dear diary. manuel navarro

shoes

2012-01-14T08:59:00.000-06:00

i want these! adidas slvr via superbruut

inspiring

2012-01-04T22:17:00.002-06:00

FOWD Talk 2011: The Power of Side Projects and Eccentric Aunts from swissmiss on Vimeo.

holiday

2011-12-23T09:02:00.002-06:00

2011-12-20T07:09:00.001-06:00

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Location:musings december'11.3

musings december'11.2

2011-12-20T07:00:00.001-06:00

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what would mcqueen do?

2011-12-13T22:19:00.001-06:00

stunning. inspirational.

i like big bundts

2011-12-03T12:05:00.000-06:00

and I cannot lie! I finally made a bundt cake that turned out pretty damn good! My first attempt failed as the power went out 30 minutes before being done and it just melted when I filled over the pan! This time I hosted a little dinner party for 8 at our place (living room transformed to dining room via a hollow-core door from the store) last friday that turned out to be a blast! I can't wait until we move into a bigger place hopefully with a dedicated dining room to have more dinner parties!

musings: december'11.1

2011-12-03T11:38:00.000-06:00

musings November'11.4

2011-11-30T06:05:00.001-06:00

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musings november'11.3

2011-11-29T05:54:00.001-06:00

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musings november'11.2

2011-11-26T21:47:00.001-06:00

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Dinner party!

2011-11-26T11:41:00.001-06:00

Transformed living room into an impromptu dining room!

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always a bridesmale never a bride... charleston, sc wedding

2011-11-24T10:24:00.000-06:00

Last weekend I was in one of my best girlfriends wedding on an old plantation in Charleston, SC. I was a bridesmale and had the time of my life. Mary Welch looked absolutely stunning and Ryan was so handsome! So happy that I was able to share this day with them! The rest of the time was spent wandering historic Charleston with Sarah and Lauren!

musings thanksgiving'11

2011-11-24T08:52:00.001-06:00

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musings november'11.1

2011-11-16T06:01:00.001-06:00

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high concept laboratories

2011-11-13T11:21:00.000-06:00

Here are the photographs I had up at high concept laboratories in Chicago yesterday.

hair

2011-10-21T22:55:00.001-05:00

meow.

2011-10-21T22:52:00.001-05:00

musings october'11.1

2011-10-17T22:20:00.000-05:00

seattle wedding

2011-10-17T22:00:00.002-05:00

My dear friend Krista got married to Phil two weeks ago in Seattle! She was stunning and the wedding was fantastic in the middle of a pacific northwest forest surrounded by treehouses!

fall in chicago

2011-10-17T21:47:00.000-05:00

falling for fall!

2011-09-24T12:43:00.002-05:00

joseph dirand

2011-09-18T11:41:00.000-05:00

Freunde von Freunden - Joseph Dirand from Freunde von Freunden on Vimeo.

I have posted about him here before but I really can't get enough of his work. Stunning, simple, beautiful.

Musings September'11.1

2011-09-14T05:51:00.001-05:00

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missoni is crazy!

2011-09-13T08:54:00.001-05:00

Just ran into Target before work to get some Missoni goods and that place was an absolute mad house!! Cray cray! I did get a tray, martini shaker, platter, and 4 plates. I wanted the quilt and the towels but they were long gone!

work work werq

2011-09-03T18:51:00.001-05:00

i'll be back in chicago from a 4 month stint working on projects in houston/austin in two weeks! i will also be starting a new interior design position at a firm in downtown chicago... boo yah!

musings august'11.2

2011-08-28T16:38:00.001-05:00

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mustard

2011-08-23T22:09:00.000-05:00

i want these mustard jeans for fall. they are on sale at the gap right now!

edies lab + etsy + west elm

2011-08-16T22:35:00.000-05:00

invite you to "we heart handmade" this saturday august 20th at the Houston West Elm Store 1-6 pm. I made this flyer for my dear dear friends Audrey and Josh of Edies Lab/Harbenger Duo. They are a fascinating talented, loving, and hilarious couple based out of Houston. Audrey and I have worked with each other for many years and they got hand picked by Etsy to showcase some of their goods this Saturday! I'll be there so you should be too! Edies lab etsy page here.

oh deer

2011-08-10T07:37:00.000-05:00

via jpeg heaven

ombre

2011-08-05T21:13:00.002-05:00

this is stunning! via larameeee

musings august'11.01

2011-07-31T12:05:00.000-05:00

are you design conscious?

2011-07-26T21:26:00.002-05:00

modern adaptation

2011-07-26T21:10:00.000-05:00

What a stunning contemporary addition to a vintage building. Can you imagine the amazing interior daylighting! It would be amazing for an office! via jpeg heaven

chevron floors

2011-07-26T21:08:00.000-05:00

I have this fascination with chevron floors that just doesn't go away! I need them in my life along with lime green lacquer...ASAP! via a merry mishap

summer bike ride

2011-07-26T21:05:00.002-05:00

A few shots of a summer bike ride along the lake over the weekend!

coffee talk

2011-07-10T17:08:00.001-05:00

summer down now...

2011-07-10T15:18:00.002-05:00

summer vibe

musings july'11.1

2011-07-01T18:06:00.001-05:00

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shantay you stay.... sa-chaise-away

2011-06-28T20:47:00.000-05:00

Holy moly... I haven't been posting as often as I would like... lots of things on my plate right now and I am in Houston on a 3-6 month stint working on several high-rises and I have also been working a lot on a new construction 6,000 sf home in Lincoln Park in chicago. So, lots of designing and lots of commuting back and forth to Chicago and not enough time blogging. I will try and be better about it y'all! Hope all is well! I just saw this chaise by McGuire Furniture and I must figure out a way to sneak it into my home ASAP!!!

I mean SRSLY people.. I need this!

honey honey

2011-06-22T12:34:00.000-05:00

Have y'all checked out Fab.com yet? They are similar to gilt and taigan shop where they offer deep discounts on items but the product selections are very well edited to fit a contemporary aesthetic... anyways, check out this honey jar for $55!

exciting news

2011-06-17T22:41:00.002-05:00

coming later this week!!!

talent

2011-06-15T21:00:00.002-05:00

architectually speaking

2011-06-04T19:24:00.000-05:00

hilarious! via sillinesses

musings june'11.1

2011-06-04T12:22:00.001-05:00

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good f'ing design advice

2011-06-03T22:23:00.000-05:00

via goodfuckingdesignadvice

baddabing- badda-bamboo

2011-06-03T21:36:00.000-05:00

Beauty Through Bamboo from Turnstyle Video on Vimeo.

wow. i want his glasses and i love his design ethos. so true. corporate design world doesn't allow you the time to work with your hands as much as we should!

a is for apple

2011-05-28T10:40:00.000-05:00

I am helping my friends get some photos done for their etsy store this weekend and here is a preview of the silliness on set!

take lots of risks

2011-05-26T20:56:00.002-05:00

a zig-a-zag-ah

2011-05-24T22:06:00.000-05:00

wow! look at those floors! via coco + kelly

zebra

2011-05-20T22:31:00.000-05:00

stunning! via concept blanc

musings may'11.2

2011-05-19T07:20:00.001-05:00

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watch

2011-05-18T22:31:00.000-05:00

I am pretty sure I have blogged about this watch but this sometime someone should buy it for me!

From Horne $145

the design process

2011-05-18T22:20:00.000-05:00

via cipha.net

simplicit'zzz

2011-05-18T22:08:00.000-05:00

Pretty simple pipe bed frame with some woven throws on top and a monochromatic palatte... i like! via that kind of woman

still life

2011-05-18T22:04:00.000-05:00

I like this still life by Illinois native David Ligare

night rider

2011-05-12T14:20:00.000-05:00

It was a hot one yesterday which then turned into storms and cooled it off a bit. I decided to go on one last night ride before I leave for Texas tomorrow.

work werk werq shoes

2011-05-11T16:25:00.000-05:00

I definitely need some new shoes ... dressy/casual ones. Here are some I like from Nordstroms.

houston

2011-05-11T10:49:00.000-05:00

I am off this Friday morning to Houston for a wedding and..and.. and a job! I will be consulting on some projects with my previous firm but will be back and forth to Chicago through the summer. Right now I am scheduled to be back in Chi in late August. The weather is just getting good here but this will be a great and exciting opportunity. I am exciting to spend some time with my friends and family at home. Here are a few pics of our current living room and my chair collection! (need to purge!) I finally put up the Kudu horns that I have had for the longest time yesterday.

hand me my glowsticks.. momma wants to jiggle

2011-05-09T22:45:00.002-05:00

my new summer jam

minimal rustic

2011-05-09T13:49:00.000-05:00

Fantastic rustic minimal house tour over at Design*Sponge today. Love the tapestry on bed and the Donald Judd inspired bed and daybed. LOVE!

bronze horn

2011-05-09T01:12:00.000-05:00

how great are these?! and they are affordable too! madebycassandrasmith from Milwaukee

make cupcakes..not war

2011-05-08T23:50:00.000-05:00

Here are a few more shots from Austin. Mostly around Hotel San Jose on South Congress.

flower power

2011-05-08T23:45:00.002-05:00

Spring is here in Chicago! Today was stunning! I took these the other day and would love to know what kind of tree it is! Anyone know? They look like a type of magnolia but I am not sure. They are stunning!

2011-05-08T23:41:00.000-05:00

Having these hyacinths by the front door is a great addition for color and smell! I wish they would last all year round!

franklin... you will be missed

2011-05-08T23:32:00.000-05:00

Our sweet little (big) man passed last Thursday. We had him for a wonderful 5 years and as much as he drove me nuts he was also the biggest lover and cuddler around and for that he was so worth it! We miss you and your antics mister! Hope you are having the best of times now! Susan says hello!

happy mothers day!

2011-05-08T23:14:00.000-05:00

love you mom! thanks for giving me sweet style!

dinner!

2011-05-08T23:13:00.002-05:00

This was dinner tonight. Pita pizza on the grill, grilled veggies, and fennel/mozzarella/salami salad. Delicious!

Corner light

2011-05-07T17:29:00.001-05:00

Corner light by established & sons. Via

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i love dense urban cities

2011-05-07T13:38:00.001-05:00

Timelapse - The City Limits from Dominic on Vimeo.

this is stunning!

musings may.11'.1

2011-05-01T09:47:00.002-05:00

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marfa | v5 | recap

2011-04-30T10:50:00.000-05:00

Here is the Marfa, TX recap in video! Lots of driving, lots of dancing, lots of eating, lots of photography! The fifth time to visit was amazing and Marfa really does keep on getting better with each visit! I met so many amazing people this year and it was great seeing Mumford and Sons and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero's there this year! Until next year!

austin

2011-04-30T10:42:00.000-05:00

After I got back from Marfa I spent 4 days wandering and relaxing in Austin.

wilson!

um yes, a honey butter and fried chicken donut and a banana puddin'... cream filled, pudding drizzle, nilla wafer and cream cheese CHIPS! So good and total FAT KID food!

The austonian above... project I worked on

Hotel San Jose... amazing!

barton springs

smilebooth marfa

2011-04-30T10:25:00.000-05:00

I went to Marfa this year with my friends Russell, Jonathan, and Juan. Juan happens to be an architect/photographer and also friends with the owners of smilebooth (brooke and josh) that just so happened to be in Marfa at the same time we were! Here are some highlights!

marfa | v5 | 2011.3

2011-04-30T10:19:00.000-05:00

marfa | v5 | 2011.2

2011-04-29T13:47:00.000-05:00

marfa | v5 | 2011.1

2011-04-29T12:45:00.000-05:00

mumford and sons

edward sharpe and the magnetic zeros

jake gyllenhaal in the black hat in marfa!!

Marfa 2011

2011-04-22T18:46:00.001-05:00

In Marfa, tx for the weekend!!

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800th post!

2011-04-15T15:20:00.000-05:00

This is my 800th post and it also happens to be my birthday! I am very excited to go to Marfa, TX next week for the fifth time and am excited to go to an amazing dinner with my better half and two amazing friends tonight! Enjoy the weekend!

Eat cake today! ... from Ming Makes Cupcakes

bridge. coffee&wine

2011-04-13T21:50:00.000-05:00

Here are the final pages from a collaborative effort in my branded environments studio. Thank you to Jen, Leslie, Erin, Ryan, Diana, Kyle and especially our amazing instructor Tom Marquardt of Design Collaboratives for pushing us, supporting us, and being enthusiastic about the process. This was a branding exercise for a client in Iowa using a shotgun style building. This is the final outcome after 15 weeks of several iterations.

bridge renderings

2011-04-12T09:18:00.000-05:00

a few touch-ups in photoshop...

bridge: cafe/wine bar concept in quad cities iowa

2011-04-11T10:50:00.000-05:00

some hand renderings for a branded environments assignment. I will post more info soon.

bday!

2011-04-10T23:06:00.001-05:00

My dear friend Sabreen hosted a little get together over the weekend for my birthday and I brought over the camera and remote! It was so much fun!

which watch

2011-04-05T00:11:00.000-05:00

love them both designed by dieter rams for braun

cheap and easy bar cart

2011-04-02T15:37:00.000-05:00

I like the idea of using this as a bar cart in the living room or kitchen. Could be cool to powder coat in a baby blue, grey, white, or yellow too! Less than $75 too! Via amazon

three ingredients...

2011-03-29T22:03:00.000-05:00

one of the most amazing things I have seen in awhile. I only strive to be and to think like this man.

via the fox is black

sandwiches from last week

2011-03-28T23:18:00.001-05:00

Here are some of my delicious dishes from last week.

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musings march'11.2

2011-03-28T23:16:00.001-05:00

Some images from my phone from various tumblr's

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sleepy spring day

2011-03-23T10:47:00.000-05:00

didn't sleep much last night and it's 35 and rainy.

2011-03-21T00:36:00.001-05:00

birthday around the corner

2011-03-20T16:40:00.000-05:00

don't really need anything but...

and of course... no birthday in 2011 is complete without remixes of rebecca black's newest single, friday. ;-) we, we, we, so excited! i am almost out of my twenties. ugh!

milwaukee

2011-03-20T15:47:00.000-05:00

rando's

2011-03-20T15:39:00.002-05:00

oh yes. it's happening

2011-03-14T22:06:00.001-05:00

my favorite west texas destination booked for late april.

moc. yeah. ing. yea. bird. yeah.

2011-03-14T10:54:00.001-05:00

size 11 please. Quoddy for jcrew