time to jet

i'll be heading to the airport in an hour or so. i'm so giddy that i'm asking divya to guide me through the things i can't leave home without (as my head spins). the first stop - chicago to celebrate the marriage of julie & morgan, as well as years of fantastic friendships. hurray! i'm flipping my shit.

posting will be light at first, but i hope to find a rhythm soon. enjoy your next 40 days & join me as i head all over the place!

etsy wednesday

i just can't seem to get over well fitting, basic knits. these days it seems like all i can put on my body. argentina based - inner evolution sells fantastic goods (many reversible) at reasonable prices.

iva jean rides

i started iva jean rides as a brain dump & collection of resources for cycling in style during my travels to europe. i'm hoping that it evolves into a larger project, but for now it's me obsessing over pretty bikes & the cycle chic that surrounds them.

fashion blitz

have you heard of chictopia? good christ, it's amazing. my new source for wardrobe inspiration - browse by gender, style, body type, brand; discuss trends & products in the forum; upload your pics; or do yourself some shopping.

found flickr

sodo street art via beatnikside.




paper installation from jek in the box.


kids at cal anderson via tamara childress.

music to listen to

some black kids for your friday.

craigslist finds

yes please! thonet desk or table, $165 or this chrome & oak table (not so sure on the chairs, maybe a good upholstery project), $150.

etsy wednesday - on thursday

let's not make a habit of this, geesh. this week the focus is vintage bags. i'm wanting to snatch one up before next thursday, what do you think? 70s style shoulder bag, $39 from planet claire's vintage or this levi's purse, $28 from deja blonde could work.

fashion blitz

we are just 8 days from my big adventure! i am flipping out & starting to get down to the bare bones of what i need to bring, buy here, buy there for my trip. i plan on biking & walking around most of the time; today, i look to european street style for inspiration.


looks like i need to bring my trench. photo via copenhagen cycle chic.


my big fatty scarfs & some dark jeans. photo via copenhagen cycle chic.

i also think that i'll pick up an aa pencil skirt, pack a few summer dresses, basic tanks & fun accessories - i can get everything else there right?

found recipe

another goodie from the magical heidi at 101 cookbooks - strawberry panzanella. so delicious, i can't even tell you.

precious

david schmader has written about this controversial movie for a while now & the trailer has just released. based on the novel by sapphire, precious looks amazing.

craigslist finds

some people say that buying a used couch is gross &/or unsanitary - i say, this couch makes it sexy! mid century modern couch, $1000.

etsy wednesday - on thursday

how wonderful is this navy blue orchid dress from vintage revolver's etsy shop?! i want it & it's only $42. check out the rest of the shop for great finds.

fashion blitz

i want navy blue shoes: emma pink ingrid sandals, $75; seychelle's patent flats, $59.99 & emma pink liana wedges, $98.

found bakery

next time you have a couple hours to burn & want something hearty, delicious & beautiful - visit west seattle's bakery nouveau. you can smell it from a block away! not only was the food delicious, atmosphere perfect, but the staff was really helpful & friendly. the macaroons melt perfectly in your mouth; i gave the raspberry one a shot, but fell in love with the salted caramel.

on a side note, there is an antique mall in west seattle that i'd love to go back to. they had great dishware & some even better oil paintings for reasonable prices.

images via bakery nouveau.

music to listen to

east coast does it again - celebration is a baltimore based psychedelic-soul trio. you can download their 2 singles here; they will be releasing each track off their new upcoming album electric tarot as they are recorded.

diablo tunnel -1946

some great tunnel shots from the seattle municipal photo archives on flickr for this friday afternoon. both are of the diablo tunnel in the north cascades, the images are dated 1946. this tunnel is part of the skagit river hydroelectric project through seattle city light. the firm i work for has been working on the ladder creek falls restoration near the gorge powerhouse & ever since we went after the project, i've wanted to explore newhalem & the skagit river areas. it all seems so fascinating - the times when electricity was new & exciting, when lighting & power generation was showcased & admired. you know what?! it's on the list of things to see.

betsy walton

i love the work of betty walton - fun, colorful & all seem to tell a story.

found via design you trust via fan the fire.

craigslist finds

there is just soooo much i want - if only i had the commitment to go pick something up: waterfall dresser, $100; walnut chest, $80; that loop desk i was looking for, $165 & danish teak dining table with leaves, $275.

etsy wednesday

what's my deal? i found a ton of stuff on etsy the last couple of days, but didn't post? i'm fired.

26 olive street has some great vintage finds at really reasonable prices. some of my favorites: sterilite melmac picnicware, $18; wire locker baskets, $32 & cork desk organizer, $28.

fashion blitz

i was thinking about packing for europe last night & a question came up; what can i not live without? if lost or stolen, which things would bring me to a panic or require immediate replacement? here they are in no particular order:



j. crew matchstick jeans. they go with everything & always make me feel good.



brick red vintage dexter riding boots. $35 at red light - life doesn't get any better.



american apparel deep v tissue tee. the new basic right?



h&m surplus trench (mine is def more canvas, less wool & doesn't belt all the way around, the closest pic i could find). found at crossroads trading for $11 - sigh.

found jewelry

this weekend was our first full weekend in the new apartment & surprisingly enough, we are pretty darn settled in. most boxes are unpacked - the only left are those filled with books. we haven't figured out what to do with the front of our smaller room & we figured that should happen before we load up bookshelves.

with that said; we were able to enjoy a little friday night happy hour on the roof, visit the henry art gallery* & frye art museum, i headed to the thao show at chop suey & today i got my hair did (one more big up to carly, the best bleach & toner in the city).

on the way to the frye this afternoon i stopped into i heart rummage & stumbled upon etcetera jewelry. aside from gorgeous, feminine, gypsie-inspired necklaces & earrings, her display was fantastic. between the vintage mannequin & ironning board, to tree trunks & rabbit feet - i thought i was in heaven. check out her blog for the entire collection, prices range from $35 - $100.

*thanks to strath & emily for the post that finally got my ass there. the anne lislegaard: 2062 exhibit was pretty incredible & i found myself fascinated with the illustrations & films by william kentridge.

descapades

i need to find a solution to my home work station. i like the idea of doing something white & modern with vintage, mid century style storage solutions. if i go with something darker, i'm not sure what i'll do for complimenting pieces. i found the parson's desk at west elm for $299, but i'm hoping for a better bargain than that. i also like a few from crate & barrel, but wonder how sturdy they will be - antenna desk, $199, loop desk, $199 & the puzzle desk, $149. i also found this nice tip from apartment therapy - ikea countertops instead?

do you have any good ideas where i can find something like those above for $250 or under? how about work station inspiration pics, wanna share?

music to listen to

passion pit's chunk of change is the perfect album for a sunny day. as dave puts it - it's the uptempo postal service follow-up album that never was. pick this one up & keep your eye out for manners, coming out may 19th.