Jane Austen comic

Speaking of Jane Austen, here's a little comic. ;)

(By Kate Beaton, via Kat)

Lauren Conrad Style

I have finally ordered this book called Style by Lauren Conrad.
It has been on my wishlist for such a long time, and now its finally going to be mine.
Hope it arrives in the mail soon :)

I love Lauren's style, she is a big inspiration :)

Do you have this book?
What do you think about Lauren's Style? :)

Cup-of-Jo Gift Guide Part #4: Your Best Friend Who Wears the Prettiest Lipsticks and Knows (and Keeps) All Your Secrets.

A cozy cardigan, $72. (I love this mustard yellow!)

A cute striped tote, $39.

Ponytail styling lotion for the perfect high pony, $22.

A custom portrait of her beloved pup, $300...or one of these adorable (and more wallet-friendly) animal prints, $20.

New York pencils to inspire her to visit, $11.

A morse code necklace that spells "friend," $36.

Caramel marshmallows with sea salt and toffee crumbles, $13.

A rad street-style memory game from Amsterdam, $17.

A pretty pink bralet that you know she'll love, $36.

The world's cutest coffee-table book, $31.50.

P.S. More gifts for best friends...

A Book for your Computer?

How cool is this case for your MacBook?  Not only is it stylish and protective, but it is also a disguise!  I love it.

Get yours here

Brooklyn Diary

Our girl Lena just curated a new book, Brooklyn Diary, which takes a look at the daily lives of 21 Brooklyn artists, documented by 10 Brooklyn photographers. They reveal their favorite neighborhood spots and offer peeks inside their quirky homes. Part-coffeetable book and part-travel guide, Brooklyn Diary will be released on October 11th. I'm really excited for it. Congrats, Lena!

(These photos show Anna and Tim Harrington and their sons Benji and Casper. As lead singer of the punk band Les Savy Fav, Tim is known for his crazy theatrics--he must be such a fun dad. Anna and Tim also run the textile company Deadly Squire. Their photos make me want to pickle vegetables and buy a pool.)




(Photos by Jessica Antola)

Nature prints

Loving the artwork from Miles of Light. (Aren't the bookmarks pretty?)

Lovely Backyard Wedding

Want some ideas for an adorable backyard, low-key, at home wedding?  Look no further than this wedding shoot by Jessica Clare.

There are so many cute ideas to steal to make a backyard wedding fun and stylish.  I love the mismatched pillows, the books with words cut out for the table numbers and cake table, and the ceremony set up is just so sweet.

Guest Post: Summer Camping Trip

An inspiration board for a summer camping trip. Left to right, top to bottom: 1. Vintage postcard; 2. A Field Guide to Weeds book; 3. address book; 4. botanical chart card; 5. Billykirk overnight bag; 6. Roger Miller album; 7. Cole Haan boots; 8. field sketches by William Berry; 9. striped bathing suit; 10. vintage Minolta camera.

-- By Anna from Rifle Paper Co.

Inspiration Board: Jane Austen Wedding

Take pink English roses, lavender gardens, feminine gowns and romantic updos and what do you get...lovely Jane Austen inspiration.  You could incorporate books as favors or in your decor to add to the vintage feel.  Use antique teacups in your florals.  If you don't live in England or have access to an English manor, just use the inspiration to turn your backyard garden wedding into one fit for a duchess or queen!

Top Row:  Manor via 100 Layer Cake, Umbrella from Pink Frosting, books via Classic Bride, Jennifer Behr

Bottom Row:  gown via 100 Layer Cake, Table photo from Jessamyn Harris, lavender photos by Jose Villa

DIY Book Cover and Bookmarks

I saved a great DIY project to close out DIY week!  I wish I could claim it as my own, but that would be stealing :)

This is my favorite DIY project I've seen on the blogs in a long time!  As I have posted in the past, my husband and I love books.  We have a million books.  We like to give books.  I would have loved to do this as favors for my wedding, but was afraid it would be too time consuming and overwhelming.  But with the help of this DIY project over at my favorite DIY resource blog, Twig & Thistle, the project is way do-able!

Perfect for a library themed wedding, you can cover your favorite books, or a blank journal.  Pick a pretty paper (Paper Source has lots to choose from), follow the instructions here, and enjoy!

Check out the full post on Twig & Thistle.  And you should totally check out all of the great DIY posts on Twig & Thistle!  Kathleen posts some amazingly creative ideas.

Own Your Books

My husband and I are obsessed with books, for both reading and collecting.  We have so many that we often loan out our old copies of East of Eden, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Alchemist, Harry Potter... So how great are these stylish and free printable bookplates from Dahlia Press via Postcards and Pretties?

These would be great for your home library, as a gift, or as a favor in a library or book themed wedding!

It's in the Details: Vintage Books

Lately, vintage books have been popping up all over, especially in engagement shoots.  While I fall more on the side of organically fun engagement photos that show you as a couple vs. styled engagement shoots (I love looking at the styled shoots, but to me an engagement photo is supposed to capture the couple, not the props), my husband collects vintage books, so I am wishing we had used some in our photos somewhere.  Whether in engagement photos, or on your wedding day, vintage books are a fun and affordable way (check flea markets and yard sales!) of adding some vintage flair to your day.

Props in a picnic engagement shoot

Top Left:  Stephanie Williams, Right: Caroline Tran via Green Wedding Shoes

Bottom Left: Maile Lani, Right: Adrienne Gunde

Left:  Shannon Nicole Smith, Right:  Stephanie Williams

In your centerpiece decor

Left:  Via Once Wed, Right:  Ritzy Bee Events

As placecards and favors

By Feather Love

The Image is Found via Style Me Pretty

As wedding invitations (yes, these are real wedding invitations!)

Jessica Claire (and go here to see more on these incredible invitations)

Left:  Via Ruffled, Right:  Adam Barnes Fine Art Photography

Via Classic Bride

As DIY table numbers

From Bird and Banner via Once Wed

And these are just cool

Via Inspired Goodness

I want to stress that any DIY projects involving vintage books should include only books that are damaged, missing pages, etc.  Do NOT destroy books in good condition...