My Favorite Stores: Z Gallerie

On Friday, I went to Z Gallerie to get housewarming gifts for my fabulous friends Saba and Hammad, as well as my friend Robert, both of whom had housewarming parties this weekend. While there, I remembered why I used to think this was the coolest store on The Promenade. Everything in Z Gallerie is modern, fun and funky and the prices are surprisingly low. Look at some of the goodies I desperately want:

{Armillary Sphere - $89.95}

{Ceramic Ram's Head - $39.95}

{Posen Sconce - $29.99}

{Lucid Vase - $14.95}

{School of Fish on Stand - $123.99}

{Guppy Barware Set of 4 - $27.80}

{Royce Garden Tealight - $9.99}

February...You Better Be Good!

Happy February!

I have high hopes for this month, especially since January was a bit of a let down.

I hope February is full of continued success with
- my new lifestyle plan (next weigh-in tomorrow night!)
- my etsy shop
- the blog!
- and general craftiness
-oh, and school and friends and the boy and stuff :)

Today, at about 10:30, I got an urge to go to the gym. Of course, that happens when I'm at work! So, instead I asked my dad if I could take one of the dogs, Midnight, for a walk. He said sure, so we went on a brisk 30 minute walk and I came back feeling awesome! These are some pictures I took while on the walk.

This weekend was pretty low-key, but a few things worth noting did happen.
First, I reconnected with a friend who I had a falling-out with last summer. That was nice and it felt like we were picking up where we'd left off. But... I'm going to be cautious before jumping back in headfirst. I felt betrayed by this person and while I think (and hope!) she sincerely regrets what she did, I can't be sure. Especially not after one day. So, we'll see!

Second, my dad was hospitalized again on Sunday morning  - for chest pains. !!!! I know, that was my reaction, too! But, they ran all the tests and said that everything was normal and that is was actually chest muscle pain and not heart muscle pain. Which is so much better! So, disaster narrowly averted there!

Third, Sunday night we had a surprise party for Jonathan at his sister's house. I think he was unaware of our plan right up until we walked up to their door. Then, he was like... maybe there's a party? And I was all, I dunno, I was just told to come pick them up at 7:30. But, surprise or not, he had a good time and we saw some friends we haven't seen in a while!

The lovely Sam was there, someone who we hung out with 24/7 about 5 years ago and then we drifted apart. Recently, we randomly showed up at her Christmas party and now she came to Jon's birthday party and it looks like we're reconnecting. Which is awesome because Sam is awesome!

Robert was also there, and we definitely don't see Robert often enough! He brought along pieces of  what he's been working on for the past 3 years - a film based on a short story by Ellen Gilchrist titled, The Suicides. I read this story last night, turned to Robert and said, I need to read this like five more times. It took me all night to get a rudimentary understanding - and that was with a lot of help from Robert. And it's only 5 pages long! 5 small-paperback-sized  pages. I can't find it anywhere online, or I would link you. But, believe me, it's amazing and disturbing. It gave me the creeps the way Funny Games gave me the creeps. I can't tell you the name of the prospective film or any of the prospective cast or talent attached to it, but I can assure you that they're all fabulous! Good luck to Robert! :)

Fourth, I got a lot of thrifting in this weekend! I found a ton of awesome things and a new favorite thrift store (Palos Verdes Resale in Lomita). Here are my finds:

Fifth, I made a bunch of new cards and will be posting them in the shop tonight and tomorrow. I will save all of those pictures for another post tomorrow, after they're listed.

**I also discovered a lovely new blog today that I absolutely HAVE to share with you. I spent all morning reading ALL of her entries since she started and now I feel like we're bffs. :)

Please meet Tieka of Selective Potential. She has an awesome blog, complete with beautiful photos, an adorable hubby, and super cute photos of her amazing outfits!**

Lastly, don't forget to enter the giveaway for a super cute handmade bag from Jabba's Design Hut

- entries close on February 3rd at 11:59pm.

There will be ANOTHER giveaway starting tomorrow, too!

So, definitely stop on by!

My Favorite Stores: Anthropologie

I saw these candles when I was perusing my local Anthropologie last week and took some horrible pictures of my own. Pictures I have since deleted in favor of these much better ones. I think the horse is my favorite, though the dog is not bad either. There is a rabbit, too, but I find it illogically creepy and shiver whenever I see it. Don't get the rabbit!

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I don't wear belts. I like them, I think they're great ways to make fashion statements, but in general, I'm not a fan of constriction around my mid-section. However, as a small-chested gal, I have been known to wear belts in an empire-waist fashion over dresses and flowy shirts. This is exactly what I would do with this awesome belt. Cityscapes are one of the themes I can't get enough of and the colors are muted enough that I would actually wear this.

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Octopi are some of the most intelligent sea creatures. Did you know they can pick locks and open doors? They're basically eight-armed Houdinis. I have a soft spot for octopi, especially since I learned that they die after mating. The males live only a few months after mating and the females die after their eggs hatch. The crazy thing is that even though they stop eating for a month while protecting the eggs, they don't die of starvation! It's a genetically programmed death. Super sad. Another cool fact about octopi: they have three hearts and blue blood! I love octopi and I love this ring, however I'm a little freaked out by the $178 pricetag. Maybe one day...

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Don't you love measuring cups? They make me feel like I should bake a cake. Then, of course, Jon tells me I shouldn't because no one will eat it and it will sit around until we throw it out. But I love making the cake! These would make a really cute housewarming gift and if you're not a fan of the floral design, Anthropologie has a few other styles you might like better!

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We all had those ridiculous sweaters when we were kids. The horizontal lines, the heavy wool, just the memory makes me itch! How much better would it be then, to eliminate the itching and introduce this whimsical clock? Yes, it's a real clock! I'm a fan of this cottage-y, folk-y style, but I'm pretty sure Oliver would be a fan of those hanging cat toys. It just wasn't meant to be...

My Favorite Stores: CB2

Okay, we all have those stores that we could wander in for hours. Or, at least I hope you do, so that you understand when I go off on a little tangent here. I love CB2! For those of who don't know, CB2 is the younger, hipper version of Crate and Barrel. I have a good amount of their tableware and some of their decorative accessories, but every year I wait, with bated breath, for their holiday catalog. And here is what I found!

Are you not amazed at the amazing-ness of this amazing tealight holder? I look at these every year, marveling at the illusion of melting water. And I melt. My heart melts. This year, I think I'm gonna do it. I think I'm gonna buy some! At only $5.95, what was I ever waiting for?

These little elves are bearing gifts. Gifts of friendship, gifts of love, gifts of that fabulous flickering light that makes all of us look amazing. They are made of cast iron and have a lovely black matte finish. Last year, I tried to pick these up but ended up arriving three hours after they sold out for the season. This year, I'm getting them early!

So, we all agree that anything felted is super cute, right? Good, yes we do. The simplicity in these felted trees is what draws me in. That and the fact that I generally despise holiday decorations because of their gaucheness, their cheesiness, their overt cherry reds and pine greens. But these trees, in muted greens and soft whites are exactly the kind of decoration I like.

Hope you enjoyed our foray into awesome holiday decorating at one of my favorite stores! Check back soon for the next in the series. Hint: it starts with Anthro and ends with pologie.