Blog Find: A Wooden Nest

Oh, if only I was as talented as Ms. Lindsay! An Oregonian with a knack for creating anything she sets her mind to, her blog, A Wooden Nest, is evidence of her genius. While you explore her fantastic recipes and fit-for-fall knitting, I'm going to take a bit of a break from blogging to nurse a cold, be a single dog mum (Mr. is back on Friday) and get ready for the Get Frosted Fete. If you're in Los Angeles, stop by Frosted Cupcakery and get a free cupcake! See you Monday. 

Blog Find: Diego Abroad

It turns out that I am now living vicariously through my little brother, Diego, rather than him wishing he had my life. I guess a weekly Swell Sip and eating my way through Los Angeles can't compare to one year soaking up Europe. . . the architecture, the food and the people, Oktoberfest in Germany, studying in Spain and traipsing to Paris, Budapest or wherever the train takes you any weekend you choose. Ahh, it's a good life to be 20, no? So I share with you Diego Abroad, his photography blog documenting this journey. May it provide you at least one moment of sweet escape. Bon Voyage!

Blog Find: Clemmensen + Brock

This is a blog about two Danish foodie friends—one a photographer, one a graphic designer—traveling about, eating, reporting back on and photographing their adventures. Clemmensen and Brok don't post often, but when they do, you'll want to jump through the screen and join them.

Blog Find: Destined to Design

There are a few things you need to know about Jessica Comingore. First, she has more talent in her little pinky than most people you'll ever meet. Secondly, her taste is impeccable. Refined. Brilliant. And, she is equally as kind and a fantastic friend as she is skilled. So, knowing all of this, you should know that this isn't exactly a blog find. But it is a post to tell you that if you haven't read Destined to Design, her visual journal filled with nonpareil finds, you simply must. And start soon as she has a giveaway of Eamonn McCabe's book, About A Village, that ends tomorrow.

Blog Find: Tomboy Style

The very savvy Lizzie Garrett Mettler gives those of us that shy from the ribbons and bows, those of us that credit the Audreys and Katharines for endless style inspiration, the ones who always pick stripes and chambray any day and those that aren't afraid to get their hands a bit dirty, a blog that celebrates a "sense of confidence, rebelliousness and adventure." And lucky for us, Tomboy Style will be published as a book in 2012. Thanks, Ms. Lizzie.

Blog Find: Miles to Style

Dogs + style? Two of my favorite subjects. Luckily, Ms. Christine, creator of the swoon-worthy LAMA blog/designs (trust me—you'll never want to visit South America more than when you read her archives), feels the same way! So, she created Miles to Style, a chic blog dedicated to her dapper miki and to all things dog. With features like Icons & Dogs and Miles & Me, she'll have you and your pooch looking posh in no time. You can also find her at Dog Milk.

NEWS: Being the kindred loves-dogs-and-style-and-South America spirits that we are, I'm happy to announce that Christine will soon grace us with her savvy eye right here on Monkey in LA. Stay tuned!

Blog Find: The Burning House

Positively genius, The Burning House blog visually asks you to think about what you would take should your abode be ablaze. I'd have to wrangle a few cats and dogs, plus the Mr. and maybe my favorite vintage chair. Yes, a chair. Because, don't you always need somewhere to sit? What would you take? 

Blog Find: Riding Pretty

With such a fuss over the impending nuptials of Ms. Middleton and Mr. Wales, what a perfect week to revel in all things Britannia (even if you aren't going to wake up and watch the spectacle). Riding Pretty, a blog devoted to bicycle chic, gives us a fair share of English-inspired eye candy including documenting the rise of the Tweed Run both in London and abroad. With cycling citizens dressing up in their plus fours and flat caps to roam through their cities and stop for proper tea, this is one British craze that is worth the hullabaloo. Interested in participating? Follow The Tweed Ride Report.

Blog Find: Hipster Puppies

Forget Unhappy Hipsters. It's all about Hipster Puppies. Thanks to Liz for sending this my way. I just imagine these pups listening to obscure tracks in their Silverlake doghouses with their vegan bowls of kibble and maybe a pack of Parliaments by their sides. Not that I don't love vegans or Silverlake. . .

Admittedly, I have a hipster pet. I take that back. Mr. Miyagi is a beatnik. Absolutely.

{beatnik cat}

*Photos from Hipster Puppies, except my cat

Blog Find: Cook-Craft-Read-Love

Here's a story: Once I helped my cousin find a place to live in LA. The place he chose was the same place that a lovely girl named Lani lived. And while my cousin checked out his new room, I sat on a couch talking to a girl who loves the same things I do: reading, cooking, and creating. And we talked about this blog. And she followed it. And one day, she created her own blog called Cook-Craft-Read-Love so that she, too, could share her favorite things. And here it is, lovely as ever: Cook-Craft-Read-Love.

Blog Find: Fresh 365

Forget meat. Fresh 365 gives you hundreds of yummy vegetarian ideas. Take today's posting: Asiago Sweet Potatoes. While I usually can't say no to the typical marshmallow casserole variety, a savory spin on sweet potatoes is different and makes you rethink using them just as a holiday ingredient. Besides her collection of seasonal recipes (which also come with vibrant photos), Erin links to delicious dishes of other foodie bloggers that she has made and taste-tested and regularly updates what ingredients are in season. Who knew cardoon was available now? Thanks Erin!

Toast & Jam

There was a period when I didn't eat breakfast; didn't remember, didn't care, simply passed it by. Incroyable, I know! Having been enlightened (thank you Los Angeles!), I am now a devoted follower of all things breakfast--except for the early bird special as I am a stubborn night owl. That being said, it is a bit of a balance to mix up the weekday morning routine and opt for something beyond oatmeal. In comes Simply Breakfast. This is not a blog find, but rather a change-the-way-you-think-about-your-toast find. Although it will make you long for an Anthropologie-inspired pied-à-terre to eat your croissant in, take a gander and appreciate Jennifer Causey's lovely photographs and her delicious and simple ideas for your morning. If you love her work, you can find her prints for sale at her Simply Photo Shop and the Pink Olive Boutique or check out her books Simply Breakfast: The Art of Breakfast and Simply Breakfast: More Please.

*Photos from Simply Breakfast

Blog Find: Mimi & Meg

Any blog that is written by a fellow Domino magazine lover is something I will read, but what makes Mimi and Meg so fun is that Megan mixes great interior design with color (and more color!), art, fashion plus a dash of her own life and a side of quirk.

*Photos from Mimi and Meg

Blog Find: SF Girl By Bay

There are many loves in my life, but two of them--San Francisco & vintage-inspired design-- can be found in Victoria Smith's beautiful SF Girl By Bay. Don't miss her Unexpected Guests posts where you can read about artists and designers from New York to Tokyo and everywhere in between.

*photos from SF Girl By Bay

Blog Find: Dispatch from LA

Mary Ann Moss mixes typography, stencilry and photography into Dispatch from LA, a visual concoction that will inspire you to take one of her art classes or hop on a plane to Portugal (where she just visited) immediately. Also check out her Flickr photos. They are magnificent.

Blog Find: London Cycle Chic

One day, LA may be filled with more bike lanes and cycle-friendly routes, but until then London Cycle Chic gives you inspiration from across the pond. Check out their store where you can find all things cycle including bicycles, baskets, helmets and even knickers!

Blog Find: Automatism

Automatism is filled with beautiful pictures to inspire and a listing of fantastic design/art blogs, books and links . Visit every Thursday through September and see how summer is captured.