the end of august

I went missing again! Don't worry, nothing exciting happened... which is exactly why I haven't updated here in a while. Here are some things I've been doing lately!

• Reading Harry Potter books. All of them for the first time. I'm almost done with the last one! [I just started the whole series a few months back. I wasn't going very quickly until they got exciting - now I've been speeding through them like a 12 year old.]
• Watching Harry Potter movies. I only ever saw 3 of them, so Robert has insisted we watch them all in a row. We watched 1-3 this weekend - we're really dorking out over here.
• Watching Coraline in 3D. Most of it just made my eyes feel blurry, but there were some really amazing parts with neat depth of field!
  
• Getting excited about embroidery. I found the Stitch-It Kit at Goodwill for $1 last week, and I've been thinking of projects that I can do. I don't think I've embroidered anything since I was about 7 years old - let's hope I'm somehow a master!
  

I also got a haircut! And ice cream!! Yum.

Also, Anna of much love gave me a little award that comes with an assignment! This should be interesting.

The Premium Meme Award

For this, I have to list seven traits about myself and then pass the award onto seven other bloggers who deserve recognition for the personality they share through their blog.

So, here are my 7 traits! I am... playful, easily distracted, slow moving, very particular, sometimes hysterical, skittish, and fairly optimistic! In other words, I am CRAZY LIKE A CAT. [Haha, sorry I'm bad at these kinds of things - at least I amused myself pretty well!]

I will pass this on to Ambika, Diane, Olivia, Andrea, Sam, Ana, and Amy. All such lovely bloggers with radiant personalities!

exploring franklin

Here are some more pictures from my birthday! This is actually the rest of them, aside from some very silly portraits we took which shall not be appearing here; Robert and I are totally unphotogenic together - every time I try to take a serious picture of us, it turns into an episode of [very unflattering] hilarity.

So! I mentioned in the last post that he took the afternoon off and we went exploring. This was our first time to check out some neat places in the town we recently moved to. I found an excellent antique mall! Here are some highlights.

Shelves of old children's books... very exciting to me!

Light and airy + warm and glowy things!

A painting that I am 99% sure my sister would have purchased. Check that kid out!

OLD DEAD ANIMALS!!! What is this, a museum of natural history? Intriguing.

I saw so many things I wanted, but I didn't buy anything! I have this problem now where I refuse to pay reasonable prices for neat things; I just keep thinking, "I bet I could find this so much cheaper at an estate sale!" Which is true, but also unlikely because I'm not very persistent about treasure hunting. Maybe I'll get over myself one day and buy some nice antiques.

Above: the Franklin Cinema, which is apparently in need of saving. I just noticed there's a bubble in this picture! A bath shop had bubbles blowing all down the sidewalk.

After our walk around downtown, we later ventured out to a cemetery. We're those sort of people - are you that sort of person? Some people like to visit graveyards! This place is right across from our apartment; we've been meaning to check it out.

It's not a very spooky place, and I think that's because it's so big and open!

Something's missing here! Hint: a head.

I'm really into grimy old statues, but this one was kind of creepy!

Well, those were my terribly-exciting birthday activities! Clearly I like looking at old things, but you probably already knew that.

cake and presents

I'm still recovering from my birthday! Not physically or mentally, but just catching up on chores around the house that I'd been ignoring because it was my "birthday time." What a fun excuse to be lazy.

Thanks again to everyone for the lovely birthday wishes! It was a nice day, and I took so many pictures that I'm going to break it up into a couple of posts. Not only can I stretch out the birthday cheer, but this post won't be overwhelmingly disjointed and crazy. So today: cake and presents! Good stuff! I'll try to let the pictures do most of the talking.

Fresh homemade vanilla ice cream!

Gigantic cake! Recipe from smitten kitchen - though we didn't think the icing was sweet enough and tampered with it until it became something evil and delicious.

Presents! Wrapped in baby paper! Thanks, Robert. <3

I admired this at the grocery store one time, so Robert bought it because, as he said, "I knew we would definitely need it."

Necklace from my lavaliere

Ring also from my lavaliere

Clock from decoylab

Apple canister from ModishVintage

Anyone notice a trend with the presents? This is what happens when you refuse to tell people what you want and give them a link to your Etsy favorites! Not such a bad idea; I think it went fairly well. However, I did find it funny that both my sister and Robert gave me jewelry from the same place, and I just got that headband from the same shop... I feel like I'm starting a collection of their business cards!

Robert took the afternoon off work, and we walked around downtown. Mostly we strolled around looking at antiques, but we got tired of that after a while. After presents and some cake and an afternoon nap at home [perfect birthday trio], we ventured out again and walked around the cemetery across the street. Pictures from our adventure will appear in the next post [whenever that may be].

today is my birthday

I'm officially 23 now! I will save the pictures and adventure-tales for a later post, when all is said and done! Thank you all for the lovely birthday wishes; so far it's going very well. :)

Here are some presents from me to you. I'd do something more exciting, but I guess I'm too uptight!



First, the song 'Birthday' by the Sugarcubes. Enjoy the preciousness of Bjork in 1987. I've got this song on vinyl, so I'm about to go listen to it while I'm getting ready for the day.

Second, here is an insightful TIME article about the high price of cheap food. Read it! Learn something! Take action! Do it for my birthday? Ha ha.

flora and fauna

Orange Zinnia!

Although this past week has been fairly rainy, the weather today is absolutely beautiful! It's cool and breezy, which made our weekly visit to the farmers market very pleasant. I already mentioned how much I like the Franklin Farmers Market, but I think I'm in love now. It's so nice to walk around and have a treat; this morning we snacked on an amazing lemon bar. Sometimes we get fresh chocolate milk or this amazing kettle corn... mmm! It's such a tasty place, and so many of the vendors there are fun to talk to - we're already making some new farmer friends, which is a nice: we miss a few people from the farmer's market in Houston.

I'm having a great weekend so far, and I hope everyone else is as well! My birthday is Monday, so I'm getting very special treatment around here. :) Robert just ordered a new computer monitor for me, which is GOOD NEWS because I've been using a big clunker from a thrift shop ever since my regular monitor went out a few months ago. That'll be a welcome change!

Oh, and let's not forget this little guy. I felt like making something yesterday afternoon, and this is what happened! I think he's a cross between a panda, a rabbit, a t-rex and a turtle. He was a welcome-home-from-work-HEY-it's-Friday!! surprise for Robert.

pop up shop

Ever wonder what I do with items that expire from my Etsy shop? Well, you probably don't, but I will tell you anyway! Sometimes I keep them. Sometimes I donate them to Goodwill. Recently, I boxed a bunch of things up and mailed them to my sister! Want to know why?

Because she's having a little vintage pop up shop this upcoming Sunday (and I wanted to contribute some things)! From 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, some nifty things will be for sale at Sew Crafty in Houston, Texas. I wish I could go! If you're in the area, maybe you can drop in and say hello. Sew Crafty is a sewing lounge - can you imagine? I wish I could hang out there and take classes. Too bad I'm so far away!

autumnal shop update

I don't know if anyone noticed or not [more likely not], but I have a new banner in my Etsy shop! It's so deery and cute. I purchased it from apple leaf - who just happens to be Emily. She's one of Robert's oldest friends - and when I say oldest I mean they've known each other a long time, not that she is old. Emily recently opened her Etsy shop to sell graphics and web design stuff - it's pretty spiffy! She also blogs at paintedeyes.org and in the past she's hosted Robert's writing over there. In fact, before I even met him, I recall going to paintedeyes.org/rob to read his stories. How sweet is that? Thanks for being a pal and for designing pretty things, Emily! [Ooh, she's also doing a sort of contest on her blog right now! Check that out.]

I'm hoping to do a little shop update this afternoon. Here's a peek at some things that may be listed, all of which seem well suited for the northern hemisphere's upcoming Fall season. I'll list sizes under the pictures - though keep in mind that they're vintage sizes and somewhat unreliable!

size 10

size 14

size 13-14

size 18

size 10

If you're interested in any of these things, keep an eye on my shop! Unfortunately I noticed a few stains on a couple of things at the last minute, so the blue dress and blue skirt won't be going in just yet... let's cross our fingers I can get those stains out!

feathers, braids and robots

I got something nice in the mail yesterday! A little bit ago I won the weekly giveaway on Luphia loves... ! If you're unfamiliar with Tina's blog, there is a giveaway each week, and comments on each post count as entries - it's a very neat concept! Anyhow, the sponsor for the week was my lavaliere, a shop full of pretty vintage-inspired jewelry and hair accessories. Exciting, no? I won a voucher to the shop and got to pick out a prize!

Hmm, what's this?

A pretty headband! I love it.

I was doing an experiment this morning with my hair. I recently watched this tutorial about Heidi braids by Aya of Strawberry Koi Vintage and it really made me wish I could braid my hair! Unfortunately, my hair is somewhat short.. and curly.. and layered, all of which complicate things. However, I decided to take the tip about starting the braid close to your head and sort of lifting as you braid [you probably have to see the video to know what I'm talking about]. I couldn't braid too much because of the crazy nature of my hair, but I was able to make a loose, messy braid and then pin it up on both sides, using just about every hair clip I have. I think it was really cute, though it wouldn't have lasted long - but perhaps that's something to try to improve on!

And if you were wondering about that box over my head, it's just the robot scene going on over our couch. Like it? I wish I could decorate our whole apartment in a minimalist / robotic nature, but we only have the resources for one wall... so far.

Oh, oh, one more thing! New recipe at the hungry lemur! Please go take a look at tell us what you think. I was really proud of the pictures for that one. And I apologize for the ridiculous amount of breakfast food recipes. We do eat other types of food... it's just easier to take pictures of leisurely weekend breakfasts! :)

weekend flowers

I don't consider myself much of a flower person-- at least not the typical kind, who finds roses beautiful and enjoys bouquets made by florists; I don't even own a proper vase!-- but lately I've enjoyed bringing fresh flowers into our house every week or so. This morning I came home with a zinnia and a sunflower from our CSA pickup. The couple who runs our CSA is adorable; their son, Ira, was selling sunflowers for $1 each this morning. I had to have one!




For some reason, using the macro settings on my camera to take closeups of flowers is irresistible to me. There are so many neat textures to explore!



And of course, I'm getting pollen everywhere. I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!

entings

A couple of weeks ago I decided to spend some money and buy myself an early birthday present! I wanted something made by someone I admire and wish to support [and there are many of you out there!], so I bought a dress made by Elizabeth of entings. There aren't many items in her shop right now, but you can check out some of the sold items from her previous shop, elizabetheff, to get an idea of her style*. She is one of my favorite internet-people, and sometimes I wish to kidnap/adopt her as my child. (Sorry, it's just the truth.)

What do you think?

I think it's lovely! And, though I haven't been thinking about Fall fashions that much, I couldn't help but try this with some layers...


It's so cute with a jacket! And boots! I think this is going to be really fun to wear.


*If you need any further proof of how neato Elizabeth is, look at this magical creation...

photo and diorama by elizabeth!

My sister actually purchased the above diorama, and intended to give it to me for Christmas last year, but ended up keeping it for herself. I can't say that I blame her!

For another example of dazzling awesomeness [if the hippo isn't doing it for you], I once mailed Elizabeth a bunch of wizard bookmarks -- they reminded me of her so much -- and in return I got some handmade paper and the tiniest, most exciting little painting! She's a real gem: someone to keep an eye on for sure!

(Quick sidenote: I've noticed that a lot of times when I post photos here, they look sort of blurry! If you click to enlarge them, they're fine, but within the post they seem to be a bit squished. Has anyone else noticed this or have any tips on how to fix it? Maybe it's just my screen...?)

overdue updates

I've been very sparse with my blog posts lately! I apologize, even though I doubt there are any die-hard fans who have really noticed. I've been trying to get back into something that resembles a normal daily schedule, but I haven't been too successful so far.

But you get an outfit post today!

Check out the new basil plant! He is shy. But so tasty!

Here's a nice around-the-house outfit. I've been working on pictures for an Etsy shop update -- on days like this, I usually put on a vintage slip and then move from outfit to outfit as I photograph. It's the best form of dress up! When I was done taking pictures this morning, I put this jumper on over my slip; for some reason this outfit makes me really happy.

It is hard to jump on a chair and pose with a 10 second self-timer. Haha.

I think it's sort of the classy equivalent of wearing overalls without much underneath [like a 5-year old, not like a scary old man!]. Sort of.

slip: vintage, jumper: Forever 21, bracelet: stamp, shoes: Payless

Second attempt: just as awkward!

((click to enlarge))

Above are the 3 items I'm planning to list in my Etsy shop this afternoon. I'm starting small! I'm way overdue on a shop update, and items are expiring left and right. There are a few neat things there that I wish someone would buy! Be sure to check out these discounted items.

facts and pictures

A while back, the lovely Sam of Matou en Peluche tagged me to post "10 things you don't know about me." Today seems like a good time to come up with some things, and to share some recent pictures that don't really fit in anywhere else. So... here we go!


1. I do crazy things in my sleep. I've always been a bit prone to some light sleep walking and talking, but lately when I'm falling asleep I'll imagine I see a spider on my pillow, and I jump up yelling about it. That's my new sleep trend! I think it happens when I'm stressed out or in a new place, because it's happened 4 times in the last couple of weeks [and it hadn't happened for a while - but it's been going on for nearly a year]. Poor Robert! In the morning I always ask him, "hey, did anything weird happen last night?" and sometimes he's got stories to tell me that I don't even remember happening.

2. I'm officially a housewife again. No job outside of the home for now! It's taken some adjustment. Mostly I'm having fun realizing I can do whatever I feel like [because I'm unemployed by choice], and trying to overcome my own expectations of completing long to-do lists every day. It's hard not to feel guilty for not doing chores when I have so much time to myself. I think I'll get over it!

giant blueberry!

3. Although I'd like to believe I'm spontaneous, I really don't do many activities without thoroughly planning them first. I love planning and making lists. When something comes up that's not on my list, I often hesitate. Unless it's something that I obviously want to do, like eat a cookie or play in the rain, I generally won't take opportunities that randomly present themselves to me. That being said..

4. I was a ridiculous child. On the day that I was born, I got up on my hands and knees and started rocking back and forth like I was trying to crawl. This terrified my mom; she asked the nurses what was wrong with me. At the age of 3, I could climb on top of the refrigerator by myself (and did so frequently). And when I was 6 years old, I got so mad about my family moving to a new state that I moved in under the dining room table and decided I was going to live there. If you ever meet my mom she will tell you these stories and more, including the time I had just learned to walk and deliberately spat into her coffee (while scowling at her) for no reason, or the time I ate a ton of strawberries at the grocery store while no one was looking.

Favorite sandals with my webbed toes!

5. During high school, my friend and my sister and I formed an electronic band ("A Band with Mandolins"). We made all of our songs using a computer program. Actually, they made most of the songs-- I only ever made 2 songs (one of which didn't get saved and was lost forever), because I'm not musically inclined. I found song-making to be pretty boring. We named all of our songs after phrases we found in old psychology textbooks, and we once even had a "CD release party" at the coffee shop where 2/3 of the band worked. Those were pretty good times!

6. I've always been a picky eater, though I've been getting fairly brave and exploratory with food lately [and much healthier]! My pickiness has almost turned into snobbery at this point -- I only want to eat things that are worth eating. There are A LOT of foods not worth eating, and that includes all fast food and convenience food [and most American restaurant "food", in my opinion]. Let me just wow some of you by saying: I have never eaten at Taco Bell.

(Psst! - New recipe up at the hungry lemur!)

7. I never seek out new music. Every once in a while a band will sneak into my list of favorites [usually from exposure by being around someone who listens to them constantly], but generally I listen to the same music over and over and over. Just like an old person!

8. The advice I remember hearing most from my mom when I was growing up: "You don't have to do anything you don't want to." My mom was really cool that way - she let me skip a lot of school. Ha ha! On days when I would skip middle school, I'd often hang out at my grandparents house - they thought it was funny to call me "Skipper." [I really hated school when I was growing up. I told my mom I wanted to drop out after my first few days of kindergarten.]

New dress! Found in the "pre-teen" section of Goodwill.

9. Although I was born in Texas and spent most of my life there [at least up until moving to Tennessee this year!], I lived in Colorado for about 4 years. Those were some of the best times ever! Hiking, playing in the snow, having picnics on mountain tops -- I'm really glad I got to experience that as part of my childhood. My memories from that time period are very surreal and happy. [My sister recently went back for a visit - I'm so jealous! You can see some of her pictures here.]

10. I think I like small towns better than cities. Cities are okay to visit, but they just feel so crowded to me and they make me nervous. Small towns are tops!

Well, that was fun! I think Sarah and Robert need to do this, and anyone else who wants to is completely welcome to it!