A Love Letter To Etsy

I continue to be surprised at the wealth of fabulous stuff available on Etsy. From packaging supplies to extremely well-made clothing, and home decor that ranges from whimsical modern tat to classic vintage wares, there is really nothing you can't find on there. I took a break from visiting the site for a few months when finances where low and the pain of looking at so much coolness that couldn't be mine wasn't worth the ooing and aahing that a visit inevitably delivered. For whatever reason (because I am crazy) I've been lurking and shopping on Etsy again the past few weeks.

It all started innocently: I wanted to buy some bow tie collars for a Sante D'or photoshoot and knew Snoop Catty Catt, the maker of Finn's amazing birthday suit was just the gal to buy from. Boy was she. The offer of 25% off for our rescue suddenly had me throwing bows and ties into my cart like a crazy cat lady with a serious penchant for formal wear.

Then I started thinking of some upcoming occasions I have to bake some goodies and needing packaging to make them look extra special (perhaps to *ahem* make up for my limited baking skills). One look at Pretty Tape and suddenly I own tartan tape, Christmas ornament themed tape and a host of other awesome things like checkered multicolored twist ties to keep plastic cello bags looking cheery. I bought more tape from this seller than I did when I was actually in Japan!

The final and most extravagant (I know what you're thinking-buying cats bow ties, let alone cats that aren't even your pets, and fancy twist ties is already extravagant enough, but if you are thinking that, you cuh-learly don't know me) buy was an amazing technicolor dream rug that-wait for it-also features chevron stripes! It's a boucherouite, a type of Moroccan rug that the same people who make the famed Moroccan wedding blankets make from leftover pieces of fabric. Seriously, this thing was a steal-not so much cheaper than other versions that it's clearly a made in China fake, but so immensely gorgeous and affordable to boot! Dying to have it laid out on the floor of an otherwise stark, white room. Gaaaah. I love you Etsy. I love you.

Rainbow to the Sky

I must admit (and I've done it elsewhere on this blog) that I adore the rain. I mean, so long as I don't have to drive around in it trying to run errands all day, it's the perfect excuse to cozy up with a book, lay under the covers, snuggle up in a thick sweater, and now that I have cats who love the sound of rain and watching it fall outside, I've got even more reason to feel happy when I wake up to an overcast sky. Having it serve as the precursor to the appearance of a multicolored ladder to the sun doesn't hurt either, though...

Plans To Make God Laugh

Remember how I was going to remain hopeful that 2012 was my year? That the things holding me back from moving forward in my life would start to come together? Yeah, this past week has pretty much all but snuffed out that enthusiasm. Still, there have been a few things this week that along with finally making some good money have made getting out of bed worthwhile.

 A trip to Michael's resulted in the purchase of this package of neon glitter. What am I going to do with it? I dunno, but it's neon! And it was the last one-I couldn't bear the idea of leaving, deciding afterward that I needed it, and then not being able to find it. 

I did top off my nail polish with the glitter, which sort of fluoresces under black light. I plan on using them on candles and maybe for jewelry but for now I'm just happy I have them for when the creative forces strike.

J. Crew is ridiculously overpriced (esp. because the quality is mediocre, at best) but they have good sales on their basics and I scored a bunch of stripy wonders for about $10-15 each. This pink thermal is way more vibrant in person and I'm sort of living in it right now...

Jason Wu for Target comes out on Sunday. Kitty items are obviously adorable, but if I can get my mitts on a dress or two without getting beaten up by another fashion-hungry vulture (or eBay reseller...), I won't complain either.

The Greys

Yesterday featured a rainy morning, the kind that makes you want to curl up under the covers and make it a movie marathon kind of day with nothing but the grey of natural lighting filling the room. Today I walked the Silverlake reservoir and was more than happy to trade my sunglasses for a hoodie. I just love grey skies and overcast days-is that wrong? I guess for the tons of people to move to LA for the sunshine it's sacrilegious, but I can't help but relish the opportunities to get cozy, snuggle, and layer up. No doubt tomorrow will be 80 degrees though, so allow me my little pleasures the rare times they're allowed.

1, 2

Black and Tan

The past few days here in LA have been alternately rainy and cloudy. I'm not complaining-it's the perfect opportunity to bust out my furry leopard coat, which happens to go very nicely with my new metallic gold polka dot ballet flats from Zara (thanks mommy)!

Adventures in Haircoloring?

My hair is driving me batty these days. I think it's time for a change, but what to do? It's naturally curly and mousy brown, so I straighten and dye it black, but it's conversely both flat and frizzy, and generally just rather disappointing.

I figure when I get it cut I may bite the bullet and go for red, like a deep auburn shade. You know, even though I can't afford to get my hair professionally colored anymore and red is the most challenging DIY shade. But until then I'm thinking about bleaching the split ends that will end up getting cut and coloring them with a crazy Manic Panic bubblegum pink or royal blue. I know it's a bit "done" but with just a couple weeks of being 26 left, I'm pretty much at the end of the days where dying my hair like that is going to fly, so I know I should just give it a go already. I'm just terrified that I will totally eff it up. Then again, even if I do, there's really not much black dye won't cover, right?

First image from the black label section of Bando, fourth by Emma Gibney via Scalpture.  

Life in Sunset Tones

 Outfit by Anh at 9to5Chic.

Alexander McQueen clutch, available here.

Audrey Tautou in a dreamy Lanvin dress.

Silk swatch, available here.

So striking I immediately want to dye my hair crimson, via The Chic Department tumblr.

I'm really feeling all of the pink and red combos I'm seeing out there, though I tend to find purplish pinks an even more eye-popping choice. It's totally girly, but so long as you're not working with super pale, baby pink the look isn't so much Valentine's inspired kitsch as a fresh take on shading. The best thing is that while this look is perfect for summer, just pop on some black tights or sweater in the coming cold months and you'll still have a look that's sharp and as a bonus, dilutes the blahs grey skies and chilled bones can bring on. If the look still screams candy hearts and cupids to you, though, there's always pink and yellow...

Pink and yellow accented living room, via PicsDecor.

Outfit by Bee at Atlantic-Pacific blog.

Collage by NeonandNeutral.

Fancy matches, via Oh Joy! blog.

Brigitte Bardot knows what's up.


Basically, any color that you have seen in a sunset-when the sky is bathed in a watercolor-like tapestry of pinks, oranges, purples, reds, and pinks-looks ridiculous together if you get the shades right and especially if you go balls to the walls and pump up the volume with over the top brights or heavily saturated tones. 

Perk Up Even the Blandest of Meals

I found this awesome cutlery DIY here, but like this funkier version even better:

It's the perfect way to display some beautiful antique flatware if you no longer have a complete set or punch up that cheap IKEA stuff-I'd spray a fork and spoon in different colors that pop off each other, like aqua and mustard or turquoise and tomato red, set them in a simple white shadowbox and hang them in the kitchen. Or if you want to get all Kelly Wearstler on the project, spray different full sets different shades, glue them onto fabric, find some ornate frames that will fit them, and use them to fill a wall in the dining room. You could go crazy with all the color combos, experiment with color gradients, who knows? They'd be great for a garden party if you were willing to go to the trouble of getting food safe spray or sealer, too.

Trowel Applied Makeup Goes Mainstream

I can't say that MAC always makes the smartest decisions (you can read about the 'Juarez' controversy here), but there can't be too many people who won't at least chuckle at the upcoming Cindy Sherman-inspired makeup collection. It's genius-use an artist who is famous for exploring female imagery in our culture by pushing those representations to the extreme through caricatures that call into question just what we expect women to look like to sell us the makeup that perpetuates our idea of women as "perfect" painted ladies. It evokes the same sort of poking fun at one's self that Sherman is all about (especially since the characters don't look all that different from most of the makeup artists you see at MAC counters in malls across America). And it just so happens to allow them to sell us that makeup while being "in on the joke," and therefore not morally culpable for encouraging us to cover up our imperfections.

Even if I can't help feeling like the joke's really on us, I've got to say that I love my makeup and that this collaboration smartly uses the same saturated tones of Sherman's artwork. Plus, they get major points for actually putting out an ad campaign so true to Sherman's work aesthetic, knowing it's going to send so many customers who don't get it running in the opposite direction.

Flu Fueled Daydreams

Laying at home in bed on a Saturday night with the flu, I'm feeling pretty uninspired and blah. The only good thing about being sick, though, is that instead of trying on a million outfits trying to find one I like, I get an excuse  to curl up in the Peruvian alpaca wool blanket I picked up from Ten Thousand Villages a few years back. Every time I use it I am reminded how much I'm dying to visit Peru, which I'm hoping to do next year as a graduation present to myself when I finally finish this darn Masters program. Until then and until I'm feeling better, I will comfort myself with the world's softest, warmest, little blanket and these images of the amazing country it came from.

Peruvian textiles at a market stall.

Restaurant in southern Peru.

Reed boats on Lake Titicaca.

Fancy llamas decorated in the style of the Aymara people.

Machu Picchu under fog with mountain peaks all around.

Procession outside the cathedral in Cusco.

Quirky Salvador Dali painting on a building in Lima.

First two images by frinkiac on Flickr, third image by N2Joy on Flickr, fourth image by Wes Walker accessed on Allposters, fifth image by Nelrojar on Flickr, sixth image by Amauta Spanish, seventh image by Lorena Betta on FLickr

Day Glo Dressing

In the colder months I pretty much exclusively wear black, grey, and cream coupled with rich jewel tones like royal blue and emerald. Come summertime, though, that look just comes off harsh. So for the past few years, once June gloom burns off and summer starts proper, I tend to look sort of like I've dived into a pool full of neon colored paints-highlighter yellows, blindingly bright pinks, and reds that looks like a cherry popsicle become my staple shades. Slowly though, I've been trying to get that color onto my accessories or just touches in a piece, hoping to build a slightly more versatile wardrobe (my beloved American Apparel neon yellow pencil skirt just isn't going to cut it at a fancy dinner) that includes light, breezy neutrals instead of only my usual black/dayglo combos.

These pieces can go anywhere from a concert at a dumpy basement venue or Sunday brunch to a wedding or first date, personality still firmly on display:

Sigh, I remember when Tom Binns was almost affordable. This $2656 necklace isn't, but what a statement.

Feature top available from one of my favorite online retailers, Pixie Market.

This bag reminds me of many summertime traveling adventures and is the perfect compliment to a casual day spent running errands. Made by Wayuu Taya, a non-profit company that sells the Columbian-handmade wares, they are available in just about every color combo imaginable if unlike me, you prefer a more understated version.

I am ob-frickin-sessed with Thierry Lasry eyewear. This pair is so perfectly fun and available at Eyegoodies.