Am I insane for wanting these tights?

And this handbag?

I spotted these shoes on wardrobe_remix and am dying to have them:

Oh, and this dress:

Is it time for the straitjacket?

Using a random number generator, the winner of the first giveaway is Kristi of Asphalt & Air.  Thank you to everyone for all of the sweet comments, and you don’t know how thrilled I was to see all of the delurking! Be sure to comment again because I’d like to think this week’s giveaway is as good as the last.  Up for grabs are:

This Gocco print by Oh My Cavalier and, as you might have guessed, a pair of earrings by me!

Speaking of which, all earrings in the shop are 30% off through Friday, October 3rd.  Even if I can’t give a pair of earrings to each & every reader, I can offer something to all of you keeping up with this space!  Just use the code ‘giveaways‘ in the message to seller and wait for your revised invoice.

And don’t forget to comment for your chance to win!

I would highly rate any hostess who used any of these rad coasters.

From 25togo, ArtMind and rikrak.

Lisa tagged me to list the last five 25 songs I most recently listened to.  When the boyfriend isn’t around, music is my background noise; before I lived with him, I had no TV and always preferred to have music playing when it got too quiet.  This was how our house operated when I was growing up and I think, as a result, music tends to have strong associations for me–whatever was going on, how I felt when I first heard it, the person who introduced me to the song–all of it comes back when I’m listening.  It was hard not to include some of these associations as I listed these songs.

1) Danse sur la Merde – the Prototypes

Getting lost on our way to a wedding at Crystal Mountain.  Feeling beyond grateful that we had a few new CDs in the car to listen to & make the looong journey a bit more bearable.

2) Sappy – Nirvana

Hey, I was born & raised in Seattle so it’s pretty much required I listen to Nirvana–they issue Nevermind with Washington state driver’s licenses.  I didn’t hang with Courtney at the impromptu memorial when he died but it seems like copies of Nirvana’s CDs have always been around.

3) Soccer Practice – Johnny McGovern

My sister is to blame for this one.

4) Detroit, Lift Up Your Weary Head! – Sufjan Stevens

5) I am a Man of Constant Sorrow – O Brother Where Art Thou Soundtrack

I had a roommate who I teased terribly for his love of Shake the Shack, a radio program that made me think of the Hatfields feuding the McCoys and jugs of whiskey with ‘XXX’ on them.  When I bought the soundtrack to O Brother Where Art Thou immediately after seeing the movie, he got to tease me for being a hypocrite.

6) We Got the Beat – the Go Gos

That would be my sister’s fault again.

7) Parting of the Sensory – Modest Mouse

An early morning run, Ocean Shores in early spring, no one around but for the occasional darting deer.

8) Build that Wall – Aimee Mann

I love Magnolia, the soundtrack and all of the stories to go with both.

9) Hit the City – Mark Lanegan featuring PJ Harvey

PJ Harvey can do no wrong for me.  Hearing her on this song (Mark Lanegan is a local & therefore another obligatory listen) was such a great surprise.

10) Fit But You Know It – the Streets

Satellite TV in Prague means 40 channels, 10 of which are in Czech, the remainder being German plus BBC World.  Given that I had no way of listening to music (no laptop or stereo), German MTV was on pretty much constantly.  It was my introduction to a lot of music that never got big here.

11)  Moon – Sia

12) I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone – Sleater-Kinney

Freshman year of college, riding in my riot girl roommate’s beat up car through Bellingham, asking her who was playing on the car stereo.

13) Silver Fox – RJD2

14) Consequence of Sounds – Regina Spektor

15) Dawn of the Dead – Schoolyard Heroes

At loose ends after returning from living in Prague, I tapped my sister for things to do.  She took me to a hole in the wall venue to see Schoolyard Heroes tear up the stage.  We both bought the album shortly after.

16) Mr. Grieves – Pixies

17) The Test – Chemical Brothers

18) Back for More – Kudu

I read about this band on a music blog, tried to track it down online, and ended up buying it during a weekend trip to Portland.  The girl behind the counter at Music Millenium started raving about it and I knew I didn’t have to worry I’d only heard one song.

19) Dreams – TV on the Radio

20) California – Quasi

Ultimate break up album.  Enough said.

21) Isobel – Bjork

22) Alla Hoo- Monsoon Wedding Soundtrack

I can’t count how many times I’ve seen this movie.  Yet another where I bought the soundtrack immediately after seeing it.

23) Take Me Out – Franz Ferdinand

24) Physical World – Kudu

25) Reptilia – the Strokes

& just a reminder, two more days to comment on the giveaway!

Wow, that title sounds really dirty.  What I mean to say is that I finally worked up the courage to wear the style of shoe I last wore when I was in the 6th grade.

And which you might recall reviling with me, given the comments at the time.

However, provided with the option of a free pair of shoes from Solestruck, I took the plunge.

And I don’t regret it.  Not one bit.

Enjoy your weekend.

Ecoist’s goal is to merge design with social and environmental consciousness, something I think everyone feels is increasingly important–from organic fabrics & vegetable dyes in clothing to the slow food movement, being green has snowballed in to much more than recycling your aluminum cans.

Ecoist’s goods take recycling to a whole other level.  While I’ve seen these candy wrapper bags in many places, they’ve also got goods made from recycled vinyl, newspaper & movie billboards.

Through October 20th, you can get 10% off any purchase using the code thefray10.  I guess this is just a week of giveaways, isn’t it?

New necklaces in the shop:

Asha, with lapis and agate.

Jeanne, with turquoise and rhodonite.

And Marina.

This means I’m almost out of lapis!

Both Lalla Lydia and Sal at Already Pretty tapped me to name the sites I love to read.  I find these lists to be almost impossible since I really wouldn’t bother to read any of the many, many, many blogs I  try to keep up with if I didn’t love them all.

My cop out for this is to name the most recent blogs that I’ve added to my reader.  That thing is really out of control so I have to be pretty smitten when I decide to add to the enormous list of sites I follow.

Margeaux of the Mux Stops Here just started her site but it’s pretty adorable right off the bat.  Cute outfits, cute kitten, a funky Etsy shop and rag rugs all make for the kind of blog I love to keep up with.

I don’t speak French so I’m beyond pleased that Rose des Sables is in English, too.  Utterly feminine, the pink background, Vargas print icon and dreamy pictures captured my attention.  Add a Nutella milkshake recipe to the fashion & photo posts, and I’m a goner.

Though Shira has been writing for her site for 7 months, I only just recently came across it (no recollection of how.)  There’s no way to say this without sounding totally vain but screw it:  In the Sky & On the Road reminds me of my blog–dressing room breakdowns, Chie Mihara love, new adventures in sewing, and a hatred of onesies.  Hopefully, Shira won’t mind the comparison.

Casey & Lisa, I’ll try to get to your tags later this week!

(Into) the Fray is two years old today and I really have to say thank you–thank you for the funny, thoughtful, helpful comments, the occasional package containing some wonderful handmade thing, the willingness to read my random thoughts, and for some of you, the dedication to reading those random thoughts for a long time–the least I can do is try & give back with a giveaway.  And not just one giveaway but four over the course of the coming weeks.

Each Monday I’ll post a few items–in this case, a print by the extraordinarily talented Lisa Congdon and a pair of earrings by me.  There’s no game or competition; just leave a comment and you’ll be in the running for the items.  The winner will be chosen at random on the following Monday, when a few new items will be posted for giveaway–for four weeks!

The print is 5 by 7,the earrings are a bit smaller at about 2 inches.  They’re similar to the one’s pictured here but in brass with a slightly heavier hoop–my camera broke while we were in L.A. and I haven’t had a chance to take a photo of them yet.  I’ll replace the photo as soon as I can so you all know what you might be getting! The earrings you see above will be the ones you receive!

Leave a comment and be on the look out for the winner next Monday (even if you’re abroad!)–along with the chance to win something else!  And thanks again.

Paper crafts are one of the many things that, though I admire the supplies and materials, I don’t let myself get into (sorry, Krissy!).  Fabric, felt and a sewing machine have pretty much taken over the bedroom; and while jewelry supplies & materials don’t take up as much space, the hobby itself truly does take up as much time.  If there were two of me, I might get into paper crafts but until cloning is perfected, that won’t happen soon.

So when I got the Paper Source catalogue (I use some of their goods to package my jewelry), I looked at everything but the paper.  Surprisingly enough, there was plenty.

If I still didn’t have the nail kit the madre gave to me as a teenager, I’d be all over this cute matryoshka version.

And who knew a water bottle could be pretty?

Don’t forget, the giveaways start tomorrow, the 2nd year anniversary of (Into) the Fray!

I know the last time I was in southern California, I didn’t have many kind words.  I wouldn’t necessarily say my opinion has shifted but I know I definitely got a much bigger picture of what the city has to offer.

Hertz rental: $55.82.  Khaki pants at Value Village: $4.99.  Wearing the same color scheme in a minivan in Little Tokyo?  Priceless.

It helped that we had more than a day to spend in the city and that our friends have now been living here for a year or so and were overflowing with ideas of what to do.  Union Station, the Victorian houses of Angelino Heights, and thrift shops in Los Feliz were among the ideas we followed through on.  Finishing the evening at the Sky Hotel was a perfect conclusion to the day.

Given its sheer size and sprawl, I know I still have barely gotten beyond the tip of the iceberg that is L.A.  And while I may never love L.A., I can definitely admire just how much it has to offer.

I understand that there’s a lot about high fashion that’s not meant for me–beyond the prices and lack of occasion, a lot of the truly experimental elements I have a hard time appreciating.  This, however, I don’t want to be meant for me.

Drapery coming directly out of your crotch is an experiment I’d rather leave untested.

Though I haven’t knit in ages, these vintage knitting and crochet patterns are tempting me to pick up my needles again.

Even if you’re not a knitter, they’re interesting for the vintage fashions alone.

Two necklaces that caught my eye…

By SarahSky and paraphernalia.

I love the drapey dolman sleeve in the few items of clothing I personally own.  I’m starting to notice it everywhere as we head into winter and fall.

I’m not crazy about the color of this jacket from Free People but the foldover collar is definitely an element I love.  The white coat by Trina Turk is available at Nordstrom.  It looks super versatile and I can imagine it with just about anything in my closet.  Don’t know what’s up with the model’s face, though.

Or these two cardigan versions from Forever 21.

Karmaloop’s take on this trend looks like a rainslicker.

And this shawl from Yes Style is perhaps the most dramatic version of the trend.  Thank God her expression doesn’t appear to have been affected like the other two.

Despite the fact that someone tried to pick a fight with my boyfriend when we saw TV on the Radio two weeks ago (apparently the asswipe with the popped collar thought we weren’t ‘into it’), I could not resist tickets for an artist I’ve listened to on repeat since her album debuted.

And if M.I.A. bumrushes the stage, I can die happy.

Between a custom order and baby showers, most of the stuff I’ve ordered in the past few weeks has been for others.  However, a few things for myself snuck in to the mail and I couldn’t be more thrilled about them.

I’ve wanted one of Laura’s wallets for a long time but my current one has yet to show enough wear to justify the purchase.  However, a passport holder is something I have yet to indulge in and this little bird is so lovely that I had to grab it–especially since Little Orange Kitchen items tend to go fast.  Beyond sweet, Laura threw in a wallet and a little magnet.  She’s seriously awesome.

Superior Swedish Clogs lived up to their name.  I love my new Bastads and am struggling not to wear them every day.

Though my necklaces tend to make a statement, I was longing for something a little more delicate.

I ordered these little glass rings from an Etsy supplier who got them to me literally two days later.  I bought the most delicate cable chain I could find at my favorite local shop and moments later, I had the necklace I’d been imagining for weeks.  Expect to see more of these little circlets in the shop…as well as in one of the giveaway items!

Given that seeing Cuba is on my list of 100 things and I’ve posted about the allure of it’s people and culture before, it’s probably no surprise I’m smitten with Baldomere Ferandez’s photography.

He self-published a book of his photos from his most recent trip to his home country.

The description of his experience there is poetic but so sad:

There is overwhelming poverty on the island along with political and humanitarian repression. In this suffocating atmosphere the Cubano finds a way to live a somewhat comfortable life. When there is no choice you make do with what you have in an infinite amount of ways. Time on the island has not only stopped but it no longer exists. In a place where hope is almost gone, the Cubano doesn’t worry about time.

If only I had the money to spare for something so wonderful.  Via CityRag.

Perfectly slouchy style in Sofia.

And I think Songy at Style Discovery would like her necklace.

I haven’t hidden my feelings about luxury brands and the devotion that certain shoppers have to them but it was somewhat shocking to see this art piece on Counterfeit Chic.  What’s even more shocking is that this piece was supposed to be on exhibit in Shanghai, which Style Bubble’s anecdotes have led me to believe involves a whole other layer of controversy.  Ironic or insulting, it’s hard not to think of pigs as having a negative connotation but maybe I’m putting too much thought into it?

…..

I rarely really laugh out loud at things I find on the internet though I’m sure I use shorthand often enough…on second thought, I think I rely on emoticons in chat & email more than anything.  However, I did laugh out loud at these hysterical charts by Doogie Horner on Comic vs Audience–to the point that I had to pull my laptop over to my boyfriend whereupon we both laughed so hard we cried.

Oddly enough, it made me think of Jozette because she always seems to be the first to point out anything funny–I’m sure Munich & Prague are keeping her busy, though.

…..

I ran into someone at work this week who complimented me on my hair, specifically that my hair was natural.  She bemoaned the grow-out stage she was currently suffering through but felt it was something she had to do so as not to appear a hypocrite to her 3 year old daughter.  We agreed that kids should have a chance to form their own opinion about the weighted issue of hair, culture and identity that’s so particular to the Black community–which brings me to the much lighter topic of vintage images.

Found in Mom’s basement is an amazing site that is a sad reminder of how much text advertising used to have.  It includes old Ray Ban ads, so many horrifying examples of interiors it’ll make your eyes bleed, and nostalgia for days.  Via the fabulous We Are All Seeking Something.

…..

Given that someone as cool as Joanna Goddard of A Cup of Jo works for Glamour, I shouldn’t be surprised that they’d be responsible for a provoking, thoughtful conversation around race and friendship.  Carmen at Racialicious was on the panel for the discussion and the comments on her post are as varied as you’d imagine.  As someone who doesn’t identify as one thing and would have a hard time figuring out how to answer the question, it was still fantastic to see how honest yet positive the responses were.

Also, since this issue of Reading Material has circled around race, I’ll share an excellent essay that, in the random, inexplicability of the internets, led to a set of hysterically funny LOLcats.  Because, like Wendy said, sometimes you have to laugh or else you’re going to cry.

And check out the auction on her Diana necklace to benefit the Nielsens.  Today is the last day to bid and do something good.

…..

Finally, I’d mentioned a giveaway when I transitioned over to this new space (don’t forget to update your links!) and this one is going to be bigger than any I’ve ever done.  Given that I’m quickly approaching my 2nd anniversary and I don’t think I ever celebrated the first, there is going to be a giveaway posted every Monday for four weeks starting on 9/22.  There will be no quiz or guessing game–just leave a comment on that day’s post and you’ll be in the running for the prize(s).  As always, even if you’re outside the United States, feel free to comment as I’m happy to ship internationally.

So be on the lookout starting 9/22 and thank you to everyone for commenting, reading, and being so very wonderful!