Jessie's Piperlime Pick of the Week IV

Some bedhead and some photobooth love.

Sorry about the lateness of today's post... I just woke up from a nap and am currently sprawled out across my bed at home with a kitten purring on one side of me and a puppy sighing at my feet.

Why, you ask?

TODAY WAS MY LAST DAY AT MY OLD JOB!

Almost everyone was off today, so my traditional "last day lunch" was a little smaller than most. We grabbed some beers (well, actually I had hard cider) and burgers (which explain the nap) at this new place near my house, and after everyone had finished, my buddies Joe and Nate and I were the only ones left. We made an executive decision that since it was a special occasion, I could take the rest of the day off, which means: they dropped me off at home, gave me hugs, and I never have to go back to my OLD office again.

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!

Now, more importantly, let's move on to the reason I signed on in the first place...

This week's pick was inspired by the blog that I wrote about yesterday, Childhood Flames.

Gaulla by Nine West - $90 (PLEASE go on sale soon)

Camille knows how to work some realllllly tall shoes (girl after my own heart), and the neutral colors of her strappy-sandal collection work with every single one of her outfits.

Although you can be sure to find me wearing an entirely different pair of my own shoes as often as possible while I am at home, I have been keeping my eyes out for a stylish pair that could do "everyday duty" on... oh, say... an upcoming trip to France? Gotta pack lightly so I can bring back scads of shopping finds!

I think that these chunky heels by Nine West would do just the trick. Can't you just SEEEE them prancing along on a Mediterranean beach somewhere?! Or scouring the flea markets of Paris while munching on a croissant?!

Ya.

Me too.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Childhood Flames

NEW BRAIN CANDY ALERT!

Childhood Flames is the blog of a girl-GENIUS, a girl-FASHION-genius. Seriously.

Pretty tough. Pretty AND tough.

Camille is 15 years old and blogs about "adventures in fashion and life belonging to a teenage girl stuck in suburbia." She posts pictures of some of the most gorgeously put-together ensembles and most highly covetable purchases that I have ever seen.

Would you like to know what I was wearing when IIIIIIIII was 15? Yikes. I'll have to post a picture later.

Camille consistently pulls off the kind of outfits that I can only dream about... what makes me love this girl even more? Some of her best finds are from American Apparel, Target, Old Navy, her Dad's closet, Nordstom's Rack, and Goodwill.

She wears Marni and Dries van Noten and Yves Saint Laurent platform oxford heels... and... and...

*sigh*

I should just face the facts - I will NEVER be as cool and chic as darling little Camille.

The Marni Shoes.
WANNNT. NEEED.

Not only has she inspired me to be more adventurous when putting together my outfits every morning, but she has also inspired me with an amazingly easy, yet high-fashion, how-to that I will be working on for my next DIY project.

She was inspired by the looks of the runway of Spring 2008 and just decided to whip up the look for herself. She MADE that skirt (and in a few other colors, too).

Lovely Readers - check it out.

Camille - you absolutely, positively ROCK.

I'm such a devoted customer, they've named a shirt after me!

Apparently, if you frequent a store (both online and in person) often enough, the company is bound to name an item of clothing after you sooner or later! (Maybe it helps if you and your husband have both worked there.)

I am honored to present my name-sake...

The Jessie Blouse!

Casbah-print Sweet Tangerine - Find it here.

It comes in an array of color and prints, but I believe my favorites are the Golden Moss and the Ivory. Here are some of the other options...

Citrus Lime,

Ivory,

Sweet Orange,

Golden Moss,


... and last but not least, the Pineapple Print in Navy.

Memorial Day Weekend Highlights

1. Allergic reaction of Death
2. Celebration at the Station
3. Shopping Spree Mania

Sound like fun? You better believe it.

The three-day weekend started off like so:

While showering on Friday morning, I happened to run out of body wash. This may not seem like an issue, but when you've got radically sensitive skin and can only buy things with labels that say "hypo-allergenic, non-scented, non-perfumed, sensitive skin, non-comodegenic, we-promise-not-to-make-you-break-out-in-hives"... it's never a good thing to realize mid shower that you are out of body wash. I had already shampooed and conditioned and couldn't leave the skin unscrubbed, so I had to resort to using the "Old Spice Sport" from the uncharted territory that is G's shower shelf. I was already sporting a pretty crummy attitude about how I thought the weekend was going to end up, and suspecting what would inevitably follow my shower didn't make my outlook any better.

I made it through the day alive, and even got to leave work a little early... probably a good thing, considering that the mugginess in the air and the heat of the bus ride home teamed forces with the icy blue poisonous residue clinging to my skin and decided to turn my arms, legs, and underarms into a full-blown battlefield. (Don't worry, no pictures to post.)

All I wanted to do this weekend, was walk around in shorts and tank tops... letting the sun warm my skin and bring back my color... but, no. Instead, I had to be wary of the little we saw of my beloved sun (thanks to the wet weather), and I was forced to keep the skin-baring to a minimum (you're welcome, Kansas City). Bottom line? The only color I ended up turning was red. And bumps. Is bumps a color?

Despite the itchiness (and constant complaints), my fabulous husband made it his Mission (Impossible) *cue music* to keep me smiling and happy for the remainder of the break. Our weekend calendars are typically full of visits with friends, but since everyone seemed to be out of town this weekend, we had plenty of time to ourselves.

We went to the Farmer's Market on Saturday morning, and then out to dinner for a much-needed date on Saturday night. On Sunday evening, we celebrated Memorial Day with 50,000 of our fellow Americans. Every year, the Kansas City Symphony plays a free concert on the lawn in front of Union Station, and it turns into an all-day event called Celebration at the Station.

Believe it or not, we were towards the front of the crowd for this shot. The majority of the masses were behind us!

We rode the scooter (which means we got PRIMO parking) and snacked on kettle corn and cokes (that may or may not have been spiked with rum). We played cards while we listened to the music and then stayed all the way to the end for the biggest display of fireworks that KC has to offer. It was a simple day, but by far, one of my all-time-favorites since we've been here.

Beee-utiful.

On Monday, we took advantage of all the sales and we hit the stores in search of some charming new additions to my wardrobe, in honor of The New Job. (Hooray!) G said that our usual clothing allowance could be bypassed and that made me a very happy guhl. Shopping spree, indeed!

As I start this gloriously short work week (at what is soon to be my former office... HAD to throw that in there one more time), I am so thankful for the chance I had to relax, celebrate, reflect, shop, laugh, and just BE with my all-time best friend and partner in crime.

Self-portrait on a picnic blanket.

With our busy schedules, we don't get the chance to "date" much anymore, but this weekend?

G, this weekend, the feelings of the first few weeks we ever spent together came flooding back. You made me feel uninhibited, hopeful, starry-eyed, in love.

You have swept me off of my feet yet again, and I am beyond grateful that I get to be the one in your arms.

Jessie's Piperlime Pick of the Week III

I have been eyeing this pair of Charles David pumps for quite some time now, and I think it's high time that they were featured as the weekly pick!

"Moderne" by Charles David - $149.99

They just recently dropped in price from their original $250, and now they are at a much more manageable price for my "skinny jeans budget." (Although, I probably won't be making too many more purchases before our trips this summer.)

I love the way they fool you by looking like solid black, open-toed pumps from the front... and then, BAM! You cock your little hips to side, pushing the heel forward while keeping your toe in place, and take your shoe-admirer completely by surprise.

BAM!

The color block trend seems to be everywhere these days, and while I wasn't sure if I would ever find myself workin' this particular look, I have definitely changed my mind.

Enjoy your three day weekend, my sweets!


****UPDATE!****

I just happened to come across this very same pair (for only $137.47) at another great shoe spot, Endless.com (thanks to this post, here). They also offer free shipping (OVERNIGHT shipping, that is) and free returns. If you are still inclined to order them from Piperlime, you should let them know about the difference, and they juuust miiiiiight price match it.

The customer service there is amazing. 'Nuff said.

Treasure Hunting: Vintage Stilllife

I found and purchased these little beauties on Saturday with the intent to put them up on my Etsy store, Lucky Stone Vintage.


After thinking about yesterday's post and how I have been on the lookout for some new (or new to us) art... I realized that I really kind of like them, but I'm just not sure if they're right for our dining room. I think the scale might be kind of off for the wall that we are hoping to adorn, so in order to make them work, we would have to find some complimentary pieces and do a grouping.

I think I'll hang on to them for now...


Whenever I come across something like this, I can't help but wonder about the artist. The one with the pink background was done in 1973 and the one with the yellow background was done in 1971, both by Loretta J. Stevenson.

Was Loretta a professional or was painting her hobby? Was she a mother or a wife? Have the paintings been in Kansas City since the 70's, or perhaps they were done in another state or country altogether? It is fun to imagine the kind of person that she was (or is), and knowing that these paintings have seen and experienced another life makes them seem a just little bit more special.

Blue Flip Art

Recently, I have been on a serious hunt for the perfect pieces of art to hang in our dining room, however...

Problem one: I don't really have a specific look in mind, which makes hunting muy dificil.

Problem two: I'm on a TIIIIIGHT budget for home improvements right now. We're talking just-pulled-favorite-already-too-small-skinny-black-jeans-out-the-
dryer-this-morning tight.

Fortunately, I have discovered something that just might be the answer to all my problems (although I doubt it can do much for the bracelet-sized-waistband that is currently cutting into my abdominal cavity and prohibiting me from breathing normally).

Blue Flip Art is a combination of a few things that I really rully love: independent artists, charitable giving, and of course, pretty things for a very reasonable price!

Here are a few (ok several) of the pieces that caught my eye.

Waving, Not Drowing by Meg Hunt

Japanese Poster No. 1 by Valero Doval


Chroma Thieves by Jen Romo


Botanatomy 3 by Ian OPhelan


A Slice of Taipei by Eric C. Lu


Africa Tabula Nova by Richard Wilkinson

Each artist gets to choose which charity they would like 10% of their sales to go to, and their prices are AWESOME (many of the prints I looked at were $30 and under).

How's THAT for a little mid-week treat?!



(Dear Darling Readers - As I continue my quest for unique and affordable art, feel free to let me know if you have any other great sources or artists that you think might fit the bill! Muchas Gracias!)

Flowering Feet

After being inspired by this recent Fashion is Spinach post on the shoes below...



... this recent shoe purchase...


... and a weekend trip to Joann's...

I came up with a 42 dollar version of my own! (sure beats the $328 price tag of the original!)

Added Bonus: The large-and-in-charge flowers draw your attention away from my veiny feet and cankles.... right?! RIGHT?!?!?!
*Sigh*
Good thing I didn't quit my job to become a foot model.

Quite a bit more literal than it's muse, my version adds a bit of humor to any otherwise drab or stuffy ensemble. I can't wait to wear them with black skinny jeans and a crisp white shirt!

Best of all, I hot-glue-gunned the flowers to little metal alligator clips, so they can be removed easily at any time and added to the strap of a pretty dress or a dark handbag that needs to be pulled over into Spring!

I'm on the move

I've got some news, I'm on the move!



That's right folks, it's official. This past Friday, I resigned from my current position (working in PR at a an architecture firm), and I couldn't be more excited for the new opportunity that I am getting ready to tackle.

As of June 1st, I will be the Assistant Retail Manager at MLB Designs. A local interior design firm who has recently been asked to open up a retail venue on the Country Club Plaza. This job offer came along at a great time, and I am delighted to finally be doing something more along the lines of what I love! I think it will be the perfect blend of my backgrounds in PR/marketing and event coordination, with just the right amount of interior design and fashion thrown into the mix. When I found out that my job description covers all of these, I just knew it was an offer I couldn't refuse!

The Store is less than a mile from our home, which means a perfectly easy walk (or bus trip when it's cold), and the added bonus is that G works on the Plaza as well! So far I have only met two of the women that I will be working with, and they are beyond fabulous... at my interview, we went to a bar for cosmopolitans, if that tells you anything. Tres cosmopolitan, indeed!

My blogging schedule might change quite a bit as I get used to my new position, but rest assured that I will do my best to maintain posting!

What started as a way for me to have a creative writing outlet, has turned into much much more than that. A way to make new friends, find out about great new products and ideas, and just generally become inspired about life! Most of all, I have realized that I do it all for you, my darling readers (all three of you)! Thanks for understanding as I adjust to this new chapter in my career, and here's to many more lucky little stones!

Fabric Freedom

I am a fabric hoarder.

There. I said it, and it feels great to get it off my chest.

It doesn't matter if it's luxurious yardage or little vintage pixie scraps - if it is looking for a home, you can be sure I'll snatch it up with the intention of using it for something extra special.

The toughest part about coming across a pattern/color/texture that I love is figuring out what to do with it. Far too often, this is how the story goes:

I find a remnant of loveliness that I just CAN'T live without, so I buy it and bring it home, where I am sure I'll be able to whip it up into something snazzy.

Said remnant remains in fabric pile in craft room, awaiting it's calling.

I come across it again and again, considering it for various projects, but instead of not being good enough? It always seems to be TOO good.

I think, "How could I possibly use this soft sandy colored linen for new cloth napkins, when I might possibly need it for making my future child a stuffed animal?!"

Internal panic ensues.

Fabric goes back in pile.

This past week, I decided to try and tackle my issues and use some of my beloved little scrappies for spicing up our balcony (that I am proud to say we have been using nearly every evening!).

The scraps of blue and teal and green gorgeousness were snagged from another project that I am currently working on. When I got the idea for this project, I thought they might be right, but I just knew I would have to take the plunge to find out!

Zoe was hoping there would be some soup left over for her...

I had been saving my soup cans for the past several weeks, and so I decided to hit up the Phoenix Herb & Tea Co. (43rd & Main) on my way home from the bus stop - to see if I could find a way to put that otherwise useless tin to work.

Sure enough, they were (and still are) having a sidewalk sale for all of their herbs, and everything is $1.95! Considering that I would spend almost 3 times that for a measly little bag of basil at the Market, and now I have a plant that will produce at least 20 caprese salads worth, I was pretty excited. I grabbed some thai basil (a little spicy, but totally delish), spearmint (bring on the mimosas, baby!), thyme (my favorite - for carmelized onions with melted brie), Italian parsley (limitless opportunities!), and a nasturtium plant (edible and beautiful flowers, with harvestable seeds).

I had G help me poke some holes in the bottoms of the tin cans for drainage (easy peasy with a hammer and nail), and then I dug into my precious fabric for some inspiration.

I cut up several strips and shapes out of four or five different fabrics, grabbed the fabric glue, and made myself one of the gosh-darn-cutest-little-herb-gardens that you ever did see (if I do say so myself)!




Ta-DAH! (Very proud of myself, indeed!)

Jessie's Piperlime Pick of the Week

It's time, it's time for some Piperlime!

My Piperlime Pick for this week screams summer and is so versatile, it could probably be worn with almost any outfit in my wardrobe. Seriously. The mix of colors are to die for and I mean, c'mon... who doesn't love a great wedge sandal!?

Pink Studio "Lynetta" - $95

I absolutely love the texture that the tweed on the heel adds to the overall look, and that camel brown is my favorite shade of leather. The pink and yellow give just the right pop of color, don't you think?! With the right shade of polish on your newly pedi'ed toes... you could get away anything in these shoes!

Too bad our Economic Stimulus Check is already spoken for, or these puppies would be on my feet faster than you can say
"why-the-heck-was-our-check-for-only-half-the-amount-sent-to-all-the-other-married-
people-we-know." Yup, faster than that. Even faster than you can say "jessie's-taking-the-measley-six-hundred-dollars-and-spending-it-in-france-this-
summer-where-it-will-barely-get-her-three-hundred-euros."

*sigh*

Anyways, I love these shoes and I hope someone I know buys them so that I can either borrow them or drool and stare at your feet every time you wear them in my presence.

Have a great weekend everybody!

MichelleBrusegaard

I confess - I don't browse around on Etsy nearly as much as I should. And yesterday? Yesterday, I learned my lesson.

I happened to hop on over there like I occasionally do when I am trying to hide from the boredom that hunts me down while I am at work (yesterday was exceptionally horrible), and I am SO glad that I did.

I came across the beautifully stunning work of MichelleBrusegaard, and since then I have been back to her Etsy shop SEVeral times, just trying as hard as I might to decided which piece of hers I want to buy first.

Here are some of my favorites:

"Lemon-Scented" Oil Painting

Much of Michelle's work appears to be inspired by fashion (woman after my own heart), and this particular piece is a painting of one of her old Barbie dresses... LOVE! I adore the colors here and the use of obvious brush strokes. It makes it look almost imaginary, like fuzzy memories of childhood that you almost-but-never-can-quite see.

Birds and Branches Calling Cards

These calling cards are perfectly unconventional - professional and fresh, but just different enough so that people will really remember you. I am definitely going to order these for when I finally turn over a new leaf with my career (hahaha).

Butter Yellow Hand-Screenprinted Goodness

Yellow and grey are currently my FAAAAAVorite color combination. In fact, I was just thinking the other day about how well they compliment each other in outfits, upholstery fabrics, food packaging, accessories, and even dish towels. Especially dish towels.

Barbie Clothes on a Line

And last, but fabulously not least - Michelle's photography is absolutely striking. This print is easily my favorite out of her vintage Barbie clothes collection. What a brilliant idea! I love the look of pretty laundry hanging out to dry and it is totally captured in these pictures. Delicate and simple. I can just see this hanging on the wall in our closet so that I could look at it everyday while I'm getting dressed.

Michelle's store is FULL of many more wonderful things, and I am SO excited to place my order soon... go check it out!!!

LeBron's Mama Drama

How's this for a happy Mother's Day?



In case you didn't catch it, he says "Sit yo' ass down!!"... to his muthuh.

Geez, LeBron. What's next? Kicking puppies?!

I'msorryI'mjustkiddingIstillloveyoudon'thurtme.

Two Thumbs Up!

I can't stop thinking about an idea I came across as I was meandering through my brain candy yesterday...


On A Cup of Jo, there was a post about someone who had tied a disposable camera to a bench and wrote a note that said,

Good afternoon,
I attached this camera to the bench so you could take pictures. Seriously. So have fun. I'll be back later this evening to pick it up.
Love, Jay / The Plug

As you look at the pictures (seen here), you can tell that this small little gesture made the moments spent at this ordinary little bench, a little more interesting and a lot more fun.


This project SO reminds me of something my Dad would like (and probably try)... he LOVES disposable cameras! Daddio, if you do this - you have to let us know how it goes.


I think I'm going to pick up a disposable camera when I'm at the store this weekend, and try it somewhere here in KC. I already have some good spots in mind, and if it works, I will be sure to post pictures here asap!


Thumbs up!

Super Mom

Out to dinner in SD for my 21st Birthday

I know I'm a few days late on this, but I just wanted to take the time to give a little long-distance-love to my Mama.

As I read all the sweet posts (like here and here) that my blog-friends posted about their mothers or about being a mother, I started thinking about the earliest memories I have with my Mom.

(Age 4) We used to play together in the dirt under the trees in the backyard, catching ants with her soup spoons and trying to make miniature ant farms out of dixie cups. I don't think she knew how jealous the other kids were that my Mom wasn't afraid to sit on the ground and get a little dirty every once in a while.

(Age 1-12) Every time we went to the grocery store she would head straight to the goldfish crackers or pretzels and rip open a bag so that we would have something to munch on together while she shopped. She probably still does this, I am not sure.

(Age 5) Our extended family used to go snow skiing together all the time, and I would fight to ride the chair lift with my Mom because she would take my mittens off and let me reach in her pockets to find the licorice nibs and necco wafers she had stashed away. She still almost ALWAYS has candy in her purse... definitely where I get my sweet tooth.

(Age 6) She made us matching dresses for Easter and would give me the fancy scraps to sew on my mini-sewing machine. I am SO thankful that she gave me a love for crafting and art, and taught me most everything I know.

In front of my aunt's house in CO

This Mother's Day felt so different without my Mom or either Grandma nearby to love on. Even though I talk to my mom at least once a day (often twice), I couldn't help but call her several different times to get an update on her day and tell her "Happy Mama's Day" and "I love you."

The best part was, I could tell by her voice that EVERY time she answered the phone, she was totally expecting that it would be me. She knew I couldn't help it - she knows I miss her (she knows everything) and she misses me back.

At the beach house in SD

It made things especially harder that she got to spend the day with both of my grandma's, aunts, uncles, cousins, and my dad and brother... most of which I now only see once or twice a year.

I felt so disconnected from my family - like I was up in a tree in the backyard looking down on everyone while the tears and screams that come with their laughter floated up around me through the leaves.

I couldn't help picturing them around the big table at my aunt's house, talking and giggling about nothing and everything. Watching the puppies play in the backyard. I would have given almost anything to be there, and I'll admit that I shed more than a few tears of my own on Sunday out of longing and frustration of being so far away.

Remy and Zoe and I all wrapped up in the puff my mom made for my first big girl bed.

In my own little world, G was tender and comforting like he ever-so-always is, and the animals were snuggly and precious. As we enjoyed our Sunday together, I realized that to Remy and Zoe, I'm a kind-of-mother to them, and that they count on G and I for everything. It made me feel better to be needed (and I definitely felt loved), and when we left for a BBQ at a friends house in the evening, I felt downright cheery. (Possibly also due to the fact that Rem and Zo pooled their allowances together to buy me a reallyfabulouslypretty long gold necklace as a Mother's Day gift...)

Gold Corfu Necklace, from (of course) J.Crew

Looking back on my Mother's Day, I realize how relaxing and fun it was to spend time with my now-family and now-friends. Someday, I'm sure I'll live closer to my Mama (because we stick together like glue), but until then, I'll enjoy the life I have here and when we're all reunited, it'll be that much more special. I can't wait!!!

You're the best, Mama, and I hope you always feel as special and amazing and beautiful as you truly are!

I love you!