Archive for the ‘living room’ Category

I thought you were the sweetest kill

Thursday, September 9th, 2010

live:

Alright, okay.  It’s been a really long time.  And I apologize.  Lots of busy days and late nights.  I just finished up with my freelance job promoting the first ever LouFest in St Louis.  What a blast, I must say.  Along side that, I somehow found the time to start sewing.  I am officially turning into my mother.  It’s real. Anyway, over the past few months, I’ve really had a chance to make my apartment my own.  Only took me about 8 months after my move-in date.  I’ve decided to sign the lease again through May so I figure I might as well make it extra cozy.

Here are a few of the fabulous items I’ve picked up for my place:

kitchen giraffeyellow candlepuffy yellow flowers

wear:

Since I’m officially sewing now, I figured I might show you some of my projects.  I will admit, the first couple have been borderline disasters.  Seriously.  But I’m getting better with every stitch.

Project #1: Let me offer you a brief warning…for those of you who are like me, that doesn’t always read all the directions, please take note of sewing pattern sizes.  Just because you wear a size 4 at the Gap doesn’t mean you’ll be able to fit in a size 4 sewing pattern skirt.  It probably doesn’t even mean one of your thighs will fit into the thing.  Size 4 is super small.  I realized halfway through my skirt that reading directions is incredibly important.  While structurally sound, my first skirt doesn’t fit a “real” size 4, only 4th graders.  The little ones.

too small for me skirt

Project #2: On my second project, I read the directions.  I got the right kind of fabric (albeit ugly fabric), I measured myself, and then picked the size…something like 12 or 14 (not 4).  The second dress…it turned out….okay.  My neighbor came over to see my progress and described it as a “moo-moo” dress.  My sister suggested that it would be adequate for my 7th grade Geometry teacher (she was 60+, for certain).  I tied a belt around it and called it a semi-success.

moo moo dress

Project #3: Easily the best thing I’ve created so far.  But not perfection. No, never perfection.  Not yet.  I bought the cutest cotton bird fabric.  Perfect for a pair of boxers.  Only problem is I put the patterns down backwards.  That would be me glossing over the details.  So what we have here is a pair of beautifully constructed small boxers, with upside down birds.  Whatever, I think they are perfect.

upside down bird boxers

listen:
broken social sceneLouFest had some really fantastic bands.  One of which was Broken Social Scene…actually they were our headliner on the 1st day.  I somehow managed to work my way up onto stage left to enjoy the set nearly unobstructed.  It was amazingness.  BSS was really really good, though.  So many people, so many instruments.  The lead singer actually jumped off the stage and stood on the guard rail for the better part of one of their songs.  I fully suggest you check out the song below, and maybe also the more upbeat “Texico Bitches”.  Really really good.

broken social scene - sweetest kill

And they can try to wear you down, put you out
Get you through your will, that won’t work
I thought you were the sweetest kill
Could I even know?

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Posted in dresses, indie, living room |

my mind it tends to run away with the small ideas

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

live:

Brightly colored chairs get me every time.  Here are some created by doble M Design that I could totally see hanging out in my backyard.

painted yellow chair

wear:

I’ve always loved the Fossil look and I’ve been wearing Fossil handbags as my primary purses for years now.  I’ve been through a few really great crossbody bags lately, but when I went to replace my last one that was getting a bit old and worn, I opted for something a bit more grown-up, I suppose.  It still has the really great fossil colors and patterns, but isn’t quite as informal as the crossbody style which tends to kill my attempts to look businessey on a daily basis.  I realize that is not a word, but I wasn’t feeling “businesslike”.

Anyway, I’ve had this bag…erm, satchel…for about a week now and I’m really digging it.  Though I do miss it the messenger bag feel and look of the crossbody.  All part of growing up, I guess!

Check it.

listen:

Once again I was playing an old mix-cd…this one was about 2 years old from my IL days.  I forgot how much I used to dig the song “Oh Dear” by Matt Costa…he’s a former skateboarder pro turned singer-songwriter. His songs are poppy and pleasant, and his voice is smoooooth.

Matt Costa - Oh Dear

Sometimes it rains, sometimes it pours
Sometimes I’m not that sure
But anytime you look at me
Your thoughts I cant ignore

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Posted in indie, living room, outdoors, pop, purses |

Is it worse to smile falsely or to frown?

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

live:

Did you ever read Domino magazine before it disappeared?  I’m really disappointed that it’s gone, but glad someone has decided to create a place to capture many of the images.  Check out the flickr acct where they all live! I haven’t decided how I’ll organize my photo/print wall yet, but these are some of the photos (via Domino) that I’ve been considering…favorites?


wear:

I’m attempting to fully take advantage of spring by wearing as many skirts and dresses.  This cute, flowy skirt from Tulle really caught my eye.  The cut-out is an adorable little touch.  AND pockets.  Goodness, I love pockets in my skirts.  Also, I should mention it is quite affordable at just $38!

listen:

Jeremy Warmsley = Delicious half-french singer-songerwriter.  He has a Decemberists-like sound that I just love.  Give it a listen!

jeremy warmsley – i believe in the way you move

The sadness that comes in the mornings will be washed away
You’ll see to that, but how long will it last
I believe in the way that you move

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Posted in dresses, indie, living room, pop, wall art |

one for the dreamers

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

Live:

Please join me in loving this vibrant, comfy, clean living room featured on decor8 by Jan Skácelík. With another yellow couch…surprise, surprise, I guess :)  Since I have been renting for quite a few years now, and have generally been forced to adhere to the basic boring white color palette on my walls, I love getting ideas to spice up the white.  The color choices are bold, but because of all the whiteness, they are not overpowering or overwhelming.

Wear:

Usually when I go out, I toss my id, some cash/credit card, lipgloss, a and a piece of gum in my pocket.  As a general rule, I skip the purse because if it’s not big enough to sling over my shoulder, there is a good chance that it might not make it home.  I’m not sure if this is an issue other girls are plagued with, but for me, just to be on the safe side, I don’t carry tiny purses for a night on the town.  Which is why I personally think the trend towards pockets in dresses is absolutely a fabulous thing.

This handmade dress from Lirola’s etsy shop is right up my alley.  And not just when I’m heading out, but even for work or a Saturday afternoon at the zoo (I’m so looking forward to warmer days ahead, so perhaps that’s why I’m focusing on dresses).

I’m also loving it because it has one of my other favorite recent trends…ruffly collars.  In this case, the ruffles add the perfect feminine touch to an otherwise basic dress.

But just in case you’re not digging the ruffles, here is a pleated version.  Which I also love, and would love to own!

Listen:

I do love a good Swedish band, and the sister duo First Aid Kit has a great indie sound with wonderful, folky harmonies.

*image via myspace

First Aid Kit- You’re Not Coming Home Tonight

The ship is sailing
I’ll meet you on the other side
The future’s unclear
But hopefully it will be fine

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Posted in dresses, folk, indie, living room |

it doesn’t have to be beautiful

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

Live:

When I made my most recent move, I decided to skip the roommate thing.  I’ve always lived with other people, but for the first time in my life, I wanted to try it out on my own. Plus I’d had some pretty interesting results from my roommate search.  One of the problems with moving in by yourself for the first time is you actually have to own stuff.  Which I had none of.  So the day I moved in, my living room was equipped a chair.  That’s pretty much it.  One chair.

So I dove into the couch search.  One chair wasn’t quite cutting it for guests.  I should tell you, I did end with something affordable, sensible and versatile, but what this is what I really wanted. It’s from Anthropologie.  I will most likely never be able to afford it…but a girl can dream, right?

Wear:

Mustard is, quite possibly, the most kick-ass color that ever existed.  Which is why in addition to wanting it spread about my living space, I like to wear it.  Not so much the food, but the color.

This dress from Mod Cloth is absolutely lovely.  Though I would disappear into the couch.

But just in case you’re not ready to completely immerse yourself in mustard this spring, this belt from j crew would be the perfect compromise.

Or these delicous peep-toes from Mod Cloth:

Listen:

Since mustard is such a cheery color, it deserves a poppy, upbeat song.  Enter Slow Club. I can’t seem to get enough of this duo’s folky and quirky sound.

*photo via myspace

Slow Club – It Doesn’t Have to Be Beautiful

‘Cause I’m always thinking, thinking about where you are
Who you’re with and if your mind is far
From what we do when we’re alone
Love is to much for me and now the wall needs to grow

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Posted in accessories, dresses, folk, indie, living room, shoes |

move on quickly if you want to

Sunday, March 21st, 2010

Live:

This light airy living room featured in Apartment Therapy is just perfect for reminding me that spring is coming, even though it doesn’t quite feel like it outside yet.  I’m really into bright, white rooms with pops of bright blues & greens.  Adding bold flower patterned throw pillows is really just the icing on top for me..

Wear:

Right now, I come to you from a coffee shop in South City wearing a sweatshirt and jeans, but I would really like to be wearing this dress from Red Dress Shoppe.  Perhaps when the weather is a bit less gloomy…

Listen:

Did I mention that it’s raining outside? And quite cold…and a touch muddy.  Less than ideal.  This song, though, seems really fitting.  A bit sad, but fitting for the day.

*image via myspace

jay jay pistolet – hooked up on us


And I really miss playing songs for you
I would guage your reactions, let your favourites through

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Posted in dresses, folk, indie, living room, vintage |

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