let’s make art!

holy bejeezus i am needing this.

when i was little, i would have TREASURED this little guided art book. these days, nothing has changed. i’m seriously considering grabbing one of these. how wonderful would this be to bust out during a 10 minute break during the middle of a crazy hectic work day? 

brillant concept and execution, marian deuchars! Let’s Make Great Art can be bought via laurence king publishing.

what’s your favorite? i can’t decide.

though i do LOVE putting birds on things. i could see myself drawing that lil fellow all over my notebook and planner.

leaner loves it.

i’m excited to share that over the weekend i set up a tumblr!

aptly named leaner loves it, i think of this little spot as a treasure box for all those pretty things i discover and lust over, be it photography, text, art, design, etc. leaner loves it will collect of all these gems and keep them safe for curation and reflection. rest assured, i’ll share of them here as well!

here’s to more beautiful art, more treasure hunting, and more time for soaking it all in.

dreamy nostalgia.

 

this print reminds me of childhood trips to the local creamery for superman ice-cream. with sprinkles, of course.

how’s that for some sunday nostalgia?

 

take a break this weekend.

it’s been an intense work week for girl, so much so that i wasn’t even expecting to take a break from work. but lo and behold, i’ll be carving out a few hours for some time t0 myself to decompress, destress, de-everything.

i will take this advice!

what are you lovelies up to this weekend?

saturday i’m going to evanston with the boy to meet up with friends at his college reunion! [ah! we are getting old!] and sunday i’m going hunting for my halloween costume. i can’t wait to share!

here’s some fun finds floating around my mind, and the web:

i HATE soggy cereal. looks like i need some obol bowls!

a custom soundtrack to accompany your favorite book? WHAT?

dying to pull the trigger on this kate spade sweater. on sale! LUSTING

a rocking chair for two? don’t mind if i do. i can see many a conversation to be had in this.

the united states of scary things. tis the season.

it’s wellington time!

toy stories.

london-based artist Aled Lewis is the clever schemer behind these toy one-liners.

the below images are from Lewis’ “Toy Stories” series.

this last one is my favorite. the boy always calls me his ‘clever girl’.

…i’m wondering if the raptor has something to do with it

espresso education.

this espresso guide is educational, digestible (no pun intended), and beautiful at the same time.

time to try some of these bad boys out!

i believe i’ll start by concocting the cafe con leche.

fall forward, with style.

fall forward? i think i shall.

this colorful interpretation of the New York Times’ icon by their own T Magazine, is wonderfully seasonal. each issue’s cover is thoughtfully curated by artists and designers; this month’s cover is owed to landscape designer judy kameon and photographer erik otsea.

a wonderful showcase of seasonal texture, nature, and autumnal hues.

pumpkin brews!

yestreday evening, while picking up dinner at whole foods the boy suggested we grab some “seasonal brews”.

by golly, this man knows me well. SEASONAL EXCITEMENT OVERLOAD ensued. i knocked over at least six patrons busting it to the microbrew ailse. yup, a whole dedicated aisle.

i grabbed Post Road’s Pumpkin Ale and the boy selected what can only be described as a perfect expression of his tomfollery, a beer called Pranqster. our selection took us at least 15 minutes since Whole Foods takes autumnal consumption very seriously. so. many. choices.

check out some of the contenders, which we’re sure to sample over the coming months:

{dogfish head pumpkin ale, samuel adam harvest pumpkin ale, schlafly pumpkin ale, sixpoint autumnation pumpkin beer, shipyard pumpkinhead ale}

feeling a little lost by the variety & recent take-over of your local microbrewery section by these seasonal specialties? esquire posted a highly educational review of the best & worst of the pumpkin brews available this fall.

do you have a favorite fall beer? i’d love to hear suggestions!

cheer up, tuesday.

tuesdays can be a drag.

here’s something to brighten up my least favorite of weekdays.

the boy recently pointed me to clark goolsby’s extremely fun & textual mixed media pieces. these are so precise and intricate that they almost look digital. don’t be fooled, it’s all done by hand. incredible!

goolsby paints the picture of a universe full of 24 hour dance parties, bright-colored everything, and rainbows.

i’d go there.

inside out caramel apple.

i am NEEDING this ultimate fall snack about now. i’m such a sucker for seasonal treats.

caramel filled edible dipping cups? done and done.

this would be so fun to serve up at a party!

also, can we talk about THIS recipe for inside out baked pastry apples?! my heart skipped a beat when i read it.

fall dessert bonanza will ensure at my house.