the livin' is easy

Those of you who follow my Twitterings may remember me posting about a dress I meant to sell, but decided to keep. I'd promised I would never do such a naughty thing again, but...I broke the promise. The dress is this green piqué Malia dress. I just could not resist the crazy-cute bird print.

Stephani visited us from Detroit this weekend (she helped convince me to keep the dress). This photo was taken in front of the future site of a Belgian style brewery (in a building that was once a funeral home). I'm excited for this place to open not so much because I like Belgian beer (because I don't, really), but because it's such a cool building--it looks like it should house a Belgian brewery. And I'm hoping they'll also have frites.

Since the brewery isn't open yet, we had drinks at Corez (one of the few places in town that knows how to make a decent cocktail). I had a Negroni, Andy a beer, and Steph a French 75. And we all shared these ridiculously good fries with aioli and a fried egg on top!

Speaking of neat old buildings--this one is a refurbished former orphanage, across the street from Corez.

We shared more food at the Winchester and probably too many drinks at the Viceroy before heading home to crash for most of Sunday. But by Sunday afternoon we were all ready--especially Lucy--to head out onto the lake and enjoy a little sunshine. Nothing better for a wee hangover than fresh air and sunshine. And a big hat and sunglasses.

xo

K

p.s.--As of this posting, the Etsy shop is at 999 sales. I am giving free US shipping/discounted international shipping to the 1000th purchase!

city mouse or country mouse?

Having lived for 11 years in New York City, a part of me always has been, and still is, a City Mouse. Though I escaped the city to live in what is, essentially, the country, I still love my trips into "the city"--whether that be to visit friends in New York, my best friend in Detroit, or more frequently, downtown Grand Rapids.

Grand Rapids is not a big city, but its downtown is pretty thriving, especially lately. It seems like a new bar or restaurant opens every week. Saturday night was evidence of this. We went out to celebrate 900 sales on Etsy (yay! Thank you to our lovely customers), and had to drive around forever to find parking. Public transportation is one of the things I really miss about New York. Anyway, I wore this wonderfully lightweight 1950s dress with matching belt, and because the dress is fairly sheer, a vintage deep blue Van Raalte full slip underneath. The slip came from our big estate buy last summer. And I added this chalkware dogwood brooch, which I appropriated off another dress from that same estate buy.

Here's Andy, all dressed up in his favorite style: 1960s prep. As you can see, he also is sporting a new haircut. It's a little shorter than I like on him, but I think it goes well with his vintage plaid shirt.

We had a lovely night, meeting up later with friends for cocktails at my beloved Viceroy.

On Sunday we spent a little time on the lake. Here's Country Mouse me (and Lucy) in the canoe. I'm in my typical lake gear: swimsuit, gingham shirt as cover-up, water shoes, and giant hat. This was taken just after I had a small freakout about a bug that I had to remove from my decolletage.

Ah, nature.

I am not really an outdoorsy person. Well, I shouldn't say that. I'm not the type of outdoorsy person who likes: sports, loud and fast boats, heat and humidity, bugs.

I am the type of outdoorsy person who likes: slow paddles around the lake, hearing and watching the birds in the trees, shady walks in the woods, and floating in the lake with a bottle of beer.

Sunday was pretty bustling (with human life) on the lake. But there were other creatures, too.

There are always lots of dragonflies (one bug that doesn't bother me a bit!). This one caught a ride on the canoe.

I guess I love the city and the country. I'm very lucky to be able to get frequent tastes of both. I hope your weekend was lovely, wherever you spent it!

xo

K

Getting to know me...

Ah, isn't that an ego-centric title! Well, I happen to be a member of the most amazing team on Etsy--Team Treasury. And I am the lucky Featured Member on the team blog this month. I had to answer a questionnaire and submit some photos. Rather than email the photos I thought I'd post them here on my brand-new blog...

A photo of me in my work space:

But here is the Real Me!

Here I am with Small Earth Vintage's other half, Andy, taken up north at one of our favorite places, Legs Inn (with Lake Michigan in the background):

And here we are, all blurry in New York City in March, celebrating my 40th birthday:

A photo of the beautiful lake we live on, taken from the canoe:

And amazing wonderdog Lucy in the canoe (she doesn't like to swim, but she sure loves being in the boat!):

Andy on the North Country Trail, one of my favorite places to walk in the woods:

Our home is an eclectic mix of mid-century modern, kitsch, and whatever catches my eye. I try not go overboard (after all, we sell vintage and only have so much space), but I do have a few things I like to collect. Perfume, paint-by-numbers paintings, colorful Pyrex and melmac in the kitchen. I also have an unhealthy appetite for animal figurines, especially dogs. Here's our hall table with the dog collection (check out the cast iron Scottie dog lamp), and some kitsch art on the wall behind:

My favorite 1950s lamp (black and red!) and a couple owls:

A chair I reupholstered in pink and mint barkcloth in an extremely rare moment of craftiness:

And a final shot of the beautiful lake!

Thanks for taking the tour.

xo
K