searching for the perfect pair... of shoes!

Hello again, my dear blog-reading friends. In an effort to ease into yet another stressful work week, I find myself searching for a very particular pair of shoes. I have a wonderful, Anthropologie-worthy sundress that is in dire need of the perfect pair. Although I don't usually shop for such an outfit-specific piece, I really have no heels that compliment the dress quite right. So, inspired by my blog friend Jessie of The Lucky Stone, I browsed over to Piperlime. However, my early efforts have produced no possibilities. I have found quite a few fall pieces that I am currently loving. (Please note that no sooner does a season arrive than I am finding pieces for the following one. Does this happen to anyone else? Why is that?)

Minnetonka Kitty Suede Moccasin 

 

Minnetonka Moccasin Boot

Nine West, Gidsa (also available in black)

Via Spiga, Passion

I did find some spring/summer pieces, but nothing that would compliment my dress. I especially love the "Shoes for Lovely People" pieces that I found.

Belle by Sigerson Morrison

Shoes for Lovely People, Leyda   

Shoes for Lovely People, Angela

Shoes for Lovely People, Blair

The Reeds

Please note, whenever I find an artist or band that really catches my attention (and keeps my attention) I like to support them, so forgive me if I get carried away... 

image copyright The Reeds band

I discovered the fantastic, bluesy duo, The Reeds, about two years ago, and I have loved their music ever since. The first time I heard them live was at Hot Corner Coffee in Athens (for you Atlanta/Decatur natives, think Java Monkey-esque). These Athens-based gentlemen have captured my heart with their genuine acoustic soul guitar lines, violin harmonies, and incredible lyrics that produce a sound that is all their own. I was introduced to The Reeds with their album "Something for Sarah" which drew me in completely with songs like Heavy and #143. Their new album "Bleed Lust" has proven to continue the trend of amazing artistry. The intertwining of the blues guitar and the violin is absolutely beautiful, and the lyrics capture emotions so completely human, that one can't help but relate. Although I love every song on the album, Cold Georgia Night, Whiskey Eyes, and When We Touch have been on constant iPod replay lately. Still, no matter how many times I have heard the songs, old or new, I never get tired of them, and that says a lot to me. 

Another really cool thing about The Reeds is that they have their songs on their website available for free download. Some unsigned/independent artists do this because they need people to listen to their songs or in an effort to attract fans; I believe that The Reeds do it because its really about the music for them. That's why I decided to purchase "Bleed Lust" on iTunes and support them financially. I look forward to seeing these gentleman play sometime soon, and I will keep you posted for the date of their next show.

image copyright The Reeds band

We are in this for the music, and in that spirit you can download our songs here for free.  All we ask is that you support us by coming to shows. If you would like to support us financially, our music is available on cdbaby.com and iTunes. 

*excerpt from The Reeds official website

Sweetpea & Willow = Love

I found this website whilst perusing my daily blogs, and I am absolutely in love! The designs seem like they are made for me; I love everything I see! Sweetpea & Willow is a London-based company specializing in recreating vintage french designs. Their selection includes items for the bedroom, dining, living, garden, and accessories. Below are some of the items that I am currently wishing for... (each of them would look great with the pieces I already own!)

Strawberries and Cream Fuchsia Chair

Cream French 5 Drawer Tall Chest and Emmanuel Ribbon Armchair

Gold Gilt Button Bed

Colonial 2 Door Mirrored Armoire 

Pink Blush Chandelier and Globe Chandelier 

Cream French Mirrored Dressing Screen

***sigh***

pardon me while i gush a bit...

As promised, here are some pictures of precious little Cooper!

Getting into every basket he can find...

Facing off with the yellow ball...

Then playing with the yellow ball... 

Then befriending the yellow ball...

Sitting with daddy and reading the news...

And just being playful and cute.

happy mother's day!

In honor of today's holiday I have decided to share with you all a wonderful surprise that happened into my life this past Wednesday. I was at work just minding my own business when a customer came to the pharmacy to find out who drove the Mini in the parking lot. At first I was terrified that she had run into my car, and I was about to get upset when she told me that there was a kitten stuck in the hood of my car! We went outside where you could hear him meowing in pain as he was stuck somewhere in the engine compartment. After about 45 minutes of crawling around under the car and coaxing him away from the hose he was stuck around, we got him out! One of his toes on his left back foot was cut off so he was bleeding and his fur was greasy from the engine oil. We took him into the pharmacy and bathed him, tended to his wound, fed him, and gave him an antibiotic. He slept away most of the day at work and came home with me that evening. Since then, he's adjusted completely normally and his foot is just fine. (I will post pics soon, but I'm having some camera issues.) He is as playful and precious as any kitten, and he is so incredibly sweet. I won't gush about with all the adorable stories and things he has done, but just know that he is absolutely perfect. Oh, and in honor of the traumatic "gotcha" day events, I named him Cooper. (I know, it's kinda corny, but I'm okay with that.)

sweet summertime

As I was driving home enjoying that lovely time just before dark as the sun is setting, I realized that summer has officially begun... because I smelled the faint scent of honeysuckles. Growing up in the south, honeysuckles were the definition of summer. I know it sounds cliche, but I spent my summers outside, often in the woods finding honeysuckles. For those who are not familiar with these dainty white flowers, at the base of the petals is a little green stem that you can pick off, allowing you to get the nectar from the flower. As crazy as this sounds, the nectar is so sweet and delicious! Maybe it's my southern-girl heritage that makes me gravitate towards the scent of honeysuckle in perfumes, lotions, and candles (wonder what Freud would say about that). Still, there is nothing better than driving along with the windows down just before dark having the scent of those little white flowers drifting through the air.

Pineapple Orchid candle from Bath and Body Works (I love that the candle is in a ceramic pineapple!)

Blush eau de toilette by Marc Jacobs

Wild Honeysuckle scent from Bath and Body Works

Capri Blue Volcano candles (available at Anthropologie)

Ginger Peach reed diffuser from Pier 1

Mistral soap in Tropical Fruit scent. Many others available at Anthropologie or at Mistral's website

plant a tree

HAPPY EARTH DAY !!!

Some easy ways you can help out the planet:

• Recycle your old fleece! Patagonia (an outdoor outfitter company) will melt down all donated fleece to make new products!
• Turn off your computer instead of using a screen saver (screen savers still use energy)
• B.Y.O.B. (to the grocery store, of course) OR if you must use plastic grocery bags, collect them and bring them by your local Publix to recycle
• Change to compact fluorescent light bulbs. If you're worried about the light quality, go for the premium ones. You can choose from either bright white or buttery golden light, and the cost difference is only about $3. If that is still too much of an expense, only change the five most used lights in your home.
• Go for paperless bank and credit card statements, only accessing your statements online
• Ditch the paper towels and use micro-fiber cloths for your cleaning purposes (don't worry, they're machine washable and just as effective)

If you still want more or are just interested, here are some "green myths" that were featured on GMA this morning. Although we often have good intentions for helping the planet and ourselves by buying natural and organic products, it is better to simply read the ingredients. The FDA regulates standards for organic food of course, but as far as beauty products go, any manufacturer can claim that their product is "all natural". Also, look for trade names that you trust. For me, one of those names is Dove. I still read the ingredients labels but have never seen anything that has turned me away. Food labels are important, too, especially on packaged items such as rice or noodle bowls. So, just a heads up for those of you who have some hippie in you (it's okay, I'm there too) and are big on being green, make sure you read your labels, and if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.

home sweet home

As promised, here are some pictures from my "studio" apartment.

vintage couch with Anthropologie quilt as a make-shift cover

reading nook with vintage chair from a local antique store

bedside tables displaying my creative efforts with vases

my favorite place of all

the sweetest winds, they blow across the south

As a tribute to spring, I wanted to share some photos from mine and K's road trip last year that took us through a small town in Virginia. Although I have quite a few city girl tendencies, I will always be a southern girl at heart, and I think that these images highlight some of the most beautiful parts of the Virginia countryside.

While doing research for our trip, we stumbled upon a river-front bed and breakfast in smalltown, Virginia and happily signed up. Little did we know that it would turn out to be such an adventure. The town had a bike trail that went from the top of the mountain all the way into the city. The scenery around the trail was absolutely beautiful. It went right through the country (at one point it even when through someone's field!) and followed the river most of the way. And yes, the second to last image is from a Christmas tree patch! Aside from the bike trails, the local pizzeria had amazing slices and an extensive beer selection, and the small coffeehouse/bookstore was quite a treat. Above all however, the solitude of the country is always the best part. The sweetest winds, they blow across the south...

bienvenue!

I created this blog in a effort to pull together many of my favorite things that often seem to contradict each other. These include fashion, antiques and decorating, hiking, running, biking,  books and music, and good food. So, for my first post, I have decided to put together my current Anthropologie wish list. It only includes kitchen-y items as I will soon be moving out of my make-shift studio in my parents' basement (photos of my "studio" to come).