In heaven everything is fine

Ladies and gents, I'm way excited to let you know that The Big Heist, the Etsy shop my friend Shannon and I run (and I have been sorely neglecting since the Vintage Bazaar) will have a booth at Heaven Gallery's Vintage Heaven this Sunday (here's a little interview with us) in Wicker Park!

The event goes down on Saturday too, but we'll be there all monster-truck-rally-style on SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY! Well, I can't say we'll be there. Sadly, I have to go out of town for work, but Shan is going to hold down the fort.

She's great. So great, in fact, she was patient enough to go wedding dress shopping with me yesterday. Whereupon we discovered that I am not an Ultimate Bride and I should just go with the first dress I tried on that I liked in the first store I visited over the weekend. I hope if I post pictures here after the fact you all aren't thinking, "Uch. She shoulda looked longer. Who does she think she is? Stevie Nicks in that thing? What's going on with those dolman sleeves?" We shall seeee.

Anyway, come say hi if you're around! It looks like a lot of the other vendors will be selling some seriously amazing vintage clothing, so maybe it's for the best (cash flow-wise) that I'm not around all that awesomeness. We have lots of new housewares that aren't up in the shop yet (this is the spot for you if you're looking for bell jars. I'm going through an intense cloche phase these days).

Top of the muffin to you!

Last week, I went to the Gap to buy some jeans, which is crazy because I almost never wear jeans and I almost never buy anything from the Gap that's not on Sale. What? Everything seems to eventually go on sale there. But, I read Nicole from Making it Lovely's recommendation about their forever skinny midrise jeans. She's not kidding. They're super cute and totally eliminate any sort of muffin-top issue.

So that's nice and all. Definitely great to go into a store a buy the first two pairs of jeans you try on without sighing or crying or whatever. I was so happy, I ended up buying these adorables:

But in a prettier marigold color. A tip: At stores (at least in Chicago), they're on sale for $24. See what I was saying about the full-price thing? And you know how super-flat sandals are usually really hard and stiff when you first get them and you feel like you're walking around with a roof shingle strapped to your foot for a few weeks? Not these. They're really soft and bendy and super comfortable.

Buying them has got me pairing marigold up with lots of colors--and it's quite striking. I'm really into marigold and purple. Ooh, but a magenta--or turquoise--would be nice too.
Anyway, clearly I've got marigold on the brain, and now I want to buy these and be super a super matchy-matchy dork.


Come on! How pretty are those colors together?

How bazaar

Lest this blog turn into pictures of dudes holding cats, here's some news you can use:

The Vintage Bazaar

It's THIS Saturday! It's going to be awesome! Beer and jams will be there. I will be there, and so will some seriously awesome vendors. I'm really hoping this doesn't turn into New York Gift Show Part Deux, in which I buy so much stuff I offset any sort of profit or gain or whatever.

If you're planning to attend, come say hi to us at The Big Heist. We have so much stuff that's not posted in the Etsy shop. Seriously, guys. I've been hoarding like I belong on A&E.

Note: I would take pictures to preview some of my loot, but I recently discovered I left my camera at a Steak N' Shake in Rosemont, IL. Party down.

Well, hello sailor!

Justin Peddycoart:How I paid my rent by thrifting.


Oooh, and he's a pretty cute cat guy too...

Yo la tengo

Sorry for the general quietness around here...busy times, folks.

That's why I'm going to rewind and talk about stuff that happened almost a month ago! Santa got it all wrong this year and thought I was good enough to deserve some seriously awesome Christmas gifts. Here are some snaps of the shelf I really, really wanted.

I think it's doing an superb job of housing some of the crap I drag home on an almost-daily basis.

You can also see another jazzy gift peeking out of the corner of this picture.

My parents were so thoughtful and got me this wonderful mini tabletop photo studio thing that includes some great lights, a itsy-bitsy tripod, a light tent and an assortment of different colored backdrops. The cats are really enjoying naps in the light tent, but the tabletop lights alone have been worth it for photographing things for the shop. Such a sweet gift!

What I got for Christmas Solstice

Say what?

Yes, not X-marks-the-spot-day yet, but Marc and I did our little gift exchange this weekend since we will be traveling to several exotic Midwest locales this week. What's up, Louisville? Hat tip, Indianapolis.

On Saturday, accompanied by some Sufjan holiday jams and some hot spiced cider, we tore into some presents. All ribbons and bows were promptly placed on sleeping cats. Where they stayed in place for HOURS. We have LAZY cats.

So, you want to see what I got/gave?

We had a kind of wishy-washy budget of $50, but I think both of us went a teensy bit over...ah well. It worked in keeping things relatively low-key I think.

He got her:

A very pretty etched glass ornament I'd been fawning over just last weekend. Unlike the one pictured, mine is clear glass and prettier, but they don't seem to have it online.

Somebody reads the blog. I also received a very awesome 2010 rooster tea towel calendar from P.O.S.H. that is also not on their website. Sad face.

Loop candelabra, which is really a vote of confidence in my book. Marc is always afraid I'm going to burn the house down with candles, so this just gives me another chance to prove him wrong (fingers crossed). Also a great gift because I'd love to have three of this to link together, so he's all set for upcoming gifts.

Le Foret eco-keepsake notecards. Definitely needed and notecards he won't feel weird about using either.

I am a very lucky lady.

She got him:

Heather grey houndstooth cardigan. I was into the elbow patches. Plus, we all know how I'm feeling about h-tooth these days, right?

Plaid tie. Again, exact one isn't on the site, but there are options.

Set of custom M&A (mergers and acquisitions?) napkin rings, thanks to the awesome gift guides from Design Crisis. They're nautical and masculine, right?

The Golden Age of Handbuilt Bicycles. Marc loves his bikes, and this book is full of gorgeous bike porn photography.

Plus one more little mystery present to come...

Happy Solstice, gang!

What's going on with you?

Stocking stalking

Our stockings are hung. And these pictures are pretty embarrassingly bad.

First off, an aside. The plants seem to be doing ok inside! My orchid is even throwing off a new flower spike, which I tried--and failed--to capture in this picture.

Stockings are so much fun because it's all about how stuffing something small but meaningful into a very limited space (that's what she said!). Last year, I found these Santa stockings that somebody's grandma had clearly lovingly handknit. They don't have our names on them, so just for a day, I'm Frank and Marc is Mary Anne. It keeps things spicy.



Shopping for stockings is maybe my favorite part of holiday prep. I can't really say what's going in Marc's because he reads this. I have, however, been in charge of my mom's stocking since I graduated college. I volunteered for the job, and I have a lot of fun doing it. Despite bookmarking this site on my mom's computer for her convenience, I'm pretty sure she doesn't read it. This means you can expect a lot of racy posts about drugs and sex and all sorts of things that drive her crazy. (Such as me eating food that has fallen on the floor, trying to open packaging with my teeth and improper folding techniques.)

ANYWAY, here's a list of a few things that might make fun stocking stuffers. Some of these are geared specifically toward my mom's stocking, and the others are just inexpensive, jazzy things I've ferreted away in my "Ideas" "I am an inveterate consumer magpie" folder:

1. Earring backs. I actually received these in my stocking one year. I tend to misplace these faster than I used to lose Barbie shoes when I was a kid. Super handy and it means you don't have to cannibalize your other earrings that actually came with backs, which I'm back to doing now that I've lost all my spares.

2. Clear hair ties. Just a personal preference here. Clear, inconspicuous and strong. They're like the vodka of hair accessories.

3. Nutella. Tasty and something I'd never buy for myself but would consume in about a week.

4. Silver polish. Just get the toothpaste size. Even if you don't have much silver, it will come in handy for shining up jewelry and lots of other metal that happens to be around the house. You have to keep your meat cleaver nice and pretty now, you know?

5. Cheese knife or some sort of serving piece. IMO, It's nice to put something a bit fancy you're going to keep and use in a stocking. If you do it one piece at a time, you're not going to break the bank, but you're going to help the giftee build up a nice collection of serving pieces. Vintage is an awesome way to go on this one too.

6. Bicycle bell. More practical than you'd think if you know someone who rides a bike. Imagine driving a car with no horn....

7. Vintage masking tape. Just pretty and frivolous. To make up for the bell, I guess.

8. Tillandsia. Would look nice peeking out of the top of the stocking. My mom is obsessed with these, but her giant scary Maine Coon cats (she has three and they're terrifying) keep eating them.

9. Pistachios. These and cheap red wine are like crack for my mom.

10. Stationary. For writing your thank-you notes, of course!

If all else fails, just stuff a big bottle of wine in the stocking. I don't think you'd hear many complaints about that.

Get behind me Santa

In terms of being greedy, I am most definitely on the naughty list. Whenever I seem to ask anyone I know what he or she wants for Christmas, I get a bunch of hemming and hawing nonsense: "Oh, I don't know...there's not really anything I need. I haven't even really thought about it at all. Can I get back to you when I come up with something?"

Oh boy. That's so not me.

Ask me that question any time of year and I'll whip out a pretty hefty list or direct you to my Amazon wishlist.

So, instead of concocting a gift guide, here's a list of stuff I might add to my own list. (Not that I think I'll get anywhere close to all of this loot--I love surprises more than presents, so keeping a big old list ensures I'll have no idea what's in the box I'm shaking in a few weeks. Plus, we have strict budgets and I feel like it's cheating if the giver goes over. Control freak much?)

It's my hope that you find something that a friend or loved one might like (most likely a girl friend or loved one) or maybe even something to pipe up about when someone asks for your list!

1. Alcove wall shelf from CB2. I'm into the simple industrial look of this and would love to hang it in the living room and show off some of my vintage planters.


2. Charley Harper appetizer plate set. We have four of these and a mish-mash (not in a good way) of other salad/dessert plates. Eight would be conducive for a proper dinner party.


3. Um felt tote. I've wanted one of these for years, but I keep on forgetting ask. Read my mind, people! They're so chic--the opposite of trendy. I could see an artsy 75-year-old-lady rocking one of these. Plus, I love the way they fold flat.


4. Lilla Peep-toe wedges. Is it weird to ask for shoes as a gift? I don't really care. Plus, how hot would these be with some textured tights?


5. Fear of Flying. Everyone in my book club is cooler than I am and therefore has already read this. I'm thinking my mom should give this to me since she already gave me The Diary of Anias Nin and How to Save Your Own Life last year.

She should probably also replace me in the book club.


6. Metallic dot necklace. Yeah, at $40, this organic paper necklace is pretty flashy.


7. Everyday I'm hustlin' poster. Usually improper usage of "everyday" in place of "every day" AND posters that are just a phrase (keep calm and kill me now) bug the crap out of me. But I could see this poster (and a little Girl Talk) inspiring me to stay on my grind and hang in there like a champ kitten.


8. Geometry art necklace. This is just pretty and reminds me of the Sol LeWitt wall at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.


9. Tartella tea towel. This was one of the few things I saw at Renegade that I found to be sweet in a retro kind of way. But not too cloying or annoying.


10. Keisuke Serizawa calendar. I like the fun, folky vibe of these.

Happy listmaking and shopping, you merry band of elves!

Can't stand it

As someone who loves hats (in a non-Blossom kind of way), it KILLS me that I can't buy all of these:





No joke, Hats by Behida is knocking it out of the park.

Which has kind of been the theme this week....Becke's house tour....Mariano's shop...Pressure is on, guys. I'll try to keep up.

In other news, we have plans this weekend to meet some friends for lunch, and this is what Marc had to say about that: "I'm going to eat the shit out of some Indian food on Saturday. And you can blog that."

Check. Please.

And. And and! We have a Nutty the Squirrel winner! With an official roll of the dice from my old Monopoly game, Macy of Me Oh My Oh became the proud new owner of the brightest-eyed, bushiest-tailed candy dish on the scene.

I know where I'll be trick or treating next Halloween.

Kitchen-sink quinks

Not too much time to think, so on to the links!

Daring rescue: An owl in a box!

Ubiquitous Etsy shop: Cast Couture.

In Chicago: An Orange Moon is having a big closeout sale. Oh yes. I will be there. Remember the chairs I got?

Oh my: Darling Clementine stationary. (Did you ever know that song was about a girl who drowned?)

Might as well face it: We're addicted to cute. Ahem.

Tie one on: Rope-knot necklaces.

The Mission: Art + Charity.

Just in Time for Thanksgiving: Enter the giveaway and Nutty the Squirrel can be yours. And you can use him however you'd like: To pet and adore and fill with maple-syrup candy or to let your bratty nieces and nephews stuff full of M-80s on your driveway and light on fire. God bless the U.S.A.

Have a great weekend, folks!

Animal attraction

Lately I've been into the repeating animals in silhouette patterns that have been going on. Cute but not too barf inducing, you know?
FluffyCo

Skinny Laminx

Made by Michelle Brusegaard

Linea Carta

Anorak

Tick tock October

I love the fall (when it doesn't rain all the time) and I love calendars. Go on and get yourself Lisa Rupp's free October calendar.

She has some pretty awesome 2010 calendars up in her shop too.

P.S. You know those linen tea towels that have yearlong calendars on them? I have a couple from the 70s. Do they make those anymore? If not, somebody should--and then sell them to me. Those are neat.

If you want to sing out, sing out

Harold and Maude is my favorite movie in the whole wide world. I watched it for the first time about five years ago and immediately went out and bought the DVD. I never do this. That's what Netflix is for, right?

I historically hate romantic comedies. They're just goofy and usually short on the comedy part. Just a few weeks ago, I watched Sleepless in Seattle for the first time. Ugh. Imagine me making a raspberry noise and giving the double thumbs down. Soooo corny. This makes no sense because I'm a big old softie and get all weepy at the drop of a hat. I misted up last Saturday night at dinner with my parents while talking about the evils of Wal-Mart.

Related: Thanks A LOT Museum of Science and Industry Omnimax movie about the Great Lakes for making me want to cry like a baby over an old, stinky fish.

Ok, maybe that one was hormones.

Anyway, what I think I like about H&M (the real H&M) is that it feels authentic. And dark. And maybe a little bit weird. I mean, you've got a death-obsessed 20-year-old-guy who falls for a septuagenarian Holocaust survivor who lives in an abandoned train car and makes wooden sculptures that look like vajays. What's not to love? Add an all Cat Stevens soundtrack to the mix, and I'm hooked like that sturgeon in the Great Lakes movie. (sniff, sniff)*

I got to thinking about H&M earlier this week when I read this article about director Hal Ashby on Slate. It kind of bags on the movie, but I started poking around the Net (starring Sandra Bullock) and lo and behold, many others are WAY into this movie. It's inspiring all sorts of people, including:

(hold up. you have to imagine me reading this like a scrolling list of community college courses)


Decorators!



Puppeteers!


Architects!


Jaguar/hearse enthusiasts! (what a dreamy demographic)


Wes Anderson!



Designers!

aaaand painters.

Since I'm not a total nut, I'll just take the Belgian poster.


Ok ok. And the French t-shirt.

*Seeing has how the movie was about a 50-year-old man who loved and was tracking a 120-year-old female fish who had survived the environmental Holocaust that was the Industrial Revolution, the two stories are not entirely unrelated....excuse me. I need a moment. Anybody got a hankie?