Winter Is Blue

by the beautiful Vashti Bunyan

I'm having the hardest time getting any real work done today. The air is crisp with scattered drips of rain and I have been crunching fuji apples non-stop and letting time drip past slowly. I am angry my beloved Mondo lost Project Runway and I am frankly weary of my daily grind, even though it's not all that bad when I realllllly think about it.

On to much more important things! I had already decided not to send Christmas cards this year, since I am trying to save money (hah!). I do love Christmas cards so much, though, both giving and receiving! It was with great pride that I sent out my first set 4 years ago. I felt like a proper adult with my own real, live family and a home to call our own! I'd made it! I'm such a paper product fiend.

So today, I saw these adorable Rifle Christmas cards are sold in boxes that come out to $2 a card...hard to resist, though I am for the moment...











































I am resolved to get out of this mental rut. Once I am done "working" I will attempt to thoroughly clean my house (hah again!), get rid of the clutter, and set my mind free!

Age Old Blue

by Alela Diane























These crystals from Little Doe are not messing around -- they are serious chunks of hunky matter! I love them. It's killing me that I can't upload the big sized pics on the site. Just go there and have a look!

Chase Cohl is the lady behind Little Doe and she also designs accessories such as these:
































Although there is more than a touch of LA-trust fund hipster to all this, I gotta admit I love her looks. Feathers, crystals, velvet, you say? I'm easy like Sunday morning.

Give Him a Great Big Kiss

by Astoria's own Shangri-Las



Two of my dearest friends happen to be proud residents of Queens, NY. And one of them will be getting this bandanna for Christmas this year!

You Muses Assist

by Alasdair Roberts





















Ever since I saw this image of the inside of Yves San Laurent's home, I have been captivated by and paid special attention to y-shaped branches and objects.
















And so when I saw this shaman's wand, well...I'm into it, even if it seems kinda out there. I do love a quartz crystal and driftwood, so seeing them together...it works.

Landslide

by Fleetwood Mac

















Yosemite looms large in my memory. As a child we made a yearly jaunt every spring and it remains my favorite place on earth, and one of the most evocative of times past. Having breakfast at the Ahwahnee Hotel was always a highlight on our trips. I spent countless hours exploring both the interior and the grounds and its intricacies have been etched in my mind.

The decor in my apartment today is in many ways influenced by its design. I'm always looking for more ways to create the feeling of being in Yosemite in my tiny place (which is hilarious when I think about it -- our apt is so tiny and dark!) and just found out that Pendleton has a special Ahwahnee blanket! Love it.

A Little Bit of Rain

by the inimitable Karen Dalton

















Every house needs some driftwood. Yes, please!

Colorado Girl

by Townes Van Zandt

I got a new plain ol' Balinese black shell yesterday, and am now looking for the perfect wooden necklace to compliment it. A few options:






















Option 1 is gorge!






















Option 2 is muy expensivo, but so striking! It reminds me of shark's teeth, which is a good thing!






















Option 3 is pretty but a touch too short for my needs.






















And then there's option 4!

All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down

cover by Elliott Smith

































I have been obsessing all day about this clean, simple and beautiful shirt available in two colors, white and tan, created by Wintercheck Factory. Total perfection!

Lovecats

Well, here he is! I can't even put into words what my cat means to me! He's the sweetest, most special little guy.

I think he would like one of these cat beds to snuggle in (that's not him in there):
































I love how they are woven and resemble a basket. You can get em in any color right here!

Keep On the Sunny Side

by the Carter Family

















Want. Need. Contemplating...

Too Late For Goodbyes

I'm looking for something a tad classier to carry to work every day and this tote from LL Bean seems to do the trick. May ask for it for Christmas (in olive). Sorry for the tiny-ish pic -- it was the best I could do!

While I was there I noticed LL Bean has some truly beautiful and fairly affordable bags, for the ladies and dudes also!
















Thinking about getting this duffle for my man for Christmas as well! LL Bean bags all around!

Into My Arms

I got some earrings that are remarkably similar to these (a bit smaller and simpler) the other day at Polanco, an amazing store in Hayes Valley.

As far as I can tell, this is a traditional style of jewelry named "pajaritos" (tiny birds) made in Guanajuato, Mexico. It's delicate, sorta Victorian, hand made and absolutely stunning. I saw bracelets, pendants and a mind boggling assortment of these beauties, all different yet all with the same motif. The image here doesn't do these earrings justice. They are very intricate.

Here's a couple more examples:
















This is a beautiful ring!

And here's a pendant: