Front Desk Bell

There's something very charming about the "Ding!" of a front desk bell. I suppose to some people it would be annoying. It could be taken as a, "Hey, come here!" But to me (maybe because I'm the one pushing it?) it has a very pleasant feel. I think there's a spring in there somewhere to dampen the button so it doesn't make a loud and harsh "Ding!", and instead makes a tender call. It says, "hi!" like a very charming person would. If I had to work at a job where I was summoned by this bell, I think the sound of the bell would always help put a smile on my face for whoever was calling for me. Then again I'm probably being too optimistic because I'm so in love with the sound of the bell. In actuality I'd probably get sick of the sound after dealing with one too many obnoxious customers. I wouldn't want that to ever happen, to fall out of love with this sound. So I couldn't work such a job.

Finding this picture made me think of all the possible uses in my life. I could have it at my desk at work for fun. I could have it in the kitchen to ding when food's ready. I could ding it to let my child know it's time to pay attention or come to me or something. I'll need to figure out the child part when she gets a little bigger.

Link to Picture Source

Living Room Decoration

I have been trying to find some art for our living room for a while now.
And I just found something that would work so well.
Well... for reasons I'll explain below.
I was actually looking for something bigger, something more grandiose, but this fits right in.
In art class we learned about connecting a theme throughout the work to guide the viewer's eyes through the work. Well, what I found would have this effect in our living room.

So, to introduce the key aspect of the living that the art would fit into:
Here are a couple pictures of our living room ceiling. I'm not sure what the technical term is for this finish, but my hubby and I think it looks like fish scales or waves. This was one of the many things we really liked about this house.

And the art I found (of course, on Etsy):

See how the waves match the ceiling???
I just love how they match!
And here I thought that if I wanted something to go with the waves on the ceiling I'd have to go with a Japanese woodblock print!
Nothing wrong with Japanese woodblock prints, I  LOVE them, but they can be a little cliché and I think this more Western looking print would fit in better.
And it comes with matching cushions too!!!
If I could make one criticism it would be that it has a boat instead of a fish.
Then again I think the boat is a nice symbol to have, signifying a journey. The journey of home ownership, of raising our child here and growing older.

Link to Artist's Store on Etsy

So I've waxed on and on about how I love this print and the matching pillows. Will we actually get it for our place? I don't know yet. I think the concept is good, but maybe it would be a little too much in practice.

Not Just Some Words

I have often mentioned in my blog posts that I must be crazy talking about the things I talk about and liking the things I do. I'm joking, but sometimes I'm half serious. Then again I began this blog with the purpose of having an outlet for my insane obsessions. For example, some fun fashions I'd like to try out but don't have the money or courage to actually do it. Like those harem pants. 

Anyways, I found this quote from Alice in Wonderland and thought it was something I should keep close to my heart. 

Speaking of which, I DID really like the fashion in the recent Alice in Wonderland movie!

Fancy Slippers

We recently moved into a house with wooden floors and wow what a difference it makes on your feet. The floors actually feel cooler and it makes you want to wear slippers. 

Good thing for me I already had a few to wear, but it got me thinking about slippers. 

Of course, you want something practical, but why stop there. 

Recently in life I've decided that if I buy something, it should be fun, something I LOVE. 

I want to fill my life with things that bring joy to my life.

So I've gotten a little of course, but these slippers have got the right idea.

Now, I wouldn't get these slippers as they're pictured. Let's get that clear. I don't like the colors. 

BUT, I love the shape.

Why save all your pointy toed flats for the outside? 

Why not wear cute pointy toed flats at home, and keep your feet warm? 

Oh that is so fun. 

I can picture getting home, kicking off my shoes, and putting slippers like these on with my jeans or comfy pants. 

I'd feel like I was going out, but I would be all cozy and my feet nice and warm. 

Link to Slippers Picture Source

DIY Picture Frame

I've recently become hooked to Pinterest in addition to Etsy. 

And what a coincidence, I found this on both sites.

You can buy this already made on Etsy, but it looks like something that would be so easy to make on your own. Look for a nice old wood frame at your local antique store, push some nails in on the sides, pull a cord across the nails, and use clothes pins to hang pictures.

I think this would be a good way to display kids' artwork. You could do some frames where you hang just one picture, and others where you hang multiples. 

I can't wait to go antique-malling and look for some nice picture frames I can do this with!

Link to Picture Source

Throwback to Old Times

The juxtaposition of old and new. There's something so neat about it.

Here's this waxed canvas brown leather case that is a throwback to the inter-office mail envelopes of days gone by. Who uses them anymore? And this is designed to hold an iPad, the state of the art gadget that everyone wants. 

What a combo. 

I love mail and envelopes and packages so the fact that this looks like those envelops with the loops and the strings tickles my interests. And then the simplicity of this bag works with the simplicity of the iPad. 

Nicely done.

Waxed Canvas iPad Case

I also found this from the same seller on Etsy. Not that I'm an American history expert by any means but I imagine it looks like an old mail carry bag. I like that it's so simple, and that it has a big blanket pin for the closure. 

Not exactly sure what kind of environment I can see this being used in though. Maybe a clutch for certain outdoorsy fashions? Or for holding your little things when you go camping? Oh, maybe it can be used for holding art supplies, or different tools of the trade. 

Waxed Canvas Utility Envelope

Harem Pants - Yay or Nay?

It all began innocently, as these things usually go. 

It started as a joke. 

I sent this picture to my sister, telling her she should teach yoga in this outfit. 

Yoga Onesie Link

But then it turned into a weird obsession. What is it with these harem pants?? 

They were big on the runways what was it, a year ago? I never saw anyone, I repeat, ANYONE in real life wearing them. But here I saw them on Etsy and somehow they started to grow on me. 

They look so comfortable!! 

I sent this pair to my sister as well, saying, "No, seriously, you should wear these for teaching!"

Nomad Harem Pants

Yet subconsciously something was saying, "No, seriously, YOU (that's me) should wear these!"

Nomad Harem Pants, same as previous pic

Look, they even change looks, you can push the bottoms of the pants up and turn them into a fake skirt! Two looks in one. And this second one is so much more feminine, right? (I'm trying too hard.)

I found myself thinking, "It would be cozy at home while I'm chasing after a toddler, and when I run outside with her I can make it look like a skirt and it'll look ok." 

Uh huh... Why do I keep forgetting where I live? I'm starting to think there's an inner hippie in me that would do better SOMEWHERE NOT HERE in terms of my inner hippie fashion. (But maybe I could start a new trend here. Yeah right!)

Say what you may about harem pants... there's one thing I'll insist on. It is that harem pants are STINKIN' CUTE on toddlers!!!!!!                       

 

Toddler Harem Pants Link