The Daily Vintage

How cute are these mugs? It's as though they're just begging to be filled with creamy coffee. Best enjoyed in the sunniest nook of your home and accompanied by a berrylicious pastry. Mmmmm.

Via Minji's Shop on Etsy.

Photography from Barefoot Posse

In the midst of this February snow madness, the photographs of Karen Mueller-Puente aka Barefoot Posse are an extra special treat. Karen's eye for light and color is unbeatable, and she captures the sheer perfect beauty of nature in each and every photograph. Her work is so uplifting, looking at it feels very much like basking in the warm summer sun. You'll find an interview with Karen tomorrow, but until then, enjoy a peek at some of her photographs paired with a light-hearted house call from Apartment Therapy.

(Artwork via Barefoot Posse, Interiors via Apartment Therapy)

Fashion Forward: Wear the Runway # 2

Good morning, everyone! As I browsed the Spring 2010 Runways for my Fashion Forward post last week, I found myself returning to this one look by Nanette Lepore. It's nothing particularly exciting or daring, but it is fun and girly. And I am just in love with the hot pink against the deep sea blue. Aren't you?

Of course I understand that the model's makeup may have a great deal to do with it, but the palette just screams ocean spray fresh and sun-kissed to me. I would like to be both of those things right about now, wouldn't you? It's definitely a color combination that I'm going to wear often this spring and summer. What are your favorite warm weather colors?

Be sure to stop by Katherine's blog to see her Fashion Forward post, and take some time to say hello to all of the other girls as well. Even play along! It's the perfect way to beat a case of the Mondays, I promise.

(Photos: Nanette Lepore via Style, dress - Abercrombie, bag - Gap, necklace and earrings - Fossil, shoes - American Eagle)

Thirsty Thursday: Paulaner Natural Wheat Hefe-Weizen

Last weekend, we headed to Wegmans for an afternoon of beer tasting and food pairing. Yes that's right, ladies and gentlemen. Ethan and I chose to spend our Saturday afternoon at the grocery store. It is a wild and crazy life that we lead.

But in all honesty, the event was so much more than I expected. (Wegmans is a pretty spectacular grocery store.) Along with Victory (a longtime and now local favorite), we also had the pleasure of trying a number of imports. I thoroughly enjoyed one in particular - the Paulaner Natural Wheat Hefe-Weizen. Sometimes the wheatier beers are a bit too hot for my taste buds, but this one was perfectly smooth and mild. Yum. And perhaps more importantly, the label is all kinds of cute so it made for a suitable Thirsty Thursday post. Don't worry - I have my priorities in line.

(Photos: interior - House Beautiful, dress - Shop Bop, sweater - Delia's, earrings - Pink Andie, bag - Zappos, bracelet - Oh, Henry, shoes - Boden)

P.S. I've just discovered that the Paulaner website is quite an experience. Chirping birds, barking dogs, and oh the music. If an animated beer garden is just your thing - well, you may get a kick out of it.

Getting to Know Bethany Ogle

When I introduced Bethany Ogle's art yesterday, I focused on the greens. But truth be told, she works with  a full spectrum of color and that is one of the many reasons why I am so drawn to her work. Bethany maintains a unique organic sensibility that leaves you craving the chirps of crickets or birds, the tickling sensation of a breeze against your skin, and the sparkle of stars pressed into the thick, inky night sky. Just putting this post together has me itching for a hike. But even if you cannot get outdoors today,  I hope you'll feel rejuvenated through more of Bethany's art and a quick interview.

1) How did art become such a significant part of your life?

As a child I started getting sketch books, pencils and paints for my birthday and those types of presents never ceased. I guess my family saw something I was too young to see. I went on to art school in Chicago filled with dreams of being in the Louvre.

Then adulthood snuck up on me, and practicalities made me give up on the whole idea of being an artist. After art school I went to university for a degree that prepared me to work in a cubicle. The cube scene didn't last long. Soon I was making time to do commissioned drawings on the side. I realized my passion for the arts wasn't going to go away. Now I'm an artist full time and it's full speed ahead.

2) Where do you go or what do you do when you need to recharge your creative spirit?

Charging off like an explorer into one of the wonderful state parks here in Iowa always puts me straight. But during the winter when the snow is up to my knees it's hard to recharge. I love the freedom to roam outside in Spring, Summer and Fall, so it's tough being forced to live like a hermit these days.

At the suggestion of my sister, I am attempting to force some bulbs indoors. I feel like Mendel.

3) How do you maintain a balance between your artwork and other obligations?

Timers! I go into a sort of daydream when I'm working and this resulted in all sorts of appointments, obligations, and meals being missed. So now my more lucid self sets alarm reminders in Outlook before I go into a painting session. And everyone in my family is much happier.

4) How do you see the art world changing or evolving?

With online venues like Etsy, a greater variety of artists have the opportunity to show their art to the world. There are so many blended styles we are exposed to now. I see new micro genres evolving everywhere!

5) Who are some other artists, musicians or authors that you find to be particularly influential?

I am mainly influenced by interior designers. My favorite being David Bromstad from HGTV's Color Splash.

6) What are some of your hopes or goals for the future?

First: To expand out of my corner-of-the-room studio into a larger room-of-my-own space that's part art space and part greenhouse for all those bulbs I'm growing.

Second: It will then be feasible to work with larger canvases. Right now I create smaller pieces for home decor, but would love to do large focal pieces.

Thank you very much, Bethany! I would absolutely love to see a larger focal piece from Bethany, wouldn't you? Be sure to stop by Bethany's Etsy shop, and while you're there take note of her triptych panels. They're such a treat!

(Artwork via Bethany Ogle)

The Beauty of Bones and Specimen Jars

Just yesterday whilst traipsing through the woods, I came across a bone lying in the grass along the trail. I quickly stopped to photograph it before moving forward. Later, as I recounted the walk to Ethan, I mentioned the bone. He asked if I brought it back with me, but I said no, I thought it morbid to carry the bone home.

Later, the subject of the bone came up again. "But you picked it up to take a picture?" Ethan questioned, poking fun at the fact that I refused to stash it in my pocket, yet had no problem holding it in my bare hands to get a photograph or two. Hmm, perhaps I am slightly morbid?

Questioning my own morbidity, and curious as to whether others are prone to handling mystery bones found in the forest, I performed a quick Etsy search. And lo and behold, I came across Specimen Jars. Gorgeous jewelry made with found wildlife bones and teeth. Quirky and slightly on the dark side, yet I repeat - gorgeous!

And so now I have a question for all of you. Do you find it disturbing to come across bones, etc. on your hikes, or are you utterly enthralled? I'm definitely in the latter camp. I want to touch, I want to examine, I want to photograph. And now I can add to the list - I want to come home and purchase a beautiful necklace from Specimen Jars to wear as a token of my appreciation to the great outdoors and all of its beautiful mystery.

If you get a chance, you'll want to visit Specimen Jars for yourself. The shop photography is fantastic, and there are plenty of bone-free jewelry options as well!

(Jewelry photos via Specimen Jars)

Green and Growing: Art by Bethany Ogle

Waking up to a yard full of snow makes summer seem light-years away, but I know it'll be here soon. I mean, how fast did January fly by? I'm looking forward to the warmth, as we all know, and still sometimes I just want to ask the world to slow its rotation. Just a little bit. Speaking of spring and summer, few things remind me of those lovely seasons more than these pieces by Bethany Ogle - and some coordinating green interiors.

Sometimes I feel just like one of her little plants, reaching and bending for the sunshine. It's kind of unbelievable just how much a great big star an unfathomable distance away affects us, isn't it? Check back tomorrow for an interview with Bethany - I think you'll enjoy learning a bit about her.

(Artwork via Bethany Ogle, Interiors via House to Home, House Beautiful and Bolig)