I’ve been thinking about these Simple Stripe Keds a lot lately. I think they’d take me on fun adventures until the winter, no? I wanted the Steven Alan pair bad, but I can’t bring myself to spend more than $40 on Keds right now, awesome pattern or not. Plus these are perfect leather laces candidates!

You know I’m a sucker for backpacks (and totes), and these bags by Duluth Pack are no exception. They’re so simple and classic looking, sturdy and functional.

I found them via the Inventory Stockroom blog, which I found via Kempt.

Dear friends, due to your wonderful response to to the photo of the new necklaces I made for myself, I decided to have a tiny shop update tonight with eight of them – five of the short ones, three of the long, $40 each. 9PM EST in the shop. Detailed photos and descriptions of each will come pretty much right before 9. There will not be an email update about this because it’s so small – this is just for blog/flickr/twitter readers.

Now, you may be wondering, “Kate, when did you make these necklaces if you just showed two to us yesterday?” and, “Kate, aren’t you going on vacation tomorrow afternoon?” And the answer is that I basically lost my mind yesterday and decided that a shop update needed to happen TODAY and proceeded to stay up til 2am and then get up at 7am to finish them. I mean, you need to have these necklaces to frolic in the summer heat with asap, guys. And don’t they say that great minds are usually also totally insane? Also, I learned a long time ago that I like being a little stressed out and busy. Plus, I finally watched When Harry Met Sally while making them, which exceeded all of my expectations.

Anyway, I should note that even though I stayed up late, don’t think I skimped on the craftsmanship. Heck no. And, more of these will be available in my big shop update in early August. Thanks for reading my sleep deprived rambling.

As if the incredible pieces in Satara‘s collection didn’t make you drool enough, maybe reading this will make you love them even more:

“Satara Foundation is a Dutch non-profit organization that encourages and empowers underprivileged women in India to develop themselves and their enterprise in a structured and continuous manner. We provide them with training, entrepreneurial support, and access to the global market under fair conditions. We help these women realize their dreams.”

So sold. And, totally reasonable prices.

via thelooksee

If I had a car, I’d have a bumper sticker that said “Lady Day not Lady Gaga”.

I can’t believe it’s not technically summer yet. Because in New York, it’s totally summer right now. Did we even have spring? I think we might have skipped it a little. I already have a weird tan line from our Sunday jogs! But thankfully we decided to test the strength of our relationship and go buy an air conditioner this weekend. Last summer we cheaped out and bought the worst a/c to ever grace the earth, and had to wear ear plugs it was so loud. This year we sprang for the quietest model the store made, and I’m happy to say it was worth every penny. After a really fun experience installing it (see: relationship strength test) I turned it on and had to make sure thirteen time that it was actually on the cooling setting and not just the fan. Exciting stuff, guys, right?!! Besides that, we ate some really delicious Colombian food in Greenpoint, had drinks with good friends who walked us to the water for an amazing view, watched a lot of our new favorite show Breaking Bad while eating Dominos (not joking, guess who made that choice?) and drinking prosecco (you have to balance things out), got up earlier than usual Sunday to beat the heat for our jog (did not beat it whatsoever) and went longer than ever (felt amazing) and I made some fun necklaces. I thought it was super uneventful, but typing it all out like that makes me realize it wasn’t that boring. I just barely touched my camera, that’s all. Saving that for our trip to Seattle on Wednesday!

Two neighbor cats for today’s bits. One in some graffiti down the street (a film shot I forgot to upload Wednesday), the other my neighbor in the building next door, making himself very comfortable on an air conditioner while he watches some birds. I have no idea how that a/c is installed with the window open, but it’s a perfect little spot for him. I was chopping onions and had to stick my head out the window to stop my eyes from watering, and there I saw him. Otherwise, I probably never would have noticed him! I love me some city cats.

I have no plans this weekend (it’s supposed to rain rain rain) except making a few necklaces for some friends. I’m excited, I think I’m ready to dive back into jewelry making again. I haven’t known what to do with myself lately! :)

Have a great weekend!

Slightly obsessed with suede sandals lately.

See by Chloe – Repetto
Camper – B Store

Also, trying to do a shoe post once a week. Though “trying” isn’t the right word because do I really need to try? More like “trying to ONLY do a shoe post once a week.”

I may or may not want every single thing from Aubin & Wills simply because their logo features a fox wearing a top hat and a monocle, but it’s probably more because every single thing is just plain amazing – I highly appreciate the little design details.

I know I’ve seen their products here and there before, but never saw their website and the full range of amazingness until seeing Summer‘s link to it today.

Last night Billy was flipping through this week’s issue of New York Magazine that had just arrived, when he let out a gasp. He turned the magazine around to me, eyes wide, to a page titled “The 101 Best Sandwiches in New York.” Naturally I gasped back. And you know what? We’ve only had the pleasure of eating maybe five of those sandwiches. We have a lot of work ahead of us, folks. Don’t read the list if you’re hungry, trust me.