Wall Pocket

It's taken a loooooong time to train myself to put my keys in one place, but most mornings I am still doing the spinning-in-circles routine looking for my phone, purse, keys, brain. I have plaster walls and an extremely heavy purse so the wall pocket probably won't work for me, but having all my things in one place? Very appealing. by way of...

Artilicious

I am participating in a craft show fundraiser in August, my first ever. If you're in the area, come by and check out my Besties, for sale for the first time ever. I shot this little dude on my front porch this morning. The humidity immediately fogged up my camera lens, but I love how the image turned out.

Big Sky

The beautiful, limitless palettes in the sky always takes my breath away.

Wooden Spoons

I am a firm believer that every kitchen needs a wooden spoon or three. Nic Webb's wooden spoons are almost too gorgeous to use. by way of...

Vintage Vessels

This is my newest project! After a years of chairing fundraising events and throwing parties, inexpensive containers for "grouping" centerpieces were always at the top our must-have list. We've been pretty creative with our budgets by saving food cans, re-using wine bottles and throwing together everything we own to make things look good. But not everyone has the time or inclination to thrift, go to endless estate and garage sales, or rescue things from the trash. That's where Vintage Vessels comes in. We're doing all the dirty work and will be loaning our unique vintage and reclaimed vessels for do-it-yourself brides, bridal & baby showers, dinner parties, afternoon teas and special picnics.

We've been going crazy collecting a wide arrangement of vessels for every possible theme we could think of: milk glass, glass, mason jars, baskets, silver, mirrors, serving pieces, old tins and colored glass. We'll have a website up soon and of course we're starting a blog.

While visiting Oh Joy! today, I saw this photo by Christian Chaize, all the lovely colors made me think of the Vintage Vessels logo, and what a great color story it could be for our soon-to-be website. We're excited!

Ryan Rhodes

Unbelievably freaking cool. My type hero for the day.

See if you can figure out how to enter his site.

by way of... 

Ideeli

Ideeli want this Junior Drake leather tote. For those of you who aren't familiar with members-only shopping sites like Ideeli, Rue La La, or Shoe Dazzle, they're a great way to get the newest, best, etc., things at a steal. This bag retails for $505 but at Ideeli, is available for $165. It's still not how much I usually spend on a bag, but closer. Much, much closer.

Stache Clash 2010

At my day job, we're holding a month-long mustache-growing fundraiser. Sixteen of us have signed up to "grow" facial hair and we are taking pictures each week to document the growth and styling. Our co-workers are voting on the best 'stache by throwing pennies in donation buckets. Silver coins and dollars count as negative points. It's only been a week, but we've all been having a blast with our facial hair. And it was a great team builder as we are all getting to know each other better, one follicle at a time.

We're raising funds for a non-profit called Puppies Behind Bars. Puppies are trained by prison inmates to be service dogs for disabled veterans (and as bomb-detection dogs). Click here to read more about this awesome organization and how they help our veterans adjust to civilian life. Be sure to check out their media page, they have had tons of great press and if you're flying Southwest Airlines this summer, Puppies Behind Bars is featured in their in-flight magazine. You can also read the story, "How Mya Saved Jacob" here. 

Our company has a five-month, $15,000 fundraising goal, that's enough for five new puppies which we get to name! We've already sent in our first check for over $3,000 and have a lot of other fun company-wide fundraising ideas in the works. If you would like to support this great organization, you can give me your pennies or send a check to the directly to Puppies Behind Bars (which is probably easier). I'll keep you updated on my stache progress each week.

A t-shirt I designed for the cause. We were going to reprint over "mistake" shirts, but there were some production issues so they got nixed. 

All Packed Up

These two suitcases were purchased for a mere $2.50 this weekend. One has a really great floral pattern, the other a "paisley," and both have a side clasp with their locks and keys. In excellent condition, they are a perfect carry-on size for today's every shrinking air line baggage restrictions. Score.

Me & G

George and I spent our wedding anniversary at the Royals game with my co-workers. Where has the romance gone? Seriously though, it was a beautiful day and I really like the people I work with. For previous anniversaries, we've gone on mini road trips, checked out small towns like Hannibal, Missouri, stayed at B&Bs that were formerly bordellos and explored the Mark Twain caves. I would rather visit a big city, but my Irish husband thinks that you see the "real America" in small towns. What is he? A politician? It was the perfect way to spend our anniversary, tailgating before a baseball game, watching the Royals lose, and being American.

We love to take pictures of ourselves.

One more for the collection!