Swell Dwelling: Sweet Dreams

The whole reason we got married was to get a new mattres. Ok, well, that’s not true at all, but we really wanted to update our late 70s model mattress with something a bit nicer! But we didn’t stop there. We used the new mattress as an excuse to buy new stuff for the rest of our bedroom, to make it feel cozier. Below are some highlights from our progress thus far.

We’ve got a whole new sleep system: mattress, duvet, cover. We still need new pillow covers for the throw pillows, though. It’s quickly become Fitzy’s new favorite place. He just loves that fluffy pillow top!

We’ve also tried our hands at arranging some new/re-positioned wall art.

Here’s another view of said wall art… and new curtains! We need to steam out those wrinkles. We’ll also be painting in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for that (and please ignore the messy nightstand).

More curtain wrinkles! And a peek at our fave rug.

We also got a vacuum, so now we can have rugs. Well, rugs that aren’t covered in dirt and a layer of black cat hair!

More wall art. Please ignore messy dresser. Do not ignore silly cat.

More silly cat. Fitzy’s not the only one who loves our new bedroom.

Take the Chill Off

We’ve been spending a lot of time indoors to beat the cold and to work on wedding projects, as well as “just for fun” stuffz. Like rearranging the bedroom, embroidering things (see above), and designing a new Westervin logo. This weekend, we are venturing out of the apartment (braving the subzero temperatures!) to meet with our caterers and try out the menu for the wedding. Sarah’s also got her first dress fitting. We’re pretty excited, and we’ll be sure to let you know how it goes.

In other Westervin news, Sarah is trying to take a hat-making class, and if she is able to get in, I’m sure you’ll be hearing more about it (please cross your fingers). While she’s busy at class, I’m hoping to buckle down and finally give Westervin the redesign that it desperately needs. Hopefully you’ll be seeing some of the changes soon!

Also, check out those sleek new glasses. We finally made it out to Lab Rabbit Optics, and Sarah picked out a new pair of specs AND a pair of vintage shades. I’ll be back soon to pick out a new pair for myself!

The Shopping Sherpa: Ecru & Little Creatures Too

I imagine these items would befit a slightly-eccentric, hippie-esque cat lady. You know who I’m talking about; there’s one in every neighborhood. She proudly displays custom portraits of her pets and wears the same eyeglasses she’s worn since age 30. Her hair is unkempt, with a few fake flowers stuck here and there, and in her spare time, she makes tiny stuffed animals out of old sweaters and little buttons she finds on the ground. And these cat ladies, their names always begin with “Crazy”. As in “Crazy Kathy, who lives down by the laundry mat”. Oddly enough, this is the future I envision for myself. I’m not afraid.

Clockwise from top left: { Vintage Cat Eye Frames from Vintage 50s Eyewear }  { Nature Girl Halo from Mignonne }  { Double Pet Portrait from Sarah McNeil }  { A Very Young Calf from Every Eskimo }

Daily Pretties: Silent Silhouette

{ Untitled by Constanza Giuliani }  { My little shadow by Jen Pringle }

Daily Pretties: Measure twice…

{ dress21/ grey by TRACCIAMENTI }  { Untitled by Carolina Leal }

Daily Pretties: Scaredy Cat

{ “BLACK CATS ARE LIVING CREATURES TOO.” by Oisin Orlandy }  { Kraa by Ida Nordung }

The Shopping Sherpa: Fitzy’s Puttin’ on the Ritz

I can’t deny it. I’m that girl. The girl that buys unnecessary accessories for her cat, takes a gazzilion and one pictures of said cat, and forces her co-workers to watch countless videos of same cat doing ordinary cat things that only she finds sickeningly cute. (We’re not going to inflict such photos and videos on you. Not just yet, anyway. Be on the lookout for endless Flickr albums of our dear Fitzgerald…) And you know what? I’m not ashamed. I’m a proud cat mamma! I’m even thinking about celebrating ol’ Fitzy’s birthday (we’ll have to make up a birthdate for him), and I’ve picked out a few kitty gifts for him!

Pet Party Hat from xmoonbloom; Handpainted Porcelain Food Dish from Jeanette Risco

Sally Cat’s Catnip Mouse from ReFabulous; Mug Shot Greeting Card from katefunk

Dover Cat from Marjji; Modern Pet Bed in Ecru Celery from Like Kittysville

The Shopping Sherpa: Ummm…. GIMME.

Birthdays.  Another excuse to make a wish list.  But not just any wish list.  A special wish list that’s compiled only once a year.  On my birthday!  (Full circle, people).  It’s like a window into my soul.

Now, these aren’t necessarily things you haven’t seen before.  These items, unlike most things, have stood the test of time in my mental list of things I’m convinced I need.  Nor are they things I expect to receive on this holiest of days (August 9th, mark it on your calendar).   Unless you have, say, $145 to drop on an original Joetta Maue embroidered piece for someone who probably doesn’t deserve it (within the last year, I think I’ve forgotten the birthday of everyone I hold dear.  so make that definitely doesn’t deserve it).  There is one thing on this list, however, that I DO expect.  And if you’re the one who’s supposed to get it for me, you know who you are (Brian).  Everyone else, let me introduce you to Pickles, the 1 1/2 year old domestic short hair above center.  She is beautiful, and she will be mine!  Her name is Pickles, for god sake.  We were made for each other.

GROUP 1: Diamond Pullovers Print Set by My Folk Lover; Doily Desert Plate from Mudpuppy; Maia Star Mobile from theStarcraft (we have this ridiculously cool number in our kitchen right now!); Ballerina Pink Sock Garters from SWANclothing; Pickles!; Corte & Denim Boot from Osborn Shoes; Southwest Zapotec Indian Rug from Mission del Rey; The Pam Carter Series: Drawing 3; My Wagonette; Ice Cream Cone Trinket Box from Fruit Fly Pie

GROUP 2: bored… by Joetta Maue of Bird & Bear; Pickle Earrings from Freeforged; Mobile Homes by Jikits; Glass Milk Carton from Rockett St. George; Light Grey Bear Brooch from ememem; Fluffy Kitten Cup from Mie Kongo Studio; Big Ol’ Bow Earwarmers from YesJess; Bunny Snack Pouch from Down Home Amy; White Tiger of Mystery from PearsonMaron

Daily Pretties: Mold & Meow

{ Untitled by Alícia Rey }  { mould and lichen study by ELINtm }

Daily Pretties: Is it house trained?

{ family portrait :: the sams from Heather Landis }  { medusa from A Journey Round My Skull }

Meow meow, kitty-kitties.  I hope you had a red, white and blue-tiful weekend (for those of you residing in the good ol’ US of A, at least) and are transitioning into yet another hot ‘n’ sweaty summer week.  Brian and I actually let our patriotism fall a little by the wayside  this weekend — may our forefathers forgive us — as our ears filled with the distant sounds of wedding bells and our minds wandered over every possible detail (seemingly) of a garden ceremony and starlit reception, replete with every charm expected of an Ozark Mountain romance (how’s that for a theme, grandma!), including, but not limited to apple and pecan cup-pies, antler chandeliers (I’ll explain this one later), assorted vintage textiles, and minty, fruit-filled cocktails.  Not to mention a color pallet to make a blind man swoon!  Imagine: Bone, Peanut Brittle, Tin Roof, Bluebell, Seafoam, and Dirt Clod (I cannot be bothered with boring color names.)  Yes, my pretty kitties, in addition to settling on a venue, we have set our hearts on a date.  September 3rd, 2011.  Whew!  Now that that’s off my chest, we can get down to the important stuff.  My zealous campaign for a birthday cat!  A cat, with a bow on it, presented to me, on my 24th birthday.  Make it happen, people.  I’ve already picked out a name for her.  Are you ready?  KITTY COURIC!  I. am. so. good.