best backpacks?

Along with Felixs impending trip, thoughts of preschool (and grad school?) and, oddly enough, thinking about autumn as a direct consequence of thinking about spring, have got me questioning our luggage situation. Talkin bout backpacks upinhere. Now, Felix and I each already have a bag, its true. But they each have their specific and pertinent problems, Felixs being that hes getting too big for his adorable turtle-shell backpack (sniff!) and anyway you cant carry much in it so its not so useful for an overnight trip anyway (its my belief that children should begin carrying their own luggage at an early age); mine being that my beloved, erstwhile diaper bag leather tote is perfect and perfectly lovely and I love it--but you just cant wear it while riding a bicycle. And once the weather warms up for good, this weekend, Im going to be riding my bike quite a bit! Anyway, you get the idea. We need new backpacks. And, dont you think it would be better if we had matching coordinating ones, like the besties we truly are? For example, we spoke recently of Herschel Supply Co--theyve got a solid, stylish, relatively affordable model, in classic colorways for big and small. But Ive found a few others I like, too.  Which ones do you think are the best? 

big & little Settlement from Herschel Supply Co ($55, $50)

big & little nylon cordura Schoolbag from American Apparel ($42, $28)

big & little Kanken from Fjäll Räven, ($75, $55)

I like those last ones the best, but, are they maybe too boxy? And how about the fact that for less than the cost of the big (and more important) one, I could get both from American Apparel? Also, we have an AA right down the street from my work so I wouldnt even need to pay for shipping to get them. This is not to say, of course, than any actual purchasing will be going on any time soon. That, probably, is not happening. But a girl can dream of luggage, no? Actually, now that I think about it, the HSC ones really are the best, after all. We want them!

Oh, dear!

the best light luggage

Now, I havent picked up any tricky tips from him yet, but our friend ben, too, is many things, and one of the things he is for sure is stylish. That boys got good taste, and he knows what he likes. I have been so coveting his carry-on travel bag, from Herschel Supply Company--apparently, its the bag to have these days. Or, the luggage to have. Or, whatever. You know what? Its a really nice bag! So sturdy, and exactly the perfect size for a week-long trip. The Strand, I believe its called, and I love it in the bright yellow shade Ben has--despite my natural inclinations, I think luggage is one of things where its better not to go with the dark, neutral tones one tends to favor. Brightly colored bags are easier to see and harder to mix up or forget. Of course, a print does the trick nicely, too; I dont play tennis, but I do so love their invitational collection. Isnt it the preppiest, cutest thing for spring? Though I think Id prefer it in a navy... 

and, best stocking-stuffer ever?

 I read once that singing happy birthday in your head while you brush your teeth will ensure that youve done it long enough. But thats dumb, especially when you can listen to actual music instead. Ive sincerely wanted an electric toothbrush for years now, and Im not really sure how these babies evaded my radar as I was compiling my holiday gift guides the other week. Im talking of course about the Justin Beiber and Lady Gaga electric singing toothbrushes.Now, Im not such a fan of the beebs. Except when it comes to one particularly special song--in which case, Im possibly his biggest fan of all. Luckily, thats exactly the song you could start your morning and end your day with, should said toothbrush find its way into your stocking this christmas--alternating with the markedly less amazing but probably more toothbrush appropriate U Smile. Just dont get the wrong one or youll have to suffer through Somebody to Love on at least a daily basis. Ick. 

image via here

this is the best!

Im not sure where I first saw the work of Joris Kuipers, which is silly because it was certainly very recently. But Im completely blown away by it. I know people always say things like this, and I know they always say that they say things like this but that this time they really mean it... but honestly, this could be my favorite artwork of all time, effectively combining my two favorite mediums, watercolor and collage. I dont want to go on and on like an idiot about it, and Im not quite sure what to say anyway. But if any of you have an extra one-and-a-half grand to throw around this holiday season, one of these deconstructed water-color paintings would make the perfect Christmas/housewarming gift for yours truly. Just saying!

images via saatchionline

the best holdiay cards!

I already blogged about the collage work of Amanda White, but I just wanted to tell you guys about this, because shes taken her portraits of various famous authors homes and turned them into the best, sweetest, most non-denominational holiday cards I can imagine. Pictures of houses are always so sweet to me, and these are jolly, seasonal, and historically significant. You can choose from the homes of Virginia Woolf, John Keats, The Brontës, or Jane Austen--three cards for $12. I only wish she did a set with one of each, because I personally think that makes more sense than buying three of a kind. But what do I know?!

ps: Im a blogger now so I have to do a gift guide, apparently. Look for them as soon as its december!

images via here

best movie ever?

felix is napping and Im just drinking a beer(!) and watching a flick with this guy.

I wish we were also on the porch eating cheetos in springtime, but you cant have everything...

the best stationary

Over the weekend, Chase and I spent a day, sans bebe, in London! It was so nice to have some time away--though, of course, the conversation turned to Felix more than a few times. Despite the atypical sunshine, we spent most of our time indoors; London has some of the best museums! My two favorites are The National Gallery and The British Museum. Its so nice to visit a gallery that you havent seen in years, only to find your favorite paintings right where you left them! Whenever I go to a museum, I make a point to visit the gift shop. For me, art postcards are the best kind of stationary: Theyre a decidedly un-tacky way to tell someone you wish-they-were-here, if you choose prints of the paintings you saw during your visit, but because they dont have the name of a particular place printed all across them, you can send them as simple thank-yous or hellos whenever you wish. Plus, at less than a pound each, theyre a great deal! Here are a few of my favorites from Saturday:

Don Quixote and Sancho Pancha, by Daumier; Venice: The Grand Canal, by Canaletto; La Pointe De La Heve, by Monet; The Battle of San Romano, by Uccello