nothing but a pigeon

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Our little fun filled weekend...

This past weekend was packed full! It was fun but a little over whelming..... I ended up having the work Saturday (which was a bummer) and then had to run straight to a baby shower for my good friends Jodi and David Hopper. Jodi and I share a booth during First Thursday's. She is the creator and owner of Art Genius. She is also a member of Craft Riot and sells her jewelry at Parts & Labour too! They are expecting their first child... a baby boy any day now. I'm so lucky to have such wonderful and talented friends! We had such a great time with them and all their friends. It wasn't your "typical" baby shower. Afterwards we stayed and helped them pack up and then decided to all grab a bite to eat. We ended up at this Modern Thai Cuisine eatery called "Spin". Jodi had read that it was given a 9 out of 10 in Austin360.com. Turns out that Ek Timrerk and Thai Changthong both veterans of Uchi, Uchiko and East Side King teamed up together to combine their culinary skills creating a new "Spin on Thai". We stared with Sweet Corn Taro Tempura which consisted of crispy fried taro and corn fritter in a sweet chili vinaigrette, topped with green onions and crushed toasted peanuts. I also had Quail for the first time! It was really good, tiny little thing but tastey.... marinated in lemon grass and rosemary. We all each took a little bite. We all gobbled that up right away.... onto the tasting plates and full plates.
I ordered the Salmon Tataki from the tasting menu. It is a smoked salmon, lightly and tossed with garlic, shallot, brunoise pinapple, tobiko, and green apple chili sauce. It was quite spicy but I was feeling adventurous that night. It was very delicious and tender just the way salmon should be... lightly seared and almost falling apart. The Mister ordered Saba Mi Krop, smoked Norweigian Mackerel which is chargrilled and topped with pickle Serrano, ginger garlic paste and Thai chili and black soy over crispy egg noddles. It was very good however too spicy for me.

Norweigian Mackerel

Saba Mi Krop 15

Smoked Norwegian Mackerel which is char-grilled and topped with pickle Serrano, ginger garlic paste and Thai chili and black soy over cri

Sunday The Mister and I decided to venture out to Zilker park for The 85th Annual Kite Festival. It's held on the first Sunday in March every year. I had never been before and Matt said it was a site to see. It was indeed! There were kite's as far as the eye could see. We had also come prepaired with a picnic and a blanket. Luckily we were able to park at his office parking lot and it was a quick walk to the field. It was amazing... and it was actually quite warm and breezy that day. We had so much fun but tired qwickly and headed home after a few hours... but we managed to take some nice photo's while we were there.

On our walk to Zilker Park.

A really scary, rickety bridge we had to cross.

The Mister and me.

Hope everyone had a nice weekend as well!!

Monday, March 11, 2013

Inroducing Ferris Wheel and Aquamaids by Shabby Apple

I am just loving the new Ferris Wheel and Aquamaids line by Shabby Apple! I'm a vintagey type of girl at heart and find that these classic styles are flattering on all shapes and sizes. I simply adore the colors and patterns! The skirts are just amazing. Every one knows I love my skirts..... I practically live in them.

Check out the classic hair paired with red lips and nails! Very 50's retro. I also love the big bouffant hair styles.... I can never quite get my hair to do that. I do think the classic beehive should come back, but that's more 60's.

Oh! I just love Peplum tops! I recently purchased my first and they are so flattering! I'm obsessed with bright colors and am really into this whole line. The clothes are so happy and sunny.

These are the most adorable little Peter Pan collars. In the last 2 months I have stocked up on scarves and hair ties! I find it hard to wear them to work but can't wait to rock them this summer at Barton Springs and at Mustang Island!

Speaking of Mustang Island.... I'm dying for one of these swim suits. I'm a big fan of the retro suits and have yet to purchase one. I wouldn't have to worry about "popping out" in these high cut styles.

Ok, where can I get one of those fun, flowery swim caps?

I'm also a little shy when it comes to bikini's. I want to feel comfortable and not have to worry about "adjusting" anything. These suits are perfect for me.

This rediculously large swan floaty is the best. I can see Mandy and I at Barton Springs floating around with over sized sunglasses on. Ahhhhh, that's the life!

Right now Shabby Apple has a Take Two Promotion. Buy any item from The Ferris Wheel Collection and recieve any item here for 50% off! Happy shopping!

Get your flowery swim cap here.

xoxo

Friday, March 8, 2013

Kate's kittah kat-toe DIY

Happy Friday everyone! I just found the cutest kittah DIY ever on Kittenhood. Kate from Scathingly Brilliant has done it again. I just adore her blog and all her little outfits. She has the most clever DIY's out there and always has fun posts. She is the creator and owner of Flapper Doodle ....1920's inspired art and stationary shop. I was saddened to hear that her cat Hypatia has just recently passed last week. For anyone that is an animal lover who has lost a dear pet knows how hard life can be without their furry loved ones there to greet them everyday when they get home from work and to wake up to them in the morning. They are members of the family... our children, they are always there for us when we need them and never judge.

My heart goes out to Kate during this very difficult time.

On a happier note..... I wanted to share Kate's cat-toe shoe DIY to brighten your day because she is such a sunny, bright type of gal.

click here for materials and directions.

I don't own a cat but love the cat-toe trend and I'm totally going to hop on board with this one. I'm on the prowl for plain flats as we speak. I'm so excited how easy and lovely these seem to come out. I can see a future "craft night" with the girls.

This is just a smidge of the awesome DIY's that Kate has. Here are my favorites... enjoy.

scalloped stamped dress

eraser brooch

embellished dress

Make sure to check out Kate's blog Scathingly Brilliant and also her Etsy store Flapper Doodle.

She also has the most darling accessories on Sweet and Lovely.

In loving memory of Hypatia

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Penny Loafers!

I'm so obsessed with Penny Loafers right now. I really, really want a pair but can never find a decent pair at any local Thrift stores.... looks like I'm going to have to shell out the money and buy a brand new pair and break them in myself.

I just love how classic and timeless they are. My Mom used to wear them all the time.... her and Dad. My Mom said it was the style to wear them without socks. She claims that she would get dressed in the morning and wear loafers with knee socks on her walk to school and take them off as soon as she got to school. I'm guessing she did it in part because my Grandma (her Mom) wouldn't have her going without them and or it was cold on the morning trek.

It's so funny how style repeats itself.

Look at these Bettie's in saddle shoes and loafers.

I think it's so beautiful and romantic in a way when I see young ladies ridding in bikes in skirts. It's so feminine and the loafers give it an added prep school touch.

Yes, they really put pennies in them!

Anyone would give you a "double take" in this cute, fresh little outfit.

I must run out and get a pair before this Spring! I can't wait to wear them with little white socks and shorts. I think I'm going to bring the school girl prep look back into my wardrobe. These will be the perfect first addition to my collection!

xoxo

Friday, March 1, 2013

Chain Collar DIY

Hey guys! I have another awesome DIY... this time it's brought to you by my very lovely and talented friend Lesley Forrester. I met Lesley in College.... we both attended a small Art and Design school in Columbus, Ohio and ran around in similar crowds. I saw this DIY on Lesley's Instagram and almost fell out of my chair. (by the way her Instagram images are tre' cool) I contacted her right away and asked to borrow her idea for my very own bloggy. Did I mention Lesley is gorgeous?

So the directions are pretty basic. Lesley used her boyfriends shirt and cut out the collar leaving the button on the front part. You can use any collared shirt you can find.... your local thrift store would be a good bet. You might even be able to find other kinds and styles of collars.

So after the collar have been cut... next you want to take whatever type of chain you would like

(small, fat, gold or silver) and sew it to the rim or edge of the collar with the same collar thread as the shirt.

Or you can get crazy and use a contrasting thread color. Feel free to be creative. A plaid collar would look adorable with a little delicate string of pearls attached to the rim. You can get chain at your local craft store.

I love how Lesley has layered a necklace underneath. Checkout "How to Layer necklaces like a Pro".

Lesley is not only a crafty chic but the girl also has a knack for makeup. Check her out on

LesleyKat NYC's channel to get a glimpse of her awesome tutorials!

Can't get enough Lesley? Check out Lesleykat On The Cusp on Tumblr.

I want to give a special thanks to Lesley for letting me borrow her DIY and images .... this post would not be as beautiful without her pretty face!!! Who knows maybe we will see Lesley featured here again in the future..... wink wink.

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Blog of The Month

It's that time again gang! I'm so excited to share my next Blog with you! I fell in love with Oh So Lovely Vintage the second I saw the adorable duo Erin Thiessen and Stefanie Hiebert. They not only have a really neato blog but also own a vintage boutique together called Rhymes With Orange. There's more! They also have a mobile shop that they run out of a renovated 1956 camper traier!!! Eeeek! I'm in love with caravans... if you didn't already know. Get this..... they named their camper Olive!! Can this get any better? Yes it can! Check out their FAQ page for more deets.

Aren't Stef and Erin just darling? Looking good in vintage frocks and B.A.I.T. shoes!

I can't tell you how inspirational these little QT's are. I just love their DIY's..... they are very crafty indeed.

Here are a couple of my all time favorites.

retro wood wall art

Vintage bar/cabinet makeover

They also have a passion for Mid Century Architecture. I get so giddy looking at these pictures! I have so many ideas swirling around in my head... I can't contain myself! The Mister and I live in a Modern Design house in a tiny green community in east Austin. We just love it! Our home is actually painted turquoise and brown with a hint of bright orange.

Atomic Ranches

I also get all tingly inside when I see their home decor. These girls have a knack for decorating.

The Mister and I have been talking about adding some Mid Century accents to our home. We are collecting pieces here and there. Erin and Stef's ideas are so inspirational.... here is just a glimpse of some of ideas they have found.

Kaj Franck bowls and Cathrine Holm dishes

source

Orla Kiely

I simply love their stylish clothes. I want to raid their closets so badly! Oh how sweet these lovely ladies look all the time! There is so much to see on their bloggy! It's full of fun ideas, good recipes, awesome clothes (that I would kill to own) and bright and wonderful findings! They are up there on the top of my

daily reads list.