Puma Shoe Bag

     I ordered a pair of Pumas online and they arrived in the mail today. And lo and behold Puma no longer uses conventional shoe boxes!!
     I love this "Clever Little Bag" they're using for their shoes now!! They say it uses 45% fewer resources, and you can reuse the bag as a travel shoe bag.
     As a Puma shoe aficionado I've noticed that they have been trying to be ecological with their shoe boxes, even encouraging customers to reuse their boxes in creative ways. And I applaud them for going this direction. It's so trendy since it goes with the whole "eco-bag" movement, plus it's so cute and unique.

     There's actually a paper box inside that holds the shape of the bag. But even this box is eco-minded, as it has a slit in the middle and half of the bottom of the box  folds up to divide the box in two to keep the shoes separated.
     Unfortunately the shoes that came in this bag didn't work for me so I'll be sending it back. Too bad I can't keep the bag! I'll just have to find another pair of Pumas.
     Go PUMA!

Felted Cat Bed

     This looks like a cozy bed/hiding spot for kitties that both kitties and their owners will like. If you're a pet owner you probably know the challenge of finding something for your house that matches your style and decor that the pet will also like.
     We currently have the Kitty Kuddler at home and our cat loves it, but it's not something we would want to have laying out in the living room.
     This cozy on the other hand, looks like those felted stones you find in fancy home decorating magazines. Very cool. And this gray color would hide our cat's hair extremely well.
     The red one below is neat too, if you wanted to add a splash of color to your decor. I don't think the cats will care what color you get, but I'm sure they'll like this bed!

Gray Bubble
Red Bubble

Peace, Love, Rock On, and Fork U?

      I've been looking for a key rack for our house and came across this one. It's made from forks, and it uses sign language to say, "Peace", "Love", "Rock On", and "Fork U". I like the look of the forks against the red painted wood. But I might have to ask for a costume key rack to be made along these lines, omitting the "Fork U" piece. I don't think it will be a good idea having that around for when our baby gets a little bigger.

     And there was this coat rack made by the same artist. I like this too and maybe I'll lean towards this more for my key rack since it doesn't have the "Fork U" in it. I like how the heart shaped one (second from left) looks like an octopus or squid.
     But why is it saying "I love you 2"? Are you supposed to say "I love you" to your coat rack?

     Anyways, neat, unique key/coat racks made of forks.


Peace x Love x Rock On x Fork U
I Love You Too

Not Your 80's Fanny Pack

      Am I seriously liking this fanny pack? Yes! Would I actually get this and wear it? Maybe? I'm not sure. Have I gone insane? Most likely yes.
     Those fanny packs of the 80s, where you wore them by your belt buckles were hideous, and they've got to go away forever. And the outdoorsy butt packs seemed very practical but not fashionable.
     And here pops up this bag that is a fanny/butt/hip bag, and yet it's somehow cute and fashionable. (Ok you can question whether it's fashionable or not but I think it is. Not trendy, not on the Paris catwalks, but it's fashionable and I say so.) The cute girly colors and the feminine ruffles make this something different from the fanny packs of the days gone by.
   

   
This bag would have come in handy when I was traveling overseas with my then 11 month old. When you've got your hands full of luggage and kid, a bag like this can be very handy.
     Or when I'm having my play dates in the park. Do you want to walk around with your diaper bag or nice fancy purse through the park? But you do need somewhere to put your keys, phone, and wallet. Plus a few things for the baby. So why not a bag like this.  
     Just do me one favor... please don't wear it on your butt like the picture below. Or right under your belly either. I think it looks best on the hip to the side, or on the shoulder.

Link to Kinies Ruffle Fanny Packs on Etsy

Air Plant Jellyfish

Wow these look cool. They actually look like real jelly fish! 

I've seen air plants in jars and dishes but to see them hanging down like this is really cute, what a neat way to display them. Only $8/piece if I understand it correctly. Or $70/10 and you can make your own jellyfish garden. I wonder what my boss would think if I hung these up in my cube at work.

Actually I think these would look really nice in my *dream* bathroom, with its underwater theme. I'm sure the moisture in the air from our showers will be good for the plant.

              Link to Etsy

Fox Scarf

      Ever wish you had a real fox fur scarf, but your consciousness and wallet won't let you? No? Well me neither. But when I saw this scarf I thought it was a really cute, clever way to play on the whole fur scarf concept.
     I have to say I like it much better than a real fur scarf, since that would still have the head and tail attached. That's a little morbid, I think.
     Here you have a fox head that looks like it came out of the animated movie Fantastic Mr. Fox, all cute and whimsical. What a way to make a statement with a scarf!

Felted Fox Scarf

     As neat as the scarf above is, I personally prefer this even cuter version (as opposed to the cool version, above) shown to the right. The one above looks more realistic, and this one to the right is just like it came out of a kid's story book, or collection of stuffed animals.
     While it seems that it was sort of popular this winter to wear knit scarves that looked like animals, none of them had the whimsy or cuteness of these scarves. Simply put, they were just blah.
     But this scarf to the right is just adorable, a wearable stuffed animal for adults who want to have fun with their casual fashion.
     For someone I know who will be reading this and shaking her head, calling me crazy, I give you this: If all else fails, this could be used as a handy toy to keep a child quiet in a restaurant or car.

Knit Fox Scarf

Yukata

Yukata

     Let me start with saying I do not believe in stealing. However, there's one thing I regret not stealing, and it is a yukata from a certain business hotel in Japan.
     Yukatas are cotton kimonos traditionally worn as informal after-bath wear. You'll see people wearing fancy colorful ones in the summer during festivals. You'll also find them in hotels and inns all across Japan, and you can wear them instead of PJs.
     This yukata that I wish I'd stolen...it was an off white cloth with a pink flower pattern across it (if I remember correctly). It was washed and soft, the perfect size, and just so cozy and cute. I asked the girl at the front desk if I could buy one, but she said no. Oh why didn't I just tuck it into my suitcase, and just let them bill me whatever they wanted to, IF they noticed it was missing?
     I've been looking for one just like it ever since. I actually have a yukata of my own somewhere. But this is a "fancy" one for festivals, and not a cozy robe-like yukata I could just wear around the house in the summer.

     You'd think I'd find one on eBay or Etsy, but I haven't found one yet. They're either too fancy or too expensive. Like this one from Viva Terra. It's very pretty. But on sale it's $169! No thanks. I'll probably just go complete 180 and just get something like this cute Paul Frank robe from Target.

Viva Terra robe

Target robe

Knit Cozies

Since my hands are always cold, cozies would be a great thing for me to use when drinking cold beverages. You'd think I already have some, but I don't. I've seen one too many dorky promotional cozy made of cheap foam to own one. 

But then I found these neat cozies. I'm not sure why you'd want to dress up your bottles and cans to look like sharks, but it sure looks cute and funny. It would be a good conversation starter at a party, perhaps? Definitely a good way to know which bottle/can is yours if you were to put it down. 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/75162193/beer-bottlenose-shark-cozy

While they'd keep my hands from getting cold, I do see one downside to these cozies. What if you're powering down your drinks? You'd have to keep undressing and dressing up your next bottle/can. That could get old QUICK, especially as you're getting tipsy...er drunk. Or maybe if you're drinking them that fast you don't have time for your hands to get cold. Hmm...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69401065/monster-shark-dusty-blue-for-your-soda

What I Know About The USA

Wow this is pretty funny. Each state has the artist's "description" or whatever knowledge he has of the state written out. Ohio - "It's called Ohio. That's about it." LOL really? Wisconsin: "Cheese". Utah: "Mormons". Texas: "Not to be messed with". New York: "Much better than old York". Kansas: "Where Dorothy's not anymore". I could keep going... they're all so funny. Which state is it that's got the big "Yawn"? I need to study up on the states. At least this artist had something to say about each one, even if it was just identifying the state's name. 

Link to Threadless

Mail Box

   As I mentioned in a recent post, I like getting mail. And what does mail get delivered in? Mail boxes! So I like mail boxes too.
   I remember when I was a little kid I liked getting mail so much that I made my own mail box for my own personal mail. We put it up on the side of the house, not where the mailman would go to, but it was there, my own mail box. A neighborhood friend anonymously dropped some presents in there for me. Some snacks, and a little pouch. Oh that made me so happy! The mail box didn't stay up for long though, and I can't remember why.
   I know the picture on the right shows a birdhouse. But to me this looks like a perfectly cute personal mailbox for a child. I could see giving this to my girl when she's a little bigger and leaving little notes in it for her. Maybe it would be from her imaginary friend. Or maybe it would be notes from me, addressed as me, her Mama. If we keep it up long enough, this might be the only way we communicate during the difficult teen years! Oh, maybe I'll need my own mailbox too, so she can write back to me. My mailbox would look different. I think I'd like mine to look like the big postal mailboxes that you drop mail into. The blue or red ones, depending on where you live. I'd like a miniature version of that for myself.

Link to birdhouse on Etsy

Math Nerd Valentine's Card

Yet another Etsy find. The problem ends with the solution of "I heart you". Awwww!!!!

And I'm secretly proud of myself that I still remember my algebra enough to solve the problem. :-D

Not something I'd get for my hubby, but it does tickle the nerd in me.

Link to card on Etsy

Barefoot Sandals

  I've been doing a lot of browsing around on Etsy recently and I came across these interesting creations. "Barefoot Sandals". Do they have soles? NO! They're basically decorations for your bare feet. Kind of like getting henna tattoo for your feet that's less permanent but you can wear over and over?

  I shared a link to the barefoot sandal with my sister and she just did not get it. "So they're basically anklets?" is what she said. Yeah, they're basically anklets that go down to your toes. Kind of like those earrings that connect to a nose ring with a chain?

   But as weird as these seem, I think they're actually kinda sexy. Maybe it's the whole impractical aspect of them that makes them sexy. Like how lingerie, which is mean to come right off is sexy. Or maybe it's how it accessorizes a part of the body we hardly ever see accessorized beyond a toe ring.

  Feet are so often seen as something dirty and better off hidden away. And then here comes these barefoot sandals that decorate them and bring attention to them in an all new way. They're not shoes, they're not tattoos, and they're more decorative than any sandal I have seen.



  So can I see myself wearing these? Maybe... It isn't something I LOVE and it isn't something I'm dying to try out. But it's just totally intriguing to me!!

  When would someone wear one of these? I discussed this with my sister as well. "Little string thingies you can wear to the beach?", "So impractical... unless you're a forest nymph who prances through woods, barefoot." is what she said.

  Yeah, I have to agree. quite impractical. But still... sexy and neat. I say it'll look neat on the beach or by the pool. It'll create a neat tan line, if you're into tanning.



Links:
Heart
Bohemian
White Crochet

Mail Purses

OH EM GEE! I LOVE these!!!!!

I can't express how much I love looking at all the cute creations listed on Etsy. And likewise I can't stop gushing at how CUTE these little purses are!!! It's like they put two of my loves together. I LOVE bags, and I LOVE getting mail! (Not junk mail, but actual letters and packages.) Getting packages in the mail is like getting Christmas presents year round! Even if it's something from Amazon that I ordered for myself, it's so much fun to open the box and see what's inside!!

The first purse is called "Postcard from France". Just put the word "France" on something and it automatically sounds special and romantic. I like the slightly aged look of the fabric and the cursive handwriting. I have no idea what anything says but it looks exotic and cool. 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74291587/postcard-from-france-purse?ref=fp_treasury_6

This second purse is called "Correspondance from India". (It should be "correspondence" but the artist spelled it "correspondance".) I love the look of air mail envelopes with the red and blue border. And the multiple stamps, because you need to pay extra to send overseas. 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/75860851/correspondance-from-india-purse

Speaking of stamps, if you mail something overseas, try to ask the person at the post office for REAL Stamps, not that postage sticker they like to print out. I think there's something special about getting stamps with neat designs and pictures on them. And when this is coming from a country you don't live in, it's even more special. So when you're mailing something to a friend overseas, give them a little extra treat of pretty real stamps on their envelope or package. It doesn't cost you anything extra!

MomChild Bag

I have to say this is a pretty neat concept. It's got to look so cute. The mom's shopping with the bag on her arm and her daughter's tagging along, holding on to the handle. Awww...

Thing is, I doubt this actually works in real life. When my baby's big enough to hold on to something like this, she would either think it's too lame, or want to go off on her own anyways. A little handle won't do anything to keep her safe and close to me.


Find it here:
http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/mom-child-bag

"No!" Button

The "No!" Button

I saw this button at a local toy store before Christmas and if I had a little extra cash in my pocket I would have totally bought it. Well actually I would have bought it there on the spot except that I couldn't think at the time of any practical reason to own this awesome button except that it's so awesome. 

This button just seems genius, a great way to say "NO" back to your kid who keeps yelling "NO!" at you all day. Right? Or will it not work? Kids always seem to get the upper hand one way or another. It's their cuteness, they were designed that way. 

I thought about getting this button for work. My friend at work has the "Easy" button from Staples. I thought this would be a good partner for it. It would be fun. Every time someone comes to ask for help, just push the button. "NO!" It would be funny. 

Lightening Branches

There's something about a clear sky after we've had some snow. We definitely have a lot more appreciation for it after long stretches of gray darkness. The sky feels extra bright, extra blue, shining hope down our way, reminding us winter's not forever.

It's on days like these that I like to take a few pictures. Usually I take pictures of the contrast between the bright white snow and the shadows from trees or other objects. I might take pictures of branches and plants encapsulated in ice by freezing rain. Every now and then there's some neat icicles to capture. 

Today I looked up and saw these tree branches that looked like lightening.

Lightening Branches

Koi Fish Bathmat

Link to Anthropologie site

Anthropologie.com always has such cute things! I've fallen in love with this Koi Fish Bathmat that they are offering. For some reason I think it's so fun to have a bathroom decorated in fish/ocean theme. If I had my way I'd have the bathroom tiles in colored glass, in graduating colors of blue and green, organized randomly (yes I know how that sounds) to look like the water. And then maybe throw in some accent tiles with pictures of fish. And other decorations around the bathroom with fish and ocean theme. As tacky as it may sound written out here, in my mind it looks really neat and cool. And this rug would fit right in with my ocean theme bathroom.

Watched Too Many HGTV Shows

I've watched too many HGTV shows.

I like watching all the home buying shows and trying to guess which house the buyers will end up choosing. I also like watching the remodeling and design shows.

In the design shows I like watching how they transform such basic space and items into something so wonderful and fun.

So I look at lovely chairs like the one to the left and think... maybe I could find an old chair somewhere and make it look like that or better! Those designers on TV do it and make it look so easy. I could do it too, right?

Here's one chair I think has lots of potential. It look quite hideous as it it, doesn't it? But I love how it's got the wooden wings, and how the back flares out. It's actually a rocker and a swivel chair.

What kind of material would I re-do this in if I were to do something with it? Hm, I've got to think about it. Something to go with the blonde wood, I wouldn't want to re-stain that. And I don't think a patterned cloth or leather would be right for this. Maybe a neat checkered/plaid print?

To the right is another hideous chair that has potential. It's so full of dust now and just so old I don't dare sit in it. But it's got this nice cozy feel. I think this one would be fun to re-do in some girly flowery print. Bright pink, yellow, green, purple. A very modern print to go with the retro cozy feel of the chair.









Someone want to sponsor some upholstery projects?

Still Life With a Cat

Still Life With a Cat, by Fujita Tsuguharu, 1886-1968

I found this work at the Bridgestone Museum of Art in Tokyo, Japan a couple years ago. The smudges in the image above came from when the post card was sent home to the US.

This work really fascinated me for several reasons. 1) It is a Japanese still life. Notice how the objects on the table are different from the usual Western still life collection. Sure you have fruits and veggies but I think there's burdock root and Japanese radish and various sea creatures you don't usually see.

And then the big one: 2) It's a still life with MOVEMENT! There's the cat, and then the little bird flying away from the cat.

What inspired the artist to paint this work? Was he busy working on a still life, but kept getting interrupted by his cat and decided the heck with it he'll just paint the cat in to the work? Or was this meant as satire, a work of irony?

Speaking of variations on the standard Still Life, I was reminded of the Vanitas style. Below is an example. If I recall correctly from my art class, vanitas were a reflection on our mortality and transience. In a sense Still Life With a Cat might be considered a vanitas, with the bird's life in danger and the fleeting moment caught forever in this piece of art?

Fish Vase

My Chinese Fish Vase

This was another antique store find that I'm quite sure isn't really an antique. (Good thing there aren't agencies raiding antique malls to guarantee everything being sold is a certified antique?) But really I don't go to antique malls just to find antiques. I like going to antique malls because 1) I like seeing how people used to live because I love history, and 2) there's so many neat stuffs to look at.

I really liked this vase because of the symbolism. The Chinese characters on the vase say "May you have plenty every year." I also love fish in art and decorations, so this was a perfect find for me.

So... are you wondering why there's a box of Kleenex on top of the vase? This happened by accident yesterday when I had to place the box on top of the vase, on top of the toilet, in order to keep my toddler from pulling all the Kleenex out. But then I looked at it later and thought, wow, wouldn't it be neat if I could get the Kleenex to fit inside the vase and pull out so it looks like a water fountain? Never mind that the fish are already blowing out water...

Spice Rack

We got this a few years ago at our local antique mall. Of course, this isn't really an antique but the antique mall is a GREAT place to find neat things, often at good prices. I also like to think of antique mall finds as eco chic since we're re-using something that could otherwise have ended up in the landfill. 

This spice rack just happened to be the right size for all the spices we have, which was quite a coincidence. 

I like the bottles that the organic spices come in. Nice and simple, and a good size too. I have to get in the habit of buying refills though, in order to save money. 

I love being able to see all the spices lined up, looking pretty, waiting to be used in some delicious cooking. And doesn't the pothos plant hanging off the sides look nice? 

Candy Heart Bolster for Valentine's

Candy Heart Bolster from Sundance Catalog

http://www.sundancecatalog.com/product/furniture+and+decor/home+decor/pillows+and+throws/candy+heart+bolster.do?sortby=ourPicks

This is so cute! I can see this laying around all year round as an expression of love for my hubby. There's something so sweet and innocent about candy hearts. The way they're so simple yet they can be used to convey so much emotion. Somehow "I heart you", "Be mine", and "Q T Pie" mean so much more when they're presented in the form of a candy heart. And it's even more special when you know that the person giving you the heart has dug through a whole bag of candies to find THE ONE. 

This reminds me of a Futurama episode where Fry is looking for the perfect candy heart to express his love for Leela. It seems like such a simple act, yet it's so much more coming from a character like Fry, and compounded by the fact that he gives up his oxygen tank while searching for the perfect candy heart in order to save Leela's life.

Mermaid Tail

Not much to say here except that if I had seen this when my baby was fresh out of the oven, we'd have had some pics taken with her in one. 

Guess maybe it's not too late to do it. I could have her sitting in a bath tub with the tail sticking out the end. 

But then here comes the quote you'll see over and over... if only I knew how to crochet this thing!!

Pish Posh Mommy Stuff

http://pishposhmommy.com/carry-alls/quick-zip.html

I've been eyeing this bag for a couple days now.

I've had my diaper bag but now that my baby's a year old I really don't need to be carrying around a million diapers anymore. And since I went with the super practical Skip Hop Duo Delux bag I'm really ready for something cuter. I've resulted to using my regular purse but then my baby stuff gets mixed in with all my other things. I'll be at work trying to pull out a snack and I'll have to get past a paci, toy keys, a few wash cloths, and baby snacks to get what I want.

I'm sure other moms have figured this all out. But for me, the answer is: Get Another Bag!

The Pish Posh carry-all is like a diaper bag within a bag. It would help me organize all my baby stuffs and put it in a little bag that I can easily take out of my purse when I don't need the baby things. And when I need to take the baby things with me, I can easily grab everything in one go and be out the door.

But is it really worth my $45? (Hey free shipping!)

I feel like if only I knew how to use a sewing machine I could easily make something just like this. (Warning: You'll hear this a lot, this whole "if only I knew how to use a sewing machine" thing.)

I'll just mull over this for another few weeks till I decide I can live without it. But I do really like this bag and kudos for the creators, they've got a great product here.

First Post!

First post in my first blog ever.
I've always had lots of cravings for material goods, and more recently I've also been having a pent up desire to be creative and make things. Since I don't have all the money in the world to buy everything I want, nor do I have the skills or time to make things, I figured I'd vent all my thoughts out here on this blog.
Now that I've finally created this blog I'm feeling all this pressure to make it great. What do I start with? Do I start with a post about something that's been on my mind for a while? Or the latest thing I'm in to?
I'm not creating this blog with any one in mind, any particular subject in mind, or even any objective in mind except to share my excitement for certain things. There might be a few rants thrown in here and there.
Well let's see how this goes.