Ch-ch-ch-changes (turn, and face the strain)

June 5th, 2010 § 3

Changes are brewing in Western Massachusetts.

Here is where I could talk about considering a career change, how I was unceremoniously let go from my current job (politics and promises, two things a girl should know by now will leave her hanging), friendships dangling, new adventures with old friends… But instead, I’ll talk about the physical, substantial, things-you-can-see changes to this site. Because, in the end, it’s these changes, the ones I solicit and endorse, that interact and intermingle, that chew forth from under my skin, which end up being the most substantial and comprehensible. Most everything I see and hear never makes it onto this tiny corner of the internet. Here are some things to publicly rejoice  (and privately back-pat) over.

First, please look left. Yes, that is a link to my very own Etsy store. When school ends in a few days, I’ll have nothing beyond vintage goodies, blogging, and unemployment checks to look forward to. There will be much, much vintage. And hopefully not very many unemployment checks.

Next, feast your eyes to the right, where you will notice I am a JessLC Ambassador. Jess is another twenty-something with a big dream– she designs her own jewelry line (sound familiar?) and runs her blog Make-Under My Life, to supplement the line, as well as share her minimalist, self-aware life philosophy. I admit, by participating as an ambassador, I do receive a JessLC discount– however, if you read through her site and blog, I think you’ll agree: she’s a kindred spirit indeed.

So, there is much mischief about. I’m looking forward to a new chapter, a new start, and a clean slate. Happy summer!

Things I Covet: May 2010

May 26th, 2010 § 4

things I covet: may

  1. Prismacolor colored pencil set. Sunshine makes me want to go outside and draw for hours and hours.
  2. Dove vase from Graham and Green UK. Birds and aqua ceramic in the same piece? Drool. (I’m quite predictable.)
  3. Brunette satchel from Anthropologie. I’m in the market for another purse, since my purchase from Paulina Carcach ended up being so disappointing. Do not recommend her at all.
  4. Who’s the Fairest? Mirror (also Anthro). I’m obsessed with mirrors as a rule (forthcoming post on how I rehabbed an ugly reproduction Federal into a modern conversation-starter!) but this piece from Anthro is particularly lovely. It would look perfect in my secretary! Especially since much of that stuff is moved around, being sold, or repurposed in our upcycled letterpress box. (I smell another post…!)
  5. Kenneth Jay Lane snake bangle. Bizarre and over the top. I saw one similar at Brimfield this year for significantly more money– circa 1930s rose-gold and Swarovski crystal. Amazing. I’ve been looking for a suitably inexpensive snake bangle online since.

What sorts of things are striking your spring fancy? I’m also really into heads and skulls at the moment. Pictures to come.

Vintage @Etsy: Noir

May 25th, 2010 § 1

vintage teacup, made in Occupied Japan

Today is a rare weekday post, because I am home from work. Not sick, no. Just stuck here. Had a small accident in Ziggy yesterday in Springfield. I’m totally fine, but I had to stay home today and deal with claims, rental, etc. Still waiting, actually. Noon seems like a normal time for many people, but you know what? To me it feels like half the day is over! And what have I done? Read the internet, write a post, and wait by the phone. (Complete with obsessive checking– have I missed it?! Did the phone just not ring?!)

In happier news, I have made two sales from my Etsy shop! The gilded teacup made in Occupied Japan (right) and a pack of playing cards, called “Gypsy Witch” tarot playing cards (below). Each of the 52 cards has an adorable tarot saying on them. I don’t know if there was a game to be played with the tarot readings, since the pack (at 28 years old!) no longer had directions.

Anyone know how to play Gypsy Witch? It sounds like the make-believe game I played as a child, pretending to be a benevolent witch, persecuted for her magic by the ignorant bourgeoisie.

So, here I wait. As soon as the claims-worker calls me, I’m going out to get my free rental car. Good car insurance is a must, people. A must. Really so is Triple A… I’ll be signing up for that today, too.

What’s new in your world?

New adventures, more shenanigans

May 19th, 2010 § 1

Oh, hello. You thought I died, didn’t you? Nothing so dramatic, although undesired drama has most certainly found me since I last posted. Lots of new/exciting things have happened in the last month. For example, I:

Gien nesting bowls, made in France

Woah, what?

Yeah, I opened an Etsy store. There isn’t much there yet, and I’m worried that if I put it all out on the internet, if I can’t keep up with it I’ll feel stupid. But I have some free time coming up, and some crazy ideas to try out… And the internet is my guinea pig. Watch out, internets!

More posts/information to come. It’s late, and I drop my prep period tomorrow. Goodnight!

For Twits

April 9th, 2010 § 0

If you have Twitter, check out @socialrateme. It’s a new project my husband is working on at Fuzz Productions, and it really lends to the evil side in all of us.

Poor, poor Michael Dukakis.

April 8th, 2010 § 0

When you’re the first hit on Google for failed presidential candidates (not a list, not an essay, your OWN WIKI PROFILE) you know you’re a failure. My dad had a bumper-sticker that said “Dump the Duke” years and years ago, in the mid-80s, while he was Governor.

That is all. Adam and I had a giant LOL (no other description fits) over this last night. Had to share.

Mikey’s song (to the tune of Skee-Lo’s ‘I Wish’)

I wish I was a little bit smaatah
Wish I didn’t got to Haahvad
Wish I hadn’t run up against
Numbah 43′s faathah.

I Wish

Adventures/shenanigans. See also: New York, New York

March 28th, 2010 § 2


Going to New York for Alicia’s bachelorette gave me the perfect opportunity to play with the new camera Adam gave me for Christmas.

I took this picture while I was packing on Thursday night, March 11. Friday was epic: a field trip with the kids to the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, then driving to Fair Lawn, New Jersey to kidnap the bride-to-be.

Saturday was the bridal shower & bachelorette, and on exactly one hour of sleep, I drove home on Sunday the 15th exhausted, dehydrated, and having had more fun in 24 hours than the last 24 days combined.

I like this picture because it is full of my favorite things: Chanel No. 5, my handmade green pendant, the awesome blue multi-strand necklace my sister-in-law Audrey made as a gift, my pearl solitaire, grandmother’s 40′s rhinestone bracelet, and my flea-market 1930s crystal clip-ons. I spent more time picking out accessories for this trip than clothes!

Had so much fun. Salud, Alicia and Paul!

Etsy for your hair

March 27th, 2010 § 1

all images via etsy.com

1. Northern Lights – Vintage Faux Pearl and Aurora Borealis Rhinestone Hair Pin Set
2. Tick Tock Hair Combs
3. Moonlight Glow Antique Silver Tiny Twig Hair Pins
4. Gilded Bronze Beloved Birds Hair Pins

Just wondering…

March 24th, 2010 § 1

Why are all my spam comments in Russian? If I knew they didn’t say terrible, terrible things, I’d ask one of my Meskehitian students to translate. But I’m too scared.

Fancy dress party

March 21st, 2010 § 0

By the time one reaches the exceedingly advanced age of 26, opening the closet may or may not result in an avalanche of dresses that may or may not never be needed/necessary/are too ugly to wear again. I’ve lucked out in the “ugly” department, and fortunately the only one that falls into that category is the one from my dad and stepmom’s wedding. Lisa, if you’re reading this, I’m quite sorry but it’s entirely true. It’s not your fault that 1996 was a bad year for wedding fashion. Love you! :)

fancy dress party

Anyway, Amanda and I were lamenting the other day about not having occasion to wear our fancy dresses. So, we’re going to remedy that by having a fancy-dress party over the summer. I am rather excited, though it is very far away. The world really is spinning alarmingly fast, as Amanda herself put it.

But say this was a fancy dress party not in Boston, but Paris–not among old friends but among business contacts, journalists, career prospects–you probably couldn’t get away with a lovely sage-green floor-length bridesmaid’s dress.

Black and silver is a tried-and-true combination, and admittedly playing it safe, if you’re looking to be noticed. So quirky details will set this one apart (skulls, snakes, pumps named for the Sea-God?! Who is this woman?! Oh, it is me, still Goth, apparently.) And classic finishing touches–dark nail, bright lip, and always always No. 5 & my wedding rings.

It’s great to have warm-weather plans this early in the season. Spring arrived right on time this weekend, just as everything sprang to the surface. Adam and I were gone for and hour yesterday, running errands, and in the time we were gone, we had new crocuses and jonquils, facing south and drinking in the springtime breeze with as much relish as we.

My in-laws visited yesterday, and we hiked up the small hill to the Peace Pagoda in Leverett. The monastery there, which is built by volunteers and entirely through donations, has been building a new temple for as long as we have lived in this area. For years it appeared that nothing was getting done, but when we got there yesterday, it looked almost finished. A good omen for spring.

« Older Entries

Newer Entries »