Every so often I read about someone who has created a lifestyle and job that is so cool you just want to follow them around to see what a typical day is like.

Jim Denevan is one of those people. Landscape artist and founder of Outstanding in the Field, he leads a pretty interesting life. So much so that he has been featured in The Anthropologist for creating the world's largest piece of artwork on Siberia's frozen Lake Baika.

He creates art in nature to be captured in photos for the few hours it is visible before the elements destroy it forever.

Since 1999, his 'other job' involves traveling the country with Outstanding in the Field. Their mission "is to re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food, and to honor the local farmers and food artisans who cultivate it".

Jim and his crew of 8 travel to farms, mountainsides, and cities and set up beautiful, long tables with crisp, white table cloths to feature amazing meals created from the local fare grown near or on-site. It's a tremendously detailed production and they work with local chefs and service providers to create something unique at each location. Can you even believe how awesome that is?! Look at these previous locations:

Dietzler Farm, Elkhorn, WI

Half Moon Bay, CA

Munson Farm, Boulder CO

There are a few dates left on their North American Tour that are not yet sold out. Check out dates and locations here.

If you are in NYC on the 10th, head on over to Anthropologie at 75 9th Street for Fashion’s Night Out. See Jim in action as he creates a new large-scale artwork during the event. There will also be a viewing of the documentary filmed by Meredith Danluck during their project in Siberia.

images c/o Jim Denevan and Outstanding in the Field

With previous posts on Nikki McClure and Matthew Sporzynski, you're familiar with my love of paper and specifically the very talented artists that transform it into landscapes of amazing detail and imagination.

Local artist Richard Shipps opens up the inner parts of his paper creations to reveal amazing things that pop, fold and are crafted with precision and focus upon light and shadows.

We originally met because our dogs Oscar and Zaney are good buddies and would sniff and say hello on walks in the neighborhood.

Soon I discovered that he was the designer of the amazing creations hanging throughout the home he shares with his wife Pat, an Executive Producer and Creative Director.

His work has expanded to free form sculptures and mobiles as well.

Come and check out the opening of his new show FORM: expressed and implied at First Thursday on September 2nd. The opening reception is from 5:30 - 9:00pm at 220 S Wabash (Adams L stop) and is in conjunction with the Chicago Loop Alliance Pop-Up Art Loop Galleries and Chicago Artists' Coalition.

The Pop-Up Art Loop Gallery Walk is a free, self-guided tour of the many new art venues throughout the Loop neighborhood. It takes place on the First Thursday of every month,and very effectively transforms the Loop into a vibrant arts district by creating temporary art exhibitions from underutilized office and retail space.

Good for the artists, good for the Loop. See you there!

A month has come and gone, and so I'm (finally!) back on the blog to announce that James Christopher arrived on August 1. He is delightful - a sweet, easygoing little boy with a tendency to make faces like the dramatic squirrel. We're adjusting quite nicely to life as a family of four!

Though my head has been slightly out of the design world, I thought I would share this beautiful, oversize board book I found shortly after James was born. Art for Baby is perfect for those early newborn days when babies stay awake for approximately 5 minutes between eating and the next nap, and can't yet see in color. Aesthetically inclined parents will appreciate the lineup of artists whose work appears on the black-and-white pages, including Keith Haring, Takashi Murakami, and Julian Opie. Even the cover is beautiful, a pearlized white background with silver block type.

Clockwise from top left: Duck by Patrick Caulfield; Together by Josef Albers; Hypovase Prazosin Hydrochloride by Damien Hirst; Black Cross by Kazimir Malevich.

(Thank you so much for all your lovely comments on James' nursery, by the way. You are so kind and thoughtful! I'm saving all the comments to show James someday!)

After Kat's post about Target's new GO International Collection: Tucker by Gaby Basora, I thought I'd share my three favorite looks from the upcoming line:

outfits shown, left to right ::

Signature Blouse in Cream, $29.99 Tunic Dress in Orange, $39.99 // Signature Dress in Diamond Print, $39.99 // Hooded Wrap Jacket in Orange Herringbone, $44.99 Tunic Sweater in Brown Stripe, $44.99 Ribbed Sweater Dress in Orange, $39.99

images via Target GO International Look Book

Target announced that the next designer featured in the GO International Collection will be Tucker by Gaby Basora.

You stylish mavens should run on down to Target from 9/12 - 10/17 and scoop up as many pieces as you can. Adorable! The collection is an eclectic mix of bohemian-chic bold prints and versatile shapes that are ideal for layering. Such great color and feminine styles with multiple pieces that quickly go from casual to ooh la la!

Trench in Green Herringbone, $59.99 Signature Dress in Lawn Bird Print, $39.99 Camisole Dress in Butterfly Print, $34.99

Tie-Front Blouse in Orange Polka-Dot Print, $24.99 Skirt in Orange Herringbone, $34.99

Persian Bomber in Black, $79.99 Camisole in Butterfly Print, $22.99 Brocade Skirt in Gold/Navy, $39.99

images via Target GO International Look Book

Whenever new shops open up over on Supermarket, they're bound to be filled with gorgeous things... the fine folks who run the site wouldn't have it any other way.

My new favorite shop is Poppy and Moe, a Eugene, OR based company, specializing in lovely, sustainable clothing, hand-printed with vintage-style graphics.

Best of all, P&M's tees start at a mere $20, so, quite frankly, I'll be snatching up two or three for myself ;)

images via Poppy and Moe

Whenever a new catalog from J.Crew arrives, I know that I'm bound to find multiple bits of inspiration... and not just fashion inspiration :: as a designer, I love browsing through anything that includes product styling, new & interesting color combinations, and page after page of well-used typefaces.

This time around, however, they went and kinda blew me away with an it's-so-obvious accessory trick :: wear two belts at the same time, idiot!

Now you can always layer on two, three, four belts at a time, but this involves actually buckling one belt to another... so, it really only works with two of the same style/make of belt. (Which J.Crew has for you in spades.) - I'm very happy to use my colorful leather skinnies, handmade by Studio Amiel.

I may have to stock up on even more just so that I can have more two-belts-at-once combinations!

I'm a huge fan of all of the jewelry from NY company, IMOOI (the name is derived from the Dutch word for "beautiful") - here's a grouping of the pieces I'm lucky enough to already own, followed by the (short) list of what I'd love to add to my collection ::

HAVE clockwise from top left :: Crescent Necklace in Green, $65.00 // Vine Earrings in White, $80.00 // Orbit Ring in Yellow, $55.00 // Pop Earrings in Red, $55.00 // Orbit Bracelet in Yellow, $90.00.

WANT clockwise from top left :: Swirl Earrings, $55.00 // Bullseye Earrings in Blue, $55.00 // Spectrum Necklace, $80.00 // Formula Bracelet in Cream, $85.00 // Vertigo Ring in Red, $55.00 // Safari Earrings in Green, $55.00.

Visit IMOOI.com now to make your own "want" list...

Decide on being happy, positive, creative, or if you just want to BE for the day.

Designer Tamara Hensick casts her nature and word inspired creations in metals of zinc, bronze and sterling as friendly reminders to breathe deeply and move along.

Found locally in Chicago at Fixture in Roscoe Village and this link shows you catalog options and other retailers nationwide.

images via Tamara Hensick

A BIG Congratulations to Emily Henderson, who was awarded the title of HGTV Design Star yesterday. Few 'reality' shows keep true to providing interesting content, but Design Star always keeps me tuned in. She's the fourth winner of the series, and presented such a great combination of her talents and personality to each challenge.

She's a prop stylist that trained in NYC but has been working in CA recently. I think she's about to get a lot busier!

Check out her very adorable blog The Brass Petal that followed her journey. Chock full of wit and ideas, I can't wait to see what she'll be styling next.

images via HGTV.