wanderlust: houston

Was recently in Houston and while there, felt delightfully overwhelmed by its active craft scene. Perhaps you don't believe me, or maybe you're thinking, "Houston? Really??" I'm here to say, "Yes, really." Despite the oppressive heat (which is the only drawback to being there in June), Houston is a vibrant city full of great restaurants, cool people, and an absolutely thriving world of art and craft. Because there are no zoning laws the city is peppered with shops and galleries where art is being made and consistently sold. Gosh, my head was spinning!

Among the inspiring people I met/places I visited: The Houston Center for Contemporary Craft where artist-in-residence Rachelle Vasquez graciously invited me into her studio full of crocheted animals.

Also bought a decadent ring made from plastic by Leslie Shershow and saw the show, "Interstitial Spaces: Julia Barello and Beverly Penn" - a collaborative exhibition of large-scale installations made from dyed X-ray and MRI film (Barello) and plants cast in bronze (Penn). I chatted briefly with curatorial assistant Ashley Powell, who said, "The line between fine art and craft is being blurred with both functional and non-functional works made from traditional craft media. We leave it wide open and show a bit of everything."

I wish you could have all come with me to Hello-Lucky, which is an undeniably cool shop owned by artist Teresa O'Connor, where everything for sale is handmade by Texas artists and crafters (they accept online orders, btw). Oh, and my favorite by far (best for last) was Space Montrose, which sells work by all independent artists and crafters. Couldn't get enough.

If you haven't been to Houston, y'all, go there. If you have been there and somehow missed out on all of this, go again.  Lastly, if you want to see more random shots from my trip to Texas, visit my Flickr page (because I seriously could not put my camera down). UPDATE 8/1: Forbes has rated Houston as America's Coolest City (Baltimore made the list too)! Also, check out this recent Design Lover's Guide to Houston on Apartment Therapy.

Image of rings from Leslie Shershow's online shop - buy one today!

wanderlust: yokoo's world

Handmade Portraits: YOKOO from Etsy on Vimeo.

wanderlust: brooklyn

I just ate the most amazing little cookie named Lucia. It came from Brooklyn with other little cookies (Lana, Penelope, Susanna, Juliette, and Sadie) in a lovely brown box adorned with a vintage family photo. One Girl Cookies is what the accompanying tag read. I immediately imagined a girl in an apron, covered in flour and feverishly baking cookie upon cookie in a tiny kitchen somewhere. Turns out I wasn't far off...

Back in 2000, Dawn Casale left the world of retail luxury at Barney’s New York to do something different with her life, though she wasn't sure exactly what at the time. She started thinking about her childhood, which was one of warm kitchens and dazzling flavors; the kind of unforgettable aromas that excite us as kids and comfort us as adults. "My grandmother's kitchen," writes Dawn, "is where I learned about the ritual and significance of food, the sense of happiness and comfort it brought, and the essential elements of quality and care that went into its preparation."

Those memories are what led to One Girl Cookies, which began in Dawn's West Village apartment. She did indeed become the girl who baked cookie upon cookie, naming each one according to their personality. And yes, these cookies have absolutely unforgettable personalities. Like for example, the shortbread, caramel, chocolate three-layer bar named Lucia (my favorite), the orange butter cookie topped with shredded coconut named Sadie, or the spiced oat wafer with crystallized ginger named Susanna. Orders came quickly, and Dawn managed each one from start to finish (with help from friends and family). Two holiday seasons later, she'd rented a larger kitchen space, hired a professional baker, and enrolled in pastry school.

Fast forward ten years and a lot has happened since those first days in Dawn's kitchen. One Girl Cookies is now a full-fledged café in Brooklyn where breakfast, coffee, and sweets of all kinds are served daily. They also offer baking classes, party favors, custom cakes and corporate gifts.

Dawn's story is as sweet and special as her cookies. Most of us have at some point reflected on our career choices and wondered about doing something else; something different. Of course, that's not to say we don't learn and grow while on the way to that something different. Dawn credits Barney's with teaching her about the importance of aesthetic, the power of creativity, and the joy of indulgence. Still, her inspiriting journey from clothing to cookies is a striking reminder to reflect on where our passions reside and what memories or experiences might lead us back to them, if of course we're not there already.

That said, you've gotta taste these cookies for yourself. It's worth going to Brooklyn as soon as possible, but if for some reason you can't, simply order your own box. I promise they'll make your life a lot sweeter!

Images courtesy of One Girl Cookies.

wanderlust: san francisco

To see Lisa Congdon's wall of plates.

Crafting a Meaningful Home - Lisa Congdon from Meg Mateo Ilasco on Vimeo.

To see more of Lisa's work, visit her website.

wanderlust: istanbul

Travel to Hampden tonight for Traditions in Turkey: A Trunk Show. Hosted by Earth Alley, the show will feature crafts that were handpicked by the store's owners during their recent wanderings through the markets of Istanbul. Also enjoy live music and locally made treats. 6pm - 8pm. For more details, visit www.earthalley.com.

wanderlust: nashville

Currently on exhibit at Nashville's Frist Center for the Visual Arts is The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947-1957, featuring the most glamorous fashion houses of Paris and London in the years following WWII.

This"golden age" of haute couture began with the launch of Christian Dior's couture house in 1947, which is still considered to be "the most successful fashion business model of the 20th century." The period ended with Dior's death in 1957.

The exhibition also includes work by Balenciaga, Givenchy, and Balmain, and photographs by Cecil Beaton, Richard Avedon, and Irving Penn.

What sounds very exciting, is their section on handcraft and techniques with undergarments and the insides of dresses on display.

How about hopping a plane to Nashville? The exhibition ends on September 12th.

Image courtesy of Sanford Myers for Nashville Lifestyles.