simplepretty

menus, island creek oyster bar

Ace designs from Boston-area firm Oat Creative. I was particularly excited to learn they are responsible for Island Creek Oyster Bar’s identity and menus, as it’s a restaurant I’m quite eager to check out. (I mean really, what’s not to love about great design and oysters?) Check out more Oat fabulosity at their website.

island creek oyster bar website

logo for architect patrick ahearn

bottles for posto pizzeria & wine bar

images courtesy of oat creative

credit for the discovery goes to Under Consideration’s fantastic new site Art of the Menu, which expertly combines my loves of food + design

Ah, September is here: my favorite month – probably because we’ll celebrate both my boys’ birthdays. The weather still trends sunny + warm, but the light takes on that golden, autumn tone …. and the nights are cooler …. and the routines are back. (I do love my routines.)

Here are some of my favorite Flickr finds from August. Though I have yet to report on my August vacation finds (I promise, they’re coming!) time marches on.

1. at the farm stand
2. Vintage pencil
3. yesterday’s harvest
4. Outside Outerlands
5. back to the boat
6. Lake Ontario #5
7. Untitled
8. Shiso Iced Black Tea, Cafe Demitasse, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles

Looking forward to the long holiday weekend. See you Wednesday.

Photo at the top is from my August visit to Elawa Farm, Lake Forest. Hopefully, the first of many.

raoul textiles, santa barbara

Peggy Wong: where do I even begin? The woman is crazy talented. Not only does she produce some graphically exquisite paper products (and rugs and art direction), but I’ve long admired her photographic eye. Her tumblr photo blog, away, simply and delightfully captures the emotion in the places and spaces she visits. (I’m fortunate to count Peggy as a friend, and I can’t even begin to tell you the number of times that she’s showed me a picture she took with her cell phone that filled me with glee.) And so it was serendipitous that Peggy decided to launch a photography site, and with this new business, take her creativity in a fresh direction. Inspired by her summer travels in Europe, Peggy Wong Photography is a wondrous lens on her world. I’m so pleased to introduce Peggy’s new venture, as well as share her answers to my “Getting to know ….” series with you.

Getting to Know: Peggy Wong

I start my day …. by kissing my husband good morning. standing in the kitchen, with a cup of coffee in hand, and staring out the windows. i love the outdoors and am very lucky that our home is surrounded by trees, it’s like living in a treehouse!

Inspired by …. anything by fabien baron – especially his typography/editorial layouts for harper’s bazaar in the nineties. truly inspirational (and aspirational). black and white photography. architecture. jazz – the music and also designs that came out in the fifties. blue note records’ album covers by reid miles are my absolute favorites. museums – sometimes it’s not about the master pieces inside, it’s about the museums themselves. the second i step inside, i’m already inspired.

Favorite place …. maybe because i’m a pisces, i love being at sea. or any form of body of water for that matter. ocean, lake, river… one of my must-dos in hong kong every time i visit is to take the ferry ride across the harbour. favorite place of all? my parents’ home in upstate new york.

Never without …. my vintage cartier tank. and my mom’s three-gold cuff.

In the next 12 months, I hope to …. design and publish a book! with my photographs in it… :)

d’angelo’s bakery, santa barbara

room at the canary hotel, santa barbara

pharmacy sign, santa barbara

card from bluepoolroad’s new ombré paper collection

peggy wong photography website

thanks, peggy! here’s to your hopes becoming reality. i’m counting on it :)

all images courtesy of peggy wong

monocle stationery notebooks (image from monocle.com)

Without fail, I spend the month of August compiling a school supplies wish list. Something about a crisp notebook, pencil and eraser just resonates with me at this time of year, even though it’s been ages since I went “back to school”. Here are some of my 2011 finds. Perhaps you’ll be tempted to restock, too.

1. Monocle’s Stationery Notebooks: muted colors that scream adult. (but not too loudly)
2. Moleskine Roller Pen: love the understated square design, and that it easily clips to your notebook.
3. Chinese Friendship Pencils: for crossword puzzles and other uncertain exercises.
4. O-Check Koh-I-Nor Eraser Set: so pretty in the bag that I don’t think I’d be able to open it.
5. Poppin Green Ruler: graphic + clean to make measuring fun. (Really impressed with the whole Poppin line.)

I think we need to start a new trend. January, instead of sales sales sales (and bleak weather), should rebrand as “Adult Back-To-School Month” (perhaps a different name, but you get the idea). Just when you’re ready to resolve away, you could first stock up with smart accessories. Who’s in?

moleskine roller pen (image from papyrusonline.com)

chinese friendship pencils (image from presentandcorrect.com)

o-check koh-i-noor erasers (image from limette.co)

green poppin ruler (image from poppin.com)

image credits given at photo

new york

I have an endless fascination with antique maps: the older; the better. These découpage trays, from Ben’s Garden, would serve as lovely travel souvenirs …. or even better, combine with airline tickets for an extra-special way to say “Guess where we’re headed next?”

hagstrom’s map of new york

paris

images courtesy of ben’s garden: click over to see even more options, like london, the hamptons, nantucket ….