Je suis revenue.

Hello! I've missed doing this, but my mind's been working since my short break began.

Oh, classes started and I'm taking French again. I was very busy preparing and then getting into the swing of things. Since I'm officially 'swung' I can post again! I have tons of post ideas in my head, so this week will probably be a super fruitful week for this blog.

Today, I finished a book, Mrs. Dalloway by Virigina Woolf. It was pretty fabulous. Now, I'm workong on Girl, Interrupted. I won't bore you with my school stuff (in this post) but just know this, there is plenty of reading going on and I've been introduced to some very cool concepts I'll get into once I've decided how I feel about them.

To write a bit about Mrs. Dalloway, it made me very sad. I have some quotes I plan on sharing on my Tumblr (how digital I am), but I will share one that really resonated with me. It's morbid on the surface, but I find it beautiful besides that.

"Death was defiance. Death was an attempt to communicate; people feeling the impossibility of reaching the centre which, mystically, evaded them; closeness drew apart; rapture faded, one was alone. There was an embrace in death."

Perfect, right? I tend to really like revelations about death. Probably because I won't get to experience my own and am always searching out a semblance of those feelings, or that lack of feeling. Also has something to do with not having my Dad and trying to connect with him that way. Like I said, a bit morbid but still beautiful.

I'm sure you're wondering, "How will she follow that with trinkets?!" Never fear, darlings! I can follow anything with trinkets. Especially sadness! :)

Right now, I'm loving art of all kinds. Prints, orginals, aceos, everything! I've been doing some creating of my own (more on that another time), but it's made me appreciate the creations of others. I'm absorbing tons of poetry, paintings, and tribal art lately.

Etsy is filled with sweet, dark, interesting, and all around lovely things. Here are a three I like...

While a little melancholy, this drawing is quite cute in it's own right.


I find myself totally loving this print for many reasons. I love Bison and it reminds me of that old book about colors (do you remember the title?). There is something playful in it, but it wouldn't look bad in an office and at-home library. I like its versatility.


This last one is so very, very awesome. It reminds me of the old Winnie the Pooh! Check it out here, the complete print is larger. I love that little bee as well. I've been thinking about getting a small bee tattooed on my body. Maybe a bee like this one!


Onto the accessories! :D

I have fallen absolutely in love with this fleur-de-lis necklace because of the size! It's massive and I want it. Imagine it against a simple, loose, white t-shirt and skinny jeans. Or against a little black dress for a night out. I have so many ideas!


I totally dig this bag. It reminds me of a Coach bag I saw in Teen Vogue over the summer. The instant I saw it, it spoke to me! It can be worn with just about anything. It has some pretty details that can spice up a simple get-up and pair well with your fancier gear. The strap is long enough to wear it cross body, so it's effortless!


Finally, I offer you this very cool door pillow. I imagine it seated nicely on my little stool against the wall. It's extremely clever!



I've been drinking more lately, not to be drunk, but just to go with a meal or along with a good book. My favorites tend to be amaretto and milk, and wine spritzers. Usually red wine, but I'd like to try white more often. That said, I found a sweet recipe for wine coolers on TasteSpotting! :D


I hope you're having a fabulous Labor Day weekend. I've been getting plenty of sleep and you should do the same! :)

Catch you later!

Currently Listening to: Sussudio by Phil Collins

A Diverse Approach :D

Hi,

Things are gonna be a bit different with this post. I want to make it more "true to life" or something. I'd like to include more tidbits about what I'm actually wearing/doing/buying. My cell camera is decommissioned at the moment, but there will be stand-ins when needed.

I've resumed some old habits when it comes to jewelry this past week and started going for nostalgia. I'm perpetually nostalgic. In fact, I heard the perfect quote today in a movie called 'Kicking and Screaming' (by Noah Baumbach, a fave of mine) to perfectly describe how I feel about anything in the past. "I'm nostalgic for conversations I had yesterday. I've begun reminiscing events before they even occur." It's completely true for me. I love memories and old things and the past in general. Well, the good parts of the past. The bad parts I try to put into a tiny mind compartment and forget.

I've been wearing mementos on my neck, a little rock my friend gave me, a locket I bought myself to put pics of my little siblings in, all at once created a consortium of different, but not opposite, emotions in me. I love memories. On that note, I want to share some excerpts from some great Oscar Wilde poems. Hopefully they connect to you as they did me. I find them melancholy and very true to actual feelings rather than any physical reality.

"Long listless summer hours when the noon
Being enamoured of a damask rose
Forgets to journey westward, till the moon
The pale usurper of its tribute grows
From a thin sickle to a silver shield"
-The Garden of Eros

"Methinks my life is a twice-written scroll
Scrawled over on some boyish holiday
With idle songs for pipe and virelay,
Which do but mar the secret of the whole...
I did but touch the honey of romance-
And must I lose a soul's inheritance?
-Helas

If it seems an odd jump to you from poesy to fashion, we're clearly different folk! We're all made up of many parts and each one should get it's fair shake, yes?
As you can maybe imagine, when I'm feeling nostalgic and poetic my thoughts go to nature. I found a few GREAT animal items that would swing quite nicely with my current necklace! I wish I had more free cash or I'd snag a ton of this stuff!

Whale watching is something I've always wanted to do. Whenever I move to LA, I'll spend my weekends reading on the sand and watching for whales on the rocky piers! This necklace is a very classy rendition of those giant mammals that fascinate we tiny folk!


Since we've already established I l-o-v-e owls, this necklace is perfect. Did I mention the owl is my spirit animal? Plus, I'm a big fan of shiny things. ;)


Of course, I'm super into old school anything and Wilde makes me wax poetic and nostalgic for him time. Not the whole persecution and stupidity part, but the style and perfection of dandyism. This sweet pocket watch is absolutely unmatched. It's a bit pricey, but for such a beautiful piece. It doesn't tell time anymore, but it transports you back in time!


There's something sort of beautiful in this dilapidated tree print that I can't help but love. It's simple and sweet. It's meant to please aesthetically which makes it open to your own symbolic interpretation, which I love.


To makes things a bit more personal, I want to share my latest super cheap shoe find. :) I bought a snazzy pair of Sperry's for $15 at Burlington Coat Factory! They have them of sale here for ~$90 (you might have better luck on eBay or some other option). The shoes look great and will transition awesomely into fall and possibly winter (with the right treads added). It's a simple, but very classy shoe that can transition from school/work to play with ease. You choose how to dress them up, or if you even want to! I have only worn them totally casual so far and love the results. I have them in brown but there are many colors options available!


Whoa! I just hit a plateau of energy! I'm going to watch an episode of Bones, eat some banana smoothie (that I froze and am eating like sherbet!), and go to sleep.
I hope you enjoyed me new style and sorry it ends so abruptly, but the wave of tired just smacked me in the head!
G'night! :)

IKEA-tastic.

I mentioned before that I've got a new job...since I think I shouldn't give away the particulars, I'll stick to the genre. It's in furniture! With lovely chairs, tables, and finery in mind--today's post!

I am the Queen of Procrastinators! I've had the items for this post for days, but I've been distracted and all that jazz from the blog. A couple of entries from now I am going to start branching out. I'm preparing them all right now, so I can just press 'Publish' each morning (or afternoon, or evening)! ;D

I've been avoiding the blog because my head is in such a creative space, I don't wanna use it all up on here! My project for the day will be to compile my latest inspirations into an What Inspires Now book. It's a concept I've been using for years. At the moment, my headboard is covered in inspiring things...some of them are quite strange! I wish I had a picture of it to share.

Onward, to furnishings!

Dressers come in a variety of sizes, but the shapes generally remain the same. You have to add color, texture, or a little something special to make them truly yours. This turquoise piece looks great, and the mirror is just an added bonus. You can probably find a similar piece in your area to DIY! From tampastreetmarket.


When you're attempting your dresser DIY, or if you just pick up a plain one that needs some spice, drawer pulls are a necessity! This one is so interesting! And this one is absolutely sweet! Both are from kmadson




I like simple, clean lines in furniture--but, that doesn't mean I don't like a suprise in how it's decorated! This octo-table is so crazy cool, I'd love it in my place! From FunkyArtGuy.


Of course, I know my readership is quite hip (I rhymed there! ;D), so you guys must be into reclaimed, distressed looking furniture. These next pieces fit that bill perfectly, each in their own funky, interesting ways.

This reclaimed wood table looks great outdoors and would be a total home-run indoors. Especially with concrete or muted flooring. From, cleverly named, surthrival.


This trendy stool demands all the attention, even going so far as to command its owners in the affirmative! (language buffs, eat your heart out!) From coffeehousevintage.


Those of us interested in furniture design will love this Eames inspired sofa from lunarloungedesign. I love the affordability of these pieces. They're beautiful, sound, affordable pieces. :D


For some, understated means totally organic, simple, and so easy to look at that you forget it's furniture. This tree-like table provides a beautiful, natural look that brings a room back down to earth. From DovetailDesignsCont


Sometimes, you don't want to re-vamp an entire room, but you want a bit of change. Switching out your door knobs is an easy way to update your space and give your hands a little something new. :) These knobs from WeirdTales are handpainted and very pretty.


Of course, today's recipe is for SWEDISH MEATBALLS! I love these things! Also, a dill bread to go with them would be yummy!


P.S. I've nicknamed the meatballs Swede Meats. Get it, like sweet meats? Hilarious, yes? :D

Bye for now.

Groovy, baby!

Some inspiration is smacking me in the face right now. The song "Paint it Black" by the Rolling Stones! I'm grooving out big time. I've always been into the 60s-70s vibe: modern cuts and flowy styles look fabulous on most people!

To start, a record from those greats of the 60s and 70s, The Rolling Stones! Mick Jaggers giant lips are inspiration alone! From, aptly named seller, TotallyAwesomeVinyl.

Of course, The Stones put me in a trippy mood. The 70s were a pretty cool time, and very mellow. Even the craziest things seemed totally chill. Imagine having your moring tea with this set! It would be a great day indeed! From overthetopoverstock.

This probably has quite a few meanings. I'll leave it to your interpretation. If your pants need to be held up, attach this buckle to your hand crushed leather belt. From RecycleBuyVintage.

No 70s entry would be complete without something with a peace sign on it! The necklace is so adorable! I'd wear it every day with a few other necklaces to spice it up. Modern, yet old school. From WoodNCreations.

These days, no entry is complete without a hippo! This bespectacled gal is totally trippy, totally 70s, and totally cool. From MomentOfZen.

I'm reviving the recipes (at last!). Today, I'm going for a drink and a dessert. The Stones weren't into 3 squares a day, they were into joy and a good time!

The Tequila Sunrise was a favorite of 70s folk. It looks great and tastes even better. There's a link for homemade grenadine on the recipe page. Looks like fun!

One of my personal favorite donuts in a larger form, the Boston Cream Pie! I love this recipe because there's a video attached. Cool, right?

Ok, tomorrow's entry is going to be related to my new job. ;) Then, the Big Fat Summer Challenge post goes up! Get excited!


Ciao!

Reasons for Living.

Today, I'm in a fabulous mood. Here are the reasons:
1. I'm drinking hot coccoa!
2. My Pandora is on the Heatmiser station right now.
3. I am freshly employed.
4. Life is beautiful.
5. I'm exercising regularly.


In honor of this lovely day, I'm going to do multiple posts. (Since, technically, I owe the blog-o-sphere for my absentee-ism.) And I just want to.


This first entry will be a lot of my favorite things. I usually don't share what I'm loving at the moment, but I feel communal right now. As that demon said in the Bible, "We are Legion." :D

A. Over the past couple of days, I've embraced my body more and more. I just love the things I can do. That said, the hippo and I have formed a true bond. We're round, but strong. That's who I am. I love it. I am actually planning a trip to the zoo to get my own shots of hippos to hang in my apartment. This smug mug is a perfect expression of Hippo and Me. From WheeTreasures.

B. In accordance with embracing myself and simplicity, I'm wearing my hair naturally, as it sits atop my head without any help. That sort of beauty is encompassed in this print from AFroDisiacs.

C. I'm in love with decals right now. All sorts of decals. this decal just brings so many great elements together. Cute kitties, birds, and a tree! From ClipArtDecal.

D. I'll admit. I have a favorite etsy seller that I turn to for jewelry. I pick favorites! I just love the cheeky style of her designs. Yep, I'm talking about thelovelyteaspoon! This cute anchor necklace is one more reason to love her stuff. It's absolutely adorable! That little heart is the perfect touch. :) So sweet!

E. What's cuter than moustache pins? Nothing at all. Except perhaps kittens wearing moustaches. Pins from MustacheandFriends. Plush from cordialkitten.

vs.

F. I'm always fascinated by the octopus. Eight legs, super smart, and very ugly. (Or so we'd think!) This cutie is defying the odds by being totally adorable, wearable, and subtle. I love everything. From Alwynstore.

G. I'm into oddities (which I'm sure you can tell), and I love owls (yet another obvious one). So, when those two loves came together with this strange bank, I just had to share! Imagine tossing pennies in there and bringing that bad boy in to the coin star machine! From jayne2333.

H. Small, sweet, muted objects are completely timeless. I'm always searching around for another great find. This petal ring does the job famously. It can be worn with a gown or a t-shirt and jeans. I'm in love with versatility and this piece has it! From littlebugjewelry.

This entry came so easily. I think I'm at a more creative and open place. I'll be sharing on this blog way more often. (Funny, now that I actually have things to do, I want to make time for it!) Everything about this flows. I love you guys! Adios.

Baby Delights (for a special little boy!)

(Note: Click the links not the pictures! :D)

So, things in my life are going quite well at the moment. My best friend is pregnant, and I am the godmother to growing boy. He's perfect, she's perfect, the works! I've recently developed an outlook about life that is dependent upon beauty, and new life is definitely a beautiful thing.


In honor of that young life, I'm seeking out the best baby- and mommy-related goods I can find on Etsy. I've set aside some great things that I want to get for them, but I'm going to quest for entirely new stuff for you guys! I'm trying to go organic or natural, just to make things that much healthier for the baby in your life!

First off, I'm in love with natural wood teethers, like this one from littlesaplingtoys. I like them because they're simple and practical. They come in so many different sizes, shapes, and styles that it was hard to choose just one! What a great shop!

Babies love to play and learn! These little animals can let your baby do both! You can play along with your baby/toddler and name the animals as you take them on a woodland adventure or just toss them in the air. =P From justhatched.

Mommy has to wear something while she's buxom, right? This dress from thesimpson is so structured and pretty, with plenty of room for a growing tummy (and if you widen in some other areas, it's forgiving, but highlights your pretty, sculpted shoulders. ;)

Let's not forget that baby must be dressed too! First, a sweet girly onesie!



Then, a boyish onesie!



Both from lynsflinders. So many cute options from them!

A great unscented soap for sweet baby's skin. I like this mild, unscented soap because it won't irratate your baby's skin. From wyldeivy.

I love cute, soft, minky washcloths for the perfect skin on a baby's body! Since discovering the minky fabric, I'm totally in love with it! These washcloths from theposhtots are so cute and very affordable! Even though you only get 3, they're machine washable and just feel better with time!

Because I love variety, I'm going to provide a few options for a very special gift...THE DIAPER CAKE! Yes, all new parents need diapers (and lots of them), but how often do you get to dress it up? Rarely! So, I'm gonna bring you cakes at 3 price points where one will definitely fit your budget! Drum roll please...DUN-DUN-DUN!


1. Who doesn't love Winnie? This 60-diaper cake is perfect if you're hosting a baby shower and need a centerpiece. From ericajmoore. It's pricey, but totally adorable.




2. A more affordable, but still adorable option. That lion looks so ferocious! And I know baby would love to cuddle with it! From ilovepattycakes.




3. This mini-diaper cake is so cute, new parents will gush over it! Tons of characters to choose from and it comes with sweet extras. From nicole4129.

Mommies have needs too, and some of them can be annoying or frustrating for a new parent. One thing for breastfeeding moms to worry about is leaky *ahem* faucets. These bad boys will help with any unwanted leaks. They soften when washed and look great! Even if only you get to see them! From MasonsEcoMom.

Even though that big belly is a constant reminder, sometimes mommies want something a bit more delicate. This necklace is the perfect little trinket to make anyone smile. Those little feet are beyond adorable! From TheTwoBeans.

I could really go on forever, but I'm trying to finish the 2nd season of Arrested Development...so, I've gotta go! I hope you enjoyed this baby edition of Musings! Tomorrow, a daddy and baby edition!

-Bye!