Pix-elated!

Thanks, Maiden Rapture, for the awesome shoutout for my print "Nothing Important" on your blog! And, in other news, I will be doing another giveaway soon. Stay tuned!

Design Dialogue: The Perfect Valentine's Gift

Forget obnoxious red cards or big boxes of chocolates. If you really want to win my heart this Valentine's Day, all you have to do is buy me one of these prints, or all of them. I love art, and I love that I can display this art year-round without feeling like a lunatic cheeseball. (You can still get me some chocolate, too, on the side. Wink, wink.)

4-Ever Print by Silhouette Blue (Customizable with you and your sweetheart's initials)

Kiss Me Print by John W. Golden + I Heart U - ABC - Chocolate by Studio Lyon

Love by naokosstoop + laugh dream love WHITE print by Orange Beautiful

Love Tree by Vieiragirl + VALENTINE Love Cats by Kerry Beary

Love is Everything by Studio Mela

Flickr Fridays: #11

It's been a really long, hard week. What would really make me feel better are pictures of insanely cute kittens. It would be even more awesome if they were spooning. Or hanging out in a box. Awwww.

1. Cat Stack, 2. Special Delivery

Written Word: Seven-Year Itch

"You've only been working on that novel for how many years? Are you ever going to finish?" Husband was incredulous.

What he didn't realize is that, yes, I wrote the first draft of my first novel, "Groupie," in 2002, but I haven't been working on it ever since! C'mon! Give me a little credit. I'm meticulous, not insane.

The time line goes as follows: I revised it in early 2003. I sent out multiple queries and received just as many rejections. Life and work intervened. When I sat down to write in the interim years, I wrote short stories and rough chapters of new novels. Something never sat right with me, though. I'm the type of person who likes to complete things. With my visions of a published "Groupie" unfulfilled, I haven't been able to give full focus to any other project. A few months ago, enough time had passed for me to dust off the manuscript and re-read it.

Oh, boy, did it need work.

Fast forward to now. I've been gutting this thing like a fish and changing things that just didn't work. It's true what they say: a little perspective and a lot of life experience can better your writing. I'm not going to venture a guess at when I'll be done because I'm not writing for speed; I'm writing to get the story right.

That being said, it's been seven years since I started the novel, but I've only spent a grand total of six months actively working on it! So I stick my tongue out at you, Husband, but I will accept your challenge and finish this beast; hopefully it won't take me another seven years.

Aqua Net Lives!

I can't believe it! The sticky spray supreme I used in junior high to craft my windmill bangs, aka mall bangs, is still being sold at a Target store near you (fourth shelf up, center stage). I was under the mistaken impression that the aeresol hairspray went the way of the dinosaur around the time of the Rachel haircut. Maybe this was just wishful thinking after several years of teasing my poor tresses to the sky and shocking them into submission with the 99-cent goo in a can.

It has to be said that Google Images is woefully unstocked with awesome photos from the 1980s of mall bangs and the like. The best I could do was Madonna here, but really? There were so many better examples of mall bangs roaming the halls of schools across America in the years 1986-1993. Surely not all photographic evidence has been lost.

Tune Time: Los Angeles

You know how you notice when places are mentioned in a song you like, and you kinda nod, like, "Oh, yeah. Another song about New York." Well, there's a totally different sense of recognition if you actually live in the place mentioned. I swear that songs I've been listening to for years finally made sense when I moved to Los Angeles.

This was a new phenomenon for me because Wichita, Kansas, doesn't have a lot of claims to fame songwise, unless you count "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (which doesn't count, btw, because it was song about LEAVING Kansas).

Allow me to translate the meaning of some of my favorite California-centric songs. It's possible that I read entirely too much into lyrics, but that's the listener's discretion, right? Right!

Los Angeles I'm Yours - The Decemberists
Observation: The city is foul but despite this (or because of this?) I love it even more.
Lyrical evidence: O great calamity/Ditch of iniquity and tears/How I abhor this place/Its sweet and bitter taste/Has left me wretched, retching on all fours/Los Angeles, I'm yours

California - Tom Petty
Observation: California isn't like anywhere else. As far as Californians are concerned, we live in the United States of California, and we are the mayors of our own mini, self-reliant universe, where we must claw our way to fame/fortune/paying the rent. (Note Tom's sarcasm in the first few lines of the lyrics ... or is it my own?)
Lyrical evidence: California's been good to me/Hope it don't fall into the sea/Sometimes you got to save yourself/It ain't like anywhere else

L.A. Woman - The Doors
Observation: This city is dead at night. Truthfully, everything closes early. But hey! There's always cops and prostitutes if you get too lonely.
Lyrical evidence: Driving down your freeways/Midnight alleys roam/Cops in cars, the topless bars/Never saw a woman.../So alone, so alone

Santa Monica - Everclear
Observation: The city makes you yearn for a simple life that is impossible in the city.
Lyrical evidence: I just want to feel some sunshine/I just want to find some place to be alone

California - Rufus Wainwright
Observation: The city is so vast and cumbersome to navigate that I'd rather not leave the house.
Lyrical evidence: California, California/You're such a wonder that I think I'll stay in bed/Big time rollers, part time models/So much to plunder/That I think I'll sleep instead

Going to California - Led Zeppelin
Observation: It's hard out here for a dreamer. You can stand on that hill, but you probably can't afford to live on it.
Lyrical evidence: Standing on a hill in my mountain of dreams/Telling myself its not as hard, hard, hard as it seems

California Stars - Billy Bragg & Wilco
Observation: It's important to have a partner while trying to achieve your goals in California. It's hard to keep on keepin' on alone.
Lyrical evidence: I'd love to feel your hand touching mine/And tell me why I must keep working on/Yes, I'd give my life to lay my head tonight/On a bed of California stars

California Nights - Lesley Gore
Observation: Nighttime strolls on the beach are the quick way to get some perspective, and it's entertainment in a pinch when money is tight.
Lyrical evidence: Love California nights/When I'm walkin' with you hand in hand by the shore

All I Wanna Do - Sheryl Crow
Observation: Los Angelenos like to wash their cars. A lot.
Lyrical evidence: The good people of the world are washing their cars/On their lunch break, hosing and scrubbing/As best they can in skirts in suits

Walking in L.A. - Missing Persons
Observation: Nobody walks in L.A. Unless they're walking to their cars, that is. Or walking around their cars while washing them.
Lyrical evidence: Walking in L.A./Nobody walks in L.A.

Los Angelenos - Billy Joel
Observation: I come from the Midwest. Where's my effin' sports car?
Lyrical evidence: Los Angelenos/All come from somewhere/To live in sunshine/Their funky exile/Midwestern ladies/High-heeled and faded/Drivin' sleek new sports cars

Media Minded: The Working Dead

This post might get emotional, so bear with me, please. On Monday layoffs were announced at my workplace. I wasn't surprised, considering the state of newspaper journalism and the fact that I've watched the industry swirl the drain for the past few years. There have been about a million obituaries written, a bajillion snarky I-told-you-so forecasts. I've switched papers several times right before the bad times hit. So of course I'm not surprised. That being said, I'm not prepared.

How do you prepare for the death of your chosen career path? You might look to the future, think about going back to school, contemplate breaking into another profession. No amount of doing this will make the blow any less painful when the time comes. A little bit of you -- your passion, your drive, your sense of worth -- dies, too.

I worked all day with my stomach in knots, wondering whether it was my turn for a pink slip, whether it was my turn to face the funeral of my career. Quite a few of my hardworking colleagues got their marching orders. I was spared. This time around, at least.

People are entirely too caught up with the "why" of the decline of a given industry. I'm more concerned with the "who."

There are real people losing their jobs who have no decent prospects for the future (and obviously journalists aren't the only casualties in this economy). What is going to become of an entire generation of skilled, intelligent and talented American workers who have been shaken from the troubled corporate tree, fully alive and vibrant, only to find themselves dying in the gutter?

Fashion Forward: Spectator Pumps

1) Red/White Spectator Pumps by Pleaser Shoes
2) Poetic Licence Women's Cupids Arrow Spectator
3) VANITY 4 Inch Spectator Shoes
4) Charlotte Russe spectator pumps, various styles

I'm having a passionate love affair with spectator pumps right now, especially the kind with a strap because I'm a sloppy walker (even when not inebriated) and need all the help I can get to keep my feet from escaping my shoes. The new options above are totally drool-worthy, and the vintage ones below are just as choice.

Navy and white lace up spectator pumps by Half Magic
Vintage 50s/60s Oxford Spectator Kitten Heels by Pertelote
The Op Art Spectator Pumps by jessjamesjake

Photoshoot: Saturday Morning + Chocolate Pancakes

It was a rare Saturday. No alarms were set. No plans were made. It was an overcast day, the type of day perfect for sleeping in. When we finally rolled out of bed around 10, our breakfast plans were clear: chocolate pancakes.



Now, I'm sure there are easier (and more fattening and delicious and photogenic) ways to make chocolate pancakes, but we used sugar-free Jello pudding. I also added my usual liberal amount of cinnamon. Mmm. Cinnamon. To flip the flapjacks was a challenge, the icky-looking brown batter staying ooey and gooey longer than I would've liked. Looks aside, the pancakes were delicious, light and fluffy in the end.

Design Dialogue: Dad's Albums

When I was a teenager, I would don gigantic headphones and sit in front of my dad's stereo for hours, playing his records and making mix tapes that I later played on my Walkman. This is where I became enamored with the music of Led Zeppelin, CCR, The Beatles, The Doors, David Bowie, etc. Digital music sounds awesomely clear, sure, but there's nothing like the gentle crackle of 33's and 45's spinning round and round.

Dad let me pick my favorites when I was in college, and a few of them now line the hallway of our apartment. I ran across frames like this a few years back and knew immediately that art could be made from my collection. Each time I walk down the hallway, I'm reminded of my formative years, which makes me smile. The next step? Finding the perfect record player so I can reacquaint myself with the vinyl I fell in love with.

Chic for Cheap: A Room Inspired Look (Again)

Photo via Apartment Therapy

Creature Comforts' Chic for Cheap challenge this week is Take Two of last week: a look inspired by a room. I fell in love with this Hollywood Regency room; it reminds me of the inside of a Valentine's Day candy box.

As I started piecing together the outfit, I got the overwhelming urge to do a white-shirt-white-pants combo. This is totally unlike me. In fact, white pants are taboo in my world. They get dirty too easily, they widen the ass region. Generally not a good idea. The one person who can pull it off? Meg White.

So, here is my outfit inspired by a pink Hollywood Regency room cross-inspired by Meg White of The White Stripes. Enjoy.

Flickr Fridays: #10

1. ..., 2. I Saw A Girl Running Over Them., 3. "A Winter Sunset", 4. Wise Eyes

Happy Friday, and have a great weekend!

The Thriftster: Vintage Alarm Clocks

In the Midwest, going to garage sales can net you some bad-ass deals. People practically arrange the contents of their entire house on the front lawn and driveway. Bargaining is simple. You don't want to pay $1? They'll take 50 cents. Anything to get it out of here!

Los Angeles is a different beast. People advertise "huge sale" on Craigslist if they so much as have five items lined up on the street. They don't have much patience for the bargaining or the early birds. That I managed to get these two vintage wind-up alarm clocks for $2 is nothing short of a miracle. I love the look of the bells on the old-school clocks; they make me want to wear pajamas with feet and drink a glass of milk before bedtime like in a Norman Rockwell painting. (Or, rather, a glass of milk spiked with vodka. Same diff!)

Written Word: Mind Map

Holly at Decor8 started a Creativity Series last week for those of us stuck in a rut, those of us who need to kickstart our creative juices. The first exercise she suggested was to create a mind map, starting with the phrase "things I liked to do as a kid."

Yeah, I know, my mind map looks a little wonky. I ended up using three colors of shiny ink because each color started out strong, then quickly dried up. Apparently metallic ink doesn't photograph very well when you use a phone camera under a dull kitchen light. Who knew? Anyway, ugliness of my mind map aside, I learned a few things about myself. A lot of the things I loved to do as a child I still love to do: read, sing, write, decorate, shop, watch "Dirty Dancing."

A few things have gotten lost along the way. Granted, I don't think I'll pick up my affinity for playing with Cabbage Patch Dolls anytime soon. Some things are best left in the past. But I used to ride my bicycle for hours on end. No destination, no time limits. I'd like to pick that up again. Leave my phone at home. No watch. No concept of time. This one activity speaks to me the most right now because I feel that time crunch every day, just suffocating my creative flow with a dusty pillow.

What about you? Is there a childhood joy you'd like to reincorporate into your adult life?

Photoshoot: Busy Days

If a picture is worth a thousand words, what does this one say? That it's time to do the dishes, that there's still a gulp of red wine in that glass so drink up, that someone needs to move the phone charger away from the sink before it gets wet and zaps someone.

Or ...

Is it saying that time is fleeting and you should see the beauty in the small things? Why not? Don't you see the pops of bright blue and green, and how everything, even if out of place, seem to be in its place?

The days are busy and it's tempting to just wash the dishes and call it a day, but sometimes the most beautiful moments can be found in messes.

Tune Time: Bird is the Word

I swear my iPod (lovingly referred to as iPizzy) has a mind of its own. "Shuffle" is supposed to be random, but just try telling that to iPizzy. Random? Hell-to-the-no, the defiant iPizzy says.

If iPizzy is feeling sad, it will play melancholy songs. If iPizzy is feeling nostalgic, it's all 1980s pop all the time. If iPizzy longs for a feathered friend, it will play songs about birds. No lie! The other day on my way to work, these five songs came on one after the other:

1. Hummingbird - Wilco
2. Pretty Bird - Jenny Lewis
3. Songbird - Fleetwood Mac
4. Little Bird - The White Stripes
5. Three Little Birds - Bob Marley

Upon further inspection of my available "bird" songs, I discovered that there are four Beatles songs with "bird" in the title.

1. And Your Bird Can Sing
2. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
3. Blackbird
4. Free as a Bird

I find it highly suspicious that iPizzy failed to play a single Beatles tune during its "bird" spree. I ask you, iPizzy, what do you have against the Fab Four? Because if you have a problem with my favorite band, we will have to have a talk. I'm not saying I'll trade you in for another, less cognitive iPod; I'm just saying that any iPod unappreciative of John, Paul, George and Ringo must have birds for brains!

Media Minded: Obama Inauguration

Scott Hansen

When Bill Clinton was inaugurated in 1993, I faked a temperature so I could stay home from school and watch the event. Mom barely felt my forehead before saying, "OK, you can stay home." I wondered how I got off so easy, so I listened as she called the school. But she didn't hang up afterward. Without hesitating, she dialed her workplace and announced that she, too, would be staying home.

Neither of us talked about how we were playing hookie while we curled up in front of the TV to watch the ceremony, but I do remember feeling a sense of patriotism I have rarely felt since. I feel that way today as Barack Obama takes office.

Unfortch, playing hookie isn't in the cards for me today. But, unlike 1993, I have the ability to stream the happenings on my computer ... not to mention the fact that I have my pick of large flat-screens in the office. How about you? How are you going to mark this historic event? With a bang, a whimper, a glass of wine, a vat of booze? Or do you plan to mark it at all?

INAUGURATION GOODIES
Watch it on Facebook ● Barack's open letter to his daughters ● How much do you know about inaugurations? ● Keep track of all inaug news on this website ● Follow updates on Twitter ● What was the most-used word in your favorite president's inaug speech?

From George Washington To Barack Obama - A Long Way

The Thriftster: The Fourth Globe

So there we were, making the rounds at our local antique mall. We were about to leave when I made my customary stop by my favorite vendor's booth. Usually I just look at the items and salivate because we have the same exact (and expensive) taste. This time I nearly hyperventilated. The vendor had several vintage globes lined up, seemingly just for me.

Now I've written about my love for these globes before, and how I've managed to come across three others in my thrifting adventures. I was tempted to pick them all up and pretend I didn't spend more than $100 on globes, but that wouldn't be very thrifty now, would it? Instead, I decided to pick one of the larger globes to fill out my globe shelf (and a small one, too, for $5; hey, that's a good deal!). The choice was clearly the globe that isn't even of Earth, but of the sky. It's a different, luscious blue color, and it'll come in handy for stargazing with our telescope.

Money spent: $31; Money saved by not buying online with shipping: $15+

Fashion Forward: Depression Chic

Of the looks identified by Style.com in its Spring 2009 Trend Reports, Depression Chic appeals to me the most. Believe me, I wish I were more drawn to the glam trends like Goddess Worship and Trash and Vaudeville. As if it's not enough that we're in a recession economy, now I have to say that I'm digging a style evoking the Great Depression era? But it's true! The layering, the "Great Gatsby" draping silhouettes ... and my favorite thing of all: the cloche hat, which I would singlehandedly bring back if I could.

Take a peek at these handmade gems, pictures courtesy the respective Etsy sellers.

Sweetheart - merlot by Terry Graziano
Vagabond Cloche by Katarina Couture
Red and Black Vintage Boucle Wool Cloche with Black Buckle by BonniesKnitting

Vienna Cloche by Bay & League
Cloche - black linen by Liza Rietz
Handknit Urchin Cap Jade-ite by Year of the Goat

Photoshoot: Channeling The Dude

Look at what arrived on my doorstep yesterday! The lovely and very talented Lupe (Etsy shop and blog) read about my yearning for a "Big Lebowski" sweater and offered to send me one that belonged to her father. Words can't describe how touched I am nor how thrilled I am to do a show-and-tell photoshoot with this gift.



As you can see, Husband and I will be fighting over the Dude sweater. He even tried to hang it on his side of the closet.

A Little Corny

What we had for dinner last night. The corn was so good I had to take a picture for posterity's sake. Now I'm salivating all over again. A corn joke for you:

You know they call corn-on-the-cob, "corn-on-the-cob," but that's how it comes out of the ground. They should just call it corn, and every other type of corn, corn-off-the-cob. It's not like if someone cut off my arm they would call it "Mitch," and then re-attached it and call it "Mitch-all-together."

-- Mitch Hedberg

Pix-elated!

I'm pleased to announce the inclusion of my photo "Remember Walking in the Sand" in an Etsy Treasury created by Sigmosaics. Thanks so much!

Also, I've sold my first print from my online store, so I'm no longer an Etsy virgin. Raise your virtual champagne flute and toast to me as I say a few words: "If at first you do succeed, try not to look too astonished!"

Design Dialogue: Orla Kiely

I'm sure by now you've heard about Orla Kiely's collection for Target. I am beyond excited because she's one of my favorite designers. I love the nostalgic Partridge Family vibe she brings to her patterns. In fact, I've been eying these looks from her fall collection. The sweater and bag above are just divine, and aren't the shiny midnight blue accessories to the left just the best? Not to the mention the whole naughty secretary vibe; I dig, I dig!

I am planning to steer clear of Target in February, lest I walk away with all the Orla Kiely stuff I can stuff in one cart. I want the dress, the drinking glass, the tray ... oh my.

Flickr Fridays: #9

1. :), 2. Big one, 3. Times Square fisheye looking straight up, 4. Group Shot via the Fisheye, 5. <3, 6. see you in hell..., 7. Fisheye #8, 8. sista love., 9. on her own. dreams in bubbles.

Written Word: Victims of My Short Attention Span

As much as I hate to admit it, a few things have fallen to the sidelines lately. Namely reading. I usually read a lot of novels. Not an insane amount like my friend Shelly, who can pack away a book every 10 minutes. You would think she has lasers for eyes and an infinite memory card in her brain to input data. Nah, I was never that good. But for argument's sake, let's say I'd average about two books a week. Not anymore. I'm easily distracted.


I've been reading "Cocaine: An Unauthorized Biography" by Dominic Streatfeild for ... hmm, I can't remember how long. Maybe Sara will remember, as it's her book and she probably wants me to return it by the end of the decade. (I promise I will, Sara!) The problem with this book is that I start to zone out about how I'd like to take a trip to Peru and chew coca leaves in their natural environment. Then I wonder how the altitude would affect me and whether I would get nosebleeds. Would I get to ride a donkey? I've always wanted to ride a donkey ... you see where this is going.


Then there's "Bright Lights Big City" by James McInerney, which I've been reading since Christmastime. It's only 208 pages, yet I can't manage to read more than a chapter at a time. Why? Well, if I'm not pondering the inclusion of the bizarre second-person narrative, then I'm wondering how it is that I managed to miss the film version of this book in 1988. I mean, it stars Michael J. Fox, Keifer Sutherland and Phoebe Cates. How can it really go wrong? Maybe I'll go rent it now (anything to avoid reading, right).

Pix-elated!

Aloha, makamaka! The latest print in my Etsy store takes me back to our anniversary trip to Hawaii last year. Because of the time difference, Husband and I would wake up at 6 a.m. every morning and watch the surfers gather at Waikiki Beach before the crowds piled in for the day. It truly is a magical capture. I love love love the gorgeous pale turquoise of the ocean. I have an 11x14 available, too, and dare I say the bigger the print the better the shot. Writing this is making me want to hop on the next flight to Honolulu!

In other Little Gray Pixel news, the shot Tunnel Vision is being featured in this Etsy Treasury by Crazy4wind called "Moody Blues."

Tune Time: Cage the Elephant

Sometimes when I'm sitting on the freeway after a long day at work, it's all I can do to not unleash the beast inside of me, roll down my window, honking and screaming in a Hulk rage. That's why it's important for me to have soothing music to calm my soul. I'm not talking about soft jazz or elevator music, mind you; I have to have my rock 'n' roll. The aptly named Cage the Elephant is doing wonders for my blood pressure these days, specifically tonight as I watched people glide across the 110 without so much as signaling their path.

As singer Matt Shultz says on the band's MySpace page:

“Our name kind of stands for the whole of society; the people we all are by nature. Sometimes it feels like there’s a campaign to lock up all the good in the world. You turn on the news and hear ‘Today 26 people got gunned down, and one guy got his head chopped off, and here’s a picture of it.’ It’s like there’s no hope. And it’s not just the government or the media who are responsible for that, it’s everywhere. But we want to show that’s not right - you can’t cage the elephant."

CHECK 'EM OUT
website • MySpace

Chic for Cheap: A Room Inspired Look

For Creature Comforts' and Melissa Loves' latest installment of Chic for Cheap, they found inspiration in home decor for their outfits, and I couldn't help but play along again. First, to find the right room. During my daily blog surfing, I saw the photo above on Poppytalk (via photographer Michael Graydon for Wish Magazine) and was immediately drawn to the artwork and comfy-looking leather chair. Winner! And what I came up with:



Don't you love how the boots and purse complement the floor and chair? Also, making that big leap forward into winter-spring florals, I took a cue from the accent pillow and decided to splurge a little (so much for "cheap") on an ambitious blouse. Last but definitely not least, I picked the funky apple-shaped ring, drawing big-time from the scissors art.

GET THE LOOK
Flower shaped hair pin by J. Crew • Floral halter top by Bebe • LOVE bangle bracelet by Wet Seal • 77 Straight Jean by American Eagle Outfitters • Green Apple Ring by Dollydagger • Dark Orange "Kelsey" Leather Satchel Handbag by Purse Boutique • Boots by Modcloth

Media Minded: Thoughts on American Idol

Let's get one thing straight: I love to sing. I've sung in musicals, in choirs, in a rock band and most recently on a poorly conceived karaoke stage after drinking lots of Jagerbombs. The one thing I determined at a fairly young age is that I'm not a fame-seeker, which is why I always scoffed at Husband's attempts to talk me into an "American Idol" audition. "I want to be rich, well-known and loved -- not famous," I would say before settling into watching a perfectly addicting season of humiliation and heartbreak. And I'm talking about Paula Abdul, not the contestants.

My first recording experience was in a mall studio, where I sang Paula's "Rush, Rush," with riveting lyrics such as "hurry hurry lover come to me." I also sang "Blowing Kisses in the Wind." I believe there was even a bout of Sinead O'Connor, too. I wonder whatever happened to that junior-high-era tape.

The point is, now I watch Paula make a bumbling fool of herself on reality TV, which is entertaining, don't get me wrong. But that kind of fame arc (dancing with cartoon cats in my own videos to playing the ditzy sidekick to Simon Cowell) is exactly what I avoided by refusing to audition for "American Idol." And now Husband can no longer pressure me to try out because, well, nobody likes a 30-year-old idol, apparently.

Season 8 of "American Idol" starts at 8 tonight on Fox.

Fashion Forward: Argyle

Every winter, I grow a little nostalgic for the argyle prints I wore in junior high. Timeless, classy ... with the exception perhaps of this long black and white checkered monstrosity I wore nonstop for an entire winter. I know this because I was photographed wearing the damn thing at every family function for a four-month period. Anyway, this winter I subconsciously purchased an argyle T-shirt for Husband while Christmas shopping. I also was uncontrollably drawn to argyle socks, never mind that I rarely WEAR socks. And then, the day after Christmas, my brother wears an argyle sweater. I had nothing to do with that, but still. Argyle is on my mind. Check it the best handmade and vintage argyle on Etsy:

Deconstructed argyle by Muir Hughes
Charcoal Grey Argyle Union Bay Sweater by Maiden Rapture Vintage

Green argyle sock monkey by Dropkicktims
Color Me Argyle, A Ring by Daisy Chains

XcessRize Designs CUSTOM CAMERA LENS PHOTOGRAPHER BAG by XcessRize
Black and gray sparkly argyle tile drink coasters by wonkymonkey

4 Argyle Card Pack by The Craft Pantry
Move Over Mr. Cosby...Rainbow Argyle Coin Purse by Hmmm ... By Melanie

Children's Argyle Drum Kit Shirt by Salmon Street Studio
Bird and Nest Argyle Tank by Designs by Amber

The Thriftster: How I Learned to Stop Hating the Bottles

A few months ago, Husband started collecting old soda bottles. "Oh, cool," I said. "Old bottles have neat designs." I promptly pointed out a few ancient, empty bottles on an thrifting adventure. "No, those won't do," he said. "They don't have any liquid in them."

What?

Turns out he is fascinated with the liquid inside and how it withstood decades of wear just as much as the bottles themselves, which I find the slightest bit ... well, gross. This might be because his first bottles were Coke, all dark and icky inside. Then we found some 7up and Squirt, and I recently surprised him with the bottles pictured here, all of which are bright and cheerful-looking. Colors are fun in my book, so now we're both happy.*



*Plus I got the bottles (not to mention four others) for mere pennies on eBay. Of course I had to wait nearly a month for them to ship. That is the price one must pay sometimes if one wants to be thrifty, I suppose.