Coffee, wine, pastries, candies, cheese, cigarettes, limoncello, mustard, squid-ink fettucini, among other things.  And for me?

Leather gloves soft as butter and lined in wool.  I love the buttons.  And a print cashmere scarf.  The picture doesn’t do justice to the orange tones in it.  We’ll see if I ever take either off.

On my way to pick up the boyfriend from the airport, just returned from a family holiday in Italy.  I know he’ll be happy to see me, but I want to make him regret having left in the first place.

The dress is a favorite of mine, bought on sale at the Gap of all places.  It always reminds me of the need to wear more color.  The cardigan is from Anthropologie and the boots are the pinnacle of my shoe collection, Kenneth Cole with laces up the back.

As someone with curly hair, I never fail to be astonished when people envy me.  I can’t stand the tangle, the frizz, the volume but those with straight hair seem to think it’s a bliss second only to heaven.

Granted, the grass is always greener.  And if I had straight hair (an impossibility given the fact that mine takes offense whenever I attempt to touch it with chemicals or heat and falls out) the first thing I would do is cut the thickest of bangs to hide behind.

As someone who has admired the talent of Jenny Lewis and Joanna Newsom, it’s probably a given that I’d admire their style as well.  Wonderful musicians and song writers, they’ve both sported the fringe for some time.  As someone with her own under eye issues, I’ve also got to give Joanna props for not concealing her shadows.  If only I could figure out how to do that and look fey and sweet instead of exhausted and consumptive.

Of course, it isn’t just artsy types hiding behind a hank of hair.  The Queens brought my attention to the interesting beauty of Irina Lazareanu and her trademark hair style.

Elizabeth gives Irina credit for launching the trend, which I’d agree is well on it’s way.  I was reminded while looking at her pictures of the original mods that made this hair style completely mainstream in the 60s. 

Penelope Tree reminds me most of Irina Lazareanu.

When dating Paul McCartney was cool instead of sad, Jane Asher had perhaps the most enviable bangs of all.

And mustn’t forget Marianne Faithfull, whose bangs I like perhaps the best:

She’s got that shy, peeking thing down perfectly.  Which just doesn’t work with a shock of curly hair.  Sigh.

I’d admired Ashley White Jacobsen’s rabbits before Emily reminded me of their existence.  This lovely blue plaque that sadly has been sold was added to my Stylehive at least a month ago.

Fortunately, Ashley has lots of other items featuring just as wonderfully rendered rabbits.  There are buttons and prints, all with bright colors and stylized yet realistic rabbits solemnly gazing at the viewer. 

Like my fixation with birds and koi, I’m beginning to wonder if my newest obsession will be buns.  I realize, however, that I already own a small plaque featuring a rabbit so the attraction isn’t really all that new.  Purchased from Mintie’s Mum in August, the rabbit on this brass plaque has sat in my bathroom looking shyly over his shoulder at me ever since.  At the moment, she doesn’t have much in the way of plaques available and ebay doesn’t provide many other options.  This Mexican version is definitely interesting, especially for the muted colors and entirely stylized renderings.

Etsy, being that everything is hand made and therefore more susceptible to changes in trends (anchors to fleur de lis, birds to rabbits), has much more available.  Harrilu has rabbits on tees and hair pins. 

There are a plethora of prints and paintings available.  Kendra Binney really needs an entire post devoted to her shop.  I couldn’t resist this pretty print featuring cherry blossoms and questioning buns in muted pinks and blues.

 Requited Love has this darling applique bun stitched onto a pouch that would be perfect for cosmetics, knitting odds and ends, or any number of loose things that rattle around in your handbag.

It’s a steal for $12.00, especially with those heart buttons made of shell.

Etsy also has tons of crochet rabbits, rabbit hats and anything else you can think of.

Try not to make ‘Buns of Steel’ comments below.

Ah, the post-Christmas sales.  When shops start clearing out their shelves for new inventory. 

Sam Edelman boots for $160.99 (down from $215.00)

Vince Camuto Mary Jane for $111.99 (down from $150.00)

Barcelos strapless dress, $125.00 (down from $179.00).

Mike & Chris trench, $193.00 (down from $322.00–GirlShop has several Mike & Chris items on sale, which I know a lot of you will love given the excitement over their line.)

Herringbone wool skirt, $79.99 (down from $128.00–and hurry to J.Crew.  They’re offering an additional 25% off sale items for online orders through January 1.  Not to be missed.)

Get in on the sale action while it lasts.

I hate to break it to A.P.C. but these are not ‘ Bermuda shorts with suspenders.’

They’re $167.00 lederhosen.

After receiving two unfortunate mugs for Christmas, I realized what a mishmash my dishware has become.  I’m rarely home and never entertain, but with all of the options available, it seems decidedly lacking not to have stylish, interesting tableware in addition to a stylish, interesting wardrobe.

These mugs are available at Virtu.  Simple but detailed with the look of Victorian illustrations, a set of these could easily replace the hodgepodge of unfortunate mugs most people have in their cupboards: ‘gifts’ from work with the corporate logo emblazoned on the front, seasonal mugs painted with Santa’s face, gag mugs with ceramic animals glued to the bottom and the inevitable Starbucks mugs.

Currently, my dishware is just as much a hodgepodge as my mugs.  My plates were given to me or bought used with only the vaguest of floral themes to group them together.  Rosanna carries some amazing options that easily escape the boring designs most retailers carry.

The Raffle and Sausolito set are perhaps my favorites but there are tons of others to choose from that are more colorful, more playful and perfect to entertain or use every day.

Too small for me:

Perfect for winter, the coolest plaid details…and in a 34 inch bust.

Too big for me:

2005 Yves St. Laurent shoes…in a size 40.

Just right:

And yes, I’m clearly still infatuated with the color green.

The Christmas stockings made from a felted sweater are now finished, with crocheted initials and booty inside.

Ignore my toes sneaking into the shot.

The little ones are filled with dog bones and treats for Jacob, Sadie and Bella, the Madre’s three dogs.  The two large ones are for the Madre and her husband.  Though they were hand sewn, these didn’t take half as long as I thought and were an easy project to suit the holiday.  I’m looking forward to using vintage wool sweaters for more felt projects.

Andrea’s scarf was finished yesterday.  Off the needles, it looks a lot less like intestines and I’m actually quite proud of the finished product.


The one thing I haven’t finished is the sweater for Andrea’s baby boy, Luca.  I’ve only got the sleeves left but forgot the pattern at my apartment (I’m housesitting for the boyfriend while he’s in Italy.)  Given that I was perhaps at 40%  completion last year at this time, I’m not too ashamed that one project failed to make the date.  It’ll just have to be a new years gift.

Happy holidays, everyone!

Even with Christmas upon us, I can sense my own weariness of the cold weather and early sunsets in my infatuation with floral jewelry.  There’s nothing blooming in Seattle at the moment, but I can be resourceful when necessary and have found pretty petals elsewhere.

This orchid necklace is only $25.00 at Urban Bloom. 

These dogwood earrings are by gNeebo, one of my new favorite sellers on Etsy.  They’re gorgeously realistic and so tempting for only $19.00.

The old standby, ebay, has many options in enamel and metal.  This vintage pin would look great in a scarf or on a tweed bag.

Of course, dogwoods aren’t the only option.  For a similar feeling of spring, I like the look of clover as well.  In pendants or as charms, they’re equally fresh and pretty. 

Now if only the real things would show their faces.

It was Closet Therapy who mentioned a deal on shoes through Amazon.com.  I was surprised to find a selection on par with other major retailers whose only product is shoes.  I couldn’t resist the Bronx ballet flats that were priced at only $23.89.  The ruffle and keyhole opening sealed the deal.

Given my ability to destroy shoes in a short period of time, I opted for the green instead of the white.  I feel like a muppet when I wear them but I see that as a good thing.  I was always a big Kermit fan.

Poet sleeves can be a subtle detail, giving a touch of romanticism.

These are available at Wet Seal, Urban Outfitters, and Delias.  All basic knit tops made interesting with a blousy sleeve.  In an elbow length, it can be a pain to stuff under jackets, and you may want to watch out at parties that you don’t drag your sleeve in the ranch dip; but in summer, draping gracefully as you sip a glass of wine at a deck party, it’d be lovely.

Poet sleeves on dresses and coats are almost prettier than on a simple knit shirt.

Overstock strikes again with this jacket from BCBG for 69.99, while the dress is found at GirlShop.

Be careful not to be too blousy.  Too much material can lead to a look more hobo than romantic.

And why pay $105.00 to look like you should be pushing a shopping cart?

I didn’t realize just how much I loved cluster earrings until I lost two pair.  The first were sly in their disappearance, their absence not noticed for several days in the constant to & fro between my boyfriend’s apartment and my own.  Perhaps batted from the nightstand by the cat?  Maybe the left one took a dive from the sink ledge into the bathroom garbage, never to see it’s partner again?  The second pair, simple gold bead clusters from Anthropologie, were decisively lost while chopping down Christmas trees in the Cascades, probably flung into the snow when shucking my hat on & off.  I’m so in love with the simple but detailed style that I had to try to find something similar before I get sick of the only other earrings I have: opal studs and silver hoops (boring, I know.)

Corona Sun Jewelry on Ebay seems to have the most options with lots of different beads.

I like the moonstone version better than the turquoise and amethyst but at $7.50, I could definitely get more than one pair.

These pearl versions are perhaps most similar to the pair that snuck off.  However, the length is much greater than what I usually go for.  Perhaps I could alter the first pair?

These final two pair are from Etsy and are perhaps most similar in size and dangle.  They’re both $18.00, which is incredibly reasonable.  If only there weren’t so many options, I might actually make up my mind.  Which pair would you buy?

A graphic designer friend of mine pointed me in the direction of Joy Ang’s site.  An Alberta College of Art & Design student, her work is a confounding mix of playful, organic, mystical and dark.

Her use of fish, and the contrast between these two images, is wonderful.  The koi, if not for the level of detail, would be a lovely tattoo.Her work isn’t currently available at any online art resource but she said she hopes to be distributing sometime in the new year.  I’ll be keeping my eyes open.

As much as I get weak in the knees for fun details like toggles or faux fur, the style that makes me pull out my wallet in the blink of an eye is a cutaway coat.

This may sound crazy given that the term is most often used to refer to the jackets worn by gentlemen in the 19th century:

Francis William Bentley III and Leland Raleigh Fitzsimmons share a snifter of cognac before brunch.

When done in a cropped feminine cut and fabric, however, the cutaway style can be incredibly flattering.  In a jacket or cardigan, it creates a wasp shape, emphasizing the narrowest part of the waist.

The argyle cardigan is available from 80s Purple and the jacket is by Nanette Lepore.

The cutaway style doesn’t have to be dressy, though, as this hooded cardigan by Delia’s shows.

In outerwear, this style really gets me.  This tweed version by Gina Michele isn’t strictly cutaway in style but the single button closure is perfectly placed. 

And it’s on sale for $120.

My newfound love for this style was born out of the many compliments I get when wearing the teal wool version I found at Value Village for $19.99.  I’ve been on the hunt for variations of it ever since.  Now I just have to wait until after Christmas to go in for the kill.

My feet hurt, my bank account is a little emptier and my closet is a little fuller. 


I have successfully sacked downtown San Francisco and the loot is ready to be wallowed in. 

Things I Learned While Shopping in San Francisco:
1)  There are not one, but two H&Ms.

2)  H&M is not nearly as cheap as I recall.  Perhaps because they’re trying to attract more moneyed clientele with their designer partnerships, even the non-designer clothing was a little steep. 

3) You can find a hooded sweatershirt for $8.99 if you look hard enough.

4)  H&M will be crowded by 11AM.  Given that this was a weekday, I have no desire to see the madness that is a Saturday afternoon at that place.

5)  Even though it’s December, there will be lots of spring gear available that I will not be able to resist.

5)  The Haight may still have lots of shops that prominently feature Peruvian knit hats and bongs, but, there are also some amazing vintage places.  I snuck out my camera at Decades of Fashion if only because I couldn’t believe just how much amazing, quality stuff they had.

This was only a small sample of the fur coats they had, not to mention the velvet coats, wool trenches, stoles, and leather dusters.  And don’t even get me started on the hats.  As if I need another thing to obsess over.

5)  On a Friday afternoon, the only people who will be at Golden Gate Park are drug dealers & teenagers looking to buy.  So unless you’re shopping for bud, don’t try and have a pleasant walk there.

When the plane was delayed, I was beyond thankful that I had Andrea’s scarf to work on.


It took me several attempts to decide on a pattern.  I experimented with lace knits and seed stitch, all horizontally striped.  The only thing that finally appealed to me was a vertical seed stitch on size 9 needles (I checked the TSA’s site before bringing these along for the flight).

Even better, the boyfriend got us upgraded to first class, which I’d never flown before, so my flying elbows didn’t bother any third party.  I’m sure the flight attendant was amused by my stunned expression when I was given orange juice in a glass on demand.

I’ve been anticipating shopping in San Francisco for a couple of weeks.  It’s kind of sad, really, because I’m not picking up anything too exciting for myself.

I’m in desperate need of socks.  I rarely wear them since the weather is generally mild and the majority of my shoes are little flats that don’t require beefy argyle insulation anyways.  However, the few pairs of socks I do have (purchased from H&M in Prague more than 2 years ago) are developing holes and getting threadbare.  Given the boyfriend’s shoes-off policy at his apartment, this is just embarrassing.

I’m also in need of bras.  Being a somewhat busty girl, I try to replace my bras every 8-12 months.  They simply lose their elasticity after that and don’t offer half the support.  Of course, I won’t have Gisele’s blissful expression when trying them on. 

I also really need a new bag.  I’ve been on the hunt for a replacement for some time and have been alternating the same three fabric handbags for months at this point.  I’m incredibly picky about size, material and how it feels slung over my shoulder so I’m really hoping that the marathon of shopping I’ll be doing in San Francisco will net me a find.

My laptop will be accompanying me so my posting shouldn’t flag.  However, given that it weighs 200lbs, if the wireless goes out at the hotel, I won’t be lugging it to a cafe.

I’ve only recently come to realize that in order to actually obtain some of the amazing items crafted by truly talented people (like Stephanie’s darling tweed rabbits and squirrels, Ashley’s prints and paintings or just about anything made by Emily), I need to sign up for the mailing list.

I stumbled across the anouncement that Ann Wood had added birds to her shop.  This was done yesterday.  There were nine items posted, and only one is left.  What is so special about these birds, you might ask.  Well, just have a look:

So I have added myself to Ann Wood’s mailing list in the hope that next time she updates her shop, I might add one of her lovely, vintage fabric birds to my belongings.

I’ve seen some amazing things done with felt, and am longing to mess about with it myself.  However, these bracelets by Sugar Plum Originals made me stop short.

The mix of wirework, beadings and felting is beautiful beyond any other versions I’ve seen.  If I weren’t so intent on saving my pennies for shopping in San Francisco (where there is a huge arts and craft scene with lots of boutiques to match), I’d snap these up in a heartbeat.