I totally bought this trench/dress on my trip to LA and I can’t wait to wear it. Let’s hear it for lady designers (and for local business, and for supporting friends who run amazing boutique shops, and for looking super hot and stylish.)

shopmyrtle: A new favorite: CURATOR’s Charlotte trench dress—layer as a lightweight jacket or roll the button tab sleeves for a dress! {Lauren wears with FILLY top and pants; Taylor wears with UNBROKEN necklace and bracelet | photos by Kate Miss}

After two weeks, forty new friends, and three hundred instagram pictures I’m home from Israel. I’m jetlagged and reeling and I can’t wait to go back.

Here’s to saying “yes” in 2012: my crazy-talented designer friend Paige made me a print of this original design for a holiday gift. As she says on her blog,

I’m trying to put myself out there as much as possible no matter how uncertain I feel.

The print occupies a place of honor on my faux mantle (the bay window above the wall heater). Paige always inspires me, and this year’s no different.

Continuing the proud tradition of Kevin kicking my ass in our photo-set-offs, here are my picks from Arrow & Arrow. (And here are his.)

Yeah, that striped shirt is for a guy. I still want it.

Weekend trip to Bainbridge Island as captured on Instagram. Click for big.

From top left:
- Seattle skyline as seen from the ferry terminal
- Mr. Seagull keeps an eye out on the ferry
- Pomo goodness as seen on a junction box in downtown Bainbridge
- Awesome freaky art at Blackbird Bakery
- Pretty lights at Fork and Spoon
- Gingerbread cookies
- Maybe the best ice cream ever from Mora
- Sunset from the homebound ferry
- Welcome back to Seattle

(Shamelessly inspired by Maura’s recent posts.)

Kevin is always an inspiration, but especially when he posts things from J.Crew.

Items here would make a lovely addition to my winter wardrobe, don’t you think? (In this dream-winter, I occasionally make trips to tropical locations.)

All on sale now.

Kevin challenged me to another photo-set-off, this time inspired by the lovely wares of Toast out of the UK.

Here are my favorite six items from the store. Here are his.

Half because I shamefully didn’t wish Kevin a happy birthday until his boss reminded me, and half because Kevin’s so great, I drew him a birthday cake. (No, it’s not a wedding cake. Also, this is the only kind of cake I can draw.)

So… happy birthday Kevin!

So… how is it possible that neither I nor Kevin had, before today, heard of Brook Farm General Store? It is full of beautiful, useful, durable, classic stuff that I dearly desire to own.

(Yes - they do sell a $4.50 whisk and a $17 spool of twine and they’re in Williamsburg, Brooklyn but I cannot seem to hate them. I can only love.)

edit: I challenged Kevin to a photoset-off. His entry is here. You can vote for your favorite by hearting mainly just this post.