small-bag conversion

Madewell Sloane mini satchel

I always carried the biggest purse. I think the habit started when I first had my son and had to tote a diaper bag. And I love the look of a big slouchy (or structured) bag. But my right shoulder didn't like it so much: your kids get older, but your body gets older too. And since it's been years since I had to bring diapers anywhere (hallelujah), I finally made the switch to a snappy little crossbody earlier this year. As part of my very pared down fall shopping list (gray jeans, check; tall gray suede boots, on their way; workout clothes, still needed), I'm thinking of adding to my collection with one of these.

Rebecca Minkoff Skylar mini

Furla Ginger mini
(love the ball chain, not the logo)

Clare Vivier Duffle Petit
(love this one most of all)

monday thoughts: just a collection

Pink Anemones by Jenny Vorwaller

As you can guess from my absence last week, I've been having a hard time getting inspired over here. But rather than bore you with another post about changing habits and challenging oneself blah blah blah, I'm just going to throw about a bunch of things that *are* fun and/or beautiful, cool, interesting, (dare I say) inspiring. (PS: new Blue Locket quiz tomorrow.)


Some new(ish) songs for some spring dancing.

Now this *is* inspiring.
Idaho artist Jenny Vorwaller has a studio sale of her sweet original watercolors going on right now.

This American Life recently had a great episode about images, their meaning, and their value.

This dress might be too little-girl...but it might not.

pink for spring

Malissa Ryder print from Leif

I really wanted to post some photos from around the house today. But I'm having computer problems, and I can't seem to get them from my photo app onto this post. So imagine a lovely shot of the peonies just opening in our garden—and a just-so-stylized one of some watermelon cubes beside some arugula and scallions on a wooden cutting board. Are you picturing it? Anyway, I don't usually go for warmer colors—and the only red you'll find in my closet is the swoosh on my sneakers. But I have a girly side, and I definitely like pink. And once I figure this business out, I can't wait to show you all the pink outside our house right now.

Dress from Kate Spade Saturday

Amethyst print from Land of Nod

catching my eye

No theme, no real point—just a few pretty things (all images from my Pinterest) that have caught my eye this week: a bag from Anthro, an anchor bangle, a filigree pendant, a blousy Mexican-y top. Oh, is it Mother's Day?

etsy roundup

Seaweed print by Alice Stevenson

I gave yesterday's usual Etsy slot to Karina's fantastic inspiration quiz. So today, instead of a single artist, here are a bunch of my favorite recent Etsy finds. I'm into the bold spring colors, and my circle obsession seems to be back.

Wooden bowls from WindandWillowHome

Minimalist print from Eve Sand

Mobile kit from Little Dreamers Inc.

Vintage plate from MidModMomStore

Suede clutches from Patkas

Raspberry photograph by Life's Simple Moments

camouflage?

(from Pinterest)

I'm not sure how I feel about camouflage as regular clothing. Is it offensive for a non-member of the military to wear it? Do the heels make it even more offensive? Is it cute or cool or ironic? Or just plain ridiculous for a (ahem) suburban (reluctant) SUV-driving mom? (Shopbop has some advice. Take that for what it's worth.)

Gap

Zara (not online but maybe still in stores)

thursday cravings

Rebecca Minkoff's gray Mini M.A.C.

Here's an extremely specific and biased list for this stylish Valentine's Thursday: a few of the things on my shallow, materialistic mind right now.

Dana  Haim's beautiful mobile (similar to these), featured on Daily Candy today.
I would put this in my living room.

See by Chloe smells fantastic.
Plus the typeface is perfect.

I'm not usually a flats kind of girl,
but I do love me a scalloped edge.

This song. And I wouldn't turn down tickets to her sister's show, eitiher.

This rug would work in any room of my house.

This print would work anywhere, too.

Maya Brenner makes all kinds of great jewelry,
and this necklace reflects my fascination-slash-fear of sharks.

Club Monaco Augustine dress. Or in hot pink.

thursday: mild cravings

Boden flats
(shoes again on this blog?!)

Right now I'm not craving anything in particular. But I am *sort of interested* in a bunch of things in general. The theme, if there is one, seems to be a dark background with a touch of spring color.

Maje top
(also comes in an equally pretty dress)

Boden girls' embroidered dress

Milly Paola tank

So much for the theme. But I really like this.
West Elm pillow

JCrew cashmere raglan

Heather Taylor's new linen collection.
(And the blue teacup.)

the white ribbon on etsy

Electric blue

My fantasy shoes tend to be heels. But these ballet flats—handmade, in great colors of  upcycled suede or leather, by a European couple working in Berlin—are making me reconsider.

Teal suede

Peach suede

Gold!

"Audrey"

wish list: grown-up edition

I'm pretty sure we'd all play with a Kaleidograph.

Here's a (slightly) more grown-up edition of yesterday's wish list. (In our family, a lot of birthdays coincide with the holidays, so there's a lot of gift giving—or at least list making.) I wasn't going for any themes, but now that I look this list over, it's all "accessories" (silly word, come to think of it), plus one piece of art. And there's a lot of pink and blue.

RP asked for not-too-heavy gloves,and these have smart fingers. 

Also for RP, this stays just on the right side of "man purse."

I've had my eye on this Clare Vivier clutch for months:

This perfume smells lovely:

So does this. And this.

Much of Rachel Castle's recent work has been sold, but not this beautiful piece:

 

 I'll wear this JCrew hat, especially if Charlie refuses his:

This is neither blue nor pink nor an accessory—just for me: