Have a wonderful weekend!

Weekly List o' Lovely

Here's what made me feel all twitterpated, smile contagiously, giggle uncontrollably, etc.

matchbook mag: the august issue is swoonworthy

A few of my favorite articles and layouts...

*images via Matchbook

signed, sealed, delivered

My mom surprised me with another unexpected package this week. My family spoils me, and I really don't deserve this much love quite honestly. I received this stunning coffee table book filled with Robert Rauschenberg's work and essays. It could be one of the most breathtaking books I've ever seen! 

the lure of a cute new flick

As you can tell, I have a thing for Steve Carell. I think he's utterly charming. I've vowed to boycott The Office after his departure, and I bawled like a big baby during his final episode.

when clever meets card stock

online treasures that are bookmark worthy

sharing is caring

color me adventurous

Confession: I love color. Bright and bold colors. However, aside from the assortment of classics -- pinks, reds, nudes and oranges -- I've never painted my nails any other crazy colors. I've been tempted by Essie's Turquoise & Caicos shade all summer, but I wasn't sure about taking the plunge. Other girls can pull it off, but I fear it might look like some sort of odd fungus on me. In an effort to lead a more daring life, I threw it in my shopping cart this week. It's getting wild around here! How long will it last before I get out the cotton balls and remover? Any bets?

what happens in vegas...

I couldn't contain myself while watching this week's episode of Flipping Out. It was a series of ginormous belly laughs -- the quality sort where you begin slapping the couch cushions, you rock back and forth and end up wiping your eyes. Yeah, it was that kinda laugh!

a surprise baggu coup

Courtesy of Gwynnie -- you shouldn't have!

Enter 'baggugoop' at checkout and receive a 20% site-wide discount.

Can I get a woop woop for Goop! 

What are you up to this weekend? 

Enjoy!

Work it baby, work it...Own it!

Workspace: My absolute favorite nook in the house. 

Keep in mind, a desk and inspiration board are required. No exceptions. A workspace should be fun and cozy. You should WANT to sit down at your desk, and it should feel peaceful. Perhaps this is just  the Type-A -- Type Ashley -- part of me speaking, but I believe it's a must in every home.

Why? I thought you'd never ask! You see, when I was in middle school I babysat for a couple who were friends of my parents. The mother -- we'll call her Nell -- was a spirited and thoughtful lady. Her babysitting notes were always written on the cutest of notepads. I especially coveted her beautiful penmanship and her ability to create a trademark smiley face at the end of each note -- it was as though she had some sort of magic stamp! I remember being awe struck when I first visited their house. She had an area she referred to as Desk -- it was an orderly and creative nook adorned with a mini L.L. Bean Boat & Tote, which held numerous notepads and stationery. Desk was also the proud owner of a fancy upright stapler, personalized address labels, stamps, an assortment of scissors, etc. The more I babysat, Desk took on these human-like qualities, the kind you only see in animated films. It came to life, and I saw Nell's personality in Desk. Isn't that the way a workspace should be? It should reflect the personality of its owner(s). After meeting Nell and being introduced to Desk, I was bound and determined to have an area like this of my own.

Okay, it may be odd for a teenage girl to dream of a "stationery wardrobe" and desk drawers filled with colorful paper, dainty ribbons and pretty tape, but hey, that's Type Ashley! I still plan to create the ideal stationery wardrobe (it takes time), and I'm always tweaking my workspace. In fact, I feel a bit silly writing about workspaces, and I'm not even sharing a photo of our office. Unfortunately, it's under construction and not photo ready. I wish she was up and running, believe me! I do love my workspace; however, our iMac is getting its hard drive replaced and my desk feels naked. I'm also scouring local stores and websites for a new desk chair. Don't even get me started on this search! Okay, I'll fill you in and keep it brief. Flyboy rarely takes a stance when it comes to our home decor (a trait I love about him), but he's made a request regarding a future replacement: it must have wheels! Welp, there goes my dream of having another Eames with an Eiffel Tower Base. Le sigh. (This is just a test to see if he actually reads this darn thing. Ha ha!)

Anywho, enough about me and more about you. Does your office area or workspace scream YOU? If not, it might be time to revamp your nook. A few small changes can make a big difference. Don't mistake this post as me telling you to organize your space either. Some of the most creative people I've met have had the greatest workspaces -- they are messy, cluttered and filled with greatness! They're the kind of areas that make this overly intense, organizational freak very jealous. Your space should inspire.

*image by Bella Foster

Here are a few of my favorite workspaces...

And finally, the spaces of creative greats...

Roald Dahl

Cy Twombly

Tina Fey

Yves Saint Laurent

Albert Einstein

Helen Frankenthaler

Jenna Lyons

World's Best Boss

That's what she said.

Book Ends

An afternoon at a used book shop has got me feeling very You've Got Mail. In other words, I'm uber excited, feeling rather perky and creative. I have this sort of joy and zeal in my eyes.

"What will NY152 say today, I wonder. I turn on my computer. I wait impatiently as it connects. I go online, and my breath catches in my chest until I hear three little words: you've got mail. I hear nothing. Not even a sound on the streets of New York, just the beating of my own heart. I have mail. From you." -- Kathleen Kelly

I know what you're thinking, "Stay on track, Ashley!" So anyway, I visited the store with the intent to pick up some cheap art books and create a hanging lantern like this:

While it may be  a little overdone, I think they're charming! 

I plan to hang mine over the sofa/sleeper in our bedroom to give the space some texture and personality.

It would have been too easy to just pick up some random cheap old books. I want my lantern to have some meaning behind it. Much to my surprise, after five minutes of sifting through stacks of books about the Renaissance and Japanese watercolors (boring), I found a book of essays by Clement Greenberg. Cue the hallelujah chorus. This is just the source of inspiration I was hoping for. 

I first was introduced to Greenberg at Mizzou in a contemporary art class. I was absolutely smitten with my professor, and she ignited this passion inside me for abstract expressionism specifically. Some of Greenberg's essays were assigned as class reading material. His words paired with my instructor's adoration and knowledge made something click inside me. As cliche as it sounds, I'll never be the same. It upped the ante for me in my world of art awareness. My love for impressionistic greats like van Gogh and Matisse suddenly broadened to modern masters like Frankenthaler, Motherwell, Rauschenberg, etc. 

I'm absolutely delighted by the treasures I found at Book Ends. If you're unsure as to how you should spend you next free afternoon, I would encourage you to seek out an old bookstore. I know that you'll find something fabulous. Here are a few of the items I brought home...

And after a day filled with excitement, I didn't think it could get any better... I stopped by the Post Office to pick up an unexpected package. I was initially worried I ordered something and forgot about it. I knew I hadn't ordered anything from Canada. I was thinking, "Could it be the dog's heartworm meds? That seems rather shady." In a state of panic, I ripped open the box in the parking lot and found this little gem smiling at me inside the box.

My mom sent me this vintage VW bug she found on etsy. I think it's precious!

And because I'm feeling rather giving, enjoy this bouquet of sharpened pencils. From me, to you...

Oh Happy Day!

Toodles,

ANF