Interiors: Orange + Red (in Argentina)

Surprisingly, I stumbled across this fun Argentinian home on the Swedish site, Mixr.  I adore the warm red and orange palette balanced by the white walls and blended perfectly with a mix of patterns.  I spy stripes, vintage floral, and tartan in the living room alone and... it works!  I long to be so bold.

images: mixr

Wishlist 11.30.10

Oh my.  These maryjane flats by Marais in navy and beige really should be mine.  I realize this is the season for giving, but my wish list is more important now than ever.  I have to keep track of the things that catch my eye because once I'm done treating everyone else, I'll have to treat myself to a little something, right? 

Giveaway: Friedasophie Jewelry Design- CLOSED

Hi friends, I hope you had a nice holiday/weekend.  To celebrate cyber Monday without spending any  cash, Friedasophie is offering one D&OC reader a $50 gift certificate to anything in her shop!  Shop owner Sandra is a San Francisco based jewelry designer who creates organic gemstone jewelry in the prettiest shapes and colors.  With so many gorgeous options, I don't know how you're going to choose a favorite.
Entering is easy and open to all readers.
1)  Visit the shop and tell me what you like.  This one's mandatory for entering.
For an extra 2 entries, you can:
2)  Subscribe to D&OC. If you're already a reader, just let me know how follow the blog (i.e. Google friend connect, Bloglovin', the feed, etc.)
3) Share this giveaway on Twitter, Facebook, or your own blog and let me know you did.
A winner will be randomly picked and announced next Monday.
Good luck!

p.s. use coupon code "BLACKFRIDAY" for an extra 20% off in the shop.
update- the winner is #23 Molly! 

Happy (early) Thanksgiving!

I thought I'd share a few links with you in case you get bored after eating all that turkey and want to catch up on interweb happenings:

• Fifi Lapin has come out with a new book, What Shall I Wear Today,  and it's over the top adorable.
• Issue two of Rue is out and it's even better than the first.  I kept turning the pages and thinking, "this goes on forever" (in a good way, of course).
• I'm loving this new-to-me blog, Paris vs. New York, a clever visual comparison between the two iconic cities.
• I may or may not have bought a robot vacuum cleaner after reading this post. Bella, my wimpy dog, is allergic to dust mites and I can't keep up with the amount of cleaning she requires.  I'm hoping this will help.  If you can't tell, I'm desperate. I'll let you know if my irobot becomes friend or foe.
• D&OC's newest sponsor, Embraceable Lace, is offering readers a 15% discount in her shop with the code "DOC15."

I'll be taking off a few days to celebrate Thanksgiving, but will be back next Monday with a fun giveaway. Whatever your table looks like this year, I hope it's filled with lots of food, laughter and love. 
Cheers friends!

images: 1) Grant White Design (via desire to inspire) 2) Rue, issue two 3) Design*Sponge

Therese Senneholt Design

I ran across the work of Swedish designer Therese Senneholt while perusing one of my favorite tumblr blogs, From Scandinavia with love.  While I enjoy these graphic prints in and of themselves, I especially love the styling of the framed prints (and all those gorgeous chairs, oh my).  

images: Therese Senneholt Design

Nico Jewelry

Nico, created by textile jewelry designer Jocelyn Negron, has fun scarf/necklace hybrids and rope bracelets in an array of colors including this pretty aqua print that would add a pop of color to a plain white tee and jeans.  While based in New York, Joselyn's designs can also be found in Athens (at Agora).  Necklaces are currently on sale for $25 in Nico's Supermarket shop.  I'm kind of a scarf hoarder but I don't have anything like these...yet.

Style Inspiration: Nadinoo

I've been drooling over British label Nadinoo's playful creations for some time now and the new Autumn/Winter 2010 collection is no exception.  I love everything about this look including the billowy silhouettes, short hemline, chunky mary janes and oxfords, and of course the fun socks. The ochre + cerulean combination in this outfit is perfection.  Check out Nadinoo's pretty blog, etsy shop, or online boutique for more drool worthy outfits.

Blog re-design and some things I've learned

Hi friends and happy Monday! I am super duper excited to announce the new blog design here on D&OC.  Lately, I'd feeling bleh about the blog's overall look.  Besides the banner, which I've kept as it was designed by one of my best friends and is part of D&OC's branding, I had done most of the "design work" which really just consisted of a bunch of hodge podge widgets thrown together.  I felt like D&OC needed to be taken to the next level visually, to be more of an accurate reflection of my aesthetic, and to be more user friendly for you lovely readers.  I thought I'd offer some blog re-design tips for any of you looking to hire an outside designer for the job.  

• Decide whether you want to do DIY or hire someone.  My training is in painting, not graphic design and although I've learned a lot the past couple of years blogging, I did not feel like I had the "know how" to do a re-design myself.  And, frankly, I didn't have the patience or time to try.
• My next step was to decide upon a budget for the re-design.  Many times, you tend to get what you pay for and I had no intentions of compromising the quality of design to save a buck; however, the cost had to fit within my means.  D&OC is not a new blog and I already had a banner and overall look that I was going for, so I wasn't going to need a ton of mock-ups or original designs for branding.  If you're starting from scratch, expect to pay more.
• I wasn't sure where to begin on finding a designer, so I tweeted about it!. I was specially looking for someone who works with the Blogger platform as opposed to Wordpress.  I've decided to stick with Blogger, for now, so I wanted to hire someone who very familiar with the quirks and features. I got lots of recommendations and got to work visiting sites, reviewing portfolios and comparing prices.  The most important detail for me was finding someone who's design aesthetic was closest to what I was looking for.  I definitely recommend figuring out the "look" you're wanting PRIOR to picking a designer.
• After compiling a list of potential designers, I remembered that my blog friend Rachel from Lovely Clusters does design so I decided to shoot her an e-mail.  I explained clearly what I would be needing and what I wouldn't be needing (this is important if you're getting quotes from people).  I then told her my budget and much to my relief, she agreed to take the job!
• Working with someone I've collaborated with in the past was a big relief because Rachel was already familiar with D&OC, she knows how I communicate, and I felt like I could be completely open with my concerns.  Rachel was incredibly professional, fast as lightening, and super easy to work with.  Handing over my blog for someone to mess with was very nerve racking (what if it got deleted accidentally?!) but Rachel simply exudes confidence, so I was put at ease.
• I suggest working out a payment plan with your designer (i.e. deposit, portion after mock ups, rest after coding, etc.) so that you don't hand all of the money over and then not know what to do if you're disappointed with the design.   Make sure your designer is legit by carefully reviewing the portfolio and perhaps getting recommendations from prior clients.  Do the legwork before hiring someone and be as clear as possible about what you're needing, otherwise you might end up miscommunicating your needs.

I hope your enjoy the new design as much as I do.  New pages have been added including an "about" page, info on advertising on D&OC, and a description of D&OC II.  A HUGE thank you to Rachel for an amazing job! Checkout Ironwood Design Studio for more of Rachel's work.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on your own blog design/re-design experiences or any tips you might have about the process.

xo,

Christina

image: Oh Deer (£18.00) Keep Calm Gallery

Happy Weekend

Are you feeling the push of the holidays yet?  I have to admit, I'm not ready as I'm still recovering from our wedding.  I've already purchased two Christmas gift though, which is so unlike my normal procrastinating self! What are your plans this weekend?  I'm still preparing for the craft fair that I've helped organize (organizing a craft fair is whole different ball game than participating. Whew.)  I hope you have a fantastic weekend friends!

pretty bird garland via style me pretty (spotted on robot heart)

Winter Shopping #1

Oh yes friends, we have officially moved from fall shopping to winter shopping, even if the first day of winter isn't until Dec 1st (did you know the first day of astronomical winter is Dec 21st?)  This winter, I'm looking forward to wearing comfortable pieces that are easy to mix and match with a touch of glamour (i.e. sequins and baubles).

Seamed herringbone tweed dress $74.95; Sailor Button Coat $103;  opaque tights in beet $15; bedecked brooch necklace $48; glitter clip frame purse $12; Simone Mary Jane pump $99.95

One Room, Two Ways

One room, two different color palettes.  Which do you prefer?  I vote for the mustard yellow and greige (i.e. warm grey) although there is something very romantic about that mossy green.

images: B. Davis

Wishlist 11.16.10

I'd really to wear like a touch of gold this holiday season...

I'm thinking this holiday stripes dress ($114) and mega pyrite chunk ring ($92) are just the right amount of bling.  Aren't they pretty and wouldn't they be even prettier together? 

Interiors: Smoky Purple + Grey

This is the perfect color combo for rainy, chilly days like today.  Sultry, smoky grey and purple.  It looks good on eyes and in interiors. Who knew?

images: 1) the design files 2) the style files flickr 3) elle decor via escapade 4) vt wonen via interiors porn

Wishlist 11.15.10

Although I realize that these cheeky holiday sweaters kind of exude the vibe of a too-cool-for-school ironic hipster, I still want one because a) I've always had soft spot in my heart for hipsters even if I'm slightly offended when someone describes me as one and b) what else am I going to wear to an office Christmas party?  I just can't decide between the ornaments sweater or the polar bear.

6 things (Supermarket Ed.)

Normally, I share my recent favorite six items from Etsy, but I'm feeling snazzy this Monday morning so I thought we'd change it up and take a look at the many lust-worthy items on Supermarket.  I'm definitely feeling the push of the holidays, so I'm interested in gift worthy items like these:

1) The Colossal Cowl $90 via nina ramone 2) Awaken necklace $92 via Bellisima 3) Spell it out for me clock $59 via Chromalab 4) pole juan (print) $30 via labokoff 5) Electric Love $19 via grain 6) 2011 Letterpress Calendar $32 via SeeSaw designs

The winner (randomly chosen by Random.org) of the Gaby Burger Designs $50 gift cert is... #48, Lizzypunch!  Congrats.

Happy Weekend

Happy weekend friends.  I have lots to do this weekend including throwing a friend a tie-dyed party (when was the last time you tie-dyed something?) and preparing for an upcoming craft fair.  As you may have noticed, I've closed my etsy shop due to my hectic schedule, but I'm still selling work locally.  I'm hoping one day I can have an online shop again, perhaps when the timing is better. Anyway, what are you doing this weekend?  Have you started preparing for the holidays yet?  

p.s. you should enter this week's giveaway if you haven't already...

images: 1) luanaerrico 2) elena {pretty light}

I want this bathroom

I posted this bathroom on my tumblr page and it's been making its way around tumblr land but I'm so obsessed with it, I had to share it here too.  I want this bathroom.  I want to transport this bathroom and place in where my own currently stands.
Things I love about this little space:
- the sweet rose tile above the even sweeter sink (we have a sink just like that!)
- the vintage bohemian vibe created by the mix of mirrors and art work.
- turquoise walls
- clawfoot bathtub (we also have one one of these, but not with a faucet that comes out of the wall)
-wrap around shower curtain to display the full glory of the bathtub

image: guardian  (via the english muse)

Art: tuesday mourning

These giclée prints by tuesday mourning ($20 each) are seemingly simple and yet each subject seems to be feeling a very specific emotion.  I really like the pencil drawings with a touch of blush on the nose and cheeks and the exaggeration of the heads' size.  Lovely and mysterious.   

Gift giving: up in the air somewhere

Up in the air somewhere has a beautiful array of ceramic and papier-mâché bowls that would be the perfect gift for that hard to shop for individual.  The prices are incredibly reasonable and I'm thinking about buying this set to have on hand as emergency oops-i-totally-forgot-to-buy-you-something-but you'll-never-know-because-my-emergency-gift-is-so-awesome kind of gift. If you know what I mean.   

Fall Shopping: Plaid

Ines Skirt £125 and Recycled Plaid Shirt Dress $48

Dear Creatures Audrey blouse $110.99 and Buffalo Check Trapper $34.50

Berkley Peacoat $178 and Tartan Topped Elastic $15

seafoam + yellow handwoven tweed dolly bag $125

Sometimes I'm a little hesitant to wear plaid because I feel like I'm going to match B who wears plaid ALL THE TIME.  I mean seriously, how many plaid shirts does one guy need?   The good thing is, none of these items actually match B's wardrobe but if he was a girl, I guarantee he'd own all of these items.  I don't know what's weirder, imagining B as a girl or imagining B as a girl with the same plaid obsession.  Yikes. 

Giveaway: $50 gift cert Gaby Burger Designs- CLOSED

Gaby Burger Designs is a Canadian based jewelry shop with lots of lovely, feminine pieces combining shiny metals, stones and delicate beads. Gaby is offering one D&OC reader a $50 gift certificate to the shop so you can enter to win a chance to treat yourself or a loved one (the holidays are right around the corner).

How to enter? (up to 3 entries)

1. Visit the shop and tell me what you like.  This one's mandatory for entry.

2. If you're a subscribed reader to D&OC, you get a second entry for being fantastic.  

3. Share this giveaway on your blog, Twitter, or Facebook and let me know you did.  Make sure to leave a separate comment.

Winner will be randomly picked and announced next Monday! 

update: the winner is #48, Lizzypunch!