I regret to inform you that posting might be a bit short for the next several days. I’ve got personal business (or “bidness” as I like to say) to take care of. That’s right, Mama’s got stuff to DO. Oh! You gettin’ nosy? You wanna know what it is? Well, you’ll just have to wait! Until then, please enjoy this collection of delightful oddities (brought to you by the one, the only… the Shopping Sherpa) and the short posts I have scheduled through Tuesday. Don’t miss me too much.
“You saw me standing alone… without a dream in my heart… without a love of my own.” Sing it with me now! “Blue Moooooon. You know just what I was there for. You heard me saying a prayer for… someone I really could care for.” Don’t you just love singalongs! Don’t you just love it when you can’t get a song out of your head, and then you start singing it out loud, and then people around you start humming it, and before they know it… it’s stuck in their heads too! It’s a little game Brian and I play with each other. Why, just last night he planted a seed with a little hum, and before I knew what was happening, I was singing the titular line from “Eye of the Tiger” over and over for a solid hour. I didn’t even know the rest of the lyrics (btw, I just looked ‘em up… what the hell does “cream of the fight” mean?!). Thanks Brian. And today, I have a gift for you. “Blue Moooooon….. ta-da-da dum dum da dum dum… ”
ROW 1: Hello Greeting Cards (I feel like that card really means it… it’s happy to see me.) from bklynstitch; Handwoven Navajo Inspired Earrings (I love me some macramé.) from Moshi Moshi Designs; Vintage Coffee Canister from Olive
ROW 2: Hip Hippo Necklace (It’s Hippo-awesome-mus! Don’t cringe. You love my puns.) from Velvet Seahorse Jewelry; Kimono Cardigan Dress (It’s East meets West meets sweet memories of my mom’s closet.) from Riordan Roache; Flight Pattern Hoop Earrings from Noble Gnome
ROW 3: Cornflower Blue Vintage Slingbacks (Only $23! Oh babies, if only you were a size larger.) from Vintage Shoe Love (If you love vintage shoes, this is the place for you. I mean, obv. It’s in the name.); fancy cancer ex. b Original Watercolor with Frame (This makes me want to be a sea anemone.) from Ryan the Wheelbarrow (No relation, I’m sure, to Willy the Wheelbarrow, who belonged to my grandfather.); Navy Classical Pattern Wristlet from Kelly’s Keepsakes
Why, just the other day, I was chatting with the Shopping Sherpa, and I said, “Shopping Sherpa, I need some pretty art, jewelry and vintage housewares to cheer me up. Something warm and strong, and a little unexpected. Can you find me something like that, Shopping Sherpa?” And you know what? He knew just what I was looking for.
Clockwise from top left: Cranigma Original Painting from Miss Pompadour; Red Silk and Brass Nugget Necklace from Solis Handmade Jewelry; Vintage Geometric Pot from Trampoline; Vintage Dachshund Letter Holder from Hopgrasser
JK. I’m actually more like the opposite of edgy. I’m a big proponent of hugs and baby animals… and hugging baby animals. But that doesn’t mean I can’t look edgy right?
P.S. I realize that some of these items, a ceramic mug, for instance, may not appear “edgy” to some. Just go with me on this. It’s all about the color scheme here. K? Thanks.
ROW 1: Organic Black Hair Triangle Tee from Coma and Cotton; Dreamcatcher Necklace from Erma; Paisley Drums Hair Clip from Paisley and Brass by Ashaloo
ROW 2: You’re a Winner Pennant Necklace from Super Duper Things; Magic Triangle Magnetic Necklace from Color Blind Smarties by Tamé; Triangles Unisex Crew from Jessalin Beutler
ROW 3: Arctic Series Moleskin Notebook from The Blackbird Sings; Neighborhood Mug from Dovetail; Black Lace-up Rain Boots from Vim and Vigor Vintage
Lazy Oaf is not for the timid. This London-based creative label will shock you with color and tickle you with silly graphics. I think I’ll take one of everything!
I’ve got weddings on the brain! Between the Crate & Barrel Ultimate Wedding Contest we entered, my sweet baby Gracie’s upcoming nuptials and all the wedding season commercials/shows on tv, I can’t seem to escape it. Like many a daydreaming schoolgirl, I’ve already started planning ours, even though we haven’t even set a date yet. Below are some of the lovely, handmade things I’ve picked out from Etsy — a mix of sweet and quirky. For those of you just joining us, Brian and I have entered the contest (mentioned above) to win $100,000 and the aid of a talented wedding planner to create our dream wedding. We need a lot of votes to win, so if you haven’t already voted, please take a few seconds to do so! Vote for us here.
1. Squirrel Groom Cake Topper from Melabo
2. Necklaces from The Vamoose — These would make lovely gifts for ladies in the wedding party, no?
3. Gray and Royal Blue Hat from Behida Dolic
4. Gold Paper Bowl from Up In The Air Somewhere – On the reception tables, filled with small pebbles and a tea light. Might need to see how flammable they are though…
5. Pink Petals Dress from Sarah Seven — I must have a Sarah Seven dress in my life!
6. Silvery Sash/Headband from Little White Dresser
7. Light Shades from Nice — I’m in love with these. In LOVE!
8. Custom Couples Portrait from Tuesday Mourning — To go on the Save the Date cards.
9. Teacup and Silverware Windchime from Reclaimed Designs — For the wind to make sweet music as we celebrate our sweet love. Eew! Sappy.
10. Tiny Twig Pencils from alliebeans — To sign the guestbook.
11. Silk Tie from Tie One On — For the groom. Obv.
12. Custom Tiny Text Bowl from Paloma’s Nest — Instead of those froofy little ring pillows.
1. Silk Pleated Collar Dress from Amanda Archer — A possible bridesmaid dress.
2. We Make Sense Poster from Things by bubbo-tubbo — I want to have this printed on rectangles of cotton (preferably recycled or eco-friendly material) for reusable napkins that our guests can take home.
3. White Gold Band from One Stone New York — Made from recycled gold by the same artisan who made my engagement ring.
4. Multi-color Flag Necklace from Scout Holiday — Not sure who would wear this yet… I just had to include it.
5. Vintage Ledger Seals from Kis for Calligraphy — For sealing all the “Thanks for the gift” letters.
6. Big Dots and Bunting Teapot from Ninainvorm — Because you gotta offer your guests a little after-dinner cup of tea, right? Really, I want all the plates to be from Nina, too.
7. Small to Tall Containers from Jfish Designs — Picture these filled with mismatched wildflowers 
8. Triangular Laced Necklace from Marañón — I gotta temper that dainty, sweet wedding dress with a little bit of spice!
9. Porcelain Tiles from Ashley G
10. Cupcake Stand with Bird Bell Jar from Whitney Smith Pottery
11. Porcelain Pie “Tins” from Lorena Barrezueta — We’re thinking the food will be “picnic fair”, so I think these would make cute serving dishes for the potato salads and such.
12. Victoria Cake Stand from My Cake Stand
And purchasable!
{ Fiesta Flamingo Necklace from A Alicia Handmade Accessories }
{ French Knot Wall Art from Ruggles Stitch }
Oh Friday, so kind of you to stop by. And with such gifts! Dreamy bubble gum colored paintings, beads and silk of beautiful blue, pretty little thieves (!) and a kooky little cat! All of which benefit various Haiti relief organizations. You shouldn’t have.
ROW 1: Art for Haiti 1 $30 (100% donated to Yele Haiti) from koeb; Carousel Necklace $25 (50% donated to World Relief) from Corrieberry Pie; Vista Original Painting $60 (100% donated to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund) from Color Poetry
ROW 2: Beaded Necklaces $20-$25 (50% donated to either Samaritan’s Purse or American Red Cross) from Jewelry by SM; Eco Toes in Wool Plaid $45 (10% donated to the American Red Cross) from infusion; Hand Dyed Silk Scarf $38 (10% donated to Doctors Without Borders) from Silk Scraves from Brazil
ROW 3: For the Other Original Drawing $15 ($10 donated to the American Red Cross) from Pretty Little Thieves; The Calista Dress $52 ($10 donated to Haiti relief) from Third Culture Clothing; Tiny Siamese Cat Jar $25 (100% donated to Doctors Without Borders) available through Hearts for Haiti
If you haven’t heard, I’m throwing a birthday party for Brian. It’ll be Bubbles & Baubles: A Fizzy Lifting Drinks Bash! I can already tell you’re pretty impressed with my theme-forming abilities. But it get’s more impressive! For our lucky guests, I’ve put together a little inspiration for some festive attire. It’s a dizzying mash-up of rainbow colors and sparkle, drawn from the flair of 20′s extravagance, the campy cuteness of 40′s barbershop quartets and the technicolor dreamworlds of 50′s cinema. I don’t have a problem with going overboard. Our guests better not be afraid to dazzle!
ROW 1: Embellished 50′s Sweater from Kokoro Kara; Reconstructed Vintage Pillbox Hat from Swift Vintage and Handmade; Vintage Seafoam Sweater Dress from Marie’s Vintage
ROW 2: “Stepping Out” Cocktail Hat from Pondhopper Originals; Vintage Sequin Earrings from Sign of the Dimes; Charles Jourdan Peeptoes from Verseau Vintage
ROW 3: Vintage Gold Cocktail Dress from Timeless Vixen Vintage; Vintage Madras Shorts Set from Empress Jade Vintage; “Ana” Sequin Headband from Dana Castle
ROW 1: Baby Blues Bow Tie from Nineteen Vintage; Aqua Blue Cufflinks from Enthrall; Madras Necktie from Mouse Trap Vintage
ROW 2: Purple Bow Headband (let’s pretend it’s a bowtie here) from Just Liv; Bright Suede Oxfords from Tiny Vintage Wardrobe (run by the superbly awesome Shan Shan of Tiny Toadstool. We’ll have to talk about how much I love her work soon); Vintage Argyle Sweater Vest from It’s Bella
ROW 3: Vintage Plaid Blazer from Mother Midnight; Vintage Suspenders from Marie’s Vintage; Vintage Orange Fedora from Peppermint Thrift
These multi-colored flag pins by Scout Holiday are said to “automatically increase the insanity of any outfit.” I believe it.
They look like upside down, rainbow mountains. Now, I can’t remember if Rainbow Brite lived in a mountain — I think I can picture her flying out of a cave on her magic horse… the Color Caves, maybe? — but either way, I’ve decided that she would definitely wear one of these pins.
Cheri Messerli, the stylist and illustrator who makes them, also happens to have had THE most darling handmade wedding I’ve ever seen. That wedding cake!? I want to live inside it! Thanks, Erin, for reminding me about it.
