Quietly meditative...

...and full of serene images is this film from Toast. So much to like...

Images from Toast.

What:nots...

Hello. How was your week? I've survived the past two weeks, and managed to squeeze in a trip to the ballet (lovely) + an evening out with R in the midst of yesterday's pre-Christmas Christmas and packing chaos. So before I leap into the final throes of packing - here's what:nots - enjoy the rest of your weekend. And thanks to Denise for the snow!

Red lips and dark hair found here.

A very pretty paper garland.

Tiny berries, pinecones and felted acorns.

Simple and lovely little match bottle.

Loving this pleated clutch.

Perfectly simple gift tags. 

White + red linen tea towels.

A beautiful wooden bowl found here.

And my favourite Christmas card this year.

Images from jak + jill, Toast, Supermarket, Magpie + Rye, Heather Heron, Set Editions, Pale and Interesting, Le Souk, and Rifle Paper Co.

What:nots...

How was your week? Mine was super busy and full - hence the lack of posts. This time of year things seem to speed up and book up faster than you can say Saint Nick. The boys and I are in the throes of Christmas shopping, and we are getting ourselves organised before heading to New Zealand in just over two weeks! What are your weekend plans? Ours involve wrapping presents, writing Christmas cards, and staying warm. Thanks ever so much for stopping by, I hope all is well in your neck of the woods - here's what:nots for the week.

Love this image, and pink eyes, from Bon Magazine.

Elegant silk rosebud pin from 3.1 Phillip Lim.

Love Loans + Linen's teakin (either use as a tea towel or a napkin).

Beautiful stoneware milk and sugar pieces from Paige Russell.

With a blend of patchouli leaf, clover honey, and amber, this eau de parfum sounds intoxicating.

Fun little book by Supereditions - each page has a few words, leaving kids free to illustrate however they see fit. You can see more examples of their books here.

More perfect-ness (is that a word?) from Stella McCartney Fall 2010.

Velvet lined slippers from Toast - yes please!

And my current favourite dessert - Straus vanilla bean ice cream + these yummy ginger cookies = seriously good.

Images from Bon Magazine, La Garconne, Love Loans + Linen, Paige Russell, Supereditions, Style.com, Toast, Straus Family Creamery, and Amazon.

What:nots...

Hello Friday! My it's felt like a very long week. After a misty start, today turned into a wonderfully clear and crisp autumn day. It made me think of the quote Alexandria posted here. This evening we took advantage of the lack of precipitation and strolled out for a yummy thai dinner, before stopping off on the way home for Mayan hot chocolates at Moonstruck. Tomorrow, at the boys' request, we are off on a family day-trip. R and Mu have devised the route - I'm hoping for a country-ish locale, with lots of fall foliage. I hope you have a lovely weekend in your neck of the woods. And thank you for visiting Elsa May and for your sweet comments. Here's a autumn-ish what:nots...

Elegant black + white, plus love the jacket.

(I can't recall where I got the image...if you know the source please let me know)

Target from Jessica Snow's exhibition Multiple Plot Points.

White shirt + black pant + boots + clutch from Vanessa Bruno = perfect.

Holly Farrell's paintings - this one in particular.

An completely timeless bag from Vanessa Bruno.

Possibly the most perfect cashmere roll-neck sweater from Toast. Is it wrong to lust after a sweater this much?

The name - Divine - says it all. Dark chocolate, citrusy orange, warm ginger - utterly scrumptious.

And given that I'm exhausted after three full-on rides this week I thought I'd end with this wonderful image by Lisa Cueman. If you're interested hop over to here to see more of Lisa's great images.

Images from Jen Bekman, Vanessa Bruno, Holly Farrell, Toast, Divine Chocolate, Lisa Cueman.

There...

Toast's AW10 film There is enough to make me yearn for snow and rain...
Clip from blip.tv

Weekly what:nots...

How was your week? I hope it was just dandy. Mine was pretty abysmal and ended with another car slamming into the back of mine yesterday. Thankfully no one was hurt, but it felt like the 'perfect' end to a perfectly bad week. So long exhale, it's now the weekend, and I'm about to take the two rowdies to the pool. Before I go here's this week's what:nots. I've gone with a springy-summery theme in an attempt to will away Portland's perpetually grey wet weather.

Elegantly casual by Kate Powers (via wit + delight).

Oliver Jeffers World Domination Map. Each print comes with 51 pins to chart your path to total world domination. 49 of the pins are black, one is red and one is blue. Black is for countries conquered, red is for headquarters and blue is for the next target (via Famille Summerbelle).

Bee Bowl in Perla by Jill Rosenwald.

Toast's bandhini sun dress.

Love these Helena Rohner rings.

Embroidered elephant tea cosy from Rie Elise Larsen.

A great halter-tank for summer.

I'm seriously coveting this clutch (via Mrs Lilien).

Have a wonderful weekend!

Images from Kate Ryan Inc, Oliver Jeffers, Jill Rosenwald, Toast, Helena Rohner, Rie Elise Larsen, J Crew, and Calyspo St. Barth.

Weekly what:nots...

Happy Friday! I hope you've had a great week. I've shaken off my bug - yay - and am very much looking forward to the weekend. Hopefully we get some sunshine, Portland is feeling rather grey and drab with all this cloud. This evening we're taking the boys to Cirque de Soleil which we're all really looking forward to. Right-o better get on with what:nots, and then I better get on with "getting things done" as I seem to be doing a rather good job of procrastinating....

I love this Stephanie Rausser image...

Could this be the perfect cup for tea? In fact I'm quite taken by everything in Amanda Gentry's shop.

Highly desirable bangs and dark hair seen here.

This is perfectly true - chocolate solves many a problem, don't you agree?

Impossibly soft lilac and beige silk at Alberta Ferretti.

Great colours on these tie-dyed leather shorts.

And a favourite book of children's poetry.

I hope you have a fun-filled weekend!

Images from Stephanie Rausser, Amanda Gentry Wares, Toast, Therese Sennerholt, Alberta Ferretti, Tory Burch, and National Galleries of Scotland.