love at first wrinkle

My mother hates linen. She won't wear it, no way no how. But she also irons jeans and bandanas. The woman likes her fabric crisp and flat. She's fairly Victorian that way. And while linen irons like a dream, it also wrinkles like a mad.

Which doesn't bother me one single bit. In fact, I kind of like the way it softens and becomes all flouncy and light. It's character!

I've been drooling over this tunic for some time now.  It's made by a french woman. Of course.

isabelamyo

And then there's Pamela Tang in Australia. I mean really. Her stuff is so me I think we might have been separated at birth. Except I can't sew like that. And she's obviously Asian and tiny. But sisters. We could be sisters.

If you didn't watch it when I mentioned it before, do it now. Really.



I madly in love with linen. Now you know why.

photo credits: 1. a firm knock on the door..., 2. Simply Pretty Ringbearer Pillow, 3. Untitled, 4. Untitled, 5. Linen and Lace, 6. coconut buttons and linen, 7. Linen piping trim, 8. linen_linai, 9. smocked linen dress

etsy love

Wall Decal

Kimono Robe

Butterfly Celebration

Jewelry Stand

Chickadee Tee

baby style

I know this wicked woman. She reads my blog. I have a lot of wicked readers.

You know, birds of a feather. . .

Anyway, she sent me a link to a little item she said looked like something I would like.

Boy was she right. I held out for exactly forty-six hours and then I couldn't stand it any longer.



I can't wait to get my new sling and I'd like to personally thank Hollywood for making motherhood fashionable. It's about damn time.

In other news, we switched Birdie to a soy based formula and I'm thinking of calling Homeland Security to notify them of the toxic matter being produced in our house. Every time I change a diaper I worry about having my eyebrows singed off.

if i could wear tangerine. . .

I would scrape all my pennies together to buy this. But what I really want are the shoes.


In 2006 Luella designed for Target. It lasted about two weeks and the pieces were very underwhelming. Alas, the masses will never look as good as the rich and famous. But we do try.

Sometimes it sucks to be in the masses.

shop girl

Shop Girl by Heidschoetter

One little vice never hurt anyone. Mine just happens to be shopping. I'm not neurotic about it. I don't have closets stashed full of bags of unopened, unworn items. I don't run up credits cards or buy things way out of my price range. I don't shop everyday. It's not an issue. I have it under control.

I think.

But the fact of the matter is that it does make me feel happy. I love to browse the sprawling make-up counters at Nordies. I sniff the perfumes while I nonchalantly gawk at the eccentric Mac employees. I run my fingers over each item that catches my eye. I try on hats and shoes that I would never buy.

For me, shopping is like eating ice cream. It's so much nicer with a friend. I am a social shopper. It's kindof like a social drinker only better. Instead of a designated driver, I need someone reel me in when my "eclectic" sense of style gets a little over board for church on Sunday.


I have never owned a pair of spectators. I think now is the time.

I will own this gorgeous gauzy tunic. If I have to sew and embroider it myself, I will have it.


Hummm, if only I could sew. I guess I just need to do some shopping around. I'm quite positive I can find something very similar. Shopping is one thing I'm pretty good at.

because sally tomato said so

I can't believe that I've been at this for an entire year. I've written so much, given a fair amount of things away and complained a little. Here's to many more years of having my own daily soap box.

Do you have a favorite Suaviloquy post? I'd like to know which one it is. Leave it in the comments.

"I've got to do something about the way I look. I mean
a girl just can't go to Sing Sing with a green face." -Holly
Golightly

I mentioned not to long ago that I had found some ear plugs. I didn't want any old ugly orange ones like Sugar Daddy used to wear in law school. A girl like me needs fashion.

So I turned to the Queen of Fashion herself. Holly Golightly.

She never steers me wrong. I found the sweetest little tassel ear plugs around. And girls, they were only $6. You must check out JenGen's little shop on the web. Sally Tomato gives it two thumbs up.

I've been wearing them around annoying the living daylights out of my family. When they ask me to do something I just point to the tassels and mouth "I CAN'T HEAR YOU" and give a shrug.

You know me. I can't keep something this good all to myself. I have to share the love. I have five, yes five pairs of ear tassels in varying designs to give away. Leave a message and you will be in the drawing. And don't forget to tell me if you have a favorite post from 2008 if you had one. I will pick a winner on Wednesday. If you aren't lucky enough to win a pair, for heaven's sake, go to the website and buy some. They are only $6!

P.S. If you don't know who Sally Tomato is, I don't know why you are still reading this post. Go rent the movie already!

dangling the carrot

I think we all know that I am not above bribing people to get them to do what I want. To coax all you lurkers out, (I know you are still out there, I even know where you live- well, generally). I offer you a little bribe that you will hopefully be unable to resist.

My good friend Wendy has started a business selling hats. Evidently, hats are the chic accessory these days. I'm not in my twenties anymore so I can't be expected to know what is hot in modern society, but I have friends. I have friends who keep up with trends and they fill me in. In this way, I am really in the loop and super hip.



Any lurker who is willing to reveal themselves by leaving a comment will be in the drawing for this darling little jockey cap donated by Wendy of Swanki Hats. I chose to give away the blue one because that is the one I liked the best. If you aren't so much of a blue gal, click on over to Swanki Hats and order it in another color.

Survivor man just bought me a knit cap for Christmas, but if he hadn't, I'd be ordering up one of these. I guess I could always have two caps, but I think I might feel a little ridiculous, you know, with the weather being 85 degrees and all.

Okay kids, comment away. I'll use my random number picker to select a winner on Friday.

P.S. Check out Swanki Hats list of shows. There will be a party in my area next Wednesday. If you live close, stop on by.

bella sera baby- "favorite thing" #7

I'm not sure if my good friend Amy (mom to twin girls) is going to thank me profusely for this post, or be really angry that I have, once again, urged her to spend oodles of cash on irresistible clothes for her daughters. What can I say? I'm dying here. If I can't spend money on a daughter of my own, then I will coerce others to do so. It's my way of staying sane while I wait.

I can only imagine how cute my china doll would look in this!

And this.

And she must have this.

Bella Sera Baby was founded in 2002 by mother of two, Courtney Lupe. When Lupe was pregnant with her first son she could not, for the life of her, find any baby accessories that were both functional and stylish, which forced her to make them herself. Before she knew it, she was making them special order for friends and then complete strangers.

"I pride myself in offering a stylish alternative to the pastel wonderland of baby fashion by providing a line of goods that are full of life and personality." -Courtney Lupe

Bella Sera Baby is a must see shop. Click on over and pick out something for your cutie pie. I have the blanket in the first photo and I can tell you, it is great quality. You won't be disappointed with any purchase you make.

Okay, okay, I know all you moms with munchkins are waiting with baited breath to see what Courtney is going to give away. Well, here it is. Leave a comment to be in the drawing for the "Sherbet Mod Mini". It is available in sizes 2T, 3-4T, and 5-6. Don't forget to cruise through the previous posts for more "Favorite Things" giveaways. All drawings will be open until Dec. 15th.

Oh and Amy, you can pick up a second, coordinating one, for only $28. You'll thank me later I'm sure.

house of telsa- "favorite things" #5

Today is the day that I introduce you to cutting edge fashion- Thatiana style. Your life will never be the same. You will long to sport one of these beauties jauntily across you head. You will think up all kinds of outfits to complement such fanciful pieces and you will never, NEVER rest until you own one, or two. I know because ever since I found House of Telsa my head has felt completely bare and boring.


Sometimes I really wonder if I was born in the wrong era.

Why is it that our grandparents got all the good head gear and we were left with scrunchies?

I won't stand for it. With Thatiana as my guide, I am going to personally bring fashionable head wear into vogue. Join me.

Here is what the superb Thatiana has to say about her creative process:

It is something indescribable watching what you've only seen in a vision gradually take form. I relish in it, really, and consider myself quite lucky to have this creative outlet and the support of all my customers, friends and family who continue to encourage and inspire that passion within.

To kick start the fashion revolution, Thatiana has generously donated one of her "Mammy's Red Petticoat" headpieces.

This stunning special edition head piece features a deep red silk dupioni rosette, coupled with black and white feathers as well as a sequined beaded trim in garnet and antique bronze. All is securely set on custom made backing comprised of fine millinery materials. A comb at back keeps it secured on the wearers head. It retails for $60.

Leave a comment and your name will go in the drawing on Dec 15th.

inspiration

Well girls, welcome to December. I feel like a large truck has just raced by and I am left standing, dazed and windblown. The holiday was lovely, just not long enough to regroup before the storm.

The giveaways for December will be all grouped together starting on Friday. Everyday, for 10 days, I will feature an amazing artisan and have a giveaway. You can still enter to win the earrings from the previous post by helping me promote the giveaway!

Also, I am on schedule to release the new mini collection on Friday! I thought I'd give you a little peek into some of my inspiration for the pieces I have created.

why i wear cowboy boots

There is a woman who lives in my community that is very highly respected. A few years ago I had occasion to be in contact with her on a daily basis. She was always extremely polite and professional. She had this way about her that was somehow condescending in a very backhanded way. When she said "Please come in" I heard "Shut up, sit down and if you get mud on my carpet I will stab you with the same knife that I used to cut the homemade brownies". So I was a little afraid of this woman and really very intimidated. I felt like a dog with a submissive urination problem. Every time I was around her I clinched every muscle and prayed I didn't soil her sofa.

And then, as these types of women tend to do, she pushed me just a little to far. She found my Achilles heel and she jabbed. She made me second guess my parenting. Even as the mother bear in me was rearing up, she knew just what to say to send me away with my tail between my legs. The whole thing was really quite pathetic.

One morning, as I was doing some shopping downtown and getting myself geared up to spend some time with this woman, a guy ten years my younger whistled at me. I had on old jeans and my cowboy boots. Now I'm all for women's lib and curbing sexual harassment, but I have to say, it felt pretty damn good. It reminded me who I am. I am not some spineless joke of a woman. My ancestors were pioneers, women of the Wild West. Women with guts and moxie. Tough gals. I went to that lady's house that day. I smiled nicely and spoke kind words. But I'm quite sure that what she heard was "Back off sister before I put these boots to good use." She has since subsided into the background of my life. I don't see her around a whole lot, but I am glad we tangled. It reminded me who I am.

I wear my boots all winter long. I wear them with jeans. I wear them with skirts. If you have never put on a pair of cowboy boots, give them a try. They may put a little hitch in your giddy up that will be just the thing you need.

Now, back to my regularly scheduled program of sweet words and nice thoughts.