work pad
Completely besotted with the industrial-elegant paper goods from London-based purveyor Before Breakfast (Instagram: @beforebreakfast_london). Any of these items on your desk denotes your seriousness about proper tools that also have design bona fides: it’s like having secret access to a cool stash of office supplies.
The line is dedicated to sustainability, not only in their printing methods but also in repurposing scrap cuttings and leftover paper. In 2020, Before Breakfast has been using these scraps to create a series of one-off notebooks : you can follow their progress at Instagram.
For your organizational consideration, there’s a plethora of planners to choose from as well. I’m too late for their brilliant 2020 wall calendar; hopefully there’s a 2021 version in the offing.
stack of boxes
ruled bookstand
images via www.beforebreakfast.london
assortment from wanderlust’s portrait collection
In a season of confinement that never seems to end, I find myself drawn to connection more than ever, seeking out friends for bits of commiseration and support. An upside to connections via snail mail is the joy of selecting the perfect paper goods to express yourself. Recently, I discovered Wanderlust Paper Co. (instagram @wanderlustpaperco) Artist Lucy Brackin has a knack for simple, romantic artwork printed in a palette of understated, sweet pastels. Based in Hove, England, and printed by hand on a vintage press, it doesn’t go unnoticed that the company’s name perfectly suits the moment: if I’m to be denied the pleasures of travel this year, at least I can send some Wanderlust through the mail …
“you are divine” card
“hello you” card … the illustration reminds me of my mother
wanderlust paper’s nudes collection
images via wanderlustpaper.co
One of the things missing in my life circa Covid-19 — actually, since moving back to the US — is accessible good bread. Although I have no plans to adopt a sourdough starter of my own to be on trend during lockdown, I am completely besotted with the artistic loaves created by Swedish photographer/stylist Linda Sofia Ring. Baking solely for her family, and gluten intolerant(!), the photos she shares on instagram bring a smile with each new piece of edible art. They are Matisse-like in their simple elegance.
(Ring is featured in the new special food issue of Milk Decoration and it was a sublime introduction to her work.)
images via linda sofia ring at pinterest
linda sofia ring at instagram
Still sheltering-in-place, taking walks, scrolling Instagram, and dreaming. Dreaming of Stockholm, and a visit to Petit Marché, a completely charming sort of shop if your interests tend to flowers … and coffee … like me.
images from petit marché stockholm at facebook
Posted in living, travel
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Tagged alabama, birmingham, flowers, garden, garden center, glasshouse, house and garden, plants, shoppe, travel
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shoppe’s bungalow garden shop
2020 travel started off well enough. January brought a trip to Charleston; February took us to Nashville … and March was supposed to be Birmingham, expressly to visit Shoppe, a shop I have been obsessed with of late. Owners Jay Draper and Mark Thompson have created a flower and plant wonderland, complete with an authentic English glasshouse (and yes, that beautiful glasshouse was the gateway drug). I was hoping to escape late-winter Chicago for garden inspiration, do a little gift shopping, and cap off the visit with a bite to eat* at their newest venture, General, a general store and café concept located right next door. Now, with all travel postponed for the foreseeable future, I’m hoping that a late-fall trip will happen. Holiday inspiration and whatnot. Fingers crossed. In the meantime, the Instagram stalking continues …
an overview of shoppe
a peek inside the glasshouse
topiaries in shoppe’s english glasshouse
image credits: 1-3 from shoppe’s facebook page; 4 from shoppebham.com
* my backup lunch plan (if the café part wasn’t open yet) was Chez Fonfon
