I installed my Christmas branch. Hastily found in my yard, handily installed by my friend Matt, and lovingly decorated by moi. I loved my almost tacky branch. It was festive and lovely. I am just not in the spirit to decorate this year. (Especially since I am leaving for a month long trip on Dec. 28th, I don’t want to be burdened with pre-flight packing and de-tinseling) Bah Humbug! So, even though I am throwing a party, can I just print this crappy iphone picture and tack it to my wall?

I would love some simple ideas- maybe just suspended balls on ribbon over the table? A lighted Ikea horizontal wreath? Trees are kinda out- my kitties are maniacal and preditcable knockers-of-things-off-tables, and real foliage gives them the urge to chew and puke.  Or maybe just some luminarias on the front walk and patio? Bah Humbug!

P.S. Cajun-jew boyfriend could really care less either way. My choice.

I am an incredibly lucky girl! My wonderful boyfriend Brett came back from his three week European tour in Prague, Berlin and Oslo just in time for my 32nd birthday. He must’ve missed me- because I got showered with gifts!

Besides a great David Cerny exhibit book, and a rad little vintage silver bangle to add to my collection- I was also bestowed a great little vintage print (I *think* it’s a lithograph) by an indecipherable Czech artist dated from the year I was born!

I knew that I had another gift coming (like what he had already given me on Wednesday  wasn’t enough?)- and yesterday morning after a lovely brunch with the Getmans, I was surprised by this big cardboard package (that he surreptitiously hadsent to their house!!)

I wasn’t allowed to see the top side of the package- I had to open it without eye-ing this tell-tale (awesome) shipping label…

I was thoroughly surprised and  excited to discover this amazing signed Charley Harper screen-print called “Frog eat Frog”

I am working on framing this bad-boy and finding the perfect spot for it in our home! I have wanted a Charley Harper for about a million years and I am so happy and thankful that it was my sweet boyfriend who selected it and gave it to me!

We have a little family of frogs that sit on our front door stoop every night eating our pesky skeeters. I wonder if it was thems who inspired this selection? I’ll have to ask… *sigh* so excited about new art in our house…

One of my recent obsessions is vintage needlepoint pillows. I love the 60s & 70s color pallets and geometry, the handmade nature of these exceptionally wrought pieces and the subtle influence of female textile designers in the Bauhaus (like Gunta Stolzl). The pattern is called Bargello. (or sometimes referred to as flamestitch), others are straight- up geometric designs.  I am kind of in the stalking stage of my future collection of needlepoint pillows. This picture from flickr was one of my initial inspirations.

My first (and only) bargello pillow came from a local charity thrift store. Mint condition with the ever popular coordinating velvet, it matches my living room & stands alone with or without needle-pointed pillow friends.

Room view in the faux eames chair.

Close up with Kareem napping in front of it

Collage of needlepointed items from ebay.

I am about to embark on a sofa project that might send me in a different direction with my living room decor… (more on that soon!) And frugality has been winning the battle to own more needlepoint pillows lovingly stalked on ebay or etsy. Outside of home decor- these color palets are really inspirational and some of the designs are fascinating.