Dear Brad Pitt...

...this is how it's done. If you're going to shill for a brand, do it like Jonathan Adler. Well done, eBay + JA.

But if you only have time to watch one, watch the Ed Church ad. So great.

If you're an eBay junkie, you will appreciate these ads.

HERE.

The news of the day:

1. Hahahaha. Oh, Brad. It's so... Suntory Whisky.

2. What's with the new blog meme "confessing" what you've purchased? The old meme was writing about how you're not actually rich. That, of course, wasn't breaking news. We know you're just posting photos of Provence/Capri/Istanbul. We know you probably don't go there all the time. You're in your 20s. You're broke. We get it. Now the new thing, I guess, is: I post about a lot of material things, but I am not actually rich. Now I will post about all the things I bought last month to "keep myself honest." Just buy what you like!  No need to apologize. Buy your dress/shoes/lipstick, enjoy it, move on. No apology needed.

3. In the new House Beautiful, Tom Sheerer says:
"Don't make too much trouble for yourself. Work with what you have and get on with it." AMEN.

4. And if you add the lessons of items #2 and #3, you get this:
Blogger Bryn of brynalexandra posted about her living room and there's an undercurrent of apology in it, but I think it's cute. She thinks the chairs are too tall. That's ok. No need to apologize + Work with what you have = you have a great new living room. Good job.

5. As I type this I am baking my third loaf of that famous no-knead bread. This time I have added raisins, cinnamon, and walnuts. I feel very much like a prairie lady making bread before I go to work.

What did you do this weekend?

Ugh.

SO FRUSTRATING. I am trying to find a reason not to like Garance Dore, and I can't. Just can't. 

You should watch this little video. She's so charming and I love the part in the middle where she mentions Monoprix. The commentary on eyeliner and then her pronunciation of the nail polish color is so goddamn cute. 

HERE.

John Derian.

‘‘I wish I had spray dust or spray dirt in a can,’’ he confesses. ‘‘I don’t want to lose the look of the place — I want that patina.’’

Slide show HERE.