Happy Monday. There’s a little nip in the air post Hurricane tropical storm Irene. Fall is on it’s way. We spent a lot of time indoors this weekend. I did lots of work on some freelance projects, worked together on the apartment, building things, putting things away and hanging art on the walls and of course we played and read lots with Henry. Tomorrow I’ll do an apartment post.

1. Belted Trouser from Need Supply
2. Elizabeth and James Architecture Cube Ring from Shopbop
3. The Moor You Know Cardigan from Modcloth
4. Lana Ankle Strap Heel from Freepeople
5. Stolen Girlfriends Club Fur Sleeve Terry Top from Pixie Market

My adorable and chic intern Alex had a friend snap a shot of her rainy day chic get-up. Here’s what Alex says about her look:

” It’s been pouring here for several days here in Southampton, NY. Since it was my day off from working at the gallery, I decided to venture outside with a girlfriend anyways. Watching the rain, we ordered crepes and cappuccinos, which instantly brought me back to memories of being in Paris. “

Luckily Alex has supplied us with details of how to snag her look. I love a good trench:

1. Bianca high rise flare jeans by J Brand
2. Abstract scarf by Tilo
3. Nyx belt by Elegantly waisted
4. Javi cut-out wedge sandals by Sam Edelman

Mary Jo Matsumoto of Trust Your Style has put together this vibrant look for me as my final guest post of my blogging haitus. I’ll be back tomorrow. Thanks Mary Jo!

1. Rebecca Minkoff silk tie blouse
2. True Religion low rise skinny jeans
3. Antik Batik embellished sandals
4. Meredith Wendell hardware bag
5. Diane von Furstenberg travel bag
6. Alexander McQueen leopard print scarve
7. Beauty Is Life Lipstick – Red 13 w-c
8. butter LONDON ’3 Free Nail Lacquer Snog One Size

A virtual bouquet of flowers for Samantha. I might have been subconsciously channeling Samantha’s love of color when I made these. -Chelsea

The wonderful Anna Capron is guest posting for the final time today. Thank you so much Anna- love Sam.

work by Karolin Schnoor

Another lovely post from Anna of Sub-Studio. I’ll start posting again later this week. Thank you in advance to my amazing guest posters.

illustrations by Eleanor Grosch

Anna Capron of Sub-Studio here. Sam asked me to contribute a few posts to Maquette. Sam is an amazing artist, and so I wanted to share some images of artwork that I find uplifting. My thoughts and prayers are with Sam and her family, as they mourn the loss of her father.

A New Flower Is Born – Ana Ventura

Waiting For You – Ana Ventura

Here’s Dana McClure again, filling in for me…

I came across the work of spanish artist Valero Doval, with the Winter 2010/2011 cover art of Elephant Magazine. Working primarily in collage, Doval’s work creates intriguing and sometimes whimsical narratives, using people, animals, machines, landscapes and geometric shapes.

Hi guys, Kate from For Me, For You here. I thought I’d put a guest post together for Samantha full of pretty photos I’ve come across lately, because who doesn’t love pretty photos? I collect them in my bookmarks and Pinterest like candy, and I think they can do a whole lot of healing when you need them.

Derek King

Elias and Theresa Carlson

Jacinta Moore

Jonathan Levitt

Parker Fitzgerald

Erin of Design for Mankind is guest posting today.

My heart is breaking for Samantha right now, and although I want nothing more than to take away her pain, I can’t. Time will lessen it, yes, but until then, perhaps some pretty, uplifting images might make her smile?

We love you, Sam. Hang in there.

I asked a couple of friends to fill in some posts for me. I’m too heart broken to stay on top of things since the loss of my dad. Here’s Abbey Nova of Abbey Goes Design Scouting with a post:

Sam, Dave, Henry and their family have been in my thoughts since I heard the news of Sam’s father’s passing. I never had the pleasure of meeting her father but heard many stories and saw the look of love on Sam’s face as she recounted them. I know how much his light will be missed. I have some interiors posts planned for the rest of the week, but for this first post, I thought I’d include these amazing images from the Hubble as a little tribute to Sam’s father. All images from the Hubble Site.

Find your way straight into you lovers stomach heart. I knew I wanted to post a recipe here for Valentine week. Who better to get one from than the talented baker, cooker, blogger, designer and co-founder of Remedy Quarterly? Visit (Kelly at Eat, Make, Read and Remedy). Here’s Kelly:

Whether you’re looking to woo a certain someone this Valentine’s or remind you’re favorite love why you’re so great, here’s a special little treat that will have their mouth watering and they’re heart fluttering. These homemade caramels are the perfect combination of buttery and sweet decadence with a hint of sea salt. They’re moderately easy to make, more work than you might spend on just anyone, but not so much that you look like a crazy person. Really, you just need a little patience and confidence along with sugar, butter, corn syrup, cream and sea salt.

fleur de sel caramels
via gourmet
makes about 40 candies

1 cup heavy cream
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 teaspoon fleur de sel*
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup water

Did you see the latest recipe for pistachio macaroons? I’m freaking out.

Free Valentine’s Day cards.

Please welcome Anna of Sub-studio back to Maquette today!

Okay, so these might not actually be appropriate for a child, since babies will put almost anything in their mouths, but they are certainly appropriate for you and I, and would be super cute on some out-of-reach shelf in your kid’s bedroom. The Bosse Brass Figures are an awesome collection of miniatures (originally from the 1940s!) made out of brass. Walter Bosse polished off the patina on each animal to create expressions and details. Lovely and minimal.

I want them too Anna!  They’d look so great peeking out from a bookcase or even perched atop a mantle!

Thanks again for getting so many wonderful guest posts together for Maquette. I have been so happy to have them for days when baby Henry says “mom, pay attention to me instead of blogging”!!

I was saving this post for today and accidentally published it- back in time- in Oct. So sorry if you are seeing it twice. I’ve got a baby on my lap and it’s toying with my brain. I love having him here though!

I’m so lucky to have the fabulous Kate Miss guest posting for me here on Maquette. Her aesthetic is so enviable. Now I want all of these things for my new baby! Welcome Kate.

Hi, I’m Kate from For Me, For You! In honor of Samantha’s little one, I thought I’d use my guest post to highlight some of my favorite baby things I’ve come across that I love. I am in no way an expert in this area, having no kids and no plans for them for a while, but like a lot of girls I swoon over all things pint-sized and store cute things in my head for the future.

Clockwise from the top left:

1. Baby Hank Vintage stocks the best vintage on Etsy for little ones -
2. This “Fluffy Little Clouds” art print has little otters all over it (eep!) and
3. would be cute for a kids room. Or my room. – I love everything in the
4. baby line at DwellStudio, and most of it is very bold and colorful,
5. but this simple organic
6. knit blanket is probably my favorite – tiny leather
7. slippers at flora and henri, for chic babies obviously – sculpted
8. wooden animals, for playing and display – All the knit clothing at
9. Oeuf is cute as can be, especially this wolf animal hat
10. and booties, for your little wild thing. – Tiny Warbler hand makes
11. lovely soft animals, like these sweet
12. bears.

Please welcome half of the super talented duo behind Sub-studio and The Working Proof, Anna Capron.

When the time come for Sean and I to start our own family, I think one of the things I’m going to enjoy preparing for the baby’s arrival the most is decorating the nursery. I love art, and kid’s prints are especially fun and colorful. Here are a few of my favorites (plus a plug for a set of our own prints):

1. Petit Collage’s Animal Alphabet Poster
2. Night Owl Paper Good’s Bamboo Koalas. This is actually a card, but I would totally use it as a print instead
3. (And last but not least) Sub-Studio our Nursery Rhyme prints. Three of our favorite childhood rhymes, turned into prints

I was lucky enough to be given the sub-studio nursery rhyme prints for Henry from Anna and Sean. I can’t wait to set up a nursery for him when we move, with these stunning and graphic prints as a centerpiece.

I’m in love with Anna’s (of Sub-Studio) post today. These items are perfect nursery decor but also fun for a baby/kid to play with. To me that’s the perfect balance- form and function. Thanks for these swoon worthy picks Anna, I want them all!

1. First up is the Rufus the Polar Bear rocker by Netto. It’s nice to see something other than the standard horse. I love how the polar bear looks like he’s cruising on a sled.
2. I also love these iconic mirrors by Petit Collage – shaped like an apple and an elephant and with some pretty sweet, engraved detailing to boot!
3. When Henry gets older he’s going to need a place to store all of his colored pencils and paints (because you KNOW that Sam is going to impart some of her awesome artistic skills to this child). Paige Russell’s North American Wild Life series of matte white glazed stoneware ‘anything holders’ are perfect for the discerning little boy (and girl)…

I may bring this piece to the show as a print. I was recently commissioned to do it for bloggie a friend in SF. Today we’re setting up the Lady show and I’ll have to decide which pieces to bring. There’s a limited amount of space so we’re all going to have to chose our display pieces carefully rather than just blasting everything up there. I am making prints to show if there’s enough room and this one may be tagging along. Either way I plan to have a big etsy sale after the show with lots of prints and even originals.

I’ll post about the show on Monday and then I’ll go back to regular posting, you know with stuff about: geek chic, old timey moustaches, eadweard muybridge, and yellow polaroids.

I hope you have a fantastic weekend dearest readers. XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO.

p.s Thanks to Scoutie Girl for the extremely nice posts on the show and my Hooray for Summer piece.

I have lots of work to do right now. I’m still getting ready for the Lady show this coming weekend.

Plus, I need to do new submissions for my clients in both illustration and surface pattern. However, sometimes I just need to do a piece for the fun of it. You know what I mean?? I did this one today. I couldn’t resist turning it into a pattern too!

I hope you had such a fun weekend. Happy Monday.

1. JCrew dress
2. Jack Gomme bag (“Fibus”)
3. Alexis Bittar necklace
4. Kate Spade shoes

I love all of these stripey items….maybe not to together…?….

…..although the idea is growing on me.

So happy to have the fabulous Kelly Carumbula guest blogging here from Eat Make Read.

I grew up going to craft shows with my mom where it wasn’t unusual to see ten booths with country blue duck motifs. I’m sure there are still some out there, but lucky for me (and you) crafts have been embraced by a new generation with a passion for making things. The documentary “Handmade Nation” by Faythe Levine and the accompanying book also by Levine and co-author Cortney Heimerl presents a peek into the craft world and why people are so passionate about it.