Daily Pretties: IQ Test

{ Hospitality by Oh Carlyn }  { Untitled by Salva López }

Build It

{ “Despicable Dogs” by Small Black}

Planned Destruction

There was a time, I’m not exactly sure when, somewhere between 2nd and 7th grade, when I spent a lot of time in the basement. Between watching TV and “learning” the computer, I spent hours and hours building stuff. We had a vintage Erector Set and Tinker Toys from my Dad’s boyhood, and I had Legos, and hammers and nails, and all of that stuff that you would expect a young boy to have. But my favorite thing by far was a dark blue plastic milk crate full of wooden blocks. I loved building all kinds of structures, always stretching the finite number of blocks with Jenga-like precision to see how tall, or how large, or how impenetrable I could make it. These were forts, castles, office buildings, cities. Anything was possible.

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Sperm Whale Vs Giant Squid: A death metal match beneath the sea

{ The Whale Wins Print from Berkley Illustration }

I’m positively giddy with excitement.  Why, you ask?  Because I’m very happy to introduce a new guest post by my dear babykins, Lara Assaf.  In honor of Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s birthweek, she’s sharing an epic tale of underwater combat with Westervin.  OhGAWD it’s so good!

Disclaimer: the author confirms her awareness of a somewhat popular indie film entitled The Squid and the Whale; however, seeing as the movie addresses nothing of the legendary combat between the two creatures, she feels this article is more than called for.

I should start out by saying that I am very far from the first person to take note of the awesome brutality of the ancient war between two primordial titans of the sea: the sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus (credentials: largest toothed animal on planet earth, deepest diving mammal, flat cute head) and the giant squid Architeuthis dux (credentials: creepiest animal on planet earth, giant freaky eyes, appropriately mysterious). Nevertheless, I think most might agree that the subject is wildly under publicized given its unparalleled coolness, and so one more appeal to spread the news can’t hurt.

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How I fell in love with Jacques Cousteau

{ Print by Matte Stephens }

When I was young, I liked learning. I liked going to the library with my mom and checking out books on whales, Mount St. Helens, and the Titanic. I liked learning about new things, different things, things that wasn’t around me in Iowa or Tennessee—the ocean, volcanoes, aliens, etc. While books were great, they were never quite as exciting as our trips to Blockbuster or the local video chain.

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Ch-ch-changes

{ image credits: sneak peek by Kim Ludy; 302/365 I like to move it by Allard; cactus collection by Sarah E. Kershaw }

Depending on where you live, it may or may not be getting warmer, and you know what that means: spring cleaning. Here at Westervin, we have a few changes in the works (one of which is replacing our laptop’s power cord, which has hampered our blog output with its sparking and smoking):

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Workin’ Hard

{ …Engine Installation… from The Library of Congress (one of the greatest photostreams of all time) }

Hey kiddos!  We’re sorry we’ve been a bit absent for most of the week.  Mommy and Daddy just needed a little break.  We were riding along just fine — having a great weekend, getting stuff done, basking in some great luck — and then we got slapped in the face with some serious head colds.  DANG!  But don’t be sad, friends.  We’re getting better, and we’ll be back next week with more super-duper Westervin content.  We ain’t quitters!  In fact, I’ve got quite an exciting day ahead… at my new job!  That’s right!  This little bumble bee has got herself a real job.  Not just being pretty all day but being pretty (it’s my first position that requires looking nice and professional) and productive!  Monday through Friday, 9 to 5, babies!  But just because Mommy gets to bring home the bacon doesn’t mean she’s abandoned you.  We’ll still be here every weekday to delight and divert!

Women’s Herstory!

{ Wind Worshipers by Jonathan Clark }

I am a terrible feminist.  I went through an entire week of March without realizing it was Women’s History Month!  And how did I find out about it?  Through a disappointing SNL sketch.

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Our dream wedding: You can help!

If you haven’t already heard, we’re engaged!  And guess what else.  You could help us have our dream wedding!  Just vote for us in the Crate & Barrel Ultimate Wedding Contest, and we could win a big ol’ wedding worth $100,000!  We NEED your vote.  In the name of love and happiness and handmade, eco-friendly weddings, perdy-please vote for us here!  It will only take a few seconds.

EDIT: If you’ve voted for us, you can now enter our giveaway to win a stunning embroidered necklace from Marañón, a featured seller on Etsy.  Enter here.

Our love story: I’m Australian.  On a family vacation in the states, we met and fell in love on a California beach.  In a happy twist of fate, my family decided to move there, and Brian and I ended up going to the same high-school together!  But Brian turned out to be a bad-boy, and my good-girl ways made it hard for us to be together.  But love conquers all!  Eventually, a song-and-dance number at a school carnival brought us back together, and we each realized that “You’re the one that I want”.

Ok, so that’s actually the plot of Grease… but our story is romantic, too!  Brian and I met on the first day of school (college), and we spent the first days of our friendship on a class trip to Memphis.  He put my number in his phone, listed as “Elvis”.  He fell in love almost instantly and spent the next three-and-a-half years patiently and tirelessly bearing the burden of unrequited love, making me mac ‘n’ cheese, taking me on dinosaur hunting adventures and holding my hand when I cried.  Eventually, I received a metaphorical slap in the face, and realized I would never meet another person more talented, fun, handsome or caring.  [insert more gooey-lovey-dovey stuff], and now we’re living happily ever after.

Three important details about our Ultimate Wedding: Our dream wedding?  Picture this.  An underwater reception, a chorus of glittering mermaids, floating off into the sunset in a hot-air balloon piloted by Dolly Parton.

But if that doesn’t fit the budget, here’s Plan B:

1) Environmental and social responsibility:  We don’t want our special day just to be about us (for more reasons than Brian’s shyness).  With every detail, we want to support our community, environment, and small businesses.  We’ll have food from local farms, local wildflowers, a handmade dress from an independent designer, recycled-paper decorations and invitations printed on vintage silk scarves.

2) Nature meets Urban:  We’ll exchange vows atop a landscaped roof in downtown Chicago.

3) Bye-bye traditional:  Champagne pyramids, identical bridesmaids, 6-tierd cake?  NO THANKS!  Yes to cup-pies, quilt-covered hay bails, a bluegrass band.

Our everyday dream day: Our everyday dream day includes shopping at Crate & Barrel *wink wink*  Then, blogging together, baking together, balloon dancing together, playing thought-jinks — all on a warm, summer Sunday, with the windows open and Sam Cooke vinyl crackling on the turntable.  After all that we would be tired little puppies, so we would take a nap until dinner, which would include grilled salmon and scrumptious inside-out BLTs, a Pink Slip (one of Brian’s original cocktail creations that includes basil and raspberries) and cinnamon rolls for dessert.  The rest of the night would be spent dancing with our wonderful friends.

Thank you so much for reading and viewing all these vain pictures of us!  Please remember to vote for us here.  If you really want to help us (and I will love you forever if you do) please post this on your blog or website, asking your readers/viewers to vote for us, too!  Don’t hesitate to email me at sarah@westervin.com if you have any questions.

Holiday Cheer

Holiday Inspiration: Rustic Winter

1. Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

2. Snow and Ice Topiary $15 by Mary’s Workshop

3. Rag Ball Ornaments $36 by Alice W.

4. Love Pom Set $14 by Orange Kisses

5. Acorn Bells $12 by RAK’ Designs

6. Shabby Garland $45 by Milkpod Studio

7. Faux Deer Head $275 by High Flight 57

8. Rustic Modern Stocking $40 by Milkpod Studio

Holiday Inspiration: White as Snow

1. Untitled

2. Bright White Star Urchin Ornament $16 by Kissa Design

3. Deer Silhouette Ornament $24 by Wanna Be

4. Ruffle Ball Ornament $14.50 by Vintage Poppy Creations

5. Dreaming of a White Christams $49 by Deb In Fla

6. Winter Wonderland Pine Cones $14 by Melker

7. “May Your Days Be Merry and Bright” Tile Ornament $22 by Paloma’s Nest

8. Periwinkle the Horse Print $25 by Rocky Top Studio

Holiday Inspiration: Nordic Reds

1. Superhero Boy with his Swedish Horses

2. Peppermint Stripes Pumpkin $12 by Sea Pinks

3. Eco-friendly Stockings $18/each by RikRak

4. Scented Heart Ornaments $24 by Bebito

5. “Squirrel Holding Nutty Gift” Card Set $15 by T. Davio Designs

6. Festive French Lavender Bags $15 by Tialys

7. Candy Cane Diamonds Ornament $25 by Julie and Co.

8. Giant Red Mugs $26 by The Secret ‘Stache

Holiday Inspiration: Victorian Fairy Tales

1. Winter Path

2. Holiday Joy Banner $22 by Alice W.

3. Angel Chenille Ornaments $7.50 by Old World Primitives

4. White Lace Paper Garland $20 by Kristina Marie

5. Desdemona Necklace $34 by Kimberly Laws

6. Lady Slipper Ornament $19 by Middleburg

7. Hot Air Balloon Ornament $15.95 by Iva’s Creations

8. Pearl the Christmas Fairy $20 by Janie D. Mattern

Christmas Lists

Grey Skies

1. Glass Milk Carton $20 from Rockett St. George

2. Grey Skimmers $38 from Urban Outfitters

3. Snake Bangle Watch $28 from Urban Outfitters

4. Gilda Cushion $7.99 from Ikea

5. Mook with Rhino Mask $35 from I Love Grey Skies

6. Heaven Sent Feather Earrings $28 from Fleathers

7. Triangles Pillow Cover $45 from Be Still

8. The Cherry Ice Cream Necklace $25 from Alas del Sur

9. Zinc Wire Baskets $42 from Rockett St. George

Turquoise

1. Little Bear Mask $7.50 from Abigail Brown

2. Forget Me Knot Earrings $12 from Bueno Style

3. Art Deco Necklace $40 from Chain Chain Chained

4. Southwest Turquoise Beaded Necklace $39.95 from Mission del Rey

5. Beige Bear Brooch $37 from Ememem

6. Jane Austen Original Drawing $30 from Yardia

7. Velvet Floral Pillow $18.99 from Target

8. Mineral Washed Sweatshirt $17.80 from Forever21

9. Sadie Hawkins Vintage Button Ring $15 from Coo Koo Ri Koo

Mauve Mama

1. Contrast Waist Jumpsuit $22.80 from Forever21

2. White Floral Jersey Necklace $25 from Mozui

3. Black Magic Necklace $32 from Chain Chain Chained

4. Glitz & Glam Necklace $40 from A Common Thread

5. Plum Tote $58 from Urban Outfitters

6. Dollface Print $6 from Matou en Peluche

7. Diamond Pullovers Print Set $18 from My Folk Lover

8. Kitty Brass Ring $14 from Labyrinth Vintage

9. Black Velvet Leggings $11.80 from Forever21

Cherry Pickin’

1. Meta-embroidery IV $50 from Planet Mithi

2. Naturlig Laundry Basket $39.99 from Ikea

3. Taos Queen Bedspread $59.95 from Mission del Rey

4. Road and Round Rooster Feather Earrings $40 from Fleathers

5. Cupcake Trinket Box $25 from Fruit Fly Pie

6. Just a Whittle Drinking Problem Necklace $24 from Savage Salvage

7. Knit Red Bow Necklace $18 from A Common Thread

8. Doily Thing $25 from Michelle Moode

9. Rudolph Ornament $8 from Stay Home

Snowflakes

1. Victorian Lady Deer Figurine $34 from The Runny Bunny

2. Jorun Cusion $9.00 from Ikea

3. Bubble Umbrella $18 in Blue from Urban Outfitters

4. Rubber Lace Coasters $16 from Rockett St. George

5. Polar Bear with Balloon Figurine $28 from Pearson Maron

6. Water Carafe with 4 Glasses $28 from Rockett St. George

7. Polysilk Sequin Pillow $49.99 from Target

8. Ivory Crushed Velvet Dress $55 from Nuvo Nova

9. Dreamdust Ring $17 from Coo Koo Ri Koo

Touch of Taupe

1. Creamy Necklace $20 from Feltik

2. Bunny Rabbit Feltidermy $45 Girl Savage

3. Knit Taupe Leggings $29 from Forever21

4. Woodgrain Pillow $39.99 from Target

5. Southwest Wool Purse $34.95 from Mission del Rey

6. Wooden Cube Earrings $15 La Bestia

7. Mel Kadel Wallet $20 from Poketo

8. Leatherette Messenger Bag $29.80 from Forever21

9. Navajo Basket $19.95 from Mission del Rey