bolo because, yolo

Yup.  That's a bolo tie.  Granted, I'm easing my way into this, tucking the leather strings (ties?) inside my sweatshirt.  But still, wearing this thing made me feel like a brave cowgirl.  In fact, every time I looked in the mirror I got this song in my head.  Wild west, the 80s, and Bon Jovi, all in one little accessory so neatly tucked into my otherwise unassuming outfit.  What's not to love?

Here's the details...

being the bird

Speaking of birds and trying new things and seeing them through...  I have also vowed this year to make more things.  I am throwing myself whole-heartedly into makerdom.  So far I have made a patchwork cushion, a fleece coat for my pooch, and this little fatty.  My first real embroidery project.  I'll admit it, I'm pretty fond of him.

Check out the close-up...

thoughts for 2015

Dear 2015,

image from now.org

you're kind of kicking my ass here.  I generally don't share a lot of personal stuff on this blog, which is partly why it's been so damned quiet lately, and I'm going to keep it that way (though I will admit it is a weird grey area, to so carefully curate the image of your life, either intentionally or unintentionally, leading readers to believe all is perfect, when I can pretty much guarantee you for any and all of the bloggers you read, it's not).  But in spite of that crazy run-on sentence let me just say that 2014 finished on a super high note for me and then 2015 came around and smacked me down.  But that's ok 2015, like 2Pac says, I ain't mad at cha.  And I have total faith that you have something awesome in store for me just around the corner.  Cause you do, right?

Meanwhile, I'm going to bust out some new personal mottos for the year.

Read on if you're curious...

back to my roots

Hi there.  Me again.  Going back to my roots.  By which I mean, I should probably hit the salon for a touch-up on the bleach front, but I'm refusing to do so.  Partly because I don't feel like sitting there for hours while the chemicals burn into my scalp, but partly because, well, I kind of love my roots.  Am I crazy?  I feel a little bit Debbie Harry, a little bit Blonde Ambition.  I know, I look nothing like Madonna, and I most certainly am not a rock star.  But feeling like one occasionally is not such a bad thing, is it?

Excuse me while I indulge myself and show off my roots...

tee time

Great Lakes tee

Just to set the record straight, there is no shortage of t-shirts in my closet.  But graphic tees?  That's another matter.  I'm craving something slouchy and neutral (read: grey) with a unique and smart graphic printed on it.  So I scoured the web and found some that feel super personal, without me actually having to learn how to silk screen.  Plus, as a bonus, rather than buying from a superstore, you're supporting small businesses.  Like Zip-Dang in my hometown, responsible for the Great Lakes t-shirt above.

Check out these other great graphic tee finds...

we can never be together

Hi,

I can't believe it was only yesterday.  You're not the sort of dress I'm usually attracted to but I knew from the first moment there was something special between us.  I'm not even sure if you're a nightgown or an actual dress, but let's not confuse emotions with labels.  I grabbed you immediately and took you to a private space where we could get to know each other better.  You slipped on so easily and made me feel carefree and adventurous and cool.  Your pseudo-hippie imitation-Morocco vibe contrasted so weirdly with my platinum hair and red lipstick it was like we completed each other.  My heart started palpitating; my excitement mounted.  But then I noticed that itch.  Why were you so rough with me?  And for that matter, why did you feel so... icky?  I was compelled to check your label, where I saw that while your soul is made of linen and gauzy cotton, they got it wrong in the factory and made you of 100% polyester.  They destroyed your essence.  I'm sorry, but it was a deal breaker for me.  I put you back on the rack and cried a little tear for what could have been.  I'm sure someone less sensitive will pick you up and you will have a fin time with her.  I wish you the best.

Ps - tell your makers at Oysho that they royally screwed this one, and that the next time they come up with a design that screams 100% cotton at them, they should probably just make it from 100% cotton.

white nights

It's getting warmer and warmer, time to switch out the winter sweaters, coats, and boots for tank tops,  linen t-shirts, and sandals.  I love that.  Also time to bust out the summer pajamas, or treat yourself to a new little nightie.  I'm craving something light and airy and white with a touch of embroidery.  Like these little beauties from  Zara Home.  That's right folks, Zara Home.  Did you even know they did lounge clothes?  Well they do, and they do them damn well.


Have you made the switch to summer pjs and clothing yet?  Do you treat yourself to a little something when the seasons change?

esquina

What.  I'm sorry, are you the boots I didn't even know I needed but now I can think of nothing else?  Yeah, I thought so.  A true hybrid, these little ankle booties are part western, part victorian lace-up, part moto, part dessert, part dainty and part bad-ass.  I think I'm in love.

The Esquina booties from Freebird by Steven.  Have I been under a rock that I'd never heard of this Freebird line before?  Some really good stuff here.  Oh, and these come in distressed bleach-splattered black too...

goat & gramp

I mentioned the other day that much of my recent absence has been due to a soon-to-be-unveiled project I've been working on... Well, ta-daa! Welcome to the unveiling!  I present to you:  Goat & Gramp.  You guys are some of the first to see the beloved beast that has been eating all my time of late, a project very close to my heart because, well, it's all about shopping.  Not the kind of fast-paced gimme-now shopping that we so often succumb to for a quick fix (no judgement here, we all need instant gratification once in a while), but the slower, more thoughtful treasure-hunting kind, where you carefully seek out just the right piece for you and take the time to get to know the process and the people behind its creation.  This can sometimes get lost in our fast-paced world, and in the vast sea of information that is today's internet, it can be hard to connect with the smaller companies that are run by the makers themselves.

More on Goat & Gramp...

still alive

I swear it, I am still alive.  I'm super busy working on a project that I hope to be sharing with you guys soon (so excited!), and I can only spend so many hours in front of the computer before my eyeballs start bleeding, so the blog has taken a bit of a back seat lately.  But I am alive and well, truly.  And if you need proof, follow me on Instagram, where I have finally set up an account and am chronicling life's little pleasures in a less wordy way.  See you over there?