I’m playing Oprah today! Hundreds of products cross my screen on a daily basis as I search out the best to share with you, and a girl can’t help but have a few favorites! And while I wish I had one of each of these fantastic pieces to give to every one of you a la Oprah, I hope my opinion will hold its weight in salt for you. Because these are all shops and creators whose things I own, that decorate my home and my self each and every day.
Splendid Orlando Oxford. These shoes are a new addition to my wardrobe for winter and I love their sleek look (no laces!). Splendid‘s entire lifestyle collection is ultra-comfortable and effortlessly chic, which is perfect for my every day and mixes with existing pieces easily.
American Giant Womens Heavyweight Full Zip Hooded Sweatshirt. I’ve been a hoodie aficionado since junior high, but it’s tough to find one that doesn’t resemble a garbage bag on a woman’s body. This zip up from American Giant is not only sturdy, but made especially for us ladies. If I’m home I usually have it on over whatever I’m wearing, it’s that good.
Emily McDowell’s Foods of the World New York City Tea Towel. Emily McDowell just might be one of the funniest people I know, and her humor translates seamlessly onto her illustrated line of cards, dish towels, and other miscellaneous goods. This towel featuring a recipe that actually involves zero cooking is just the tip of the iceberg.
Warby Parker’s Durand Eyeglasses in Woodland Tortoise. Warby Parker has had my poor vision and my heart in its grasp for several years now. I just recently snapped up this pair from their winter collection, the round-ish lenses are super flattering and their buy 1/give 1 model is tough to beat.
Bloggers Love Cats + Bloggers Love Dogs 13-Month Calendars.Shameless plug alert! I teamed up with other well-known bloggers who are animal lovers to create these two calendar downloads featuring our pets. All proceeds go directly to the Humane Society of the United States and all of the little critters in need.
Cursive Design’s Apex Studs. Cursive Design is one of my favorite jewelry shops by far, I just love Sarah’s eye for detail. These studs, along with much of the fall/winter 2013 collection, were inspired by a project we collaborated on together for NYFW 2012. They’re molded from vintage glass and cast in yellow bronze.
Jaime Derringer’s Untitled 3. I’m the proud, happy owner of three works of art by Jaime Derringer. Her bold use of color and constant exploration of shape and space never leave me bored. And both Jaime’s original pieces and prints are super affordable.
Alexa Chung’s It. There’s no denying she’s the darling of the fashion world, but after ready through this pink linen-covered book filled with short musings and photos she seems down-to-earth as well.
Paloma’s Nest Custom Monogram Tiny Text Bowl. Paloma’s Nest creates some of the best heirloom-quality ceramics I’ve seen. I own one of these plates and have gifted numerous others over the past few years. You just can’t go wrong with a piece that’s lovingly personalized like these.
Gingiber’s Deer Tea Towel. I love shop owner Stacie’s whimsical, geometric illustration style used on all of her animal characters! Gingiber‘s prints, pillows, towels (and more) are always the highest of quality and meticulously checked over.
Miró Watches from Urbantrait. Among an incredible selection of modern watches from Urbantrait, Miró definitely stands out. Made from stainless steel, hardened mineral crystal, and calf leather it’s sure to stand up to wear and tear for years to come. Mine has made me a watch wearer again after years of depending on my cell! Find your favorite from tons of men’s watches and women’s watches.
Meow Meow Tweet’s Grapefruit Rosemary Body Oil. Come winter, lotions just don’t cut it for me. I coat myself in Meow Meow Tweet‘s body oil before I get out of the shower and don’t need to re-moisturize until right before bed. Each amazing scent if filled with natural ingredients and infused with botanicals.
strawberryluna’s Morrissey Pittsburgh Poster PETA Donation. My favorite stop for gig posters, and it doesn’t hurt that strawberryluna is based in my hometown either! Allison and Craig do stellar silkscreening work for more bands than I can think to name, and on more posters than I can count that I own.
This week on Design Crush:
Join me in pledging to Give Books this holiday season and be entered to win 10 of my favorite titles from Chronicle Books! Also receive 30% off all purchases (except personalized) through the end of the year.
Check out the start of our calendar coverage with 2014 Calendars – Part 1.
Lovely photography from Kaitlin Rebesco.
See how Cursive Design’s 2013 FW13 collection was inspired by our NYFW 2012 collaboration.
Creative cross-stitch art from Diane Meyer. Hatchery – a curated box of artisinal condiments and ingredients – would make a great gift for your favorite foodie!
Even more cross-stitch art (of a completely different variety) from Evelin Kasakov.
Twelve holiday dresses for all of your seasonal fetes.
One of my favorite fall memories and my take on my Grandma’s apple dumplings!
Remember those children’s books that had flaps you could turn, and by doing so create crazy monsters or mismatched people? I do, I thought they were awesome when I was a kid. Now Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr have created an adult version – Ten Thousand Stories! Each page is divided into four mini-pages that mix and match to create 10,000 different story combinations, each with its own quirky watercolor illustration. Some stories make sense and some come out totally crazy, but all will leave you smiling. Check out the book trailer right here.
Illustrator Laia Arqueros and his distinctly inspired creations are just what the doctor ordered this Tuesday morning. I love a bright, colorful palette but appreciate a muted, more monochrome look just as much and Arqueros has such a talent for it. My favorite is Watermelon, seen above.
Denver based artist and designer Sarah Fitzgerald definitely has a way with both shape and color. I’m especially drawn to her los Animales series of unique creatures and the Sanctuaries series that’s full of places of refuge and protection. You can shop Sarah’s prints in her Society6 shop.
Barcelona-based freelance illustrator Judy Kaufmann recently release a collection of four Party Prints, each highlighting her love of drawing animals, people, houses, cars, and trees. Judy’s style lends itself well to these colorful pattern-like creations that could find themselves equally at home in a nursery or living room! Pick up one or all four for yourself in Judy Kaufmann’s shop.