I had just stopped hunting for a new laptop bag when… DING! There was Nicholas, the designer behind Columbia-based Hasso, sitting in my inbox. The bags are gorgeous- classic and ruggedly appealing. The Hasso line is made from locally sourced waxed vegetable tanned leathers and 455 gram cotton canvases. I’m particularly drawn to the material juxtaposition of the messenger bag and but these backpacks are taunting my credit card as well.

Check out their entire line of products here!

All product images by Hasso.

Additional Sources: Image 1 by Stockholm Street Style / Image 2

Readers- It may be the time of the year, but I’ve been a little down in the dumps lately. I do my best to keep positive, but sometimes when a string of bad luck comes your way you can’t help but whine “Why me!?”. When I was in my (very) early twenties, my roommate and I did a lot of whining about the growing pains associated with becoming real “adults”. The self-pity fest was most often accompanied by a gigantic piece of chocolate cake and multiple glasses of wine. Soon enough we were laughing about the heaviest things on our minds.

Over the years I’ve realized that wallowing in self-pity is just a pitstop on your way to accepting the bad things that happen to you. So why not have a little fun with it? Soon enough you’re looking towards better things.

So party away, my friends.


Provisions:

1. Alcohol. Whatever floats your boat.
2. Lounging gear. Opt for cozy knits and a warm water bottle to hug.
3. Food. Sometimes only ice cream will do the trick.
4. Music, Movies & Journaling. I’ve watched Casablanca since high school and it still does the trick. I also posted my weepiest tunes on 8tracks and Spotify. Totally subjective and personal, but yeah, Radiohead makes me bawl.

Best Practices (for good measure):

1. Lay off the social media. This is an intimate party and odds are you’re not your “best self” in this state of mind. And let’s be honest, it’s probably pretty irritating to everyone else, too.
2. Reach out to someone you can trust if you need support. Talking through things often helps us move on.
3. Remember that everything looks better in the morning light. You’ll feel better tomorrow, I promise.

Links: celebratory banners / I recommend scotch / sweater / hot water bottle cover / wool undies / ice cream spoon / batch ice cream / casablanca / journal /

Ah, Friday is finally here. I need a couple beers and a good sleep after this week! But I’m particularly excited for this weekend because we are celebrating the birth of our friend Emily (HAPPY BDAY EM!) with a night out in the city. There will be dancing, drinks and a little leather dress I’m excited to wear.

Hope you all have a good one!

K
image via +

Today’s inspiration comes from textile designer Nancy Straughan. Her sense of color, form and texture is impeccable. Check out her portfolio here and shop her organic linen prints here. I love seeing what inspires and influences a creative’s work, and her blog is full of graphic goodness.

Thanks for sending along your work, Nancy! Can’t wait to see what’s next.

Beautiful textural spaces by TACKLEBOX architecture…

Design & Concepting by TACKLEBOX architecture, photography by Juliana Sohn for Aesop and Gianluca Fellini for Aesop

Excited about the ultra-prep coats and knits from Carven for Pre-Fall 2012…

via Vogue & Coffee, via Lucky Magazine

Via Style.com

I’ll be working on creating a more seamless way to share the mixtapes I’m posting, but for now, I’ve got Spotify links to past mixes:

Mixtape No.1

In The Kitchen

Get Up and Get Dressed

At The Movies with Woody Allen

Longer Days, Shorter Nights

Feelings

Move It

Jumpstart January


* To clarify- I will posting to 8tracks AND Spotify. Happy listening

image via Middle Child Complex

Currently…

Watching:
Charles & Ray Eames: The Architect and The Painter. It is currently streaming on PBS. The couple that never fails to inspire creative living.

Listening:
Turntable Kitchen :: The Best 7″ Vinyl Singles of 2011. Fantastic round up from one of my favorite blogs.

Wear:
Booties with boyfriend jeans. It’s actually been mild and enjoyable this winter. All the more reason to enjoy naked ankles and fussier footwear. via +.

Tasty hues inspired by a recent afternoon ice cream treat:

Bracelets by Natalia Brilla
Only Make Print
Julie Stegner by David Vasiljeic
Anthro Dresser
Coin Purse
Book Review cover by Chris Silas Neal
Necklaces by FORTUNE
Gold Cutlery from Canvas
Peach Planner by Julia

A mini mix to get you over the first hump day in January.

Listen to Mixtape No. 9 Here:

Worship You – Colleen Green
Angelhead – Gabriël Rios
I Might – Wilco
Pas Pour Toi – Ava Carrère
Larmes de Métal – Soupir DJ Kicks (Compiled And Mixed By Chromeo)
Velvet Elvis (RAC Remix) – Alex Winston
Afternoon – Youth Lagoon
a widow’s toast – Neko Case


Image via Note To Self

In 2012, I will:

1. Learn to love my natural texture
2. Primp & curl when time allows
3. Wear a hat when all else fails
4. Break free from the top knot
5. Rock a messy braid
6. Add some hardware to my pony
7. Try out a new flirty style


1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

title source

I saw this clay bowl tutorial a few weeks ago and just had to give it a try over the holiday break. It looked too good to be true and in reality, it was. Check out the tutorial here and have fun with it! FYI- I used my fingers to shape the bowls to get a more organic look. Looks pretty stunning for something so easy (and cheap) to make.

I think I’m going to try this paper mache bowl next…

Totally crushing on this clever interactive caffeine consumption poster created by Column Five. I want my own! You can purchase your own here.

Alyson from Unruly Things invited me to contribute a guest post while she’s away in sunny Flordia. I’m all about sparkle for holiday parties, so head over to Unruly Things to check it out!

I’m an anxious person. There are many facets and faces to anxiety, but the most debilitating part of my anxiousness is feeling scared, overwhelmed and insecure when making decisions- both big and small. I’ve felt a lot of shame around this character trait, but recently I’ve come to accept anxiousness as part of who I am. It’s been easier to see situations for what they are when facing them head on, not looking at them through a rear view mirror.

So when a friend introduced me to Unstuck, I felt like I got a Christmas gift made specifically for me. Unstuck is a free iPad app that helps you diagnose the moments you feel totally stuck. Whether it be a conflict at work, a relationship issue, a goal that’s just out of reach, the app is designed to help reveal what’s really behind the moments you feel stuck. Once you effectively learn to become unstuck, you’re able to live a fuller, happier life.

It’s definitely worth taking the time to watch this video about the program. It’s a wonderful system!

I originally put this mix together for long runs over the holiday break. But really this mix is meant to be moved to. Dance around the house, run some stairs, bob your head, whatever. My weakness for rap peaks through a bit here…

Mixtape No. 8: Move It


1. Sour Cherry – The Kills
2. The Seeds – The Roots
3. Wishing Well – Cheyenne Marie Mize
4. I’m Good, I’m Gone – Lykke Li
5. Girls and Boys – Blur
6. Pile of Gold – The Blow
7. Rumpshaker – Wreckx-N-Effect
8. My Secret Lover (Diplo Mix)- Private
9. Through The Grapevine- The Slits
10. Jolie Coquine – Caravan Palace
11. Another Sky – Scenic
12. Living In America – Dom
13. Fantastic Voyage – Coolio
14. Handguns (Dada Life)- Alex Gopher
15. Ghosts n Stuff (Rob Swire) – Deadmau5
16. Let’s Make Love – CSS
17. La Belle et le Bad Boy
18. Sweet Dreams Cover – Jhamee
19. Right On- The Roots, Joanna Newsom & S.T.S.
20. Coastin’- Zion I & K. Flay


Illustation by Gemma Correll

Are we all enjoying the decadent tastes of the season? Who else is feeling a little regretful for having a chunk of cookie dough for dinner? I might be all alone on that one, but readers- I’m feeling a little sluggish from my baking adventures. So for the past 2 weeks, I’ve made a point to enjoy some healthy meals where ever I can.


Here’s what’s worked for me:

1. Load up on super foods like quinoa, roasted sweet potato and kale. Mix with a squeeze of lime, feta and a bit of red pepper. What can’t you accomplish with all those healthy nutrients?

2. Make a huge batch of your favorite chili (I use this vegetarian recipe) and serve it in roasted acorn squash. It looks festive and tastes amazing. I learned this from my mom, so you can thank her. (THANKS MOM!)

3. Keep it simple when it comes to snacking. Grabbing a handful of almonds is as easy as it gets. They’re also filling, so you can keep your hands away from the company cookie plate for a good 3 hours. Truth.