Returned from Boston

As you may recall, I went to Boston for a quick trip. I've just returned and while I didn't have a chance to get out much (more on that later), I wanted to share with you a few (and rather random) shots from my trip.


Luckily, I've the opportunity to visit Boston before, so I've seen many of the sights (walked the Freedom Trail, visited the Children's Museum, ate in Faneuil Hall, toured the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum, shopped on Newbury Street, etc.). Like I mentioned above, though, this wasn't a sight-seeing trip. Even so, there were a few things that always make an impression on me when I visit.

One of the obvious things to love about Boston is the historic feel of the city. (Down in Texas, we don't have 'dem cobblestone sidewalks, red brick buildings, alley gardens and brownstones with grand doorways.) It feels so intellectual. Nor do we have the delightfully cool and overcast weather in June that I enjoyed while I was there. (I finally get why companies like J.Crew and L.L. Bean manufacture sweaters and cords in the summer.) And finally, there are so many city parks available for public use. In addition to the luscious Boston Common, there are tons of smaller, well-maintained and child-friendly places to take a stroll, hop on a slide or simply pass through on the way to work.

I'll be returning next week for another 48 hour stay, so I'll try for a more well-rounded group of images at that time! In the meantime, if you haven't been to Boston, it really is a delightful city and I highly recommend a visit.

Beantown, Here I Come

I'm heading to Boston today for a quick two day personal trip. I will keep up the posts as best I can, but won't be back full force until Thursday.

Happy Weekend!

I'm sorry for not posting anything today, but I've been with the GrayBear all day. It's been a great summer day full of swimming and playing.


I leave you with a picture of the GrayBear (right) and his friend, Cis-co-bob. It's from our trip to the beach over Memorial Day weekend.

I feel overjoyed seeing my son so happy and having such fun. It's a good reminder that life is short, they grow up fast and we should cherish every moment with good friends and family.

Be well. See you Monday.

Like White on Rice

Holly @ Decor8 wrote about Rice a couple of weeks ago. I came across another posting about the company again today while I was online, but I seemed to have forgotten where. Unfortunately, I can't properly credit that other blogger (sorry!), but I figured it was a sign to share a post about them with my readers.

Rice is a Danish store full of well-designed and colorful delights. Mostly homewares, it was started in 1998 in a garage by a Danish woman, her French husband and her Thai/Danish childhood friend. The company established its roots as fair trade certified and ten years later, this mantra still guides them.

It's reminiscent of things one might find at Anthropologie, but it goes one step further. It has that clean, high-design, Scandinavian feel that is so prevalent in products from Denmark and Sweden.

Simply looking at pictures of their products makes me feel like I'm a little girl in a candy store. And if you poke around the site long enough, you are sure to come across the stylized shots.

I love it when companies understand the importance of this type of branding. These shots (and actually making them available) can do wonders from a marketing standpoint. The images are not only fun to look at, but if they are good enough, the action practically guarantees that someone is going to mention them or write about them or buy from them.

All images courtesy of Rice

Can't you see these products paired in a shoot with Odd Molly and Swedish Hasbeens from Galeana? (Hey, I'm stuck to that idea like white on rice!)

Itty Bitty ...

A quick post to share these new pillows from Jonathan Adler. SEXY, SEXY, SEXY!

Out and About {in Galeana}

The beautiful Sara M. with her son.
She wears an Odd Molly top from Galeana, paired
appropriately with white jeans, sassy wedges and orange purse.


Lynn B. looks perfectly summery in her Odd Molly
dress from Galeana. Love it paired with the silver sandals.

New Arrivals at Galeana

Here is a rendition of the latest email that was sent out on behalf of my store, Galeana:

Images courtesy of Voom Group, Inc.

Voom was founded in LA in 2002 by Joy Han and her husband, James.
Since then, it’s been a nonstop race of grand (and successful) proportions.
Joy has dubbed her style genre "Twisted Vintage,” no doubt because she uses
vintage styles as inspiration, but adds her own (slightly naughty) twist –
mostly by way of short hems and funky prints.

As you can see from the images above, they are anything but “old era.”
Seeing a need for more diverse product line-up,
Joy introduced, VaVa in 2006. VaVa still maintains the same great style
mantra that Voom was founded on, but it has lower price points.
(And during these economic times, this is something we can ALL appreciate!)

To get a piece of this fashionista’s action,
Vrr-Vrr Voom on over to see our newest summer
arrivals from Voom and VaVa.
Only at Galeana.

My (not oft) dose of shameless self-promotion...

Stamp It Up

The new postage rate went into effect a couple of weeks ago. (I'm especially aware of this because I've been helping my Mom address some things.) With every rate increase, I'm always curious to see what new designs the U.S. Postal Service is going to release.

I love a new opportunity to "dress" my mail with a beautifully designed stamp (or stamps). Check out the newest options for a $0.44 stamp, now required to mail a first-class letter in the United States.

You can also use the older $0.42 stamp as long as you don't forget to add an additional $0.02 accompaniment. Those options also make a nice statement.

Of course, you can still create your own custom stamp for that extra special occasion.

Miles Aldridge: Photographer

Karin Nelson at The New York Times wrote about British photographer Miles Aldridge today. I also came across a small blurb on nymag.com and after seeing his name twice this morning, I couldn't resist sharing some of his photographs.

Aldridge is a world-renowned fashion photographer. He's shot for the likes of Vogue Paris, Vogue Italia, American Vogue, The New York Times and Numero. His glossy images have also been featured in a number of different advertising campaigns from well-recognized design houses such as YSL, Armani and Lonchamp.

All images courtesy of Miles Aldridge

As I'm sure you will agree, his work is unique, thought-provoking and beautiful. His photographs are all staged, primarily because, he says, "...the world is just not being designed with esthetics as a priority. So I prefer to rebuild the world instead of photographing the real one."

He relies on his imagination to reset - if you will - the world as he would have it appear. His subjects then become characters on his set. It's a world according to Miles.

It appears as though he's got a keen sense for how to mix color (a la David LaChapelle) and movement (or lack thereof) into an exaggerated scene that makes you stop. And look. And think. Some of his images will awe, while others will scare, but through and through, they are gorgeous. (Check out more images here.)

Today's postings coincide with his new book, "Miles Aldridge: Pictures for Photographs." The book not only includes the finished photos, but also the manic-like drawings and sketches he does before a shoot. They act a bit like storyboards, each telling the story even before the actual picture is taken.

His work is also part of a new exhibit. Unfortunately for me, the exhibit is at the Steven Gasher Gallery in NYC until June 20 (and I'm not planning a trip to the Big Apple between now and then). For those of you fashionistas in the NY area, don't miss seeing these images in person. (The rest of us will have to drool over the pages of his book.)

Up, Up and Away

GrayBear's school ended on Thursday afternoon, so his summer officially started on Friday. As a celebration of him moving from Pre-K to Kindergarten, my Mom and I took him to see "Up," Pixar's newest animated 3D flick. (Hence the missing post on Friday.)


I had a loose idea of what the movie was about based only on the trailers: old man meets little boy who go on life-changing adventure together. I suppose I expected a few surprises along the way, but didn't anticipate anything above and beyond (no pun intended).


Boy, was I wrong. I was blown away by Up. The creators of the film do an incredible job with maintaining the important balance between a child and adult storyline, developing the wonderful characters, and unrolling a thoughtful and tender plot (I cried 4 times).

Up is not only good, it's great. If it's not yet on your to do list, this is a summer must see. Despite the already fantastic lineup of Pixar's dynamic portfolio (Ratatouille, Cars, Wall-E and Toy Story just to name a few), it's one of the award-winning animation studio's best.