CLEAR NORTH

2012-03-03T09:24:00.000-08:00

It has become clear to me in recent months that my new problem is an oversaturation of inspiration

there are worse problems out there but it's almost as if my mind is flooded with snippets of photography and objects and interiors

and if clear north wasn't already a dropbox of mental out takes, it certainly is now and I can only hope that someone out there is enjoying them!

one. photo via loveology

two. cowhide patwork rug

three. food stills by jason lowe

four. starnet display in tokyo

2012-03-03T09:08:00.001-08:00

photos from 1931 by barcelona-based
photographer leopoldo pomes
photos at galeria dels angels

2012-02-20T11:07:00.000-08:00

jewelry-spiration from mathais chaise

tiny pearlescent beads on a yellow cotton string

project-spiration from alicia carrera

orange blossoms pressed in parchment

2012-02-17T15:26:00.000-08:00

friday inspirations

aikiko's photos and neon yellow clothes

2012-02-14T15:08:00.000-08:00

happy valentine's day!

valentine workshop at cookbook in echo park

via remodelista

2012-02-13T00:27:00.000-08:00

heinerluepke's flickr

2012-02-09T21:24:00.000-08:00

Vanessa Bruno - Moonlight from Vanessa Bruno on Vimeo.

2012-02-09T12:11:00.000-08:00

so good! via drop tokyo

I'm excited to spend this evening

with a bowl of ramen from ken ken ramen

and the (new to US) norwegian wood

2012-02-07T19:36:00.000-08:00

one here, two here

I really love that first photo

it inspires me to spend my day off

reading a book all day

2012-02-06T13:51:00.000-08:00

lately I've been inspired by very monotone, minimalist art

one via apiece apart
two by nicholas kamuda via object

2012-02-02T18:11:00.000-08:00

a few days ago I made a version of mark eden schooley's
koushi lamp, spotted in merci in paris

quite easy, the project totaled $20
see the instructions here

2012-01-25T16:25:00.000-08:00

photo from gotasalviento

p.s. photos of my diy koushi lamp coming soon...

2012-01-21T10:51:00.000-08:00

I recently did a post on remodelista on
clarisse demory, of ensuite, about her
pied-a-terre in bulgaria

read more here

photos by maya lipman

2012-01-15T13:26:00.000-08:00

these photos from kinfolk
have helped me determine this year's
vacation destination: prince edward island

I've wanted to travel there since I was very little
and I think this is needs to be the year!

via fourty-sixth and grace

2012-01-10T20:31:00.000-08:00

one - photo by ashley for metrode

two - from je suis perdu via ici

2012-01-07T13:01:00.000-08:00

brunozhu -via montmartre

2012-01-03T16:30:00.000-08:00

loving this fog linen work bag

from mr. kitly

2011-12-30T15:05:00.000-08:00

emilie lindsten

first seen on M, via HG

2011-12-29T09:25:00.000-08:00

talviuni winter sleep

by joutsen finland in riihimaki

sala shop

2011-12-27T14:11:00.000-08:00

the week between the holidays and the new year

is the perfect time to collect yourself before renewal

photo via birch, sf

2011-12-21T14:33:00.000-08:00

I love everything that

Taskeshi Hosaka Architects touch

Love House

2011-12-17T10:09:00.000-08:00

iconic

via here

2011-12-15T12:45:00.001-08:00

luigi ghiri via happy accidents

2011-12-13T23:36:00.000-08:00

design by faye mcauliffe, via remodelista

saturated angles rug

2011-12-11T19:15:00.000-08:00

coveting this bag by building block

2011-12-08T22:36:00.000-08:00

I've posted about her before, but friend akiko

has got to be my favorite photographer ever

whenever I'm missing her or in need of inspiration

I go to her blog and find the best things-

these winter photos just feel right

for these dark december nights

2011-12-07T21:46:00.000-08:00

spending time with you are the river

2011-12-04T15:16:00.000-08:00

today we got a little christmas tree

and hung boughs of bay laurel

scavenged from louesa's arrangements

for yesterday's remodelista market

2011-11-30T19:58:00.000-08:00

pas de calais in japan

2011-11-26T08:23:00.000-08:00

inspired by hitoshi uchida's home in kamakura
via the selby

I love the little details in every corner,
the garden and balcony

life in their home seems so serene and happy
a nice lifestyle to model one's own after

2011-11-23T20:07:00.000-08:00

seasonal potager centerpiece

by me - via remodelista

2011-11-22T21:44:00.000-08:00

via m75

2011-11-20T19:37:00.000-08:00

michelle lane garibaldi collection

2011-11-17T22:25:00.000-08:00

photo from new legs
brooch from anna saradavik

this evening I went to my new favorite: march
full of incredible garments and bags from
matt of matocreative's truck show.
I am now coveting everything there!

2011-11-16T21:45:00.000-08:00

erin considine at anaise

2011-11-15T18:56:00.000-08:00

black and blue for winter

loving this hand crocheted bedspread from a detacher

one, two, three

2011-11-13T23:20:00.000-08:00

one from UU via renee

two from turned out

sorry for the absence of posts,

have been happily busy as the new

editorial assistant at remodelista(!)

2011-11-07T23:02:00.000-08:00

one via ensuite

two via saipua

three via ermie

links

+ black tulips

+ copper wire starry lights

+ indian curry paste

2011-11-07T11:04:00.000-08:00

variations on a theme

nightwood island tapestry

lauren manoogian blanket pullover

wood wood lambswool scarf

2011-11-04T16:29:00.000-07:00

- cleaning out my closet -

anntian, reinhard plank, cosmic wonder, wood wood

if you are interested in any of the items,
contact me directly at clearnorth.alexa(at)gmail.com

2011-11-04T14:01:00.000-07:00

hanging light by lukas peet via anOther

shy lamp by bec brittain via remodelista and deezen

2011-11-02T21:58:00.000-07:00

so impressed! by renee's latest post

anna saradavik

2011-11-01T21:55:00.000-07:00

via peachtime

barbe a papa

saluta la dia, mark borthwick

j. just returned from porto, portugal

now I'm thinking of white washed stone

and pale pink in the sunlight

2011-10-30T09:47:00.000-07:00

one by emilie lindstein via ici

two, veronique leroy cardigan here

three from here

enjoying my sunday ritual-

sight glass coffee, cotton peshtamel robe, blog roll

for at least an hour

2011-10-26T23:34:00.000-07:00

lou dollion via halcyon

antti hilja, via renee + tourist

2011-10-25T10:26:00.000-07:00

happy diwali!

I'm celebrating today with candles and homemade kheer

photo by marcelo gomes

2011-10-24T10:17:00.000-07:00

charlotte gainsbourg via el blog de madera

colored smoke via here

2011-10-22T19:53:00.000-07:00

WUHAO pop-up teahouse for beijing design week

partnering with the socially responsible 'tranquil tuesdays' tea company, WUHAO's uniquely curated shop is installed in a historic tea house in the dashilar district. tea is served on a custom made, heat sensitive tea table by huo yijin.

via dezeen

2011-10-21T09:58:00.000-07:00

fall foliage

via julien strangler

and koto bolofo "la maison"

2011-10-20T00:33:00.000-07:00

interview with phoebe and annette of anndra neen

and a look inside of their gramercy park apartment

growing up in mexico city the two sisters were inspired by their jewelry designing grandmother and an upbringing surrounded by

pre-columbian figures and bones. some girls really have it all!

read more here

2011-10-18T18:51:00.000-07:00

old meets new

with window renovations

black pearl rotterdam by zecc architects

photographed by frank hanzijk

2011-10-17T13:44:00.000-07:00

the ideal audio set up -

turntable, Dieter Rams for braun

ceramic speakers, Joey Roth

If you are in the SF bay area,

I highly recommend SF MOMA's exhibit

Less and More - The Design Ethos of Dieter Rams

Up through Feb. 20th, 2012

2011-10-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

stormy colors on a cloudy day

one julien strangler

two lauren manoogian

2011-10-13T20:55:00.000-07:00

mariacarla boscono

photographed by lina scheynius

for another magazine

via women management via renee

2011-10-12T12:36:00.000-07:00

transported to other lands via interieurbleu on flickr

one, avant l'ombre, arles

two, the small share of eternity, denmark

three, I look for the inspiration, perpignan

do you ever look back on photographs you've taken on trips and wish you took more time to compose them?

during the year I lived in paris I casually snapped photos of everyday experiences. I look back on them now and they seem as though they're of someone else's life -not at all cohesive with the memories I have.

I'm always caught between being in the moment fully and capturing that moment -it is a fine balance that I always strive to achieve.

2011-10-11T17:52:00.000-07:00

trying to capture the afternoon light

2011-10-09T22:42:00.001-07:00

photography by ye rin mok

2011-10-06T22:40:00.000-07:00

via mnz

2011-10-04T22:26:00.000-07:00

spent the day along a stormy tomales bay shore

oyster shells covering the ground at hog island oyster

trees lightly shedding their leaves against the grey sky

then braised kale with ricotta and fresh corn tortillas

2011-10-03T13:54:00.000-07:00

I have been having my moment with the southwest

-you may have noticed-

thinking of georgia o'keeffe

bone, neutrals, pale blue

one - mikkel vang for gourmet

two - misha de ridder from dune

2011-10-01T15:52:00.000-07:00

the text on this building. excellent. - photography by michael/via threading in the choirs

lizzie fortunato earrings - a new must have at mnz

2011-09-28T17:38:00.000-07:00

one via marni (via cheryl)

two via the blue hour

+Can't wait to make turkish yogurt cake with figs

+Also can't wait for a day off!

2011-09-27T15:46:00.000-07:00

loving lauren manoogian's f/w collection

yeti coat in heather brown

2011-09-22T22:09:00.000-07:00

beautiful setagaya by naruse inokuma architects

my favorite element is the patina on the original exposed concrete

naruse inokuma architects via remodelista daily

2011-09-21T13:57:00.000-07:00

installation by Atheron|Keener

(their website is beautiful!)

via Ashley

2011-09-18T21:38:00.000-07:00

colors of fall

one via sabino
two mint ganache tart with blackberries
three via nouvelle/nouveau

+gia coppola on into the gloss
+this weekend I bought the IM idea jacket in grey and love it!

2011-09-17T18:08:00.000-07:00

spending the afternoon

with chai tea & mark borthwick's portfolio

2011-09-16T01:01:00.000-07:00

really looking forward to the new gentlewoman!

2011-09-14T14:46:00.000-07:00

spring 2012 a detacher looks

those first two looks are

now top of my spring wishlist

2011-09-13T17:51:00.000-07:00

photography by natasja maria fourie

2011-09-11T12:50:00.000-07:00

philia fall catalogue

2011-09-08T17:41:00.000-07:00

dosa 818

loving their lofted space (6 thousand sq. ft!) and all the light that seems to filter in. I really like the idea of combining studio, retail and installation and displaying the entirety of someone's aesthetic.

also love their standard issue collection

(like the chemise slip in rice)

photos via OK Los Angeles

2011-09-07T17:23:00.000-07:00

glissements

joanna pallaris

2011-09-05T12:36:00.000-07:00

every few months my color palate changes

you can see it in my interests, clothing, flower arrangements

I feel a new one blooming

pale purple, natural/light brown, cream and neutrals and of course, greys

(one via here via renee, two via mnz)

2011-09-04T18:09:00.000-07:00

enjoying the end of summer

apple juice in the park

and fog in the presidio

2011-08-31T20:15:00.000-07:00

one via julien strangler

two via own entity

2011-08-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

yesterday was my birthday and this weekend was so wonderful-

ferry building/farmer's market breakfast
english pea soup (above) and pork leg with polenta at bar jules
a gift I've been longing for from jon (above)
making frangipane, lemon curd and blackberry tarts
and tea sandwiches
picnicing in the park with best friends (who gave me generous gifts of plum and rosemary jam, jewelry and a cookbook)

birthdays are always the best when you are reminded of all the amazing people in your life!

ps I'm set on figuring out the perfection of that soup- more later

2011-08-27T22:46:00.000-07:00

one and two here

three here

2011-08-22T22:45:00.000-07:00

wishing for

arts-science tops

all for the mountain cuff

this olive oil loaf recipe

homemade chai

listening to

dirty beaches

2011-08-20T15:25:00.000-07:00

both images via back posts

here

2011-08-17T21:44:00.000-07:00

edith heath is an absolute inspiration

2011-08-16T16:03:00.000-07:00

loving warmer tones lately

one, two, and three-unknown

2011-08-16T15:35:00.000-07:00

designs by dean edmonds

would love to have pieces like this in my apartment

a detacher: fall

2011-08-14T00:09:00.001-07:00

2011-08-12T14:54:00.000-07:00

just discovered joanna pallaris' work

love the colors in this selection

here

2011-08-10T13:30:00.000-07:00

special ordered from japan

even though I can't read the text I love the layout and photographs, plus her house in suffolk is my dream

2011-08-08T10:59:00.000-07:00

muted colors of late summer

via 2 or 3 things and paju

+norwegian wood

2011-08-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

just came across an incredible recipe/gastronome site
called the british larder.

shown here are
+roasted squash, salt baked beets, soft boiled hens egg in rosehip elderberry vinaigrette
+date slice with earl grey bananas and ginger ice cream

looks. so. delicious.
wish I could spend all my days trying to make each recipe

2011-08-04T11:40:00.000-07:00

this week's inspiration

1 and 3 by rob kulisek

2 lea seydoux

2011-08-02T20:03:00.000-07:00

drove to half moon bay today-

harley goat farms for fresh eggs and chevre
handpicked organic strawberries
then a walk along the beach

2011-07-31T01:29:00.000-07:00

cosmic wonder f/w 2011

herbal dyed organic wool and linen, perfection!

2011-07-26T12:24:00.000-07:00

i've been brainstorming about studio spaces and how to transform half of our bedroom into one (for mostly sewing endeavors but also more weaving and knitting)

here's my inspiration!

lauren manoogian's brooklyn studio

(how cool is that knitting machine?)

suno's garment district studio

matt of mato creative's bay area studio

isabel marant's studio

2011-07-24T19:30:00.000-07:00

rowena sartin

here

2011-07-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

agnes thor

photography here

2011-07-20T10:32:00.000-07:00

this week I made some incredible summer apricot-rose jam! read on for recipe and some photos.

apricot-rose jam
original recipe from blue chair jam book
5 1/4 pounds pitted apricots
2 1/4 pounds white cane sugar
3 oz. strained fresh lemon juice
3 splashes of rose water
-yields 9 8oz jars, shelf life 6-8 mo.-

day 1
in a glass container, combine apricots with sugar and lemon juice.
press a sheet of plastic wrap on the surface- smooth to minimize air bubbles- cover with a lid and let macerate overnight in the refrigerator

day 2
take the apricot mixture and transfer to a nonreactive flat pan (I used even a stock pot but an 11 qt. copper preserving pan is ideal). Bring the mixture to a boil, stir frequently with a rubber spatula for 4 minutes.

-rachel saunders' testing method: take a few spoons and place them on a dish in the freezer to test the jam for doneness later-

-take your very clean jars and lids and place them in the oven at 250 degrees for a minimum of 30 minutes to sterilize them-

remove from heat and with a large spoon skim any foam off the surface of the mixture. return the jam to a boil and decrease the high slightly- cook until jam thickens for about 30 minutes- stir steadily all the while.

when jam has thickened, transfer a small amount to one of the frozen spoons and place into freezer for about 3 minutes. take it out of the freezer and see if it's jammy, if the jam runs slowly down the spoon when held vertically. if not, cook it a little longer.

take jam off the heat completely, skim off any foam on top and discard. add about 3 splashes of rose water, stir well and taste.

pour the jam into the jars just about to the top and wipe the edges with a damp cloth. screw the lids on until they are snug and replace full jars with lids into the over for 15 minutes. remove from the oven and let cool overnight on a cooling rack- you may hear the lids popping as the mixture cools. you should feel an indentation on the top of the lids to ensure they have been canned properly.

2011-07-18T09:03:00.000-07:00

1 via rising objects

2 via mnz

+ have you seen kinfolk mag yet?

2011-07-16T20:33:00.000-07:00

-baron wells

2011-07-13T15:56:00.000-07:00

the paris apartment of cheri messerli (of scout holiday) and david rager (graphic designer)

I love how lived in and personal their space feels

via remodelista

2011-07-11T12:49:00.000-07:00

araks fall 2011

2011-07-11T09:40:00.000-07:00

masataka ohta via here