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Happy New Year!


Is your list made? I've never been keen on New Year's resolutions [even though I'm ridiculously obsessed with making lists], but I do believe in always looking for ways to better myself.

My current list includes:
• Teach myself Photoshop.
• Learn Italian.
• Get MBA.
• Knit a Sweater.
• Become a Master at Making Gin Cocktails.
• Remember Birthdays.
• Be Informed.
• Be a Person to be Proud of.
• Visit Maine.
• Drink More Water (with lemons, please).
• Learn about Wine.
• Take Boxing Classes.
• Vacation in New Zealand.
• Love My Husband More Each Day.

[photo via Flickr member Camilla Taylor.]

Why Today?

For obvious reasons, I undoubtedly thought I would need tomorrow’s morning coffee served in these ironic Cross Cups. But alas, I woke up today with a sore throat, itchy eyes, congestion, sinus pain, and unable to breathe through one nostril. I am the epitome of a medicine box inscription.

I hope 2008 brings a year of happiness and health to all of you!

Extend an Olive Branch

For $130, you can adopt an Italian olive tree and receive all the oil it produces for an entire year. I can already envision how I'd use the various dipping and cooking oils - all from my very own hillside tree 5,500 miles away!

Photo Op

One of my favorite ways to spruce up an invite is by sending it off with a custom stamp. I once turned a baby’s ultrasound into first class postage for the little one’s shower, and when we moved I sent out mailers flaunting a family picture.


Now through January 7th you can get 20% off all custom postage at Zazzle!

Small World

Since Christmas, I haven't stopped staring at my new EcoSphere, a self-contained and self-sustaining miniature world of active micro-organisms like algae and shrimp. Invented by NASA scientists using space age technology, the EcoSphere is the World's first entirely enclosed ecosystem.

By gathering energy from light and converting it, the ecosystem will thrive with little to no maintenance, which is perfect for me since I can't seem to keep anything alive. Light, together with the carbon dioxide in the water, enables the algae to produce oxygen by photosynthesis. The shrimp breathe the oxygen in the water and graze on the algae and the bacteria. The waste from the shrimp is broken down by the bacteria into nutrients, which in turn feed the algae. The shrimp and the bacteria also give off carbon dioxide and the cycle is renewed when the algae use this once again to produce oxygen. And the cycle continues...

The best part: when your shrimp sadly die off, you can send it back to the company to be recharged for a nominal fee. They are beautiful conversation pieces and really amazing to observe. You can purchase many different sizes of the EcoSphere online through Brookstone.

Rock Candy

This 20th century vintage Crystal Pendant is available through Pieces in Atlanta. I love its overall substantial nature due to the rough, chunky texture and rocky shape. I could give this light a wonderful home.

Loeffler Randall at Target!

For those sharing in my love for Loeffler Randall hurry to Target for their most recent limited-edition accessories collaboration. The Loeffler Randall for Target collection is in select stores and online now through March 23, 2008.


I have a feeling I'll be sporting a few of these bags real soon.


And to keep you eagerly anticipating more from Target's ingenious collaborations, Jovovich-Hawk will join the likes of Erin Fetherston, Proenza Schouler and Libertine with a capsule line for Spring '08.

Five Star Resort

Resort is my absolute favorite season in fashion's liturgical year. For those of us in the South [or others rich enough to vacation in St. Barts or Antibes right now], we fervently cheer as catalogs and companies put out shorts and sandals in the dead of winter. And what better timing to have Resort clothes appear? It would be a great deterrent for shops to be stockpiled with snow boots and down filled jackets when you’re trying to develop a svelte figure for the New Year.

I’ve spent all day lusting after Corey Lynn Calter’s entire Resort collection. A little bohemian, a bit safari, a tad prep, and all perfect for dreaming of trips to Johannesburg.

Taxicab Confessions

I confess to an extreme desire of wanting to purchase these Taxi Booties for every 1 year old I know. Vroom, vroom.

Strike Up The Band

This is one of the best videos I've seen in a long time! Yael Naim makes me smile...and want to strike up the band.

[Thanks for the introduction, Jordan.]

Fat as a Cow

This Celebrity Weighing Scale is hysterical! You could be anything from a teeny-weeny baby rabbit to a gargantuan bear. How appropriate for the holidays, and I imagine it would cause quite a stir in the bathroom at your upcoming dinner party!

e-Christmas

My morning was instantly brightened when I received the best virtual gift ever, an unlimited gift certificate to the fabulous Bell’occhio site. Because Megan’s post made me so happy, I thought I’d do the same* for my near and dear e-friends. Merry Christmas to all of my insanely talented, smart, and funny friends!

*Please note the price of these items has no relation to my actual income.


To the darling Erika of Urban Grace Interiors: I thoroughly enjoy our constant back and forth emailing and behind-the-scenes commenting on one another’s posts. I would love nothing more than to frolic around Round Top with you and Chance next Spring. So I’m giving you a gas card large enough to cover the 1,500 miles from your home to the antique show of all shows. See y’all there!


Miss Clementine, I give you this Houston: It’s Worth It book to better prepare for your possible move. I hope this books brings excitement for a wonderful new town and happiness in being a part of a city that so many of us love dearly!



Carolina Eclectic, you would look fabulous in this scarf wrap and I think it seems to suit you so well. The red knit would be gorgeous against your coloring! And since we’re friends and all, could I borrow it next weekend?



My new favorite friend, Jo! You, my dear, have blogging skills like no other and, yes, I am the one stalking your blog twelve times a day in hopes of a new post because I just don’t trust that my RSS feeder will bring it to me fast enough. I'm sending you a year’s subscription, hell make that a lifetime subscription, to Monocle magazine. Because it just screams Jo!




The enlightening and enthusiastic Cote de Texas: Instead of giving you something like a shopping spree to M. Naeve, I would rather invite you to brunch at my favorite spot, Dharma Café. And this present isn’t just a virtual one, I really would love to chat, laugh, and throw back the mimosas with you!


For my Ali that loves Curtis – I adore your appreciation of the old, infatuation with all things handmade and your killer photography. I would make a homemade journal for you to store all your poetic thoughts and, of course, customize the cover with pictures I took especially for you.


I would also include these vintage luggage tags just for fun.


Oh, Unruly - Things, your comments always make my day and you have so many talents it's insane! If we could just spend one day together and you could teach me everything you know...
For Christmas I would take you shoe shopping at Bergdorf's. We would try on pretty shoe after pretty shoe and then leave with bags full! I have a feeling we would be there for quite some time.




My highly amusing Slade: You deserve to look like a knockout this holiday season and show off your sexy side. Plain no more! I would buy this Cream Lace Dress just for you, and please note this would be the ideal frock to show off a killer new haircut, perhaps one with bangs!


And last, but certainly not least, for my blogging mentor Megan, the hilarious Beach Bungalow 8. Cool doesn’t even begin to describe you! I’m torn between the Antiqued 24k ChroMac frame [because we all need a little bling in our lives] and a Surf Rack that attaches to the side of your beach cruiser. But since I’m not cheap, I’m gonna splurge and get you both!

Never Take Yourself Too Seriously...

I was just tagged by fellow Houstonian, interior designer and blogger Carolina Eclectic. Here are the rules:
Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules on your blog. Share seven random and/or weird things about yourself. Tag seven people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Seven Random/Weird [and not to be repeated] Facts About Me:

1. I read magazines from the back page forward.

2. When I was on my high school dance team, we were forced to stand-in as the band’s flag core. My senior year I choreographed a flag routine that is still performed by the CHS Bruinettes today and is referred to as the “Courtney Smith.” Pretty much my only claim to fame.

3. I have a sort of concerning major girl crush on Whitney Port of The Hills.

4. My first job scarred me for life. I have the most whacked out idea of management and am constantly petrified I will be fired from every job. [Note: I was not fired, but they felt the need to threaten everyone with this notion of either perform ridiculous amounts of work for miniscule pay and insane hours or you will be fired and replaced for a younger, less expensive model.]

5. I swear I think I believed in Santa Claus until I was almost 14 years old. My parents were masters at the entire act of Christmas. They would stamp boot prints in the fireplace ash, leave reindeer “pebbles” in the grass and shake jingle bells from the woods to make us think Santa was parking his sleigh.

6. When I lived in NYC, I pretty much lived off of canned vegetables so I could afford fabulous shoes. This is not something I am particularly proud of, but I’d do it again in a New York minute. And I have an awesome shoe collection thanks to my few years of sacrifice.

7. I used to charge people to come over to play with me when I was in grade school. I think I used to say it was for a babysitting club or to go dance at an old folk’s home or something like that. Even so, they paid me to come over and play.


I am tagging anyone who has not yet been tagged, but secretly wants to. No one wants to be the last person picked for the team, so consider yourself tagged if you've been waiting!

Cry Baby

I have tried all of the crazy urban legends associated with chopping an onion including lighting candles, putting a spoon in my mouth, wearing sunglasses, you name it. I've looked - and acted - like a fool all to avoid the inevitable tears. These Onion Action Goggles are genius.

One Potato, Two Potato...

Three Potato Four.

With the rush of Christmas and overabundance of holiday soirées, I have really missed my weekend ritual of browsing thrift shops and neighborhood garage sales. So in order to get my fix, I've spent the past hour [OK, maybe more like 2 hours] lusting after the loot at Three Potato Four. If I were shopping for myself right now, I would buy the following tchotchkes:

Antique Carnival Metal Number


Apothecary Bottles


Japanese Pressure Gauge


Glass Chickadee Vase


Glass "Gauze" Jar


Yellow Tin Fish

Making A List, Checking It Twice

For those of you who call yourselves my friend, take heed! You all know of my deep obsession with making lists, and at any given time, you may find numerous lists floating around my house....in my planner, on my desk, on the fridge. If it's not on a list, it will certainly slip my mind forever. So, dear friends, I need this badly.

Other compulsive list-makers in need of a support group, check out Lisa Nola's website of lists and for your daily fix, bookmark this blog.

Small Bon Vivant in the Family?

When I was a young tot, I would spend hours on end with my Little Tykes Kitchenette [even for commercial use as written about here]. As executive chef, I painstakingly created gourmet meals such as lettuce and tomato salad, hot dogs on a bun, and fried eggs, among other delicacies. Now I ask: where were Melissa and Doug's wooden wonders back in the day? Not only does this company have ingenious play food, but you can actually slice and dice the products!





My favorite is the Sushi set which comes in a Bento Box complete with shrimp, tuna, salmon roe, and egg pieces. Ginger, wasabi, and a dish of soy sauce are also included, along with chopsticks, a play cleaver, and a menu. All of the pieces are solid wood [with the exception of the felt wasabi], and beautifully painted. Happy rolling!

London Profile: Rob Ryan

Earlier this month I posted about the mind-blowing talent of London based artist Rob Ryan. After reading through his responses below, I’m even more intrigued – and infatuated. Rob comes across as such a humble and honest man; a true gentleman that creates art to truly express who he is and inject beauty into this world.

I find so much inspiration in his gift of art, and I can’t wait to continue following his work. Thank you, Rob, for sharing your heart [and machine-like paper cutting hands] and for the honor of profiling you.


On average, how long does one paper-cutting take to complete?
If it's quite small then sometimes a day, but the one I'm working on right now, which is 580x700mm, will end up being about 60-70 hours solid.


Do you do everything by hand or have you created die cuts to help create some of the intricate cutouts?
Well, I do have an assistant who helps me with some cutting. I have never used die cuts but have had lots of laser cuts used for invites etc. I first used laser cutting when I did the cover for Issue 2 of Amelia's Magazine. I've had a steel wallpaper cut out by water jet.


What companies have you collaborated with?
Paul Smith, LG, Daimaru (Japan), Liberty, Roxy Quicksilver, Bloomsbury Publishing, Kolon Manstar Project Alabama, Sazaty / Afternoon Tea, Fenchurch, UK Vogue, Snowberry, Rough Trade Records and loads more, I'm really lucky to always be really busy!





What has been your favorite collaboration so far? Is there anything you've been longing to create for a specific company?
Paul Smith I've worked with for a few projects now and the final products are always really beautiful and he is a lovely man. I don't know about really wanting to work with any specific company but I would pay good money to sharpen Maria Kalman's pencils - she is unbelievable!



What's your favorite source for inspiration?
Being alone and Feeling alone and just looking at things and thinking.

What projects are you currently working on?
I am working on a children's picture book and doing lots of book jackets. I am working on a jewelry project with the beautiful and brilliant Rosie and Harriet of Tatty Devine - culminating in a show at their shop in April - EXCITING!!!!! And possibly a ceramic project with an American company.

What artists have influenced you and how?
I don't know really. I do love Titian + Raphael & those guys, I loved Dufy when I was at College years ago. I love English illustration from the 30's, 40's and 50's because it was so closely linked with the printmaking crafts which is my background , guys like Eric Ravilious, Edward Dawden, Eric Frazer, etc.

What other interests do you have?
Bike riding; collecting, listening to & dancing to soul records.

What would people be most surprised to learn about you?

I'm really needy and insecure and I straighten my hair occasionally (why shouldn't a man look pretty too!!!).

What is your greatest accomplishment?
My daughters Maria + Barbara.