products by Grace Bonney 9

janet williams pottery

Over the holiday weekend, I got to spend a little time with my grandmother, who I lovingly associate with mid-century pottery. Growing up, she always had an apartment filled with beautiful pottery, including a painted Picasso bird dish (a lot like this one) that made me smile. Whenever I see pieces like the ones above and below, they remind me of her home and how much I loved her closely curated collection. These pieces, designed by artist Janet Williams, are hand-thrown and glazed in Williams’ studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Williams has been making pottery for more than 40 years, and each piece of stoneware is dishwasher, microwave and oven safe. If you love handmade pottery and the warmth it brings to a home, click here to check out and shop Williams’ full collection online. Thanks to her daughter Amelia for the tip! xo, grace

products by Grace Bonney 5

top 30 gadgets of summer

Normally when summer rolls around, I try to stay as far away from technology as possible. The only cords and wires I want to be near in July are the ones holding up a hammock or hanging from my ears as they deliver beachy music from my headphones. But since that isn’t always an option, my trusty tech and DIY guru, Kate Pruitt, has rounded up 30 essential tech gadgets for the summer months over at MyLifeScoop. From fancy underwater goggles to cool apps that find summer music festivals for you (my favorite), Kate’s found something for everyone. Click here to check out the full post at MLS. xo, grace

artwork by Grace Bonney 9

summer in love

For those of you looking to celebrate a new summer love (does my newfound love of short ribs count?), these recently released posters from Blacklist Studio might do the trick. Whether you’re sending a little XOXO or a heartfelt confession, the new collection has got a love note for everyone. Click here to check out (and shop) the full series. xo, grace

interior design by anne 38

sneak peek: kelli anderson + daniel dunnam

Independent graphic designer Kelli Anderson and her user-experience/user-interface designer partner, Daniel Dunnam, both work from home, so their space is under constant scrutiny. The one-room loft in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, was a knitting factory in a past life before being converted to apartments in the 1990s, and it provides them with great light and open space. At times, Kelli feels like the open space could turn back into a factory, given all her tools and the wide range of materials she works with on a regular basis. However, by filling the space with meaningful objects related to their interests, and by defining different zones for living and working, Kelli and Daniel make the space feel legitimately domestic. Thanks so much, Kelli! — Anne

Image above: The imagery used in the vinyl mural behind the bed was adapted from a scan of a rare book engraving. I wanted something dramatic and abstract for this wall. Daniel wanted something peaceful and representational, so oversized lines were a good compromise. The blanket is a traditional Maasai pattern that we acquired while vacationing in Kenya.

Image above: My crumbling antique flat file arrived with an extra piece of handsome wood that I waxed and turned into this table (thanks for the legs, Ikea!) The painting on the wall is my own from grad school — an abstraction of a discarded McDonald’s hamburger wrapper.

Kelli and Daniel’s studio continues after the jump!

amy merrick by amym 81

living in: troop beverly hills

Last week, I was on a first date, and when the subject of favorite movies came up, I blurted out that Troop Beverly Hills was my number one. I mean, it’s not technically true, but I was nervous and must have had it on the brain thanks to this post. Take my advice — the whole getting to know you better process is awkward enough without Shelley Long getting involved. 1980s glam camping (ahem, glamping) is something best savored with girlfriends and bottles of cheap champagne at grownup slumber parties, not dark bars with handsome boys, but it should be savored nonetheless. — Amy M.

1. Yellow and White Striped Tent, $1400; 2. Glow in the Dark Compass, $5; 3. J.Crew Satin Jumpsuit, $300; 4. Girl Scout Cookies, $4; 5. Desert Sleeping Bag, $84; 6. Giorgio Body Powder, $2; 7. Louis Vuitton Agenda Book, $535; 8. Pocket Corkscrew, $54; 9. Champagne Stand, $30; 10. Marshmallow Skewers, $34/set of 9

The second roundup and more movie stills continue after the jump . . .

biz ladies by Stephanie 17

biz ladies: web design tricks to improve your brand

Today’s Biz Ladies post comes from Zoe Rooney, the designer behind A Quick Study, which offers design-focused brainstorming, site reviews, action plans, graphic design and WordPress-based web design. She is currently working on a set of DIY courses and tutorials that will help creative business owners develop websites that are easy to use, functional, brand-aligned and beautiful. Zoe is also one-half of the team behind Worthsy, a social experiment to identify how much value shoppers place on handmade goods.

Today, Zoe is giving us pointers on how to evaluate your blog or business website’s look and feel to determine if you are sending the right messages to your viewers and what to do if you aren’t happy with your current site. Thanks, Zoe, for this helpful set of tips! — Stephanie

Read the full Biz Ladies post after the jump . . .