bookmark worthy: 20×200
I just made the big move from Chicago to New York Cityand am beginning the long process of feathering my new nest. I started my quest at 20×200. The website is a mecca for great, cheap art and the perfect place to start a collection. There’s no crappy motel art here- no gliding seagulls or empty park benches. Instead, 20×200 is a curated assortment of colorful, haunting, gorgeous art. Remarkably, 8 x 10 prints start at just $24! Search prints by color, size, or artist. New artists are added weekly so there’s always a new piece to add to my wish list.
I started my collection with Holden, a print of an intricate snake drawing by Jacob Escobedo and a photography print from Thomas Prior. Pictured above is Jane Mount’s Ideal Bookshelf 353: English Lit, the perfect addition to a cozy reading nook.
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summer essentials: the national parks passport
In the past three days, I’ve visited the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island,Clinton Castle, Federal Hall, and the birthplace of Teddy Roosevelt. No, I’m not looking for clues to figure out who stole the Declaration of Independence, I’m collecting stamps for my National Parks Passport.
The National Parks Passport ($8.95) is part guidebook, part wish list, part check list of all the historic sites, parks, and memorials that the National Park Service is in charge of. At each NPS site across America, there is a specific stamp (usually in the information center/gift shop) that you use to make a cancellation and mark it in your passport. I’m sure the passport is really meant for kids to get them excited about visiting the breathtaking and fascinating treasures that dot America, but I’ve become obsessed with mine. I’ve found myself going out of my way to finagle routes that include the historic spots. Every place I’ve visited has surprised me, made me learn something, and given my camera a workout. Grab one immediately for your summer road trips- my only regret is that I didn’t get mine sooner!
One more bonus feature: profits from the passports funnel back into the National Park Service so you can feel warm and fuzzy buying yours.
post off: who are you pinning?
Whenever I need a break, Pinterest is my savior. A cup of peppermint tea and five minutes of browsing through the ever-changing, clean layout perks up my spirits enough to make it through the 3:30 lurch. From new guacamole recipes to lace shorts to Russian palaces, there’s always something that piques my interest and brightens my day a bit.
However, I’m not following very many people. I love Kate Spade’s boards including “Charm Colorfully,” “Travel Colorfully,” and “Celebrate Colorfully” and Elizabeth Banks always souses out cool pins. Her “80’s Horror Movies” board would make for a great thunderstorm movie marathon and “Backyard Spaces I Dream About” proves that even celebrities have decadent wish lists.
How about you, readers? Sound off: whose pins are you pinning?
strangely appealing: tentacle doorstop
Maybe summer fever is to blame, but thoughts of the life aquatic have been filling our household. Marine biology lessons mix with tales of water fairies and mermaids; doodles of starfish and whales dot our sketchpads. We may be stranded on land this holiday week, but this hysterical tentacle doorstop makes us feel like the great sea is knocking. Made of hand-painted urethane resin, this tough toe jam works on all kinds of floors. It’s like an octopus is inviting itself for dinner — and he’s hungry! A little silly, but we love. $19 at neatoshop.com (via papermag.com). (Also available as a wine stop.
one day deal! 30% discount at 55 downing street
One of our favorite midday distractions is getting an email from a flash sale site. Gilt, One King’s Lane, Fab — we love them all. Even though we don’t often bite the bullet and plunk down our credit card digits, their sites’ design and offerings is always inspiring eye candy. We’re excited to meet the new kid in this swank block, 55 Downing Street. What an address! To celebrate their launch, they are offering Shelterrific readers a one-day 30% off discount deal. Since they’re prices are already marked down a lot (almost 70% on some items) this could put that Moroccan ottoman or daisy print indoor outdoor rug right in your grasp. To get the discount, click through to this link, and the 30% will automatically be applied to your shopping cart. Offer expires at midnight on the 29th, so don’t hesitate!
