Blogger's Favorites -- Mary Swenson of Pretty Good and T. Ruffles

image via mary's incredibly lovely blog pretty good

As promised, this week's list belongs to the other half of the genius team behind T. Ruffles, Ms. Mary Swenson (or as she's affectionately called in some circles, Mary Ruffle)... Like Karey, Mary and I met through Kirtsy, and I can safely say she is one of the kindest, loveliest and most talented (seriously her photography is beyond stunning) ladies in blog land.

So without further ado, Mary's list. Enjoy all the perfection that are her favorites and have a splendid weekend!


I first spotted the Harper’s Bazaar Russia editor on The Sartorialist, and thus began my frenzied search to find as many pictures of this little fashionista as possible on the internet so that I could study her look. I covet her hair, her extensive collection of tights, and her cool confidence spiked with just the right dash of adorableness.

Shoes make me extremely happy. And my friends will confirm that my inventory consists of only two types: the highest, most impractical heels possible, and flip flops. Lately, though, a third type has elbowed its way into my closet: the wedge. They look great with jeans and cute with casual skirts (the suede pair, above, from Anthropologie makes me drool), and even mid-heeled styles (like the adorable red pair by Report) are the perfect way for me to get my heel fix even when I’m running to the grocery store. And though I’m an expert in teetering around atop four inches, doing so in a pair of wedges is far more comfortable.

Forget what I just told you about shoes. My real weakness is ceramics. I love bowls, platters, cups, and pitchers and have the over-crowded cabinets to prove it. My current wishlist includes these handle-less pitchers and single-stem vase from Ceramicpix, and a pair of perfect spouted bowls from gleena{shop}.

I could take or leave chocolate. And, as a general rule, I leave it (I’m a salt-lovin’ girl, you see…) But sometimes, even a dessert-averse person like myself can be swayed by sugar and vanilla and raspberries. And when I saw this yogurt cake with raspberry currant sauce in the August 2009 issue of the late, great Gourmet, I was swayed. I’m waiting for just the right opportunity to indulge.

I’m an avid fan of do-it-yourself, even though I’m often just cheering from the sidelines. But ever since I saw the amazing sign Amanda Johnson made and read how easy it was to make on her blog, I’ve resolved to make one of my own, and I’m currently obsessed with figuring out exactly what it’ll say.

Here’s what I do as often as possible: I buy a bouquet of fresh flowers, take it home, split it up between random little bottles, cups, vases, jars (whatever I’ve got handy), and scatter them around the house. (And then I take pictures of them. Because photographing flowers is my all-time favorite thing to do.) This little ritual is not only relaxing and fun for me, but it’s hands-down my favorite way to display flowers -- see how casually pretty they look in this photo by Steven Myers Photography (via Once Wed)?

Emilie79*’s photographs are, like, whoa. They’re moody, pretty, and often layered with scraps of other photos and simple words to create amazing little pieces of art. This girl’s a genius, in my book.

Speaking of genius. And words. And photos. Last-but-never-least on my current list of favoriti is collaborating with one of the most unique voices in blogging – my partner-in-crime, Karey Mackin. We’ve started here. But it’s only the beginning. And that, my friends, makes me downright giddy.