Broken Computer

equals minimal blogging. On Christmas Eve my laptop decided not to start, which is so sad because I've taken some great pics of my dog and the winter wonderland that is Michigan right now. I also got a new tripod for Christmas which will be great for better pictures, but I can't upload them. So I have to bum my mom and brother's laptops for now. Stay tuned - I'm planning a great A-Z series on some of my favorite things for 2010. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, twenty ten here we come.

Winter Wonderland

I've been in Michigan for almost a week now, which is hard to believe. It's been about 15-20 degrees each day, and its so pretty that I'm actually inspired to pick up my camera, which I haven't done for months. The best thing about vacation is that I wake up in my pajamas, shower if I feel like it, then put on more pajamas, save the days when I have a dentist or haircut appointment. Full disclosure: I wore pajama pants to the post office today to send my packages, and paid an arm and a leg to ensure their arrival by Christmas.

5 Things You Should Know About Me Today

1. I am terrible at cracking eggs. I almost always get a little piece of shell in the bowl.

2. I really dislike it when girls make kissy faces in pictures.

3. I was the spelling bee winner in my 6th grade language arts class. My winning word was 'accessories'.

4. I once fell into a bush while playing putt-putt.

5. I have to finish my Christmas shopping today.

That is all. Aren't I interesting?

trying to feel limber. hotch potch abc cards.

meet my new beagle, Cadet.

I've always considered myself a dog liker, not dog lover. We always had a dog growing up in my family, but there was a definite distinction between people and pets in my home. Lots of love, but no riding around in the car with us, sleeping on our beds or couches, or total spoiling.

And I haven't ever really wanted a dog of my own. But before Thanksgiving my mom mentioned that a coworker of hers just had a baby with his wife and newborn+dog = badness for them. Those intuitive mamas always know what's right for us before we do. Somehow my arm got twisted and I was visiting her for a "trial look" at Thanksgiving. One look and I was hooked. A couple of days later she was at my mom's house making herself at home. I'm taking her back to Saint Louis in January.

And let me tell you, she is the cutest, smartest, peppiest, most badass dog ever. I swore I wouldn't be one of those people who lets their dogs jump on furniture and takes them around everywhere, but I think I'm caving.

shady lady

(hellololla)

I had lenses put into the vintage sunglass frames I found on etsy. They look so cute. Alas, my camera is in Michigan. I leave to go there in 4 days. Can't. hardly. wait.

The Evolution of the Hipster

This is pretty much the funniest thing I've seen all year. Highlights:

2005 - The Fauxhemian

2002 - The Ashton

See the whole decade- Paste Magazine

I could go Christmas shopping for others

Or I could buy a ridiculously awesome hat, vintage glasses, and a print on etsy. Gifts for moi.

happy belated Thanksgiving.

I spent a collective 21 (rainy) hours in the car, was in Michigan for 4 days, ate a lot of junk, made homemade gravy from turkey drippings, watched Home Alone 1 and 2, took a long hike on the sand dunes with my family, and tried to figure out Christmas shopping. I also took zero pictures and left my camera at my mom's house. I'm off in 11 days until 2010. Private school teaching has its rewards. This exciting week includes paying bills, planning some Navidad activities for my students, a little shopping, looking around on Etsy, and generally trying not to be too ansty. Ho ho ho.

leatha

this outfit is AMAZING. I need to go thrifting and find a leather jacket, stat.

the sartorialist in paris

Robert Frank

Photo exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art until January 2010. A German Jewish immigrant, Frank spent 2 years traveling in America in the mid 50s and took over 700 rolls of film. He was arrested in Arkansas for being unshaven and having New York plates.

article here

jump for my love

I enjoy jumping. I enjoy art museums. So this blog is genius.

But there are not enough photos there. I clearly need to head to the nearest art museum, stat.

kid design

Once upon a time when I was 9, my family built a lovely house in a lovely suburb. I was allowed to pick the carpet color for my room (hardwood hadn't quite made the resurgence/resale value that it has today). Being awesome, I picked dark emerald green. And soon had an emerald green valance to match. Seafoam green bedding and walls arrived in middle school. Sweet. The only thing that saved it was my grandma's awesome antique sleigh bed and dresser that I inherited, although they probably looked out of place. Somewhere in high school my budding designer kicked in and I became interested in antiquing, furniture, and generally not having an all-green room.

What I would do now if I could redesign my childhood room....

via

neglect

Sorry blog. Been busy breaking into places. Report cards due soon. Will return soon. yada yada.

spooky a go-go

happy halloween.

I Need a Mantle

And a rose garden.

via

I've followed abchao's flickr stream and great decor ideas for like 3 years (I found her through television without pity, which used to be a regular website of mine). All of the sudden I see her stuff popping up everywhere.

I want her house, and her before/after bedroom, real bad. And I tried to paint a piece of furniture the same color she used for her bedroom. It did NOT turn out that dark.

Wow.

I grew up camping. Clearly it has become a lot more fashionable.

Bandanas, sturdy shoes, and a New Kids on the Block sleeping bag won't cut it anymore.

I want to dress up like this immediately and go camping. Let's go.

Believe it or not, these are actually from a teen vogue shoot.

I'm pretty sure these models have never been camping in real life.

via, via

i like the feeling when you check into a hotel room and first open the door.

it's not really personal. they make beds for everyone, and give everyone a key.

everyone gets the little soap. and plastic wrapped cups.

but they feel like yours. somehow its exciting.

i like my own bed even more. and the feeling when i walk into my room

and slide between the sheets

not scratchy. or dirty from someone i don't know

i like beds.

I don't look around on Etsy very much. While it is amazing, I find it overwhelming. So unless I'm specifically directed to a link, I rarely browse. Tonight I decided to take a chance and look for some vintage fabric, and I stumbled upon this amazing shop - Vintage Stew.

I want everything in this shop - everything. Rompers! Maxi dresses! Sheaths! Yay!

home improvement

Last year I bought this little stand from some antique dealers in St. Louis. It lives by my door and is a catch-all where I put my keys and wallet. The black doesn't go with any of the dark woods in my humble abode, so I finally decided to paint it. The color advertised, "Down Pipe", was supposed to be a dark slate gray-blue.

Before.....

After. Much lighter than I thought, but I like it alot. I let some of the black peep through for a "weathered" look. I don't think painting is really my strong suit.

I'm going to need to add a few extra bucks to my grocery budget each week. I just can't do fake flowers.

this is a lovely tumblr site. the tumblr layout has been growing on me lately.

frido kahlo
my birthday card from libby
love you

Some days are just one step at a time days.
It's been raining for like a week now. I love rain. But a little sun would be nice too.

image via the amazing k

22/24

Almost all my pics came out from my most recent 2 rolls of Diana film. I couldn't believe. Some a bit blurry, but that adds to the Diana intrigue. A few more~

faux j. crew shoot

I need to do more of these with my sisters in law. They are so photogenic and will put up with me while I fiddle with camera settings and composition.