Bedhead Brightened by Dresses

It's the end of the week and I am officially worn out. I'm sick in bed with a terribly rough sore throat and cough. Oh, and a scratchy man voice...

Let's just say I feel like this:

Carl Kleiner

But(!) I'm planning on resting all day today so I can have a fun weekend. The even worse news, however, is the weather...

Carl Kleiner

All that sunshine we had earlier in the week is officially gone, and the clouds have rolled in, creating a much darker sky than yesterday, even. The rain hasn't started yet, and I'm hoping it will stay far, far away.

On a different note, the image below is part of the above series by photographer Carl Kleiner, and I just couldn't leave it out because I love the texture of her dress:


It immediately reminded me of a slightly different (smaller) version in the J.Crew confetti wedding dress (they have the most stylish and affordable dresses!):

(click to enlarge)

Have a happy (and healthy!) weekend, everyone!

*swoon*

Paige

Spring Cleaning - a real "look from life" (and a little thank you...)

I hadn't made any plans for the evening yesterday and instead decided to start cleaning out my desk. I bought the desk a few years ago at Goodwill (yep, I've always been a thrifter!), and it had gone around from storage unit to storage unit in Seattle while I was living in Southern California... until now where it sits happily in a corner of my living room.

Well, it could be happier, really. It's problem is its terrible paint job. Because it was in storage for so long, and because of my lack of energy during my chemo treatments last year, it still hasn't been painted. The boyfriend bought me a fantastic orbital sander for the holidays (yes, I actually asked for it!), but the weather hasn't been nice enough to pull the desk outside to whip it into shape.

What I'm getting at, is that the least I could do was try to clean out the drawers as they had been accumulating bits and pieces since we moved into our place at the end of June. I haven't completely finished this organization project yet, but I'm so glad I at least started - not just because things are getting back in order after so many months, but because I came across so many different knick knacks, and I have been inspired to start creating again.

Now, four months after the fact, I have been realizing more and more how much my cancer battle affected me. I didn't just lose myself physically; I lost myself mentally, and lost my passion to create. Well, that creative drive is finally returning, and I'm excited to get back to the drawing board!

I wanted to thank you all for your lovely comments here. They encourage me to keep writing, keep creating, and keep finding inspiration in everyday life. Funny how digging through desk drawers triggered all these thoughts... I would highly suggest you all do a little spring cleaning, too.

You just might find yourself again.

A photo of me, March 2006, well before life got turned upside-down.

*swoon*
Paige

Thrifted Thursday - Vernonware Teacups

This past weekend, my friend, Eleni, and I went thrifting and I found a great set of six robin's egg blue teacup saucers by Modern California Vernonware. I immediately knew they would make fantastic dessert plates.

When I circled back to browse the aisle again, however, I noticed a small matching bowl and three matching teacups! It may not be a perfect set, but I think the color is absolutely perfect, and that the little scratches and chips give them character.

(I like to pretend my point-and-shoot is fancier than it is by cranking up the aperture for this washed out look.)

(And a better shot of the ranunculuses I bought over the weekend.)

I have a shelf above my stove and I plan on screwing in some little hooks on the underside to hang them from. What do you think?

EDIT 4/9/09: After some searching online, I discovered that the Modern California design was made between 1937 and 1947! How exciting!

*swoon*
Paige

Save it for a Rainy Day

Rain has returned to the Pacific Northwest weather forecast and I cannot tell you how much it saddens me. I had gotten my hopes up that the sun would stick around until the end of summer, that I could officially pack away my fall/winter wardrobe for good (I put away my two wool work skirts yesterday, but I may have to dig them out again for the SNOW that's forecast for next week...).

I'm going to try to embrace this rain as much as possible by finding cute umbrella-inspired art & accessories. How's that for turning lemons into lemonade?


*swoon*
Paige

Clockwise from upper left-hand corner:
Raindrop silk-lined clutch
Brolly tote
Tiffany Teal umbrella
"Girl with Umbrella" print
Lady Parasol pendant
Big stripe umbrella

Looks from Life - Daffodils

I didn't get home until around 9pm last night, but as soon as I walked in the door, I noticed two daffodils in a vase of water on our coffee table.

The boyfriend had picked them for me on his way home from work (this is where you either awww or throw up a little).

They were the cheeriest yellow; so yellow that the color alone almost made me as happy as the fact that he had brought me flowers.

That yellow got me thinking...

Searching for more daffodils...

Like these, from Flickr photographer Monika Jansch.


I had forgotten how many different shades of daffodils there actually were, that the spectrum is far wider than simply yellow!

...which inspired me to make these various looks highlighted with the other colors of the famously yellow bloom:


Which is your favorite look?
Which is your favorite springtime flower?

*swoon*
Paige

Look #1:
J.Crew blouse
Yellow skirt (via Forever21)
Miu Miu heels

Look #2:
Lanvin t-shirt dress
Frye Fundamental flats (via Anthropologie)

Look #3:
Coral blouse
Woven cream tulip skirt
Yellow court shoes (via Debenhams)

The Takeoff

I came across a great 365 recently by photographer Pavla Hajek. I particularly liked this self-portrait, titled, The Takeoff.


I figured it would be a good start to this week, especially because it's said to be much better than the last, weather-wise (at least the first half... the second half looks rather rainy... again).

I hope everyone's Monday is going as well as can be!

*swoon*
Paige

Blossoming

This weekend's weather completely erased my bad mood from last week! Yesterday was in the upper 60s, a huge deal for Seattle right now (especially after we woke up to snow a few days ago). I spent a good while walking around the city, taking pictures of the cherry blossoms:


I bought a great pair of cute tennis shoes (I've been searching for some for so long!), as well as some beautiful ranunculuses which I clustered in a stemless wine glass (below). My friend, Eleni, and I also did a bit of thrifting on Saturday, and I found some fantastic pieces that I will share with you in this week's Thrifted Thursday post. I had a hard time not posting them today!


Yesterday evening involved the boyfriend and I walking all over our neighborhood swooning over all the gorgeous mansions we will never be able to afford. Oh, how I love daydreaming...

I hope everyone's weekend was just as lovely! I sure hope this weather stays around awhile longer. You can definitely look forward to some cheerier posts this week!

*swoon*
Paige

Blame it on the Rain

You may have noticed a lack of inspiring, creative posts this week. (I'm sorry, I really am.) I think this nasty weather is getting to me.

For example: This morning we woke up to snow. Not just little flakes that melt when they hit the ground. Like stuck-on-all-the-rooftops-and-cars-and-grass kind of snow. I can tell you one thing: This is not a safe environment for all the Easter bunnies that are said to emerge in a little over a week, that's for sure.

Anyway, I wanted to explain to you that the rain may have washed away my inspiration this week, but that next week will be different! I really hope the sun comes along this weekend to dry up this deluge of blah in my head.

However, don't expect me to just leave you with this mopey post for the weekend. I would never do that to you. Instead, I'm going to embrace this rain for a moment and talk about something that reminds me a little of rushing water, and how it can blend colors and dyes together.

Ikat has been exponentially creeping back onto the style scene since early 2007. To be honest, it didn't appeal to me at first. It reminded me too much of terrible hotel room wallpaper and duvet covers from the '80s and '90s. But it has grown on me, especially when used correctly in a room or outfit.

The following examples are some that I really enjoy - their clean lines & modern cuts don't have as much bulk, and the colors are updated to avoid that mauve-y hotel-room feel. (Do you know what I'm talking about? The hotel thing?)

Personally, I would avoid too much ikat in any one outfit. Instead, try to balance the strong pattern with black solids, or by identifying a highlight color in the ikat pattern you're wearing and wear pants or a skirt in that color. It will bring out the highlight color in your specific ikat.

Pair either of these tops with black pants and some colored flats for a second pop of color. Wear a different colored shoe than the top, but keep the tone within the same family.

Yellow top, Seafoam flats, Black pants, Fuschia top, Navy flats

Ikat accessories, like these totes and clutch, can really enhance a simple t-shirt-and-jeans look.

(Clockwise from top: Woven Ikat Tote (via Monsoon); Calvin Klein Tote; Felix Ray Clutch)

I absolutely love this skirt, especially with the belt & button detail. Once again, a simple white blouse would be an easy complement, but try to incorporate brighter colors in the form of a bright solid tote, or even a wide headband.

Blouse, Tote (Calvin Klein via Overstock), Skirt

This ikat-patterned slipper chair would be a great addition to any space. Perfect for my dream dressing room! (Unbelievably classy for Urban Outfitters! Has anyone had experience with UO furniture and knows how it holds up?)


And I couldn't leave out these dresses... Summer really needs to hurry up and get here so I have an excuse to wear things like this!

Left to Right: DKNY, Milly, DKNY

Do you have any ikat pieces of your own? How have you worn or displayed them?

*swoon*
Paige

Thrifted Thursday - Glass Decanters

For today's Thrifted Thursday, I wanted to show off two of my favorite glass finds from my scavenging adventures. (My camera isn't fantastic, so I apologize for the photo quality!)

This first one is a vintage Pyrex decanter with a gold sunburst on either side. What caught my eye was its unique shape - it reminded me of high school science class (you may have noticed I'm secretly a huge nerd)! At first, I actually thought it was a beaker of some sort, but I have decided it's a decanter because of the sunburst and the little tiny spout at the top. I've scoured the internet for its history, but haven't been able to find any hints as to what year it was made, or its true use. Does anyone have any insight?


This next decanter is much taller and has a beautiful, heavy glass stopper with a sandblasted "cork." Some online research tells me it is most likely Princess House Heritage glass, but I haven't been able to find this exact design. My guess is that it is from the late '60s to early '70s. Once again, does anyone have any specific information?



What are some of your favorite thrifted finds? Have you come across any similar glass pieces? Any true collectibles?

Now all I need is some wine to decant! Who's up for a wine tasting party?

*swoon*
Paige

I'm definitely pouting today...

Alright, Mother Nature, this is a terrible April Fool's joke.

It is SNOWING in Seattle. This is unacceptable.

It's April, for Pete's sake! I shouldn't be wearing a parka, I should be wearing this:

Anna Sui, Spring 2009 RTW

And this:

Fendi, Spring 2009 RTW

And this:

Lanvin, Spring 2009 RTW

And this:

Philosophy, Spring 2009 RTW

And definitely this (and that floral one walking away):

Oscar de la Renta, Spring 2009 RTW

I guess I'm just going to have to keep pouting for awhile...

*swoon*
Paige