Say Ahhhhhhh

My dears - I'm so sorry, but I must say good-bye a bit early this week.



While the blogging world has such a glossy surface, under it all the seas can be rather rough. In what seems like an ever-growing swell of sameness it feels harder and harder to keep your head above water and work to maintain an authentic voice.

I read a quote recently that's stuck with me:

"Great style means always having a point of view ~ and never being mediocre."

Spoken by a woman with a strong vision - Deborah Lloyd of Kate Spade. But it can seem easier said than done. So I'm going to take a little time to invest in the things that ground the way I see the world both online and off: my sweetheart, dear friends and good wine!

In the meantime, here are a few of my recent blog discoveries to tide you over while I'm away - I think you'll love their unique points of view just as much as I do.
~ Honey Kennedy
~ Luster
~ Butter + Brass
~ Size too Small

Till Monday luvies,
*Mrs. E

image  by rosie hardy via brown dress with white spots

Let Me Take a Moment

To sit back and contemplate.


photo by jody rogac via all the mountains

"To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury,
and refinement rather than fashion;
to be worthy, not respectable; and
wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think
quietly, talk gently, act frankly...to listen to stars and buds, to babes and
sages, with open heart; await occasions,
hurry never...this is my symphony."
- william henry channing

Lately, I've felt the weeks, the days, even the daily hours just go too fast for my liking. I'd appreciate being able to extend time even just a fraction! But I often find it is possible to slow things down when you take a moment to stop. Press pause. Breathe. Enjoy. Reflect. Assess. Affirm. With engines recharged you become capable of anything - everything.

No worries luvies, I'll back in flash. In the meantime, check out what I, and a fabulous line up of other guest bloggers, love about summer over at Plush Palate!

*Mrs. E

Gettin' Gussied Up

Well my dears, I hinted at a big announcement for Apartment #34 last week. A lot has been happening in my world of late, but little of it has been in blog world. The big announcement is....that is all about to change!

After more than 2 years and nearly 900 posts, I think it's high time I pretty this place up a bit!

image by anna aden via flickr

In the coming days and weeks you're going to see changes in a variety of things here including a subtle facelift for Apartment #34, long overdue updates to links, new weekly features (Tasty Tuesdays anyone?!) and new sponsors. 

My most exciting endeavor is a little something I'm calling Apartment#34creative. While planning my wedding and reception, I caught the creative services bug something fierce and so now I'm hoping to take all I learned and help others create the special occasion of their dreams! 

This is all in the beginning stages, but I was just too excited to wait to tell you. Things are going to take awhile to set, so keep checking back and let me know if you enjoy what you see or have ideas or suggestions. 

And if you have a party you need help to plan it's not too early! Feel free to email me now apt34 {at} gmail {dot} com. I aim to make Apartment #34 your go-to destination for all things style. I hope you'll like it!

Cheers, 

Mrs. E

PS. The winner of the Wendy Mink giveaway will be announced at 4:00 pm this afternoon - so enter now!

Cuteness Overload

Is there a better way to start a Friday? 

via e tells tales

I think not. Get the giggle. Pass it on.

Happy almost weekend!

Still Dreaming

Of palm trees, crashing waves and 76 degree weather. I'll be back as soon as I'm reacclimated!

photo unknown

In the meantime check out the 10 things that make me happy in my guest post over at Sacramento Street!

Pressing Pause

I wouldn't consider this blog your primary source for all things serious but this week I got a major reminder of the importance of the little things in life that I feel compelled to share.

Apologies in advance if this is a little too Hallmark card for your tastes.

by slide sideways via mint

We plan and routinize in an attempt to rest control from what is really a chaotic and unpredictable world. As the days, weeks and months fly past it often becomes hard to discern one moment from another. 

The weight of regret or past transgressions swivel our heads to the past, leaving us to stumble through the present, and blind to what the future might having waiting for us just around the bend.

It often takes a shock to the system to get you looking straight ahead and remind you to marvel at what is right before you - all the glorious parts of your day and life that are within arms reach. I encourage you to pull it all in close, hug it tightly and say thanks for everything precious in you life.

Hit pause today. It's completely different than the world was yesterday and will be impossible to replicate tomorrow. I find peace in that thought and I thought you might too.

Thanks for listening. Now back to our regularly scheduled gorgeousness. 

*E

Hi Ho Hi Ho

I'm off to work but wondering if I might be able to get to hit the beach before its all over.

via s*hop talk

I'm Excited...

For Tim Burton's take on Alice in Wonderland.

I must have watched that movie 100 times growing up. Vogue glamorized the story back in 2003.

The grown up version is going to be so fun. Too bad we have to wait until March of 2010!

Feeling Burnt

Dear readers, I can't quite put my finger on it - it may be leftover from my fun in the sun, but I'm finding inspiration a little hard to come by at the moment.

photo via veer

There is so much amazing beauty, creativity and thoughtfulness out there in the blogworld and I'm finding myself wondering what can I bring that's unique? 

I come back here everyday because of my readers - I've so enjoyed getting to know you and love to treasure hunt for you every day. So now I'm hoping you might help get me over this hump by telling me what you like. What do you most enjoy about Apt#34? What do you crave? I'm curious - what inspires you?

A Little Scattered

via not your goddess

This epitomizes my day, my week, and mostly troubling, my brain. I'm going to try to find some order amidst the chaos - back soonly! 

Seeing Pink

I thought I'd share some bubble-icious fantasy images to sweeten your Monday afternoon.

photos by candice stingham and jonathan canlas

Something about pink always makes me smile. My new blog crush Rockstar Diaries, where I stumbled on those adorable umbrella images, does too. Be sure to check her out - rockstar indeed!

Pooped

I want to will myself to blog today but I expended all my energy just getting out of bed.

via under a paper moon

I promise to return as soon as I'm feeling a bit perkier. In the meantime check out some fun finds here, here and here. 

Just Because

photo by michele m. waite

This wedding shot is so freakin' great. Imagine it blown up big and hanging above your living room couch. It's like you're starring in your own pop art. 

I love it.

An Easy Sunday Morning

If you're having a proper weekend you should be doing little else than sitting back, sipping coffee, scanning the paper and the interwebs. 

That should give you plenty of time to watch this. 


BOOMBOX from Ely Kim on Vimeo.

Trust me, it's worth it. And if you're not a having a great weekend, blast your favorite song and dance for 10 seconds. It really does make you feel better!

Holiday

If the postman has the day off, I think I should too. 

via le love

I'm sleeping in this morning my dears, see you soonly!

Just Because

Cute is as cute does.

photos by carl zoch

Happy almost Friday!

Words of Wisdom

Someone wise once said...

photo via new york magazine

Home Should Make You Happy!

We swear by the 3 R’s: repaint, repaper, reupholster

Steal ideas from other people’s houses

Even the insides of the closets & cabinets can be beautiful

It’s ok to NOT BE finished

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS—ALWAYS!

A chandelier is as timeless as a black dress

Renters need not be second class citizens

Sometimes your mistakes become your greatest inspirations

DON’T BE AFRAID TO MIX STYLES (Louis XIV and Eero Saarinen should hang out more often)

Who was it, you might ask? In fact, it is the Domino Manifesto.

I think we are all sad about the demise of Domino, but I hadn't really thought much past the loss of my treasured saturday morning with my glossy and my latte. In fact, the heart of the mag is found hidden in the shopping tips it divulged. It opened up the idea of style, design and caring for where we live and putting intention behind what we do to a much broader audience. Sure I can flip through an Elle Decor but will never speak to me in quite the same way. 

For more reminders of why we should all stand up in support of independent spirit, resourcefulness and unique style look here and here. I hope the we can use blogland to carry Domino's sentiment on.

A Perfect Pair

With over a half dozen weddings already on the calendar for 2009 I continually have weddings on the brain, but when I spotted Donna and Kevin's story on snippet & ink, it melted my heart.

photo by mimmo+naz

Debates will likely rage eternal about how big one's wedding ought to be, but I think Donna and Kevin have all but convinced me that all you really need is two (+ photographers). 

The Super-8 film of their ceremony cemented the idea for me. I dare you to watch it without crying

What do you think? What is the ideal guest list size?

A Brand New Day

Just pausing to heave a collective sigh - a sigh of relief, of joy, of optimism.

via creature comforts

"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America." 

Amen.

Overworked

Darlings my apologies, but with a major proposal due I will be concentrating on little else than caffeine consumption today.

In the meantime, perhaps you'd like to shake off the winter blues and look forward to spring, take a moment to catch up with old dear friends or meet someone new.

When all my craziness is over I think I'll do some off the beaten path retail therapy! Till then luvies.