spotlight.

I love watercolor and this illustration by Caitlin McGauley is top notch. I absolutely adore her work. She uses exactly the colors I love and her illustrations are simple and sophisticated, but are still very carefree.

The watercolor featured above was one she did for Tory Burch this season. Click here to see a slideshow of Caitlin's favorite parts of the holidays. Very fun.

LOVE this girl. She really is fabulous. She does illustrations for Kate Spade, J.crew crewcuts, Lonny Magazine, and Hermes Paris. She has a blog too! Doesn't update much, but it's still fun to see an array of her work. Just beautiful.

This is a neat poster for the modern kitchen. It's called Ham and Cheese Hot Pocket by artist Justin Pericone. He's based right here out of Somerville. COOL!

And while I've got your attention, check out his blog too. Good stuff.

Fifty, Nifty, United STATES

This is the most amazing map of the United States EVER.

I found it in a shop in Chatham and it costs $3,900.00

SHUCKS.

The artist, Aaron Foster works with vintage license plates to make spectacular wall art. He's even been on TV and sometimes, replicas of his work can be found at Target (now THAT's more my budget!).

This taxi cab, made from a NY license plate, is one of my favorites!

"I always wonder about the history of the vintage plates I use, what roads they may have traveled down and where they might be headed next, like the cars they once belonged to, I hope that my artwork will take fantastic journeys in the lives of their owners and always remind them of life's eternal sense of adventure."

-Aaron Foster

CC update:

Sorry for the absence!

I've been absorbed in my book and haven't had time to blog!

Also, my camera cord is missing. Eeeek.

Until it is found, CC pics will have to wait.

Here's a pretty painting I found for you to enjoy in the meantime...

Leif Nilsson summer 2008©

We're having a spectacular time, despite all the rain! I've been busy catching up on my summer reading and have been eating delicious homemade food and enjoying great company.

More pictures and posts soon!

xoxo.

Favorite Blog: Dear Weekend

http://dearweekend.blogspot.com/

Here's another one of my favorite blogs for you to add to your list. Elisabeth is a wonderful artist based around San Diego. It also just so happens that she's originally from my hometown! Her mother was my french teacher and her younger brother Mike was my date for Junior Prom (if I had a picture, I would insert it here). Small World! I absolutely LOVE her artwork and I am just waiting until I have a little extra cash in the bank to claim one for myself. Her blog is fun and fresh, with lots of mentions about the weekend! ♥

Here is a peek at some of her work.

SO FUN and DELICIOUS!

Wouldn't these be so perfect in a kitchen?

Check out her website:

http://www.ekfinearts.com/

and her etsy site too:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/DearWeekend

Hope you're having a great WEEKEND!!

Adios, July.

Oh, July. How I will miss you.

You gave me so much sunshine.

And beach time.

And ice cream.

Thanks for being the best month of the year.

Until 2011,

XOXO

♥♥♥♥♥

aeb.

(prints from englishmuffinshop @ etsy.)

www.englishmuffinblog.blogspot.com

FIRE on the Hill: DeLuca's Market

My most faaaaavorite market had a fire last week! I have fond memories of this store (both locations) from when I used to live in Back Bay a couple of years back. I used to swing by the Charles Street shop on my way home from Charlestown and get the best egg salad in the WORLD. DeLuca's (which claims to be "Boston's Oldest Grocery Store") has been a Beacon Hill landmark for over 100 years. What terrible news. I hope the damage is repairable. Beacon Hill just isn't Beacon Hill without DeLuca's.

DeLuca's Market by Patrick Anderson

Fresh Paint 2007:

Copley Society of Art

DeLuca's Market on Charles Street by Marilyn Swift

Fresh Paint 2005:

Copley Society of Art

Food and Friends| a diary of dining out.

My mom bought me the most delicate book this weekend at anthropologie. It's so fun it makes me want to call up my girlfriends for some dinner and drinks! The book helps you keep a log of the restaurants you've visited, who you went with, what you ate, and what you thought about the meal. A cute idea for keeping dining memories! And it's really so true-- some of the best memories I've had with my friends are over a delicious meal. Food and Friends, the perfect pair.

Alright, who wants to go out to dinner?!!

Good Harbor!

Title: Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester

Artist: Louise Upton Brumback

Headin' up to the beach today. Sun and sand and a book in my hand. :)

Coolidge Corner Arts Festival

SO EXCITING!

The Coolidge Corner Arts Festival is tomorrow.

With over 70 artists it's sure to be interesting and appealing. Bring your sunscreen and your wallet. And come hungry! The Brookline Food Festival is held at the same time (12-4) and the same place: LUCKY! Food tickets are $2 each-- all proceeds going to the Brookline Food Pantry.

Participating vendors include:

b.good

Camella's

Dorado's Tacos & Cemitas

Finale Desserts

The Fireplace

Friendly's Express

J.P. Licks

Party Favors

Pita Pit

Regal Beagle

Trader Joe's

Upper Crust

Wolf's Fish Market

Zaftigs

The Mountain Label

You MUST download this month's free desptop calendar from design*sponge. It's awesome! The artist is Christopher Bettig, whose artwork is super cool and contemporary. Check out his website and blog and while you're doing that head over to Design*Sponge to make this your wallpaper for the month. I absolutely love it-- it's so clean and bright. A fresh start to your Friday and just perfect for early summer.

In every single way...

Beautiful.

I am still drying my eyes after last week's Glee episode.

It just touched my heart.

This beautiful artwork can be found on etsy by seller cathynichols.

She's got lots of great stuff!

Oh! Also, I bought a clutch from Melanie's mom's Etsy site!

Melanie is my book club friend. Even though we've technically only met once we're totally blog friends and I feel like I've known her for years.

(HI, Melanie!)

Anywho, here's the link:

emmepurses... so pretty! buy one!

ADORE.