In the thick of a mosquito assult...

Seriously, they are brutal right now, and I can't imagine a whole summer of bug spray dousings. Must order some bug repellent bars from Beekman 1802.



They are "made of goat milk, and naturally scented with Citronella, Eucalyptus and other essential oils shown to help keep bugs away." Yay to deet free summers!

Summer Dresses

SWEET Check Pattern Sundress by MySweetieGirl on Etsy - $29.99


Sweet Ruffles Layer Dress by MySweetieGirl on Etsy - $49.99


SAILOR DRESS by MySweetieGirl on Etsy - $49.99

Quite Lovely Indeed...

Has everyone seen both of the Grey Gardens films (the original doc and the new film)?


If you are well versed in all things Big and Little Edie then you might appreciate the Grey Gardens Collections. GGC offers a fantastic selection of jewels and accessories inspires by "Little Edie's unique style and creativity." These cuffs take my breath away!


"Apaquogue" Turquoise Velvet Cuff - $325


The Grey Gardens Cuff in Sterling Silver - $750


"Pauls Lane" Burgundy Velvet Cuff - $325

Matcha

I am a tea-aholic. OOlongs, flavoured blacks, herbals, florals, roobis, whites, and of course greens, I love them all. But matcha green tea is perhaps the most rewarding cup I ever make. Matcha is the most traditional and ceremonial of teas in Japan.

My reverence towards matcha was cultivated early as a young girl, mystified by the noble simplicity of tea ceremony at school in Tokyo. Every sip conjures up memories of tatami mats, tea whisks, silken kimonos, shoji screens, tea bowls, and the ritualistic turning of the tea bowl.



However, I don't drink matcha sheerly for nostalgia's sake...i also drink it because it is insanely healthy. How healthy? I suggest you check out this site for a little matcha tutorial. The highlights being:

-One cup of matcha is equivalent to ten cups of brewed green tea in terms of nutritional value

-Matcha made in the traditional Japanese style, whisked with water, is a full-bodied green tea. The intensity of the experience compares to one’s first taste of dark chocolate or red wine.

-Chlorophyll, the pigment which gives leaves their green color, helps to remove heavy metals and chemical toxins from the body

-Matcha contains L-theanine, an amino acid known to relax the mind. For this reason, matcha is also known as a mood enhancer. Buddhist monks drank matcha to assist in meditation, as matcha’s amino acids, combined with caffeine, offer a sustained calm alertness over time


抹茶 Matcha by Eat-My-Heart-Out 你吃,我看

I am a little surprised that matcha green tea is harder to find in the US and Europe than the basic green teas. So go out and spread the word!

Help, I entreat you kind readers....

...to please stop by the design competition on Exuve.com and vote for my submission. I would be entirely humbled an honored if you would, at the very least, check it out and if you are even mildly amused...to vote for it. The winner for each category will have their outfit made and sold on their web site.

It's called the Eddie Romper. It was supposed to be called the Edie Romper (inspired by that one of a kind Grey Gardens style), but somehow got retitled Eddie in the submission process. It's generally my policy to embrace accidents, so Eddie it is!

Thanks Exuve!

Jennifer Behr

Ever a fan of jewels in the hair (your suspicions are correct, I am not a practical woman), how I relish Jennifer Behr's exquisite head adornments.


encrusted crystals on silk chiffon


vintage gold knot headwrap


encrusted crystal padded headband


crystal wing

Weary Feet

A day of traipsing around the Smithsonian Institute in foolishly high but fantastically charming heels had me wishing for a Rollasole machine by the end of the day. Ballet flat vending machines should be scattered throughout all city centres!

Oz's Illionaire

I waited a while to post about the Aussie label Illionaire's Fall Lookbook. I thought that perhaps it was one of those things I would get less excited about over time. But the opposite seems to be true as I am even more in love with these pics from their Fall 09' lookbook.









Illionaire, do please spread your wares around the world! We enjoy! A few odds and ends can be found and purchased here .

Ikea Rugs

Happy Birthday Nathalie!!

Saturday is our darling Naty's birthday! So everyone go out and buy yourself a cupcake to celebrate our beloved blogger and dear friend. Happy birthday Nathalie! May all of your years be filled with naught but happiness. We love you!

This sunday

Click here for more details

Just Darling

The Park Dress by Filly on Paper Doll - $190

Cirque du Cheval

If I had this lil number by Michelle Sackson of Cirque du Cheval I would wear it every day this summer, and probably go blueberry picking at some point in time... I love it. Michelle is now on my radar.


Abigail Adams silk jumper

Sofie Ølgaard

Melancholic and playful...apparently the way to go when describing Scandinavians...and making clothes. So says Sofie Ølgaard about her designs. I fall in love several times every day, and this is one such occasion. These pieces are simple, classic and so so beautiful. They make me want to book a quiet weekend at a B & B in Maine.

Things i need ...

JBL Encounter speakers

Sustainable design

Beautiful pitcher made of recycled glass from Branch

This weekend...

&Prints from Keep Calm Gallery

Wedding/Music video :)

As you might have noticed i am not that big into the all Wedding talks here on Design Undercover, or outside of it, for that matter, should i ever get married i would want it to be a very low key affair BUT i have to agree with Joanna ... this is the best wedding video EVER ...thanks to A cup of Jo for sharing...Click here to see it