Hawaii Five-OH!

As you can imagine, I've been doing lots of day dreaming about the new life we're about to begin in Hawaii. I can't wait to find a beautiful little house by the sea and wander out each morning to pluck an orchid to tuck behind my ear. I missed snagging a treasury by about thirty seconds, but I figured I'd post all these incredible finds anyway. Just click on the photos to go right to the Etsy listings.

P.S) Do you think I should try to learn how to surf? (And is it wrong that I want to learn largely because of all the incredibly cool surf accessories available?)

Defining Steampunk (Quite Loosely!)

So I've been seeing references to "Steampunk" everywhere lately and was finally forced to look it up. The basic idea seems to be infusing Victoriana with Industrial elements to create a look that is simultaneously hard and soft.

I picked up this little coin purse from Urban Outfitters a few days ago (on sale, of course, my chickadees!) and I think it embodies the concept quite well. It features rosettes made from zippers and added to a leather bag. I love it. I hear Steampunk is going to be huge this fall, so brace yourselves!

P.S) If this computer was functional, I'd be all about it!

Foodies & Fashionistas Unite!

Need more proof that fashion, sex and food intersect? Then check out Eat Me! Drink Me! at once. Discovered via Coco + Kelley.

Alarming Signs from Middle America

Just for fun, here are two signs we encountered on our drive from Sin City to the Twin Cities.



It's the use of quotations marks I find disturbing here.



This one smacks of nihilism, but perhaps that's just me.

Eighties Revival: How Old is too Old?

Betty continues to embolden me to rock the wild and crazy stuff with pride, confidence and some good old French joie de vivre. If not in your twenties, then when? I ask you! When?

What do you think dearies- how old is too old for a look like this one? Bonus question: should one be required to know all the words (and choreography) to Thriller before donning such a jacket?

Sweet Blog Love

Had to tell you about my latest blogging buddy Sweet Love Vintage. So many lovely ideas over there! (And lots of amazing vintage finds beautifully presented in her shop too. You'll be so glad you popped in!)

Artists to Investigate: Sivan Lewin

Sivan Lewin's photographs have probably been inspiring you for ages already, without your even knowing. Her client list is a Who's Who of all our favorite places to hunt out inspiration:

Martha.
Anthropologie.
Kate.
and Vogue.

Now go and get lost in the gorgeousness!

The Equestrienne

*Editor's Note: This treasury was inspired by these lovely Breyer Horses. Did you play with these when you were small? I don't think I'll ever outgrow them!

Our heroine is a city girl who took riding lessons as a lass, but sadly, hasn't been horseback in ages. Instead of a daily ride, she infuses her wardrobe and home with all things equestrian.



This stirrup necklace rests just above her collar bone. She never takes it off.

She cares for her elegant leather riding boots with the finest saddle soap. (It reminds her of the smell of the tack room, though that also smelled of alfalfa.)

Her books are kept upright with these distinguished equine bookends.
She loves this clutch, with it's fine brass hardware and leather details.

She wears this scarf thousands of ways- trailing from the handle of her handbag, tied over her hair with a pretty striped top or slung across her wool coat when the weather is chilly.

This print hangs above her bed and gives her dreams of riding along a quiet mountain trail for hours.
This necklace was a gift from her father when she won a blue ribbon in a show at eight years old.

This jacket looks just right with blue jeans or her favorite black skirt and aforementioned boots.

And of course, she uses this stationery exclusively.

(Do feel free to visit the treasury while it's still live on Etsy here, and peek at others I've made here.)

Happy Birthday Etsy

Oh Boy! Make A Wish was featured in this Storque article about Etsy's birthday! Go vote for your favorite Birthday card right here!

Last Minute Father's Day Gift

This gift idea is only last minute because I forgot to post it earlier! Mum and I used these recipes from the latest issue of Gourmet Magazine (I'm a new subscriber, but have quickly fallen madly in love!) to make some wonderfully fragrant meat rubs with the contents of the spice cupboard, a frying pan and my handy coffee grinder.

It was a snap to do and I loved how the house filled with the smell of toasting fennel, cumin and coriander. (It made me miss Eric something fierce though. He's the real spice lover in our little family and it was his collection we were using up!)




We tripled the recipes for the many Dads in our life and packaged them in clear baggies...


And completed the gift by simply folding vintage postcards over the top, stapleing them closed and neatly labeling them. We gave each fellow a pretty assortment. Isn't it lovely how each one turned out a different shade?


We did save one batch for ourselves and used it to make a batch of ribs. They were just perfect! How are you spending Father's day this year?

Plaid: For Boys and Girls, Preppy and Grungy

I've always loved Madras plaid for summer, and this fellow has done his version in such a lighthearted, preppy way- don't you adore the turned up cuffs with his jean jacket for a splash of color and print? (And doesn't he look eerily like Thomas Hayden Church from Sideways? Could they be brothers?)




I'd also been in doubt about checked flannel making a comeback. (Grunge had so little to recommend it in my opinion- why was everyone so hell-bent on looking dirty in the 90's?) But this gal has made it look quite pretty. I think her boots really complement the look without making it so heavy or referring too closely to the originals. And of course its a lovely shot- don't you love the point of light streaming out above her hip? That Sartorialist knows what he's doing.

Ingenuity goes a long way...

I spied this grocery bag chandelier on Cup of Jo ages ago, but I was sorting through my image collection and thinking about what we'll do with our new (but as yet undetermined) space.

I'm thinking a move to Hawaii means the whole thing will have a very beachy vibe- lots of white, clusters of seashells everywhere, sisal on the floor, flip flops littering the entryway...do you think this idea would work with all that?

I'd imagine an extremely low wattage bulb is necessary, and probably a cage to keep the bags from melting. More evidence that I don't need to bring loads of things along to make our new place a home.

Vintage Shop Update!

Part of the fun of all the sorting and streamlining I've been doing is finding new homes for some of my favorite treasures. I'm dusting off The Fab Miss B shop to post a few of my vintage goodies and some fabulous things I purchased while we traveled through Africa and China. (Click on any of these photos to visit the listings.)


I'm discovering that making a decision to let go of things can be really beautiful. It's like telling the universe that you have confidence that beauty will continue to fill your life. There is no need to hoard it- just let it flow through like a gorgeous and infinite river.


I can't wait to ship these off to new homes where they will be loved and admired afresh! What are your thoughts on de-cluttering? Does it overwhelm or inspire? What makes the process easier for you?