Don't Forget...

Auctions end today!!!

Get 'em while they're hot!

Happy Turkey Day!

Felt Turkey Hair Clip/Pin by Flashy Fish

Missing my immediate family today... this is my first major holiday spent with my in-laws, and it feels so different. Not bad. Just very different. I missed out on volunteering for the Salvation Army with my Dad and Brother this morning, I'm missing out on watching the parade and the dog show with my Mom and aunts, and I'm missing out on all the memories they are making without me.

Ok, thanks for letting me vent.

Enough sadness.

I adore G's family, and I count myself very lucky for that, but since I won't get to be a part of the tradition where my Dad goes around the Thanksgiving table and interviews every one on what they're thankful for, I will just share it myself!!!

I am thankful for this little blog! I am thankful for my readers, both new and old, my faithful commenters, and the encouragement and inspiration that I get from hearing from you all and reading about many of your own lives.

I am thankful for my dear dear friends. In Arizona, in California, in Kansas City, on the web (!), and all over the world. I could not get by without any of you... honestly. I am so thankful for what blessings you are in my life, and for the joy and energy that you breathe into me! Thank you for the laughter, the hugs (both virtual and real-life), the silliness, the shopping, the crafting, and most of all for your unending support.

I am thankful for my little kitty-o, who came to us as a sort of accident and has changed me from a cat-hater to a full-on-kitty-lover! I am thankful for a kitty who is affectionate, playful, and always keeps my feet warm. Zo', you are such a treat, and I am so thankful to be able to call you ours, and so honored to be your Mama.

I am thankful for my mom, dad, and brother - my homebase, my rocks, my cheerleaders. I am thankful for my relationship with each of you, and for an immediate family who always has and continues to show each other unconditional love.

I am thankful for a precious husband who I love more than anything. I am thankful that he is tender and funny and kind. I am thankful that he lets me know how much he loves me, everyday. I am thankful that I found and married my best friend!

I am so thankful for my extended family, my health, my neighbors, my church, my job, yoga, puppies, the ocean, funny movies, our home, white flowers, hazelnut coffee, boardgames, magazines, the plaza library, fall leaves, the winter holiday season, and EVEN MORE! (If you can believe it!)

I could just go on and on, and I guess it's a good thing I'm not sharing them all at the dinner table, because we would already be eating pie by the time I was done!

Wherever you are and whoever you're with, I hope that you all have a warm and cozy, deliciously fun and blessed Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for you, my Luckies!

Buy my clothes.

... And many more.

Bingo.

Spread the word.

I *HEART* Sea Lions!

Here's why...



*Via Alyson at Unruly-Things

Wintery Whites

Netting and Feathers from David Sheilds (via Coco+Kelley)

Sweet Details from Corrie Bond (via Coco+Kelley)

When I saw the above pictures posted here at Coco+Kelley on Tuesday, it immediately reaffirmed my purchase of this coat last weekend.

Double-Cloth Madeline Coat in Sea Salt

I was having some doubts about it, but then I remembered how much I love a creamy white ensemble during the dark winter months!

Crisis Averted

Zoe helping Mom and G decorate the Christmas Tree on Saturday (New haircut - WHEEEE!)

It was probably a good thing that I took the end of last week off of blogging, because otherwise you might have been subject to some hysterical posting and perhaps even a little emotional rambling (IMAGINE THAT!).

Our little Zoe had a real bummer of a day last Thursday, but thankfully she has fully recovered and has been receiving 100x more snuggles and love than normal.

"Look at all those BIRDS!!! Gimmegimmegimme!"

The morning started off with her normal leap into our armoire to hang out with my boots. G and I were both in the front of the house, and we knew something was wrong when we heard a thud and frantic meowing (howling was more like it). We both ran back to the bedroom only to find little Z dangling from a partially opened drawer by her leg. One of her back legs had slipped into a drawer that was opened just a smidge, and as she slid backward, her whole leg got stuck at the hip and her body continued to fall backward. I panicked and didn't know what else to do besides open the drawer and let her flop out onto the ground.

She scampered away and I am pretty sure her hip had been dislocated, but it popped back into place when she tried to run into the other room. Of course, I called our dear vet's office, explained what had happened, and asked what they thought I should do. They were scheduled to the brim that day, but said I could bring her in and leave her there for a few hours in case they got a chance for an exam.

At about 5 pm, I got a call saying that she appeared to be alright and that it was good that I brought her in anyway because she was due for her annual shots. G and I went to pick her up and we first noticed something was wrong when she went to the bathroom (the nicest way of saying something really REALLY gross) in her kennel on the way home. G dropped us both off at home, took our one car to work, and things began to get worse. I tried to get Zoe cleaned up and noticed that she seemed really lethargic. Over the course of about 15 minutes, she vomited about 5 or 6 times, and as I was dialing the vet for the second time that day, she continued to dry heave but I noticed that her tongue looked puffy and she was having a hard time breathing.

I literally thought I was going to have a heart attack, and the poor gal at the vet was so patient with me as I tried to describe was what going on through my tears. She told me I needed to bring Zoe back immediately, and that she sounded like she was having an allergic reaction to one of the vaccines, and that she was in the beginning stages of anaphylactic shock.

The dilemma was that our car was at work with G and the vet's office was closing in about 30 minutes. I called him, called two different friends nearby, and then got a call back from G saying that he was on his way to pick us up.

Zoe pretending to be Simba from The Lion King, and me singing the African chant from the beginning of the movie

**Quick pause to say that if you've ever worked in retail, you know that some managers can be really strict and inflexible when it comes to scheduling and work times (JUST an observation). I have NEVER met a more wonderful, thoughtful, friendly and helpful staff than I have in who G works with at J. Crew. Example: they had a card signed by everyone the very day that Remy died, and brought us a HUGE Italian dinner that night that lasted us nearly a week!****

These people should win awards at how they treat their fellow employees and Thursday was no exception. They let G go, no questions asked, when they heard what was happening, and pretty soon the three of us were on our way back to the vet. Zoe "potty-ed" again in the car (and on G and nice coat), and was so weak she felt and looked like a ragdoll.

We got her in to the office 5 minutes before closing, she got her antihistamine and steroid shots, and soon was feeling much better. Lord knows I could NOT deal with losing another pet right now, and I am SO thankful for the sweet staff at Noah's Ark and G's manager's at the store.

If you don't ever lay on the floor with your pets, you're really missing out

My sweet kitty is home and well, and is curled up on my lap at this very moment, and that makes me a very grateful girl.

Urban Bazaar Photos

Per Miss Jennifer's request...

Embroidered Buggy Wall-hangings from my original drawings

Handprinted Wrapping Paper on 100% Recycled Paper (Made with hand carved stamps of my original designs)

Acrylic and thread on stretched canvas, embellished with vintage brooches and written words

Riesling Lamp with stretched-fabric shade and Tweet Zipper Pouches

Handmade Fabric Bird Ornaments

A variety of earrings made from vintage buttons, miniature Mexican lucky-dolls, and silk-ribbon flowers (all seen on screen). Antique tablecloth corner appliqued to J. Crew v-neck sweater (bottom, center). Embroidered vintage Shel Silverstein book pages (from Where the Sidewalk Ends - bottom, right).

Many of these items will be appearing shortly on my Etsy site, and I will keep you posted when it is finally updated!!!

Let's Get Some Shoes

I am one lucky girl.

Why? Because one of the BEST SHOE STORES in the world is located right here in Kansas City.

Although Habitat just moved from being very nearby (in a really cool space downtown), to a great new spot out in the 'burbs, it is still very accessible and they have a great website as well! Here are some of my top picks of the moment:

Agnis by Due Farina - $220

Macey by Joy Chen - $185

Too Many Cooks by Seychelles - $99

GF19 by F-Troupe - $108

Ducari by Chie Mihara - $398

Time to go shopping, my sweets!

It's Official

King Dancer on my final day of class

I am now a trained yoga instructor!

AND...

Cheesy shot of me setting up on Friday night... how cool is that wall??!

I completed my very first show at the West Bottoms Urban Bazaar! The weekend was pretty crazy for me, and G and I are both pretty exhausted.

I have something goooooood planned for tomorrow, but other than that I am taking the rest of the week off of posting. I need to catch up on the 824 new posts in my reader (oy vay) and comment on all of your lovelies weeks that I feel like I have missed out on.

Also, a tidbit of good news: It has been almost four months since I was laid off, and I will finally be starting a new job this week. Definitely not what I thought I'd be doing, but it's for a great company and one of my very best friends works there! It is such a relief to know that I will actually be bringing in a paycheck again, but my heart still goes out to dear friends who are without work.

Happy Monday, and I'll be back soon!

Fire and Brimstone

G's Mom and Dad have been forced to evacuate their beautiful home in Yorba Linda tonight, and the flames have been less than a mile away over the course of the evening...


Saying lots of prayers and hoping that we wake up to good news.

*Photos via The Los Angeles Times

What a pair.

Can you imagine this perfect little couple in the corner of a crisp, grey room?



I can.

(Both can be found here, natch.)

*Via the sneakiest and chicest... Sneaky Chic*

Best Halloween Costumes Evah

This is the LAST Halloween post... I promise.

I just couldn't resist showing my next-door neighbors (back home) in their most amazing ensembles.

Behold, the muse:

My 17-year-old brother, Joey

I wish I had a better pic... my brother helped me with this by sending it from his iPhone at the last minute.

AAAAAND The Costumes:

Little Emma wanted to be my brother, Joey!!! How cute is THAT?! Our neighborhood is pretty into the high school football team, so the whole family decided to go along with it. Their mom is the ref, their dad is the cheerleader, and Bobby is the Titan!

Majorly adorable, and SO appropriate since playoffs begin soon!

Go Arcadia!!!

We have a WINNAH!

Zakary at Shindig winnnnnnnnnns the Halloween Costume Guessing Contest!

Nice job, Z. I think it was Officer Dangle that did it.

Would you puh-lease send me your address so that I can ship off your little pressie that I so lovingly made?! Muchas gracias, amiga!

Would you like to know the answers? Go here to the original post to see the updates...

ALSO - Due to extremely embarrassingly, shamefully, may-never-do-a-contest-again low participation, I will be sending a prize to the other two entries as well.

Jennifer at The Most Awesomest Stuff Ever, and Kate at The Big Piece of Cake - COME! ON! DOWN! (Addresses please.)

Birthday Loot

A round-up of some of my favorite birthday gifts...

Cigarette Slim Fit in Blanche by Joe's Jeans (mine have different pocket detailing for some reason)

American Apparel Leggings in Asphalt, Black, and Navy

Printing by Hand by Lena Corwin (I have been wanting this for SO. LONG.)

Crocheted Earrings in Turquoise by Etsy Seller TaniaNovaCrochet
(even more delicate and delicious in person!)

A subscription to Harper's Bazaar (Thanks, Mama. We both knew it was high time I grow up and cancel my subscription to InStyle that I've had since I was, like, 13.)

Double Serge Navy Trench from The Crew.

Boucle Mohair coat, also from here.

Etched golden hoop earrings.

Ferm living wallpaper in Orchid (recognize it from anywhere?).

... And many more! (You know who you are... I either couldn't find/take a good photo, or I was so busy playing with your fun gift that I didn't get a chance to blog about it!!! But seriously, thanks!)

I am so touched by everyone who helped make my birthday beautiful and fabulous! I feel so loved, and am REALLY thankful for all of my family and friends.

Here's to another great year... OPAAAAAHH

*Aaaaaaaand - clink*

Yes, I would totally wear these.

Butterfly by Marc Jacobs

In a heartbeat, in fact.

Abso-frickin-lutely.

Don't forget about the very first LUCKY STONE CONTEST! Entries will be reviews Monday morning, so get your guess on! A prize is involved!!

Lovely

Untitled #76 by Marcie Paper

For sale here.

Plaid, Please.

Thank you veddy much.

First Ever Lucky Stone Contest!

**UPDATED! Answers to the contest in asterisks**

Thank you to all for your sweet comments and birthday wishes from my last post! I had a wonderful day, and can't wait to show you my birthday loot! The celebrations are continuing on through the week, and I am SO looking forward to spending time with good friends and of course, G... we have some very fun things planned!

I'm knee deep in yoga homework, so I thought I'd leave you with some fun pics from our Halloween get together last weekend, and also a little contest to get your juices going this morning!

Ghoul garland. You can't really tell from the picture, but they all had "o" mouths except for one who had a great big toothy smile.

The beginnings of a killer treat table.

Candle lanterns that were very fun to make... took me all the way back to the 1st grade.

And for the next portion of the post, I will be showing you the entries in our very own costume contest.

YOUR part of the contest goes as follows: Whoever can successfully guess the most amount of costumes pictured, will win a fabulous prize! Yes, I will actually send you something, and no, it will not be lame. You may not participate if you were actually in attendance.

*Hints: Not all characters pictured together have related costumes (but they do, in some cases). Clicking to look at all details in the larger version of each picture might help with your guessing. Accuracy in wording your guess is important.

Now, HAVE AT IT!!!!

Joanna and Ric - *CALVIN AND HOBBES! Ha. I thought this was such a funny costume for an married couple.*

Shawna and Tim - *A Hockey Mom (notice the lipstick and pearls - perfect) and Joe the Plumber*

Eric - *Officer Dangle from Reno 911. Never seen it, but costume's still hilarious.*

Michael and Kristyn - *Michael Cera and Ellen Page in Juno (The orange tic tacs and blue slushie?? Awesome.)*

Taryn and Jessie - *Hippie chick and A COUGAR!!! C'mon people, I thought for sure someone would guess. My makeup and sheer shirt over a cheesy bra, plus a clove cigarette didn't come across as obviously as I thought it would. I even put on fake nails. HA!*

Jessie and G - *What's a cougar without a "cub" to claim! G is Michael Phelps and I worked very hard on his 8 medals. (The Lochte guess was also very impressive.)*

...Now GUESS AWAY and DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!

Zakary won, but you're all getting a prize because that's how I ROLLLL!