The One From The Army

Everyday, Real Simple sends me a newsletter on a random topic. Sometimes it's 5 or 6 pretty candy dishes - which I ignore - or a way to clean inside a muffin tin - which I also ignore - but today...the email was about "Everyday Carryalls." And now I want this bag, from Free People, which is made out of recycled Army surplus blankets. Very cool.

The One With A Few More

Remember this?

Well, I've since found this, from a great company called Public.

And this one, from Amazon - and the much less expensive Schwinn.

The One With All The Gorgeousness

I'm in love with letterpress. Basically - anything you can letterpress, I pretty much want it. I ran across these business cards on oh happy day this morning and they might be the sole reason I quit my job and go into business for myself. Granted, I'd probably have to be a dog walker or something equally focused on tasks rather than ability, but I could do it with fabulous business cards, and that would be enough for me.

I mean seriously. Anyone have their own business? Could you please order these and then let me hang out with them for awhile?

I've already talked about Etsy, and 1Canoe2 with the Texas print...but seriously. They have some of the most amazing things.

I mean - of course I want letterpress recipe cards, or letterpress coasters or a letterpress address book of sorts.

I'm pretty sure my parents are mom is already dreading picking out the invitations for my future wedding. My parents were invited to a wedding a few months ago that included the most ridiculously gorgeous save the dates. I want them.

Like, OH MY WORD.

from Dauphine Press

and those are just save the dates...

from Bella Figura (Emmy - please tell me you have this at The Scribbler)

Not to mention all of the prints that are done on letterpress. I mean, seriously - how adorable would this be in a kitchen.

from RawArtLetterpress

I've already mentioned this print, and I still think it's pretty fantastic.

from NanLawson

Or this in an office? Wouldn't it be nice - when you're all stressed out, to be reminded to just let some of the junk go?

The One About Stripes

I'm on a stripes kick apparently...

from Anthropologie, West Elm, Ikea, Ikea, Kate Spade, Piperlime, Piperlime, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Saks Fifth Avenue. Just click on the image to find the link. I mean...those shoes are seriously cute.

The One About Mint

Apparently mint is out and about in full force this spring. I'm kind of madly in love with these shoes.

I'm also a little bit in love with this color - I'm just not sure it's physically possible to be this tan. Don't you think pale would be a little bit horrendous with this Topshop dress? I could definitely do one of the bags though - or at the very least, that nail polish!

On another note - I'm going to a cookout tonight, the first of the summer, and I am so excited! Kind of unnaturally...

A friend of mine's brothers are coming in town so he and my best friend's boyfriend are having a party. I think the girls are in charge of anything that doesn't revolved around meat and beer. There will be burgers, and sides, and I'm making salad and THESE. Aren't they so precious? I'll definitely let you know when they work out. I just need to go pick up the ice cream...

Have a fabulous weekend!

The One About Vacation

Guess where I'm going!?

I'm so excited to go visit these people in June. Dawson and I are trying to figure out how to get tickets to Wimbledon. Anyone have any suggestions? I've read the site - I think I just need to sit down with it and pay more attention. My boss went while she was studying abroad over there and felt like it was a really easy thing to do the day-of.

I AM SO EXCITED.

Has anyone else been to London? What were your favorite things? What were your least favorite things? WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR?

The One About The Bike

Don't worry, I am aware that I'm about to get made fun of (the roomie and I have already had this conversation), but I have now decided I want a bike. We're moving into the most adorable house and it is exactly 0.4 miles from Publix. Sweet.

I'm also a few miles from Crestline and Mountain Brook Villages. Wouldn't that be fun in the summer!? I could bike right over to Mountain Brook Creamery which would work off all of the calories eaten once I got there.

Can't you see me riding my bike to Publix and bringing home groceries? I could just run down for a carton of icecream, or when we run out of sugar.

For those of you who read my blog routinely...are you starting to get whiplash from all the absurd decisions I've come to lately?

I'm looking on Cahaba Cycles for now (which can get pretty pricey) but I'm thinking if I figure out what I'm looking for, and can talk to someone in real life (aka in Cahaba Cycles) then maybe I can find it somewhere cheaper with a little bit of research.

I'm looking in the Commuter/Town section. Someone tell me if that's wrong.

So far I've found these...

You can click on the images for a link. Yes, they are expensive.

I've read an article that says the best time to buy a bike is in July or August - apparently that's when shops put them on sale? Who knows, but that's perfect for me. A major lump sum is going to be spent in June so maybe I'll have over-saved for that!? Doubtful, but you never know...

Don't worry, I've already thought about how to locate a reasonably attractive helmet. I absolutely HATE helmets, but apparently it's illegal not to wear them and I don't really want to smash my head on the ground when I go hurling toward the pavement.

Anyone else what to get a bike with me?

The One About This Puppy

I think I might have changed my mind on the "which dog do I buy" front. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers have just made the VERY short list.

This guy is really adorable.

The One About March

You can still feel a pretty bitter chill in the air around here (wore a coat into work today), but I'm getting VERY close to retiring my sweater dresses and starting in with lots of layers. Once March rolls around I'm tired of tights and wool and ready for cotton and espadrilles. The new J.Crew catalog is NOT helping. Have you seen this thing? Gorgeousness (perfect for my birthday - exactly one month from today).

Also coming up in this first week of March...The Bachelor season finale (I know that this show is ridiculous...but it's also addicting), ALICE IN WONDERLAND comes out on Thursday (and it's my brother's birthday), and hopefully I'm going to convince my friends to go to Chili Cook-Off on Saturday. Especially since it's going to be a reasonably pretty day!

So happy March everybody!

Oh...and over the weekend I spotted some daffodils in my parent's front yard. See? Spring. Eventually.

** disclaimer - no I'm probably not actually going to buy that romper, but isn't it precious?


UPDATE: Am I hallucinating or have all the trailers up until this week had March 4th as the release date for Alice? I guess we'll go on Friday...

The One About Puppies

The roomie and I have been discussing our "future puppy" a lot lately. My parent's are like broken records with the "You don't need a puppy" routine...but I disagree. The rooms is allergic to puppies that shed, so I've been researching dogs that won't make her wheeze until she passes out on the floor and dies. That would be bad.

So far, I've discovered two things. First - small dogs are more allergy friendly, and I am REALLY against teeny tiny yappy things. Except for maybe this one - he's so cute! Second, apparently anything mixed with a Poodle ends up not shedding. Nice. So far - I've come up with these suggestions.

Labradoodle
Goldendoodle

And that's it. I don't like terriers really, I definitely don't like hairless dogs, I don't really like schnauzers. This guy is pretty cute but I think having to deal with his hair would be a little bit out of control. He's a Puli - in case you've just been introduced to your new best friend.

My only major concern is this - how do I know that my dog is going to look more that a golden than a doodle. This one is a miniature golden doodle, and he's ADORABLE, but some of them have that weird standard poodle stance that I am NOT a fan of.

I'm so confused. Do any of y'all have suggestions?

I need a big dog that's not going to kill my roommate, is soft and cuddly, refrains from drooling (especially into their beards) and will be perfectly fine in our future fenced in back yard. Ok, thanks.

The One About These Shoes

I want them.

The One About Hair

Last week I had my hair colored and BOY was it not pretty. I was very blonde and a tad bit streaky and completely freaking out - so I went back to the salon Friday during lunch and had it tweaked - to a much prettier color that I was VERY happy with.

Unfortunately, this is about as scary as anything to do with my hair gets. I don't do drastic haircuts (learned my lesson after I chose a BOB for my 6th-grade graduation), and as much as I wish I was a redhead, I've never wanted to do a full dye-job.

My hair generally looks the same - straight, and blown-dry. It's impossible (literally, Mom tried a LOT when I was little) to keep curls in my hair, and even bobby pinning it up is difficult with all of my really fine baby hairs not wanting to stay in place. I use a lot of hairspray.

But...every single time I'm in Forever 21, with their $4 hair accessories, I want to splurge on fun things to add a little spunk to my boring hair choices.

I'm a sucker for a good headband, but the best part of Forever 21 is that you can buy things that you wouldn't normally wear, without breaking the bank.

I love headbands, and I know I wear them...but would I really wear a pom-pom on my head? Do I really want to pay $22.50 to find out?

So these are my picks at Forever 21, and maybe after Christmas I'll brave The Galleria and purchase a few of them.



After all...I could buy everything on this list for a few more dollar bills than this pretty. Seriously. And maybe I'd throw in this, just for that last few seconds of 2009...maybe.

The One About Gifts Given To Your BFF

from Smith & Hawken

I figured, since I am a genius when it comes to gift-giving and everyone I've ever given a gift to has absolutely loved it and still calls it their favorite gift ever - to this day, I should make a list for all my many millions of blog readers to reference.

Can you hear the sarcasm?

I can say though - with a fair amount of certainty that I online shop more than most people - and although it is generally a detriment to my bank account...it's about to come in very handy for you!

So, if you are planning to buy your very best friend a gift this year these are a few things floating around the internet that just might allow you to keep the BFF title until next Christmas.

This is pretty much genius, and perfect for a friend who is very indecisive (or if you're indecisive). You go into Sephora and buy this handy little package for $50. When your friend opens the box she can test all of the best-selling Sephora fragrances and THEN, when she's picked one (after weeks of contemplation), she just goes back to Sephora and picks up her brand new bottle of perfume. Genius. Not only does your friend have new perfume, which she picked out herself, but she also has loads of mini sample sized bottle which are the PERFECT thing to carry around in her purse. The anecdote to nasty-cigarette bar smell after a night out with the girls.

You're aware that I love Gadabout, so go out and get your friends some notecards. They have so many different styles, it's a one-stop-shop for all the girls.

I'm also obsessed with all things letterpressed. I think this is absolutely ridiculous. A city, all planned out in the vertical? Amazing. It's also a pretty large piece for the price so those of us who live in apartments with lots of walls and don't have the cash-money to fill those walls with original art ... well, there you are.

I also think this would be such a fun surprise to receive all wrapped up in pretty J.Crew wrapping, I am definitely not one to spend a fortune on costume jewelry (and neither are my friends) but it's so much fun to have a few great pieces. I'm a firm believer in buying people gifts you know they will love, but would never buy for themselves. It's always more fun that way!

Another fun idea? Pool all of the money you were planning on spending on your best group of girls and buy one big something. A session with a great photographer...wouldn't it be nice to have some professional images of those people you care most about? You could even wrap up a cute picture frame for each girl as a way of announcing the surprise. You could also splurge on a hotel room for a night. You can either go the - hotel downtown for a night of bar-hopping route, or a hotel with big fluffy down comforters for a night of pizza, cider and movies.

And, if you are a recent graduate (like me and my friends,) fun home gifts are always nice. I would never go out and buy this for myself - but isn't it adorable. Now that I might actually have a tailgate party (i.e. have been rudely removed from college and no longer tailgate AT the game) it could come in handy. And on a less football-related note, these and these would be adorable gift for girlfriends.

Oh - and for those of your friends who are constantly doodling, or writing down small thoughts...wouldn't this be wonderful. Easy to keep track of, and easy to keep up with. Precious covers too!

The One About How I'm Hemorrhaging Money

This next month is going to be the most fun (read: most expensive) month of my whole lifetime. Yes - that's probably an exaggeration, oh lord I hope so, but seriously. I'm beyond excited, because there are some really fun things coming up. Parties and trips, and lots and lots of time to hang out with friends (including a few of those who live in Texas), and a couple of weddings...are all making this time of year my absolute favorite.

My friends and I are throwing a party.

I do not want to talk about the fact that the invitations have not gone out yet, they haven't - who cares if the party is only 10 days away.

Last night I printed the invitations, and whole punched and be-ribboned. And they need to be addressed and stamped tonight. The mailman needs to have these things tomorrow. Absolutely, no later than tomorrow. These things are going out.

The list goes on and on. We're going to have to feed these people, and get these people semi-intoxicated, and my apartment needs to look PHENOMENAL...which is all going to cost some dollars, so if you have any genius ideas for cutting costs you just let me know. I'll be hitting up Martha Stewart like it's my job.

I've been working on the apartment part this weekend. I have a fabulous wreath on my back door - complete with a really pretty, fluffy red bow. And I actually did make these and if I do say so myself...they're GORGEOUS. I made three, one for each window, and they're all hung at different heights. I guess I should take a picture of those....hm, I'll get back to you on that.

Now we just need a Christmas tree (on the list for this weekend), some lights, ornaments to go on the tree, stocking holders, STOCKINGS, some presents wrapped up and underneath the tree, some pretty serving pieces for the food we're going to be feeding the people at this party...

I'm getting overwhelmed.

Also, I'm going to Nashville for New Year's Eve.

Then I leave for Phoenix on the 2nd for our bowl game. The Fiesta Bowl. Did you hear that TCU is in the Fiesta Bowl? We are, and I'm going!!

So I have been working on booking a plane flight, and a hotel. ...and maybe I've been perusing the internet for a cute new purple outfit?

Oh, and totally unrelated (and definitely not fun)...I have to replace my cell phone apparently, and I need to get my hair colored, and it would be really nice to pay rent for January.

I probably need a raise, but also some days off - because I'm going to need a nap too.

And I'm starting to worry about buying Christmas gifts (for friends, and work, and family). I would really love to pick out exactly the perfect thing for each person...but does that ever really happen? And you want to hear something depressing funny? I have everyone listed out in an Excel document so that I can keep track of what I'm giving, and if I've bought it, and what I still need to be looking for, and how much I spent on it. EXCEL. That's a very grown-up thing to do, and I'm not sure I want to be a grown-up.

But the fun things totally outweigh the stressful things...like going to Phoenix with some of my very best friends in the whole wide world, and Nashville with some of my other best friends, and Madison to see my family, and our small party is going to be fun, and we're having a work party.

And reps have been sending cookies to the office.

So all in all, Christmas is fun, but it might be more fun if Santa's elves had access to the U.S. Mint and could print me some new money...

So, that's what I'll be up to the next couple of weeks. Also, I'm planning on putting together a small list of ideas for Christmas gifts. Ideas for your best friend, or your parents, or your siblings - but to all of those people, don't worry - you won't be seeing your present on my list. I'm keeping those ideas to myself. Otherwise, my mother would start guessing now...and I'm not sure I could keep things a secret until Christmas.

Be looking for that, along with the usual ramblings.

*click on the images for links

The One About Gadabout

I've done one giveaway on this blog, and that was fun - but there are people out there in the universe that do them ALL THE TIME. Jealous. This giveaway at High-Heeled Foot In The Door is so freaking cute I decided to share it with y'all (and I get to enter one more time because I'm blogging about it, in the interest of full-disclosure). Y'all - this stuff is CUTE. The company (Gadabout Paper) makes an entire series that involves the most adorable drawings of women in great dresses - and the best part is the names of the designs. I mean, "Life Starts All Over Again When It Gets Crisp In The Fall" - HOW CUTE IS THAT!? They do other cute things too...

Hanna Brooks Nation is a genius, apparently. And really cute and now I want her to be my friend.

So - in the interest of giving (virtually...), I've picked out some pretty fun things for my friends.

Like this for Liz...when her dog-walking business goes gangbusters she can whip these out to write down "Sue- precious little Fluffy needs more dog food, and could you please throw in a couple extra benjamins with that next check? Thanks - Liz, Dog Walking Extraordinaire"

...and, if you continue to work at Flower, you can have these too. If you land this other job though, I'll have to find you some Birmingham-skyline themed notecards to write to all the people helping you plan our gala.

And these for Sara Emily, because I can honestly picture her sitting down to write thank you notes at a desk that looks like this, and I'm pretty sure she has that tote bag. Or maybe she want's something a little simpler. She likes simple. I think these would work.


And Dawson can have these, because she's the only person I know who consistently wears pearls and looks fabulous doing it. And, remember when I said the titles were FABULOUS, well this set is called - "The Jewelry He Gives You," and I know a certain "He" who should be giving her some jewelry in about 21 days. Plus, she needs a little reminder of what a wonderful place Alabama is. On that note, maybe she should get a set of these too.

And Kirbie should get these, because she's the only person who gets to wear a bathing suit (almost) all year 'round. Jealous. Maybe we can get Gadabout to draw some cowboy boots on your feet....

And Mary Knox can have these, because she's from South Carolina and LOVES it. She can use these to write thank you notes to all of those people over there when she comes to visit. Or, maybe she should write ME a thank you note - and come visit Birmingham.

Oh - and me. I guess I should get presents too. I like these, and these and these. I'm not picky - pretty much anything will do. This shop is so unbelievably cute, and they even have Christmas notecards too!


So run over to Gadabout and pick up some notecards, and run over to High-Heeled Foot in the Door and enter the giveaway (but if you win I will beat you up, in the interest of full-disclosure).

The One About A Boiled Peanut

I have a charm bracelet, which I absolutely love. It's all James Avery - which happened after spending some quality time in Texas, and as if on cue...they built a store right here at The Summit when I graduated. I've gotten charms for Christmas, and birthdays, and graduation. Plus - there are a couple of charms by James Avery I have my eye on for this year.

Well today, in my Garden and Gun newsletter (they always bring me the most interesting things) I saw an advertisement for Dixie Patches. This is the cutest little store! And they have charms. Precious, southern charms.

WOAH.

Wait. That boiled peanut charm costs how much??

I mean, I know there are those adorable little pearls inside mimicking peanuts...but SERIOUSLY.

Well, if anyone has an extra $180 lying around be sure to wrap up this little pretty and stick it under my Christmas tree.

I would also appreciate that pretty mint julep cup, and the signature bow. Don't worry - you can steer clear of that palmetto bug, the call-me-a-ride keg and the shotgun shell. I'm pretty sure I don't need the quintessential beer holder of all colleges world-wide dangling in beautiful sterling silver from my wrist (or the ammo for the shotgun my brother uses to kill deer - although that one is less expensive).

And I guess so begins the Christmas season...with the first blatant addition to my wish list.

The One About Rain

I'm not kidding when I say that Alabama is DROWNING. It's been raining for weeks straight. Every time it rains I wish I had these.


But let's be honest - $115 for a pair of rain boots is MUCHOS expensive. So...I did some research and I found a pair on eBay for $35. That's like getting these boots for 70% off. Granted, the site said they had some "blooming" - but I did MORE research on that and "blooming" is a normal thing that happens to boots - and it can be wiped off with a wet rag. Hm.

There might also be some scuffing - but HELLO eBay - these are rainboots, not evening shoes.

Long story short, I bought them.

If they don't work - then I spend $35 dollar (and NO shipping - because that was free) - to know that I don't love them. Not bad if you ask me.

Now all I need is a few more puddles....

The One About Etsy

Has anyone ever shopped on Etsy?

I know that people do - I've heard enough about it, but I'm not sure how it works. Sort of like eBay, but without the bidding? I've been rummaging through the site and it's UNBELIEVABLY overwhelming. They do their best to keep it organized and easy to navigate but seriously...I typed in "Halloween" and it returned 81,324 results. Trying to boil it down some, I tested out "Halloween pumpkin" and got 14,935 results. Going back to "Halloween" it popped out 81,349 - does that mean that there were 14 items added in the 30 seconds it took me to complete the "Halloween pumpkin" search?

Needless to say...I'm overwhelmed, but I did find some things in all of the hubbub that I would really love to have, if I could ever figure out how to actually buy it and get it to my house.

It's finally Fall around here, so now I want to decorate my apartment for Halloween. I'm not a huge fan of the whole orange and black color scheme, I really hate spiders (not to mention we have about a million real live ones outside our door) and ghosts aren't very pretty - so I'm looking for something simple and classic that I can use for both Halloween and Thanksgiving. I really like this pretty pumpkin made from old wire but I'd really like a grouping of different sizes, and those don't exist.

I've also found this little gem. It's adorable and graphic, plus I have the perfect place for it. The woman who makes them is working on a set of all 50 states and if she would go ahead and do Alabama I could hang both, one over the other, on this little skinny wall space next to my bedroom door. It would be such a cute little reminder of Texas every morning and I think they would transition well into another apartment, another bedroom, another home - they would be really adorable in a kitchen, a bathroom, or kid's bedroom. I think they're especially fun when you have a connection to multiple states and can group those together. See - I told you I would have Texas-themed shopping on the brain when I got home.

And aren't these sweet apples so cute. They'd be adorable sitting on a desk, in a kitchen, in a baby's room, on the coffee table, on my bookshelves....anywhere you or I want them to go. I actually almost think I my mom could make these myself herself, but I'm not exactly sure how you make them actually apple shaped. I love that they're a neutral, crisp, cream color - but I wonder if all of the dust in my apartment would make them a yucky brown color instead.

This shop also carried really adorable wedding gifts for your friends (since I have that on the brain lately). I ended up getting my friend a plate to celebrate her marriage this weekend, and while I understand the concept of registering so that you end up with the things you want and need - it just felt so impersonal. So why not try something like this?

I also really love that Etsy carried handmade items like the little apples, but also allows true, technical, amazing artists to showcase their artwork. I've seen some pretty gorgeous pieces, like this (which isn't super expensive), this or this, but I've also been interested in some prints of original. Clearly I'm not living on a "growing my art collection" kind of budget - so prints are ideal for my little apartment. This one (to the left) is really beautiful and I love the bold colors, plus I could buy a few different ones and have myself a little grouping. This artist has other prints in a similar style, similar color palette and all birds. My apartment could use a little color here and there, and I really just think these are gorgeous.

And let's be honest - you want these too! They're rough diamonds, and stackable. They come in the most beautiful colors - but still have a natural, and neutral look. They would be the perfect things to start a small collection of - one for graduation, one for a first job, one for getting married, one for having a baby, one for that one time that we went to such and such and did this and that. If you're a mom - one for each kid. I think stackable rings are so much more fun and interesting that a single band. Here's a good question about Etsy though - do these people ever just disappear? What if I wanted one now, and one in 3 years...how do I know I'll be able to locate this individual with the pretty rings?