Writer's Almanac reports: It's the birthday of economist and sociologist Thorstein Veblen, (books by this author) born in Cato, Wisconsin (1857). He was an economics professor at the young University of Chicago when, in 1899, he published his book The Theory of the Leisure Class,in which he coined the phrase "conspicuous consumption."

Veblen used the term in a sentence of his book like this: "Conspicuous consumption of valuable goods is a means of reputability to the gentleman of leisure."

There is not too much conspicuous consumption these days - the pendulum has swung dramatically: so many are just trying hard to get by.

The Writer's Almanac is a wonderful way to start your day - so many things in life are free - read a poem, listen to the birds, watch the trees move in the wind and feel the sun on your face - now that's a great start to the day and it did not cost a penny! Enjoy your weekend.

I saw this image over at booktryst, via little augury,

and was intrigued.

I picked out the "cod" right away.

It is actually a leather bound book with the coast of Massachusetts as its design.

Beautiful in its simplicity.

Doesn't the land mass of the cape

look like a finger beckoning you to come visit?

I have had a few quick trips up to Cape, Islands and Maine this summer

A quick change of scenery, even if just for 36 hours, does wonders for the spirit.

Please continue to visit;

I know my posts have been sporadic,

but computer issues have made posting more challenging.

This beautiful book binding was done by Denise Lubet; it covers an edition of The Pilgrims Fathers.

monograms galore

popping up everywhere

like this custom fabric from

lulu dk

and here on elements of style

a stool: retail made custom with a handsome monogram

and below, also seen on elements of style

a ceramic plate from Jill Rosenwald.

Last summer Jill and I had booths next to each other at a boutique

I loved her work and did a post on her - click here

She is adding to the preppy monogram fever that is growing hotter every day.

You can see why I am having such a banner season with monograms on my frames

and plates, plates and more

from La Plates

via Eddie Ross who saw the story in House Beautiful

Go to dabney lee to custom design your planner

like the one below.

I gave one to miss is to take to college.

You fill in the dates and months yourself

so you can start whenever you want

and so many cover designs and monogram styles.

check out the link here

and start planning!

"Young Velvets, Young Prices" photographed for Vogue, 1949, from the roof of the Conde Nast Building.

(All images copyrighted Norman Parkinson Ltd., provided courtesy of the Norman Parkinson Archive, London. Norman Parkinson: A Very British Glamour, by Louise Baring, Rizzoli New York, 2009)

This is one of my favorite images. I bought this postcard when I was a young twenty-something, just new to NYC. It was always posted in a prominent spot in whatever apartment I was living in at the time. I worked on the 6oth floor of 30 Rock for 12 years and this was my view of downtown, except of course, with the twin towers.

The photograph reminds me of me and my sisters, there are five girls in our family and one boy. I remember wearing white gloves when I was a little girl; they went out of fashion when I was about 6 years old. The only other time I wore white gloves was at dancing school and Miss Is wore them too when she went to dancing school. Always a sweet image: little girl in white gloves.

Off to celebrate a 5oth birthday with 3 of my sisters ... escaping to Nantucket for a couple of days. I cannot wait for the mini-break... twin beds in ajoining rooms...talk, talk, talk...window shopping...bike riding...swimming...and an icecream cone or two!!

MISS RUMPHIUS

Do you remember this wonderful book.

When we drove miss is to camp, there was a spot along a back road in New Hampshire where we spotted lupine - masses of the flowers - it made me smile -

and think of Miss Rumphius spreading happiness and beauty with her flowers.

I try to do that when I plant my flower urns

by the road and by my door.

"Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length."

Robert Frost

feathers -

i have read a lot about them lately

someone who found a feather recently said it meant change

i love this poem by emily dickinson - hope is the thing with feathers...

Hope

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

It is believed that if you find a feather on your path it may be a sign of encouragement as you march along your path.

It also means lighten up; find a feather, change your thoughts, be grateful for the moment - find joy -

Into every life a little rain must fall." She just raised an eyebrow and said, "Good. Otherwise how are you going to grow?"

Dominique Browning, Slow Love Live blogpost here

computer crashed...ugh...missing the big screen and all my favorites...no pictures for awhile.

happy 4th of july

this photo was taken on June 12, 2010

on the occasion of the 350th birthday

of Hopkins School in New Haven, CT

miss is' alma mater for 3 weeks!

Check out this custom frame order I finished recently...

It was ordered by a blogger friend, patricia of pve design,

for another blogger,

summer is a verb,

and look at the beautiful drawing of Alice done by patricia of pve.

Patricia captured Alice perfectly:

from the colorful ballet flats,

to the lilly dress,

hermes bangles,

& glass of vino by the seashore.

If you read summer is a verb, i think you will agree.

You should contact Patricia if you would like a beautiful sketch...

go to her website here to see more of her work.

Alice has some of my other frames

and she did a fun post on my products...

here and here

Summer is a verb was quoted recently in the NYTimes - here

Alice is ready for the revival of all things preppy,

and so is mrr design.

Just think of the fun presents you could order,

custom-made, here in America.

Contact me if you would like a special one-of-a-kind present

for someone special.

The monogrammed frames have been a HUGE HIT THIS YEAR.

Join the fun - order one today.

I have a top-notch monogrammer

one to two weeks for completion -

yes, really that fast...

the blogosphere goes round and round