I was perusing the Urban Outfitters sale online and fell in love with these tights. They’re so much fun and they’re on sale! I still have a couple pairs of black scrollwork tights kinda like this pattern from Victoria’s Secret from the 90s. They were my favorite gothy tights to wear. These are much more whimsical and the color combo is perfect. After a miserable failed attempt at ombre tights with Rit dye, I’ll leave it to the pros. 

Type in promo code MERRYHAPPY and get an extra 10% off all orders until December 15th!

Happy anniversary! <3

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• My Parents Were Awesome is a collection of photos of parents… when they were young and hip.
• The bf scored a second interview! I’m so proud of him!
• A lesson to be learned – if you see an awesome deal on something you love, grab it immediately. I saw the most perfect pair of round toe, recessed platform, cone heeled, black leather Nine West pumps for a steal a week ago. I don’t know why I didn’t just get them but, sometimes I sabotage myself like that. Anyhow, I couldn’t get them out of my head so I went back to the store today and of course, they were all gone. Every last one of them. So, I bought two other pairs of shoes instead! Ha!

Nibbles appreciates a high heel. I want to pair these with black rolled up trousers, and pretty much everything else. These have a hidden platform which I’m really not a fan of but, this platform isn’t exceptionally high and I love the seam going down the middle of the toe. I needed a pair of simple round toe black pumps since my last pair has been re-heeled 3 times and they’ve stretched so much I can’t keep them on.

Nom nom nom! This is why I can’t have nice things. These are embossed snake with black metallic flat studs, three buckles at the ankle and a back zip. I have no idea what I’m going to wear these with. Maybe those black satin harem pants. Size medium was way too big and I sent them back for an exchange. I think I’m going to have to cut the waist off and re-hem the drawstring pocket to lift them up a bit and keep them low slung. No biggie.

• Exploding Dog Pictures‘ is a collection of quirky, subversive, and often sad little drawings based on submitted titles. Matted signed prints are now available here. They would make a cute gift for someone.

• Going to Target with the bf and him asking me if they carry Yankee Candles… that he had been reading someone’s blog and had heard about this certain candle… so cute! (it’s my favorite)

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• There are two things looming over my head that I need to learn all about. These two posts will help me (and you!) get through it all. First there’s Google Wave and most importantly, there’s Farmville on Facebook. I saw my friend’s farm last week and being an avid SimCity player back in the day, I must do this! Time to get to studying!
• I’ve always been a city girl at heart but now I’m starting to question living in such close proximity to strangers. I love my apartment but I’m beginning to hate my neighbors and I wonder if we moved at the end of the lease, if it would just be the same type of issues with different people in some other city apartment. There’s the certifiably insane girl behind us who screamed bloody murder for an hour one day and got hauled off by an ambulance, after the police beat the hell out of our door thinking it was us. Then, a week later she beat on our kitchen wall because we were talking normally at 10pm on a Friday night. She also complains to the landlord about everything. Thankfully, he knows she’s nuts. There’s the chronic coughing man in the building next door, the hysterical dog barking mania throughout the day, and the loud parties (with a loud fight at 4am when a girl refused to leave). We can barely use the shared washer and dryer because the new tenants have made the “all utilities included” deal a public service to their friends. Then there’s the people below us. I think it’s 4 guys who manage to stink up our apartment on a regular basis with the stench of onions, they play electric guitar at all hours of the night, sound like they’re moving heavy furniture, slam doors and stomp up and down their hallway every single night… who just immaturely mocked me out their kitchen window a few nights ago for hearing me in the sack with my bf because we accidentally left the livingroom window open and well… I’m kinda loud sometimes. A simple note would’ve sufficed. Like, “hey, just so you know… we can hear you.” I would’ve been fine with that and sincerely apologized. I guess I was living in denial, hoping they didn’t hear as much as they did. I’m over it and will be keeping my trap shut until we’re out.

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• on a neutral note – I am pretty passionate about my distaste for the unethical blatant designer ripoffs out there. If you know better, you should do better and pass up on supporting the theft of intellectual property. I was recently asked what the difference is between that and the diy ideas I suggest for recreating designs conceived by others for the home and being fashionable. The difference is that I am not suggesting you mass produce something similar to someone else’s design, slap your name on it as if it was your own idea, and sell it to the public. I think it’s fun to try your hand at new things, to learn new skills and how to utilize unfamiliar materials and tools.  Having an inspiration point to guide you is a good way to start. A lot of home design out there is just as ridiculously expensive as high fashion but some of these things appear incredibly simple to make. If cobbling shoes was easier (and something I think I would even be remotely good at) I would’ve been making my own a long time ago and I would proudly say I made them myself with so-and-so as my inspiration! As soon as you make a profit off of someone else’s idea, you’re treading ethical thin ice.  Hope I cleared that up.

Last night, we had to run some errands and popped into PetSmart to get Ringo a new cat toy. Being slightly obsessed with rodents, I always have to check out the small furry pets. I have been dying for a new kitten but with Ringo being on a special diet (and a complete pig), separate feedings for a second cat would be a real pain, and we’re only allowed one cat w/out having to pay a pet deposit.

Gerbils were always a big part of my life when I was a kid so, I have been seriously contemplating getting another one. They are so much more friendly than hamsters and always run up to the glass when you check them out at the pet store. Well, right below the gerbils were the cutest rats I ever did see! DUMBO rats! They have larger than average ears that are set lower on their heads, making them instantly stereotypically cartoon cute. Upon further research, they are a newer fancy rat breed that are supposed to be the most friendly and docile of all the rats out there. They’re quite intelligent, playful and eager to please. They can learn tricks and love to snuggle! I mean, c’mon! They are social and need to be in groups so I will have to get two! Oh no!

These pictures are from a series taken in 1954 by Cornel Cappa of 15 year old girls (one in particular) attending their first formal dance at the Naval Armory in Michigan. You know they are beyond excited for such an experience but the young lady focussed upon in the plaid shirt seems so poised for her age. There is such innocence and grace revealed in the photos. Compared to today’s teens… don’t get me started.

Legs only view of 15 year old girls dressed in blue jeans, white thick ribbed socks & saddle oxfords as they eat around the kitchen table.

Teenage girls resting feet at first formal dance at the Naval Armory.

An image search on Cappa shows an amazing career of poignant images. He became a staff photographer for LIFE in 1946.

All of LIFE’s images are availble to view on Google. Congrats to Wendy B for achieving LIFE infamy!

Sometimes you just want to have a great idea… an idea that will put you on the map, give you some fun, give you a purpose separate from the rest of your mundane life.

I was talking to the bf about Fifi Lapin, one of those “why didn’t I think of drawing an adorable little bunny in real fashionable clothes?” conversations and he suggested that since I like to sew and I like cats and all things cute, why don’t I dress cats up in little versions of runway fashion. Genius! Pure genius!

Well… it’s already been done. My god this cat calendar from United Bamboo (featuring their clothing) is fantastic!

(out of stock, of course)

Technique and the process of making something is more fascinating to me than the end result most of the time, especially when it’s something that appears as if I could do it myself.

A while ago, I bookmarked these tables by Martin Dieterle (via Design Milk) and I have been pondering how I could get this done – lots of dowls cut just right, only paint what will be seen, glue glue glue in batches over time, sand the top and voila!

Then, I saw this umbrella stand by Loris&Livia that coudn’t be more easy. This one is made from blue aluminum tubes and some sort of strap but, the same could be done with PVC piping or other metal pipes and a belt. I don’t have some massive collection of umbrellas but if you do, or have lots of guests over, or if you have a business, why not give this a shot?

Does anyone remember Cher’s two gothic home decor catalogs called Sanctuary from the 90s? I had both of them but sold them on eBay a long time ago. They’re pretty hard to find these days. So many ridiculous decadent things in them! Wish I could find more pics! She’s fabulous. (a NY Times article about the catalog)

Fall/Holiday 1994

Fall/Holiday 1995

We have only discovered about 2 million different species of animals but it is estimated that there are 10 to 100 million species waiting to be noticed by us.

Swiss born, Italian photographer – Guido Mocafico did his part by photographing new species of jellyfish for his series and book entitled Medusa. (You can purchase it here – it’s outrageously expensive on Amazon.) Do a search on Modafico and you will find amazing studies of 17th century paintings, snakes, smoke, tarantulas, death, architecture… he has also photographed many campaigns for major fashion houses. I am in love with his work.

I don’t usually endorse products here and when I do, it’s always an easy to find, affordable item that I really love. Winter is on its way and that means static and frizz and dry brittle hair. One product I adore is Dove Advanced Care Moisture Therapy Replenishing Mist. It’s a light leave-in conditioner spray that helps reduce static and fly-aways. It’s also a great refresher if you don’t like to wash your hair every day but need a little boost of shine, softness and scent. You won’t feel like you have any product in your hair but you will feel and see a difference.

My hair is fine and bone straight and this doesn’t weigh it down or make it greasy. From the reviews, it’s also seems great for curly coarse hair and works as a detangler.

They’ve changed the name and bottle design. I’m still using the original baby blue bottle I bought last year. It really is a lifesaver, a very subtle soft lifesaver. At less than $5 a bottle, you won’t regret it.