was it blue-green or green-blue??

a friend sent me an interesting email about crayons. she's doing some research for work and found this cute game where you can test your memory of the crayon color names.

crafty bastards

went to crafty bastards yesterday in dc. it was my first time and i really liked it - lots of interesting stuff i haven't seen anywhere else. didn't take many pictures - i was too busy trying to sweat through the almost 100% humidity. ugh!



loved the tofu for obamas!



liked these belt buckles made form broken plates



vintage apron made into a smock



baby hats that say: new in town, est. 2008, crybaby mix



wishing really hard i was skinny when i saw this awesomeness



my fave gray skies with the added bonus of a pink balloon!



i got a postcard with a bad attitude, a girl in glasses sticker for my youngest sis, a felt nerd pin, and an "upset tummy" plush magnet from the tofu for obama guy.

the writing's on the wall

check out this wall decal by badass custom decals. i love the concept - and would love to see some other countries, but i'm loving this africa one too.

tea just for me

with kacchan's adorable ring.

no truer words...

.

ATC's

do you know about artist trading cards aka ATC's? i had never even heard of them until just a few days ago and now i am really intrigued. they are basically an artist's introduction card - a business card size piece of original art that can't be sold - only traded or exchanged. if you'd like a more detailed explanation check out cedarseed.com.

i also flickr'd ATC and found tons of examples of really beautiful and original mini works of art.

there's also your atc store where they have hundreds of rubber stamps to add a personal signature to all your handmade items. i'm thinking i desperately need this first one.

i thought

i was going to do a post about the start of fall - but didn't get a chance to take any pics, etc. but happy first day of fall y'all! i just love this time of year :)



this is also the season for mums - which i don't normally like - but when i saw these GORGEOUSLY HUGE spider mum's at my local supermarket i couldn't resist! i split them up and put them all over my house as single blooms in votive holders, and even used them at place settings for some friends who came over on sat night. they are so pretty - i hope they have more this week :)

last of summer pretty project

a great way to display the sand you collected over the summer - apothecary jars and handwritten tags.



image from better homes and gardens.

flea market finds

a .50 needlepoint. it reads "a country village" which made me think of my dad who grew up in one. i'm not sure about the fake-o wood frame - though it is kinda kitschy kool - but i'd rather reframe it.



the 2nd find ($2) was just made for me - a children's book about rain! and this one is especially cool b/c the little girl *wants* it to rain, so you know i am loving that. the colors are muted with lots of gray, and the cherry on top, is that the girls are multicultural - which is also something i always notice and really love :)

no. 1

first ever fabric stash from japan - definitely won't be my last - how perfect is that umbrella fabric for a chick that digs rain? number trim's cute too. got 'em from cottonblue.

was talking

about rugs yesterday with a friend b/c she is headed over to ikea this weekend for a big sale on their persians. i really hope she finds something awesome and cheap! i can't go, but i can still dream and the rug company always does it for me. it has the best contemporary designs partly b/c they partner with so many great designers - ie. paul smith and vivienne westwood, to name two. the union jack one is hers - can't you just tell with all that tattered worn fabulousness! - and i think it's my fave - i'm a serious hippie chick at heart. i included that last pic of the bed not for the rug, but for that wonderfully baroque - and white!- headboard, and that gorgeous crocheted bedspread.

from my heart to yours

these heart shaped sugar cubes were making the blogrounds last year but i still think they're so cute. they're kind of expensive but you could always just use them for special mornings - like an anniversary/ birthday/ or when someone you love just needs a little pick-me-up.

guestroom tableau

though my guestroom is very much a work in progress, i am loving this one little corner. everything here was such a good price and i think for right now they all look good together - well, maybe that candle holder needs to go somewhere else, but you gotta admit - that reclining Buddha is so perfect for a bedroom :)

i'll take manhattan

how about this little apartment rental for my october trip to nyc? its only 8K for the week. only thing is, for that kind of money i'd never be able to take another vacation - ever!

pat's birthday dinner

this year pat decided to celebrate her birthday at tio pepe's in b'more - i think its her favorite restaurant - she said she has been going there for years. we got some special treatment - the maitre d' was exceptionally attentive and the chef made a special visit to our table to wish her a happy birthday - and he made us all a special potato dish! we all enjoyed the sangria, and pat got a birthday slice of their signature pine nut roll. it was a fun night and i was happy to be a part of it.



on the way back to the car pam took this great pic of a nearby church steeple. i've lived near b'more all my life, and i have no idea what church this was...

the force is still with us

can you believe star wars is still cool after all these years?! i think this would be cute for my movie watchin' sofa -



and i've always loved this tee.

spent

this past weekend i checked out mint - the free online tool that helps you track your money. it was really easy to use and it's already got great reviews and awards.

check out that tallest yellow bar in the pic below - that's me in august spending more money on food than most people in maryland. i'm so proud.

oh yeah!

scent

with notes of citrus, oak, and cedar this alcohol-free, eau de toilette named after one of the best selling children's books of all time, sounds surprisingly refined. and it's a unisex scent which i always love.

catonsville craft fair

went to our small town craft fair yesterday and there were a whopping 240 vendors! as soon as i got there i had to have a crab cake sandwich - the tin can man told me they'd be good and that i was gonna need my strength.





went to have a look around - the fuzzy flip flops and foot thongs were really popular.




some "original" looking dolls -



and then i met this woman who looked like she was crocheting but the needle was different. found out it was called "tatting." it was so intricate and unbelievably pretty!



someone was also selling fake food?! it was kind of strange and when the fake-o beer started to actually look edible b/c it was getting so hot - i figured it was time to leave. i think craft fairs are definitely best in cooler weather - i'm so glad it's almost fall!

cool

i hate that i love crate and barrel so much - their prices are high and i can't say that i've always been thrilled with their quality. but they definitely stand by their products, and i try to only buy stuff when it hits their outlet - at the discounted prices.

my current faves are this $10 ceramic cream and sugar set made to
look like the disposable paper versions, and a $12 large 15" galvanized metal tray - obviously perfect for outdoor entertaining - but i'm thinking it would also make a stylishly durable way to corral potted herbs in the kitchen or art supplies in an office.