seawall

a couple of weeks ago i went on a roadtrip to one of my fave towns..portland maine!  i love portland mostly because my darling pal chris behan abides there..and when we get together..it is pure FUN!

a typical jill/chris weekend involves 3 main things..food, shopping, yoga, and shopping!  ha.  on this last jaunt  i discovered a real treasure..the shop Seawall!  the store is extremely curated by someone with a real eye for the details..which i love..and all of the merch is focused on craft..another love..so there!

spooky time

while sandy blows crazy outside..we're staying cozy in the house..dreaming of treats & magic to come...

Introducing {the jilly!}

how adorbs are these?  i always resist making something small, but these are 3x3 and the best..be sure to look for them on our site very soon!

robbie

my cousin robbie has written a tell-all memoir that i have been reading over the last few days.  though i knew it was causing quite a bit of hub bub within our family..due to the expose-ish nature of the text..i hadn't read a word of it til this weekend..and..I LOVE IT!  the book is about growing up in nyc, spoiled and unattended to like oh so many of my friends from those days.  though from the outside he may have looked like he had it all {fancy last name, money, good looks & shwagger}..on the inside he was lonely sad pathetic and really lost.  the book is painfully sad and hysterical..but

the thing i can't figure out for the life of me is whether i love it because it is so good..or whether i just am interested in it because i am so familiar with the people and the story..you be the judge.  here is an excerpt that was printed in the nytimes a couple of weeks ago.

halloween 2012

hallooooo halloween!  the studio has been gettin' pretty spooky these days-what with all of us making ready for the big day next week..but i wanted to take a pause in the hub bub to introduce the jilly!  it's a kitchen/bath/bar catch all.  there is no end to the uses for this mini tumbler (shown here) in our signature buckley chevron..this tzotch is to die!

la grenouille

the other night, i was in the city (nyc) with my brother, my nephew & my sister in law..and for some craaazy reason their new "we always go there" place is la grenouille.

this place is so straight outta the 60's it is hysterical..in fact i don't think they have changed one thing..and in a way..that is precisely what makes this spot so on the money.

{woody and mia!}

we sat at the bar enjoying champagne while waiting for our chocolate souffle's to arrive..

and let's just say... i ate the whole thing!  i could not stop!

ahhh the little things.

Tassel Trunk

last friday evening i had a special event at Tassel Studio in Old Lyme Connecticut with my old friend erica of the E List who organized the event at the wildly fabby shop owned and operated by the marvelous Hannah Childs

Hannah is not only a warm and wonderful person..but she is a terrific decorina too!  i really shouldn't have..but i couldn't resist these 2 awesome gigandor ikat (Quadrille's "Kazak") pillows from her shop.  don't they make a perf gift for my daddy's bday?

(here they are sittin' pretty in my rent's lavender boudoir..ooo la la!)

cozy photos

yesterday was our mono mug photo shoot..with lindsay and amy as our supermodels.  despite the fact that it can look sooo easy putting one of these lifestyle shots together..it is actually quite a complicated process.  regardless..i think we got some great images..and i am excited to see what the team comes up with next.

roasted green beans [a revelation]

this past weekend my lovely friend deborah served up some massively delicious green beans which she had roasted..right?  i mean who doesn't love a roasted veggie?  but green beans?  this was new..and the kids couldn't get enough.  the recipe is a cinch.  oven to 400..wash and snip your beans placing them in a shallow roasting pan.   drizzle olive oil and toss in minced garlic, salt and pepper to taste..AND the big secret..lemon zest!!  toss twice during your roasting time at 12 minute intervals and @30 minutes later..voila..deeelish!

i {heart} russell brand

have we discussed russell brand?

cannot get enough of this guy..and though i imagine he has lost some of his lustre after being dumped by miss thing..i am throwing caution to the wind and declaring my utter and complete fanness for senor brand..he kills me.  last night we watched "rock of ages" and this scene with alec baldwin in which they sing a duet of "can't fight this feeling" declaring their love for one another is pure joy. 

marimekko!

the other day i wandered over to newbury street and finally wandered into the new marimekko store!

for me..marimekko has always been major..for more reasons than one.

can you say striped shirts and bold color?

j'adore!  and the new store did not disappoint..i loved the whole loud story.

and felt immediately like making a purchase..so much color and fun and happiness all in one place!

everything was displayed with brilliance and ingenuity..though i was not sure i understand those clothes..but perhaps if i was a tad over 5'1" i might..

the beds were sooo smashing, and somehow cozy at the same time..so many fun textiles from which to choose.

i believe the one above is vintage..soo cool..and the dress below is new..

i can't wait to go back there and get some new marimekko..on the list is certainly a few of the classic striped shirts..a couple of pillows for our place..and maybe a bean bag chair for my son..
enjoy this fun video i found on their site.

flor

My son Loch and I wandered into Flor this afternoon completely intrigued.

and though i had heard of flor the modular flooring system of carpets..i had never smelled it tasted it or felt it in real life!

the new boston store is so so cool..you can design your own rug based on any number of plain or patterned 20" squares...and add to it later..putting your look together with stickers..so you are free to change the design over time..otr replace a yucky square in the future..

there were so many fun options to choose from we so fell in love..it is fun AND fab over there.

adore magazine

this just came from adore mag..hollah!

alexander calder {crush}

 growing up we used to spend some time at the home/gallery of my cousins dolly and klaus perls.  the perls were so beyond fabulous..even to my seven or so year old perspective..i mean just look at them!  their gallery on madison avenue in the 70's was home to much of sandy calder's ouevre..as the perls were Calder's dealers..

so let's just say this was an early design obsession..just loved me some calder..

but if you look at these jewelry pieces today they share the same joie that they had then..and therefore equally fab.

sculpture for the body..that said i am a somebody!  hear me roar!  i mean..even georgia and peggy had to have some! 

 and i would have to say that it still looks fun and fresh and fabulous..perhaps dated..but in a really good way!  

Fall {inspiration} Photography

 Amy,  Lizzie & I met here last week to sketch out a line up of fall photog goals and concepts..

 and this week..amy has been kicking butt..taking these awesome pix at the studio..using lots of found objects ..

 as well as, lots of produce from our wonderful farmer's market..that is here in Dewey Square twice a week.

 styling photos is no mean task, and i think amy is really growing and blossoming in the role..of studio muse.

my son donated "poison cherries" for this one..yummmm!

i cannot wait to see what she comes up with for the "sppoooooky" shots slated for next week.