if I had a million dollars

I would buy...{the fun in the sun edition}

A Panama hat from J.Crew.

A pair of Wilson sunglasses, from Need Supply Co.

One of Kaufmann Mercantile's Canvas & Leather All-Purpose Totes.

A Bocce set from Fredericks & Mae.

And one of Steven Alan's Beach Blankets.

if I had a million dollars

I would buy...{the summer outfit edition}

A Symbol Tank, by Samantha Pleet for Of a Kind.

Mociun's Double Triangle Ring, available at Steven Alan.

Audrey Black shorts, from Bridge & Burn.

Moop's Carrier in Gray Waxed Canvas bag.

And a pair of Summer Sandals, from Everlane.

hut on sleds

I guess it's that time of year again. As soon as January comes around and it's truly winter here in New York, I start to find myself dreaming about warmer climates. Of course, it's not winter everywhere in the world, including New Zealand, where Crosson, Clarke, Carnachan Architects created The Hut on Sleds, an elegant beach house quite unlike any other.

 

You'll probably notice a few interesting features about The Hut on Sleds. For starters, although it only measures 40 square meters (430.56 square feet), it sleeps a family of five. Then there's that wheel mounted on the side of the hut, which allows the structure to easily be closed or opened up to the elements. Finally, the entire structure rests on top of two wooden sleds so that it can be shifted around and moved depending on the changing beach-front landscape. Brilliant, beautiful and elegant - it's the perfect beach-side getaway. 


(Photography by Jackie Meiring & Simon Devitt. Via desire to inspire)

my super short animated film fest! - summer and travel

my super short animated film fest!
week 2: summer and travel



SOLSTICE from Roland Seer on Vimeo.

(Via The Fox is Black)




Bottle from Kirsten Lepore on Vimeo.




Much Better Now from Salon Alpin on Vimeo.




Swimming pool from Alexandra Hetmerova on Vimeo.

(Via The Fox is Black)



LES PAYSAGES from Jerónimo Rocha on Vimeo.

(Via Colossal)

Don't you just love this season? 

if I had a million dollars

I would buy...{the clothing edition: keeping cool in the summer heat}

The two-tone straw hat, from J.Crew.

Ray-Ban sunnies in green, available at Need Supply Co.

An organic cotton polka dot tank tank, from Riordan Roache.

Bridge & Burn's Kate Twill Crimson camp shorts.

And a pair of NDC's Juliet Bruciato Sandal, available at Stuart & Wright.

Emmanuelle Walker - dogs & cars

Montreal-based animator and illustrator Emmanuelle Walker's Dogs & Cars series is so spot on. Not only are the dogs simply perfect for their cars, but the aerial perspective and unusual focus gives these such a fun and refreshing feel. Perfect for summer.

(Via Gems)

sweet paul salads (and an anniversary)

It's no secret that the reason I love summer is because of the abundance of delicious fruits and vegetables. Patrick and I have a CSA share of vegetables again this year, plus fresh eggs, and since that means our refrigerator is going to be filled with good greens until October, we're always looking for new recipies.

These deconstructed salads, from the summer issue of Sweet Paul Magazine, are not only some of the most gorgeous vegetables I've ever seen, but the corresponding recipies all sound delicious and perfect for summer.

And speaking of both summer and Patrick - a very happy 1st anniversary to the love of my life.

if I had a million dollars

I would buy...{thinking of summer: the swimsuit edition}

A Bathing Beauty One Piece in Plum Posy, from ModCloth.

 Mink Pink's Sunset One Piece, from Need Supply Co.

The calais floral ruched halter top and bottoms, from j.crew.

And both the Natalie One-Piece

and Modern Triangle Bikini from Anthropologie.

la cabane perchee

There is something so magical about tree houses. They remind me of writing classes at summer camp and stories of Angel Juan in the park and always wanting to walk through where the Swiss Family Robinson lived, even though it technically wasn't a ride. These particular tree houses were created by La Cabane perchée. They've built over 220 of them around France, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal, for both hotels and private clients, all without harming the tree in the process and taking into account the way it will continue to grow and change over the years.

(Via all the mountains)

heath ceramics

Heath Ceramics Summer 2010 Collection has been out since March, but I stumbled across them again over the weekend and was reminded of how much I love this colorful line of ceramics. This collection completely epitomizes summer to me. The ocean pacific color combination - aqua, zest yellow and gold - is simply stunning, and I love the idea that the middle yellow color is supposed to resemble a summer meadow. Like everything that Heath creates, every piece is still made by skilled craftsmen in their original factory in Salsaulito, California, as it has been for the past 55 years.

the high line

This weekend, along with what seemed like the rest of New York, we decided to go and see what all the fuss over the High Line has been about. For those of you who aren't from New York and don't know about the High Line, it's a park that was built from an old, pre-existing elevated train track above 10th and 11th Avenues on the west side of Manhattan. The first part of the park, which runs from Gansevoort to 20th Street, is finally complete and open to visitors, and the second section, from 20th to 30th Street, is supposed to open in 2010. The High Line carried freight from the 1930s until 1980, pretty much just sitting and gathering dust (and lots of plants from seeds that found their way up there) until recently. What's so cool about the High Line is that much of the original train tracks and plants that were found up there after years of neglect were incorporated into the design of the park. According to the High Line website:

The design team, led by landscape architects James Corner Field Operations with architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro, has sought to capture the quiet, contemplative nature of the High Line after the trains stopped running, creating a world apart from the bustling streets of Manhattan. Concrete is cast in long, textured planks, forming a smooth, linear, virtually seamless walking surface. Tapered into surrounding naturalistic plantings, they will allow plant life to push up through the seams. Fixed and movable seating, an integrated LED lighting system, and other special features will complete the High Line's signature landscape, creating a one-of-a-kind public space 30 feet above the ground.

Here are some pictures from our visit:

a viewing platform placed directly over 10th Avenue, letting visitors sit and watch the traffic go by below

train tracks are visible in many places along the park

The River that Flows Both Ways, by Spencer Finch

This art installation is incredible. An attempt to capture the varied reflective conditions of the Hudson River, it consists of 700 laminated glass panels with a color film interlayer, and is experienced differently depending on the light levels and atmospheric conditions of the site. This picture really doesn't capture how beautiful this piece actually is, but you can see, even from this crappy image, how many different shades of color are represented in this work.