31

When you're lucky enough to wake up on your birthday to a hooting owl and an oh-so-chic brown box from one Louis Vuitton, you know it's not going to be an ordinary day. I'd say this birthday is already one for the history books. That fiancé of mine sure is a keeper.

Owl Bandwagon

From notepads to paperweights, vases to pocket watches, owls are everywhere these days (and would you believe it if I told you that I'm the proud owner of all of the aforementioned pieces? Though if you've read this blog before, then you might not be all that surprised). When uber cool London design house Burberry sends cozy owl-adorned sweaters down the Fall 2012 runway, you know it's a trend worth jumping on. Hop aboard if you want to be super chic like Burberry....and yours truly (ha!). 

{Images via Garance Dore}

Birthday Owl

So my birthday is in 11 days (and it's a big one). What are the chances of one of my friends sending me this owl birthday card? Good, very good, or slim to none? I guess I'll soon find out! This darling owl comes courtesy of Sycamore Street Press, one of my new (to me, anyway) favorite letterpress companies. They happen to be looking for an intern at the moment; the job sounds like a blast and would be perfect for anyone with a letterpress fetish (like yours truly). If only I lived in a gorgeous mountain valley town like Heber City, Utah. Le sigh.

{Image via Sycamore Street Press}

The Owls Are Gathering: Pottermore

If you're a Potterfile like I am, then you've noticed that the internet has been abuzz recently with news of an "announcement" soon to be made from author J.K. Rowling. A new website, Pottermore, features a pair of owls bookending the cryptic message: "Coming Soon", along with what appears to be the author's signature. There is even a Youtube page counting down the days, hours, minutes, and seconds until said announcement will be made.

We don't know much about the content of this news; all that has been revealed is that it's not in reference to a new book, but will be "something equally exciting", according to MuggleNet. My guess? Pottermore will be a sort of encyclopedia of information about the Harry Potter series, detailing the complete backstory of all the important characters who appear in the book, and maybe even some of the minor ones, as well. Rowling has intimated before that she would release something like this, so perhaps now is the time for her to do so. Either way, I think all Potterfiles will be in for a serious treat! Is my excitement transparent?

{Images via Pottermore and J.K. Rowlin's YouTube page}

The Girl With the Owl Tattoo

I am not a tattoo person. I've never entertained even for a second the idea of getting my skin permanently inked. It's just not my thing. But if it were my thing, I would be all over this owl tattoo. Seriously. I'd bring this very photo with me to the tattoo parlor and say, "This. I want this."

{Photo via The Sartorialist}

Rue Magazine

Flipping through the latest Rue has left me feeling inspired. Such gorgeous composition and light and fun design ideas can be found within its pages. Here are a few images that get my creative juices flowing (plus, you really can't go wrong with an owl on the front cover, now can you?):

{Images via Rue}

Birthday musings: things I want

Alas, my birthday is on the horizon. And not just any birthday. My golden birthday. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, fear not, because apparently you're not the only one. It appears that the golden birthday phenomenon hasn't quite taken root seeing that I've had to explain the concept more times than I would have thought necessary (I have my mother, from whom I first learned the term, to thank for that). Basically, a golden birthday is when a person turns the age of their birth day. So in my case, I will be 29 years old on the 29th of August. See how that works? Kind of nifty, right?

It's a happy, exciting time of year for me. Not only am I celebrating turning another year older (and, dare I say, wiser?), but I am also celebrating the start of my all-time favorite season of the year: the crispness of new beginnings that is autumn. As is often the case during this time of year, when we find ourselves at the precipice of one season and looking forward to the next, I like to make a list of goals and things I plan to accomplish in the year ahead (as well as contemplate all that I've learned and accomplished over the past twelve months). I also like to make a wish list of things I flat out covet and want in my life. If money were no object, of course. I can't think of a more ideal condition in which to shop and dream...

Blame the back-to-school feeling that hangs in the air as August draws to a close, that sense of newness and scholarly pursuits and learning that inspires me so, because every year at this time I want a new handbag. And this messenger bag evokes all those stirring autumnal feelings for me.

I already own a plethora of nautical tees (they're just so clean and fresh and very French, no?), but I can always make room for one more. Especially for one this adorable.

I've grown tired of reaching for my blackberry whenever I want to ascertain the time. If I had this oversized watch from Omega to call my own, checking the time would be a pleasure and maybe even the highlight of my day.

I've had my heart set on these darling alphabet earrings for quite some time now. And I think the time has come for them to be mine at last.

A cozy pair of nubby socks would make those chilly autumnal nights that much warmer. I remember a scene from one of the Harry Potter books in which Dumbledore confesses that what he most desires in all the world is a pair of thick woolen socks. I totally get what you mean, Dumbledore.

I heavily rely on scarves when the thermostat takes a nosedive, or any other time for that matter. They just elevate an outfit like nothing else. And the label behind this lovely number takes my breath away.

I don't think Jonathan Adler could be any cooler if he tried. And without a doubt my life would be so much better if I had this owl sculpture to look at every day.

Shop and dream....shop and dream....

Owl Love

I recently lost my beloved owl necklace and I am absolutely bereft (have I mentioned that I am positively obsessed with owls? No? Ok, I digress). After carving out the appropriate mourning period for my lost little bird, I am now on the hunt for a new owl (but who naturally can never truly replace the original in my eyes. Sniff). These lovelies below strike my fancy, and they're actually from by the same designer who made my old necklace, Moss Mills. Only now, I'm at a loss for which one to choose.


Shall I choose Exhibit A?


Exhibit B?

Or how about Exhibit C? It's like two for the price of one!

Or should I stick with what I know and love, and pick a silver version of my one-and-only owl (I can't believe I found it online! Oh, how I love you world wide web!).

{Images via Moss Mills}