There was a Herman Miller sale at Design Within Reach last week and, even though I probably can't afford it, I reasoned with myself that the Eames molded side chair would never be any cheaper than it was during that sale and I should probably just do it. I just did it. It arrived yesterday in an impossibly small box. I may not be clutter free, but at least I've got a nice place to sit down.

Have you seen these new "Forever" stamps at the post office? So pretty, I had to buy one of each.

A few years ago E brought me back a handful of these knit finger puppets from a trip to Peru. I loved them then, r loves them now. Wherever we go, I am always sure to have a couple of them stuffed in my pocket for emergency cheer-up situations. I was really glad to find them available for sale here, we needed reinforcements. You buy them in bulk and never know what you're going to get. It's such a strange, colorful assortment. Part of the fun is guessing what kind of animal each of them is. It's not always easy. 

 

I've got my eye out for a new summer tote and am really loving these from Fabric and Handle. But, there's one problem, how do I decide which one to choose?

I've been working on a styling project which has me running around to shops all over the city - it's great to have the opportunity to shop in the name of work, but I always end up coming home with something new for me that I didn't plan on, or need. Today I went to the Marimekko store for the first time. Amazing. I didn't realize how much of a fan I was until I walked in the store. A lot of their prints are a little over the top for me, but going in, I learned that a lot of them aren't. I held back and just got myself this small cup, but I've put a lot of things on my mental wish list. I also picked up this little newsletter. It's mainly interviews with designers at the company, but there's also a couple of pages of full page prints. I am tempted to pull them out and frame them. I particularly like the Helsinki print on the front cover.

Idlewild just opened a store in our neighborhood selling the most amazing selection of foreign language books. E is dedicated to teaching r Spanish, so we've bought a few things for her there, but on our last visit, I just had to buy this one for myself. I love the colors and illustrations. I used to speak a little bit of French, but most of the names of these fruits and vegetables are lost on me, though I have to admit that they probably would be in English too. But, that doesn't stop us from enjoying it. 

I stopped by my favorite local italian sweet shop yesterday. I'm not usually crazy about italian cookies - usually too dry for my taste, but they somehow do them right at Monteleone's. They also have a nice selection of marzipan fruits & vegetables, including corn on the cob. They just set up their huge selection of Easter cakes in the front of the store. I love the way these lambs look, but I wouldn't want to eat one. 

We've decided to take a spring trip to Puerto Rico! We haven't gotten very far in planning except that we know we want to go, and go soon. Neither E nor I have ever taken a full-on beach vacation and we're really looking forward to it. We think we'll spend a little bit of time in San Juan, but want to do most of the trip on the quieter island of Culebra.  The only prep I have really been able to accomplish so far is getting R a suit for the trip. Can you believe I found this at Old Navy on sale for $12.00!? Seriously people.

Have you ever been to Puerto Rico? Do you have any tips or recommendations?