Nursery Nook

Want to peek inside our nursery nook?

Click to read more ...

Wine Barrel Decor

Growing up, we had a barrel in our foyer. It was the perfect place to stash keys, mail, toys, or even display a vase of flowers. My parents bought it about forty years ago, and my mother lovingly sanded it down and stained it. All the kids in my family WANT this barrel. Seriously, we've all tried to convince our parents as to why WE should get it. Well, I only have a 20% chance of winning that competition, so last year I took matters into my own hands and put myself on a waiting list for a wine barrel... and drum roll please... almost a year later, we finally got the call that a barrel was ready for us! My husband picked it up this weekend, and I couldn't be more excited. Isn't the barrel awesome? Okay, so right now we don't have room for it in our matchbook-sized Manhattan apartment, but as soon as we upgrade places, I'M GETTING THAT SUCKER OUT OF STORAGE. Hey Mom, if you're feeling nostalgic, we can sand and stain the barrel together? :)

Birthday Celebrations

We spent Saturday night celebrating my friend Erika's 30th birthday. We've known each other for fifteen years, and I'm so thankful to have her as one of my best friends! She's such a beautiful person, inside and out!

And wow – does Erika know how to throw a party... There were gambling tables, artificial money with Erika's face printed on the bills, a dance floor & DJ, and even a custom made Louis Vuitton cake that matched her favorite monogrammed handbag!

Click to read more ...

Vintage U.S. Parks Posters

Have you seen the vintage U.S. Parks posters on the National Geographic website? They are fabulous! Each image is paired with its original publication date and tourism office. Check out the full gallery of posters here. Which national park is your favorite?  

P.S. if you like vintage posters, check out these adorable circus and U.S. city ones!

Plant Walls

When Matt and Emma bought an East Village apartment, they channeled their decor inspirations – from traditional Japanese styling to minimal modern – to create eco-friendly spaces. Over 400 plants live along an 80 square foot wall, absorbing air pollution and generating oxygen. Tour their entire apartment through this link and check out other vertical garden designs here.

Watch this DIY video and read this blog for visual cues on building your own plant wall.

I am so stealing this idea one day.

{via Apartment Therapy and the New York Times}

Georgia Antiques

Do you like antique shopping? My mother-in-law and I explored a gigantic antique mall during my recent stay in rural Georgia.

Over the years, I've scored some of my favorite home items from antique shops (like a croquet set and desk chair from the early-1940s). While I was hunting for an old typewriter, these particular pieces caught my eye.

A wall telephone from 1901......

.... and a vintage coffee maker.

* © passport in my pocket *

A Gift for Any Zip Code

This custom nautical tile clock is a great gift or decor piece for the sailor in your life. Simply enter in a United States zip code at check-out and receive a custom-made clock of the city's waterways, lakes or rivers, screened on a tumbled marble tile.

This one, above, was a gift from my little sister to my boat-loving parents, and it features coastal outlines and depth markings. Wouldn't it be fun to hang one of these in a beach or lake house?

* © passport in my pocket *

Vintage Circus Posters

Created during Poland's communist era (1945-1989), these vintage circus posters were recently on display at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show.

Poland's government commissioned local artists to create advertisements for traveling circus shows – and they completed their creative assignments with vibrant colors, bold lines and even hidden meanings.

Learn about vintage poster art.

Shop now. 

See Home Show exhibit photos.

* © passport in my pocket *

Vintage Oven

Doesn't my sister have the most adorable vintage oven?

I think we should paint it the happy color of robin's eggs. 

* © passport in my pocket *

The State of Brooches

How sweet are these little wood brooches? Pin on your favorite U.S. state (or choose from select countries). Each one is handmade by the designer from vintage jigsaw puzzle pieces. These brooches would be such a fun, eclectic accessory on a reusable bag, grandpa sweater or thank you card (and a cute gift for the travel-lover in your life). I would adore a cheery Ohio pin to jazz up my work bag.

Purchase at ME2 Designs.

Pssst. Did you enter my Anthro Giveaway yet?

It ends at midnight!

* © passport in my pocket *