This is what it's like on a fantasy

Less "Wild Night" Memories

2011-10-23T16:44:00.005-03:00

Halloween Inspiration.

Ombre Love

2011-10-05T21:08:00.002-03:00

Some cute inspiration. Still not sick of this trend. Definitely going to use that staircase idea!

Inspiration

2011-10-05T20:51:00.003-03:00

Hair Inspiration. Can't decide if it's time for a change or not.

2011-09-06T19:06:00.006-03:00

Barcelona Chair

2011-02-24T18:34:00.002-04:00

First purchase for my new house!! I am so excited!

Who needs a couch when you have your own classic mid-century modern chair eh?

Moving time!

2011-02-19T14:12:00.005-04:00

Time to revisit the ol' blog.

I've been neglecting this blog for months for no good reason. Lack of inspiration, motivation, and just general content had gotten the best of me until a simple piece of paper changed everything. It was a lease. Yes, I move in 10 days. Hopefully this will be the key to abandoning my nomad status.

I cannot even explain how excited (though overwhelmed) I am by the new house I am moving into. It's a fixer-upper in its grandest form, but nothing beyond my capabilities providing I can maintain my momentum. This 4 bedroom beauty (yes, FOUR bedrooms) is a massive project, but the bones are so inspiring and the price is right. Plus we have an 86 year old landlord who really doesn't care what we do to the house, much less in the hands of an interior designer. He just doesn't want to pay for it or help. Fine by me, I'd rather put a few hundred of my dollars and some of my time to make it my own and keep the rent cheap then to have him come in and renovate, risk hating the results, and have the rent jacked. Screw that.

Our mini family consists of myself, my boyfriend Justin, our beautiful friend Kaitlyn, Justin's little girl, our boxer gracie, my cat pony, and kait's dove, vegas. whew. what a team! Good thing this house has more space than we will ever need.

Here is the run-down of the house and all it's perks (and needs):

-4 bedrooms, 3 upstairs and one on the main floor (ours). 2 upstairs rooms need wallpaper stripped and a paint job.

-2 full bathrooms, but the one on the main floor is a little funny because it has the tub/toilet in one room, and the vanity/laundry hook-up in another.

-hardwood throughout

-2 fireplaces, however they definitely need to be swept before we can dabble in their functionality.

-the most DARLING dining room ever. It's square, perfect for my round table, with a gold and crystal chandelier, a ceiling medallion, and built-in display cabinets and buffets flanking the sides of a doorway. I don't know why but I have yellow and white on the brain.

-Plenty of storage and closet space with it often unheard of in these older homes. In fact, our bedroom has a walk-in closet with hooks down one side, a rod/shelf down the other, and at the back it has two small steps leading into ANOTHER walk-in closet INSIDE of my closet. WHAAAAATTTTTTT!?!?!? no. i'm not lying.

-A bright and function kitchen with horrendous cabinets and hardware. I've already acquired the paint to paint EVERY surface in this space. It's going to be a huge task to sand/prime/paint/seal the cabinets, but I am confident it will look spectacular.

-A small mudroom off of the kitchen leading to a bbq-sized deck and a huge fenced backyard. (HUGE).

-A covered porch spanning the entire width of the front of the house

-A finished basement

-A basement workshop (!!!) complete with bench, peg board for tools, storage, and a trough-style utility sink which pegs to become a silk-screen wash sink.

-a garage

-an unfinished bonus room in the basement, aka our floor hockey rink.

The first project we tackle will be painting our room (I've already selected para paint's "automotive appeal" as the color- think dark smoky grey-blue. It's gonna look fab with all my white bedding and accents, as well as my light rattan bed and mirrored accents) and then the kitchen. I'll post the before and after's as we go.

I can't wait to start posting photos! In the meantime check out THIS google street view.

2011-02-19T09:27:00.002-04:00

The proportions of this outfit are screaming my name. I'm loving the flouncy skirt on that trench.

Image via whowhatwear.

2011-01-28T18:06:00.001-04:00

I know I still have a few things I need to get past, but breaking that teapot wasn't what I had in mind.

Grey and Orange

2011-01-09T11:57:00.002-04:00

Still not over it.

Carven spring 2011 RTW

2010-11-16T19:46:00.002-04:00

images via style.com

Joanna Hillman

2010-11-03T19:38:00.003-03:00

The Harpers Bazaar fashion market editor is my fashion inspiration of the week. I really need to take my red lipstick into the day more often.

Disco Inferno: Marc Jacobs Spring 2011 RTW

2010-10-24T17:44:00.003-03:00

That color palette! the volume and proportions! The styling! My god, at some point this man needs to fuck-up SOMEWHERE. Sidenote: I wonder what he will be for Halloween...I can't imagine what could possibly top the whole camel toe incident.

How I'm going to beat the winter blues...

2010-09-15T17:03:00.000-03:00

Thought you all might want to know why I have been distracted from blogging recently.

Erin Fetherston

2010-08-12T21:10:00.004-03:00

Everything this woman designs is like its been plucked out of my fantasy wardrobe.

Erin Fetherston.com

A.P.C. autumn 11

2010-08-09T20:53:00.003-03:00

I realize we probably have a good 6 weeks of summer left but the early season this year has me in the Fall layering spirit a bit prematurely. I became sort of smitten with A.P.C.'s lookbook, it is totally what I would call "Truro Chic".

kiiiiiinda trashy, kiiiinda farmer. I love it. I really need to find a military jacket during one of my louie's crawls...

images via A.P.C.

STAY-CATION

2010-08-02T19:38:00.002-03:00

The best 5 days of the summer. I finally have a bit of a tan, I got to spend an afternoon floating around a lake with new Truro pals, had a bbq, finally underwent the Chevy's experience (saddles instead of chairs, I KID YOU NOT) and better than anything got to spend an amazing few days with my best friend in the world- The lady responsible for these photos. I am sure she will be posting them all on her own blog once they're all edited, so I will post a link accordingly.

I love my friends and am finally settling into Truro. Dare I say it, but i was only in the city once over my entire vacation and it hasn't prevented me from smiling for one minute. xo

Photos by Colleen Henman.

mini quilts

2010-07-11T12:00:00.001-03:00

more here.

at least its funny?

2010-07-10T09:54:00.004-03:00

Is this actually a joke?? This is honestly a failure of epic proportions. I'm gonna have to email this to Costa since he likes to be up-to-date on his sasquatch sightings.

Its like this car crash I can't turn away from. I wonder if Karl Lagerfeld just ran out of ideas and thought "well, they'll buy anything with a chanel logo on it so lets just see how far we can push it."?

But on the plus side, how hilarious will it be to see the idiot celebrities wearing fur pants just because they're Chanel? AWESOME.

Oh Stella

2010-07-10T09:19:00.003-03:00

Unlike the majority of other designers who took the eighties structured trend WAY too far for Fall 2010, once again Stella has found the perfect happy medium between trend-driven form and her organic design sense.

Its just so easy. and simple. in the right way.
Don't get me wrong- there are a few pieces that I seem like flight risks to me (not shown and for good reason), but at the end of the day my inner young professional wants to wear all of these pieces and I'm buying nude shoes next week. I'm sold.

Okay, lets just ignore the fact that I just posted about Fall clothing in the middle of July and skip right to her resort 2011 collection.

and THAT is how you look like a lady in 2011. I'm bananas for it.

EAMES

2010-04-18T10:02:00.002-03:00

One in every style, every color. I am graduating from pyrex to eames in the world of kitschy collectables. Leave it to me to love a chair so much.

little angels

2010-04-18T10:00:00.000-03:00

Nighttiming

2010-04-18T09:25:00.005-03:00

I've been trying to go to bed early and maybe even hide out a little bit. (Although I did recently discover that everyone in Halifax hides out in the same places, so maybe I should just stick what I know.) Going to bed early and revisiting my old schedule is slowing me down and bringing me back to life all at once. Its amazing how good it can be to feel rested for a change. I can't get over the difference. I definitely do still feel hardened, but at least I don't feel as weathered.

Things are finally starting to look up- I've had some real moments of clarity this week. I am feeling like I have finally crested over that hill of feeling sorry for myself. I have amazing new people in my life ( that certainly helps) but it wasn't until I realized that I needed to stop being sad and maybe even let myself be a bit pissed...or a lot pissed...before I could regrow the backbone which had long since deteriorated over the past 4 months.

Everyone makes mistakes. BIg mistakes. But when someone asked me this week if I regret everything that happened, and i promptly responded "no, i don't believe in regret, I believe in karma" (plus that phrase that can't stop leaving my bitter tongue "karma's a fucking bitch") I realized that it was up to me to learn and grow from those mistakes. Which I most definitely have.
I have paid my dues. Only a very small group of people have stood by me and know how things have truly been over the past little while and I know how much I have put myself through. That shit is over. I am officially done with being a doormat for people's hostility or a dumpster for blame. I can't prevent people from making assumptions about me but I do have the ability to stop caring that they do. I am physically exhausted from defending myself every fucking day.

Some unexpected ghosts from my past came to visit me this week. Life has been put in perspective and like I said, I have met that clarity that is required to move forward. Making my career move to Truro is the next step (September) but not before I give myself my last summer in Halifax. I have new friends to make memories with. 2 steps forward, no steps back.

Stella McCartney Autumn 2010 is BA-NANAS.

2010-03-30T23:41:00.002-03:00

stella mcCartney is shutting it DOWN with this collection. yum yum yum.

In tv news, I am entirely obsessed with the Rachel Zoe Project.

S/S RTW 2010 FAVORITES

2010-01-30T08:04:00.003-04:00

STELLA MCCARTNEY

TWENTY812

L.A.M.B.

FENDI

ADAM

ALEXANDER WANG

CHRISTOPHER KANE

BASSO AND BROOKE

i really do.

2010-01-03T10:12:00.000-04:00

HIDE OUT.

2009-12-20T19:53:00.003-04:00

art.

faulty spectacles

2009-12-17T02:38:00.001-04:00

great for covering the bags under your eyes when you're hungover.

honestly i can't remember all my teenage feelings

2009-12-10T00:06:00.001-04:00

Coulson MacLeod

2009-11-22T19:48:00.002-04:00

coulson macleod.

Bad Romance

2009-11-22T19:26:00.001-04:00

I've watched this video easily 30 times in the past few days.
just trust me on this one.

2009-11-22T19:23:00.001-04:00

for all i've got left, i don't think this will be asking too much.

sweet dreams

2009-11-22T19:20:00.001-04:00

if you really stop and look at this it's probably the dreamiest bedroom ever.

I'm a loner dottie, a rebel.

2009-11-22T19:13:00.004-04:00

beagles are the best.

2009-11-22T10:14:00.000-04:00

FALL O9 accessories

2009-10-19T18:05:00.002-03:00

gucci

Giambattista Valli

Diane von Furstenberg Kate clutch

Christian Louboutin

Bruno Frisoni

Aurélie Bidermann Ginkgo Biloba enamel earrings

Sonia Rykiel Enamel lip necklace

a passive progression.

2009-10-05T21:02:00.002-03:00

just ease into this. its so pretty.

Fall perfection thanks to Tory Burch

2009-09-20T11:56:00.003-03:00

This is the dream attire of a young professional like myself. Sophisticated yet youthful, classy yet edgy. Provided that fur is fake (doubtful), I am completely sold.

Erdem Fall 09 RTW

2009-09-20T11:40:00.002-03:00

Hello Perfection.

CONTEST TIME!!!

2009-09-20T11:17:00.003-03:00

Its your chance to win a Harajuku Lovers Fragrance Prize Pack!!

The folks at Matchstick who lovingly sent me my Harajuku Lovers Gift pack last summer (Remember THIS?) have given me the chance to pass the love onto you!

To win, all you have to do is send me an email at robinacraftmoney@gmail.com. Tell me why I should pick you. Be creative!! Be cheeky!!
.
For official rules and regulations, check out this link. Unfortunately, this contest is only open to residents of Canada, excluding Quebec residents. Sorry pals.

For your chance to win even MORE fabulous Harajuku Lovers Prizes, check out THIS link!

Contest Closes October 4th with the winner to be announced a few days later.

Good Luck!!

2009-09-13T20:44:00.003-03:00

i am in love with this painting. It is from the selby's recent photo set of Emmanuel perrotin at his Paris Art gallery.

check out more photos here.

*edit. i forgot to resize this photo but it looked so good cropped like that that i didn't bother. click on the image to see the painting in its entirety.

middleton

2009-09-07T22:43:00.003-03:00

"middle earth"

more "middle earth". even adam didn't know it existed and it was his own yard.

we won so much money playing VLT's at adam's show. He won $90, I won $25, and his friends won $50. I understand how people get addicted to these things because it was the funnest shit ever.

onions drying in the barn

heirloom tomato

country road

the farmhouse.

This weekend was good for the soul. welcome to "back to school" season.

OH GAWDDD

2009-08-08T09:03:00.001-03:00

I don't think I have had the internet at my apartment in like a month. I keep hoping my stolen wireless would magically reappear (I prayed they were on summer vacation but alas, they've moved) so I caved and will have internet again by mid-week.

For any followers I may be lucky enough to still have, Stay tuned- I have an exciting contest coming up in the next few days featuring a FABULOUS prize!! So check back in!

I will post pictures of Sharpes vacation with me and tell stories about our magical adventures. good god, I love her.

This weekend I am Truro for a blues festival with my co-workers. ("Three days of bikes, blues and barbeques!" as the slogan says). So expect some exciting updates about that too.

anyways, I miss my blog so just like a song from a John Hughs (R.I.P.) movie: "Don't you forget about me."

xo

The ultimate accessory.

2009-07-13T12:11:00.004-03:00

i can't play guitar, but this wasn't designed for actual use, right?

Rabbit on the Run

2009-07-13T12:06:00.002-03:00

A wee gal like me could never pull these off without the heels of an olsen twin, but baby baby baby I loves me some oversized tees.

www.rabbitontherun.com

home.

2009-06-29T15:13:00.003-03:00

these are for when we make a home together:

Alex & Choe

2009-06-29T13:47:00.002-03:00

alex and chloe.

My Farrah Fawcett tribute.

2009-06-27T11:46:00.002-03:00

will be via my hair appointment in 2 weeks.

R.I.P. Iconic Blonde.

2009-06-27T11:31:00.002-03:00

This place:

plus this guy:

equals a very exhausting week for the costandi designs team. We pulled it off in style, and I feel extremely proud of our teamwork. Designing/Staging start to finish is a tough and extremely creatively fulfilling process.

I will post pics soon! :)

COME ON GUYSSSSSSS

2009-06-15T13:13:00.003-03:00

ITS MY DAY OFF AND IT'S SUNNY AS ALL HECKKKKKKKKKK.

some one ride bikes with me!!

Ask not what you can do for your hairstylist, but what they can do for you.

2009-06-09T18:40:00.003-03:00

Mine has given me the best "no maintenance" hair cut ever. Its been a good 2 or 3 months since my last cut/color. This is literally me washing my hair, blow drying my bangs, and walking out the door with the rest of my hair sopping wet.

To join the alexis kelsall waiting list, go here.

p.s. alexis, i love that your profile includes "double dutch" as one of your interests. haha

you the fuckin' best

2009-06-08T20:43:00.003-03:00

oh lordy. my favorite degrassi heart throb HAAAAAAD to go and become a sezy rap superstar.

fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.

you know, i'm really glad they didn't spoil the potential for his rap career by making a "jimmy the rapper" subplot on degrassi. that would've changed this entirely. am i wrong?

2009-06-07T22:07:00.002-03:00

sweet dreams

thank you, wwwd

2009-06-03T19:36:00.002-03:00

WANT.

murdershetote.com

Sunday

2009-06-01T08:53:00.004-03:00

Oh wow! What a fun Sunday!

I woke up kind of early and had one of those "get-up-and-go" attitudes. I was really excited for the fixed gear race that Zane was going to be competing in, and for lounging around on the commons. It was supposed to be 20 degrees out, which is the perfect temp for bike riding. I also had a goal of not bringing my cell phone with me all day (I KNOW. SHOCKING.) And not spending any money.

My day started off great especially because I had the perfect biking outfit. The shorts have stretch and the shirt is thin cotton so it breaths so well. This short was the best second-hand score I have found in awhile. I think it may become my shirt of the summer.

Anyways I slipped on some keds and hopped on my bike and met amir before work for a bike ride around the South end. Zane joined us and we went to point pleasant park a bit, and then we headed over to the commons to check out the bike races.
The mens open crit was first. HOLY CRAP THEY ARE SO FAST. It was a 1.8 km loop around the commons which they had to do 40 times. FOURTY! How would you even keep track of that in your head while focusing on riding as fast as you could?? Fuck, I couldn't do it, thats for sure.

Amir had to go to work at the cafe so Zane and I biked over to registration and then down to the Kelsall's so he could get ready, aka, dress like a basketball player. haha. i love zane.
We biked back downtown to the cafe and I had a pain du chocolat (ugh sooo filling on a biker's belly) and a wicked macciato. (is that how you spell it??) Amir is seriously getting so good at coffee. Although, it was the first time I ever had a drink with real milk, so maybe that was part of it. haha

We had a nice little visit and scooted back up to the commons where Lindsay joined us! yay! We watched the most mezmorizing capoeira demonstration. It is actually so amazing. They are so fluid when they dance/fight. For anyone who doesn't know what capoeira is you should look at this youtube video. It isn't quite the same as watching Halifax north-enders doing it, but you'll see the movements I mean.

My favorite part of the demo was when this stunning pregnant woman was doing it and her belly swished around with her movements. hehe

Anyways FINALLY IT WAS TIME FOR THE BIG RACE! Initially we were told there were 21 riders but I later found out there were 27. Zane's first race ever and he had set his goal not to be lapped. It was 5 laps around the commons as fast as you could basically.

BOY OH BOY HE KILLED IT!!! Not only did he not get lapped, but he placed 10th! (wait, maybe 11th, BUT STILL!!!) I was so proud! Me and Lindsay cheered for him so loudly and I felt like a soccer mom. He beat all the fixed gear nerds that work at the shop, and he was so proud of himself too. It was such a great vibe on the commons all day and it gave me that "God I love Halifax" feeling.

I went home for awhile to catch up with all the sun I had until later when I biked over and joined Amir with the Kelsall's at their house for some celebratory beer and pizza. Jenner and Lindsay biked over and we had a killer double dutch session. It was seriously such a great day. I managed to go all day without spending a cent (other than on cat food) and I got lots of sunshine.

I woke up in my comfy bed today (8 pillows, 2 foam mattress pads, and a down duvet) to this awesome sunburn:

I'm not even bummed. It'll be a tan soon enough and it was the best day so far this season. I can't wait to go swimming and do more outdoor activities all summer long.

Long Live Hali Summers.

xo

DOUBLE DUTCH

2009-06-01T08:37:00.003-03:00

GET INTO IT!!!!!!

WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA

2009-05-30T12:09:00.002-03:00

click HERE for more wearable art!

p.s. ziz, i think this would go smashingly with those hamburger bracelets! :)

Lady Gaga

2009-05-30T11:03:00.003-03:00

I LOVE HER.

not her music, HER. (although I do agree that although her music is annoying at times, it is because it is annoyingly infectous, thus making her a hit I suppose...)

This interview is the EXACT reason why I love her.

unapologetic. i love that. I really believe everything she is saying in this interview.

(plus it brings the "lols")

Matthew Williamson for H and M

2009-05-30T10:48:00.002-03:00

Jo Gale came to visit me and brought me some goodies from the Matthew Williamson for H and M Line! Apparently this is one of the more successful "designer collections" for H and M . (note: blogger wouldn't let me use "and" symbols when trying to spell H n' M. weird. I know.)

Can't wait to work this swimsuit this summer. However, it will take some extra confidence to work the Brazilian-style bottoms that show a lot more cheek than I am used to. haha

Y'all know you're jealous of this bling. I am jealous of myself!

And now for some pieces I plan on scouring ebay for:

This is going for 90 on ebay. I will have to ask Jo what they sold for retail.

Fuck. This suit is FIERCE. 300-350 on ebay. this one is a pipe dream.

p.s. its raining today on my day off, and i am more broke than I have been in years. (a terrible thing on a 3-day weekend...) Expect a lot of updates. :)

since you've been gone

2009-05-13T22:28:00.004-03:00

Well!

Alex, Ryan, Lachlan, Alexis and Zane have ALL up and left for vacations, Amir is living back at home until June 1st, Lindsay has been spending all of her spare time at the empty Kelsall nest tending to poochie, and Jeannie is always at the bf's.
This week, i have resorted to countless hours of __________________'s (fill in random country here) next top model on you tube, going to bed early (a good night's sleep isn't so bad) , eating out of boredom, and cleaning. I do feel as though I should have probably used this time to catch up on my letters and maybe read a book or two, but alas, as of tomorrow night I have a steady flow of Ontario visitors for the next two weeks, so those "to-do's" will be bumped to second priority.

Life has been dull but it is nice not to spend money and I am looking forward to my weekend (getting tattooed and playing host to Derek...hahahah WEIRD). Jo arrives on Monday (eep!) so I am taking a few days off for quality time with her. I can't wait to bust out the cheap wine like old times, and go for some real home-town adventures. Her and her bf Jeff are even bringing their bikes**!!

(**poor amir. his broken collarbone still hasn't healed and although he is doing much better, he just isn't quite back to riding yet. hopefully by the end of their visit he will be back on two wheels and feeling like himself again so we can all go for some late night escapades.)

here are some things I would like to do while my friends are in town:

-show them our double dutch moves and get them in on the action
-go to the good food emporium for breakfast
-go to the valley
-drink cheap wine
-cook some delicious meals
-bike ridessssss
-dinner at hamachi house
-dance!
-have some beers at gus's pub
-go on a double date
-enjoying some sunshine at the commons or point pleasant park.

If anyone has some fun activities to suggest or some Hali "must-do's" to add to the list, please comment below.

Needless to say, I think I have done enough relaxing lately and have no excuse to be lazy while they're here. If anyone hears me complaining or making excuses, please stop me. I need to get my energy levels up to where they used to be so I don't look 16 but feel 60.

thats all for now kids. remind me to update more often, would ya?

xo

p.s.
Lauren Sharpe, my loyal reader, I miss you. xo

my latest masterpiece.

2009-05-13T22:26:00.001-03:00

craft night at our house is FUN.

my favorite summer fabrics

2009-05-02T19:40:00.002-03:00

bye-bye bb's

2009-05-02T17:45:00.003-03:00

see you soon!

penny for your thoughts. (since its all i can afford)

2009-04-21T18:41:00.002-03:00

i hate money.
i hate not having any.
I hate living beyond my means without even knowing it.
i hate budgeting.
i hate emergencies, and not being financially prepared.
i hate feeling like I have screwed up my near-future plans because i can't save.

looks like its gonna be a poor few months for the craft-money. (unless of course, some super rich clients walk in the door and point to me and say "you. you're gonna be busy with a big huge project.")

it could happen, right?

Video of the week

2009-04-19T16:11:00.001-03:00

and so handsome.

click.

Caramel

2009-04-07T21:48:00.001-03:00

yesterday was the best day ever!

2009-03-29T09:36:00.003-03:00

My fucking saint of a boss wine-and-dined me at Brooklyn warehouse, and then took me shopping!!!!!!!!!!

She bought me this gorgeous dress from Banana Republic:

(which i must say, looks better on me than this model haha)

And this sexy YSL-inspired purse from town shoes:

It was insane. She was at banana republic buying herself a dress and was like "okay! pick something out!" I mean, WTF!?!?! I loved this dress but she picked it out for me. I knew that I loved it but would never find a reason to EVER buy it for myself. I can't wait to wear it with a belted cardigan when I go see big important clients, or on its own with pumps and a clutch on a fancy date night or to an event. Its like the nicest thing I own. And then to buy me the purse?! WTFFFFFFFFF. She was buying herself some shoes to match her dress and then asked the salesperson "will you give me a deal if i buy both"?? I nearly passed out.

she is my fairy-god-boss.

I have learned over my young life that hard work really does pay off. Rarely does any wealthy person say they got rich from being lazy. I am so lucky to have such an incredible job with such amazing employers.

things are GREAT.

God this woman is just beyond...

2009-03-26T22:28:00.002-03:00

meow.

My new favorite website.

2009-03-24T19:46:00.002-03:00

i feel like they are inside my head and know exactly what i love and the things I find interesting.

Roger Vivier

2009-03-03T11:04:00.006-04:00

Sexy sexy.

STOP ANIMATION IS FUN!!

2009-03-01T18:24:00.002-04:00

time well wasted.

Birthday records

2009-02-23T14:41:00.003-04:00

Elliot- False Cathedrals (to me, from me. haha)

The National-Boxer (from ammer)

Final Fantasy Plays to Please 10" (from Ammer)

The Weakerthans- Reunion Tour (from ammer)

Sufjan Stevens presents Greetings from Michigan, the Great Lake State (to me, from Lachlan!)

i love new records!!!!!

In other news, amir shaved his beard and now whenever i kiss him I feel like I am cheating on him, with him. WEIRD.

CRAFT CAVE

2009-02-22T16:17:00.004-04:00

1. Random Papers (accounting, graph, tracing etc.)

2. Stationary/ink

3. Spray adhesive

4. Scissors/adhesives

5. embossing powder/stamp pads

6. Random mail surprises

7. Rubber stamps

8. More rubber stamps

9. inks, crayons, pencil crayons, markers, bingo dobbers, pigments and other random mark-making materials

10. Lazy susan of different novelty scissors

11. "craft clean-ups" and heat gun

12. laminator

13. Paint/brush roll

14. reference books/cut and paste

15. decorative tape/ribbon tape

16. random cut-outs and scraps (GOOD STUFF)

17. Scrap paper packs

18. Reference books

19. Random good treasures for cut and paste collected over time (post cards, paper cut-outs, random packaging, papers etc.)

20. Letraset

21. Random magazine scraps

22. random photo-copies

23. card stock

24. tissue papers

25. Reference books

26. inspiration boards

27. Lindsay's "in progress" pile

28. Envelope drawer

29. Buttons/sequins/beads/jewelry making stuff

30. Labels

31. random books/photos/paper goods

NOT PICTURED:

magazine shelf

file box of card stock

in/out boxes

sewing machine

serger

fabric (colour co-ordinated. 3 shelves and one large tupperware box worth!)

silk screens/printing supplies

sewing supplies

yarn

cameras

photos

futon

copier/scanner/printer/office station

come over and make crafts everybody!!!!!

dear sharpe.

2009-02-22T14:33:00.003-04:00

i thought you should know that by spring time , hali should be warm enough to ride bikes together and there are enough at my mansion for you, kevin, and i.

I CAN'T WAIT.

GREETINGS FROM.....

2009-02-20T20:03:00.006-04:00

robina craft money: age twenty five

2009-02-14T09:32:00.001-04:00

best birthday ever.

My birthday is next week!!

2009-02-03T18:56:00.003-04:00

and i would like:

a wishbone necklace, or maybe some other fun costume jewelry.

some new records! i would love something new to listen to :)

a new typewriter. not "new", but new to me would be nice.

lastly, I would like to receive some birthday mail at my new house! :)

on another note: aging is weird.

i owe you one.

2009-01-28T22:55:00.004-04:00

oh godddd.
so behind on the blogging. Life has been CRAZY TALK.

Between adjusting to the new job (love it, hate the commute), home improving (painted my new room- see below- and started to re-grout the countertops. Honestly, for 25 bucks of your own money you can re-grout a bathroom, kitchen counter or back splash, etc....and make a WORLD of difference in a rental unit. Here is a how-to link.) trying (failing...) to get to the gym, general errands and house keeping, PLUS trying to see Amir and friends, I am seriously tapped out.

yikes.

Oh! AND mail! dear goodness, i MUST fit that in or else I can't stay sane.

one thing at a time loves.

So OMG THE NEW HOUSE. Lindsay and I are moving next door into the other half of the house I am attached to! It is a 4 bedroom house, and just the two of us. sigh. so nice and calm and .....wait. Pony lives there too. so I guess that makes 3 of us and a not so calm house. Actually, no. I shouldn't say that. He is going to chill the fuck out with all that mansion to run about in. Seriously, this place is huge. Its like a legit family home. We are so lucky. and i don't have to leave my vegetable garden! wee!

Although the single most exciting thing about the house (dishwasher aside), is DEFINITELY the craft room, having a new bedroom to work with has inspired me to go in a whole new direction with my room. Here are some rooms that are inspiring my new bedroom decor:

I've already painted my room a really vibrant, semi-gloss white and It already has "honey brown" natural wood trim and built-ins. I am kind of sad that the person prior to me did such a crummy job and got paint all over the trim, but whatever. I am installing white floating shelves low on the wall beside my bed as side tables. Also, now that we have so much space I can really have my room as minimal as possible, which is refreshing. I think I need a plant though. and I can't wait to color co-ordinate my books.

I will post some pictures as soon as it is near-completion. Consider this part one of a series of recent-news related posts. I am adjusting to the routine, so hopefully blogging will become regular part of it.

xo

I don't care how lame this makes me...

2009-01-26T10:27:00.002-04:00

Me, Lindsay and Kira all had our minds blown by this dance while watching "So you think you can dance" during craft night.

Have you guys aactually ever watched that show?! Its so sexually charged that all of us were blushing. Some of the dancers have so much chemistry that you feel like you're intruding on a very personal moment. or, like lindsay, you feel a little hot and bothered.

p.s. so i haven't posted in awhile. life is busy. xo

scrapbooking for adults.

2009-01-18T14:17:00.004-04:00

a new zine I am working on for swap-bot. The theme was "100 things that make you happy". (i didn't choose the theme, but i am managing to work with it)

*click images to enlarge*

i have so many more to do. I will try to post them as i go. also, due to my ego i thought i should mention that although these kinda look photoshopped, it is all hand collaged.
xo

To wear with my eelskin leggings.

2009-01-15T19:18:00.002-04:00

new shoes.
not as hot in this picture as the are IRL.

a steal at only 45 plus tax!

aldo.

everything she got best believe she bought it

2009-01-10T00:31:00.002-04:00

as much as i wish i could have everything i ever wanted handed to me, i am really glad my parents taught me the value of hard work.

in a brief recap of other news:

-my new job RULES and i actually know what i am doing which surprised me lol
-i am moving into the 4 bdrm house attached to my current place with lindsay stewart on feb 1st. a big ol' comfy home for just the two of us, and our craft supplies...

which leads me to my last point:
-I CAN'T WAIT TO GO FURNITURE SHOPPING!

ideas:

new bedding i want to order. picture this with a nice solid color area rug, natural linen drapes, white walls, black framed artwork, and the honey colored built-in dresser/closet and window frames. yummers.

living room:

some throw cushions for the sofa...

living room side table

sofa

kitchen table

i don't know what i will do with many of my existing items (hawk lamp, bamboo frame love seat, etc.) but there is plenty of house to figure it all out!!

weeee :)

artful accessories spring/summer 2009

2009-01-05T20:14:00.004-04:00

Taher Chemirik

Stella McCartney

Oscar De la Renta

Nina Ricci

Lanvin

John Galliano

Hervé Van der Straeten

RIP YSL

2009-01-05T20:08:00.002-04:00

you were a god-damned genius.

mem-mem update.

2009-01-04T20:15:00.003-04:00

hey guys.

so i guess you're all probably wondering the story behind my mom's surgery. I've received a lot of love from everyone which I am very thankful for (as is she) and I owe it to everyone to explain what happened.

It all started like 3 weeks ago or so. My mom was walking our family dog and slipped and smashed the back of her head on some ice. The silly lady even kept walking the dog even though she was only like 5 minutes from home. She says now she thought she was going to pass out when it happened. She brushed it off as a concussion and didn't go to the doctor. My mom is the kind of lady that can't be bothered to wait for things (like emergency rooms) and doesn't like to burden anyone else at all.

So over the holidays my mom was recovering from her concussion, but on New Years Eve she started feeling a little hazy and was complaining to my dad about her eye bothering her a bit. They went to the Emergency room and after lots of testing they diagnosed her with post-concussion trauma. They sent her home and told her to rest.

On new years day, she started acting a lot stranger. That night, she started losing some feeling in her legs, and when she went to stand up she toppled over. She went to get ready for bed, brushed her teeth, fell of the toilet, and then went to brush her teeth again not realizing she had already done it. My dad was really, really worried and decided to take her to emergency first thing in the morning.

By the time they got her to the emergency room they rushed her in right away. She was delirious- she thought it was 1961, and when asked if she had spoken to anyone that day, she answered "my mom". (she passed away in 1983). They did a cat scan and realized that she had severe trauma and bleeding in her brain. They immediately told my dad they needed to operate that night and she could pass away if they didn't act fast.

My dad called me at 1:30 in the afternoon and told me. Well, all he said was "your mom is having brain surgery tonight. she hurt her head when she fell walking Rosie". Thats basically it. I was so scared. I had no idea why, what was happening, and I was so worried about her being so scared. (I later found out all of the other stuff leading up to the hospital, so she wasn't even aware that she was there. It wasn't even until about 8 hours after the operation that she realized she was hospitalized). It was the scariest thing that has ever happened to me. She went in for surgery at 5pm and we didn't see her until 8:30 or so. She looked like a little old woman. Half of her head was shaved and her skin looked like paper. She was mumbling and still confused. The actual procedure required them to drill holes in her skull and drain all of the blood from the concussion. She has 15 staples in her head and this tube coming from it which collects all of the blood which is still draining. The problem with her eye that she had been complaining about was actual blood clotting.

They said she would be home by tomorrow but now they are saying Tuesday at the earliest. She has all of her motor skills and is being super positive. I am so proud of her. She is off of the IV as of today and was eating solid (shitty) hospital food the day after the operation. what a trooper. She keeps joking about her hair and saying she will shave the other side too and have a mohawk. (haha). Does anyone have any good suggestions for age appropriate hats she could wear until her hair grows in?

I think the hardest part for her will be the 6 weeks of cabin-fevered house arrest she is on while she heals. Dad is going to be super over protective of her and her clumsiness while she is home. She is a very active person by nature so there will be a lot of time for her to watch tv/movies, read, and gain back the 10lbs she lost while sick. I am trying to suggest her some things to do which are low intensity while she is home. I think yoga might be good because it will keep her feeling fit which is something important to her.

i've been in visiting her multiple times a day and like i said, she seems to be doing good. today she looked more tired than before and a little bit down, but her skin had more color and she seemed very present and normal to converse with. I start my new job tomorrow, but I hopefully will get to visit her tomorrow night when I get home.

whew. thanks for the love everyone. Now go tell your family how much you love them.

2009-01-03T09:17:00.001-04:00

my mom is in the hospital. she unexpectedly had to have brain surgery last night.

my new years resolution has officially been bumped from "learn the entire dance routine to 'single ladies' " to "spend more time with my family".

fuck.

walk this way

2009-01-01T19:02:00.003-04:00

i am in the market for some new footwear.

these sweet nothings are from urban outfitters.

3 songs that will always cheer me up

2008-12-29T13:29:00.001-04:00

1. Cadillac Ranch- Bruce Springsteen
2. My Sharona- The Knack
3. Modern Love- David Bowie

2008- a year in review

2008-12-29T09:26:00.000-04:00

post coming soon...

colloco.co.uk

2008-12-25T16:20:00.003-04:00

angie really knows best. THIS website rules.

pantone mugs

2008-12-25T16:19:00.002-04:00

santa didn't bring them to me, but the birthday fairy might!

(p.s. feb. 12- fyi. hehehehehe)

this is what fashionable people wear on christmas day...

2008-12-25T14:56:00.000-04:00

lookbook.

First Annual Craft Money Christmas Cocktail Bash

2008-12-23T18:47:00.006-04:00

The photos have surfaced!

believe it or not, these pictures don't even clearly show the actual quantity of people crammed into my dollhouse. I can't wait for colly to upload the pics she took so I can show off the rest of my zexy guests.

cleaning up took over a day, even with 3 helpers. It is lasting almost as long as my hangover. Thanks to everyone who came out in spite of the weather! xoxo

photo credit ma' boi james reid

Ibride Trays

2008-12-20T04:01:00.004-04:00

as pointed out to me by ms. jamie q. thanks lady.

another gem from velocity art and design.

and surprisingly, i am not sick of deer motifs yet. they're especially majestic looking on all these trays. i would love to have a grouping of these hanging on the wall in a dining room.

in the words of my dear friend Adam Baxter "I would dies for a bit of dem' trays".

dream boots

2008-12-19T01:07:00.004-04:00

i bid on these tonight:

i hope i win. don't bid against me.

holy fuck

2008-12-19T00:24:00.000-04:00

HOW HAVE I NOT KNOWN ABOUT THIS YEARS AGO!?!?!

sometimes i forget about these things.

2008-12-17T22:51:00.003-04:00

then a few days later i find them on my computer.

an impromptu date night- hamachi house, silly movie, a bottle of wine, sleepover on a monday.
it was a good night.

i forgot about these until today:

its beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...

rubber stamp wish list

2008-12-17T12:46:00.002-04:00

inspired by my last post.

I realize I could easily make my own (which i plan on doing) but I can't deny the charm of these designs. i keep teasing lindsay about how much scrapbooking stuff she has been buying ("oh these are so cute and i have the matching scrap pack!!!") and telling her that she is going to turn into one of those crazy homemakers who have nothing to do but scrapbook all day long, but it is wasn't for one of her trips to a scrapbooking supply store in bayers lake, i would never have been introduced to the world of embossing. haha.

too bad these things are so damn expensive.

new craft supplies

2008-12-17T12:22:00.002-04:00

i have gotten REALLY into embossing lately. rubber stamps are kinda lame but when you think outside the obvious about how to use then suddenly you're in a whole new crafting world.

i bought this handmade stamp for embossing on the back of cards and envelope

clear embossing powder. the color of the pigment stamp you use shows through and suddenly all you need are cheap stamp pads and not expensive embossing powders. That being said, i am not considering buying a lot of embossing powders in different colors on ebay. come on- GLITTERRRRRRRR

teeny tiny spring green letraset letters

lindsay got this amazing mason jar stamp which i have been using a lot. I made a little collage with it. I had these great vintage bee pictures from an old childrens's encyclopedia, and i made them so they were trapped inside the jar. it says "what's the buzz?" in rubber stamps. (i also bought 6 new fonts of alphabet stamps haha). I am going to photocopy it and mount it on some cards and mail it to pen pals.

OMG TEETH LETTERS!!!!!!!!!

anyways, i am feeling inspired. Note to the wise: on the bottom of every michaels receipt there is a coupon for 40% off your next item purchased. they have a short expiration, but if you remember its bomb considering that they mark stuff up so much there.

ho! ho! ho!

2008-12-16T17:54:00.001-04:00

Happy holidays from the mall!

dear alexis

2008-12-15T13:05:00.001-04:00

thank you for the hair straightener!

OMG MY HAIR IS FINALLY LONG