Style with bite

Really feeling the graphic, almost pixelated look of houndstooth these days.

(Via Curbly)

(Via Bisazza)

(Via Coco Male Interiors)

(Via Avant Garde Design)

(All Modern)

(Avril Loreti)

(Via Patrick Baglino Interior Design)

Not technically houndstooth, but still pretty delicious:

Maybe I'll have to do a glen plaid roundup soon.

Hoo boy! And maybe I need to buy this to go with Montecore.

Stocking stalking

Our stockings are hung. And these pictures are pretty embarrassingly bad.

First off, an aside. The plants seem to be doing ok inside! My orchid is even throwing off a new flower spike, which I tried--and failed--to capture in this picture.

Stockings are so much fun because it's all about how stuffing something small but meaningful into a very limited space (that's what she said!). Last year, I found these Santa stockings that somebody's grandma had clearly lovingly handknit. They don't have our names on them, so just for a day, I'm Frank and Marc is Mary Anne. It keeps things spicy.



Shopping for stockings is maybe my favorite part of holiday prep. I can't really say what's going in Marc's because he reads this. I have, however, been in charge of my mom's stocking since I graduated college. I volunteered for the job, and I have a lot of fun doing it. Despite bookmarking this site on my mom's computer for her convenience, I'm pretty sure she doesn't read it. This means you can expect a lot of racy posts about drugs and sex and all sorts of things that drive her crazy. (Such as me eating food that has fallen on the floor, trying to open packaging with my teeth and improper folding techniques.)

ANYWAY, here's a list of a few things that might make fun stocking stuffers. Some of these are geared specifically toward my mom's stocking, and the others are just inexpensive, jazzy things I've ferreted away in my "Ideas" "I am an inveterate consumer magpie" folder:

1. Earring backs. I actually received these in my stocking one year. I tend to misplace these faster than I used to lose Barbie shoes when I was a kid. Super handy and it means you don't have to cannibalize your other earrings that actually came with backs, which I'm back to doing now that I've lost all my spares.

2. Clear hair ties. Just a personal preference here. Clear, inconspicuous and strong. They're like the vodka of hair accessories.

3. Nutella. Tasty and something I'd never buy for myself but would consume in about a week.

4. Silver polish. Just get the toothpaste size. Even if you don't have much silver, it will come in handy for shining up jewelry and lots of other metal that happens to be around the house. You have to keep your meat cleaver nice and pretty now, you know?

5. Cheese knife or some sort of serving piece. IMO, It's nice to put something a bit fancy you're going to keep and use in a stocking. If you do it one piece at a time, you're not going to break the bank, but you're going to help the giftee build up a nice collection of serving pieces. Vintage is an awesome way to go on this one too.

6. Bicycle bell. More practical than you'd think if you know someone who rides a bike. Imagine driving a car with no horn....

7. Vintage masking tape. Just pretty and frivolous. To make up for the bell, I guess.

8. Tillandsia. Would look nice peeking out of the top of the stocking. My mom is obsessed with these, but her giant scary Maine Coon cats (she has three and they're terrifying) keep eating them.

9. Pistachios. These and cheap red wine are like crack for my mom.

10. Stationary. For writing your thank-you notes, of course!

If all else fails, just stuff a big bottle of wine in the stocking. I don't think you'd hear many complaints about that.

Dear Diary,

Today my feet, as always, looked fabulous.

I can't believe/absolutely love that Elle magazine has a diary of staffers' shoes.


Look at me being all sensible and wholesome favoring these H&M peep toes.

(via A Cup of Jo)

Bonus round

Isn't it the best when you buy something at an estate sale/thrift shop/rummage sale, take it home and find an extra treat inside? And I'm not talking about old wadded up Kleenex.


I found this confettidazzly coin purse tucked away in the pocket of a suitcase I picked up a few weeks ago.

Oh, how I wish it were clutch size...

Today was a good day

You got sure that right, Ice Cube.

P.S. The Isley Brothers are awesome, but do we maybe like the Staple Singers remix better?

P.P.S. I have NO idea and take no responsibility for what's going on in that remix video up there, but I had to post it because the first guy looks disturbingly like Mac from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia...Photoshopped into a Dunkin' Donuts.

Speaking of art...

Today was super because I got to spend a big chunk of it learning how to do research at the stunning Ryerson and Burnham Libraries at the Art Institute. It was incredible. Libraries and I are back together in a big way these days.

And to top it all off...


I'm going to be spending the next few days learning how to appraise this gorgeous hunk of wood.

Worth? We'll just say my hypothetical firstborn child.

In case you're wondering, yes, it is very way unethical to lowball it and buy it for myself. But it's tempting...

Get behind me Santa

In terms of being greedy, I am most definitely on the naughty list. Whenever I seem to ask anyone I know what he or she wants for Christmas, I get a bunch of hemming and hawing nonsense: "Oh, I don't know...there's not really anything I need. I haven't even really thought about it at all. Can I get back to you when I come up with something?"

Oh boy. That's so not me.

Ask me that question any time of year and I'll whip out a pretty hefty list or direct you to my Amazon wishlist.

So, instead of concocting a gift guide, here's a list of stuff I might add to my own list. (Not that I think I'll get anywhere close to all of this loot--I love surprises more than presents, so keeping a big old list ensures I'll have no idea what's in the box I'm shaking in a few weeks. Plus, we have strict budgets and I feel like it's cheating if the giver goes over. Control freak much?)

It's my hope that you find something that a friend or loved one might like (most likely a girl friend or loved one) or maybe even something to pipe up about when someone asks for your list!

1. Alcove wall shelf from CB2. I'm into the simple industrial look of this and would love to hang it in the living room and show off some of my vintage planters.


2. Charley Harper appetizer plate set. We have four of these and a mish-mash (not in a good way) of other salad/dessert plates. Eight would be conducive for a proper dinner party.


3. Um felt tote. I've wanted one of these for years, but I keep on forgetting ask. Read my mind, people! They're so chic--the opposite of trendy. I could see an artsy 75-year-old-lady rocking one of these. Plus, I love the way they fold flat.


4. Lilla Peep-toe wedges. Is it weird to ask for shoes as a gift? I don't really care. Plus, how hot would these be with some textured tights?


5. Fear of Flying. Everyone in my book club is cooler than I am and therefore has already read this. I'm thinking my mom should give this to me since she already gave me The Diary of Anias Nin and How to Save Your Own Life last year.

She should probably also replace me in the book club.


6. Metallic dot necklace. Yeah, at $40, this organic paper necklace is pretty flashy.


7. Everyday I'm hustlin' poster. Usually improper usage of "everyday" in place of "every day" AND posters that are just a phrase (keep calm and kill me now) bug the crap out of me. But I could see this poster (and a little Girl Talk) inspiring me to stay on my grind and hang in there like a champ kitten.


8. Geometry art necklace. This is just pretty and reminds me of the Sol LeWitt wall at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.


9. Tartella tea towel. This was one of the few things I saw at Renegade that I found to be sweet in a retro kind of way. But not too cloying or annoying.


10. Keisuke Serizawa calendar. I like the fun, folky vibe of these.

Happy listmaking and shopping, you merry band of elves!

Miss Grant if you're nasty

My name ain't baby...


My great aunt was a schoolteacher and this belonged to her.

You better believe its new home is right in the center of my desk.

Little boxes

Just saw these and had to share: Albert Exergian gives iconic television shows the minimalist treatment.


These are just a few of my favorites (aka shows I've actually seen and can decipher the imagery). You can see the entire series here.




As an avid CSI watcher, this one is is tops in my book:

I love that they bust out the ol' blood testing swab on every. last. episode.

(Via Flavorpill)

They don't love you like I love you

(Via I Suwannee)

(Via Elle Decor)



(Via Remodelista)

(Via Pure Green Design)

(Via Living Etc.)

(Via Kelly McGuill)

(Via Fashion is Spinach)

(Via Domino)



A few years back, my parents moved their office into the building of an old architecture firm. In the basement, I found packets of a series of 12 circa-1960s maps that showed a proposed highway through the east side of Indianapolis. I saved them and am stuck on what I should do with them. Decoupage the fridge? Hang them up? Framing is going to be cray-spensive; are binder clips too dorm-y?

Ugh, sorry I'm always asking you guys questions here. But y'all are GOOD.

This: Also acceptable

Sad news, kids. I didn't get the lockers. I may have shed a few tears when I got the e-mail from the lady saying she'd sold them out from under me (hussy!). What can I say? It was a frustrating week.

But it's a new week (and almost a new month!). Craigslist will provide new, better lockers. I'm sure of it. In the meantime, can someone please send this to the market?

I'm in love. I don't know exactly what it is about this storage rack that tugs at me, but I love the practicality of the wire mixed up with the whimsy of the color or some such nonsense. Whatever it is, I want it.

In other news, our halls (well, to be honest, we only have one hallway) are decked in a pretty half-assed manner, but it only took the duration one Nat King Cole holiday record to toss up some fairy lights and fake garland. Why no, I'm not planning to have any guests over in the next month. Why do you ask?

Also, I have class this week/weekend and just now realized I have to find, buy and read the following books by Thursday morning:
"The Appraisal of Personal Property: Principles, Theory & Practice Methods"
"Auctions: The Social Construction of Value"
"A Short Guide to Writing about Art"

Crap. Crap. Crap.

Hey, punkins

What am I thankful for?



In short, YOU!

It's that time of year to say thanks, so heeeere we go. Thank you to everyone who stops by and reads what I ramble on about here and thank you to everyone who comments to let me know you're out there and hats off to everyone who takes time out to keep up his or her own blog. You're all a source of laughter, enjoyment and inspiration to me and I appreciate it all.

We have a month to go, but 2009 has been one of my happiest years so far (2002 comes in close second), so I want to send a big thank-you out to the universe. This year I:

- Moved into a home I love with the guy I love and it's been a dream. Every day has been better than the last, and I can't imagine doing this without him.

- For the most part, my friends and loved ones have spent their days healthy and happy.

- Managed so lose some baggage that I never realized had been dragging me down quite so much.

- Traveled to some magical places and experienced new things I'll never forget (until I get Alzheimer's).

- Finally feel like I'm on the track to finding what I want to do with my life, big picture style. Not to be confused with Big Willie Style.

- For the first time in forever, I'm really looking forward to a holiday season full of good times with family and friends and pretty much devoid of stress and expectations. And I CAN'T WAIT.

- Through this tiny corner of the Internet, I've been lucky enough to correspond with--and meet!--some incredibly creative, kind and super cool people. I love making new friends!

Lucky. I have a lot to be thankful for, and one of those big things is you right there reading this. Thank you and have a fabulous long weekend!

What do you have to be smiling about these days? I'd love to hear.

(Image via Recovering Lazyholic)