kitschy kitchen

I think "cute" always helps. I don't particularly love cooking, but I enjoy the creative aspects of cooking, watching others enjoy what I have made and (of course) eating. When the things around me are cute it generally makes things more fun. These tools may make my kitchen sufferings less traumatic.

1. measuring spoons
2. measuring cups
3. apron
4. kitchen timer

Cozy Up!

I don't know if anyone has tracked (in pounds) how many disposable coffee cup cozies end up in landfills every year. In any case, these are pretty cute and can only help. The idea I like best are the sock cozies, they are cheap, cute and easily replaced.

1. sock cozy
2. owl cozy
3. knit cozy
4. wallet cozy
5. coffee coat

mix it up

Although I like more traditional and old fashioned styled kitchen supplies, I thought these would be a really nice gift for a college student (my daughter in a few years) or a girl who is newly out on her own with her own kitchen (my sister). The cute nesting bowl set includes mixing bowls, measuring spoons and a colander. Measuring cups are, well, measuring cups but in the shape of cute flowers they are....still measuring cups.

1. measuring cups
2. mixing bowls, collander, measuring spoons set

eco-cute

I know that we are all supposed to compost, recycle, buy organic and free range everything, have a nearly negative carbon footprint, but it is almost too much. I don't measure up and can't accomplish all that I should and could be doing. At this point, I feel like, every little bit helps and I will slowly add things so they become habits.

All the stores I go to offer very affordable, reusable grocery bags and might I add, ugly and tacky. I know it shouldn't matter, but do I have to traipse around town with some hideous bag made out of old soda bottle? Can't do it. It doesn't have to be fancy and have ribbons and sequins but really can't it just be cute? Yes, it can.

1. paisley grocery bag



2. envirosacs

Bag Lady

"Bag lady you gon hurt your back

Draggin' all them bags like that.

Bag lady you gon miss your bus

You can't hurry up cause you got too much stuff"

Lyrics from "Bag Lady" by Erykah Badu

1. Peach Ruffle Purse

I am a "bag lady" and have had these lyrics sung aloud when I enter a room. But I don't care. My love of huge, gigantic, airport security alarming purses is second to my love of shoes. Huge purses allow me to carry all my life's needs and up to 15 pounds of other miscellaneous items with me at all times. I am made fun of but, I am a walking emergency kit that everyone benefits from. I have cold medication (that I hand out to anyone that sniffles or coughs), Oxiclean spray (absolutely necessary when you wear white t-shirts), ipod, camera, phone (that I am told can be completely replaced with a new magical iPhone), gigantic wallet, receipts, mail, magazines and the list goes on. Unique accessories including a big, colorful purse helps make a w.t.j. (white t-shirt & jean) outfit special. My huge purses can also be used to keep people from invading my personal space, even if it means accidentally "bumping" a few people.

2. Striped Yarn Scarf

3. Silver Spoon Necklace

4. Swing Jacket

Fly By Night

I have had my eye on this table lamp for a couple of years.  I really love the chandelier version of this lamp but it is too expensive. (even beyond my expert level rationalization and reasoning abilities)  I wouldn't dare buy the less expensive table lamp until my children are out of the house and their educations paid in full.  Perhaps I should save the lamp for my imaginary/dream cottage. 

so very cute!

This game is so cute that I should really figure out how to play it.  I am sure that a 2 year old could master it in 5 minutes or less, hopefully, I won't need to visit the local preschool for tutoring.

play game

nip in the earbud

iChat (audio) is a super cheap way to talk.  No minutes. No long distance charges. You also have the added bonus of being able to look at the internet and send links to the person that you are talking to, while you are talking to them.  

The only problem with audio iChat is that you are basically on speakerphone.  Earbuds can be helpful but after a while I feel like my ear canal's circumference is being stretched to twice it's natural size. I like to talk a lot, so, I can't allow anything to hinder all my yapping. This phone handset plugs into computer mic and headphone jacks and makes the conversations seem so much more official. 

Lunch At My Desk

My two friends and I have been feeling guilty about all the disposable plates, cups and utensils that we use and discard at work. We decided to get "regular"utensils and dishes to use when we eat at our desks. We found these super cute dishes at, where else Anthropologie. The shiny spoon and sticks set is exclusive to the the MoMa Store. We have a lot of thai food and really don't need a knife or fork - plus the polished stainless steel chopstick are so fancy pants. Obviously whatever we pick must be equal parts useful and cute.

Night Owl

I love owls for a few reasons:  

-They have an intense stare and are birds of prey - mean and bossy.  

-They are symbols of wisdom and knowledge.  

-I like Friend Owl's tree house from Winnie the Pooh. 

-There some really cute things made in their likeness. I don't want to have an owl themed home with owl towels and blankets or even worse stuffed animals.  It would be the ridiculous adult version of a baby's cartoon character themed nursery.  But a few owls sprinkled here and there wouldn't be bad. 

At first I thought that this lamp might be pushing it, but when I saw it in it's natural surroundings I thought it was fine.  Still dorky but not totally ridiculous. It might be the perfect bedside lamp for my imaginary cottage.  

Afternoon Outing Outfit

Maybe to a jazz concert in the park?  

Although the sleeveless blouse is simple in design it isn't plain or frumpy.  The front ruffle and collar are unique enough to make the blouse interesting.   The "fluid, full leg" lightweight denim pants (with a bit of viscose and spandex) are a little more dressed up than regular jeans but would still be comfy. The gold wedges match the detail on the blouse and will add height to my hobbit legs. (Of course, a good bra and a pair of spanx would be necessary to keep it all together.)

Old Time Bitterness and Sarcasm

I love Mark Twain.  "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", that I was required to read in middle school, aren't my most favorite books.  They are certainly very good books but his short stories and satirical works are more my speed. Sadly, I think most Americans think that he only wrote two books before he went off to sit on his porch, drink bourbon and yell at passersby.  (Sadly, his political and charitable works aren't widely acknowledged either.)  

His guide to living, & Bible commentary are worth more than a glance. In addition to his crazy hair, he regularly cusses and uses the word "ain't" in his writing - that's just fun.  There are websites dedicated to him along with a whole world of quotes that can be emailed daily (my junk mailbox isn't nearly full enough).  

Here are a few gems: 

"Do not put off till tomorrow what can be put off till the day after tomorrow just as well." (My life's core philosophy.)

"It is better to give than receive - especially advice."

"Noise proves nothing.  Often a hen who has merely laid an egg cackles as if she has laid an asteroid." (Don't we all have hens in our lives?)

"Suppose you were an idiot.  And suppose you were a member of Congress.  But I repeat myself. " (Apparently some things don't change.)

There is a Center for Mark Twain Studies at Elmira College, I admittedly don't know if a center whose purpose is to research Mark Twain is really necessary.  However, the college has his study cottage, where he wrote portions of Huck Finn, Tom Sawyer and other numerous works, on their campus.   It is about the cutest little building ever.  I think that we all need a study with a comfy chair and all the things that we love inside.  To truly be a relaxing environment and keep the pests out, a coded entry and retinal scan should be required for entry. (You know the "pests" that I am talking about.)

I think that I will Netflix the Ken Burn's documentary about him (or maybe buy it and donate it to our school) and have my kids read some of his works this summer.  They will grumble at first but his humor will suck them in. 

photo source

Cute & Cheap Shoes

This picture doesn't do these shoes justice.  A comfy and cute option with jeans and grey wrap sweater.  Both are from Target, the shoes are $12.99 and the sweater is $17.49 (on clearance now).  It is a great alternative to a sweatsuit and you can't beat the price for the style.