Rain, Rain, Go Away

The weather these days is driving me a bit nuts.  It's ten times better than snow, of course, and generally, I love rainy, gloomy days.  Sitting by the window and reading/writing is very relaxing when raindrops are tapping on your roof.  One or two days like this is just fine.  When it becomes a week, it gets a little old.  But until the sun comes out and the puddles dry up, I'll have to deal with it...to make the weather more bearable, I've rounded up some pretty things that make the rain look stylish.  Check it out below!

(left to right):

Singing in the Rain Umbrella (from ShopBop) - a cute way to protect your hair from the drops

Rainy Day Bureau (from Humblesticks) - an easily customizable DIY

"Clouds" wallpaper (from Aimee Wilder) - adorable in a child's playroom

Umbrella necklace with glass raindrop (from Etsy) - delicate and whimsical

"Rainy Day" throw pillow cover (from Etsy) - handmade and in my favorite colors!

Rainy Day nail art (from LacqLustre) - actually inspired by Morton's salt!

"Write like a motherf*cker" coffee mug (from The Rumpus) - my favorite thing to do on a rainy day

"Splish Flash" rain boot (from Modcloth) - pink polka dots with a sweet bow on the back

xoxochelsea

Spring Shopping List

The first day of spring was this week, and for once, it actually felt appropriate!  Normally, the first day of spring will roll around, and it will dump down loads of snow or the roads will ice over.  But not this year - it was a beautiful day.  The sun was shining and the birds were chirping, and I finally got to break out the cuffed jeans + boat shoes and take Riley on a walk.  Yeah, there was still snow on the ground...but it wasn't annoyingly covering the road like it usually is this time of year.

Of course, by saying this, I'm probably jinxing the nice weather and we'll end up having a huge blizzard over the weekend.  But such is life :)  Anyway, the few first nice days of the season got me in the mood to shop.  I'm not sure what this says about me, but I always immediately think about shopping for clothes whenever the season changes.  It probably has something to do with the extra-thick fashion magazines that are issued, announcing the "newest trends" ("Florals for spring?  Groundbreaking." - Meryl Streep in Devil Wears Prada).  Whatever the case, Jared and I are going on a miniature trip this weekend, and I'm hoping to score lots of great deals!  Here's what's on my list of things to look for:

1.  Steve Madden Pony Hair Flat - I don't think I would be a fan of wearing legit pony hair on my feet (although let's not kid ourselves; I wear leather all the time and I know perfectly well where it comes from :/ ), but I do have to admit that these slip-on sneakers are very cute and on-trend.  They would go really well with some cuffed, distressed jeans and a plain V-neck tee.  They look super comfy too!

2.  Floral jeans pinned by this site - If anyone has any more information about these pants, please let me know!  I love them!  I know, I know, florals come into style EVERY spring.  But I think printed pants are so fun, and I love the color combo of this screen-printed pair.  (I have a green floral pair that my sister says makes me look like a grandma on vacation in Florida.  I don't completely disagree.  But I'm okay with it.)

3.  Neon multicolor earrings (found on Etsy via Pinterest, no longer available) - There are a lot of bright, sparkly earrings out there right now, and I love these neon ones.  I also like these from J. Crew, but that store is too damn expensive for me.  I wear my fanciest earrings with a plain white top, jeans, and a messy high ponytail.  I'm not sure why, I just really like how they can make a casual outfit look like "fashion".

4.  Turquoise nail polish like Essie's Hide and Go Chic - I'm not big on manicures, mostly because I suck at painting my own nails and they chip literally within five minutes.  But I always have my toes painted, and in the spring/summer, the brighter the better.  I'm looking for a bright, swimming pool blue to wear on my toes this summer.

5.  Exercise tanks like this geeky one - If you have read my blog, you'll know that my husband and I are super-nerds.  While Jared is more of the computer-geek type and I tend to be more of a book-nerd, we both love old-school video games.  This vintage-Nintendo-inspired workout tank (that says "Training to be a Legend") goes all the way back to the very first Legend of Zelda.  I hate working out, but God knows I need to start, and cute workout clothes might get me more in the mood to actually use them.

6.  Summery hat like this one from J.Crew - Let me first just say that I would never be able to pull this off.  I like to picture myself wearing a big straw hat on the beach with some sort of pretty, patterned maxi dress...but I own a straw fedora that I have worn like twice and took it off both times because I felt so stupid.  I am just way too self-aware to wear something that could potentially make me look dumb.  Plus my husband would never stop laughing at me.  But it's nice to dream :)

7.  American Eagle lace baseball hat - I actually just purchased almost this exact hat yesterday, except my version is eyelet instead of lace.  This is a hat that actually doesn't look too silly on me...I like the way it makes a dressy and feminine outfit look less so.  It's sporty but still very girly.

8.  Etsy tribal-print scarf - I'm one of those people that wear scarves in the spring/summer.  I know it doesn't make sense, and sure, the back of my neck frequently gets sweaty.  But I think a lightweight, gauzy scarf looks great over a solid-color tank, and it can really add a lot to an outfit.  I bought a scarf like this yesterday as well; the neon colors plus an Aztec-y print makes it pretty trendy.

9.  Anthropologie mint watch - I will admit that I don't need this.  I have one like it in white already...but I loooove mint green!  The gold face gives this watch an extra something special.

What's on your spring shopping list?

xoxochelsea

Etsy Roundup: A Vintage Christmas

One of my favorite parts of the holidays is decorating the house.  This is only the second year that Jared and I have had a house all our own to deck out with twinkle lights and fragrant wreaths, and honestly, I'm still trying to perfect my whole holiday-decorating-without-going-tacky-and-overboard thing.  I tend to get a little nuts with the glitter.  My mom, however, has Christmas decorating down to a science.  Since I was old enough to do so, I loved helping her and my dad put ornaments on the tree and set out Santa Clauses in various sizes - to the tunes of Kenny and Dolly's christmas album, of course.  And I'm guessing that about 85% of my mom's pieces are original vintage items - I'm pretty enamored of them all!  Her home during the month of December is my inspiration for this roundup of all things vintage holiday from Etsy.

*Holiday bubble light bulbs - My mom has these for both Christmas and Halloween.  These are from the 60s, and they're super fun and colorful.

*Aluminum Christmas tree - We have one of these, from the 60s as well, that has the original color light wheel that lights the branches up different colors.

*This ceramic tree from the 1970s sits proudly on top of our piano.  I love the multicolored twinkle lights!

*These adorable little houses, made in the 50s, are covered in glitter and faux snow.  They look so cute all clustered together in a Christmas village.  They would also look awesome if you created a little holiday scene inside a bell jar or something, a la the Pinterest craze.

*A wire advent Christmas tree (from the 70s) would look equally amazing holding holiday cards or used as a unique advent calendar.  You could use this in so many ways!

*Nothing screams December 25th at me than the perfectly imperfect tree ornaments from the 50s-70s.  Though I like the originals best, there are some great reproductions out there.

*This wreath made from silver and gold bulbs is only from the 1980s, but you could easily make one yourself too!  I've seen some pretty awesome reproductions of this wreath at Target, only they use ornaments that are all glittery and bedazzled.

*It just isn't Christmas without a little Bing!  This Bing Crosby record is a holiday classic...though to be honest, I prefer our Gene Autry Cowboy Christmas album :)

Enjoy your holiday!  :)

xoxochelsea

These are a Few of my Favorite...Christmas Cards! :)

Raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens...hand cramps and custom stamps and...envelopes for lickin'?  That worked out pretty well, actually.  So Jared and I bought Christmas cards on clearance from Target two years ago.  I was all amped up about personalized messages for each recipient, tales about our first year as a married couple, and red sparkly ink.  But unfortunately, as a duo, Husband and I are incredibly skilled at procrastinating.  That brings us to 2013, and our holiday cards are still in their package in a closet somewhere.  And I don't think I even like them anymore.  BUT perhaps someday, we will get around to sending them - I'm guessing in approximately 2017 - and in the meantime, here are some gorgeous holiday cards that all you overachievers can personalize and send.

1.  Gold foil embellished New Year's card

2.  Gold foil colorblock Merry and Bright card

3.  Home Alone themed card!

4.  Year in Review custom card - I love this idea because it allows for fewer hand cramps!  Instead of writing a message about your year, it's included on the actual card.

5.  Gingerbread Ninja "Ginjas"card - I feel like Jared would think this was hilarious.  

6.  Custom photo Merry and Bright card

7.  Breaking Bad holiday card! - I KNOW Jared would think this was hilarious.  Basically anything involving the word "bitch" makes him giggle like a prepubescent.  (Me too, let's be honest.)

8.  Custom illustrated Christmas card! - This company will make custom drawings of you and your loved one on this card...the prototype also looks like a hipster's dream Christmas card - notice the bearded gentleman smoking a pipe.  :)

Do you send annual Christmas cards?  Or maybe just a holiday text is enough for you? :)

xoxochelsea

Oh Oh Ombre!!

I was tired of my hair.  It's been pin-straight and brown with blunt bangs for about five years now, and it's getting old.  However, I'm not tired of it enough to grow the bangs out yet...I'm not ready to say goodbye!  So I decided to do the ombre thing.  It's very subtle, the bottom is just a lighter honey shade - believe it or not, that is a drastic change for me.  I was inspired by Lea Michele off of Glee, whose hair I've been obsessed with all season!

(picture from here)

So pretty!

 

I'm pretty sure I'm about three seasons behind on the ombre trend, but that's pretty typical for me. :)  Since the change in hair, my eye has been drawn to all things ombre - don't get me wrong, I'm still obsessed with chevron - but this has definite possibility to be a new "thing" for me.

 

Etsy Roundup - Ombre Edition!

 

1.  Hand-dyed ombre tights - Though I am intrigued by this trend in hosiery, I would have no friggin' clue how to go about wearing these.  Maybe with a plain black skirt/dress and boots?  They are cute, but they confuse me!

 

2.  Ombre chevron painting - AAAAH!  Ombre and chevron in the same pretty piece!!!  I love!  This would be super easy to replicate at home too. 

 

3.  Set of 5 ombre hair ties - These kinds of hair ties are my favorite because they don't leave dents in your hair when you take out your ponytail.  The pretty dip-dyed colors are a bonus!  Plus, they would look awesome on your wrist when they aren't in your hair - I wear mine as bracelets sometimes.

 

4.  Custom ombre aisle runner - I love this idea!  If I had to plan the wedding all over again - God forbid, moststressfulthingever - I might use something like this.  The downside is that what's shown in the picture is actually flower petals, which I would think would get all kerbobbled in the train of your dress and drag all over hell and mess up the pretty ombre pattern.  But...it's a nice idea. :)

 

5.  Ombre beaded necklace - I love the simplicity of this orange statement necklace.  It looks like something you could easily handmake, but it would look so awesome with a plain white T.

 

6.  Ombre infinity scarf - Infinity scarves are my favorite in the winter - they're so easy!  This one is a pretty rust color and looks super warm.

 

7.  Pink ombre cardboard Christmas trees - These laser cut trees are so fun and unique for a holiday centerpiece!  I kind of want to buy them for myself!

 

 

A sidenote:  You would not believe how many pairs of ombre dip-dyed denim hot pants are up for sale on Etsy.  My Lord.  Sorry those didn't make the list.  Yikes.



And a very unflattering picture of my hair.  You definitely notice the color difference more in person :)

I love it love it love it!!!!

xoxochelsea

I Just Died.

Okay.  SERIOUSLY?!   Pretty sure I need a paper bag to hyperventilate into, or I just might pass out. 

As of April 30th, Etsy (AKA the most amazing site in the world and the second love of my life) now has its own wedding registry.  I can't even begin to think of where to start.

Tackiness be damned:  We are now registered at Target, Kohl's, and Etsy....so bring on them gifts! ;)

Here's what I have found so far that I love on the FIRST FRIGGIN' PAGE:

 

  1.  These peacock-printed dishtowels will make drying off our plastic dishes seem extra-fancy and special!

2.  Ahhhhh, the Moroccan wedding blanket.  If only you weren't always soooo expensive, I would snatch you up in an instant.  And use you as a schnazzy rug under my dining room table with a chandelier like I saw in a magazine one time.

3.  I'm not sure why I've always wanted a vintage dictionary illustration poster, but I have.  And...I want this bird one in my bathroom.  Is this weird?

4.  This mint-green desk lamp makes me think of the eighties...in the best way possible!

5.  Jared would love this iPhone dock made to look like the Steve Jobs book!  So fun!  Plus, this shop has this product in all different books.

6.  This pillow + yellow chair = love!

7.  This space-age alarm clock looks both old-fashioned and modern; it'd be a fun pop of color on a white nightstand!

8.  These drinking glasses are hilarious, and even though neither Jared nor I are drinkers, they'd be great for a party of some sort! 

9.  We all know how I feel about chevron.  And this wall hook is no exception. 

10.  This table is fantastic.  I would have no use for it and absolutely no room for it in my home, but isn't it a pretty color?

11.  I am obsessed with the bright colors of vintage Catherine Holm enamelware and would love to have a whole crapload of it on display in my kitchen!!

Sigh. 

And bonus:  here are a few of my favorite things that Jared and I have already registered for at Target!  (By the way, he won't let me go in there anymore.  Everytime we go in there looking for something specific, we come out with over $100 worth of the most random things:  wall hangings, cosmetics...sometimes shoes.  Target is the best.)

Amazing owl lamp
Cute apple-print apron

Rosette pinwheel pillow

Miniature chandelier 

And you may say, "Hey, Chelsea, what's in here for Jared?  All of these objects you've registered for look super girly and, honestly, kind of lame.  What's there for him?"  And to that I say:  Trust me.  We registered for many modern, black/white/grey things as well.  All of the electronics/appliances we registered for are very sleek and shiny looking (even a self-opening trash can, for goodness sake), which he apparently enjoys quite a bit.  He also, oddly, insisted upon registering for a fancy-looking strawberry huller.  Which, why?  First of all, I have never personally witnessed him eating a strawberry.  Secondly, what IS a huller and is it a necessity when eating strawberries?

Also on the list, matching yoga mats (hee!), a couples' cookbook, and various games including BADMINTON!! (Please?) :)

Ever so flattering photo captioned by Jared - who else?

xoxochelsea

Drooling Over...Pretty Fonts!!

I apologize in advance for the length of this post.  I have kind of an abnormal obsession for pretty fonts/typography, and the amount of art out there based around letters is pretty huge!  My etsy "heart it" list alone yielded probably over 20 results, and it was difficult to narrow it down to my favorites.  Perhaps there will be a "part two" sometime in the future :)

This picture, featuring a stunner of a headboard, came from here.  I love the idea of having an unconventional headboard on my bed, and this is a great idea.

Holly's bedroom is incredibly inspiring:  I love the charcoal paint, and she even includes a detailed tutorial on how to make your own graphic sign like this one!

I found Patrick and his shop through this article on Design Sponge; he paints lyrics on old records and sells them on etsy.  I would think you could do this yourself as well, but this is so beautiful - these are some of my favorite Beatles lyrics.  He also customizes them if you have any particular lyrics in mind!  Check out his shop!

love, Love, LOVE this advertisement for Kiss Radio featuring bands with "food" names!  (from here, but found through bubby and bean)

Here is another piece of song lyric art:  one of my favorite songs by The Smiths!  I am amazed by these graphic posters; I could hang every single one on my wall.  Check the site out - they have the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, and many more.  (found through black eiffel)

Okay, these AMAZING children's story posters rely much more on the graphic art than they do on typography.  But I added them anyway because I think they're adorable.  The link above has a poster for cherished childhood tales like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Pinocchio, and Red Riding Hood, and each print is unique and colorful.  If I had a child, I would fill their room with these beauties!  (found via a cup of jo) 



Elsie at A Beautiful Mess bought a vintage paint-by-numbers print for next to nothing...and painted over it, creating this unique and cute song lyric piece.  She shares the DIY over at her blog.  Jared and I just bought the supplies to create a huge version of one of these ourselves - the color scheme?  Grey and orange.  Yikes.  We'll see!

Left picture:  found via abeautifulmess, originally from here

Right picture:  from here

And now for some Etsy lovin'...if only they had a wedding registry:

("Love is too weak a word" print; Sandlot quote print, Stepbrothers quote print; all from the same WONDERFUL seller...Jared is obsessed with the last one and I think he wants to hang it over his bed.)

("Let's stay home" print - my anthem - from here; "keep breathing" print from here; "happy" print from here)  I cannot wait to purchase the "keep breathing" one in the middle; I used to get pretty severe anxiety attacks, and I think this would be a beautiful reminder of what I need to do.

("alright" print from here; "sunshine" print from here; alphabet from here)  Jared and I are excited to order the alphabet decals, highlighted with the initial of our last name.  Such a cute idea!





("grateful" print - a necessary reminder - from here; Where the Wild Things Are print from here; "Begin" print from here)

(dictionary art - great DIY idea! - from here; "some like it hot" print - cute for a retro kitchen - from here; "modern" wood sign from here)  Jared is all excited to get the "modern" wood sign just because it says the word modern, since that's what he fancies himself.  But it's totally in a retro font, style, AND color.  He's not a modern kinda guy at all, he just thinks he is. ;)

Phew.  Sorry, guys.  I went a little overboard.  But that was so fun!  And here's one more wedding sneak-peek that is typography-inspired...and from etsy!:

We are ordering this banner to hang on the dessert table!  Same color, except it will read "Love is Sweet" instead.  I also am hoping to get some to hang on the back of our chairs that say "Mr." and "Mrs." (in blue and pink, respectively, of course)!  These fringed banners are too cute!

Hope you enjoyed!

xoxochelsea



Drooling Over...Shouting for Chevron Edition!

The Etsy obsession continues!  I swear you can find ANYTHING on that site...some not so pretty (see Regretsy for more!)  I've noticed that one of the hottest trends as of late - not just on etsy, but on fashion websites, home decorating magazines, and crafting projects - is chevron, zig-zaggy stripes that have quickly become huge in textiles and housewares for 2011-2012.  I've seen it on walls, pillows, canvases, tanktops, jewelry, and even fan blades!  I've decided that I'm in love with it, and the chevron pattern is currently taking over my "heart" list on etsy.  See for yourself!:

(I apologize in advance for the overabundance of yellow, grey, and turquoise.  I guess my wedding colors are creeping over into other areas of my life as well.  I used to hate yellow!)

Fashion:

 

  

    

(Headband, clutch, infinity scarf, earrings)

Home decor:

 (Art block on wood, bookmarks set, yellow slipcover, decorative pillows, pillow with bird applique, felt flower pillow cover, turquoise picture frame, custom mousepad)

(OMG that bird pillow!! I die!!)

And one bonus wedding piece!:

(Adorable candy/favor boxes found here)

I <3 chevron!!  Do you??

xoxochelsea