out and about

This past weekend Andy and I spent at home working--on business (weekends are meaningless when you don't work for The Man), and trying to get further along in our home renovation work, which is moving at a snail's pace. But last week we did manage to get out and about a little bit.

We headed downtown to check out some more ArtPrize offerings before it ended. This outdoor sculpture, a giant redwood stump you could climb up into, was pretty cool.

The inside walls were papered with photos of a forest. Images of owls were projected on the walls of the building the piece was placed at, but since we were there in the daytime, they weren't really visible.

Andy and I both loved these insane Eames loungers, overstuffed with bloated human torsos, at the UICA.

And I loved this piece, by an artist named Lora Fosberg from Bloomington, Indiana. Here are just a few small tastes of it.

I don't think I've ever posted pics of this place in the blog before, but it's one of my favorite Grand Rapids buildings.

See the gargoyles on top? Their eyes glow red at night!

Aside from ArtPrize, we were lucky to get a very brief visit from our pal Dave, who was in town from Las Vegas to speak to art students at his Alma Mater, Kendall. (Dave is an *amazing* artist! You can see his work here.) To celebrate Dave's visit, our friend Mark (with assistance from Andy) took us all out for a spins in his pedicabs. I love this shot of Mark spinning his Green Machine next to a Hummer!

Andy was once a pedi-cabbie. I was a little nervous riding in his cab (I had to hold on to Lucy, who was ready to bolt from the cab at the several tasty squrirrels she saw, and I was additionally having flashbacks to a terrible Andy-powered jet ski experience several years ago), but it was fine once I relaxed. Look how beautiful that autumnal foliage is behind Andy.

xo

K

autumn inspiration + a confession

Today I bring you two images that I've been saving in my favorites for five months now: autumn inspiration winging its way to you all the way from London in April! These images come from one of my favorite street style blogs, London's The Style Scout.

I love this first girl's color combo: red-and-blue plaid with a fabulous mustard coat. And the cardigan buttoned up over the dress is very me. This is the kind of eccentric, playful look I often wear in fall and winter--especially when I'm feeling brave about color!

This second look is much more aspirational--and here is where my confession comes. I absolutely love this entire look, top to bottom (and wasn't I just talking about dandy-ish dressing the other day?)! But what I'd kill for here are the pants. (Well, and also the velvet waistcoat.) They are perfection.

If we travel back in time on this blog almost exactly one year, you will see me, once again, talking about my pants obsession. Why do I still not own the pants of my dreams? Well, the truth is, as much as I love to shop for the business--to thrift, to antique, to church/estate/garage-sale till I drop--I do not love to shop for myself. Hence, 90% of my wardrobe comes to me by happy accident. Oh look, that dress I picked up for the shop fits! Into my closet it goes. But to go out on purpose to shop for me, especially if it's for a particular garment I need? No thanks--that is torture.

Anyone else feel this way?

xo

K

it's official!

I can see the leaves starting to change, cider is available at the orchard, there's Ichabod pumpkin ale in the fridge, and we just had brats at Oktoberfest--I guess it's official. Autumn is here!

Here are some things for layering and keeping you warm or cool (the weather can be fickle right now); some plaids and golden fall colors; some wool, cotton, and cashmere; and look--here comes a fab lined swing coat just right for the season!

Cotton Egyptian novelty print pintuck bodice sundress--great faceted buttons.

Love the drawstring neck on this 1960s blouse in autumn colors.

Slate plaid dress by Sue Brett.

An outfit! Butterfly print oatmeal-gray cashmere cardigan by Dalton, and a chocolate wool grid pattern pencil skirt.

Olive embroidered dress.

1950s navy plaid schoolgirl dress by Abby Kent.

Red wool plaid pencil skirt by Koret.

Olive abstract print dress with bow embellishment at neck.

Seahorse and starfish print blouse. Summery, yes, but too cute!

Silky green rose on sapphire Jonathan Logan dress.

Pendleton amber wool plaid skirt.

Truly fabulous amethyst wool floral print party dress by Mr. Mort!

Scottish red plaid blouse.

Olive plaid wool dress by Joan Miller.

Intricate print blouse.

Sapphire linen swing coat with floral lining, by Ginet.

Very soft seafoam angora/wool cardigan by Darlene.

1950s cherry red Bobbie Brooks blouse with leaf appliques on collar.

xo
K

cozy

It's still summery and warm here, though the evenings are pleasantly cool. It puts me in the mood for cool fall weather, wearing sweaters and tights, drinking hot cider and cocoa--all the things that make you feel warm and cozy in the cold, crisp air.


And thus, the theme of my latest Etsy Treasury! Please click to see it nice and big, click on the lovely sellers included, and leave a comment if you wish. :)

xo
k

september wants

It's September! And we just had our 200th sale on Etsy. Both put me in a shopping mood.

I have become pretty frugal. Andy and I love selling vintage, but running a small business means money is always fairly tight. Luckily, neither of us has particularly fancy tastes...well, except in beer and perfume. Since I work at home, I don't require much of a wardrobe. Loving vintage and thrifting means I can usually get some good cheap thrills regularly.

I do have an innate love of clothes and fashion, though, and that love seems to really percolate this time of year.

Here is what I'm currently desiring. Most of it actually isn't clothing--with the exception of a few key pieces, that's usually a pretty easy jones for me to fulfill.

First is this fabulous acorn necklace from blockpartypress on Etsy. I wanted to purchase it for my 100th Etsy sale, but didn't. (My mom got me a beautiful necklace from another seller that I adore, though--thanks, Moom! xo) The acorn necklace is kind of perfect for this time of year, and blockpartypress is having a 20% off + free shipping deal, so I think I may have to finally go for it.

Speaking of things that go around your neck, I just saw this adorable ascot neckwarmer over at Modish yesterday. It's from Etsy seller yarnovermovement and looks like the perfect neckwarmer for a dork like me who can never seem to get her scarf to tie just right. I also love the gorgeous peacock blue/teal color, though it comes in other moutwatering fall shades (cranberry! eggplant! olive!).

I wear a lot of skirts and dresses with tights in the fall and winter. But I've been wanting a pair of lined wool tweed or flannel trousers, a la Katharine Hepburn for a long time now. They would be great for the biting cold Michigan winters, but I can't seem to find just what I want. US Navy sailor pants like these are nifty, but they're a bit more baggy than I desire, and I want a different color. I'll keep looking.

Red lipstick is my #1 makeup staple. My friend Jessica over at the Now Smell This blog has been raving for some time now about Poppy King's Lipstick Queen line. The Sinner lipsticks are 90% opaque (love matte, opaque lipsticks! I rarely wear sheer shades or gloss), and I think I may need one in Rouge, Rose or Red. Sadly, the entire line of Sinner lipsticks seem to be out of stock on the website. I hope that's just temporary!

Speaking of red lipsticks, I recently misplaced my NARS Red Lizard. NARS, in my opinion, makes the best red lipsticks out there. Red Lizard is a bright, matte, retro glam red. I really have to replace mine.

Now that the weather is cooling off, I am ready to place an order with my fellow Team Treasury member, Vintage Confections. She has some delectable-sounding goodies in her shop, including lavender honey truffles and French sea salt caramels. And just look at these dark chocolate strawberry jellies!

Finally, and I sure hope we can swing it, I'd love a trip up north to the fabulous Legs Inn for some Polish food before they close for the season.

Some thrifting and leaf-peeping, followed by pierogis, kielbasa and Okocim beer in a setting like this--heaven!

Not to mention the crazy taxidermy.

Yep, I could go on all day about Legs Inn.

I'm sure I'll have more posts like this throughout autumn. What are your September/autumn desires?

xo
k

stuff!

There is a funny story about how one of my friends got duped into attending an Amway meeting. (I live in Amway country. Apparently Amway has such a bad rep that they have to be pretty sneaky in the ways they approach potential new Amway sellers. For example, if you get a flyer in your mailbox asking you to attend a neighborhood "Meet and Greet" in which you will "Learn and Discern," don't go. Unless you are interested in selling Amway.) Anyway, the guy heading the meeting asked the room, "Do you like stuff? Raise your hand if you like stuff!" I don't know why, but Andy and I find that hilarious and every now and then you'll catch us replaying that moment (even though we weren't there).

Anyway--here's some stuff! Stuff that's not clothing. Stuff that goes with clothing. They call this stuff: Accessories. (Or shoes.) I call it: Sneak preview of Stuff coming to the shop this week!

White raffia cone hat! By Maison's Washington DC.

Great little velour hat in autumn tones of russet brown, mauve, and pale pink.

Celadon velveteen fascinator hat.

Deadstock with box! Aspen Trail Finders hiking boots.

Deadstock again! Mahogany leather low heel boots.

1960s or 1970s gray suede oxfords.

Beautiful 1940s/1950s suede and leather D'Orsay heels by Tweedies.

1970s wood wedge mary janes.

1960s orange patent flower shoes.

Tooled leather saddle bag purse.

Tiki print mini-suitcase.

The Royal Tenenbaums leather tennis bag, by Land.

Red and black ombre umbrella. Ombrella! For rainy fall days.

xo
K