simplepretty

School starts next Monday. Hooray! I used to spend August (and late July, if possible) school supply shopping. Which Trapper Keeper? Which pencil and pen? I could spend hours at Target making these important decisions. Fast forward to now, when we pick up my son’s supplies, shrink-wrapped and boxed by the PTO. The convenience of one-stop shopping doesn’t stop me from looking, however. Combine my love of office supplies with a crazy amount of magazine reading (it’s been raining here non-stop; what else am I going to do?) and you’re bound to find some pencil and paper inspiration.Pencil: I am typically a mechanical pencil girl because the point is always ready. But my head has been turned by the Faber-Castell Perfect pencil, spotted in Elle Decor. Available in black and brown (I prefer black), it bridges the gap between regular and mechanical. The issue? Price. I found the brown one at Greer for $230 (currently not available), but have also seen it for $34 at eBay. (Oooh! I’ve also now found it for $450, which is more than I want to spend – $34 sounds good.) How long will I hold out?Paper: This entry is totally credited to R. I cannot even remember which magazine it was in. Check out these lovely paper dresses by Jennifer Collier. My favorites are the Letter Dress, made from vintage letters and envelopes, and the Map Dress, made from (you guessed it) vintage maps. Oh, and also the Book Dress! These would be lovely framed, I think. Perhaps in the Guest Room? Hallway? So unique and fun! Thanks, R, for finding this and sharing it.On a side note, anyone in NYC want to go to the

Prada Sample Sale for me? Sooooo tempting.See you tomorow!

SaveSave

Vacation was great! I am ready to move to Boston whenever, by the way. Over the next few days, I’ll be sharing some of my discoveries and favorites from our short getaway. As usual, I spent the weekend recovering from being gone. This little stack above was waiting for me when I returned. (And that doesn’t count Vogue and Vanity Fair, which I read while travelling. Kind of made me sad to rip up Vogue as I read it, but it was waaaaay too heavy to even consider lugging back.)The first favorite from Boston is Kayak Cookies. I had it on my list of things to eat while there, and I was not disappointed. Kayak Cookies are a salty oatmeal cookie, and they’re awesome! Thanks to Elisabeth’s recommendation while we were at the South End Formaggio, I bought the regular and chocolate mixed pack, and now I’m craving some more. However, Formaggio’s cheapest shipping option is currently 2-day air, at $30. I hope that is the summer rate, and they’ll soon offer regular old UPS. Because I need some more Salty Oats! If you’re in Boston, you have no excuse …..

Back later – right now, I’m dealing with a sump pump that is not working, with a plumber set to arrive in the next hour.Okay, I’m back. Nothing that $335 can’t fix :) This was all over the blogosphere last week, but Darcy Miller, the editor of Martha Stewart Weddings, is now writing The Bride’s Guide wedding blog. And you know that it’s going to be good, since the magazine is great! Check it out here. This will help me bide the time between issues. (I’ve also added it to my “You Should Visit” section at the right.) Have a great Monday!

SaveSave

Thank you, computer literate blog readers who sat on your hands and chose instead to smile when I said “I’m backing up purchased music (to .Mac) as I type this”. Hah! Four hours plus later, and still not complete, I bailed on that plan ….. and we will be getting a hard drive.But that’s not what Friday is about – it’s Flickr time. Here are the Five:

1. cherry tart
2. like a dance floor
3. Library Letterpress Wedding invite #2
4. breakfast
5. Acorn street

Hope your weekend is delightful …. I’m taking next week off. (Places to go, things to see, magazines to read.) See you on Monday, August 20!

Some days, things just fall into place. And some weeks have more of those days than others. Examples?

1. The day after I complain to my husband about our lack of a sprinkler system (which we have “committed” to install), it starts to rain. I think we’ve had over four inches since that complaint. This is really more of a benefit to my husband than me.
2. The day after we do not buy a hard drive at the Apple store (it’s out of stock), my .Mac account announces it’s increasing storage to 10G. That is plenty for my backup needs at this time. (I’m backing up “purchased music” as I type this.)
3. We planned our vacation timing to Boston around our son’s soccer schedule, but it just happens to coincide with tax-free weekend. Score!
4. The mailman, who for some reason, has no rhyme or reason regarding magazine delivery, does manage to bring my Yes Press postcard yesterday. (Isn’t that linen envelope lovely? It’s going to make it that much harder to part with the postcards as they arrive.) The postcard delivery brings his cumulative grade to a D-/F+. By the way, along with my postcard, which arrived yesterday, August 8, I also received a postcard inviting me to a one day sale, taking place August 7. Yeah, I don’t think I’ll make it.

Buoyed by my good karma, I’m trying to override the flight dread. I’m so psyched to see a lot of stuff in Boston: Black Pearl Press, the Buttery, Stir (thank you today’s Daily Candy!), Black Ink, and many, many other things that I’m not remembering at this moment.So I’m asking – what am I not remembering? What in Boston must I see? (City locations only – no car – all walking/cabs in a pinch.) Post a comment with your favs, and I’ll add them to my list of things to do. (and if you know me at all, you know I have a list ….) Thanks!

SaveSave

Yesterday, our high-energy German Short Haired Pointer turned four. I am hoping for big things from Cooper this year. Namely, that she will come to the realization that she cannot catch robins (or bunnies) while on a leash (if ever) and therefore, trying to rip my arm off to get closer to her prey is pointless. She is a sweetie, though …..Have you noticed how disjointed the blog has been this week? Yep, that’s right, I’m in the middle of pre-flight freak. Haven’t done a lick of packing, either. Waiting to see what the weatherman sayeth …..Loved today’s NYTimes story about artist Annie Sessler. Her husband catches the fish. Next, she makes a print onto vintage textiles using the actual fish. Then, they eat the fish. I think it’s an honorable tradition. Not to mention, the prints are gorgeous. The Times’ website features a gorgeous slideshow of her printing process here. Want to see more? Ms. Sessler’s web site, East End Fish Prints, offers a gallery of her work as well as her appearance schedule. Prices go up to $2500. (Another print was featured on the Edible East End: Summer 2006 cover.) I’m off to find more distractions. See you tomorrow!

SaveSave