Free Dry-Cleaning?

Obsession of the Week:

Floral Silk Blouses

{Please, let's ignore the toothpick legs ... }


{All images courtesy of shopbop.com}

{Insert Acceptance Speech Here}

The ever-wonderful Clare just gifted me with the Kreativ Blogger Award. Clare also gave me a pat on the back last week with a Readership Award. I am so flattered ... let the blushing begin! Thank you, dear Clare.

The rules:
1. List seven things that you love.
2. Link to the person who has tagged you.
3. Give the Kreativ Blogger Award to a friend {or seven, if you can}.

Okay, my seven things include {but are not limited to}: ampersands, salsa con queso, cowboy boots, silk tops, miniature pitchers, Dutch folk art, and fresh laundry. I'd like to pass the award on to my best friend -- and a new blogger! -- Kittylou. I'd also like my longest follower, Dia, to receive this award -- her blog is an absolutely enchanting place to hang out {where fowls sometimes sleep in trees!}. Additionally, Meg, with her honesty and humor {and her sweet blog header!} deserves this award. And Chelsea never ceases to stun me with her artistic ability {hand-printed and constructed faux-geraniums! a chalkboard smock!}, so I want her to have the award, as well.

Can I Get an Amen?

{what the inside of my head looks like}


{Photo from Majlee's Flickr photostream}

Sleepless Cupboard-Dweller Seeking Fashion Advice

Friends? Let's say you absolutely adore this skirt. Let's say you're not normally a skirt person, but this one just really and truly fits the bill. Let's say you're also fair-skinned -- like, um, French vanilla ice cream white. So, more of an off-white than stark white, but still pretty stark for a human being who, presumably, goes outside ... at least sometimes. Let's say all of this is true. My question is this: What do you pair with this skirt? Give me details -- colors, cuts {sleeveless, collared, etc.}, designs {solid, striped, etc.} -- please. Let's say I'm somebody who needs this advice.

Zzzz ...

Tonight, I'm tired.

{Photo from amyla174's Flickr photostream}

Mine!

So, this one I couldn't put out there until I purchased it myself:

It's a vintage illustration page from the story, Wake Up, City!, written and illustrated by Roger Duvoisin, featured in the Weekly Reader in 1950 {he also did the book Petunia, in case the name's ringing a bell}. I think it's just too sweet. The colors and drawing style remind me of books I read as a child. Check out Olive Someday's Etsy shop for more.

Him & Her, Part II

And then, the second wedding present, handpicked for a couple who spent six months in a boat, sailing down the East Coast, I was thinking of this, also by Jonathan Adler:

Now, this one you really need to click on. The thumbnail doesn't do it justice. G + T are a hilarious couple, intelligent and ambitious, and a heck of a lot of fun to be around. The white whale is right up their alley.

Him & Her

Remember the weddings I mentioned? Three weddings over the course of three weekends? I managed to secure one of those Anthropologie dresses ... on sale! The fifth one, to be exact {the tiered one in bright pinks and oranges}, and it fits like a charm. I really love it.

Now, I'm on to wedding gifts. These are important, you know. For one of the couples, I'm completely smitten with the idea of a pair of Jonathan Adler mugs. Maybe one of these:

Utopia King & Queen

Utopia Lord & Lady

Utopia Ray & Dawn

P.S. Sorry for the teeny-tiny images. Mr. Adler's site will only allow me the thumbnails. Click on any one, and you'll see it bigger and better.

Another Helen

I like white, but I love color. Today was 85 and joyous, so I wore a bright sundress with this subtle Helen Kaminski bag. I ate a late brunch with a friend; took a long, slow walk; and am now settling down to do some evening reading. How did you spend your Saturday?

Porcelainophile

Did I mention there are lots of birthdays in May? Hello, gift ideas!


{Coral Focal Pendant from Almeda Pottery's Etsy shop}

White

Rou Designs has knocked my socks off with these beauties:

Present Tense

I feel as though everyone's birthday {including mine!} falls in May. That means a lot of small gifties and fun wrapping and embellishments. Wouldn't this Mexican Loteria poster make great wrapping paper?

Onward & Upward

I survived my defense! I have an MFA now!

Full speed ahead ...

There's something I really love about hot air balloons. In the spring and summer, I spot groups of them floating in the sky, likely getting the most spectacular view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I think this vintage print from Banana Strudel's Etsy shop would be really sweet in a nursery or child's room. So fun to look at, and also oddly hopeful and ebullient.

Yes, Please

I la-la-la-love the photo styling inside Fruit Salad Vintage's Etsy shop! I'm especially fond of the coloring in these, featuring a shaving cabinet {and the most charming bear, who is, unfortunately, not for sale}:

The bear makes an appearance in several other product photos as well ... find them here.

Bright Sunshiney Day

Something about this vintage basketweave handbag is making me giddy {could also be too much coffee combined with nerves over my orals exam}.

{Basketweave Handbag from a Happy Find's Etsy shop}

What You Never Knew You Always Wanted

Somebody buy this cutie.


{Vintage Pink Pig Letter Organizer from Bouquet's Etsy shop}

For Me?

I adore these letterpressed coin envelopes from the Blue Cole Press Etsy shop. I like to leave notes on Mr. Original's and friends' windshields when I spot their cars around town. Keeping a stash of these in the glovebox might be a good idea.

She's a Maniac on the Floor

Tomorrow is my thesis defense {!!!},
which means I'm nervous right ... about ... now.

Dancing around my cupboard helps.

Though I'm in yoga pants
and a sweatshirt that smells like detergent,
I'll let myself imagine I'm wearing this:

P.S. I made the accessories abnormally large so you can see I'm sporting a spaghetti necklace and octopus ring. It's all in the details, right?

{Once again, thank you, Polyvore.}

Today

... this Thread Social mini-dress is making me happy.

{Thread Social Striped Mini-Dress at net-a-porter}

The Icing On the Birthday Cake

I got a surprise in the mail today ...
My birthday isn't until May, but Anthropologie likes to be punctual.

Cheers to pouches with multiple, unnecessary buttons.

Tag, You're It

Lovely Clare tagged me {this is my first tag!} with these guidelines:

Take a picture of yourself right now.
No preparing or primping.
Load the picture on your blog.
Tag some people to play along.

I'm tagging Dia, Kittylou, and Meg.

Oh, Polyvore!

Clearly, Polyvore was made for this economy.
I put together these outfits with my ideal 48 hours in mind.
I should confess: Those sunglasses alone are $225.
But, gosh, this was fun!

April Showers

Nonstop rain throughout last night and into this morning. I'm thinking the rain boots will have to come out to play. Trying to finish the work I should've finished Sunday evening, but didn't. My motivation?

Getting to look at this book

... full of images like these

... later on, this evening.


{All original photography by Debi Treloar}

Bus Stop

My dear friend Alexis, featured in my one hundredth post, took this photo of me when I was visiting her in San Francisco, almost two years ago. She just recently sent it to me, and I think it perfectly captures the spirit of our nights in the city.


P.S. My hair was big then. I mean, LOTS of high-volume curls. Eeeps.

Sunday

I'm hunkering down in my cupboard today, aiming to get some serious work done. Spring seems to be here in earnest {I can tell because I'm restless}. What does you Sunday look like?

Hello, Gorgeous

{'Alameda' Sandal from Clarks Artisan Collection}

This is 100!

Yippee!


{Helen on left, dear pal Lex on right}

The Tragic Effects of the Corset on the Female

Eeeps! This may be my best Etsy find yet. Surrender Dorothy has some amazing stuff.

In other news, if you're having problems with "falling organs," specifically your womb, do this exercise to make them return to their normal position:

Let me know how that works out for you.

P.S. Surrender Dorothy is having a paper ephemera sale right now ...
P.P.S. Notice how I'm {barely} holding off buying, but heartily encouraging you all to do so?
P.P.P.S. Are we still friends?