happy halloween!

what do I love the most about Halloween? Aside from hours of DIY & eating pumpkin seeds? I love how stoked everyone, everywhere (well, I can only speak for America) gets about Halloween. Houses are decorated, college girls embrace their inner (or outer) hoochie, glue guns are exercised, and neighbors everywhere embracing the spirit of sharing.

This is my favorite part of carving pumpkins... when the "hat" comes off....



and using powertools to carve our pumpkins. Pictures later...

petit Paris apartment

Although I've been on a minimalist kick lately (or as minimalist as I can get), I was totally taken by this tiny Paris apartment sneak peek over at decor8.





I don't get it... French people can casually hang twinkle lights in their apartments and still manage to stay chic. Perhaps it has to do with the amount of space, or lack there of. Sort of small space + japanese lights + twinkle lights = super adorable. In fact, I totally had twinkle lights and japanese ball lanterns hanging in my itty bitty room when I lived in the East Village, circa my sophomore year of college. However, once I moved on up into a room that could fit more than a twin bed, dresser and bookcase, those japanese lanterns got donated.

Any way... these images make me want to move into a cozy little apartment again... cover the bed with quilts, hang christmas lights over head, watch netflix streaming all day with Max and Tom. But then again... where would I put all my craft supplies?

Sunday Summary: road trips & reverse work weeks

things to be happy for: road trips & reverse work weeks; camping; delicious tex-mex in small Texas towns for less than $6; giant sharks masquerading as entrances to crappy sundries stores; making s'mores over a beach fire; playing band name games until the wee hours of the night.

The beach trip was great and was not without ridiculous situations. I mean really... isn't that the reason people go on road trips? Ours included searching for an hour in the dark for a place to camp, a brief but drenching rainstorm that threatened to come and soak our tent inside and out, something and oh yeah.. extreme red tide! We stayed on the bay side of Padre Island, but the gulf side had a serious dead fish situation going on. The stink was pervasive once you left our side of the island.

also: apple cider; ashtanga yoga; working til the wee hours of the night; pun'kin soap from soap rehab; chai tea with soy milk; listening to the Mighty Boosh radio show (thank you audiblepodcast.com free download!)

Google Reader Round Up: October 23, 2009

It's been a while since a proper Google Reader Round Up, where I bring you the items that got gold stars in my Google Reader within the past week. When I got back from vacation, I had over 900 unread items to wade through. At some point, I just throw in the towel & click "Mark all as Read" because my need to complete projects fully will have me wading through these random posts for weeks.

In the future, I think I'm going to start doing mini-posts during the week of special things that catch my eye. For now, here's some of the best stuff on the web right now!



♥ Black, white & paprika... loving this color crush post on Creature Comforts

♥ Amazing scrabble afghan over on CRAFT zine blog.

♥ If you're in Austin or planning on being during the weekend of November 7-8, there's an opportunity to win free passes to Fun Fun Fun Fest over on East Austinite.

♥ Cool fabric screen project over on Design Sponge.

♥ If I was short, I would totally make this costume: Headless Bride costume



♥ DIY braided chain necklace over on still dottie. Seriously I must make one of these.

♥ and last but not least, I did love the reflective lace made by Elena Corchero, infusing a bit of elegance into reflective cycling gear. Upon further investigation, I found that it can be purchased online for all your diy needs here.

What were your favorite links this week?

be back in a sec...

I'll be out of town the next few days on my annual South Texas beach trip. Saying it's an annual trip implies years of tradition, but it's the only second year in a row that the same group of friends has made this trip in mid-October (remember?) Either way... I love Texas beaches in the fall!

In the meantime, enjoy these awesome pictures of our boy Max dressed up for Halloween. As a shark.





The head doesn't quite fit his tiny head, so it kinda looks like Max is being eaten by a shark, rather than dressed up as a shark. Which is still awesome.

will you be my....?

My bff Heather is getting married in less than a year (!!!) and I recently received this amazing bridesmaid gift in the mail....



Heather designed them herself (LOVE that bubbly heart font) and sent them out to her bridesmaids, some in NY, others spread out all across the country.




Of course I said yes. Fun, dresses, flowers & champagne? Sounds like a typical Tuesday with Heather!



I'm already planning a trip in May or so to help her DIY a bunch of decorations for the wedding - mason jar candleholders, napkins, bunting, hanging pom poms, etc. That's my kind of vacation... hot glue guns, gossiping with girlfriends & drinking copious amounts of sparkling wine.

Etsy Finds: knuckle rings are the bomb!

These amazing rings were featured on East Side Bride (via lolliblog). The bride bought all her bridesmaids name plate knuckle rings!! So awesome. I also loved that she outfitted her bridesmaids in Betsy Johnson dresses. Ever since that post, however, I've been jonesing for a knuckle ring of my own. After some research, I found that the rings were made by Heist Jewelry, and there's even a listing where you can purchase your own name ring.

Here are some of my other picks I found through etsy...


Also from Heist Jewelry, this awesome Pyramid Stud Knuckle Ring is equal parts tough and lady like - the delicate shape & size of the ring lends to that.




And how could I resist a two finger SHARK ring (from Trinket Jewellry). My love of sharks + my new love of two finger rings = this is the best ring ever!!

Both of these shops offer other amazing jewelry finds, so be sure to scope them out!