happy friday + a few weeks to go...

Holy cow...where did the time go? I've got less than a month to go before my due date, and I can't even believe it. The baby's room is coming along nicely, and I'll be sure to show you guys soon. It's definitely come a long way since this photo. I'll be spending this weekend decorating, hanging prints on the wall, spending time with Bob, and enjoying this final bout of nesting time while I have it. Have a great weekend all! — Joy

Also, congrats to #975 Emily R. from Dallas, TX for being the winner of our fall "this & that" giveaway! For everyone else, don't forget the extra bonus for all Oh Joy readers...both Brooklyn Cruiser and Terrain are offering a special 15% discount from today through October 31st. Simply enter the code OHJOY at check out for either site.

{iMac photo booth pic of Joy at 36+ weeks, dress from More of Me}

{oh joy eats lunch with} maria alexandra vettese...

Who  Maria Alexandra Vettese, a freelance Art Director

Where  Portland, Maine

Time 2pm

What's a typical lunch for you? I make all our studio lunches. It's part of my job, and I love it! Today, it's a lettuce mix, some basil, radishes, avocado, and feta. Everything here—with the exception of the avocado—is from the farmer's market right up the street. This is a wonderful time of year for salad!

What's your dream/ideal lunch? I make what I like to call, a "Snack Plate." I just look around at whatever I've got out and about, and I gently slap it all onto a platter. Add some lemon, olive oil, salt and pepper {and usually a good chunk of crusty brown bread}. Perhaps, finish it off with a little white wine or rosé followed by a really good espresso.

Dessert with lunch?  In my real world: No, I save dessert for dinnertime. But in my dream world: Most certainly! I'd likely opt for a small cookie fresh out of the oven or an ice cream come {preferably gelato}.

Thanks Maria!
— Joanna

{photos by Maria}

this & that...

...wear this Anthropologie scarf, decorate with that CB2 lamp...

—Bekka

oh baby shower...

Last month, my dear friends Audrey, Bonnie, and Kelley threw us the best co-ed baby shower. Full of our favorite people and our favorite foods, it was a day of fun in the sun as we prepare to welcome our little lady into this world. I decided to keep the photos of our friends and family private, but I still wanted to share a few details from the day with you guys. The summer picnic was full of our favorite fried chicken from Cube and Broome St. General and pies from Magnolia Bakery thanks to Bonnie's keen knowledge of our love of summer comfort food. Kelley made the tastiest lemonade concoctions while Audrey's backyard was decked out in pops of yellow, orange, and patterns of sweet summer treats. We had the best day, and I feel so grateful to have such thoughtful people in my life... —Joy

{photos by Bonnie Tsang}

{closet & casa} with kelly lynn jones...

who: Kelly Lynn Jones, Artist who also runs the art organization, Little Paper Planes

why kelly rocks: Her shop is definitely one of my favorite places to pick up unique and affordable art!

in her closet: I love this vintage turquoise silk dress {1980s' I think?}. I bought it at a sample sale last year, and it has been my go-to dress for all special occasions. I normally wear black jeans and blouses, but when I have an opening to go to or another outing, I usually wear this dress. I love the top stitching details with the slight puffy sleeves and the amazing printed design on it. It is super short {but in a classy way}, and looks great with tall boots.

in her casa: This is a ship painting that my grandma made in the 1950's. Being an artist as well as curator, I am constantly looking at art and collecting art. But this painting is by far always my favorite. It's special since it has personal sentiment, but I think the overall composition and subject matter is pretty perfect. I always have some romantic notion of leaving it all, getting on a boat, and seeing where I land—so it speaks to my own wants and ideas towards life. It's a reminder that nothing is permanent.

Thanks Kelly!
— Bri

{photos by Kelly}

currently snacking on...

...a grilled cheese sandwich using my favorite combination of sourdough bread, gruyere cheese, and a lot of butter. I added some fig jam this time for an extra sweet zing. So, tell me friends...what's your favorite grilled cheese combo to make at home? — Joy

{photo by Oh Joy}

color blocks & ink spots...

...on these beautiful new scarves by Scarfshop... — Joy

{photos by Jen Causey & Scarfshop}

a {this & that} fall giveaway...

Get ready for some cooler temperatures, fall treats, and the last of outdoor picnics with this Brooklyn Cruiser bicycle {choose from black or orange} and that set of Terrain goodies {2 mugs, 2 napkins, and a whole bunch of tasty goodies} to fill your bicycle basket...

To enter, simply visit Brooklyn Cruiser and Terrain, then leave a comment below stating where you'd ride to have a little fall picnic. Entries must be posted by this Friday, September 30th at 9am PST*, and one winner will be chosen at random.

As an extra bonus for all Oh Joy readers, both Brooklyn Cruiser and Terrain are offering a special 15% discount from today through October 31st. Simply enter the code OHJOY at check out for either site. Good luck! — Joy

UPDATE: Congrats to #975 Emily R. from Dallas for being our winner this time!

{*Sorry, limited to US residents only. Please do not leave your email or web address in the body of the comment, only in the allotted boxes. $660 total value. Winner will be contacted by email once comments close and announced on the bottom of this post soon after. Good luck!}

feeling shimmer in the cloudy skies...

 

{1. DVF clarice dress, 2. baby dress from Smallable, 3. BRVTVS augustus necklace, 4. Decoy Lab felt coasters, 5. J.Crew rigby bag, 6. West Elm bath mat, 7. Giles & Brother rope bracelet — Joy}

whimsical bites in {san diego}...

Over the weekend, we took a trip down to San Diego to pick up some vintage furniture for the baby's room. So, we decided to have our anniversary dinner at Searsucker—a newish restaurant downtown that my friend Caroline had recommended. Having had lived in San Diego for a year, I ate as much as I could in that year and was pleasantly surprised to see an exciting new addition to the San Diego food scene. While a more casual and less intimate space than I imagined, the food at Searsucker was even better than I expected. We enjoyed a slew of small plates, all of which were robust in flavor, texture, and a bit of humor. Our favorites were {top to bottom}: the cheese puffs, bone marrow with onion jam, duck fat fries {some of the best fries I've ever had!}, the sous vide watermelon salad, and the key lime bar. Another favorite {not shown} was the pork butt...which was soft, flaky, and melt-in-your-mouth good. Searsucker just became one of my top three favorite restaurants in San Diego... — Joy

{photos by Oh Joy}