I don’t know too much about art, but always wished that I knew more. I’ve been on the hunt for affordable art lately to fill the walls of our apartment. It’s something I’ve wanted to start collecting for a long time now, but always hold back in fear that I’ll commit to the wrong pieces. Guess at some point I’m going to have to let go of that.  I signed up for Artsy.net to learn about new artists and old. They have some amazing things on their site and one artist that popped out to me is Lorna Simpson’s Cleopatra 2013 portraits. Here are a few of my favorites.

I think Pia Jane Bijkerk is one incredibly talented lady.  Her styling, books, and kitchen adventures having me swooning. Perhaps most inspiring, is her lovely little houseboat in Amsterdam.  The ‘petit batuea vert’ was featured a few years back in Anthology Magazine.  I still look back at this spread when I want to dream a bit about having a floating house of my own.  See the article and read more about Pia here.

I love vintage educational posters, you know the pull down charts from when there was no “online” and everything needed for a report was in an encyclopedia.  That's why I was so excited when Windsor Terrace Antiques opened up a few months ago.

Filled with old globes, colored glass bottles, typewrites, and SO MANY old classroom charts, Windsor Terrace Antiques is a great inspiration for a day trip to an “undiscovered” neighborhood (full disclosure, I live there).   While your in the hood, walk through Prospect Park, get a beer and a snack at Double Windsor, and maybe a meat pie from DUB pies.  Great colors (original and imaginative images), well priced (most under $100) and you don't even need to worry about framing (at least for the moment).

I have my eye on a few things at the moment and so to quell the urge to go on a serious shopping spree I thought why not share them with others.  I am loving this artisan apron made from waxed canvas and leather.  Think how hardcore we would look working on flowers in these!

I may not be able to resist this amazing hippo embroidery from Michele Varian.  The whole series is so amazing and cheeky.  I want them all! They would look fabulous hanging in a powder room.

Someone just snatched this one up from Etsy.  It’s a little heartbreaking but I’m glad such a fabulous clutch is on it’s way to a new home! Find a similar one here.

What’s on your wishlist?

I came across these dresses inspired from perfectly folded vintage maps on The Jealous Curator blog and had to find out more for myself. There just so happens to be an entire series designed by the London based artist Elisabeth Lecour’s. The series is titled Les Robes Geographiques. Click here to check out more from this imaginative artist!