Oh! Sweet Nuthin'

by Velvet Underground

omg.omg.omg.

Let's Dance

cover by M. Ward

















Oops, I did it again...No, I haven't been listening to Britney Spears (god forbid). I bought another Navajo rug. (Here's the first one I got.) I really wasn't supposed to spend any money...but it was pretty cheap and I couldn't resist. I really want a house chock full o' these suckers someday, and seeing as our apt is super tiny, I have pretty much have achieved that goal till we move somewhere bigger eventually!

And, to be honest, I broke my spending rule because the more I continue to decorate the space around me and my family with things that I love and that speak to me (and the bf and his son), the more I (and hopefully they) enjoy each day and time spent in our apt! It brightens my days and cozy-s up my nights! It seems so silly but it's absolutely true. Thinking back, I didn't really experience that in my childhood home, so this is a relatively new revelation for me.

Growing up, neither of my parents was into decorating for the simple sake of beauty or even personality (they still aren't). We just had what had been inherited or was plainly useful (and they kept everything forever). I have a complicated or maybe just odd relationship with "things" perhaps as a result, something that has been changing in positive ways over the past several years. Anyway, beauty and connection make such a real difference, not just when it comes to ethereal things in life like relationships (as I was taught when I was young), but also when it comes to "things." They really do. I realize that most people probably knew that all along! Ever since my bf and I moved in together 5 yrs ago, I feel like I am creating a real HOME for the first time, and home is extremely important to me. (My sign is Cancer.)

Now I will be on a for-reals shopping moratorium for a while, but that won't stop me from looking around...hard not to since I spend so much time online for/during my 2 jobs...and it's almost just as fun to look anyway!

Withered and Died

by Richard and Linda Thompson

As promised, here are some selections from the Elkus Family's jewelry...

Evangeline

So thrilled -- after passing on this Navajo rug due to the high price, I scored this rug tonight on ebay for a lot cheaper, and it's exactly the sawtooth pattern I wanted in the first place! Glad I held out. So I guess my collection really starts here.












I also received and hung this pinecone garland over our bed tonight. Our apt is getting lodge-ier by the second and I'm loving it! (A busy Friday night, no? ;)

Refuse from a Silver Phial

by Gene Clark

Life has been absolutely flying by lately, faster than ever! I can't believe we're almost through with January already...what!? Anyway, I hate to be such a blatant copycat, but when I saw this necklace at Indian Summer Vintage (an awesome blog, btw!), I fell head over heels at first sight...

















Navajo silver beads...incredible! And I managed to find and win (by the skin of my teeth!) a similar one of my own on ebay. I truly couldn't help myself. It hasn't arrived yet but I am thrilled and see it not just as jewelry but also as an inspirational piece of art that will hang on my wall when it's not hanging around my neck!

In the Lost and Found

by Elliott Smith
This song has been stuck in my head for 2 days straight!






















Been eyeing this Navajo rug on ebay the past few days. It's small enough to fit in our apt, which is saying something! And the serrated pattern is pretty great. Still, the price isn't great and I need to try to resist for now. Someday when I have a larger, hardwood floored home I dream of covering it with Navajo rugs, though. Tempting to really start my collection now!

I have a beautiful Native American rug in my bedroom on the wall already, and, as I research Native American textiles more and more, I think it could be a Chimayo rug. And, oh, I got the most gorgeous Venezuelan rug for Christmas from a dear one! Pics (with the cat, who took to it instantly, and unfortunately) to come! It's raining textiles in our home! :)

Paths of Victory

Bob Dylan cover by Cat Power















Lately all I've been doing is dreaming about taking a road trip to Santa Fe via Arizona. Actually, I've been thinking about it for about 2 years straight at this point, but in the past few weeks I've been checking out more books about Navajo weaving, pre Columbian art and adobe decor that have further whetted my already ravenous appetite.















No idea when I will actually make it there, but I have a feeling I will pass out with joy when I finally reach the promised land of the Museum of International Folk Art, Santa Fe Indian Market and cliff dwellings, among a billion other special and sweet things.













I read about something that sounds totally amazing today: The Hubbell Trading Post. It's in northeastern Arizona and is the oldest continuously operating Navajo trading post, now operated by the National Park Services. Definitely will be on my list of stops along the way!































Have I mentioned I am totally over my so-called "career," mostly cause I can't make enough money to actually live, even with 2 jobs? I'm open to suggestions...I don't really know what to do with myself at this point aside from run away to Santa Fe.