i feel prettyi feel prettyhttp://www.holidayboutique.net/blog/2013-05-23T13:27:09ZSquarespacein the Boston Herald today: Pack Your Bags!http://www.holidayboutique.net/blog/2013/5/23/in-the-boston-herald-today-pack-your-bags.htmlHoliday Boutique2013-05-23T12:50:38Z2013-05-23T12:50:38Zhappy almost long weekend! my 2 cents in the Boston Herald today...

Warmer weather = weekend getaways.  (And this weekend we've got a long one--woo hoo!)  Wherever you're headed, you've got to pack a bag.  Here are 10 fabulous ways to tote your stuff outa town... 

1.  I'm mildly obsessed with a retro duffle shape.  I love this one in pink with a gold dusted leather handle by Persifor. $148

2-5.  These four by Sloane Ranger put a smile on my face with summer motifs like lobsters, anchors, whales and sailors stripes. $70

6.  The sturdy Boat & Tote by L.L. Bean is a New England original and provides plenty of bang for your buck.  Personalize with a monogram. $20.95-$38.95

7.  Fjallraven's Kanken backpack, originally made for Swedish school kids in the 1970's, is still just as popular today--even with adults. $75

8.  Uber-luxe with a "are you serious?!" price tag, The HermesFeu2Dou is a little bit of (private) jet-set heaven. $6400 (sigh)

9.  Also $$$, but built to last, Louis Vuitton's KeepAll 55 is heirloom worthy. $1270

10.  Lastly, Le Sportsac always has a large variety of whimsical prints and patterns for their classic weekender. $118

 

]]>ode to the peonyhttp://www.holidayboutique.net/blog/2013/5/22/ode-to-the-peony.htmlHoliday Boutique2013-05-22T19:05:27Z2013-05-22T19:05:27Zare you guys having a love affair with peonies right now, too?  finally they are back and accessible.  about a week ago they became available again at my local bodega, Wholefoods, etc.  i've got them scattered about my apartment in various vessels.  you know where my priorities are when i hang onto (and tweet!) every word from this very wise fellow Concordian ;)

"Flowers...are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty out-values all the utilities of the world".  - Ralph Waldo Emerson

around the corner on Madison.. $10 a bunch!

 

on my desk.  works wonders...

 

and speaking of things that make my desk a little brighter-  the pencils by Amanda Catherine Designs i told you about finally came.  how ADORABLE?!

 

 on my side of the bed

 

my side is so much better than his side- which generally consists of a pile business cards, tons of change and one intrusive, stinky mountain bike

 

they don't last long- and remind me to appreciate the moment.  they also have a sense of humor.  plop...

 

yesterday i had only one big bloom hanging on...

 

but what a beautiful mess they make...

]]>lunch break with maira kalmanhttp://www.holidayboutique.net/blog/2013/5/21/lunch-break-with-maira-kalman.htmlHoliday Boutique2013-05-21T16:06:45Z2013-05-21T16:06:45Zat my finger tips...

 

she is so wonderful

The Principles of Uncertainty

]]>daydreaminghttp://www.holidayboutique.net/blog/2013/5/21/daydreaming.htmlHoliday Boutique2013-05-21T14:34:14Z2013-05-21T14:34:14Zit's only 10:35 a.m. and i'm already daydreaming.  it looks something like this...

]]>more sweet treats...http://www.holidayboutique.net/blog/2013/5/20/more-sweet-treats.htmlHoliday Boutique2013-05-20T22:53:07Z2013-05-20T22:53:07Zthat are SO sweetly priced... 

 

 

btw- don't you love her braids? 

note the sequin on the back...  

en route now & ALL under $100.

]]>once upon a time...http://www.holidayboutique.net/blog/2013/5/20/once-upon-a-time.htmlHoliday Boutique2013-05-20T14:51:30Z2013-05-20T14:51:30Z...in central park around 6:45 p.m. he asked me a very serious question

 

 

i had to sit down and think ;)

 

 

and consult someone special

 

 

rubes said, "SAY YES!"  

so i did.  

cheers to new beginnings!  

]]>happy friday + the perfect WEEKEND dresshttp://www.holidayboutique.net/blog/2013/5/17/happy-friday-the-perfect-weekend-dress.htmlHoliday Boutique2013-05-17T16:49:09Z2013-05-17T16:49:09Z

 

this stylish staple is shipping for saturday!  also coming in navy/white.  best part?  it's $85!

you're welcome ;)

]]>she's craftyhttp://www.holidayboutique.net/blog/2013/5/17/shes-crafty.htmlHoliday Boutique2013-05-17T15:00:58Z2013-05-17T15:00:58Z 

so it's taken me 2 years to finally get around to making my own tassel garland.  i've been obsessed with Confetti System (the ultimate purveyor) forever- but never wanted to shell out the $130 for what i HOPED i could make myself... for like, $10.  guess what?  i did.  and it's happily up in Holiday's window now.  here is an example from Confetti System...

but HERE is a simple tutorial that i used.  and when i say simple... i mean it!  tissue paper + ribbon + scissors = all you need.  i'll give you a break down...

i love how it looks in the shop window- but this would also be fabulous for any festive occasion or even a child's bedroom.  (heck- i want one in my bedroom)!  color options are endless... my next go at it may be all white, gold & silver.

ta da!

]]>encounters with the earth's beautyhttp://www.holidayboutique.net/blog/2013/5/16/encounters-with-the-earths-beauty.htmlHoliday Boutique2013-05-16T20:11:47Z2013-05-16T20:11:47Za whole lot of this going on... (why am i the last to know?)

 



i think i have caught the fever... this mixed media piece by London artist, Charlotte Hardy,  below is now at the top of my wish list...

(link within for Charlotte Hardy)

]]>In the Boston Herald today: The New Needlepointhttp://www.holidayboutique.net/blog/2013/5/16/in-the-boston-herald-today-the-new-needlepoint.htmlHoliday Boutique2013-05-16T15:54:55Z2013-05-16T15:54:55Zmaybe i'm late to the game, but i've been admiring needlepoint goods lately.  i love how authentic it feels paired with more modern elements in the home.  i also think it's a fabulous and unexpected accessory... like those camo Stubbs down there!  i think i need.  my picks in the Herald today...

About a year ago I noticed traditional needlepoint creeping into the contemporary fashion and decor world.   The resurgence of what most consider to be Granny's past-time took me a while to embrace.  Did I really like it?  It turns out I actually LOVE it and have been collecting odds and ends that feel incredibly stylish and (dare I say) even glamorous.  With so many disposable "insta-trends" being pumped out to the masses (you're a busy place, China), needlepoint seems like the perfect style antitode that remedies all the "too much too fast" in the marketplace (and in our closets & homes).  In fact, I'm contemplating picking up a needle and creating something myself.  Until then (this could take a looooong time) there are several charming items out there that graciously bow down to this time-honored and time-consuming art.  Nana never looked so fresh, fun & NEW!
 
1.  The combo of camo & needlepoint on these coveted loafers has me swooning.  Stubbs & Wootton
 
2.  Perhaps the CUTEST little change pouch I've ever seen.  Thank you, Jonathan Adler!
 
3.  I love this zebra phone case in hot coral.  Learn to make your very own with a kit from purlsoho.com
 
4.  A stitched sailboat wallet is a preppy staple.  Smathers and Branson has a vast collection of needlepoint goods.  
 
5.  You'll always find your keys if they're attached to this colorful fob!  Stina Stitches on Etsy.com
 
6.  Trina Turk also makes fabulous things to dress your home.  This pillow has me in stitches! 
 

 

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