Rotten Apples

Iron Frames

2010-04-06T00:04:00.001-04:00

Country Living & Unknown.

Evolution of Type

2010-04-06T00:01:00.001-04:00

swissmiss.

Colour Inspiration: Turquoise + Tan

2010-04-05T23:58:00.001-04:00

THIS.

2010-04-05T23:53:00.001-04:00

Bed Dressing

2010-04-05T23:26:00.001-04:00

Unknown.

Daily Inspiration: I Heart U

2010-04-05T23:23:00.001-04:00

@ bethberg's shop

Today I Love… The Great Escape

2010-04-05T23:11:00.001-04:00

Tropicana created this commercial about bringing some daylight to a town inside the arctic circle. The song by Patrick Watson is both haunting and uplifting.

Chez Caroline

2010-03-29T23:53:00.001-04:00

Caroline Trentini in “Striking Posies” by Steven Meisel for Vogue Living.

Note to Self

2010-03-29T23:49:00.001-04:00

Weheartit. Kotama Bouabane.

Past + Present

2010-03-29T23:40:00.001-04:00

Unknown. InStyle 2007.

Daily Inspiration: Buffets

2010-03-29T23:37:00.001-04:00

Domino.

Today I Love… Library Love

2010-03-29T23:34:00.001-04:00

Megan W photography.

White Frame

2010-03-29T23:31:00.001-04:00

David Lawrence designs House Beautiful. Michael Smith House Beautiful.

Touch of Pink

2010-03-29T23:29:00.001-04:00

We heart it. Vogue.

Today I Love… Decorating with Black

2010-03-20T20:18:00.001-04:00

Elle Decor. Jenna Lyon’s house in Domino. Cdn H+H. House and Garden. Unknown.

Colour Inspiration: Orange!

2010-03-19T23:17:00.001-04:00

Elle China Feb10 Jessica Stam by Mei Yuan Gui via Fashion Gone Rogue. Garance Dore. We Heart It.

Colour Inspiration: Green + Sunny Yellow

2010-03-19T23:12:00.001-04:00

The Cherry Blossom Girl. 20x200 Blog.

Mirror, Mirror

2010-03-19T23:09:00.001-04:00

Evangeline Lily InStyle Home outtakes via unknown.

Daily Inspiration: Coming Up Roses

2010-03-19T23:06:00.001-04:00

Tuleh Fall 2006. Martha Stewart Living.

Lady’s Choice

2010-03-19T23:03:00.001-04:00

James Radin in House Beautiful

Daily Inspiration: Wellies

2010-03-10T21:27:00.001-05:00

Unknown

So Awesome

2010-03-10T21:25:00.001-05:00

Letters to Dead People

Clean + Crisp

2010-03-10T21:20:00.001-05:00

Style at Home

In Between Seasons

2010-03-10T21:11:00.001-05:00

Lucky Mag via Moodboard

Albert Exergian’s Minimalistic Posters for TV Shows

2010-03-07T15:46:00.001-05:00

via ONTD

Today I Love… This Westchester Wedding

2010-03-07T15:40:00.001-05:00

One Love Photo via Style Me Pretty

Spring Around the Corner

2010-03-07T15:30:00.001-05:00

Canadian House + Home

Daily Inspiration: Gray Shimmer

2010-03-07T15:21:00.001-05:00

Unknown. Heart Home. Natalia Vodianova in “Coquetterie” Elle France by Jean Baptiste Mondino. Sweet Space.

Going Country in the Kitchen

2010-02-28T16:15:00.001-05:00

Unknown. Uknown. Unknown. Deniotdes Jean-Louis Deniot in House Beautiful. Unknown. Designer Jennifer worts via Desire to Inspire. Cottage Living.

Daily Inspiration: Romance

2010-02-28T16:03:00.001-05:00

Teen Vogue “Finding Nirvana” by Horst Diekgerdes. We heart it.

Today I Love… Chanel Headbands

2010-02-28T15:57:00.001-05:00

Harper’s Bazaar Romania Isa Asklof by Sylvie Malfray.

Paris Fashion Week Flashback

2010-02-18T16:46:00.001-05:00

The Sartorialist

Print + Pattern

2010-02-17T13:43:00.001-05:00

I like this nursery by designer Sarah Richardson a lot. It isn’t too girly and it isn’t too fussy; a good balance of colour and pattern and white for baby. And the Jonathan Adler giraffe lamp is precious. The only thing I’m not a fan of is the dark 70s-looking diaper table – white, please.

Daily Inspiration: Heart-shaped Frames

2010-02-16T16:41:00.001-05:00

Today I Love… Designer Fast Food

2010-02-16T16:33:00.001-05:00

Cool Hunter’s McDonalds fashion makeover via refinery29. Fun!

V-Day Leftovers

2010-02-16T16:08:00.001-05:00

Too cute. By Our Labor of Love via Green Wedding Shoes.

Happy Valentine’s Day + Weekend Links

2010-02-13T17:30:00.001-05:00

We Heart It + Martha Stewart Living

Enjoy the day everyone! And for all my fellow Ontarians, enjoy the long weekend; I can’t tell you how relieved I am not to have to work on Monday, heh. The Olympics are here, but I’m struggling to get into the spirit. This is new for me because I’ve been a bit of an Olympic junkie since I was a kid. I’m trying. Perhaps it’s my state of mind or perhaps nothing can come close to hearing Pavarotti belt it out at the Torino Opening Ceremonies four years ago. Oh well. Speaking of ceremonies, I attended a benefit Friday night where we accepted an award in honour of my Dad. It will be an annual award named/dedicated in his memory. In a perfect world, he’d have ten such awards… no, he’d still be here with us. Happy Valentine’s Day. Do something special for the one(s) you love ;)

And a few lovely and maybe not so lovely links…

Olympic mascot cookies. Learn how to decorate them @ Sweetopia.

10 fake Simspons words that belong in the dictionary.

The most scandalous network-TV sex scenes ever. Maybe NSFW.

24 sexual things R. Kelly wants, according to his new mix-tape. Hint: he don’t see nothin’ wrong, with a little bump n’ grind lol. (Strongish language ahead).

11 sexy photos totally ruined by people in the background and 11 photos of people totally ruined by sex in the background. Once again, a couple of gross ones, so not safe for work people!

A sweet candy-holding shovel craft @ A Very Country Christmas blog.

Roots & Wings Co. shares a cool how-to on homemade Valentine’s suckers.

Goop

2010-02-13T12:58:00.001-05:00

She’s better than you.

Faded Pink

2010-02-13T12:54:00.001-05:00

We Heart It. Scribbles tumblr. Edge of Twenty-Nine. City of Petra. Some unknown.

The Sweetest Thing

2010-02-13T12:36:00.001-05:00

Ruffled blog. Elle Italia Feb10 Noot Seear by Matt Jones.

Sheer Beauty

2010-02-13T12:31:00.001-05:00

Cate Blanchett for Vogue Australia. Jennifer Connelly by Lorenzo Agius.

Just The Way I Like It…

2010-02-13T12:28:00.001-05:00

Traditional Home

Kissing With Tongue

2010-02-13T12:23:00.001-05:00

Pamela Hanson for Tatler Russia Feb. 2010 via ru_glamour.

The Key To My Stomach; Screw My Heart

2010-02-13T02:12:00.001-05:00

If Valentine’s Day looked like this I’d be more in the ~mood. A divine creation by Amy Atlas via Hostess with the Mostess.

I Wish I Was… Jessica Rabbit

2010-02-13T01:54:00.001-05:00

Photos by Camilla Akrans.

Today I Love… Pink Walls

2010-02-13T01:48:00.001-05:00

The Cherry Blossom Girl

A Spring-like Setting

2010-02-13T01:44:00.001-05:00

House Beautiful

Queen of Hearts

2010-02-12T02:15:00.001-05:00

Silk tumblr. Martha Stewart. We heart it. Stephanie Williams photography.

I Wish I Was… Perfectly Calm

2010-02-12T02:02:00.001-05:00

FGR

Daily Inspiration: L-O-V-E

2010-02-12T01:58:00.001-05:00

We Heart It

Colour Inspiration: Dusty + Hot Pink

2010-02-12T01:54:00.001-05:00

Fondly Seen tumblr. Lee Radziwill April09 Elle Decor. Dress, Design & Decor. Jersey Lomellina retro bandeau tank from J. Crew. Martha Stewart. Diane Kruger by Mark Seliger for Vogue Italia Mar09. Edita Vilkeviciute by Walter Pfeiffer for Vogue China Jan10.

DIY: “Love Me” Valentine’s Plate

2010-02-12T01:22:00.001-05:00

I’m a lazy crafter, but I’m *pretty* sure I could do this. And it’s lovely, isn’t it?! Keeping it simple leaves it looking really professional and chic – done and done. Head on over to the Craft Blog for the tutorial.

Red Letter Day

2010-02-10T21:25:00.001-05:00

Lily Cole in Harper’s Bazaar.

Stay for the Weekend

2010-02-10T21:10:00.001-05:00

Country Living

Wear Your Heart On Your Dress

2010-02-10T20:59:00.001-05:00

Vogue. We Heart It.

Our Love Is Here To Stay

2010-02-10T20:44:00.001-05:00

My cat has given me so much comfort these last two years. Animals are such a gift.

Oral Fixation

2010-02-10T01:31:00.001-05:00

Photos by Ellen Ellen von Unwerth

Oh So LoveLee

2010-02-10T01:26:00.001-05:00

I’m not a Valentine’s Day kind of girl, but once in awhile I go nerd for cute soaps. LoveLeeSoaps come in all shapes and sizes (the popcorn and Oreo soaps are a trip), and above are some V-themed lovelies: custom initial letter cherry heart soap and sweet conversation heart soaps. Brill. Available at LoveLeeSoaps’s Etsy shop.

Today I Love… Being Nearly Naked

2010-02-10T01:15:00.001-05:00

Zippora Seven by Christoph Musiol via FGR

Daily Inspiration: For. Like. Ever.

2010-02-08T00:17:00.001-05:00

Unknown. Canadian House + Home. Design Evolution. We heart it. Domino.

A Few Lovely Weekend Links

2010-01-29T18:48:00.001-05:00

This week flew by! Here’s to a relaxing and/or completely party-packed weekend (whatever floats your boat!). These are a few reads I thought you might enjoy…

Sweethearts Valentine's Day candies get a modern day makeover. Tweet me!

An interesting article on The Colour of Gender. Pink was once a colour associated with masculinity. Who knew?

Learn how to re-create this fantastic DIY blue and white winter themed dessert buffet presented by The Inspired Bride and Bake it Pretty right here!

Creature Comforts does beautiful purple colour inspiration. Dude, sequins, I’m there!

“Christmas” (paint colours) by Raw Design Studio is pretty damn cool. “Quality Street” is purple just like the tin! Reminds me of my British Aunt.

Lost’s last season is almost upon us and I’m digging these fan made posters via Notcot.

Are you familiar with the Sartorialist? Well then, check out the Catorialist.

Monday is the 1st month anniversary of my Dad’s passing. It’s still really raw and bewildering to not just know, but realize I won’t see him again. Tough, so tough – I can’t say anything else but that. Depending on my mood posting might be sparse next week. Thanks for reading, give yourself a hug and take it easy ;)

Daily Inspiration: Peggy Sue

2010-01-29T16:11:00.001-05:00

Wow, I think this is such an amazing editorial – and in Teen Vogue, no less! Brava! The model is a perfect fit for this retro-meets-modern hybrid of 50’s diner and contemporary school girl. Love the navy checked top and the big red bow; it gives the spread a red Riding Hood flavour, no? Julia Hafstrom by Arthur Elgort for Teen Vogue February 2010 via TFS.

Someecards: The Friendship Edition

2010-01-29T16:02:00.001-05:00

These tend to be a little rude, so I hope that no one’s offended!

A Retro Bridal Affair

2010-01-29T15:02:00.001-05:00

Style Me Pretty

Today I Love… Polaroid Collages

2010-01-29T14:37:00.001-05:00

We Heart it x2. Domino. Cookie magazine. Unknown.

Daily Inspiration: Child’s Play

2010-01-29T14:28:00.001-05:00

Harper’s Bazaar Russia photographed by Joshua Jordan via TFS. Canadian House + Home. Rebecca Thuss.

What Took You So Long?

2010-01-29T14:18:00.001-05:00

Ashley Olsen in Marie Claire

Miss Scarlett, in the Chapel, with the Bouquet

2010-01-27T01:26:00.001-05:00

Love Me Do

The After Party

2010-01-27T01:02:00.001-05:00

‘Feminine Destiny’ Vogue Nippion via TFS

Colour Inspiration: Red, Off-White and Blue

2010-01-27T00:43:00.001-05:00

“Red Fever” Ali Stephens by Ben Hassett for Vogue China via TFS. Source unknown.

Art Attack: Consumer Collector

2010-01-26T16:49:00.001-05:00

Dear Emma Kisstina,

These are absolutely STUNNING, and if I wasn’t broke right now, I’d be buying them all up! *cries for bank account*

M xo

These are the days I wish I’d never given up art… Le sigh. You can see more of EK’s work at her Etsy shop here.

Daily Inspiration: White Dresses

2010-01-26T16:38:00.001-05:00

Abbey Lee Kershaw in W

Check-Perfect Floors

2010-01-26T13:34:00.001-05:00

Architectural Digest. Traditional Home. Canadian House + Home. Kitchen via Brabourne Farm. Elle Decor. Drew Barrymore’s kitchen in Domino. Kate Spade’s kitchen. Southern Accents. Windsor Smith kitchen.

The Girl with the Chanel Purse

2010-01-26T05:36:00.001-05:00

The Cherry Blossom Girl

Today I Love… Taking Pictures with The Beatles

2010-01-26T05:23:00.001-05:00

All Things Ultrateg. Sarah Yates Photography.

Does a Body Good…

2010-01-25T00:31:00.001-05:00

Kate Moss by Ellen Von Unworth 1995. Pamela Hanson for Tatler Russia Feb10 via Ru Glamour. Marya Timonina by Danil Golovkin for Vogue Russia Jan10 via Ru Glamour.

All Creatures Great and Small

2010-01-24T14:18:00.001-05:00

Elizabeth Soule via Apartment Therapy

A Place for Everything…

2010-01-24T14:08:00.001-05:00

Coburn Architecture via Desire to Inspire

Ultimate Up-dos

2010-01-24T14:01:00.001-05:00

In Paris for the 2009 Fall shows: unknown various street style photographers.

More Conan…

2010-01-23T12:55:00.001-05:00

Commencement Speech to the Havard Class of 2000

by Conan O'Brien

I'd like to thank the Class Marshals for inviting me here today. The last time I was invited to Harvard it cost me $110,000, so you'll forgive me if I'm a bit suspicious. I'd like to announce up front that I have one goal this afternoon: to be half as funny as tomorrow's Commencement Speaker, Moral Philosopher and Economist, Amartya Sen. Must get more laughs than seminal wage/price theoretician.

Students of the Harvard Class of 2000, fifteen years ago I sat where you sit now and I thought exactly what you are now thinking: What's going to happen to me? Will I find my place in the world? Am I really graduating a virgin? I still have 24 hours and my roommate's Mom is hot. I swear she was checking me out. Being here today is very special for me. I miss this place. I especially miss Harvard Square - it's so unique. No where else in the world will you find a man with a turban wearing a Red Sox jacket and working in a lesbian bookstore. Hey, I'm just glad my dad's working.

It's particularly sweet for me to be here today because when I graduated, I wanted very badly to be a Class Day Speaker. Unfortunately, my speech was rejected. So, if you'll indulge me, I'd like to read a portion of that speech from fifteen years ago: "Fellow students, as we sit here today listening to that classic Ah-ha tune which will definitely stand the test of time, I would like to make several predictions about what the future will hold: "I believe that one day a simple Governor from a small Southern state will rise to the highest office in the land. He will lack political skill, but will lead on the sheer strength of his moral authority." "I believe that Justice will prevail and, one day, the Berlin Wall will crumble, uniting East and West Berlin forever under Communist rule." "I believe that one day, a high speed network of interconnected computers will spring up world-wide, so enriching people that they will lose their interest in idle chit chat and pornography." "And finally, I believe that one day I will have a television show on a major network, seen by millions of people a night, which I will use to re-enact crimes and help catch at-large criminals." And then there's some stuff about the death of Wall Street which I don't think we need to get into....

The point is that, although you see me as a celebrity, a member of the cultural elite, a kind of demigod, I was actually a student here once much like you. I came here in the fall of 1981 and lived in Holworthy. I was, without exaggeration, the ugliest picture in the Freshman Face book. When Harvard asked me for a picture the previous summer, I thought it was just for their records, so I literally jogged in the August heat to a passport photo office and sat for a morgue photo. To make matters worse, when the Face Book came out they put my picture next to Catherine Oxenberg, a stunning blonde actress who was accepted to the class of '85 but decided to defer admission so she could join the cast of "Dynasty." My photo would have looked bad on any page, but next to Catherine Oxenberg, I looked like a mackerel that had been in a car accident. You see, in those days I was six feet four inches tall and I weighed 150 pounds. Recently, I had some structural engineers run those numbers into a computer model and, according to the computer, I collapsed in 1987, killing hundreds in Taiwan.

After freshman year I moved to Mather House. Mather House, incidentally, was designed by the same firm that built Hitler's bunker. In fact, if Hitler had conducted the war from Mather House, he'd have shot himself a year earlier. 1985 seems like a long time ago now. When I had my Class Day, you students would have been seven years old. Seven years old. Do you know what that means? Back then I could have beaten any of you in a fight. And I mean bad. It would be no contest. If any one here has a time machine, seriously, let's get it on, I will whip your seven year old butt. When I was here, they sold diapers at the Coop that said "Harvard Class of 2000." At the time, it was kind of a joke, but now I realize you wore those diapers. How embarrassing for you. A lot has happened in fifteen years. When you think about it, we come from completely different worlds. When I graduated, we watched movies starring Tom Cruise and listened to music by Madonna. I come from a time when we huddled around our TV sets and watched "The Cosby Show" on NBC, never imagining that there would one day be a show called "Cosby" on CBS. In 1985 we drove cars with driver's side airbags, but if you told us that one day there'd be passenger side airbags, we'd have burned you for witchcraft.

But of course, I think there is some common ground between us. I remember well the great uncertainty of this day. Many of you are justifiably nervous about leaving the safe, comfortable world of Harvard Yard and hurling yourself headlong into the cold, harsh world of Harvard Grad School, a plum job at your father's firm, or a year abroad with a gold Amex card and then a plum job in your father's firm. But let me assure you that the knowledge you've gained here at Harvard is a precious gift that will never leave you. Take it from me, your education is yours to keep forever. Why, many of you have read the Merchant of Florence, and that will inspire you when you travel to the island of Spain. Your knowledge of that problem they had with those people in Russia, or that guy in South America-you know, that guy-will enrich you for the rest of your life.

There is also sadness today, a feeling of loss that you're leaving Harvard forever. Well, let me assure you that you never really leave Harvard. The Harvard Fundraising Committee will be on your ass until the day you die. Right now, a member of the Alumni Association is at the Mt. Auburn Cemetery shaking down the corpse of Henry Adams. They heard he had a brass toe ring and they aims to get it. Imagine: These people just raised 2.5 billion dollars and they only got through the B's in the alumni directory. Here's how it works. Your phone rings, usually after a big meal when you're tired and most vulnerable. A voice asks you for money. Knowing they just raised 2.5 billion dollars you ask, "What do you need it for?" Then there's a long pause and the voice on the other end of the line says, "We don't need it, we just want it." It's chilling.

What else can you expect? Let me see, by your applause, who here wrote a thesis. (APPLAUSE) A lot of hard work, a lot of your blood went into that thesis... and no one is ever going to care. I wrote a thesis: Literary Progeria in the works of Flannery O'Connor and William Faulkner. Let's just say that, during my discussions with Pauly Shore, it doesn't come up much. For three years after graduation I kept my thesis in the glove compartment of my car so I could show it to a policeman in case I was pulled over. (ACT OUT) License, registration, cultural exploration of the Man Child in the Sound and the Fury...

So what can you expect out there in the real world? Let me tell you. As you leave these gates and re-enter society, one thing is certain: Everyone out there is going to hate you. Never tell anyone in a roadside diner that you went to Harvard. In most situations the correct response to where did you to school is, "School? Why, I never had much in the way of book larnin' and such." Then, get in your BMW and get the hell out of there.

You see, you're in for a lifetime of "And you went to Harvard?" Accidentally give the wrong amount of change in a transaction and it's, "And you went to Harvard?" Ask the guy at the hardware store how these jumper cables work and hear, "And you went to Harvard?" Forget just once that your underwear goes inside your pants and it's "and you went to Harvard." Get your head stuck in your niece's dollhouse because you wanted to see what it was like to be a giant and it's "Uncle Conan, you went to Harvard!?"

But to really know what's in store for you after Harvard, I have to tell you what happened to me after graduation. I'm going to tell you my story because, first of all, my perspective may give many of you hope, and, secondly, it's an amazing rush to stand in front of six thousand people and talk about yourself.

After graduating in May, I moved to Los Angeles and got a three week contract at a small cable show. I got a $380 a month apartment and bought a 1977 Isuzu Opel, a car Isuzu only manufactured for a year because they found out that, technically, it's not a car. Here's a quick tip, graduates: no four cylinder vehicle should have a racing stripe. I worked at that show for over a year, feeling pretty good about myself, when one day they told me they were letting me go. I was fired and, I hadn't saved a lot of money. I tried to get another job in television but I couldn't find one.

So, with nowhere else to turn, I went to a temp agency and filled out a questionnaire. I made damn sure they knew I had been to Harvard and that I expected the very best treatment. And so, the next day, I was sent to the Santa Monica branch of Wilson's House of Suede and Leather. When you have a Harvard degree and you're working at Wilson's House of Suede and Leather, you are haunted by the ghostly images of your classmates who chose Graduate School. You see their faces everywhere: in coffee cups, in fish tanks, and they're always laughing at you as you stack suede shirts no man, in good conscience, would ever wear. I tried a lot of things during this period: acting in corporate infomercials, serving drinks in a non-equity theatre, I even took a job entertaining at a seven year olds' birthday party. In desperate need of work, I put together some sketches and scored a job at the fledgling Fox Network as a writer and performer for a new show called "The Wilton North Report." I was finally on a network and really excited. The producer told me the show was going to revolutionize television. And, in a way, it did. The show was so hated and did so badly that when, four weeks later, news of its cancellation was announced to the Fox affiliates, they burst into applause.

Eventually, though, I got a huge break. I had submitted, along with my writing partner, a batch of sketches to Saturday Night Live and, after a year and a half, they read it and gave us a two week tryout. The two weeks turned into two seasons and I felt successful. Successful enough to write a TV pilot for an original sitcom and, when the network decided to make it, I left Saturday Night Live. This TV show was going to be groundbreaking. It was going to resurrect the career of TV's Batman, Adam West. It was going to be a comedy without a laugh track or a studio audience. It was going to change all the rules. And here's what happened: When the pilot aired it was the second lowest-rated television show of all time. It's tied with a test pattern they show in Nova Scotia.

So, I was 28 and, once again, I had no job. I had good writing credits in New York, but I was filled with disappointment and didn't know what to do next. I started smelling suede on my fingertips. And that's when The Simpsons saved me. I got a job there and started writing episodes about Springfield getting a Monorail and Homer going to College. I was finally putting my Harvard education to good use, writing dialogue for a man who's so stupid that in one episode he forgot to make his own heart beat. Life was good.

And then, an insane, inexplicable opportunity came my way . A chance to audition for host of the new Late Night Show. I took the opportunity seriously but, at the same time, I had the relaxed confidence of someone who knew he had no real shot. I couldn't fear losing a great job I had never had. And, I think that attitude made the difference. I'll never forget being in the Simpson's recording basement that morning when the phone rang. It was for me. My car was blocking a fire lane. But a week later I got another call: I got the job.

So, this was undeniably the it: the truly life-altering break I had always dreamed of. And, I went to work. I gathered all my funny friends and poured all my years of comedy experience into building that show over the summer, gathering the talent and figuring out the sensibility. We debuted on September 13, 1993 and I was happy with our effort. I felt like I had seized the moment and put my very best foot forward. And this is what the most respected and widely read television critic, Tom Shales, wrote in the Washington Post: "O'Brien is a living collage of annoying nervous habits. He giggles and titters, jiggles about and fiddles with his cuffs. He had dark, beady little eyes like a rabbit. He's one of the whitest white men ever. O'Brien is a switch on the guest who won't leave: he's the host who should never have come. Let the Late show with Conan O'Brien become the late, Late Show and may the host return to Conan O'Blivion whence he came." There's more but it gets kind of mean.

Needless to say, I took a lot of criticism, some of it deserved, some of it excessive. And it hurt like you wouldn't believe. But I'm telling you all this for a reason. I've had a lot of success and I've had a lot of failure. I've looked good and I've looked bad. I've been praised and I've been criticized. But my mistakes have been necessary. Except for Wilson's House of Suede and Leather. That was just stupid.

I've dwelled on my failures today because, as graduates of Harvard, your biggest liability is your need to succeed. Your need to always find yourself on the sweet side of the bell curve. Because success is a lot like a bright, white tuxedo. You feel terrific when you get it, but then you're desperately afraid of getting it dirty, of spoiling it in any way.

I left the cocoon of Harvard, I left the cocoon of Saturday Night Live, I left the cocoon of The Simpsons. And each time it was bruising and tumultuous. And yet, every failure was freeing, and today I'm as nostalgic for the bad as I am for the good.

So, that's what I wish for all of you: the bad as well as the good. Fall down, make a mess, break something occasionally. And remember that the story is never over. If it's all right, I'd like to read a little something from just this year: "Somehow, Conan O'Brien has transformed himself into the brightest star in the Late Night firmament. His comedy is the gold standard and Conan himself is not only the quickest and most inventive wit of his generation, but quite possible the greatest host ever."

Ladies and Gentlemen, Class of 2000, I wrote that this morning, as proof that, when all else fails, there's always delusion.

I'll go now, to make bigger mistakes and to embarrass this fine institution even more. But let me leave you with one last thought: If you can laugh at yourself loud and hard every time you fall, people will think you're drunk.

Thank you.

Conan O’Brien + Weekend Links

2010-01-22T20:45:00.001-05:00

Before his end-of-show speech, O'Brien kicked off with one last monologue:

Ladies and Gentleman, we have exactly one hour to steal every single item in this studio.

--We’ve a had a lot of fun being here these last 7 months, but like everything in life, the fun has to come to an end a decade too early.

--The terms of my settlement say that I can’t host another show for 7 months. So next week look forward to the “Andy Richter show” with his sidekick, me!

--As I set off for exciting new career opportunities, I just want to make one thing clear to everyone listening out there: I will do nudity.

--Now that this mess is almost behind me – I just have one last request: HBO, when you make the movie about this whole NBC late night fiasco, I’d like to be played by Academy-Award winning actress Tilda Swinton.

--People have been asking me what’s going to happen to our studio after we’re gone. There are actually a few possible uses for our studio being kicked around. I thought I’d share some of the ideas with you right now:

-Site of Tiger Woods’ 1st Annual Mistress Reunion
-Fitting room for cast of “The Biggest Loser”
-Storage facility for apology notes to NBC stockholders
-Waterpark for Max Weinberg’s illegitimate children
-Hair and chest oil storage for the “Jersey Shore” cast
-Future site of “Cooters”, the nation’s first pants less sports bar and restaurant
-Studio preserved as a nice, quiet, peaceful place where the cast of “Chuck” can be alone with their thoughts
-Magician David Blaine will attempt the impossible by trying to remain in the studio for longer than seven months Leave the studio cold and empty and re-name it “The World’s Largest Metaphor For NBC Programming”
-Panic room for Gary Busey after the rise of the fire hydrants
-Studio will be air-lifted to a location with better luck, like on top of a native-American burial ground

"Before we end this rodeo, a few things need to be said. There has been a lot of speculation in the press about what I legally can and can't say about NBC. To set the record straight, tonight I am allowed to say anything I want. And what I want to say is this: between my time at Saturday Night Live, The Late Night Show, and my brief run here on The Tonight Show, I have worked with NBC for over twenty years. Yes, we have our differences right now and yes, we're going to go our separate ways. But this company has been my home for most of my adult life. I am enormously proud of the work we have done together, and I want to thank NBC for making it all possible.
Walking away from The Tonight Show is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Making this choice has been enormously difficult. This is the best job in the world, I absolutely love doing it, and I have the best staff and crew in the history of the medium. But despite this sense of loss, I really feel this should be a happy moment. Every comedian dreams of hosting The Tonight Show and, for seven months, I got to. I did it my way, with people I love, and I do not regret a second. I've had more good fortune than anyone I know and if our next gig is doing a show in a 7-11 parking lot, we'll find a way to make it fun.

And finally, I have to say something to our fans. The massive outpouring of support and passion from so many people has been overwhelming. The rallies, the signs, all the goofy, outrageous creativity on the internet, and the fact that people have traveled long distances and camped out all night in the pouring rain to be in our audience, made a sad situation joyous and inspirational.

To all the people watching, I can never thank you enough for your kindness to me and I'll think about it for the rest of my life. All I ask of you is one thing: please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere.

Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen. As proof, let’s make an amazing thing happen right now. Here to close out our show, are a few good friends, led by Mr. Will Ferrell…"

THE END.

They only gave it to him for 7 months, but he was still the best damn host of The Tonight Show since Johnny Carson. HANDSDOWN. He’s funny, he’s smart, and NBC mocking aside, he has always seemed like the nicest guy in showbiz. I will miss seeing Mr. Conan O’Brien on my TV screen, very very much. Good luck with your last show tonight, Coco!! I love you xoxo.

Conan when he said goodbye to his Late Night show in February 2009…

And a few lovely links…

Pantone has declared the colour for design in 2010: it’s turquoise!

I love this sweater wine bottle gift wrap. A great DIY by Grey Likes Weddings + Co.

If you are obsessed with fonts like I am, check out the top fonts of 2009.

Love means never having to say you’re sorry. This movie kills me.

Kitty Wigs is exactly that – a company that sells wigs for cats. Who knew?

The Olympics in Canada! See the torch’s journey to Vancouver.

More Things I Learned on the Road to Here at The Preppy Princess. Super read.

Have a great weekend!

Start Your Weekend Off with Landsend

2010-01-22T20:27:00.001-05:00

New looks from Landsend

Today I Love… Badgley + Mischka’s Kitchen

2010-01-22T20:21:00.001-05:00

Green is Good

2010-01-22T20:17:00.001-05:00

Garance Dore + The Sartorialist

It’s All About the Pretty

2010-01-22T17:25:00.001-05:00

Stephanie Williams Photography

Ah, Venice!

2010-01-22T16:54:00.001-05:00

Olga Maliouk in Elle Spain Dec09.

DIY: Casual Cocktail Time

2010-01-22T16:42:00.001-05:00

This is a super spread by Morning by Foley. Go here for the full story and DIY instructions.

Daily Inspiration: Style with Stripes

2010-01-22T16:32:00.001-05:00

Mr. Newton. J. Crew Store via Lonny. Barbie Murders by Wildemoon Etsy. The Sartorialist.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

2010-01-22T16:30:00.001-05:00

Dwell Studio designer Jennifer Chused’s son’s nursery via A Cup of Jo via Little Green Notebook.

Chanel Junior?!

2010-01-22T16:22:00.001-05:00

Altamira

This little girl has a better handbag than I do. Sad! even sadder that I want it…

I Wish I Was… Walking in this Forest

2010-01-22T16:07:00.001-05:00

Rune Guneriussen

Daily Inspiration: Beauty and the Beast

2010-01-22T05:13:00.001-05:00

Vogue

Modern Update

2010-01-22T04:49:00.001-05:00

Lynda Reeves’s kitchen in Canadian House + Home.

Leather Jacket + Gray Scarf

2010-01-22T04:44:00.001-05:00

An Elephant Never Forgets

2010-01-22T02:27:00.001-05:00

We heart it

Tall Ceilings, White Walls

2010-01-22T01:59:00.001-05:00

Delight by Design

Old School Glamour

2010-01-21T16:53:00.001-05:00

Backstage at Balmain (source my old blog).

A Fun and Fancy Home Office

2010-01-21T16:48:00.001-05:00

This red is sublime. I love the tack board, it’s so fancy! I just put a big cork board up and it’s so useful in organizing things (note to self: if I ever get my dream home I think I’ll need to hire somebody to hang my stuff up). Images via Cote de Texas.

Today I Love… Sitting at the Kids Table

2010-01-21T16:42:00.001-05:00

A fun kids table by Sweet Paul via You Are My Fave.

Daily Inspiration: In The Bedroom

2010-01-21T16:32:00.001-05:00

Kajsa M photographed by Waldemar Hansson and Max Modén for Fault via FGR.