In today's post...

When I opened the mailbox today I found this little fellow. Along with his traveling companion, the Peace Crane, Bear had left his home and traveled across the Atlantic Ocean, and most of North America before finding his way to Portland. Both travelers, being quite weary from their adventures, enjoyed a light supper of tea and toast, and have taken themselves off for a nap.

Image by me, more Bears live here.

Cloche hats...

After viewing a few films and reading a book set in the 1920s I have fallen in love with the hairstyles, and in particular cloche hats. The perfect solution to a bad hair day don't you think?

Images from the Condé Nast Store.

Weekend doings...

How was your weekend? Ours was super-duper lazy and potter-y about-y - which was wonderful. The tree went up, Christmas wish lists were written by the boys, a few movies were watched, and the Sunday Best holiday sale was attended. So wonderful to see so many lovely things and all local!

Images clockwise from top left: Pigeon Toe Ceramics; Sara Barner; Elisabeth Bentz; and Hinged Strung Stitched.

Weekly what:nots...

Happy Friday! If you celebrated Thanksgiving I hope you had a lovely time. We spent the evening with friends, and things took an exciting turn when the fire brigade arrived! It certainly made for a memorable evening. On to what:nots for the week - most of which I am coveting for Christmas.

A simple, and elegant (not to mention comfortable looking) dress from Amber Jules.

Lovely photography from Heather Smith Jones.

A delicate finely knitted silver cuff.

One of many gorgeous paintings from kikiandpolly.

Two Tarts Bakery - a scrumptious Portland discovery!

What must be the cutest money box from Three Potato Four.

Images from Amber Jules, Heather Smith Jones, We.ar.it, kikiandpolly, Two Tarts Bakery, and Three Potato Four.

Angus & Julia Stone...

Love, love, love this song from Angus and Julia Stone. I hope you have a happy and festive Thanksgiving!

Baby, it's cold outside...

Portland had the most beautiful late Fall day today - clear clear skies, sunshine, and crisp air. The hills over the river are slowly being covered in snow, and the trees are just about all bare. An ideal time of year for snuggling up in front of the fire, lots of woolies and cookies.

Images left to right: Toast sloppy joe house socks; Peanut butter caramel cookies baked and beautifully photographed by Jillian Leiboff; Cosy fireside by Ben Pentreath Ltd; Eleanor stripe blanket from Toast.

Beautiful illustrations...

Natsumi Nishizumi's artwork and illustrations are too elegant and pretty for words. She also has a lovely range of linen - see more here and here.

Image from Natsumi Nishizumi.

Weekend doings...

How was your weekend? I hope you had fun. We had a lovely relaxed time. R and I went to the wonderful Park Kitchen for dinner on Friday night - it was delish! We pottered about the rest of the time, lots of walks, reading, and general lolling about. I purchased a slightly extravagant bunch peonies - so pretty. We watched two very different movies - Sin Nombre which was brutal and haunting with the most incredible cinematography, and Easy Virtue which was light and full of fun. In other news - I have been accepted to attend TED Active 2010! I am beyond excited and quite overwhelmed to be honest. Eeeep! This week is looking rather busy with lots of appointments, R leaving for 18 days in NZ, and of course Thanksgiving! I hope you have a lovely Monday.

Weekly what:nots...

Or should that be weekend what:nots? Where has the week gone? Talk about being an absent blogger.... No excuses really just caught up in the détails mineurs of my life with a few car dramas thrown in for good measure, and before you know it it's the weekend. Enough chatting let's get on to what:nots, and I promise next week I will be more onto it!

Love the whole 'less is more' look of Calvin Klein models.

How cool are these oragami tea bags by Natalia Ponomareva? Sadly they are only at concept stage...

A perfect vintage pair of gilt Louis XVI inspired arm chairs - upholstered in burlap no less.

The simple serenity of artists Grahame Sydney's work. There's a great interview with him here.

The sweetest little bear badge from karmatank, with such a lovely story. In fact all the little bears have a lovely little story - so sweet.

Always on the lookout for a great bag. This one would be perfect, sadly it's sold out and was horribly expensive!

And to end with some pretty packaging (and a lovely drink).

Images via style.com, Popsop, Bohemiennes, Artyone, karmatank, Anya Hindmarch, and Eat Drink Chic.

Weekend doings...

How was your weekend? Ours was filled with swimming, planes, a piggy bank that is actually a cow, movies, and general weekend-y type things. This week is looking like a full one, and R arrives home tomorrow after a week in China, so it will be nice to be four again. When you have a chance pop over to stylist Shauna Faust's website where you can gaze at the most beautiful images. Hope you have had (or are having) a happy Monday.

Images from Shauna Faust (via Simple Song).

Have you seen this...

The Anthropologist is an online space for inspiring works and inspiring individuals. Launched this week the site features work, thoughts and inspiration from the director Jane Campion, film-makr Andrew Zuckerman, and photographer David Eustace who explore themes of love, trust and family. It is well work checking out!

Images from The Anthropologist.

Weekly whatnots...

Here we are at Friday again. How was your week? Ours was mixy to say the least, but we got there in the end. Without further ado here's this week's what:nots.

The perfect blunt bob (via Life According to Celia)

Loving the colours on this Aubin & Wills tee.

The absolute cutest little creature for a pet (via Peonies & Polaroids).

St Jude the patron saint of lost causes from the treasure trove that is Sadie Olive.

An oil painting by German artist Erik Offermann.

Yet another wonderful bag by Elise Caarels.

Lovely end-papers from old books (via Heather Smith Jones).

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Images from Bumble and Bumble, Aubin & Wills, Peonies & Polaroids, Sadie Olive, artnet, Elise Caarels, and Drawger.

Paula Sanz Caballero...

Hunting through my folders I came across a collection of cards featuring the incredible work of Spanish illustrator and fabric artist Paula Sanz Caballero. Paula's illustrations and fabric art are just sublime, and have featured in advertising for Bloomingdales, Roger La Borde cards, and Vogue and WWD articles. You can see more of her work here.

Images from Paula Sanz Caballero and Taiko & Associates.

Our apartment...

Our new couch (sofa, sectional, ... call it what you will) was delivered yesterday. I'm beyond excited - is that bad? It is super spacious and we can all snuggle up on it, or spread out as we like - perfect. I've come to love our apartment, and although I still miss our home and the sea, the glorious changing view we have more than makes up for it. The sky seems to stretch on and on past the mountains and beyond - bliss! As with any rental there's some decor 'approaches' that we'd totally redo if we were the owner, but with a bit this and a bit of that we are slowly making it a home. We just need a few things like -

Some great shelves for little bits and bobs.

Some fab chairs like this one.

A lovely sideboard like this one.

And a way to hang pictures without making holes :)

Mind you this doesn't stop me imagining what I would do if I was the owner....

Images from Design*Sponge, unknown^, Design*Sponge, and unknown.

^ if either of these are your images please let me know so I can credit them.