10 Things That Make Me Happy: Department of the Interior

Hello Monday! What an amazing weekend - it began with me chopping five inches off my hair (so unlike me) but it felt incredible, then I enjoyed a day walking around SF with my hubby, went to the movies and a friends trunk show for her 2011 Spring collection, which I'll post about later today. I hope all of you had wonderful weekends as well.

Today, Jenn from Department of the Interior is sharing her 10 Things - can I just say I love ALL of them. Jenn and I first bonded over our love for Astier. We're both obsessed and since then we've realized we have very similar interests. I can't wait to finally meet in person when I go to D.C. in two weeks.

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First, a very big thanks to Caitlin for inviting me to visit from Department of the Interior. So what else is there to know about me? Hmm, aren't these little introductions always hard?

During the day I work in digital public relations, but by night you can find me scouring the Internet for little bits of inspiration, shopping on Etsy, doing my best to cook from scratch, and probably not doing the dishes.

I live in a city (Washington DC), but am enchanted by the simplest comforts of home -- think white linens drying in the sun, the shimmer of an antique mirror and anything handmade with love.

All of the items and ideas listed below have brought me endless comfort and joy over the past few months. I hope they'll do the same for you!

1. Fresh-cut flowers set right near my door are a lovely reminder that it's time to kick off my heels, put on some sweatpants and really breathe (for what usually seems like the first time all day.) My absolute favorites are peonies, but dahlias are a lovely substitute in autumn. If keeping things alive isn't really your thing (that putrid water smell does no one any good), I'm sure a Kari Herer print like the one above would do the trick.

2. As I write this post, I'm sitting in a hotel room in London, where "Wool Week" has just ended. One of the things I'm loving about the UK is the serious commitment to conserving the countryside...and wool is a big part of that heritage. Before I leave, I'd love to pick up some cableknit socks like these ones from Toast. (Images from Twig Hutchinson, Kara O'Keefe)

3. Every Sunday morning, (rain, shine or wine headache), I grab a canvas bag and head to DC's Dupont Circle Farmer's Market. Heading to the market brings me balance for the week -- putting me in touch with the food I eat and the families and communities it supports.

While I'm doing my best to start cooking by instinct, a good cookbook is always a treasure. Alice Waters' In the Green Kitchen is my latest fave, and Long Nights and Log Fires is a must for the season.

4. Speaking of log fires, is there any better cold-weather treat than gathering up kindling and settling in for the night, while that other-worldly smoky scent fills the air? Extra points awarded for s'mores.

5. I'd been a fan of Miniature Rhino's hand-embroidered samplers for ages before I managed to snag the one above. It hangs in my kitchen prep area, and reminds me why I insist on chopping vegetables at the end of a stressful day -- because I truly love taking care of myself and I truly love doing the same for the other person I cook for. Even if Stouffer's lasagna is equally enticing to him. Because it is...

6., 7. and 8. Having a few little luxuries in your daily routine makes every day seem special. My favorite little luxuries include spritzing on Diptyque's Philosykos perfume, lighting Terrain's Rosemary and Mint garden candle at night, and keeping Smith's Rosebud Salve on hand at all times.

9. Being someone who's favorite colors are named things like cream, eggshell, greige and bone, I need a little sparkle in my life, and try to ensure it makes an appearance in every room and many an outfit. Currently my sparkle fix is coming from Kate Spade Sheldon pumps. While those recently sold out, this option would turn more than a few heads. (Image from Chic Faced)

10. I fell in love with Astier de Villatte's gorgeous ceramics when I visited their shop in Paris a few months ago. There is something about the particular shade of white, the delicately embossed design and the incredible lightness of each paper-thin piece that makes me deliriously happy. I haven't stopped hunting their pieces down since.