My new favorite...

...shoes. Satin peep toes in the delightfully named shade "mint julep." Unfortunately, they're $265. Available here.

Creativity Headquarters

{All photos by Robert Polidori}

The color! The organization! The inspiration! As a lover of all things Martha and a hopeful Martha worker bee, these photos make my little heart flutter. See the rest of the slideshow here.

My new favorite...

...ring. According to the MoMA site, it's cast in a master mold crafted from an actual tied piece of string. Created by Kiel Mead and handmade in New York City. In silver or 14k gold. $65. Available here.

Board No. 11: Willow Ware

{Click to enlarge!}

So sorry for the late post, but I couldn't stop tweaking this one!

Anyways, I'm ready for a little summer - how about you? This board is inspired by the Willow Ware plates recently gifted to me by a great aunt, and works as my antidote to the dreary January weather outside. It celebrates pattern - checks, swirls, flowers, and stripes - and the beautiful royal blue of the iconic china. Enjoy!

The Details

First row, left to right:
This beautiful two-color letterpress by Ceci New York sets a classic, upbeat tone from the start {check out the fun wording on the Ceci New York site!}; use mix-and-match blue and white china found at flea markets and tag sales to set the table {Matthew Mead}; dress your maids in a bright royal blue to pack a design punch {photo by Sarah K. Chen via the Southern Weddings blog}

Second row, left to right:
Blue tumblers make for great centerpieces - use them to hold the bouquets after the ceremony as decoration for the cake or guestbook tables {photo by Leigh Miller via the Duet Weddings blog}; send guests home with homemade {or store-bought!} blueberry jam {Martha Stewart Kids}; groomsmen {or just the groom} will look especially dapper in blue-and-white striped bowties {photo by Jessica Claire}

Third row, left to right:
A hand-painted sign directs guests and adds to the elegant rustic feel {photo by Melissa Schollaert via Snippet & Ink}; colorful checked pinwheels and paper crackers in shades of blue are easy projects that add color without eating the budget {both by Rebecca Thuss}

Fourth row, left to right:
Add yet another pattern with an embroidered hankie sewn into a ring pillow {photo by Lisa Lefkowitz}; blue flowers can be hard to find, but this delphinium and viburnum berry hand-wired bouquet does the trick {Martha Stewart Weddings}; one more place to add pattern is in the groom's attire, as with this checked shirt and striped tie {Martha makes it work!}

Happy Weekend + Ruffles

Have a lovely, ruffly weekend, darlings! To tide you over, spy on this confection of a wedding, shot by Jonathan Canlas. I just can't get enough of her dress! And the little puff of a veil!

The 101 in 1001 Book

In case you were intrigued by the photo in my last post, here are a few more details about the book I made to chronicle my 101 in 1001 journey.

The book itself is made by Canson: white, 6 inches by 6 inches, 40 pages, and spiral bound. I bought it for $5 at Michael's with a coupon.



I laid out the pages, including the cover, in Microsoft Publisher. For each, I made a 5x5 inch box with a thin border and then added the text and lines in different layouts. I printed them out on normal computer paper, cut on the thin black lines, then glued one to each page, front and back. I used only two fonts to keep the design consistent.



If the goal had multiple parts, I included a way to check off or record them (for example, in the above page, I included a line for each classic book I plan to read).



Some pages even have space for a picture. The one above was taken just before I completed #88 - it's me standing outside her studio (eek!!).



Let me know if you have any more questions!

101 in 1001

As much as I adore Christmas, the week following it is one of my very favorite of the year. Anyone who knows me knows that organizing things, cleaning, and making lists are some of my favorite pastimes, and this week is one of the only times of the year when I don't feel as much in the minority - others are also taking stock, setting goals, and yes, making lists. I very much believe in new beginnings, and this is the perfect time to indulge in them.

Instead of New Year's resolutions, last year I began a 101 in 1001 list. An explanation, from the Day Zero website:

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Start Date: January 1, 2008
End Date: September 28, 2010

Bold marks a completed item

Pink marks a partially completed item

Spiritual
1. Buy a version of the Bible that I actually enjoy reading {01.06.09}
2. Start and keep a Bible verse journal {September 2009}
3. Read the entire Bible {19/65 books}
4. Lead another service at the Island
5. Read two faith-related books a year {completed September 2010}
6. Pledge to home church once a year {completed May 2010}

Kindness
7. Go a whole day without complaining, on five different occasions {0/5}
8. Pay the toll/bill/tip for someone behind me {April 3, 2010 -- AWESOME!}
9. Stay in good contact with A, W, & C {my bestests}
10. Send one handwritten letter a month for six months {completed February 2010}
11. Offer my expertise in some substantial way and receive nothing {monetary} in return {August 2010}

Good Stewardship
12. Switch to using only reusable bags at the grocery store {as of August 2009}
13. Ride a bike or scooter as a means of transportation five times {completed June 2010}
14. Buy a Brita water purifier and use it instead of plastic water bottles {01.19.08}
15. Plant tulips on campus sometime before I graduate
16. Choose a project on Donors Choose or Kiva and fund it {April 4, 2010 -- thank you, Amber!}
17. Encourage someone to vote in the Presidential Election (fall 2008)
18. Vote in all elections for which I am eligible
19. Work on a Habitat build
20. Write three letters complimenting excellent service {completed May 2010}
21. Write three letters pointing out poor service {1/3}
22. Volunteer at a farm event {my dad's family owns a 300-year-old working farm}
23. Buy handmade or make at least 50% of all gifts for Christmases 2008 and 2009 {For 2008, I did 8/19. For 2009, I did 16/31.}

Edification
24. Improve grammar
25. Do a New York Times crossword once a week for six months {19/27}
26. Learn a skill that was useful 100 years ago and is useful today
27. Read twelve classics I haven't read before {September 2010}
28. Memorize twelve poems {1/12}
29. Attend every poetry reading on campus in the spring 2008 semester {04.03.08}
30. Learn to play, and memorize, a song on the piano
31. Take ballroom dancing lessons
32. Read all of Emily Post's Etiquette (17th Edition) {08.06.09}
33. Learn (or re-learn) basic conversational phrases in French, Spanish, and Italian
34. Take a book-making course
35. Take a cooking or cake decorating course {March 2010 -- SO FUN!}
36. Take a flower arranging course
37. Learn calligraphy
38. Learn to cross-stitch or quilt and complete a project

Financial
39. Buy something that increases in value {May 09 - Victorian, mahogany dining room table}
40. Don't eat out for a month {second half of 2009}
41. Find out my credit score once a year {1/3}
42. Keep up with Microsoft Money {September 2010}
43. Read two financial literacy books a year {September 2010}
44. Contribute to traditional IRA annually {2/3}

Health & Recreation
45. Compile list of 25 snack ideas and post on refrigerator
46. Don't eat a single fried chicken sandwich in dining hall for a year {12.31.08}
47. Go to the OB/Gyn {12.17.08}
48. Conclusively find out my blood type
49. Take a multivitamin every day for a month. Develop a system. {February 2010}
50. Make a list of exercise activities I enjoy and post ({September 2010}
51. Exercise three times a week for three months
52. Train for and compete in a 5K road race
53. Stretch every morning for two weeks {0/14}
54. Buy a type of exercise video I've never tried and do it three times a week for three months
55. Take five new people letterboxing {July 2010}
56. Place a letterbox

Personal Challenges
57. Write down and store end-of-life wishes {August 2010}
58. Go camping {03.11.09}
59. Get up at the same time every day for thirty days in a row {February 2010}
60. Make a list of things I don't like about myself, and try to fix them {September 2010}
61. Make a list of things I wish I was, and try to be them {August 2009}
62. Personal

Self Improvement
63. Attempt to whiten teeth (ongoing)
64. Find an excellent foundation, even if expensive {August 2009}
65. Buy or receive a tailored suit {01.14.09}
66. Personal
67. Receive a fellowship for summer 2008
68. Arrange three informational interviews for senior year {0/3}
69. Maintain no less than a 3.9 GPA through graduation
70. Be inducted into Phi Beta Kappa {05.16.08}
71. Graduate summa cum laude
72. Graduate in May 2009

Experiences
73. Cook an Indian dinner for friends and family {09.13.09}
74. Eat ten dishes/foods I've never tried before {10/10 + as of June 2009}
75. Eat vegetarian for a week {October 19-26, 2009}
76. Make a loaf of bread from scratch {January 23, 2010}
77. Pick fruit at a pick-your-own farm and do something with it {May 2010}
78. Visit two more states I've never been to {June 09 - Amish Country, Ohio and Northern Michigan}
79. Take a train while going on a trip
80. Get a massage
81. Get a manicure or pedicure {pedicure September 2010}
82. Go riding at the farm with family {June 09}
83. Take a trip to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket
84. Travel to Europe for at least a week
85. Spend a weekend away with J {03.09.09 -- 03.13.09}
86. Plant a vegetable garden, even if very small {Spring/Summer 2010. We planted strawberries, Brandywine tomatoes, bushy cucumbers, red leaf lettuce, dill, parsley, cilantro, and basil -- and all on an apartment balcony!}
87. See Arcade Fire in concert (again)
88. See the Martha Stewart Show live {01.16.08 - AMAZING.}
89. Be a bridesmaid or Maid of Honor {August 2010 and September 2010}
90. See David Beckham play soccer
91. Do at least one Gimme Your Stuff exchange
92. Go to a hot air balloon festival or on a hot air balloon ride {May 2010, at a photo shoot!}
93. Adopt either a cat or dog {November 2009 - YIPPEE!}

Miscellaneous
94. Comment on wedding blogs three times a week for three months {summer 2009}
95. Comment on favorite blogs three times a week for three months {summer 2009}
96. Subscribe to favorite magazines after graduation
97. Frame and hang J's and my photographs as art {August 09}
98. Design business cards and have them printed {designed and printed them myself April 2009}
99. Buy a new laptop {received new laptop November 2009}
100. Donate $1 to charity for every item on my list not completed {September 2010}
101. Create a new 101 in 1001 list

66 completed items
8 partially completed