Benito is Neat-o

 

Okay,  I'm going to have to promise myself that this is the last one for a while.  It's just that it was a Benito cover!  AND it's gorgeous. Okay, all done.

Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow....Ruffled Dress

WANT. 

Anguilla, the gorgeous flirty dress, the way he's looking at her....

Unusually Fine Photography

Green Lady Slipper Orchid Painting by Kim Docter

Okay, so the jig is up.  Kim Docter just-so-happens-to-be my darling mother, and the artist of this incredible painting.  The inspiration for it was a botanical print from one of my favorite coffee table books: The Orchid: From the Archives of the Royal Horticultural Society

I chose the Green Lady Slipper Orchid because it's almost bizarre.  A curiosity to be sure.  So exotic - that to some - it's almost ugly.  However, for a die hard orchid lover like myself - it epitomizes rebellious, exotic beauty. I wanted this painting to serve as the statement piece in my bathroom, and I absolutely could not be happier with it.  It is STUNNING. My mother took a very stoic botanical print (beautiful, but nonetheless) and gave it a soul.  I even convinced her to sign it...which is something that in ten years of painting has proved difficult - nigh impossible. Until now.

Needless to say, having a mother who is a talented artist doesn't suck. Next up, I'm going to put her to work on the large scale Lotus Painting for the living room.  Cause' I'm thoughtful like that :)

Thanks Mom.  I LOVE it. 

XOXO

Vintage Vogue Magazine

This little lovely just arrived in the Mail.  Isn't it gorgeous? Swooooon.  It's from June 7th, 1930 and features a cover by Harriet Meserole.  I grabbed a couple other covers, by Harriet for your viewing pleasure - they are all beautiful.

I have been collecting vintage issues of Vogue from 1900-1930 since I was 16...there are so many incredible covers. Needless to say these are ART, and they just don't make em' like they used to.  They look great on a shelf, among other objet d'art.  They definitely bring an air of elegance to a display, and a provide a wonderful historical contrast to all of the modern things that are so pervasive in our lives.

It's just kind of humbling to realize that this issue of Vogue is 80 years old...just take a moment to ponder all of the change and progress that has transpired in that span of time.

You Stay Classy, San Diego...

Windmill Palm's...the biz-nass end

A Windmill Palm is a cold hardy variety of Palm Tree which I have coveted for the last three years.  Unfortunately being a condo dweller, I am limited to a small balcony and they are usually quite large.  So when I spotted a modest sized one (about half as tall as my ceilings) I jumped at the chance to shell out for it. Fair warning - they are spendy, and not for the faint of heart (I cut my hand on one of the leaves).  However they are also incredibly beautiful, and give a mysterious-tropical-come hither vibe to a space.  Which exactly suits my goal of "relaxed moroccan in yellow repose" on the balcony. Yup, that just happened.

It's currently doing double duty - it's beautiful when I'm on the balcony, but it's exquisite against the bright white of my leather couch through the windows of my french doors.  Perfection. 

And yes - there maybe may have been some un-lady like mutterings after I cut my hand...but I'm telling you, SO worth it.  And really - I've cut myself on tape measure's, toaster's, you name it...I'm kind of legendary, so it's probably just me :) 

If you would like to find more information on how to care for these plants you can find it here. 

If you would like to take the plunge and purchase one go nuts. 

Laugh with your whole heart with the people you love the most...

Captivating Camilla Akrans Photograph

 

I can't really explain why I'm so impossibly drawn to this picture - but I quite simply am.  Maybe it's the look of quiet confidence in her eyes.  Or the feeling that for a fleeting moment, time has just stopped and allowed for a rare moment of quiet reflection. What ever it is - I am captivated utterly.  The original picture was color, but I'm going to have it printed in black and white but-of-course. 

The artist behind the photos is brilliant, you can check out more work by Camilla Akrans here and down below:

Thanks to coco+kelley for posting about the artist originally. 

  

                           

Graphic Posters are the Shiz

 

I heart TypoGraphicPosters.com.  There I said it.  Seriously though - this site is the shiz.  If beautiful things stir your soul you will get lost on it.  Graphic posters galore, clean design, and it all supports the artist.  Does it get any better than that? I actually ordered the poster I finally decided on for the office nook from an artist on this site.

MAD props to the creator of the website. You're brilliant. Thank you.

The catalyst for this search was of course the infamous For Like Ever Poster, which I love - but couldn't bring myself to put up in my place because everyone else has it.  I also really love the poster that was featured in Lonny Magazine's 3rd Issue in Victoria Thompson's gorgeous NY Apartment:

 

I grabbed a couple of my favorites from TypographicPosters.com, but you can - and should just spend hours on this site like I did to find your fav :)

So you want to buy the poster. Dangit. They're not e-commerce enabled (hopefully they are working on that?) I had good luck doing a Google Search for the Artist's name though.  Usually you can find some sort of contact info for them (Facebook in my case) and reach out to ask about ordering the poster you have now fallen madly in love with.  

  

 

  

Tiffany Atlas Table Clock...Be Still My Heart

 

"A Tiffany clock tells more than time."

I'm hoping this one doesn't tell everyone "Pssst...Victoria spent her whole tax return on me - because I'm pretty!!!"  Let's face it though...the Tiffany Atlas Table Clock is gorgeous.  And I am a firm believer that Tax Refunds should be spent or ridiculous fun things that you would never in a million years purchase with "real money" :)

I was inspired to seek this clock out when I saw this version in an article on Lizzie Bailey in the ever fabulous Lonny Magazine:

 

Is that not just to die for? I share an obsession, er-um...love for tray's, and this picture was just too perfect.  The timelessness of the Tiffany clock, the soft casual air of the flowers,  and the perfect little shot of turquoise to spice things up just-a-bit. Perfection.

So if you still need to talk yourself into this purchase...here are a couple of solid bullet points to throw at yourself that worked pretty well on me:

1. This clock is timeless, and very good quality - so you'll have it for life.

2. You need to know what time it is, on your nightstand...at all times.  This is just a basic need.

3. I will feel less guilty if others purchase this clock, lol

4. You DESERVE it!

If the one I hope to purchase soon doesn't strike your fancy there are plenty of other swoooon worthy options on the Tiffany Website if you search for "clock".  I've included a couple of my favorites below:

 

  

Graphic Poster for the Office Nook

My search for the perfect Graphic Poster for my office nook began when I feel in love with the "For Like Ever" Poster which was featured in Domino Magazine. I started searching on the internet for something that was equally punchy - but also unique. I fell hard and fast for this one from a graphic artist in Amsterdam named Jop Quirindongo. I love love LOVE the colors, and if you transpose the letters it spells GARDEN...which has personal meaning to me. Lastly...I just really dig concert/music posters. Music is such a huge part of my life so it just makes sense that I gravitate towards them.

I really love the website that I found it on, and will write more about it as soon as I get a chance. If you are interested in Jop's work you can find him on Facebook, and have him custom print something for you. Just a heads up though...shipping is pretty spendy!

Hello World...ima' blog

Soooo....this is awkward. How you doin'?

I bet you're dying to know why I decided to start yet another decor blog. Well it was selfish really. I came to the conclusion that my obsession with decor should really be forced upon the few friends and family who will subscribe to this blog out of pity - because I'm thoughtful like that : )

BUT on the off chance that you landed here because you also love decor "so much that you would marry it" - WELCOME. You're in good company.

That being said...shall we?

XO,

Victoria