2.28.2010

book care


(one of our 5 packed bookcases. we need more room!)

Even though I work in book publishing, and we are avid book collectors (we visit out local bookstore, and my old stomping ground,
Diesel, once a week to add to our growing collection of nearly 1500 books), and avid readers, we don't actually take great care of the books that we have. And I am okay with that. I think that a well-loved book with cracked spine, dog-eared pages and breakfast crumbs in its pages is more enjoyed and better appreciated than a book that hasn't been read at all.



Now, I do appreciate that while the newest fiction paperback can stand more wear and tear (and is ultimately of less value anyways), some bigger art books do need to be cared for with a gentler hand. Sarah Rainwater over at Apartment Therapy has posted 5 good tips about caring for your books.


(apartment therapy)


(apartment therapy)


(apartment therapy)

Book Care Tips:

1. The spine of a new hardcover book can be stiff and might crack if it is forced open. To condition the spine, remove the dust cover and stand the book vertically on a hard surface with the spine down (image 2). Holding the pages upright, let the covers fall open (image 3). Then release the pages in 1/4-inch batches on alternating sides, pressing the pages gently as they fall (image 4). Continue until you get to the center of the book. Never force a book to open — if it doesn't open all the way, cradle the spine at an angle.

2. Always store books upright or flat, keeping similarly sized books together. Never lean them at an angle or vertically on their spine or pages. Don't pack books too tightly on the shelves or they may crack or become scratched if they are pulled out too roughly. To properly remove a book from the shelf, push in the two books next to it and grasp the book by either edge of the spine. Don't pull it from the top of the spine.

3. Don't store books too close to a heater, in direct sunlight or in damp places where they could become mildewed. If your books do mildew, try rubbing the mildew with a very dry cloth and leaving the book open in the sunlight for about 45 minutes (but not for too long or the book may start to fade). If the book is very valuable, take it to a specialist in book conservation before trying to clean it yourself.

4. When you dust your books, make sure to dust from the spine outward so that the dirt doesn't settle in the pocket behind the spine.

5. Handle books with clean, dry hands. Oils, perspiration, dirt and food residue can cause a lot of damage.

2.23.2010

faces of fashion

I love these old fashion photos, part of the Faces of Fashion exhibition at Peter Fetterman's gallery down in Santa Monica.










2.21.2010

Hazy, nostalgic photographs by Joshua Jensen-Nagle.

Looking Out Over the Endless Crowd


St. Marks Square From Bell Tower


Slowing Time


Leaving it all Be
hind


Remembering P
aris


Getting Lost in Versailles

(via ill seen, ill said)

2.20.2010

alphabet city

Found on reubenmiller (via The New Yorker book blog): "22 of the world's most creative alphabets"





Rubber band alphabet by Nicolas Queffelec.


Office clip shadow alphabet by Dave Wood. via Johnson Banks blog.


Hairy alphabet by
Craig Ward. via David Airey.



Cubic alphabet by Svetoslav Simov.

Human alphabet by Kalle Mattsson. via David Airey.

And this "wish you were here" by Craig Ward (behind the Hairy Alphabet, above) reminds me of Rob Ryan's intricate paper cutouts. Like this:

getting dressed with modcloth


So Chic in Batik dress, $55
Despite the slightly frumpy appearance, I love this dress. It could so easily be unfrumpified with over-the-knee boots, colorful tights, a long necklace and bangles. And maybe a belt. Love!



Sun Streams dress, $65




Daisy dress, $85
Such a fun, summery dress to take traveling.



Thunderchrome dress, $113
This would be so cute with black tights and my dark brown boots.




Peach Plum Pear dress, $65
The perfect dress for my new suede oxfords. The description of this makes reference to harps thereby making it the Joanna Newsom dress. So okay, there's that.

2.19.2010

oxfords

On Monday I decided to treat myself to the Boutique 9 suede oxfords I had been coveting. And I absolutely LOVE them.


Here they are on Second Street in San Francisco.

lust list #3


Fresh Green (Chartreuse) sandals, Anthro $218


A constant reminder: Do What You Love.
$38 on etsy



As seen on design*sponge, one's very own card catalog. Yes please!

2.17.2010

india

My friend and co-worker, Emily, went to India this past fall and just got around to posting and sending some of the lovely photos she took from her trip. I immediately wanted to share them with everyone (those vibrant colors!), and go to India myself. As I can't fly off to India at the moment, I will share some of my favorites with you.