hardback puffin classics

If you haven't seen them, there is a gorgeous new collection of hardcover editions of children's literature from Puffin Classics, the Penguin division for kids. Designed by Daniela Terrazzini, they have bright cloth covers with whimsical illustrations and nice creamy pages. They remind me of library editions of books I read as a child, but with much lovelier cover designs.

They're similar to the Coralie Bickford-Smith classics I like so much, and my favorites are probably Robin Hood, The Secret Garden, and The Wind in the Willows. The Anne one is the least faithful to the spirit of the book with its more modernized sensibility (come now, cupcakes? and all that pink!), I think, but it's still rather sweet for a young girl. The inclusion of Huck Finn is also rather unusual, since it's the only book that doesn't quite fit the whole dreamy, sweet theme of the other books and cover styles. I do like that combination of tangerine and orange in the design, though.

If you're looking to add to your collection or know a child who needs a keepsake copy, these would make really beautiful gifts. It's very strange, but I can't seem to find them for sale online anywhere, so this may be an exclusive in-store Anthropologie purchase for the time being, which they did with the last batch of Penguin classics as well.

Images courtesy of Daniela Terrazzini.

anthro in wonderland

I've always sworn that Anthropologie employs little gremlins that infiltrated my dreams. These little creatures are always busily taking notes on the things I want and desire most and then they go back and make them in their little gremlin factories and then sell them to me for exorbitant prices.

So it should really come as no surprise to me that during a period when I'm even more obsessed with children's books than usual, Anthro has come out with something clearly taken directly from my daydreams and night dreams in the form of their November catalog, which is inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass.

I was honestly so taken by the whole concept (and how whimsical and odd this seemed, even for Anthropologie) that I hardly even noticed the clothes and goods the first time around. I mean, who has the brainpower to pay attention to a sweater when there's a giant speckled chicken on a leash?

But of course, no one looks at this things just once, so the beautiful little details in fabric and embellishment come out upon the second or third perusal of the spread. Which is just about when you realize yet again, that yes, yes. Anthropologie knows exactly what it's doing.

the owl has a new hat

Apologies all around for the prolonged silence on this end...between having a friend in town and spraining my wrist a bit, I haven't been online too much. And then photos start piling up and then I start putting off the return, and...well, you know. But here I am.

How do you like the new lampshade we got for our vintage owl lamp? After looking high and low, it was Anthropologie, of course, that finally came through with exactly the right print and color and design. The owl is very happy with his new hat...as are we!

another robot

When this critter arrives in the mail from your sister-in-law...it means good things. He's going to band together with his fellow robot to hunt down pretty things and bring them home for me. I wish all gift card carriers were this clever!

accessories

I have to confess, on most days I just push my hair back in a headband or with sunglasses. I can't resist pretty hair bobbies and clips, though, especially if they're on sale. It's a little frivolous, but there are so many lovely hair accessories around these days, and beaded or sequined ones are usually actually very well priced for the amount of craftsmanship involved.

Some recent items that have found their way onto my dresser include a blue gossamer gardenia clip, golden twig branch bobbies from Urban Outfitters, a dusty pink feathered-jeweled-feather from Anthropologie, and a fancy feathered comb from teeny house bunny which has a secret charm on the underside.

Most of these can be worn either in your hair or on your hat or bag. It's especially nice when the clips come with both pin backs and with alligator clips for versatility. I think I'll add a pin back to the flowered hair pin I made last year for a wedding, which is pictured below. It's layers of silky salmon fabric burnt around the edges with a candle and fastened with sequins sewn in the middle.

I thought you might enjoy also seeing this cunning owl ring from Urban Outfitters, too. He has mesmerizing amber rhinestone eyes accenting his pale blue enamel and metal face. Of all the accessories women have, rings and bracelets might be the most fun for the wearer...since you can admire them as you're wearing them, too!

a birthday weekend, in photos

It's been so busy lately with moving and unpacking that I've spent very little time cooking or crafting or blogging or tweeting. Things are starting to settle down and I have lots of things saved up to share, but I thought I'd start with just a few snapshots of some lovely moments in a birthday weekend that still managed to be special in the middle of all the chaos.

They included: a spectacular dinner at The Bazaar by José Andrés; a wonderfully surreal trip to a secret zoo (more on that soon); a giant pine cone I found in a shopping cart in the woods; homemade florentines, stinky cheese from the Von Trapp family, and a penguin cup from dear friends, which they purchased at the Brooklyn Flea from STK Ceramics; and one of my favorite gifts to receive--the promise of a present just to my liking, packaged up in a clever zippered robot pouch.

Another nice thing that happened: our niece had her cochlear implant surgery last week, and made it through just fine. She'll be able to hear for the first time soon, which is very exciting. Thanks to everyone who sent along good wishes!