As I mentioned here, I went to Italy in May. I've been working on a recap post (probably split into a few parts), but here is a sneak peek!
The rest is coming soon!! :)
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Love... Minty Freshness!
Whenever I get my car washed, I choose the mint air freshenener. And when I go to the dentist, I choose the mint flouride. And when I get dressed, I choose mint! Mint is everywhere right now and I, for one, couldn't be happier. It's a fun shade that can be festive and flirty, plus it makes you look tanner!
A couple of my fave finds:
Where have you seen mint lately? Are you a fan?
Friday, July 20, 2012
Love....White Patent Leather...Books!
Yes, that IS what you think it is. A Webster's dictionary. A PATENT LEATHER dictionary. A WHITE PATENT LEATHER dictionary. I need one. You need one. You can get one here. I might just pine a little while longer (so expensive).
And look! There's also a thesaurus.
*swoon*
Buy me one for Christmas? Pretty please?
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Cart-Worthy + Heart-Worthy: Arrows!
I don't know if it was The Hunger Games craze or just that arrows are an iconic, classic symbol of bravery and justice, but I am loving them lately. In jewelry, art, even fabric - they've captured my imagination. Here are a few of my latest Etsy favorites.
{1. arrow sketch painting - original acrylic on wood - $15 2. arrow ring - copper and dipped enamel - $24 3. arrows letterpress print - $35 4. braided arrow bracelet - $8.99 5. arrows 5x7 print - $9 6. bows and arrows fabric - fat quarter - $9 7. arrow iphone case - $37.50 8. midcentury arrow brooch - $18 9. arrow tablet cover - $32}
*May the odds be ever in your favor*
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
A Thank You To My Glasses
In February of 2008, I plunked down a huge amount of money, popped a few ibuprofen and a Valium and prepared to change my life.
I got Lasik.
I got my first pair of (red, Minnie Mouse) glasses when I was 7, in 3rd grade. It was inevitable; both of my parents and all of my grandparents wore glasses. It probably didn't help that my 7-year-old self (like my 27-year-old self) read in any light possible, even the dim light of a movie theater, in the car at night, or under the covers.
After the Minnie glasses, I graduated to bifocals. Yep, I was Benjamin Franklin-ing it in the 5th grade. Probably because prior to this I would remove my glasses, set them in my pocket and then promptly sit down on them. About once a week.
My parents took me to our optometrist at least once a month - probably a lot more - for adjustments, tweaked frames, or popped-out lenses. Dr. Barr (the elder, now passed away) was a focal point of my childhood. He smelled of cinnamon and welding. Getting to choose new glasses was THE BEST. Sometimes Dr. Barr (the younger, now retired) would let me choose a new case to go along with them and it was the BEST DAY EVER.
{The summer after 6th grade}
As I got older, my glasses became a part of my identity.
The smart girl. The girl who likes to read. The girl who writes poetry all over her jeans.
The girl with the glasses.
{a pensive pose in November of 2003}
{2004}
In my early 20's, I found my most favorite pair of glasses ever - turquoise and lime green Vogue frames. They were colorful, fun, quirky, and could start any conversation. They were ME. At the time, I worked in retail and I don't think a day went by that a customer didn't comment on my glasses. Even better, they looked good with all of my different hair colors - and there were a lot.
{Vogue frames with my red hair}
But then, I went to Hawaii and I went snorkeling for the first time. Which was awesome! ...I think. See, I took off my glasses to put on my goggles and though I took a bunch of awesome pictures while swimming blind, and I saw a lot of colorful streaks, I didn't get to enjoy the moment. Which sucks.
{at a Pottery Barn Kids holiday meeting}
So, I began thinking... maybe it was time. This was also a time when I was wrestling with who "Katie" was. For so long, I had been labeled (and labeled myself) as a certain person. And "glasses" were part of my label, part of me. There was probably also a lot of psychological fun-ness that we could touch on, like "hiding" behind my glasses, making myself "invisible" or other things I should talk about in therapy. But, let's not.
So, I did the research, I found the right place for me - Laser Eye Center in Torrance, CA - now known as NVISION Laser Eye Centers - and I made an appointment for a consultation. Five months later, on the day after Valentine's Day, I had LASIK done. I went in early in the morning and the procedure took all of 20 minutes. Then I went home with my eyeballs covered by gauze, sleeping pills, and Vicodin. My mom made me food, then I slept until the following morning, when I went back to have the bandages removed. I will forever remember (and I've thought about snapping a photo to hang at home) the first thing I saw when I stepped outside with my new eyes. The Martin Chevrolet sign across the parking lot, across the street.
{via Google Maps}
And then, the marvels began. I could see trees. Not green shapes my brain identified as such. But trees. With leaves. And branches. I could see street signs. I could see how dirty my shower was (crap). And I couldn't wait to see what I had missed out on the NEXT time I went snorkeling.
At first, it was REALLY hard to get used to what I looked like without my glasses. I didn't know who this person was, I didn't understand the way her face was shaped. The kids I baby-sit for were a little freaked out. I had clear lenses put into my Vogue frames and I wore them for about a week. Then, it just seemed silly. My friends would ask, "Didn't you get LASIK? Why are you wearing glasses?" I couldn't admit I was self-conscious about my face (or maybe I couldn't hide anymore, cue therapy!), so I went bare-faced. And gradually, I got used to it.
{first Thanksgiving after LASIK - with Jonathan}
I still have my Vogue frames and I've worn them as props in the past few years, but mostly they're a reminder. Of how we change, but we still stay the same. I wore glasses for 16 of my most formative years. I will always reach up to adjust my glasses if something isn't quite clear. Even though they're not there. And I will always wipe my eyes with my index finger, starting at my nose and moving under my eye, just as if I was doing it under a pair of glasses. That aren't there.
.jpg)
{using my Vogue frames as a prop at a "geek chic" party - with Amy}
But I've learned that I'm not defined by this one characteristic. Or any characteristic. And understanding that has made me a better person.
Thank you, glasses :)
I got Lasik.
I got my first pair of (red, Minnie Mouse) glasses when I was 7, in 3rd grade. It was inevitable; both of my parents and all of my grandparents wore glasses. It probably didn't help that my 7-year-old self (like my 27-year-old self) read in any light possible, even the dim light of a movie theater, in the car at night, or under the covers.
After the Minnie glasses, I graduated to bifocals. Yep, I was Benjamin Franklin-ing it in the 5th grade. Probably because prior to this I would remove my glasses, set them in my pocket and then promptly sit down on them. About once a week.
My parents took me to our optometrist at least once a month - probably a lot more - for adjustments, tweaked frames, or popped-out lenses. Dr. Barr (the elder, now passed away) was a focal point of my childhood. He smelled of cinnamon and welding. Getting to choose new glasses was THE BEST. Sometimes Dr. Barr (the younger, now retired) would let me choose a new case to go along with them and it was the BEST DAY EVER.
{The summer after 6th grade}
As I got older, my glasses became a part of my identity.
The smart girl. The girl who likes to read. The girl who writes poetry all over her jeans.
The girl with the glasses.
{a pensive pose in November of 2003}
{2004}
In my early 20's, I found my most favorite pair of glasses ever - turquoise and lime green Vogue frames. They were colorful, fun, quirky, and could start any conversation. They were ME. At the time, I worked in retail and I don't think a day went by that a customer didn't comment on my glasses. Even better, they looked good with all of my different hair colors - and there were a lot.
{Vogue frames with my red hair}
But then, I went to Hawaii and I went snorkeling for the first time. Which was awesome! ...I think. See, I took off my glasses to put on my goggles and though I took a bunch of awesome pictures while swimming blind, and I saw a lot of colorful streaks, I didn't get to enjoy the moment. Which sucks.
{at a Pottery Barn Kids holiday meeting}
So, I began thinking... maybe it was time. This was also a time when I was wrestling with who "Katie" was. For so long, I had been labeled (and labeled myself) as a certain person. And "glasses" were part of my label, part of me. There was probably also a lot of psychological fun-ness that we could touch on, like "hiding" behind my glasses, making myself "invisible" or other things I should talk about in therapy. But, let's not.
So, I did the research, I found the right place for me - Laser Eye Center in Torrance, CA - now known as NVISION Laser Eye Centers - and I made an appointment for a consultation. Five months later, on the day after Valentine's Day, I had LASIK done. I went in early in the morning and the procedure took all of 20 minutes. Then I went home with my eyeballs covered by gauze, sleeping pills, and Vicodin. My mom made me food, then I slept until the following morning, when I went back to have the bandages removed. I will forever remember (and I've thought about snapping a photo to hang at home) the first thing I saw when I stepped outside with my new eyes. The Martin Chevrolet sign across the parking lot, across the street.
{via Google Maps}
And then, the marvels began. I could see trees. Not green shapes my brain identified as such. But trees. With leaves. And branches. I could see street signs. I could see how dirty my shower was (crap). And I couldn't wait to see what I had missed out on the NEXT time I went snorkeling.
At first, it was REALLY hard to get used to what I looked like without my glasses. I didn't know who this person was, I didn't understand the way her face was shaped. The kids I baby-sit for were a little freaked out. I had clear lenses put into my Vogue frames and I wore them for about a week. Then, it just seemed silly. My friends would ask, "Didn't you get LASIK? Why are you wearing glasses?" I couldn't admit I was self-conscious about my face (or maybe I couldn't hide anymore, cue therapy!), so I went bare-faced. And gradually, I got used to it.
{first Thanksgiving after LASIK - with Jonathan}
I still have my Vogue frames and I've worn them as props in the past few years, but mostly they're a reminder. Of how we change, but we still stay the same. I wore glasses for 16 of my most formative years. I will always reach up to adjust my glasses if something isn't quite clear. Even though they're not there. And I will always wipe my eyes with my index finger, starting at my nose and moving under my eye, just as if I was doing it under a pair of glasses. That aren't there.
.jpg)
{using my Vogue frames as a prop at a "geek chic" party - with Amy}
But I've learned that I'm not defined by this one characteristic. Or any characteristic. And understanding that has made me a better person.
Thank you, glasses :)
Monday, July 16, 2012
Postertext: The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby
is my favorite book. Of all time. Ever. In the history of books. I reference "the green light" once a month. When I saw this amazing piece of art from Postertext, I almost died. Then I bought it.
is my favorite book. Of all time. Ever. In the history of books. I reference "the green light" once a month. When I saw this amazing piece of art from Postertext, I almost died. Then I bought it. This amazing art has the entire text of The Great Gatsby arranged into a seminal scene from the novel. I can literally read the entire novel on my wall. And the last line, one of the best in all literature (in my opinion) is right there for me look at every time I walk by.
"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."
It's a beautiful, huge poster - 24x30 and it looks great in the frame I bought for it. See, it looks great. On my floor. One day, it will look great on my wall, probably in the bedroom.
{i know it's not a great photo, i'll take better ones as soon as i hang it.}
Postertext has many other books available, including Frankenstein, The Wizard of Oz, The Bible and Dracula.
Check them out!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
My Shopping Experience With Fab.com
Every morning, I am barraged by emails - some I look for anxiously and some I delete without even reading. Emails from Fab fall into the former category. I've placed two orders with them so far and I figure it's time I share my experience. Which was awesome!
2 books from Penguin Illustrated Classics
They arrived super quickly, in perfect condition, and I was kept abreast of the delivery status the whole time.
A super cute calendar from Rifle Paper Co and a waterproof notepad set
and
Again, the shipping was crazy fast, the packaging was adorable, and the customer service was great! If you haven't looked into Fab yet, definitely check them out today! They have such a variety of items available - you'll be sure to find something you need. Or want. :)
Here are a couple things in my cart if you need some suggestions!
Visit Fab!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Cart-Worthy + Heart-Worthy: Inspiration Art Edition!
My office has never really been decorated - right now, it's kind of a catch-all room for junk, craft supplies, closet overflow, and officey stuff. But I'd love to get some cool art up on the walls, so I'm encouraged to spend more time in there. And maybe to clean up. :/
I'm thinking of putting up prints of people who inspire me. Scientists, artists, poets, musicians, authors. If I line my walls with their faces, maybe their creativity will seep into the room and energize me. Maybe? :)
Here's what I've found so far:
What do you think? I can't help but be great, surrounded by this greatness, right? Who would you add? What do you surround yourself with to inspire?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
