Marshmallow chic

Snapped this photo at the Herman Miller booth last fall at NeoCon East. Loved her black flats. Just yesterday, I came across an old Metropolis article that dishes more details on Nelson & Company, who designed the sofa for Herman Miller in 1956. Turns out the woman in the photo was George Nelson's receptionist (according to Metropolis, "The office was straight out of Mad Men, with men in crisp white shirts and ties, and the few women in black dresses—cigarette smoke everywhere, classical music in the background..."), and the Marshmallow Sofa's designer, Irving Harper, "cooked up" his first model with a small metal frame and a checkers set. Inspiration everywhere!

Recently on N Street

Best dressed

Always love everything about Julianne Moore's award show looks. Particularly: hair, earrings, neckline.

This, and other fun Polaroids from last night, on Vulture.

Stripes illustrated

Michelle Dockery in February's Vanity Fair, wearing ODLR navy silk duchesse satin and ivory silk gazar, sketched by the talented fashion illustrator David Downton. Article and two more gorgeous sketches here.

Related, VF's helpful guide for tonight: "How to Simultaneously Watch the Golden Globes, the Girls Premiere, and Downton Abbey Without Having a Nervous Breakdown."

Bricks and mortar

Long story, but for a school project last fall I found myself on a job site with John Allen of AllenBuilt, Inc., trying to process the finer points of bricklaying. And let me tell you: it is hard, painstaking work! I only stacked three bricks and pushed the mortar back and forth like, twice, and my arms were sore for a week (not saying I'm Popeye or anything, but I thought I had a little more brawn in me than that). Gave me a whole new reverence for brick buildings and the people who put them together.