Folds

Hope you all had a nice weekend! On Saturday, Noel and I met my parents and grandparents for dinner. We couldn't wait to get back home to watch the season 2 finale of Breaking Bad (we just started watching the series a few weeks ago and we're both completely hooked). Unfortunately, I fell asleep while watching it! Guess I'm getting old...

On Sunday, we had Noel's mom over for brunch at our house. After we ate, we checked out the new Savannah Cat Shoppe and saw some high-class kitties (that are going for 4-5 g's). Yes, Savannah cats are pretty cool, but the only way I would spend 5 g's on a feline is if it was a tiger.

Later that day, we stopped by Anthropologie to pick up a sweater I had put on hold, only to find that the top I've been drooling over since it first hit the racks had gone on sale. I know I said I needed to let my wallet chill out for a little bit, but I just couldn't resist... every once in awhile, there's an item at Anthropologie that I just fall in love with. I have to have it, but I can't possibly pay retail for it, so I end up stalking it for weeks (online, and in the store) until it goes on sale. The good news is, I finally got to bring the hunted home. The bad news is, while shopping, I fell in love with something else...

I swear, it's a vicious cycle.

Today, I need to tackle my to-do list, but first I have to make one! Hoping for a productive day over here, but might be difficult because the weather is so gorgeous!

Sack Race

I love the raw, organic quality of burlap. I still regret the time I stumbled across a variety of old feed bags at a thrift store and did not bring them home with me (especially now, when I think about their versatility):

These upcycled totes are made by White Apple Threads. I actually picked one up for myself at Fiesta Del Sol a couple weeks ago. It's the perfect beach bag!

I spotted these amazing burlap-covered planters at Anthropologie awhile ago. I took a picture of them but I can't seem to track it down. After a thorough google search, I discovered that somebody else also admired this display and took the liberty of making their own (complete with tutorial).

Terrarium Imaginarium

Fifty-something keys, tangles of hemp and embroidery thread, an odd thrift-store find, and a hanging cord kit later, I bring to you a DIY key chandelier. Tres anthropologie, non?

With this new lighting fixture, I think it's safe to say that my living room is complete (for now).

Yes, those are terrariums on the coffee table if you were wondering. Such a fun project! All you need are some bowls (thrifted these for .50 cents - $2), some small pebbles or rocks, filtered carbon (found at Petco in the aquarium section), cactus mix, and some clippings from your neighbor's yard.

Pour a 1-2 inch layer of pebbles (or rocks) into the bottom of the bowl. Now, sprinkle some carbon on top. The carbon helps in filtrating the air inside of the terrarium so that it won't stink. Next comes the cactus mix. You want to use enough cactus mix so that your clippings can take root, but not so much that your plants are sticking out of the bowl when you arrange them.

When it comes to arranging your succulents, there aren't any real rules. I personally have a tendency of placing my tallest plant in the middle, but this is entirely up to you. However, make sure that your plants are at least an inch apart from one another. They need room to grow!

Now comes the fun part - decorating your terrarium. I used leftover pebbles and figures (dinosaurs and mushrooms, mostly) made out of polymer clay (a fun project in itself).

Terrariums need lots of light, so keep your mini ecosystems near a sunny window. They don't need a lot of water. I'd say every 2-3 weeks or so.

Hello Friends! Hopefully you all had a very merry Christmas yesterday and that you were able to check off some (or all, if you were lucky) items off of your Christmas list.

Looks like Santa (aka, my boyfriend) follows my blog. I scored a Whales of the World poster, 4 animates mugs, Black Milk's galaxy leggings, and some succulents! On Christmas Eve, we went out for a nice dinner at Pacifica Del Mar (Noel had the scallops, I had the prawns, and we shared the cheese plate for dessert). Yesterday morning, we opened presents and then watched Elf in bed. Later that day, we went up to Orange County to visit Noel's family, followed by dinner at my parents' house back in San Diego. It was a long day!

Now that Christmas has come and gone, it's time to get ready for New Year's Eve! Since we both have some time off of work, Noel and I will be taking a road trip up to Nevada City (which, strangely enough, is not in Nevada, but rather in northern California) to visit friends. I'm excited to see them, but I'm not too excited about the 8-9 hour drive. I don't do well in cars for a long period of time...

What are your plans for New Year's?

As far as resolutions go, I'll get back to you on that one.

While I think about it, here is a dose of inspiration for the day. Enjoy!

Dreamy Dresses:

The lovely Ms. Drew Barrymore:

These cashmere knit knickers:

These amazing vintage frames:

These vintage kit-cat clocks (I'll take the teal one):

My dream living room:

The Crate Escape

So apparently it's November... not entirely sure where October went. I hear they are playing Christmas music at Starbucks now. What's a little Jew-girl to do, especially when Anthropologie is killin' it in the Christmas ornament department?

Anyway, here are some things I am being inspired by lately:

This butterfly taxidermy shop:

This ivy-covered building:

These gorgeous bookends:

Repurposed Crates:

Antique test-tube rack, for sale here:

Avocado Art by John Azoni:

A Fine Fete Necklace, available at Anthropologie:
Laser-cut vinyl clocks by Pavel Sidorenko:

Tomorrow, I'm going on my Wednesday thrift circuit. The thrift-store gods served me well last weekend. Hopefully, they will be just as kind tomorrow. Wish me luck!