Desirous

de-sir-ous

adjective [predic.]

having or characterized by desire: Despite her laudable intention to be content in the moment, the blogger was desirous of obtaining all of the following items immediately.

The act of wanting simplifies everything. Suddenly you have a clear focus of attention. Motivation soars. Priorities rearrange themselves. A Gollum-like voice suddenly asserts itself: "Must have the Precious."

Herewith, my top five obsessions this week:

1.

What: Achingly lovely original watercolor paintings by Etsy artist Gollybard.

Where: www.etsy.com

Why: Wonderfully Edward Bawden/Paul Nash/Edward Ravilious in style; rural talismans worked in a delicate and sophisticated palette.

Rationalization for purchase: This woman is bound to be discovered soon by a big art illustration agency and then her prices will skyrocket.

($68, available here)

($80, available here)

2.

What: MZ Wallace ikat handbag.

Where: www.bettinaduncan.com

Why: Because I love me some ikat something fierce.

Rationalization for purchase: It's the perfect summer bag. It has loads of interior pockets, the multicolor print hides dirt, it's great for traveling and is such a distinctive-looking creature that it kind of works with everything.

(Ikat pillow from Eric Cohler's apartment, via Elle Decor)

($345, available here)

(As worn by my chic friend blogger/fashion editor Suze Yalof Schwartz)

3.

What: Suzani ribbon.

Where: www.lfntextiles.com

Why: Because it's elegant, it's woven satin jacquard and I've never seen anything like it.

Rationalization for purchase: I can wrap my gifts in inexpensive brown paper and let the ribbon steal the show.

(Brown wrapping paper. Available everywhere.)

($8/yard, available here)

($8/yard, available here)

($8/yard, available here)

4.

What: Penguin "English Journeys" series.

Where: www.penguinbooks.com

Why: Because they're a whole lot cheaper than summer flights to the Cotswolds.

Rationalization for purchase: They're little treasures of Brit lit with covers as lyrical as the prose inside.

(Find out how Wordsworth's sister spent her days.

£4.99. Available here.)

(Sussex Pond pudding, among other delicacies.

£4.99. Available here.)

(Gossip, raffish lords and Knole sofas.

£4.99. Available here.)

5.

What: Customize your very own chocolate bar.

Where: www.chocomize.com

Why: Didn't you hear what I said? Customize your own chocolate bar. Choose a premium chocolate and dozens of mix-ins, including (but not limited to) hazelnuts, almonds, edamame, flax seeds, crystallized rose petals, lavender, gold flakes, cardamom, cinnamon, hot chipotle peppers and many more.

Rationalization for purchase: Staple for survival.

Naked Penguins

The world's most venerated paperback company has introduced design-it-yourself book covers. (Well, they've been out for a while...am I the only one who hasn't seen this?)

Knowing how highly I value a well-designed cover (see my post on Megan Wilson), I was initially taken aback. I prize vintage Penguins and have collected a stack over the years. But with good old self-deprecating charm, they actually address this very issue on their blog (yes, Penguin has a blog. Blogs are the new black.)

In their words:

According to consumer research conducted on what factors matter to people when they decide whether or not to pick up a book in a bookshop, the cover design comes out as most important. So this might be the stupidest thing we've ever done. 

According to the website, "the covers are art-quality paper and hold ink, paint, pencil and glue and come shrink-wrapped so the paper doesn't get dirty."

Apparently, it's all the rage with rock bands.

Beck drew a cover for "The Lost Estate" by Henri-Alain Fournier...

Ryan Adams painted Bram Stoker's "Dracula."

Dragonette illustrated "Alice in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll.

And Razorlight scribbled F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" (it's a scribbled betting slip from a horse race in Tokyo.)

My initial hesitancy was soothed by the fact that Penguin clearly realizes their idea is slightly heretical, as evidenced by the following tongue-in-cheek comment: "Frame it, read it, give it as a gift or hide it away on a shelf at home" (italics mine). 

You can buy them here.

Yes, no or maybe so?