I've always loved school. Back-to-school was my favorite time of year when I was a kid and I always approached the first day of school with excitement. As I prepare (physically, with school supplies, and emotionally, with tissues handy) to send my first-born to kindergarten in less than three weeks (omg), I've obviously got school on the brain. 

For all the families getting ready to go back to school or go for the first time, or maybe if you're homeschooling and need gear: Overstock has partnered with the fabulous PBS KIDS (which is on quite a bit at my house) to create the Overstock Kid Zone.

There are several categories within the shop that include products for school (supplies, desks, and watches to keep older kids on schedule), artistic expression (easels, paint supplies, and craft kits), learning through play (tablets, science activities, play kitchens, dress up clothes), and kids' rooms (beds, storage, and decor). 

The Kid Zone page also links directly to PBS KIDS videos and activities families can do together. Best of all, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of products purchased from the Kid Zone goes to support PBS KIDS and its mission of educating children.  I know as long as my daughter has access to Peg+Cat and Plum Landing for a long time to come, she'll be happy. And since some students, like my godchildren, have already started back to school: I wish learners of all ages a happy and enriching year!

When most people move and don't need (or want) certain things anymore, they sell their furniture on Craigslist or occasionally leave it on the curb where it is then spirited away before you even get back up to your living room. 

But if you have (or want) higher-end furniture, you need a better option. For you, check out Viyet, a site dealing in high-end furniture and home accessories consignment. 

If you're looking to sell, there are a few requirements: the items must be a designer brand, meet the minimum retail price (there are different cutoffs for different categories), and they must be in excellent or good condition, or able to be restored to excellent or good condition with a little care. Once you've submitted your piece for consignment, an expert curator will come to measure, photograph and document the details of the items you're selling. Viyet will help you market and sell your pieces and profits are split 50/50 between Viyet and the consignor. 

Buyers can find quality pre-owned items for 50% to 80% off the original price. The pieces are by well-known interior designers such as Alexa Hampton and Steven Gambrel or are from retailers like Century Furniture, Mecox, and Tai Ping. Modern and traditional pieces for nearly every room are available. 

A site like this provides an opportunity to buy a well-made designer piece when you might not be able to otherwise, and even if you do have the cash, it's a great deal. The other thing I really like about Viyet's concept is that it keeps pieces in circulation and combats the disposable culture it's so easy to fall into. 

No, the pieces aren't in perfect condition (though some are pretty close), but with a little TLC or perhaps some strategic furniture and accessory placement, they'll be well worth what you pay.

A few of the items currently for sale that caught my eye, including the Sé Damien Langlois Meurinne table above:

Between this and the last post, you might think you're seeing a pattern. And though the last couple weeks have definitely made me want to indulge in a little wine more than usual, I'm really not much of a drinker. However, I do love having parties and hanging out in the beautiful outdoors, which is where this little baby comes in. I'm totally into this Party Bucket with Table from Pottery Barn. 

It's fun, it's functional (times two), and it's pretty attractive. The bucket is made of galvanized steel and fits into a hand-woven all-weather wicker handled piece. I think you can imagine as easily as I have how great this would be at a party or casual cookout, and ease is what good summer entertaining should be all about. 


image via pottery barn

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When I think of my own style, I always think of a mix of sophisticated and tough. From my vaguely gypsy-slash-rocker chick style in high school and college to the things I gravitate toward now (similarly rock chick chic), I love pieces with a little edge and hardware. Last night, I stumbled on this beauty online at Hudson, long a Boston design destination.

This ice bucket isn't inexpensive, but what a great statement piece (a much better statement than "I get tipsy off half a glass of red," which is sadly true in my case). Made of reclaimed teak wood, iron, and stainless steel, this will keep more than your wine bottle cool. 


image via hudson

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Whenever I see a cute trinket tray I always want it. I don't know why. Apparently I think it's something I need and will use often despite the fact that my keys are always in zipper pouch (so I don't lose them in my purse) and my glasses, when off, are usually in the bathroom next to the bottle of saline. 

I am, for now, resisting the urge to buy this Kate Spade Eyeglasses trinket tray. The illustration is adorable and it would look very cute on a table near the door. I tend to use small bowls for my rings and earrings, but it could be good for holding things that you want to remember to take on your way out the door. At 6 by 11 inches, it's pretty sizeable, so it could hold a fair amount.

Do you use a trinket tray for keys, glasses, or jewelry or do they just act as objets on a table or dresser?

image via nordstrom 

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No matter how interested or involved in social media I am, I'm ever the print journalist, constantly taking down notes by hand -- and realizing that my handwriting has really gone downhill since college as I'm out of practice writing by hand at that length. While spiral-bound notebooks are the most convenient, they're not always the most attractive.

This adorable strawberry notebook from MoMA is perfect for to-do lists, ideas, and notes taken during an interview. The juicy exterior is made of vegan leather and the stem-styled page marker is made of suede. There's also a honey dew version. 


image via moma store

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There are so many beautiful cotton and linen napkins out there, but sometimes paper napkins are more practical or preferred, so why not have a cute selection on hand? Meri Meri's Toot Sweet line is super adorable featuring fun patterns and, on most designs, a scalloped edge. Most of them come in lunch and beverage sizes and the striped versions offer additional colorways.

Which pattern is your favorite?

When I was new to market work and working really hard to learn about the home decor and design companies I didn't know, one of the first brands I became aware of was L'Objet. Someone had called in the Key Tassel candle for a shoot and later I ended up with it. I still have it, and love it, especially for the memories it evokes of the beginning of my career. I love how pretty it smells, and it was probably the first time I ever saw a candle and thought, "Wow, that looks so elegant." I will say all the best houses I've ever been in for shoots or interviews have always smelled incredible, so good, high quality candles are worth it. 

This year L'Objet celebrates its 10th anniversary and in honor of that milestone, founder and creative director Elad Yifrach has designed a new collection of pieces called Sous le Ciel. There are essentially two lines within the collection: The Han dinnerware and accessories, and the Soie Tressée dinnerware. 

China's Han Dynasty marked a period of unprecedented advancement and innovation in the arts, particularly in regard to the invention of paper, glazed ceramics, and developments in silk weaving. The Han Collection is a nod to this time and the ancient craftsmanship employed. The emperors of the dynasty were called "Sons of Heaven" and through their trade along the Silk Road, the Chinese acquired a superior breed of horse that became a symbol of power and prestige. They were called "heavenly horses" and are why the accessories have an equestrian theme.

The designs are very pure and zen (the pattern reminds me of the designs you can make in the sand of a zen garden) but the techniques used to make this line were very complex. L'Objet shared that the plates are crafted with an unusually deep foot, which is almost impossible to fire and references the Chinese philosophy that we should never be too grounded, but always be lifted up a little toward heaven.

As a complement to Han; Soie Tressée offers a contemporary take on an ancient shape. The pattern references the timeless image of the silk braid, and pairs its simplicity alongside the more intricate Han pieces.

Over the years, L'Objet has incorporated bright colors and on-trend patterns (love the leopard and malachite), but this collection is classic L'Objet, featuring the crisp white Limoges porcelain and 24K gold for which they are so well known. 

Here is a look at Sous le Ciel:

How was your weekend? We had a great time in the sunshine and the water (so happy my parents have a pool)! Now that it's basically summer, I'm thinking how much I can actually do on the iPad so I can work outside more often instead of always being cooped up inside at my desk. 

If you're going to work outside, you need a comfy place to sit. Now that I've seen these special edition hammocks in Elle Decor, I'm kind of obsessing over a loftier way of lounging. 

These hammocks are designed and woven by a young collective of craftspeople based in Masaya, Nicaragua. Each piece they produce (made-to-order) is handmade using cotton and bamboo or sustainable woods.  The collective also makes a variety of hammocks, swings, and even a macrame crib!

They further minimize their environmental impact by only purchasing hardwood not in danger of extinction and use recycled paper and small amounts of tape in their packaging. 10% of the price of each item is used for community projects. 


Don't these make you just want to set up a hammock outside, grab some lemonade, and sway to the breeze? I mean, look at these amazing settings. I just want to dive into these pictures, especially the last one (see more here):

Are you enjoying all of the sunshine as much as I am? The weather has been beautiful and I couldn't be happier about it.

I am very excited to share that Arhaus Furniture and I had so much fun working together on my guest post for their blog the greenhaus, that together (and via Arhaus' extreme generosity) we are giving away their fantastic tabletop pieces to one lucky winner!

If you win, you'll receive exactly what I used for my family dinner (pictured above):

• 8 Luisa dinner plates in mint
• 8 settings of Kent Black flatware
• 1 Classic 72" x 90" Natural Linen tablecloth 
• 2 sets of Angelique Linen tea towels (4 tea towels per set)

To enter, use the widget below; there are a few different ways to enter:

Fine print: Total retail value of products is $1,392.12. No purchase required. No likes or follows required, though they're welcome! Sweepstakes is open June 4, 2014 through June 9, 2014 at 11:59pm.  Winner must be resident of the U.S.; Void where prohibited. There will be one (1) winner chosen at random within two days of the end of the contest. Please use the widget to enter and submit your entry, there are multiple ways to enter and the more ways you enter the greater your chances of winning.  For complete rules, click here. 


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