Modern Vintage Style: Book Review

Yet another "coffee table book" that i couldn't stop looking at.  Emily Chambers, an interior stylist and owner of London's hip home boutique, Caravan has compiled a lively and colorful array of pictures and ideas for design and hone decor using vintage and thrifted pieces.  Being one of those girls who has pieced my own house together using hand me downs, thrift store and yard sale finds, and a little bit of this and a little bit of that, i loved every page of this book.  I'm super inspired after an afternoon of looking at it a few times over, to hit a few thrift stores after work today and treasure hunt for a few new pieces to ad to my own eclectic decor!
I decided to look her up and found the most wonderful website! http://www.emilychalmers.com/book_modern_vintage.html
You can purchase this book as well as her other style and decor books, there is a page with images of her style work and then there is a link to her shop, Caravan.  LOVE! This Hippy/Gypsy/Boho/vintage chic loving girl is her new biggest fan! I have been thinking about a trip to London this year...i'm going to make Caravan my 1st stop!

Never Stop to Think...Do I Have a Place for This? (book review)

I ADORE a beautifully illustrated design book.  This lovely little number had me salivating!  Being an artist and a lover of all things vintage, i can appreciate a good collection.  i'm not talking anything on the scale of "Hoarders," no, just a well thought out, perfectly displayed, fabulously pieced together collection of items.  If one has never "collected" anything, or fallen in love with idea of how pretty vintage lace might look on

one's wall next to a 1920's sepia toned, erotic print. Or, how you want to have a pitcher in every color that Fiesta ware once made, well, then i can't imagine that this sort of thing would even remotely resonate. For those of us however who can relate, i promise that this is a book that will not easily disappoint. I know i want to look at it over and over, and every time i do, i find something new~

For more information about this author, or her projects and collections, head over to her website:

http://www.carterjunk.com/html/carter.phtml

OH, LA, how i love you....always have!

http://www.lamag.com/the80s/2014/07/16/the-mystique-of-melrose-avenue
Great page! I remember a few of these place, especially Aardvarks~*~ 
Probably the beginning of my vintage obsession~

Dancing to the Violin

There are those times when the pain of what's going on around just sort of hits like a ton of bricks.  You're just going along with your day, easy peasy, then KABLAM! Next thing i know, i'm sobbing like a baby, i'm an uncontrollable pile of mush! I started this blog originally because i enjoy writing and sharing.  I have a rather large following on facebook, but it isn't necessarily the place to share more than snippets and tidbits of things, like quotes or pictures.  I wanted to write things about fun adventures that my kids and i have together, share about the life and times of raising a transgender teen, maybe throw in a book review or chat about a good/bad restaurant experience.  I have not posted anything since the custody trial last month.  Yes, it's been ONE MONTH since we went in front of the Judge,and STILL, no answer yet as to the primary residence of my baby boy, Jasper. I truly do not understand what could be taking the Judge so long to decide.  I'm sure he has a lot on his plate, several cases to contend with, but why not come up with an answer within 48 hours? It's still fresh in the brain, the memory of everything that was said, how each party represented themselves is still vivid.  I feel as though my life is on hold.  I'm waiting, everyday...waiting.  I was alone from 6/3 until 7/13.  As per our "parenting plan" for Bushai and Ronin, I get all of the kids in May, and Josh in July.  I wold have gotten Ronin back earlier in July, but, i had asked that she stay until the 7th because due to a festival i'm involved in, i know that 4th of July weekend would be really hectic and i'd barely be home. I was then asked if Ronin could stay an extra week.  This came as a surprise since she and her father have a somewhat volatile past, but, I figured if she was requesting it, and it made her happy, sure, why not.  On the evening of the 13th, the day before I was to get Ronin, I put in a request from Josh that I get some time with Jasper.  Not only was the answer no, but, he informed me that Jasper would be staying in Albuquerque with his grandpa for the day and I would not be seeing him.  The list goes on and on and I WILL be posting my side of the story piece by piece. 
For the past week, the  weight of it all has taken a toll and I have been moody, cranky and tired.  I'm down, depressed and utterly exhausted. Everybody has asked me about it, and although I appreciate the concern and love, I cannot seem to get a word out about it without turning into mush.  I have cried more in the past month than I can ever remember.  I cried when my marriage ended, but not over loosing Josh, I was sad that what I knew as my family unit was going to drastically change.  It was scary and exhilarating at the same time.  I was a wreck this past Monday when, the school that Jasper Is registered for Kindergarten at started.  Ronin goes there as well, and I couldn't even take her to school that day.  A friend gave her a ride.  I knew that watching all the little Kindy kids walking in on their 1st day would not be a good idea.  I did take Ronin the next day and I had to walk her in because she had a load of stuff for the field trip they were about to leave on.  I wasn't in the classroom for 5 minutes when the art teacher came in.  She hugged me and said, "i'll bet you're glad to have all the kids back, huh?"  I couldn't even answer her.  I teared up and walked outside.  I moved to Albuquerque last summer after Josh because I knew it was create a "shit show" if I didn't.  I love Albuquerque, I love NM, I really do, but, it just didn't seem to fit this time.  I was depressed, I missed my small town, I missed my friends, my community, my life here.  I know that THIS is the place for me to raise Jasper, I know it is.  I hope that the Judge sees that as well.  Until then....I continue to use creative visualization, ask my community for prayers and stay positive~

40 Black & White Photos That Cannot Be Explained

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/old-photos-that-need-more-information
As promised, I do love old pics and whenever i get a link to something like this on my facebook feed, i'm going to post it here as a little place to collect them all~
Eerie and surreal, these images range from the jaw dropping, "WHAT IN THE WORLD?" to "Are you kididng me?" types of reactions. 
I truly enjoyed every one of them, but here are a few of my faves.

Nico - These Days

All the Pretty Colors

I tend to like pretty things.  It's true, I do!  So, when a film, or several films by the same writer/producer/director are just as pretty to watch as, say.... a parade of painted ponies, I say: YES!!!

Last night, I had the pleasure of watching the newest edition to the Wes Anderson collection of films, The Grand Budapest Hotel.  I was unable to make it to the theater to see this gem, but, it must have been surreal on the big screen.  The color palettes were straight out of a child's sugar plum dreams. Every scene was delicious, every frame, spot on.  The cast was great, as always, even the two younger folks, Zero and Agatha, played by Tony Revolori and Saoirse Ronan were phenomenal, in and of themselves, but at every twist and turn, and new actor showed up in a caricature type character and well, it all just worked!

It just may be my new favorite Wes Anderson movie, but, i said the same thing after Moonrise Kingdom two years ago.  That movie was such a sweet and romantic coming of age story set in the 70's, and was truly meant to be viewed a visual cocktail, like something with coconut rum and a tiny little umbrella, as we all reminisced about our 1st loves and summer camp.

On tonight's viewing menu however, i have rented The Royal Tenenbaums.  Why? Well, i asked my boyfriend if he'd ever seen it, and he said he may have, but couldn't remember.  This movie is so very memorable, i wanted to make sure he could ad it to his "have seen" list.  This, for me was the 1st Wes Anderson flick that made me stand up and take notice.

  Ofcourse visually pleasing, as well and incredibly cast.  Every character in this movie is and absolute HOOT, and each actor in each role is perfection.  

If you have not seen this movie, it is MANDATORY! Go find it NOW!

Another thing that i just couldn't get over was the soundtrack.  I remember running out and buying it the next day and listening to it over and over and over.  Just in case you were curious, it'll be in the following post.