How to: Bow tie!

bento! bento! bento!

I first discovered Bento lunch boxes while working for Whole Foods. I figured it was yet another piece of junk to spend money on for the $$ shoppers. (yea, i'm a jerk like that)

Three years later I realize the true need for a bento box. I want one, I need one and not just because they come in glorious plasticy colors:



and no, not just because I came across this happy video:

PLASTICA#1- BENTO BOX from Peter J Brant on Vimeo.

BECAUSE: While I'm out thrifting, I shop and shop until I've worked up an appetite that I can't ignore... so I go to a drive-thru. and I HATE it! I'm so over fast food and how nasty it makes me feel and spending good $ on it. Yuck!

So why you ask, do I want to pay lots (lots in my standards) of $$ for something like a Bento Box when I could thrift a lil' picnic basket that would serve the same purpose?? In my weird mind -paying quite a bit of money for something makes me feel responsible to it. Once I have said Bento, I'll never leave the house without committing to it, and I'll never buy fast food without feeling massive guilt.

Outdoor Office

Today is wonderfulgloriousmagnificantamazingawesomesupurb. The weather is gorgeous -a bit of wind and hot sun. Just the way it ought to be. It is a day for being out of doors. Writing, listening to music, wearing sunglasses.. dreaming of gorgeous outdoor spaces.. I'm a little spoiled today.

I'm inspired to figure out what cool things I can do with this outdoor space we've been given. Right now I'm working with a dirt yard, two Peach trees that might (FINGERS CROSSED) fruit, and a lack of fence on the back half of the yard. It can be super cool.. i just know it!

What to do? I've had no idea. I suggested to my florist friend she use it for growing flowers -at least then it would be pretty! But I think it might be to late for that now? Today I've been searching for awesome out door spaces. People are doing some incredible things!

I wish I could make this:



Found here: http://www.instructables.com/id/Greenhouse-From-Old-Windows/#step1

There is an amazing Atomic Ranch house back in my hometown that a friend of ours owns and they have an atrium/greenhouse with a swimming pool inside! How cool is that!? Just to have some sort of sunlight any time of the year?! What a dream!

LOVE this "Archipod"! Looks like a Hedgehog and a Delorean had a baby!



Found here: http://nation.towergaming.com/2010/03/top-10-backyard-offices/

My aunt Anna worked in floral arts for years and they lived out on an old farm that had a perfectly perfect little one room brick studio/work space for her. I must have been 10 or 12 but I remember it so well. It was just perfect!

There should be a national competition to turn a "pre-fab -bought at Home depot shed" into a temple of creative glory. I would enter. I've got ideas... ;)

<3 Little houses




Found here: http://frenchlarkspur.blogspot.com/2009/08/outdoor-office.html

Twiggy + Adele = Makeup Glory

Thanks to Sameera of "Makeup By Sameera" for your amazing talent and the time you took to hang out and play dress up!

Also, a big Thanks to Ali!! You were the sweetest and most fun!

xo
a

Fab Finds Friday: Be Inspired!

Color, pattern, movement, texture, fiber content…it works its way into our hearts. Inspiration is everywhere and this week I found a few great items that I’d like to share with you!
So in the spirit of being inspired, go on an adventure this weekend! Get lost! Go somewhere you’ve never been and look for inspiration.
xo!
-a



1: Marais AC Chair (well, a knockoff -but a great one for the price!) @Craigslist http://denver.craigslist.org/fuo/2750451899.html

2: Taste the Rainbow! Kimball "Rock'N Roll Organ @ARC

3: Early 90's Ann Taylor Lace up Oxfords @Mile High

4: Art Deco Chrome Chair @Craigslist http://denver.craigslist.org/fud/2808962357.html

5: 1901 "Saddle Up" Oxford @Nordstrom

6: Original "Still Life Bag" @Anthropologie

7: 1960's Yellow and Gray stripe sofa @DAV

8: Men's suit jackets @Mile High

posted via Horseshoe Market Blog

Regretsy

I used to check out my Etsy stats and fear finding a link back from Regretsy.com. then I realized they only spotlight the totally heinous or totally hilarious. I'm now pretty secure in knowing they have no interested in my [boring in comparison] vintage clothing.

Recently I've been pouring over every closet that StyleLikeU has online and decided that I am a TOTAL fraud. I adore vintage clothing and I sell vintage clothing that I adore, but it's been ages since I've left caution to the wind and actually proved my adoration. Take today for example, I'm totally rockin' a target boyfriend T (gray), Old Navy skinny jeans (gray) and an old Elliott hoodie (gray) ...and not to mention my Nike kicks =/

Whoooooo AM i anymore?? It could be a regional issue, but I think in my case I've just lost confidence. Fashion should be interesting -when did we decide that "good fashion" meant being safe and wearing garments that fit correctly and didn't offend? What's the point in giving "fashion" a title unless it truly makes us aware of what it is?

Last night I watched the documentary: Bill Cunninghan New York on Netflix and was so inspired. I was hitting the "pause" button every few minutes so I could jot down all the insightful things he had to say! I love how lovely he is. How happy he is. driven. Focused. He never took one penny while working for Details mag. because he loved what he did and he refused to sell out. His thoughts were that by paying him, they would control him. So, if he worked for nothing he was in control of his images. How wonderful. What a smart man. He seeks beauty and it would be an honor to meet him someday.

My dear friend Arwen seeks beauty. I love her absolute disregard for acceptance in choosing her style. It's glorious and courageous and I believe if we took a walk down 5th Ave Bill would get a great big huge smile on his face and start shooting.







Check out her every day style here: DirtChic.com


So all of the above inspired me to filter thru my Etsy sales and see just why my personal style might be. I've compiled a bunch of images of the pieces I loved and sold and since regretted = my own personal Regretsy:

color!