i am loving...

1. Gemma Correll
My first ever blog-giveaway win, from the coolest cat-centric illustrator and with the best possible timing (we all need a 'pick me up' every once in a while, right?)! How cute is this little prize package?! I love love love her.


2. Miss Jeni
One of my favorite flickr contacts--with an incredible eye for Pyrex, quilting, and vintage sheets--sent me this sweeter than honey surprise. The funny thing is, just around the same time she must have sent it, I bought some fabric from her etsy! So, I stupidly thought it was my order that had arrived, and even just the note brought at tear to my eye. Then I thought...wait a minute, I ordered five fabrics, not three! And then, worse...hey, these aren't the fabrics I ordered! And finally, omg, it's my favorite print in every color!!, it hit me that it was a gift. I'm not used to surprise packages, and it definitely caught me off guard...in the best possible way. :)


2. Tasha Early
I was fortunate enough to have this beautiful, kind, talented girl contact me via the blog, curious about a job with the alterations shop I work at. We had a little chat on the phone about whether she suited the shop and the job suited her, and then she applied...and was hired! Thank goodness. They were really struggling to find someone 'good enough', and I know after working with her the past few weeks, she's nothing short of perfect.

This picture is from a sweet little event up on Commercial Street on Friday that Tasha invited me to. Doesn't she look like a natural vintage model?



This is what I wore to the vintage fashion show. I had to take a picture, since I was only out of the house for maybe an hour. I love this dress, will have to tell you the story behind it some other time...



3. Ishy Jewelry
My life went through some really unexpected changes lately, and I felt the urge to buy myself something special, you know the feeling? I rarely wear jewelry, but have in the past, and love the calming, tactile nature an 'everyday' piece can have. I decided I needed a necklace that I could wear day, night, in the shower, dressed up or dressed down.

I had recently fallen in love with the hand-cut silver pendant trend on etsy, and spent hours searching for something that 'had special meaning'. When I finally came across Chantel's shop, saw her obvious talent, and noticed that she was open to custom orders...my hunt was over. She modeled this piece for me after my favorite pair of scissors that belonged to my grandmother. I just got it today and was blown away. It looks better than I ever could have imagined. It's me to a 'T' and I never want to take it off again.


4. You!
Thanks for sticking around through my many unexplained absences. Soon, I should be ready to explain. :) Home Ec is drawing to a close (bittersweet!) and I have a mile-long list of work to catch up on. I hope to start making more regular appearances around here...but I don't make promises I can't keep, so let's just say I'll see you when I see you...and that I look forward to it!

xoxo