Wishlist 10.5.10

I've kind of given up on having nice toss pillows since my dogs can't seem to leave well enough alone (one of them started eating cash recently for goodness sakes!)  Then, I happened upon Be Still, a handmade textile shop by an Australian textile designer and, all of a sudden, cute toss pillows have ended up back on my wish list.  Surprise, surprise.  This shop has a great assortment of sophisticated toss pillows in the best colors.  I want.

Pillow cover cushions by Be Still $30-$95

Giveaway: Blueberry Park

Wow, is it already Friday? I've been too busy to keep track of time really, perhaps you feel the same way? In case you were curious, I did not hurt myself or anyone else at the gym the other day, although I did get off of the treadmill prematurely because it was scaring me. I mean, what if you need to stop for a second, the dang thing just keep moving! Pilates class, on the other hand, was just what I needed...I may not be able to jog on a treadmill but I can balance on a ball pretty nicely thank you very much. Who knew?

Now that I've recapped my oh-so-exciting week, let's chat about Blueberry Park. Karen began this UK based company because, "she wanted to create a shopping experience where it was possible to find unique, beautiful and functional products that ooze the charm and originality you can only get with something handmade." I couldn't agree more, charming indeed.
When I first stumbled upon this unique website via Karen's blog
I immediately thought about all of the great gifts I could give (first to myself, second to my friends.)
I never really thought much about paperweights until I saw this, I mean a deer and a bird?!
Karen and I got to chatting and she graciously agreed to give away to one lucky Down and Out Chic reader her choice (I would say "his" too, but I'm not delusional) out of six handmade cushion covers!
If you are are deemed worthy by the giveaway gods to win one of these cushions, you can choose between:
a whale...
an elephant...
a butterfly...
a giraffe...
...a chick
or a seahorse (bottom right)!
These cushions (or "toss pillows" if you're in the U.S.) would be perfect for kids or adults and that's what's so great about them...and the fact that they all have polka dots! I'm not sure I can decide my favorite because they're all pretty amazing.
Here's how to enter:
1) Giveaways are open to Down and Out Chic "followers." This is not because I'm some egomanical blogger, but because these giveaways are a BIG thank you to my readers. If you're new, that's great too!
2) Please visit Blueberry Park and tell me what you like. I'd also love to know which cushion cover you would choose if you happen to win.
3) Leave a comment here! Easy peasy.
Winner will be chosen, next Tuesday, June 16th around 6 pm.
Good luck!

Ostrich on a pillow

I bought this ostrich pillow from Etsy yesterday and I can't wait until it arrives! It's going on our new (vintage) chair in the living room. Who doesn't love an ostrich...on a pillow?

The best part of my ostrich pillow is that it cost me $6 ($10 w/S&H).

Here's the back:
source: redchuckstress
I'm going to a "training" this morning entitled "How to Survive Tough Economic Times." Working for a large University has it's perks, but I'm a little skeptical about the training. If I learn any good tips, I'll share them with you in my next post. Until then, have a great hump day:)

What happened to the stache'?

I want to know at what point in time the mustache went from being a stereotypical trait for molesters world-wide to a cool, hipster trend. I see a lot of attractive, young guys sporting mustaches and it's not that I necessarily hate the look, but it always kind of creeps me out...just a bit. Visit your local sex offender website and you'll know what I'm talking about. Here are a couple of extreme examples and these guys are not kidding around:

source: Neogaf

Don't me wrong- I don't dislike facial hair, I just like it in moderation.

source: Frank 151

Earlier I posted a mustache key holder that caught my eye. Here are a couple of other mustache accessories that are a bit less scary than the men above:

Presidential Moustaches
source: Girlontherocks

I would bring this to work w/me:
Tall Moustache Mug $12
source: Surya's Shop

Perhaps a hairy pillow?
Corduroy Mustache Pillow $27
source: Kranzwerk

And my personal favorite:
Tiny Mustache Earrings $65
source: Giles & Brother Shop
I can't decide how I feel about the mustache trend, but I do like the accessories. I wonder what that says about me...

A little bit of this, a little bit of that

I started this blog in hopes of organizing my scattered thoughts and narrowing down the items I want to spend money on. The goal is that by searching things out, I'll spend less money on purchases I really don't like. So far, I've done really well at not buying anything for the house b/c I think I'm paralyzed by all the things I've found that I like. Here are a few more random items that I think would really add a bit of character to the new space:

Mustache Key Holder $40

Source: The Curiosity Shop

Hookmaker $30

Source: The Curiosity Shop

B and I scoured Target the other day and did not run across these items. We surely would have noted an origami chair:

Blue Dot Real Good Chair $90



Gama-Go Bird Throw Pillow $17.49source: Target.com

Wood Lamp $18.99!

source: Delia's

Chirp Pillow $29.95
source: CB2

Brimfield Birdie Lamp Base $42
Source: UO

A little bit of inspiration for the space I want- something comfortable that even the dogs can appreciate.

source: Apartment Therapy