light as air

clouds + castles by talented georia-based embroiderer aubrey longley-cook of spool spectrum.

self-destruction

artist lino lago interjects explosions of color in otherwise lifeless imagery.

late summer transitions

it’s way too hot to be considering a fall wardrobe, but with every store debuting their latest heavy knits and structured tweeds it’s hard not to get excited about the next season’s styles. here are a few pieces that might help make the transition: (1) zoe karssen, loose fit tee, $86; (2) laura lombardi, sonsela necklace, $120; (3) monki, floral dress, $36; (4) bodkin, silk tulip top, $137.50; (5) toast, double-faced linen shorts, $75; (6) toast, fold over bag, $238; (7) jbrand, 29” skinny eclipse jeans, $158; (8) Rachel comey, pleatneck pullover, $132.50; (9) only hears, high-tension bra, $50, high-tension hipster, $32; (10) keds, skipper canvas sneaks, $50.

simply living

designer emily christensen of filly designs finds unexpected beauty in function—where the practical and the precious come together. her fall 2011 collection is carefully crafted and hand-dyed to perfection.

look a little

moments of solitude captured by tim barber, nyc-based fashion and fine art photographer, designer, and curator of the online art gallery tiny vices. each image is candid and intimate—moments where no one seems to be looking.

whitetail

saturating color and image, artist stefan dunlop, creates abstract versions of quite landscapes.

softer side

beautiful copper chain necklaces wrapped with jersey fabric in the fall 2011 collection by jaclyn mayer.

as many sweet

recent work by french photographer claudine doury explores the mechanisms of adolescence, through secret games, private rituals, daydreams, and apprehensions, in her series “sasha.”

up above

from a traveler's perspective, most of the world is seen through an airplane window. patchy farmland and suburban spaces, often overlooked on the ground, are featured in illustrator/artist jim dharling's series "windows." each of his six paintings show the divide between the passenger and the open space below.

salt + sand

the spring/summer 2011 collection “ocean view” by berlin-based clothing label, anntian, draws inspiration from thoughts and feelings associated with the shapes, tastes, and smells of a tropical environment. designers ann hilken and christian kurt handprint and handpaint their own graphics, making each piece unique.

b + b elsewhere

the lovely casey of k.i.d collective invited me to create a playlist for her friday summer music series. “at the lake” is a small sampling of what I’ve been listening to lately – new and old. a little something mellow to play in this crazy heat, while your face is pressed to the fan. thanks for having me casey!

fig + goat cheese crostini

i made these sweet little fig and goat cheese crostinis, via gourmet 2003, for a dinner party last week. i can't resist a fresh fig can you?

3 tbsp minced shallot

2 (3-inch) fresh thyme sprigs + 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh thyme

1/4 bay leaf

1 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter

3/4 cup dried black mission figs, finely chopped

3/4 cup port

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp black pepper

12 (1/2-inch-thick) baguette slices

1 tbsp olive oil

6 oz soft mild goat cheese at room temperature

2 fresh ripe figs, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

savory fig jam

cook shallot, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf in butter in a 1- to 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring, until shallot is softened, about 2 minutes. add dried figs, port, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. simmer, covered, until figs are soft, about 10 minutes. if there is still liquid in saucepan, remove lid and simmer, stirring, until most of liquid is evaporated, 3 to 4 minutes more. discard bay leaf and thyme sprigs and transfer jam to a bowl. cool, then stir in minced thyme and salt and pepper to taste.

toasts

put oven rack in middle position and preheat to 350°F. halve each baguette slice diagonally, then arrange on a baking sheet and brush tops lightly with oil. bake until lightly toasted, about 7 minutes. cool on baking sheet on a rack.

crostini

spread each toast with 1 tsp fig jam, 1 1/2 tsp goat cheese, and 1-2 pieces fresh fig.

(photo by: erin)