Preppy Sperry Top-Siders in pretty aqua (reminds me of my preppy middle school days) No. 5 beautiful photo of SoCal lifeguard tower by the super talented friend Jessica Davis.
By the way, this is an example of one of the type of posts students will be learning how to create today at Camp Delphine!
I’ve been so busy at the studio that I hardly noticed the entire Fall season swoosh by in a flash. We don’t have a television in our bedroom, so I watch a lot of HBOgo. I’m so bummed that the Bored to Death season is over already! Sidenote: I recently met a man who is a dead ringer for Ray’s character. True story … during an important, albeit impromptu, meeting he wandered away from the group to stretch. Someone asked him what he was doing stretching during an important meeting and he said, “I’m not stretching, I’m practicing my gay throw. If I just move your hand like this I can look gay, but I have to practice.” Ummmmm, no words.
Inspired by Jonathan on Bored to Death, here are some goodies my alter-ego would love: No. 1 Versace for H&M leather studded jacket No. 2 Duotone glasses from Warby Parker No. 3 Shiny & bright orange rain boots from Cole Haan No. 4 Nearly neon ring from Pomeletto No. 5 Skinny cords with zippers à la 1985 from Anthropologie No. 6 Shiny green-blue “henley regatta” Butter nail polish No. 7 A faux leopard trapper hat (J. Crew) to keep my ears warm.
It was a very, very, very busy summer and early fall here at the Delphine design studio. So much design happening here I could hardly keep track (or breathe). I have been dreaming about pixels and Pantone colors, fonts and finishes, brand theory and color theory.
Now that a major chunk of work is off my desk I feel like treating myself to a little something from my wish list. Basically, I’ve bribed myself: Erika, if you stay up one more hour and design 10 more files you’ll get a treat. I like to tell myself (and the bookkeeper) that everything on this list is really an investment back into my design career. The purse, you ask? Oh, that … that is a very important tool: a file carrier for safely transporting client files to and from meetings. Right? Pssst, clients: Christmas bonus me anytime : )
WISH LIST ITEMS: No. 1 ”Dish,” by Shax Riegler, a book full of inspiring colors and patterns. No. 2 A trip to AltSummit, a conference full of inspiring people. No. 3 A beautiful tortoise fountain pen from Sam Flax South, because I’m full of flashes of inspiration and need to get those thoughts down on paper. No. 4 STOP THE PRESSES: I NEEEEEED THIS: the new genius Wacom Inkling, to sketch illustrations in my sketchbook while capturing a digital likeness of said sketch in vector format. That’s right. Genius!! No. 5 A subscription to Uppercase magazine, full of inspiring stories and pretty pictures. No. 6 Hudson bag, because it looks perfect for carrying around all the items on my wish list (and stylish enough to carry to No. 2).
I really need (okay, want) a new office chair. I sit at my computer all damn day and my butt is getting sore from sitting on a hard chair (I currently rock No. 7 in pale blue — a piece of plywood from Ikea). I started looking around for a new chair and HELLO, can you say crazypants prices? The new Eames Executive from DWR (No. 5) fits all my criteria except one. It is decidedly not cheap at just over $3k! And it’s not even leather!
I took a look at office supply stores but all I could find are ugly black chairs that look like they belong in a cubicle. Ick. I do like white, but am super concerned about a white chair getting disgustingly dirty in my studio, since it will get a ton of use. I am leaning toward a green, gray or yellow chair.
At the top of my list is No. 1, a replica of the famous Eames chair — gotta love that Pistachio color! But I’m a little nervous to commit. Will I like having arms on my chair? Will it be too soft? Will the light color get destroyed immediately by rogue Sharpie marks? What should I do????
Office chair roundup: /1/AG Management Chair in Pistachio from Advanced Interior Designs $219 /2/ Ripple Leather Chair in Ivory from Crate & Barrel $299 /3/ Freedom Task Chair from DWR $2,465 /4/ Haworth Very White Office Chair from Crate & Barrel $799 /5/ Eames Executive Chair from DWR $3,079 /6/Eames Aluminum Management Chair in Apple Green (LOVE) from DWR $1,889 /7/ Jules office chair from Ikea $39 /8/ White Grant Office Chair from World Market $229
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Although I appreciate posh things, my life is anything but. Lately, I’ve been craving a bit of luxury.
No. 1: Green handbag by Cole Haan, perfect for toteing files and swatches around town No. 2: Pretty white pen from Sam Flax South, lovely for writing up orders No. 3: Chic champagne coupe from Kate Spade, for sipping my favorite champagne cocktails No. 4: Dark chocolate from Vosges, because it has the most interesting and delicious flavors No. 5: A bottle of Taittinger, because it reminds me of our wedding day No. 6: Men’s fragrance from Chanel, so sexy.
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Don’t let Valentine’s Day sneak up on you, boys and girls. It’s next Monday! Don’t freak out though, there is plenty of time to pull it together. Here are a few of my favorite Valentine’s Day gifts:
No. 1} A home made, hand crafted Valentine. Don’t worry if you’re not super crafty: it’s the thought that counts (really) No. 2} A book of poems, like this collection of Love Poems by Pablo Neruda. Bonus points for memorizing one and whispering it in your loved one’s ear No. 3} A pretty, keepsake hardback version of a favorite novel (suggestion: something steamy and romantic, like Wuthering Heights).
No. 4} Sparkling Sofia Blanc de Blanc, in the adorable (and convenient) little pink cans. Bonus if you chill it before giving away, so we can sip it a.s.a.p. No. 5} Heart shaped box of GOOD yummy chocolate from Chuao Chocolatiers (a local North County San Diego company!). Objectively, heart shaped boxes of chocolate are cheesy and overpriced, but don’t let that stop you. Everyone secretly loves them. I do, at least. No. 6} It might be too late to order these super gorgous heart shaped pressed cookies (unless you live in Cincy), but it’s not too late to bake a batch at home. Don’t have a heart shaped cookie cutter? Get thee to a Dollar Store or any grocery, where they abound these days.
No. 7} Flowers. See No. 5. If you live in San Diego or environs, I HIGHLY suggest you give my dear friend Adrianne Smith a buzz to reserve a delightful Valentine’s Day bouquet for your loved one. I will be assisting with the prep, and I will not spoil the surprise, but rest assured these arrangements are lovely, lovely, lovely. They come in two non-red, non-cheesy colorways, and three sizes/prices. Starting at just $30! Bonus: each one has a letterpress love tag by yours truly.
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photo: Old Navy
I get the warm fuzzies for tote bags. And you guys know I adore anything nautical and chic (I’ve posted about nautical trends several times before). When I spotted these anchor tote bags on Old Navy (one of my fave spots to pick up clothes for my 7yo son who is growing like a weed, by the way) my heart skipped a beat. The anchor! The cool rope handles! The nifty leather details! The only thing that stopped me from buying one is that I cannot decide which color. I like them all. Which one do you like best?
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Sexy Valentine’s Day outfit: {1} Sleeveless white blouse with ruffles from Ann Taylor {2} Pretty pink and nude lace panties from Nordstrom {3} Diamond heart necklace from Robbins Brothers {4} Super sexy pink suede high heels by YSL from Nordstrom {5} Plain and simple, well fitting blue jeans from Levis {6} Classic pale pink nail polish by Scotch.
I don’t recall ever going out on a date on Valentine’s Day. But if I did, I’d wear an understated, simple and sexy outfit like this. Okay, so the shoes aren’t so understated, but they are classic, right? I reallllly want them. I think the simplest outfit, like classic Levis, a pretty white shirt (with some ruffles for Valentine’s Day) and a great pear of heels, is the sexiest.
Normally I’m totally against any cheesy heart jewelry, but I make the exception for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. Tip for the guys: keep it as understated as possible when it comes to heart jewelry. I like the look of a simple diamond heart necklace.
We will stay home for Valentine’s Day. Boring, I know. I’ll probably make some cookies or cupcakes with our son — he loves pink frosting. What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?
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I’m not a New Year’s Resolution type of girl. Never have been. However, January really does feel like a good time to re-dedicate myself to one of my true loves: working out. My very first job, where I actually got a paycheck, was at a gym. I feel really comfortable at a gym. I’m not one of those gym rats, who hang out all day and chit chat. In fact, I’ve been going to my current gym for about six months and have yet to say more than about 10 words to anyone. I like solitude in my workouts. One of the things that annoys me the most in life is people who talk during workout classes. My favorite workout used to be swimming (go figure) but these days I just don’t have the time. My mom introduced me to spin classes, and I’m hooked. Although it’s a class environment, it’s truly a solitary type of feeling I get in that class. I usually close my eyes during much of the workout, so it’s peaceful, like swimming.
Here are a few items on my wish list … things that would make my workout a little more chic, a little more comfy, a little more cool: Green jacket from Athleta; Shimano cycle shoes from Zappos; cute graphic grey tank top from Old Navy; capri workout pants from Old Navy; ta ta tamer bra from lululemon; and a pretty AND functional water bottle with filter right in it by Bobble (designed by Karim Rashid) from A+R Store.
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Squeal!!! I just got an email from one of my lovely sponsors, Chronicle Books, letting me know that Delphine-Ephemera readers get 40 percent off Chronicle Books through January 31, 2011. Eeeeek! I’ve shown some faves from my bookshelf (Little Book of Letterpress and Creative, Inc.) and ones I have my eye on above. To get the discount, use the code: CAL40 during checkout and click through to the Chronicle website here. Happy shopping and a big MERCI to Chronicle Books!
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While cleaning up our son’s playroom I came across my old Breyer horses buried in the bottom of the toy chest. Like most little girls, I dreamed of having my own pony. I took riding lessons when I was in first grade, and did a bit of trail riding as a teen, but haven’t been on a horse since college.
I live in a major horse community now (my “village” is called Rancho Santa Fe due to all the horse ranches), and have grown to love the effortlessly chic look all the equestrian ladies have around here. The polo players who frequent the coffee shop aren’t too shabby, either. Major swoon. But I digress …
Here are some gifts the horse-lover in your life will love: No. 1: Horse engravings, pillows and trophy lamp by Two’s Company No. 2: Red plaid throw from Williams-Sonoma Home No. 3: Equestrian riding boots (the real deal) by TuffRider No. 4: Limited Edition Shearling Jacket from J. Crew No. 5: Vintage Horseshoe necklace from Freshly Fig (Etsy) No. 6: Antique English Wing Back Leather Sofa from Dispela on 1stDibs
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No. 7 Wouldn’t this Deer lamp look chic with a plaid lamp shade and/or a coat of glossy paint (pale turquoise? red? black? yellow? white?) No. 8 LOVE these Ralph Lauren glasses. I have a set of them and use them all the time. No. 9 I love the trend of vintage trophies used as vases. Even better when they’re painted in a fun gloss finish.
