this sums up my week

I feel like I used to be very optimistic but I'm getting cynical in my old age (tomorrow is the big 2-4). I keep waiting for the day things get easier. I like that this poster reminds me that I'm not alone.





















the work of Matthew Walkerdine found via design is mine

globe collecting

I have a little ledge above my cabinets in my kitchen that (for now) I use for storage. I've been on the look out for something cheery to brighten up my closet sized kitchen. Wouldn't vintage globes be just the item?





















Image from We Met in a Bar

lace up riding boots

Riding boots are my current shoe obsession. I have fallen in love with the lace up style and decided to track down some of my favorite variations.



Tall Vintage Brown Leather Lace Up Riding Boots from SuperKitsch Etsy shop / Ariat Heritage II Field Boot from Rod's / Frye Melissa Riding Tall Boot from Zappos / Vintage Brown lace up Riding Boot from Nstylevintage Etsy shop / Romana Leather Riding Boot from Delia's

erie basin antique jewelry

Cameo rings run in my family and they will always hold a special place in my heart. I love the variety of styles, shapes, and colors that the rings take on. I came across a great collection of cameo rings on Erie Basin's tumblr which led me to Erie Basin's stunning shop. I wish I could visit the Brooklyn store and see all the antique pieces in person. In addition to a wide selection, his prices are ridiculously reasonable for the age and condition that all the jewelry is in.

Visit the shop for the most unique selection of antique jewelry.

decisions, decisions

I swear I've been on the duvet cover search since 2007. The options seem to always fall into one of two categories, ridiculously expensive or bland and boring. I've fallen in love with a few but hesitated just long enough for them to sell out. My current cover used to be yellow but has faded to a off-white and now blends into my bedroom's off-white walls. My search has led me to these two beautiful but drastically different styles. You have to just picture the left duvet cover in a chocolate brown; they didn't have a good photo. I was elated to happen upon the first one because Anthropologie had similar bedding about 1 1/2 years ago and I couldn't justify spending $200 on it. Compared to that, this one from West Elm is a steal! The right one is from Urban Outfitters and is just so perfectly vintage that I think it could spice of my otherwise sparse bedroom. Ohhh the dilemna!

the avett brothers

My favorite group, The Avett Brothers, performed on Austin City Limits on Sunday night. I totally spaced and missed it but caught it online today. I'm looking forward to getting to see them live again in a few weeks, but this will help tide me over until then. Go here to see a spectacular performance.

the regal twelve

This gem has been sitting in my inbox for weeks and I can't believe it's taken me this long to share it. Photographer Alexia Sinclair created this beautiful series featuring "histories most fascinating women" using a combination of photographic and illustrative elements. Included with each photograph is a brief history of the woman and a little background to educate you about the corresponding beauty. The whole series is well worth an extended gander.




Elizabeth I - The Virgin Queen, Elizabeth Báthory - Countess of Blood, Marie Antionette - The Extravagant Queen

mad men fashion

I'm in the midst of catching up on my Mad Men, and am thoroughly obsessed. So much so that I have gotten NOTHING accomplished this week. Like so many others, the 60s fashion makes me drool. I love how each character's personality comes through in their dress and the detail and personal style is apparent down to every last individual secretary. Mad Men has made such an impact on this season's trends that the influence of the 60s is everywhere. If you want to dress like Mad Men's three leading ladies, here are a couple of outfits to get you started.

Betty Draper – Her flowery house dresses and lavish Manhattan dinner gowns make her a housewife to be envied. Furthermore, I lust after her riding boots each time she goes for a ride.

Rose-Print Sally Dress from Fred Flare / Saving Lace Coat from Modcloth / Ralph Lauren "Stara" Riding Boots from Bloomingdale's / Ariat Challenge Field Boot from Equestrian Collections

Peggy Olson – Dressing for the office never looked so good. Peggy's style gets better with every episode, as does her ability to handle the boys.
Fifties Sitcom Dress / Cinnamon Girl Dress / Dewey Decimal Dress, all from Modcloth / Stop Staring Dress from Unique Vintage / Style Promotion Dress from Modcloth Miss Darling Dress from Modcloth

Joan Harris – Who knew the hourglass figure could get an even bigger boost. Living vicariously through Joan is guaranteed to never be boring.

Sally Jane Dress / Plum-Perfect Posies Dress / Showstopper Dress,
all from ModCloth,

cool new calendar

Sometimes calendars tend to blur together by this time of year but this one definitely stands out. This would be a perfect Christmas present for the bf if I wasn't already done with his shopping.

From The Wild Unknown, Songwriters Calendar, drawings include bob dylan, john & yoko, emmylou harris, kurt cobain & more...

a stethoscope for a giant

While doing some Christmas shopping on Mass Ave the other day I noticed this spectacular over sized stethoscope on the building front. Our downtown needs more cleverness like this to spruce it up.

christmas wish list

The holidays are officially here and my holiday shopping is in full swing. I was inspired by the Design*Sponge editors' gift guides and decided to create my own.

Ash Canvas TOMS in a size 7 / Sky Planter / Stainless Steel Water Pitcher Milkmaid Butter Dish / Handmade Home / Silver Measuring Spoons

christmas list making

I'm still in search of a coat. It's on my Christmas list so I've been searching all my usual stores and sites but have come up a bit disappointed. I did find a few possibilities along with some adorable dresses that I have absolutely no need of but couldn't help but bookmarking (new year's?). What makes the revue coat (far right) from anthropologie extra cute is the mismatched buttons that go down the back.

silence & noise pleated back wool coat from urban outfitters / poinsettia coat from modcloth / revue coat from anthropologie

Beautiful but unneeded (for the moment).

blue roses dress from modcloth / tide is high dress from modcloth

thanksgiving baking disaster

In preparation for a visit to the bf's family I was baking chocolate ribbon loaf cake as my contribution to Thanksgiving dessert. This is how it ended...

...overflowed in my oven and partially raw. I blame it on my oven. All my cooking troubles started when I moved into this apartment. I salvaged 4 pieces of cake and I plan to embarrassingly pass it off for my dessert. Luckily I was not the only person entrusted with dessert duties.

bird and banner

I have long admired the work of Bird and Banner. They are most known for their wedding work and other invitation design. I think one of the reason's I most like them is because their work is similar to my own. It is comforting to see another succeed with a similar design aesthetic and approach. Their work focuses on a hand done quality, especially incorporating sewn elements and screen printing methods. Bird and Banner is a source of continual inspiration to me and their website is loaded with darling examples.

craft fair post-view

With my first craft fair under my belt, here is a little preview of the items I am selling. I'll have some new items to add in the upcoming weeks. I have two Christmas events coming up; one in my hometown and my final fair is a part of my city's "First Friday" Holiday Hoopla event in the beginning of December. Look for them in my etsy shop as well.

ruffle pillow / embroidered lunch bags / Christmas stockings / reusable snack bags