Friday Farewell

, originally uploaded by hannahelisabeth.

Well friends, tomorrow morning Billy and I, along with two friends, are getting up bright and early and heading to good ol' dirty jerz to pick up a rental car (tip to new yorkers: rent a car in new jersey for muchmuchMUCH cheaper rates!) and make a sweet mini road trip to Ohio (Cleveland, Hudson, Columbus, and Lancaster) where everyone has family in (Except me, but I suppose I could call Billys family mine too).

I'll return Wednesday with hopefully lots of fantastic photos. I'm making it a point to put my old pentax to good use.

Thank the little baby jesus I have today off to do things like laundry and make a trip to Kmart for road trip supplies, because I worked 8 hours overtime this week so I have had zero time to think about this trip. And I effing deserve today off!

Have a wonderful, wonderful Labor Day weekend, and hopefully next week I can put my head and heart into this blog a little more.

"Sam Christmas Card" is what this jpg was titled

Billy and I just laughed so hard we cried after looking at this. Literally. I wanted to take a picture of us crying to prove it but it looked too ridiculous. Just try not laughing until it hurts. I dare you.

via cute overload, fer duh

Rittenhouse

So comfortable, casual and perfect. Rittenhouse Fall 08 Collection. Can I dress in this everyday, please?

Finally

After nearly a two month wait on Netflix, Mad Men finally arrived in my mailbox yesterday. We had just enough time to watch 2 episodes last night before passing out, and I can safely say the rest will quickly be finished as we're hooked. That's right, we've joined the masses.

I have a little nostalgic love for Elizabeth Moss because she starred in one of my favorite (awful) childhood movies, Escape From Witch Mountain, which may have even been a made for TV movie. I worshiped her as a kid, and now she's all grown up and riding the nerd chic wave.

Hayden-Harnett Love

I love pretty much everything about this photo from Hayden-Harnett's Fall catalog.

Pomegranate Plates

My friend Sara of Lost Bird Found is selling these beautiful pomegranate-patterned melamine plates. Get your paws on them while they last!

T is for Totally Crazy Tuesday

, originally uploaded by daniel doug.

Is it labor day weekend yet?

Posting this week will be slim my friends!

But I will tell you that I took a trip to the Gap and they have a bunch of their Fall stuff in stock, which is mostly fantastic but also mostly way too effing cold-weather oriented and I'd be a fool to buy it now. But yay fo a better Gap!

Dangerous Jewelry

Months ago a coworker of mine was telling us that she got her hair cut and her stylist had a little pocket knife hanging from a chain around her neck. I couldn't really picture it, and hadn't thought much of it again until I stumbled across one on Etsy. After a search I found many, many more. Could this be the next trend or am I already a few steps behind? I kind of love it but think perhaps it could cause some problems entertain certain places.


Garnett Jewelry


Aunt M's Designs


Erica Weiner Jewelry


Telesca

Eryn Brinie

Eryn Brinie opened in Soho last week, has anyone paid a visit? I definitely want to head down on my lunch break sometime this week. Racked has some photos that make me very interested.

I'd like to have a word with them about mannequin product shots though...

I'm Good, I'm Gone

Lykke Li is pretty much all I've been listening to this weekend. Pretty sweet video.

TGIF

, originally uploaded by krmmnn.

Has anyone else had a completely insane week? I feel like my head and heart have not been in this blog the past few days, but hope to get back on track soon! I cannot even tell you how thrilled I am that it's Friday.

I think Kristen's cat feels the same.

I hope you all have a great weekend! Now, back to the rest of my insane day . . .

Unearthen

Note to self: my feelings about crystals have changed, get some.

Amazing necklaces from Unearthen.

Wiksten Fall 08

Oh my, I am SO excited for wiksten fall 08! The Alison skirt is calling to me so bad.

Hitchcock Thursday

Strangers On A Train, tonight at Central Park! Heck yes!

I tried to find this movie a few weeks ago at Blockbuster when I was too impatient for a netflix delivery, and they didn't have it. In fact, they didn't have a single Hitchcock movie! Not even a standard, like Psycho! I haven't been back since.

Capes

I totally skipped out on posting anything of substance yesterday because I knew Andrea's news would make up for it. Now I feel like posting anything after her just seems very lame and not very interesting. Like, "Oh Kate, you like capes? Who cares Andrea is having a friggin baby!"

But seriously guys, I want a cape for this fall. I lost 2 ebay bidding wars last year and I'm not letting it happen again. Luckily Etsy has stepped up in the contender list.


Little Red Riding Hood Cape by I Like You.


Vintage Plaid Cape from Decades


avant garde cape from thriftwares on ebay.

well, hello there!

I will now reveal to you all the two reasons for my absence:

1. I got a new job: which was an all-consuming process, but SO worth it.
Here I am on my first day, you know like that kindergarten photo we all have (only not as cute)




2. I'm going to have a BABY! Today it became real when we saw it's tiny heartbeat. There is truly a baby peanut inside me, see:



TA-DA! That's what I did while I was away. After the morning sickness passes, I plan on posting much more!

Sadtape

Sad breaking news guys: Muxtape was shut down. *tear* It says it will only be shut down briefly, but I've been reading/hearing rumors that there's no guarantee.

Etsy Find: Uncharted

I've never been much of a bracelet person but sometimes the right one will come along that I'll fall for, like these bangles from uncharted. They're really lovely.






And how great is this little vintage tin lined with paper?

I'm a liar

But I couldn't resist sharing these new sandals at Pixie Market, while I shovel soup into my mouth trying to look at something other than the same file in InDesign (it probably crosses into pathetic teritory when you eat Cambells Chunky soup twice in one week). I think they would be a nice summer to fall transition sandal as they provide a bit more coverage. And duh, they're grey so of course I love them.

canción de mañana / morning song

canción de mañana / morning song, originally uploaded by puloverchito.

Today is crazy, so nothing more from me until I get home tonight. So just enjoy this new piece from Hernán Paganini.

Hooray for Friday!

, originally uploaded by daniel doug.

I'm signing off for the day because I'm Busy McBuserson, so have a wonderful weekend!

I'm looking forward to:

1. My long lost friend Ian, in town from Chicago, coming over with his guitar and making music with him for the first time in 3 years! If I'm not pathetically rusty I'll be sure to share the outcome with you all.

2. Shopping with Emily (Besides yestedays Keds purchase, I have not gone shopping in a month!)

3. Sleeping in

Possible exciting news coming your way next week, see you all (um, write you all?) Monday.

Coffee & Keller

So far this morning is pretty great. I left early and on my walk I decided that because it was pay day I'd treat myself to Starbucks. When the cashier went to hand me my receipt I started my usual "oh no thanks I don't need..." but she stamped my receipt with something and then pressed it into my hand with a grin, "bring it back later and you'll get that coffee for $2!". She said it like she was telling me some amazing secret, and quite honestly at 9:30 in the morning it was probably the best thing you could have told me after forking over $4 for a latte. "Awesome" I said to her, and walked away with the same grin.

Oh shit, that's how they get you! I hope this isn't the beginning of an afternoon coffee addiction again. I moved away from the land of coffee to be free, and even stopped drinking the stuff for almost a year. Please, don't let me go back to the dark side.



I'll distract that thought with some style from Keller NY. I saw this on Daily Candy and thought that it was exactly how I'd like to dress, every day. Simple, kind of casual, with a twist.

Keds Studio

After a really long time of trying and debating, I think I've finally found my comfy shoe to walk to work in that was always right there, staring me in the face. The shoe that went perfect with my Mikey Mouse chunky knit sweater and jean skirt on my first day of kindergarden, Keds. I tried Keep shoes, and after many blisters and bleeding and staring down at my scrawny feet suddenly looking like little bricks, I shoved them to the back of my closet. I tried on and debated 3 different types of Vans until I decided I was going to look like I was trying to match Billy too much and they still weren't very comfy. I even bought a pair of knock-off keds at Urban Outfitters that had no brand name that lasted me maybe 2 months before completely falling apart.

So I bought a pair of navy keds, and they're pretty fabulous, and super comfy, and I guess they should be since they're a favorite of Grandma's everywhere. Navy wasn't my first choice - I wanted grey - but they don't have grey. I went to get a photo of them of keds website and was bombarded by promos for their new project called Keds Studio, where you can design your own keds. Guess what color they have? Grey. However, it costs exactly twice as much to have your own pair of custom keds made, so I'll stand by my navy purchase. But for fun, I made these, which maybe I'll buy someday. I like the idea of having a pair of shoes that it's possible for no one else to have, unless they are as talented of a keds shoe designer as I am.

NuitBlanche

Summer has brought on a strange uncreative slump for me and when I think about doing something creative it sounds like this, "....." (sound of silence and this one annoying fly in my apartment who is plaguing my life lately and I can't get rid of). But the past week I'm feeling a little twinge of hope that maybe the slump is coming to an end. Caroline Gaedechens etsy shop, NuitBlanche, nudges me towards the end a little faster, as it's all so very inspiring.

My favorite thing is her zine, shape shifter:

Old Navy Fall 08

Old Navy has surprised me so much in the last year that I've come to expect at least one great piece from them each season. This Fall I'm looking forward to this dress, for sure.

See the Fall Preview here.

This reminds me, when does the Gap roll out that amazing Fall collection? Also, I did some window shopping at Zara the other day, and their entire Fall collection is now in their stores (or, at least the one on 5th ave) and I couldn't believe how fantastic it all was. I hate hate HATE their sizes, but I'm hoping for a shopping miracle when payday comes because that collection made me super excited. (Sorry, there are no photos in existance that I can find online!)

Alanna Scott

, originally uploaded by _ascott.

I stumbled across Alanna Scott's flickr page and love love looove her work! You can see more on her portfolio site, but I love the bits and pieces on her flickr page the most.

Letterpile

You may or may not know that I'm completely obsessed with hand-drawn letters (hello this book is amazing) so naturally I think this letterpile pattern on this shirt and notebook over at Slowshirts is fantastic. There is some other great hand-drawn goodness over there too, have a look.

It Was A Very Good Year..

Dad, originally uploaded by one234five.

Here's how it works:

Choose a year - and type it into flickr - I chose the year I was born, 1983 - then choose your favourite photo/s from this year and post them on your blog. Be sure to credit the orginal source of the images you choose.

from meet me at mikes, I was tipped off by unruly things.

You guys know I can't resist a flickr thing like this.

I can haz joke taken to a new level?

I know, it kills me too. Lilly Piri

via bored & beautiful

moonacre

moonacre has some really beautiful, interesting jewelry. Not to mention a bff necklace! I love it.

For The Boys

Lately I've been rather envious of the sleek, simple styles of mens shoes that have been coming out. I know menswear is big in ladies fashion - right down to shoes - but I still haven't seen a women's version of exactly what I'm looking for. Two brands that stand out to me right now are The Generic Man and Common Projects. Boys, pay attention, you'd look hot in these.

The Generic Man (some available online and soon available at the pop-up store inside Fred Segal Santa Monica)








Common Projects (available now at Den in the East Village)

The Road

Saturday night I started reading The Road by Cormac McCarthy (of No Country For Old Men fame) for about an hour while waiting to meet up with some friends. Billy had just finished it in two days, after being told by our friend Tom that he had read it in one day and that it was possibly the best book he had ever read. Billy agreed and told me I HAD to read it. Sunday we had only lazy plans so we went to Prospect Park early and I dove back in. By 5pm that night I was a blubbering mess, the book finally closed on my lap.

So get your ass to the library or book store and find it, because it's truly amazing. A story about a father and his son making their way down a post-apocalypse America, struggling to stay alive, I dare you to try to put it down once you start. This plot outline sounded like less than my cup of tea, but don't let it deter you because calling it science fiction barely fits - it all seems so real and possible. I'm incredibly intrigued as to how it will translate on the big screen.

Ray Fenwick for sale

well now guess what, originally uploaded by Ray Fenwick.

hey guys, remember Ray Fenwick's awesome friendship bracelet paintings? They're now for sale:

"These are available for purrrrchase by calling the gallery, Lost and Found. Lost and Found is open tuesday through sunday, 12-6 AST.

Call: (902) 446-5986"

all of 'em are here. Dig around his flickr for prices and more pictures.

Happy Weekend!

Grandma, originally uploaded by Michelle Catherine.

Hey guys, we're all leaving work early in a few hours to go see American Teen (hey, it's research?) so I'm going to use those few hours to kick some work ass. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend (and I'm super excited to meet a few of you ,who know who you are!). I cannot believe it's already Friday!

Isn't this photo of Michelle's grandma amazing?

"when the neighbors peek in, they might want to call the police or something."

whoa, check out this slideshow of director Roland Emmerich. Known for epic movies like "Independence Day", there are some bat-shit crazy things* in that home that only a guy like him could have I guess! But there are also some really rad things about it to.

*wax sculpture of the Pope, diorama of the Kennedy assassination, pillow with Stalin's face embroidered on it, stuffed zebra mania, and much, much more.

Road Trip

The San Francisco mountain range in West Central New Mexico. I didn't even know these babes existed. The drive through them on Route 180 was gorgeous. Easily my favorite scenery porn so far., originally uploaded by Zach Klein.

Zach just finished a jealousy-inducing cross-country road trip from NY to San Fran. I've been watching his progress via his iPhone pictures on flickr. All I can say is that I kick myself at least once a month for never going on a big long road trip when I could have. There are so many, many states I've never seen.

the way of lace

"because of Miuccia Prada, this winter is the way of lace"
(or at least that's what google translator tells me she says.)
Ah, lace never looked so good.

Not to self: be more persistent about growing your hair out

from garance dore

fcuk-ing cute dress

For some reason I have never paid any attention to French Connection before (except for their double-take causing acronym). But I've been walking by the store a lot on a new route home and it got me curious. How perfect is the Hannah dress? It also comes in royal blue and black (but no photos), which I'd be into more since I cannot be trusted to wear white with all my spilling. They have a pretty sweet sale right now too, but I'm ignoring that as best as I can.

Every Marraige is a Courtroom

So sweet and so funny, cartoonist Chris Ware made this for the This American Life episode, "Every Marraige is a Courtroom". A great end of day laugh.

Jalea Jalea

NY Mag tipped me off to Jalea Jalea jewelry, but while they loved the insect necklaces I'm a fan of these geometric styles instead.

My pen thing (aka slight problem)

microns, originally uploaded by rivulette.

When I was a kid my dad had a gigantic collection of pens that he would draw with. He was known in my family for his obsessively detailed drawings with thin pens and I have many fond memories of laying around in the living room listening to Pink Floyd, watching him draw with his trusty clipboard in his lap. He had a jars and jars of different kinds of pens that he used, but the one type my brother and I were not allowed to touch were the microns. Never.

As we all know, what you're not allowed to do is usually something you get more curious about. So years and years later, I now have a crazy crazy pen problem. I am so addicted to them it's not even funny. Thanks, dad. My favorite pen, of course, is my .005 Pigma Micron, which no one on the face of the earth is allowed to touch for fear of it wearing down. Luckily they are available at almost every art store.

So friends, here are my favorite pens and where you can buy them, online, and in NY.

If you live in New York or Seattle, I recommend you get your ass over to the Kinokuniya Japanese Bookstore, which is the holy grail of pens (and also some rad mechanical pencils). The Japanese know their damn pens like no one's business! Andrea turned me onto the bookstore in Seattle, and when I worked at dwell the art director turned me onto the one in NY. She also turned me onto the second greatest pen in the world:

The Pilot Hi-Tec-C Pens. You can get them at jet pens online, or at Kinokuniya, and some select stationery stores. I've ordered from jet pens before and they also have a bunch of other great hard to find Japanese pens. When I left dwell, the art director gave me the a Cavalier version and it's been going strong for over a year now, my favorite work pen.

For a cheap, fun pen I love Le Pen. My hot pink one is the best for hand lettering highlights. They're usually barely over a buck and sucker me in whenever I see a color I don't have.

Another Pilot favorite is the Razor Point, X-Fine. These are carried all over the place so that's nice, but they do wear down quickly. Really good for every day jotting down.

So besides Kinokuniya, I'd reccomend checking out the pen selection at Paper Presentation on 18th st, and AI Friedman has a rockin' pen section. Whenever I'm bored at lunch I saunter over there for some pen lust.

Happy penning friends, and feel free to share your favorite pens and places to buy pens (especially in NY, I'd love to be turned onto new pens) in the comment section!

Beautiful Losers

Beautiful Losers film trailer from beautifullosersfilm on Vimeo.

My friend Chris has informed me that Beautiful Losers is coming to the IFC theater this Friday. Enter excitement-fueled dance.

Mankind Mag Issue 2

It's that time again! Mankind Mag Issue 2 is out now for your viewing pleasure, with a fabulous hair theme. Can't wait to dive in.

digital here or be a sport and buy the printed version.

Better yet, donate to keep Mankind Mag alive and support the little guy (er..girl)!

Congrats again, Erin.

Current Obsession: Grey Leather Bags

I think grey leather bags can easily be both dressy and dressed-down, sophisticated and fun. I lean towards the warm grey more, but my preference may change once the weather is colder. Here are some favorites.

warm grey: Michael Kors & Sabina

cool grey: Hayden-Harnett & Top Shop

Random Question

Hey guys, if you live in the Seattle area*, I need your help! My mom is selling this diamond ring she has and is having a bitch of a time because it's a size 4 and was custom made (I know, who the eff has a ring finger that small? Not her, it's a long story as to how she has it) Do any of you know any good jewelers that buy used pieces? Leave a comment if you know!

Also, thank you SO much for all your advice on flying! You guys are seriously the best friends a girl could have.

*according to my google analytics a lot of you are from Washington. But the biggest reader state is California. Interesting.

And because this post is so boring to some of you, please divert your attention to the cutest animal alive: the sea otter. When the sea otter makes an appearance on cuteoverload I freak out and demand Billy stop what he's doing to come see. If you haven't seen the South Park involving otters, you are deprived.

And then let's say you're a heartless bastard and hate sea otters, then you better love the new Dramatic Chipmunk, the Dramatic Kitty:



Ok I promise this post is over now. Let's all get back to work now.

Pretend to Hug

Pretend to Hug, originally uploaded by miamizeiss.

I'm so smitten with Julia Galdo's flickr page. Endless lovelyness.

I seem to find most inspiration on Flickr lately, as you may have noticed. What would we do without it?

I'm going to the new Ikea tonight. I'll be sure to report back on whether it made me stab my eyes out or wish I actually had money (or maybe both?) instead of just escorting Lauren there in my sexy Zipcar.

ban.do

bandopola3, originally uploaded by danske.

Endlessly talented Jen Gotch has teamed up with a friend on a new business adventure, ban.do - beautiful, handmade, and one of a kind headpieces.

They're giving me a serious little girl day dreams of weddings and parties to wear them to.

You Stay Classy, Ebay

Sometimes Etsy makes me forget about the true vintage original online shop: ebay.

The raddest (small) selection of vintage sunglasses from this ebay seller. They aint cheap, but damn you would look good in them.