Picture #1: Baby Steps to Better Decor

A less defined goal of mine is to steadily evolve our apartment decor from its current hot mess towards the cute looks of hip design blogs. Vases are a new territory for me, but I'm loving our quirky recent additions: recycled glasses and pottery cast from milk bottles. Here's hoping flower arrangement is one of those skills practice makes perfect. ~A

Oops, I did it again...

My Etsy problem persists... but I really hope this fits. ~A

I might have an Etsy problem...

Recent buys (clockwise from top left): necklace from locallibrary, vintage-brooch-turned-ring from musarra and co, vintage-reworked, seriously bling earrings from Bel Canto Designs, nano case from QuietDoing, branch earrings from Nervous System and a gorgeous vinyl laptop sticker from Splendid Vinyl which allows me to pick out my own laptop from all the copycat Sternie Dells in the study lounge... ~A

But the shoes make it all better...

Just received the Sigerson Morrison shoes I ordered from Target... A few strategically placed sequins will improve my mood any day... - A

Pink Sequin Atrocity = High Style?

I've been following The Sartorialist for a few years, inspired by his photos of New York and European street styles - and I admit to a secret fantasy where one day, if I dress really really well, he might just see me on the street and snap my picture. Seriously, this would pretty much be the highest style compliment ever, right up there with Stacey and Clinton surprising me with a $5000 BoA card to "just keep doing what you're doing". (A girl can dream, right?)

But one shouldn't mix up "boldness" with "total insanity"... I'm pretty sure Stacey and Clinton would tell this poor woman that even beyond the atrocious fabric, the juvenile style does her chest and waist NO FAVORS, and from now on, could she please save the toddler fashion for when her 2 year old is attending an Alice in Wonderland tea party... why this is even made in adult sizes boggles the mind. -A

Fashion Epiphany

One day, it was like a lightbulb went off in my head as I gazed into my closet - hey, I love cardigans! Also, I work in an office which insists on being 55 degrees year-round... so why do I not own more of this fabulous layering item?

So I bought the first one from the Gap - comfy AND affordable. (In fact, I may soon own it in multiple colors...) And I'm eyeing the second at JCrew... loving the orange, but may need to head to the store for a little in-person reality check on whether that color and my pale skin play together nicely. And people, who knows WHAT craziness will ensue come fall... -A

Ikea Knappa Tulpan Lamp

It's a little unreasonable how much I love our new lamp. But Heron understands.

I think.

-A

Map-tastic Tiles

When we finally own a bathroom, these will be going up in the shower. And then I will finally be able to learn all the world capitals and kick butt in car trip games.

Wall tiles by digitile, seen on the style files... -A

Sad Realities

I found the perfect wedding shoes on east side bride. They match my ivory-and-champagne dress. They are flat, befitting our plans to be married outside on a grass lawn. They are sequined, as are all things in my perfect world.

Given all that, should it really matter they cost as much as my dress?

I mean, it's not like I haven't ever paid significantly more for shoes than the outfit they went with. Of course, that was when I wore an $8 dress to the high school prom... slightly different circumstances. -A