Brass Drops

I bought these lovely brass drops from Kate Miss' jewelry shop a few months ago. She writes the beautiful blog For Me, For You that frequently features her plant collection and cute little cat Wendy. She has a shop update this Sunday, so take a peek!

Just Hired

My new office mate -- tiny succulent in ceramic pot.

Latte Bowls

These bowls are arriving (cross your fingers) tomorrow! Sure, like I really need bowls, but they're just so darn cheerful.

[via Anthropologie]

Butter Up, Buttercup

The more Mad Men episodes I watch, the more I'm itching to get my hands on one of those fantastic dresses (to complement my vintage glasses, of course). But an easier and cheaper first step was to spring for some retro red nail polish to spice up these hands that are glued to a keyboard all day. 

I've been tempted by butter LONDON polish before -- a number of bloggers have showcased various colors (or shall I say colours?) in those stylish rectangular bottles. What I didn't know was that butter LONDON is a '3 free' nail polish. No formaldehyde, toluene, or DBP. Adios, OPI. butter LONDON has a shade for every mood and a cheeky name to match. Right now I'm wearing the Come to Bed Red. Fash Pack is on deck.

Buy in-store or online, but be sure to stop by the butter LONDON dictionary of nail polish names first.

Yellow + Spring = Love

 

Libros!

Sometimes as a kid I would threaten to run away. I'd find a duffel bag in the closet, pack a few shirts and my entire sock drawer (why all those socks?), and announce hysterically to my suburban family from the bottom of the staircase, "I'm running away!!" I never did. Later my mom told me that if I ever actually ran away she would probably find me at the library or a bookstore. Just goes to show what kind of kid I was.

Thankfully after fifteen years I don't make those kinds of scenes anymore (Chris is especially appreciative of this), but I do like to slip away to a book club on the first Sunday of every month. I first saw a poster for the club shortly after moving to Richmond seven months ago and decided to join as a way to meet people and broaden my scope of book chocies. 

When I tell people I'm in a book club, I make sure and tell them that it's a 'no-nonsense' book club. There are no beach reads or fluffy chick-lit paperbacks in sight. We read things like Russian novels and meet at a local coffeeshop. We ride bikes, wear glasses, and munch on homemade vegan treats. I think part of the reason why I love it so much is that I feel like I'm back in Portland when I'm there. Especially since I half expected Richmond to be a city of Confederate sympathizers...

Our March book, nominated and chosen last night, is A Month of Sundays by John Updike. Some of my other 'to-read' books are pictured above. If you live in Richmond, you should come check us out sometime.... more info on Facebook, Tumblr, and Goodreads.

Things to Come

[Image via Desgin*Sponge for an article about {frolic!}]

Speaking of spring, isn't this such a cheerful picture? I love ranunculus, and even if I'm incorrectly identifying these beauties, they sure do make my heart happy. Have a lovely first weekend of March!

Tea Time

[Image via Sagaform]

The last thing I need is another item for our already-at-capacity kitchen cupboards. Yet despite this truth, I am continually drawn to every darling mug and and useful contraption that I see. It's easy enough to walk out of Anthropologie with a trivet or butter dish (better than coughing up $128 on a dress), but there is absolutely no more room for me to add to my collection of eclectic sale teacups. But you, Sagaform Retro line, I'd definitely make room for you.

An Impressionable Decade

[Image via here]

Yesterday Chris and I discovered an old ruler from elementary school with all of our random desk-related items. It's made of wood and has green little tick marks that match the "Give a Hoot! Don't Pollute!" slogan printed in between the imperial numbers and the metric ones. Take a closer look and you'll notice that I've inscribed little doodles all over the front and back. "Are those stussies???" Chris asked with a laugh. Yes. I was a stussy master.

The only natural next step was to Google it. According to this source, "the 'Super S' or 'Stussy' symbol was drawn by kids worldwide in the 1990s. It was a worldwide meme reaching countries all over the world, primarily drawn at school on binders or notebooks. There is a technique in drawing the symbol (which consists of 14 lines) which was regarded as a kind of special knowledge."

Then stussies got me thinking about pogs. And slammers. Then slammers led to trapper keeper binders, Yikes pencils, episodes of Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? and the yearly subscription of Highlights magazine from good ole' grandma and grandpa. If the 90s and the arrival of color TV had coincided, it would have been too much for people to handle...all that NEON.

It scares me to think of the day when the 90s become vintage and trendy. Just don't bring back the clothes. 

Don't. Bring. Back. The. Clothes.

Je voudrais...

I spotted this dress yesterday during my weekly (well, sometimes daily) Anthro browsing. Aptly named the "city touring dress" it makes me want to don a floppy hat and shades, take an outdoor seat at a Parisian/Italian/Spanish establishment and sip a café créme. Oh right. It's February. So maybe in a few months from now? After I've saved the millions of pennies I would need to purchase this sweet little dress AND the plane tickets to that outdoor café.

Bridal Bliss

[Image via 100 Layer Cake]

A little birdie told me that Anthro is going to have a wedding line?? The magical date of unveiling will be February 14, but this sneak peek website will give you a glimpse of some of the fabrics, eyelets, and laces yet to come.

Thank goodness this is happening now and not two years ago, otherwise I would have probably redirected the majority of the wedding funds to purchase one of these beauties (and I haven't even seen one!). 

Happy Friday and enjoy these last few days of January!

Judgement

I'll be honest--I absolutely judge books by their covers. A poorly designed cover turns me off to picking up the book and actually reading it. It makes me want to hide it in public. If one book has the option of coming in multiple exterior designs, I might even pay a smidge more to have the cover of my choice. That's why I am loving these Penguin Classics in beautiful hardcovers. I want a whole bookshelf of them. And lucky for everyone, these editions are on sale right now at Anthropologie and Powell's.

Chilly Time of Year

At the end of my haircut yesterday the guy asked me if I wanted to book another appointment in six weeks. "Where exactly does six weeks put us?" I asked as he looked at the calendar. The week of Christmas. THE WEEK OF CHRISTMAS. Can we really be that close already?

So I decided to get down the (single) Christmas deco box and retrieve my red and white mug (don't worry, the lights and 2' tree will have to wait until after Thanksgiving). While I was reaching to the high lofts of the closet (Kelsey, I needed my tall neighbor around!) I also pulled down all of my hats, scarves and mittens. Nevermind that the last time I wore these chill-stopping items was on Mother's Day when it snowed for the last time in Ithaca... I was excited to rediscover my favorite yellow hat, and equally excited to add a new winter treasure to the mix--some absolutely amazing fingerless gloves made by my friend that were expertly cable-knit with needles probably the size of toothpicks.

This year I've decided to employ my set of vintage suitcases to house my collection of winter warmers. My sister got me the floral printed one at an outdoor market in Seattle (my first suitcase love!) and I picked up the green set last month at a new little consignment shop. I especially love the old hat box; the green color makes it look like a happy pear. And the table? Someone had it out for the garbage to pick up, so I rescued it and made it the official suitcase holder. I might paint it someday. I might not. It's a little rough around the edges, but it works.

Forecast

Image via Etsy

Today I woke up to apartment-rattling thunder and flashes of lightning. And buckets of rain. So I think this Etsy find just fits. 

I thought this happy little notebook would be a good place to jot down all of the creative jumble in my head (like the lunch bag pattern, in case I ever wanted to make it again) complete with hand sketched diagrams and maybe even evidence (say, a swatch of fabric). 

There are just too many things to love on Etsy, in blog-land, and in the Anthropologie sale section. Is Mr. Claus accepting wish lists yet?

Finger Painting

Image via American Apparel

Yesterday was my first venture into American Apparel. Previously I'd only known this brand in the context of a concert when you want to buy the t-shirt and the guy behind the table selling the merch says, "It's American Apparel. Runs small."

I walk in and notice golden leotards as very strange (dare I say intimate? sounding) music is playing. I feel a little out of my element and maybe a little bit like I'm back in the 80s. Nevertheless I picked up some pretty nice nail polish, which by the way, they let you test before you buy. My nails were a rainbow of colors before I decided on mouse, berry, and pinto. Hey, they were a better deal when you bought three.

Tights

Today it actually felt like fall! I headed out in a cozy jacket and scarf to get an iced Thai coffee this morning. I guess my brain hasn't fully converted to hot drinks yet. If the temperature continues to drop, I'm sure my single pane windows will convince me to change that habit.

On my way back, I saw a girl rocking a pair of yellow tights. I wish I could do that. 

Image via The Clothes Horse

Repurposed

I stayed busy today with a few hours of work, a typical 45-minute browse through Trader Joe's, a stop into Borders to pick up a novel for book club this month, a trip to drop off of our bottles/cans/paper to the recycling center, and a brisk walk to the library to return my nearly overdue items.

Bookcase/hutch is not quite done, so I thought I'd share these clever book clocks in the meantime. Love this blog and her brilliant pictures. She is a genius when it comes to thrifting.

Smarty Pants

I've joined the league of smartphone users. 

There's no turning back now.

For the Love of Vintage

Yes, yes. I've told you many a time how much I love vintage. But this time it's not just me! The other day when I was moping depressively around the mall while my computer was in the operating room, I stopped into Fossil and lusted after the fall collection of handbags and wallets. Though I have a hard time justifying the purchase of a new wallet without an income to fill it full of money, I did discover after perusing their online store that Fossil has a nifty little blog. Browsing it is virtually guilt free and doesn't cost me a penny---overall one of the many good ways to bide my time while I work on finding a job (then that wallet will be mine!). Find the link here (I've also added it to the sidebar list of my favorite reads).

Mustard

From Anthropologie, Dwell Studio, and Etsy.

Always cheerful, perfect for all seasons, and a tad bit retro... I just can't get enough of mustard-yellow-marigold-brilliant goodness.