Go Fly a Kite

What better way to celebrate beautiful weather then to go kite flying?

I might have swollen eyes and itchy skin while I'm doing it, but damn the pollen, I want to go! 

via here source: Harper Bazaar Dec 09

I might not be any good at it, but who cares?  Getting a kite in the face isn't the worst that can happen. (in case you're curious, killing a bird is the worst that can happen, or breaking your leg...)

via here source: histrina.'s flickr

Here are a couple of beautiful options to purchase if you're currently kite-less:

DragonFly Kite via Toast £75

Handmade Painted Bird Kite via Ten Thousand Villages $44

Maybe being outside isn't your thing or maybe you love flying kites so much you want to keep the idea with you...say in a locket?

Go Fly a Kite Hand Painted Locket by khara ledone $25

When was the last time you flew a kite?  I can honestly say I don't remember the last time I ran around without abandon lugging a sweet kite behind me.  That needs to change and soon!

Spring Picks at Ruche

Some new spring favorites over at Ruche...

Crafty Garlands Craft Top $28.99;  denim bow belt $16.99;  silhouette flower purse in marigold $54.99;  Kate Spade "Toby" natural canvas lime slide $69.99;   polka dot baubles ribbon necklace $18.99;  gisele peche flower top $49.99

It's always difficult to pick favorites at Ruche because I'd wear pretty much anything in the shop.  If you haven't already, you must check out the Spring lookbook, it's styled beautifully.   It's finally getting warm here and quite quickly. I'm vastly unprepared for warmer weather...
~
The winner of the Capricious Traveler $40 gift cert is #5...Brittney!  Congrats and thank you to Capricious Traveler for such a generous giveaway.  Don't forget to check out the shop for lots of vintage beauties!

(note: all giveaway winners are chosen by random.org)

An interior and a mood

via Andrea Ferrari

via Domino via here

via Atlanta Bartlett

via marie claire maison

via Polly Wreford

via pia ulin

Are you wondering what these interiors all have in common?  Well, I'm always intrigued by how the interiors I'm drawn to reflect my current mood.  Currently I'm seeking comforting spaces (away from the pollen), I'm feeling bold yet restrained, and I'm definitely tense.  Can you sense a theme within these spaces?

Wow, now that's a staircase

My friend sent me a link recently to this amazing spiral staircase featured in Apartment Therapy.  The walls surrounding this beautiful staircase are lined with bookshelves.  Can you imagine?  What an ingenious idea for a library!  

You can read about how this beauty was constructed here.  All of that light streaming in is natural light which makes this staircase, quite possibly, one of the of the coolest I've ever seen.  Hope your week has gotten off to a great start!

Re-Work It

I am loving the "reworked" clothing over at Red Velvet Art. I read a great interview with the shop owner over at The Rockstar Diaries recently and now I'm certain I must get a piece from the shop.

XO Floral Shirt $36

Polka Dot Heart Dress $42

Yellow 1970s Dress with Enamel Brooch $60

Little Red Dress with Enamel Brooch $72

The idea of "re-working" vintage pieces is something any avid vintage shopper is privy too.  Often times a vintage dress would be just perfect if it was hemmed, the sleeves cut, or a the collar was different.  Well, this shop takes all of the guess work out for you by bringing vintage pieces into the modern age.  Perfect.

Meet me over there

The very sweet Anna from In Honor of Design has asked me to be a part of her "Meet the Blogger" series.  Meet me over there to find out more about why I blog, what my goals are for the next year, and some of my current favorite spots to find inspiration.  Happy Monday and I'll see you there!

Sunday Shop Update: Craft Fair Preparation

I wanted to give a little update on the craft fair I'll be attending (hopefully) on May first.  To clarify this "hopefully" business, the craft fair is a juried show so not everyone who applies makes it. However, the participants won't be notified until April 10th and if you've ever prepared for a craft fair, you know that this is TOO LITTLE time to prepare, so my partner in crime and I are assuming we're getting in until we're told we're not. Simply put. 

Let noone be fooled, preparing for a craft fair takes an enormous amount of preparation and work.  Many of the vintage beads and cameos that I work with come from all over the world so I've had to order early and spend a lot of money so, in the off chance that we're rejected, I'm sure you will hear about it...in a classy way of course!

Putting together a table display that's cohesive and catches the eye is of utmost importance to pull potential buyers in.  I didn't really know what I was doing when I attended my first craft fair and my table display was just OK.  Nothing special.  I'm going to have to step it up a notch so I've been preparing by scouring local thrift and vintage shops.  Here's what I'm working with so far:

Vintage Lace Table Runner via Vintage Keepsakes

Heart Shaped Vintage Milk Glass Bowl via downtown girl vintage

Vintage mirrored vanity via Vintage by Alex Keller

These pieces will accompany some items I already own:

Vintage milk glass bowl bought at a local vintage shop.

ceramic leaf shaped dish via Spicy Vintage

Vintage Jewelry Dish via someone loves dean

A few stands used at the previous show. 

Whew, see! I told you there was a lot to think about. 
What do you think so far?  Any suggestions?  I hope you're having a happy weekend!

Giveaway: $40 gift cert to Capricious Traveler

I am constantly browsing vintage shops, especially on Etsy, and one of those shops that consistently has items I would love to buy is Capricious Traveler.  Filled with tons of wearable options, Capricious Traveler definitely stands out in the world of vintage dealers.  For this weekend's giveaway, shop owner Mistie is offering a $40 gift certificate to anything in the shop!  

Tuesday tea $20; Tiny Flower Sweetheart sundress $32; Vintage Chrysanthemum day dress $32; Vintage Tooled Leather wallet $14

Vintage navy Blooming Calico dress $24; Vintage Vero Cuoio Leather boots $38

What can't you find for $40 in this shop?  Amazing.

How to enter? (up to 3 entries)

1. Visit the shop and tell me how you think you would spend the gift certificate. (this one's mandatory)

2. Are you a follower/reader of D&OC?  Great! You get a second entry. Just let me know how you read along.

4. Tweet, Blog, or Facebook about this giveaway and let me know you did.  *Make sure to leave a separate comment!

Capricious Traveler's links:

*Shop

*Blog

*Twitter

Good luck and have a fantastic weekend!

xo,

Christina

p.s. The winner of the Budget cuts Piggy Bank from gselect is #49, Homemade Grits!  Yay!

Update: Brittney, you're the winner!

Makool Loves You (and I do too)

I first saw the shop Makool Loves You on Design is Mine   This Portland based shop has a lot of reasonably priced goodies so of course I have to share my favorite items with you.

from top:  barquentine skirt $128;  pantalette set $52 (was $138); houlska $78; overgaard $88; blue agate $89

Isn't the styling spot on as well?  I really want BOTH of those skirts. I can't be bothered with pants when it gets warmer.

p.s. don't forget about the little piggy that could save...

SRBC: New book announcement!

It's that time folks, to announce the new book for the Slow Readers Book Club!  Wondering what I'm blabbering about?  Check out the history here.  Before we get to the new book, I want to clear up a few things.  

1) The title "Slow Readers Book Club" does not insinuate that we are a group of people who read slowly or are learning to read or are slow to comprehend in any way.  In picking the title of this book club, we were hoping to encourage people to slow down, take a breath, and read a book with care.  

2)  We have an online forum for all members to participate in.  I've received a lot of emails of people interested in joining (which is awesome!) but I will always point you to the forum because that's where the discussion takes place. I encourage you to read these helpful tips on how to navigate the forum prior to using it. 

3) Our first book was 'Half Broke Horses' by Jeanette Walls.  I definitely recommend reading this if you get a chance.  I've never been part of a book club before and I loved reading other people's perspectives and thoughts on this book.

4)  SRBC admin has a Twitter account where updates are posted.  This is also a helpful tool if you're interested in joining the club.

Now, for the new book (chosen by popular vote):

'Alice I Have Been' by Melanie Benjamin.  You can purchase your copy here.  

A brief description by Random House, "Few works of literature are as universally beloved as Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Now, in this spellbinding historical novel, we meet the young girl whose bright spirit sent her on an unforgettable trip down the rabbit hole–and the grown woman whose story is no less enthralling."   Sound interesting, no?

Want to know the coolest part?  The author, Melanie Benjamin, will be doing a Q&A session with us in the forum!!! Oh yikes, I'm so excited and slightly intimidated.  Want in? It's easy.  Just introduce yourself here and of course, e-mail me with any questions.  Happy reading!

Giveaway: Budget Cuts Piggy Bank from gselect

As you may remember, on Monday I posted about the New York based modern shop gselect.  Well, as luck would have it, the lovely people at gselect saw the post and contacted me about it. They have kindly offered to giveaway my favorite item in the shop to one lucky reader:  The Budget Cuts Piggy Bank! 

Isn't he just the cutest little guy? Perfect for any room in the house, he'll remind us to save for what really matters like therapy, underwear, and scratch tickets of course.  

How to enter? (up to 3 entries)

1.  Visit gselect and tell me your favorite item in the shop.  There's tons to choose from! This one's mandatory.

2. If you're a regular reader/follower of D&OC you get a second entry because you're extra special.  Just tell me how you follow.

3. Tweet, Blog, or Facebook about this piggy and let me know you did!  You can find me on Twitter here.

Winner will be picked Friday morning.  Just remember, this little piggy was the smartest piggy around because he SAVED his money and built an eco-friendly house that the wolf loved way too much to blow down.  He deserves a good home, ok?

~

The winner of the Matou en Peluche giveaway is...

...Katie with Off Switch Designs!  Congrats Katie and thank you Sam for sharing your work with us!

Under $100: Shirt-dresses

Shirt dresses are not my favorite type of dress.  I seem to have trouble finding ones that fit comfortably and don't bunch in weird areas (i.e. under my armpits.)  Although I haven't had much luck with them in the past, I'm willing to give them another try and I've expanded my definition of "shirt dress" for our purposes here.  I like the idea of a shirt dress especially for work so I've chosen a variety of styles, some conservative others with a creative interpretation.  All of them are under $100!

 Rhea dress by BB Dakota via Need Supply Co. $85; Elizabeth Shirt Dress via Delia's $44.50

 The Strapping Shirt Dress via Modcloth $39.99; Women's Belted Shirtdress via Old Navy $29.50

Abingdon Dress via Scarfu $90; Tie Neck Shirtdress via Ann Taylor Loft $79.50

Short Sleeve Shirt Dress by BCBG $98; Mango Slouchy T-Shirt Dress via Asos $59.66

What do you think?  Are you a shirt-dress fan?  Have you found a comfortable style?

Plate Walls (It's not over until it's over)

It's been a minute since my last plate wall post, but I haven't forgotten about them.  It seems that the more I try to NOT find them, they just pop everywhere!  If you're new here and don't know about my little obsession, you can see the plate wall archives here. 

Take note of the last photo in this series, it might not be a technical plate wall but it's close enough and pretty stinking creative too.

via Pitch Union Design (thanks Marsi for this one!)

via Haven and Home via Acanthus and Acorn (source Country Home 04)

via decor8 via Lisa Grue

via Desire to Inspire via John Jacob

via beauty comma via House to Home

via Real Simple

via the drifter and the gypsy via SoBinique

via howknowdesign's flickr

What do you think? Tired of it yet?
If you run across a plate wall that isn't currently in the archives and are feeling generous enough to share, just shoot me an email!