PILLOW OF THE MONTH: manolo blahnik for liberty of london

so here's the thing about "inspiration files," you never know where a favorite image will reappear...and how.

in this case, here's a manolo blahnik shot that i ripped from the pages of vogue years ago! this image stopped me, well, in my tracks. what a gorgeous, gorgeous stiletto most whimsically art-directed. swoon....boy, have i longingly admired this beauty over the years.

much to my glee, this shoe reappeared! this time it is realized on a special-edition shoe print pillow "manolo blahnik for liberty of london."

love this rendition - and the adorable rick rack border. (and who doesn't love liberty's stuff?) the bummer is that the pillow only ships in the UK. so...i still have to dream about these beauties from afar. sniff. sniff.

g'night. i'm laying my head down now....

note it:

"i go to sleep" by the pretenders

(photo credits: vogue; liberty of london)

STYLE IT: horsin' around

if you follow my blog then you know that i'm obsessed with all things anthropologie. have been for many years...seriously addicted.

anyway, this image taken from the september catalog made me smile...as many images do in every catalog i save.

i immediately thought of sloane crosley's pony collection from "i was told there'd be cake." (might i add, a hilarious collection of essays about the misadventures of a 20-something gal in nyc) and the equestrian décor post i wrote a year ago. reminds me of my house in "horse country" (well, the closest thing to it anyway). and, this $28 horse knocker i recently found. i think it would be fun on any door - bedroom, bath, porch, wherever.

then, i noticed the cute pink + white scottie dogs' sweater (which i tried on in-store, by the way). in lieu of a sweater purchase (although i may buy it yet), id love to make these patchwork scottie pillows from denyse schmidt. if only i could sew....the pattern is free!

last, i want to say that i'm glad brass is back!

i feel nostalgic....

note it:

"brass monkey" by the beastie boys

PILLOW OF THE MONTH: "scene" in paris

if i were in need of some new throw pillows for my sofa, i'd snatch up these colorful babies in a "la ville-lumiere"heartbeat!

these with the paris scenes are from chicago's tabula tua from the famous textile house jules pansu of of paris, founded in 1878:

~ "carrousel de louvre"

~ "tuileries"

the organically patterned pillows in the middle are surprisingly from crate & barrel + suit these two parisian lovelies just perfectly. get one of these"sooki" prints now - on sale!

j'adore!

note it:

"entre saint-ouen et clignancourt" by edith piaf

PILLOW OF THE MONTH - some oomph

add some oomph: the store, that is.

this 22" pillow made of quadrille zig zag navy + white fabric with red flange is a little bit wild, with just the right edge.

get it here.

note it:

"shake your rump" by the beastie boys (20th anniversary album, remastered)

PILLOW OF MONTH: revisted

who wouldn't want to sleep in an outside bed? sign me up!

i'm sharing this image tonight from the latest anthropologie catalog for several reasons:

~ luxury camping, pretty please

~ ruffled "tuxedo" duvet with contrasting black piping (very current both in palette and style - an example of how fashion trends are translated for the home)

~ lovely "paradise" pillows, a more affordable version of my july "pillow of the month" post of a hand-painted "palms" pillow by French artist Haby Bonoma

so romantic en plein air.

ahhhh....

note it:

"cowboy casanova" by carrie underwood

PILLOW OF THE MONTH: warm + sunny

before the days of "top design," i've long been a fan of jonathan adler. (happy chic fact: i even have one of his original wool "heart" tote bags from his soho shop, circa 1998!). his stuff gives a necessary boost to many a room.

anyhoo, now that the cold weather has set in, i started thinking about his new "destination" needlepoint pillows. super cute - especially that boy toy bikini!

and though i'd love some fun under the sun, these sunny honeys will simply do.

(photo credit: jonathan adler)

PILLOW OF THE MONTH: pil-ahhhh-tes

this spring, i was working on a styling prototype for a pilates studio. as a starting point, this image really spoke to me back then...and still does now.

throw some oversized lounge-y pillows on your floor + breathe.

(photo credit: can't recall)

PILLOW OF THE MONTH: america, the beautiful

i was in NYC on business on 9/11/2001.

this handmade recycled felt pillow by one of my favorite big apple designers, alexandra ferguson, speaks to me today....

god bless america, the beautiful.

i love new york.

(photo credit: alexandra ferguson)

PILLOW OF THE MONTH: so foxy!

with autumn around the corner, i heart this foxy little metallic gold pillow cover from humble collection.

100% "natural" cotton twill and printed with gold non-toxic water based ink. fits over any 14" x 14" pillow insert with its envelope enclosure.

this cutie is sure to fly off humble's etsy shop's shelf!

p.s. their tea towels are fun too!

PILLOW OF THE MONTH: poetic palms

tomorrow i head to surfside beach, south carolina to see family. although a l-o-n-g drive, it's worth the thrill of seeing the palm trees when we first roll into town.

speaking of, i think this sustainable linen pillow by genevieve lévy is "trés magnifique." i can imagine the swaying palms already...and, as a reminder of what's left behind, this lovely could be worth a splurge.

get yours (+ free shipping) at chicago's tabula tua.

PILLOW OF THE MONTH: alexandra ferguson

alexandra ferguson has crafted some modernly eco-chic pillows adorned with hand cut appliqués out of...100% post consumer recycled felt from recycled water bottles!

her designs + vivid palettes are so "now" and they wonderfully mix + match. (i'm not surprised at her talents as her roots are in the fashion industry working for the likes of rebecca taylor and zac posen - how cool!).

get your bunch at her at her etsy shop.

i felt you should know.

p.s. if you live in nyc, a birdie told me that she sometimes sells her stuff at the not-to-miss brooklyn flea.

(photo credits: alexandra ferguson)

PILLOW OF THE MONTH: alena hennessy

ok, it's pillow of the month + more....

admittedly, i have a big heart for north carolina artist, alena hennessy.

first up, her intricately woven "mirabel terre" chocolate pillow. loomed in the southeast, this lovely textile suits many a location.

next, her completely green "queen anne" + "tree on heather" organic baby rib cotton scarve designs. printed with earth friendly inks, they are not only environmentally responsible, but snuggly too. they make the perfect wrap for a night out on the town or a cuddle on the couch.

last, alena's gorgeous hand-signed, numbered "grace & elegance giclee print. if you choose, this piece of art can arrive on your doorstep readily framed in chocolate maple with an oversize white mat + can be hung in minutes.

(it's living room décor in one box!)

one thing is for certain: you'll be proud as a peacock - and yet feel quietly grounded - to have these beauties in your home.

PILLOW OF THE MONTH: zany for zinnias

it's cold outside + i'm yearning for new growth.

this textile from phillie's galbraith and paul's "zinnia" hits the spot right now. get your linen pillow at room and board.

plus, block prints (by hand!) are artistic + really refreshing....and this color palette is really cool.

c'mon spring!

PILLOW OF THE MONTH - tiny sap

i am a sap. i heart hearts. i heart trees. so it makes sense my initial "pillow of the month" post would be one of these tiny saplings from etsy's hi tree.

yep, wee oak trees (or maples or sequoias) to spruce up your home or office. tina, the crafter, will even create custom designs.

ahhh....hug a tree.

tips+tricks:

why not plant a tree in someone's honor or memory + announce it by giving one of these cute pillows to the recipient? it'll be a gift that keeps on giving...