brilliant!

i love straws, but i do feel guilty for throwing them away. i have to get these. seen here. purchase here.

i love lamp...

i admit it. it's a sickness. and i am devasted that this is sold out. ):

holiday reading | a christmas carol by charles dickens

bought the paperback a few years back with the intention of reading it at christmastime. didn't get to it until this year and it has been so fun! it will definitely be a yearly tradition and i can't wait until i can read it to the boys.

"what? read a book during christmas? who has the time?" you ask? at only 87 pages, you can fit this one in easily. i've been reading a few pages each night before bed and i will finish tonight. it will take you two weeks tops. so run to your nearest library or used book store and pick up a copy so you can get it in before the big day. enjoy!

and "merry christmas, everyone!"

photo from the original 1843 printing. apparently the novella was first published six days before christmas, and was an instant commercial and critical success, garnering high praise and selling out its first run by christmas eve. more here.

the nativity + serrv.org

i am not a particularly religious person, but i have always been drawn to the nativity scene. some of it may be nostalgia, as my grandmother had a beautiful nativity scene complete with wooden crèche that i found facsinating as a child. i don't have one myself, but i decided this year i am going to purchase one for next season. and that leads me to serrv.org--a nonprofit organization with a mission to eradicate poverty wherever it resides by providing opportunity and support to artisans and farmers worldwide. their catalog/website has some of the most beautiful and affordable handcrafts. among these treasures is the most amazing selection of nativities. i've highlighted a few of my favorites here but be sure to check out serrv.org for yourself. there is something for every style made from every material you can imagine. you won't want to miss it!

clockwise from left:

peru :: ceramic :: sagrada familia nativity :: $22.00
peru :: stone :: small alabaster nativity :: $22.00
indonesia :: wood :: hand-painted wooden nativity :: $58.00
viet nam :: cotton :: crochet nativity :: $34.00

west bank :: wood :: olive wood figure crèche :: $45.00

holiday giveaway!

good morning, lovelies! i'm doing a little giveaway today. go to the jubilee paper studio shop and choose one of my five printable holiday gift tag designs and i'll send it to you for FREE! today only. be sure to enter the word SAUCY in the notes. giveaway ends at 12 midnite PST monday, december 14. you'll receive your high-resolution pdf by 9 am PST tuesday, december 15.

merry merry!

NOTE: ok, you can tell i am new to this, huh? instead of ordering your free pdf through the etsy site, go to the shop and choose the gift tag sheet you want. Send me an email (marcy[at]wackerdesign.com) and let me know which one you've chosen. because of this rookie move, i'm extending the giveaway through 12 midnite PST tuesday, december 15. thanks, gang!

jubilee paper studio is open!

i am happy to announce the jubilee paper studio shop is now open at etsy.com. i've put up 5 new printable holiday gift tags. check back later in the week for cards and other goodies.

happy turkey day

image from cleveland museum of natural history.

blue

more aga love. this time in powder blue. and look at that baby. and that barn door. yum. 

from here again.

rural farmhouse | delhi, ny

i've been dreaming of farmhouses lately and found this beauty in delhi, ny, near the catskills about 150 miles from new york city. so quaint. love the charcoal exterior paint, the simple interior architectural details and yes, i love the cow painting in the kitchen.

this is what the listing says about it:

A work of art on 38+ acres...
With a true sense of classic days gone bye but with all the benefits of modern conveniences. Artistic details are visible throughout the house in the form of stained glass, intriguing architecture, meticulous joinery and mill work, custom kitchen cabinets made of hand selected vintage barn wood and large exposed beams. The home features many upgrades including a new metal roof, western hemlock siding and all new systems including a furnace that hasn't had much use because it has been bullied by two centrally located wood stoves. Enjoy a starry night or early morning coffee on the large new wrap around deck The property has a very nice mix of open and wooded land and a gorgeous spring fed pond with a private setting. Two century old barns also occupy the property, they provide ample storage space but could also house animals again or be converted to studio/living space. This property is located on a very quiet road in an area that has not seen many changes for years. It is easily accessed from County Highway 23 or Interstate 88.

listed at $250,000

from someone who lives in california, this price is INSANE!

more kitchen/stove envy

love. lots more beautiful inspiration from here.

five fabulous fall frocks

i love dresses, but i have a hard time finding ones i like. modcloth has an AMAZING selection of pretty and unique styles, many at very reasonable prices. these are my current faves. enjoy!

corral dress
haiku dress
it's a cinch dress in simple
southwestern spa dress
spiced cider dress

inspired interiors | early fall 09

been thinking a lot about sprucing up some of the rooms at home. the change in seasons usually brings this feeling on. i collect images i find for inspiration. some are for color, others for arranging accessories. i was browsing through my collection today and was taken once again with these. i also noticed that they shared a lot of the same colors. the palette and the shapes are speaking to me now. not too fall, but more like muted summer. i really hate posting images without crediting them, but i am ashamed to say that i can't recall where some of these are from. i will do some digging and update with credits shortly.

mirror :: horchow

vintage

i know i am late to the party on this one, but just got around to finding the photoshop action for turning photographs into 'vintage polaroids'. too cool.

get your's here.

i think it's time

i {heart} yellow stove

...and big window. from here, of course.

i'm not pregnant

but if i was, i would wear this. so cute at old navy.

white kitchen/open shelve love

love the modest simplicity of this. all the deets and more rooms from this house here.

the un-mom look | no. 8

i know's, it's been eons since i posted an un-mom outfit--just wasn't feeling the love. but now that fall is here and my attention is turned back to clothing i thought it might be fun to take some of my fall favorites from this post and make a couple of outfits. this first one has me thinking about a weekend day trip, chilly soccer game or even shopping and lunch with a friend (or the kids, if that's your thing). so here goes.

taking the blazer, bag and watch from the fall 09 post i've added:

1. lightweight turtleneck in blue stripe :: old navy :: $15
why it works: enough with the t-shirts already. this nicely fitted t-neck in a nautical stripe won't be too heavy or bunch up under the blazer, but its softness and weight will be comfy without looking sloppy.

2. ‘the dreamer’ boot-cut jeans in blue jet :: old navy or your own closet! :: $34.50
why it works: let's face it, most of us have a pair of old, faded jeans that fit and feel good and if you don't check out old navy's jeans. i'm hard to fit and i usually have good luck with them. plus, they are so reasonably priced and good quality. lots of different cuts and styles. here i''m thinking faded to add some contrast to the dark jacket which is a nice polished alternative to a ratty sweater or fleece jacket.

3. essie nail polish in mink muffs :: essieshop.com or instore at ulta :: $8
why it works: yes, nail polish is an accessory (just ask jenna). essie is great polish--look for sales at places like ulta. i'm LOVING this color right now. it's neutral with just a hint of pink and the medium shade looks good on most skin tones. it's on my toes as we speak.

4. tretorn canvas sneakers in pale oak :: j. crew :: $68
why these work: i wore these under my wedding gown (well, the white ones with the pink swoosh) in 1993--no lie. perhaps a story for another time, though. these are just flipping cute. i'm over the athletic 'trainers'--if you aren't going to the gym, leave them at home. these are fun, casual and retro in such a preppy way--a trifecta of perfection!

5. red scarf with off white design:: dollsofindia.com :: $18
why this works: it is unexpected. the key to looking current in such conservative basics is to add something unexpected. it doesn't have to be trendy or wild, just a little askew from the rest of the outfit. this beauty adds a little global flair.

6. ray ban wayfarer sunglasses in brown :: macy’s :: $109
why these work: what can i say? a classic is a classic. these look good on almost everyone.

happy weekend, lovelies.

speaking of betty draper...

god, i love this coat. here is what mad men costume designer janie bryant has to say about it:

Here she's added her winter white cashmere coat. That's a genuine piece. And of course she's wearing her pearls and it's almost like an Hermes style vintage scarf -- it's not Hermes, it just looks like it! That classic Betty Draper style. And the gloves, and the quilting at the cuff. It's quite simple but so gorgeous. And you know, you still see women like this. That beautiful classic style from the period that they've carried on for their entire lives.

Photo by Carin Baer via amctv.com

1306 37th street, sacramento, california

click me, I get bigger!

I am a sucker for craftsman design. I don't love all of the dark wood you often find in these homes (I know, I'm not a purist) but all of the wordwork makes me weak in the knees when it's painted a crisp white. And those windows? Heaven. I could do some serious design-damage in that kitchen. How about that stove?

Here's the listing info: Unique and beautiful craftsman in East Sacramento. Two residences plus a large storeroom/workshop. Main house has 3 bdrms + fam rm. Back house is a studio. Both have been remodeled--attention to detail is evident. Updated electrical-newer copper plumbing - much more. Move-in condition. Listed at $599,000 (this home is just off the famed 'Fabulous 40s' neighborhood, thus the ridiculous price--my comment).

Interested? Contact agent Sylvia Schnetz at Lyon Real Estate Downtown: 916-444-5633

it's official | fall 2009

click me, I get bigger!

Living in California makes it hard to believe that it is now fall. Our seasons tend to be subtle. Like today for instance, it's about 99 degrees. But it is, nonetheless, the autumnal equinox and being a "fall girl" I had to post some goodies I've been thinking about lately. I just finished doing a major purge of my closet and I am desperately in need of some new clothes. I won't, however, need many of these items until about the end of November. But a girl can dream!

You'll see the pearls here again because, well, they are just so pretty. I'm unofficially calling this grouping "Betty Draper meets the Preppy Handbook". I'm digging all of the ladylike and school boy looks that are happening right now.

Enjoy!

clockwise from left in a swirl:

campo bag :: j. crew :: $298

men’s timex watch with leather bracelet :: timex.com :: similar $40–$80

must have moccasins in frog :: bodenusa.com :: $138

frances stripe ruffled tuxedo shirt :: j. crew :: $89.50

anna von diederitz coat in red :: modcloth.com :: $83.99

the amy bag :: modcloth.com :: $74.99

mac and jac crop pants in black :: nordstrom :: $49 a la laura petrie!

city style sharkskin pencil skirt :: nyandcompany.com :: $34.95

sophisticate skirt in saffron :: modcloth.com :: $72.99

top notch idiom bangle in navy:: kate spade :: $78

dream turtleneck sweater in black : j. crew : $62.50

spotty scoopneck in damson :: bodenusa.com :: $88

lauren by ralph lauren long glass pearl necklace :: macy’s :: $58

wool school boy blazer in navy :: j. crew :: $178

reta platform pumps in grey from the Merona Collection :: target.com :: $32.99

pardonne-moi pendant :: shopthelook.net :: $18

french cafe hook

Beautifully styled shots like this make me warm and toasty inside. Is that weird? I don't care. And that gray green paint color? Sublime...thinking lower kitchen cabinet color. What's that you say? This from the crazy girl who is always posting pictures of all white kitchens? Well, the upper SHELVES will be white--along with the subway tile and the gorgeously gray-veined carrera marble countertop. To dream, to dream.

Have a great weekend(:

Oh yeah, photo from here.

i'm having a pearl moment

top left: grace pearl bauble bracelet :: stella + dot :: $89
bottom left: lauren by ralph lauren long glass pearl necklace :: macy's :: $58
right: pardonne-moi pendant :: shopthelook.net :: $18

back to school/back to work

if you click on me, i get bigger!

I'm feeling a little envious today. It's Jackson's first day of school. As a kid, one of the best things about starting school was the new school supplies. I still love the feel of a college-ruled notebook and the smell of a freshly sharpened No. 2 pencil. So I got to thinking, I don't get to go back to school but maybe it's time for some new office supplies.

calendar :: paper-source.com
This calendar is super cool because on the back of each month there is a printed template to make the heavy weight paper into everything from a file folder to a gift box. Love that!

books :: amazon.com
Back to school always meant a new reading list. These are two that I have been dying to read: The Designful Company by Marty Neumeier and Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath & Dan Heath. Time to hit the books!

pretty file folders :: papersource.com
Can't take those icky manilla numbers. Makes keeping all of the those reports and meeting notes a little less of a chore when you have something pretty to put them in.

sharpie pens :: officemax.com
These are new. They are Sharpie. They rock. Enough said. (Also heard a rumor that they now come in purple and orange).

vintage child’s blackboard :: similar at etsy.com
I detest whiteboards. But I like to keep track of projects on the wall so I can quickly reference what's going on. Also helps me not to forget what I need to do when it's staring me in the face. Love the idea of a little chalk board for all of that necessary info.

stripey tool box :: alicesupply.com
As a designer/art director I use lots of tools and being in a corporate environment I use lots of tools that fellow employees don't understand. Sometimes, they need to be locked away. Plus this is just fun to look at. Good place to hide candy, too.

5 days a week mousepad/notepad :: knockknock.biz
The folks at Knock Knock are comic geniuses which is why it is one of my absolute fave's. I am always making notes on scraps of paper. This could serve as scratch pad and mousepad. Multi-tasking!

bento box lunch box by gastrokid :: plasticashop.com
No more sack lunch for this girl. I think this would make my sandwich taste better, don't you?And, if I put sushi in it, I'd be just like Molly Ringwald's character "Claire" in The Breakfast Club.

Midori D-clips in crocodile :: amazon.com
Forget those boring clips. I like getting my inner-preppy on with these croc-shaped lovelies. Just be careful--if you give a co-worker a stack of papers secured with one of the beauties you might not get it back! Another good item for the toolbox.

Think Different Apple posters :: ebay.com
When I worked in a design firm we had the best art. But the corporate environment can be so sterile and, well, beige. These are inspirational but not too edgy for the office. All of the Think Different posters are amazing, but these are my favorites. I am thinking of framing them together as a tryptich.

locker basket letter trays :: seejanework.com
Those standard issue smoked plastic contraptions must die. Love the vintage vibe of these. Plus you can SEE what's in there.

pencil cup in net with silver pencils :: susyjack
Susy Jack's stuff is amazing. She has such a great aesthetic and she assembles all of her items by hand--everything is eco-friendly.

moleskine notebook :: thedailyplanner.com
New Moleskine necessary for important tasks, to-do lists and perhaps mid-meeting doodling.

Stanley Bostitch deluxe hand held Stapler :: amazon.com
I guess it's a holdover from my days working in a dry cleaner, but I love this hand held stapler--it's small, strong and, best of all, hangs nicely on a pencil cup so you always know where to find it.

it's complicated

can't wait...

accidental purchase

"How do you accidentally buy a pair of shoes?" you ask? My husband will no doubt be posing the same question. If you are me, it all starts on the way back from grabbing a snack you don't need at the deli next door. That's right, I ate candy and bought shoes all as a result of leaving my office. I guess this is why I try not to on most days.

So I am walking back with said candy from said deli and I see this very stylish young woman at the crosswalk. She has on a really cute outfit: black and white houndstooth pencil skirt (looked like lightweight wool) and a pretty white cotton lace blouse with cap sleeves that buttoned up the back. I was standing there thinking to myself that I probably would never have put those two pieces together, since one seemed fallish and the other decidely more casual and for warmer weather. But they really worked together and I was impressed. While waiting for the green man to give me the okay to enter the crosswalk, I stood there daydreaming about what pieces in my wardrobe fit these categories that I should try together when I got home.

Then it happened. I looked down. And there they were. The cutest shoes in that subtle dove gray I've been pining after for a while now.

I followed her into my building, then into the elevator trying to note each detail so that I could google (yes, a verb) them as soon as I returned to my desk. Within minutes I discovered that they are Steve Madden and that every retail outlet I could think of was sold out. I did, however, find a vendor on eBay selling a new pair in a 7.5 (my size, sometimes). This is where the accidental part comes in.

See, this vendor was selling the shoes, not listing them in an auction. Two buttons stood next to the picture: "buy now" and "make and offer". This seemed cool--I could suggest a price. Never encountered this on eBay before. The shoes were listed for $69 which seemed like a fair price. I checked to make sure I could return them if they didn't fit. I decided to click the "make an offer" button. I thought, "How about $49?" then I read the note that suggested I make an offer that seemed "fair" to both the seller and me. I softened and entered $59 and hit enter. The screen immediately lit up congratulating me on my purchase, my offer was accepted and I was now the proud owner of these shoes that may or may not fit. Lucky me. I naively thought the seller would have to think about it and get back to me or something. It never occurred to me that the seller could set an authomatic threshold. Silly me.

Actually, I am happy about it. If they don't fit, I can return them. They are really cute, even if I don't need them and am having a hard time thinking of something I have that I can wear with them. But I am sure it will work out in the end.

The moral of this story? Go to the vending machine in the basement when you need sugar. And next time, lo-ball those offers.

weekending

still thinking about the weekend...and dreaming of something like these for my very own.

1 via design*sponge
2 + 3 via it's mary ruffle

this makes me happy

More here.

gorgeous grace

If only this painting came as a print (of course, I would love the orginal oil with its "furry" textures). I need it for my dining room. See more of Linda St. Clair's work here.

Photo from House Beautiful.

tuileries ring

love, love, love kate spade. not sure how much involvement she has in the company that bears her name since it was sold several years ago to the liz claiborne people (have noticed some slipping in the designs), but i do love this ring. find it here.

happy weekend, my lovelies.

fun wallpaper + a serious problem

red bussess and black cabs by lizzie allen

jazz in central park by lizzie allen

happy friday, my lovelies!

two of my favorite cities are london and manhattan (i know, real original) and uk designer lizzy allen has captured the essence of these glorious cities in her wonderful wallpaper series "london calling". i love the illustrative quality that harkens back to 1950s advertising and, of course, the ingenious palettes. i need to find a room for one of these. the office, perhaps? not sure matt would go for it. oh well, a girl can dream.

in other news. i have a big problem. see, i like to read at night before i go to bed. it's really the only time of day i have for this activity. but right now i am reading this:

and i am laughing so hard i am crying. i can hardly breathe. and matt is trying to sleep! i think i will have to finish it during the day this weekend or i'll never make it.

have a great weekend!

ban.do

i think these fabric corsages are so pretty. ban.do makes beautiful things. find more here.

no. 150

i'm thinking about taking up quilting. i'd like to try something like this to start. you know what i am thinking--it looks easy, but it's most likely not. so cute though. these images are from this amazing woman and the quilt is available for sale here.

happy monday, all. oh, and this is my 150th post. is that a milestone?

xoxo,

m

7131 mezzanine way, long beach, california

Loyal readers know that my style is pretty classic, even traditional at times. Because I am a Gemini I like to think of myself as eclectic--a lover of good design but open-minded to all periods and styles and not at all predictable. Today, something a little different--an authentic, mid-century rancho designed by architect Cliff May.

I must live in one of these homes before I die. What great bones. You have to look past the somewhat dull furnishings (a least there are no Chippendale armoirs or, egads, country motif wallpaper border which, I kid you not, I have seen in houses of this style and era...a travesty) and take in the amazing layout and architecture. I just wish the posted photos showed the fireplace.

Man, I could do so much with this place...

See complete listing here.