Welcome to the EAD Living blog! We are so excited to have you here. If you are a new visitor, we'd love for you to subscribe to our RSS feed and visit our sister site, EAD Weddings. Thanks for visiting and we hope you come back soon!

Let’s say, hypothetically speaking of course (cough, cough), that you were a complete idiot and lost your engagement ring.

Thankfully the insurance gods smiled down at you and accepted your claim. Now you have a pocket full of money and a shit ton of options as to what to do with it.

Would you…

A. Create an exact replica of your lost ring? Why?

{Read the rest of this entry…}

…(whilst still remaining in London)…

This afternoon there were lots of things I should have been doing: applying for jobs, de-cluttering the flat, making the cinnamon whirls I have had the recipe for on the kitchen counter for over a week. In fact, the list is endless. But the autumnal light was too much, was too orange, too hard to resist and so I decided to take the afternoon off. To go for a walk & to find some peace and quiet. Which in London, is not always the easiest thing to find.

In fact, despite the fact that we have so many parks, there is really only one place which I want to go in the autumn when the light is like today. And that is Hampstead Heath. The park next to the parkland of a country home, it is one of the highest points in London and has a view over the city which is protected from development.

I went with a teaching friend who is on holiday from school this week on half-term. We walked in the orangey light of the late afternoon, across the grassy field full of people walking dogs, past the swimming lakes and up onto Parliament Hill. We walked side by side but in near silence, drinking in the light and the silence, broken only by the occasional chatter of tiny children and the barking of all the dogs being walked. We stood for a while looking over London and watching the sun creep lower in the sky before turning and returning to the bustle of the city, refreshed and relaxed.

One of the best Monday afternoons I have had in a long time.

How do you get away from it all?

{Image by me}

As you know by now, ABCD Design (the blog) turns two on Thursday, October 7. You also know that in the week leading up to my blog-i-versary, we’ve been running an ABCD Designs Bespoke Stationery giveaway over at the Pretty Lovely Things blog. The giveaway ends at midnight, so be sure to pop by THIS POST and THIS POST to leave your request for Bespoke Stationery. Don’t forget to tell us how you plan to use it if you win! Would you pick Holiday Cards? Personal Stationery? Thank You Notes??

As you see above, ABCD Designs’ motto refers to me (ABCD) as “a maximalist of sorts” which means I am going to take this 2nd Blog-i-versary celebration to the MAX! Do you know what that means?

I am giving away ANOTHER PRIZE! Since we’ve already given away paper goods, I have decided to turn the tables and give away something I would be delighted to decorate my home with. If you did not win the personal stationery set of 100 bespoke cards and matching envelopes at Pretty Lovely Things, stay tuned tomorrow ABCD Design for the plum pretty details. Plum Pretty … ring a bell -?- winkwink!

I stumbled across this lovely little item on Anthropologie this morning.

I love it, I do.  I don’t 698 dollars love it, though.  While this look could certainly be achieved with enough flea market and antique store browsing, it would take much more time and effort than simply clicking “add to bag” on the Anthro site.  Now, if only I had $700 floating around somewhere…

What kind of twist would you add to this project, if you were to DIY?

Much love,

-B

Week #3 of my series on Etsy favorites was all about accessorizing your wardrobe… Week #4 is all about accessorizing your home!

Hijirik

I’ve sung the praises of Hirijik before but I’ll say it again: the “Live What You Love” letterpress post series is my favorite non-cheesy, gender-neutral art piece I’ve found!  We have the red in our living room and my computer background boasts the lime green at work!

Geninne

After seeing Geninne’s vibrant watercolor prints, I fell instantly in love.  An artist living in Mexico City, Geninne’s creations have both a vintage vibe with a bit of funk!  I’ve already determined that 4 of these little birdies are coming to roost in Dallas - I think they’ll look lovely framed in a foursome-square somewhere in our little cottage!

{Read the rest of this entry…}

I am usually a white-bedding kind of gal. But geesh! This line of bedding by Plum Pretty Sugar makes my heart sing. It’s. Just. So. HAPPY!

Gorgeous, no? Even her brand new website is sweet, simple and oh-so-pretty! Get up to the date information on this lovely decor line from {Between the Seams} blog, or do what I do and follow @PlumPrettySugar on Twitter.

Don’t even get me started on the darling sleep-wear. I am totally a new *fan* of the line. It’s so fresh, fresh, FRESH!

I am addicted to the new generation of craft fairs that have been springing up. First, I wanted to inform Chicago EAD readers that the Chicago Renegade Craft Fair is coming up.

2009 Renegade Craft Fair in CHICAGO!

September 12 + 13 from 11am – 7pm, on Division St. between Damen + Paulina.

For the last couple of years, they have been hosting shows in Brooklyn, Chicago, and San Francisco. They were having their first show in L.A. I was ecstatic. It is very similar to Unique L.A., but is a little more established. They have a greater variety of vendors.

I sent an email to my craft afficionada friends inviting them to join me. Two of them decided to join me. It was the first day of the show. From what we could tell, the show seemed to have a great turnout.

{Read the rest of this entry…}

Here we are in Week #3 of my series on Etsy Finds for all of life’s spheres!  Last week we explored Etsy’s options for our fall closets, and this week its time to accessorize!

Galit Barak

While offering all types of jewelry, I pick Galit Barak for her 14k gold crocheted cocktail rings - bold enough to be worn as a statement piece but dainty enough for all occasions!

{Read the rest of this entry…}

Welcome back to Week #2 of my series featuring my favorite Etsy finds!  If you missed last week’s post on ceramics, you can find it here. This week - as kiddos around the country pack their backpacks and brown-bag lunches - its all about the fashion!  Just think of this as a little Adult Back to School Shopping! Now let’s get on with it…

Liza Rietz

Portland-based designer Liza Rietz creates frocks, jackets and hats that are both softly feminine and architecturally modern at the same time.  Plus, can you really ever beat a garment that is custom-tailored to your measurements?   The Ruffle Dress, Kimono Jacket, and Ruffle Bib Dress are my picks for versatile investment pieces combining classic lines with up-to-date details.

{Read the rest of this entry…}

For those of you that read E.A., you know I’m mad for Etsy!  There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t scour its pages, hunting for unique items to feature in our home, my closet, or a gift bag for a friend.  There are so many incredibly talented people out there, and I love knowing that I’m purchasing something made by hand on a small, personal scale.  I like to think of it as shopping “global-locally!”

Anyhoo, in honor of my new favorite online pastime, I thought I’d do an EAD Living series featuring my favorite Etsy sellers in different categories, starting with my latest fixation: pottery and ceramics!

PrinceDesign UK

I just recently discovered PriceDesign UK when searching far and wide for a little bowl to sit sit on our kitchen window ledge to hold my engagement and wedding rings whilst cooking.

{Read the rest of this entry…}