Lena Corwin desktop wallpaper

Sorry for the sporadic posting this week, guys. I'm a bit swamped with work. But that hasn't stopped me from enjoying some quirky desktop wallpaper by Lena Corwin for Design*Sponge (detail above). I keep losing files on this background of little objects, but who cares. It's fun. Get yours here, in tan or blue.

Decorate with orange

Check out the treasure trove of orangey goodness over at Jonathan Adler! Alas, my budget is about the size of one napkin ring, but a girl can dream.

And for my imaginary kitchen, perhaps an orange appliance from Big Chill.

Quiz: Is it a cheese or a font?

Is your Monday turning out entirely too productive? Slow things down a bit by playing Cheese or Font. (Via Swiss Miss)

Projects for the weekend

Some craft and DIY tutorials to see you through to Monday:

Spray painted DIY wall art at Krylon (above)
How to paint a floor canvas at Sunset Magazine
Fabric covered drawer pulls by Good Housekeeping
Braided doormat at Martha Stewart
Paper wine bag by Daisy Janie
Sling shoulder bag at Oh, Fransson
Recessed zipper shoulder bag at Projects by Jane
Poppy boutonnieres by Grosgrain Fabulous

(Image from Krylon)

How to make a ruffled felt pillow

I was delighted to see this felt pillow tutorial on Etsy's blog. Orange plus felt rosettes? What's not to love? And very trendy, since fabric flowers and ruffles seem to be springing up everywhere these days. The tutorial is from Anne Kyrrö Quinn's new book, Felt Furnishings.

Win a room makeover

Look at that. My fabric has made an appearance in the October issue of Glamour. Right next to Gwen Stefani. Or, well, 46 pages past the cover that features Gwen Stefani. Same difference.

Actually the photo announces a room makeover that five Glamour readers can win. Each package includes a Fresh Nest Design decorating consultation, a Flor area rug, two armchairs, chair slipcovers, ottoman, and pillows from your choice of fabrics at JCaroline Home, a $1,500 value. Enter here!

New York vacation

We returned last night from our road trip getaway fatter, happier, and poorer than when we left. The hallmarks of a good vacation. We drove to New York and stayed in Brooklyn at Hotel Le Bleu. (Highly recommend it. Our room was small, modern and beautiful. We could see the Statue of Liberty from our balcony! It appeared to be the size of a grain of rice, but still. The hotel has a restaurant and rooftop lounge, so even if you don't stay there, at least go eat or drink something and admire the view. It's in Park Slope, a few blocks from cool shops, delicious restaurants, and dozens of people pushing babies in strollers, so if you're looking for a nanny job, this might be the place for you.)

We walked around Manhattan, went to MoMA, spent an afternoon reading in Central Park (which I had imagined as a giant football field devoid of trees; was pleasantly surprised to find out it's pretty), got half-off tickets to see the Toxic Avenger musical (clever, goofy, 100% entertaining), and then spent a couple days near the Allegheny National Forest on our way home.

And now it's back to work. Must make more coffee...

(Images from Hotel Le Bleu)