backpack

Photo by Jordan Henrion

Ever since we took our weekend escape to Montreal, i've been wishing for a backpack.  I know, how hipster of me.... But I like to think that this interest in a smallish backpack as the perfect vacation carryall goes back a little further than this season's Urban Outfitters catalogue.

Around this time last year, I took an incredible trip to Beijing and one of my co-travelers had this fantastic red backpack. Not only did it look fresh and cute with everything she wore, it was also the perfect size for a DSLR camera and a multitude of other travel essentials while keeping her pretty much unencumbered for activities like hiking the Great Wall.

D. and I definitely take an 'out for the day' approach to vacations where we head out mid-morning not to return until after dark and schlep with us everything we collect along the way (most recently a dozen onion bagels from Fairmount in Montreal). So you see where I'm going, we need a backpack. Bonus points if it's masculine enough that D. feels as comfortable carrying it as I do.

So here's a quick round up of a few favorites - maybe useful for a few of you that will soon be lugging books back to school. For me, I'm dreaming of the next adventure we'll take our new bag on.

O'Hanlon Mills Textbook Backpack from Urban Outfitters

Seil Marschall Premium Day Backpack from Mr. Porter

Herschel Parker Pack from Herschel Supply Co. 

Engineer Striped Canvas Backpack from Poketo

Washed Gray Backpack by Qwstion

Classic Backpack by Herschel at Need Supply Co.

Snap Backpack from Everlane

Bonobo Series Backpack on Amazon

Classic Jansport Clarkson Backpack from Tilly's

Zip Backpack from Everlane

so long, summer

photo by John Guntman via

After a rainy gray weekend here in DC, there's no doubt that fall is on it's way, and although the cooler temps are a welcome respite from months of sweltering heat and sweaty commutes,  i can't help but feel a little melancholy as we didn't spend enough time at the beach, at the pool, browsing the farmers market... We didn't eat enough corn on the cob, tomatoes and fresh basil and i didn't bake enough berry pies drowned in heavy cream.

We're holding out hopes for one last beach trip next weekend barring continued hurricane activity. How is your summer wrapping up? Are you ready for fall?

Rainy Afternoon

D shot this lovely video of a warm sunny rain shower a few weeks ago in DC. The light is gorgeous.

100 Abandoned Houses

This photography series by Kevin Bauman captures my curiosity and obsession with urban decay - and is, as I told D, something I would love to do.  Bauman has documented abandoned houses in and around Detroit over the last year or so cataloging the visible effects or the recession and braving encounters with in his words: "concerned citizens, packs of wild dogs, 20 foot high piles of toilets, and houses with the facades torn off, filled with garbage."

Prints from the series are available on Bauman's site and partial proceeds go to local charities in Detroit.

Yes

From ilovedoodle on Etsy

Ombre wood

I'm a pretty big sucker for wooden elements in the kitchen. A wooden salad bowl was one of my most favorite wedding gifts to receive and continues to be one of my most favorite to give. Wooden spoons, spreaders, spatulas and every width, depth and variety of butcher block cutting board all get my love - but THESE, THESE are something else.

THESE are ombre wooden utensils from oME oMY on Etsy that I first spotted on Joanna Goddard's Pinterest. Aren't they gorgeous? Something about that luscious stain fading into the smooth woodgrain. What a beautiful gift they would make (to give or receive!)

Weirder Watercolors

So as you have seen, I've been pretty intrigued by all things watercolor over the last several weeks, but these pieces by artist, Tamara Marynowsky are certainly a step in a different directors. Zombies? Nightmares? Her creepy characters seem to melt into and out of the paper in an incredibly evocative display of mindful simplicity mixed with perfectly placed details. 

I think I love them. 

Everywhere, Man

I love any design for the sake of design project - and The Everywhere Project is no exception. A series of lovely luggage tags and labels inspired by the lyrics of a similarly named Johnny Cash song and designed by locals in each locale are fun, fresh and just the right touch of nostalgic. New labels are added almost everyday and the artist has the opportunity to expound on his or her hometown on the partner blog.

Matchsticks

These matchstick earrings from Asos are too cute. And for $6.63, they may need to be mine...

My plants wish they had

This simple lovely planter by designer, Joey Roth. Inspired by an ancient vessel called an Olla used as an irrigation tool by farmers in arid climates, the center of the planter is filled with water and the porous terra cotta allows the plant to absorb the moisture it needs. A lid on top prevents the water from evaporating instead of being soaked up by the soil.

My poor parched parsley is looking at this with envy from the front porch.

Production begins this month - but you can pre-order now on Roth's site for $45.