You guys. Ancient Greek Sandals (you know, those ones) sent me a pair of sandals. I know. I also know some of you want to learn more. Are the comfortable? Are they worth the price?

Here is what I need to tell you: They arrived to me about a month ago. I quickly tore them out of their pristine white packaging, slapped them on my feet, and wore them to the park with Henry. I then wore them into the office the next day, and the day after that. I walked to the farmer's market in them. I wore them running errands and running after a baby all up and down San Diego. I wore them down and across the Mexican border, into the Tijuana Airport, through the city streets of Puerto Vallarta, along the cobblestone and dirt roads of Sayu, horseback riding on the beach and in the jungle, back into PV/TJ and into SD. Out for margaritas. I wore them for 10 hours while I photographed a wedding at a ranch.  And (even after ALL of that) back into the office. I am seriously considering packing only these shoes for our ten day trip to the east coast that involves both city and country, work and play. (While we are on the subject, would that be insane or brilliant?)

All this is to say that:
-They have gone with every stitch of clothing I have worn in the last month, and have been appropriate in a wide variety of social settings
-They have been nothing other than 100% comfortable
-They have held up strongly to what some might consider seriously abusive wear.

In short: they are totally worth the money. Listen to your hearts, people.

Thank you Ancient Greek Sandals.

(And Aimee for taking a picture of my feets!)

To those of you fellow instagram addicts and (digi) photo nerds, this is old news. But for the rest of you: vscocam is maybe the best thing to happen to my iphone, ever. I have been using VSCO Film's tools for processing our wedding photos, and love it. And I am so thrilled that they have finally released their app to let me use the same kind of processes simply and effectively on my iphone photos. I mean really, I don't think there is any reason to be carrying a point and shoot these days! Above are some images from last thurs/fri that I used vscocam filters on. LOVE!

I think this cardboard longhorn would be a fine addition to Henry's room, especially when the need comes to transition it from less baby to more boy. (Thanks for the heads up.)

Can we talk about luggage?

It is time to own up to the fact that I am no longer a free wheeling backpacker. And next month when I board a plane with a baby (by myself!) I will be checking luggage for both of us, and that includes a damn car seat. Does this mean I need to put on my big girl panties and..... buy a suitcase with wheels?

I don't even know where to start. Newsflash:  my budget is not huge. Do you have any suggestions? Where to shop? What brands to look at? What to look for and what to avoid?

vintage backpacker cover, thanks to miss moss.

 

I don't make shoe choices easily. A month or so ago I bought a pair of sandals at the mall. They have sit unworn, waiting to be returned in their box. They are common and boring and will only last one season before falling apart. And importantly, they just are not what the heart wants.

When my friends came back from Greece with custom shoes that you could only buy there, I was crushed at their perfection. 

These Ancient Greek Sandals that keep popping up everywhere have come to the rescue, and they are calling my name. Or, my hearts name anyways.

More than a few things I have been liking, things I want to share:


one love photo via apw
When Ben and I decided to get hitched we headed to the bookstore for a little help in planning the dang event. Guess what; the book I was looking for? It didn't exist. When the same thing happened to my pal Meg, she decided to go ahead and write it. A Practical Wedding (the book) is available for presale now, and starts early shipping tomorrow. Team Practical is asking that if you plan on buying the book, do so tomorrow on December 7th to help make the book best seller for a day. If you are getting planning a wedding or know someone who is soon, I can't (even though I haven't read it) recommend this enough! Meg is wise and witty, and I am so proud of her.



handmade holiday


One more day to pick up some limited edition goodies (like the above print) from the online Handmade Holiday. Free shipping ya'll!

Angela Hardison
Speaking of free and holidays; Angela made the above art and you can download it for free right-banana-here. I am particularly interested in that super easy to craft garland, and am *thinking* about heading to our local Michael's so that I can make my own!

The Locals

Do you all read Miss Moss? I love looking over sites like the selby for inspiration- seeing homes where records sometimes live on the floor and you can actually see a cord or two- and she just pointed me in the direction of the Russian site The Locals.

Sarah Bebe Holmes via Arial Edge via Peonies & Polaroids via ESB

In other wise and witty wedding lady news, ESB has a NEW PODCAST. What? Unintentional side effect; her giggling is outting her as the warm and kind person that I know her to be. (Shhhh. Don't tell.) Anyways- got a problem? Wedding or otherwise? CALL IN.

Lauren McClure

Remember I mentioned the super talented photographer Lauren McClure (woah, almost a year ago!) well for a limited time you can pick up some of her prints! Hop on it

Hello Little Printer, available 2012 from BERG on Vimeo via indigo bunting

Just, watch the video and be happy. (Yes, it is a real printer.)

Guys I am desperate for a little leather zipper pouch. My wallet is a rather large hobo, and I need something that I can slide into that, then pull out when the baby and I are on the go. Just something big enough for my ID & bank card, and maybe a couple of bills. Maybe 4x3? But all my favorites, such as the tracey tanner (top) and the rennes handmade (bottom) are too big. What gives? Maybe it is too hard to work with leather that small? Maybe I should embrace my inner 13 year old and get a little Guatemalan pouch... But really I want leather. Any leads?

Cancer really fucking sucks. So does the US health care system. Unfortunately, Kate Miss + her boyfriend Will Steinman are experiencing both of these tragedies first hand. And so for now, a fundraiser. I will be picking up this mountain print for our house to help out (and hey, cause it is AWESOME!). Do take a look in the etsy shop and see if anything catches your fancy, if you are able to? Wishing you two an ocean of strength, Kate & Will. ♥

This weekend is the REI used gear sale here in San Diego. I LOVE the used gear sale, we have gotten the best camping stuff at crazy cheap prices. (If we are not having a baby) I hope to go and find some sort of shade structure for the beach for this summer. I like these tent type ones, but would like something smaller. Do you have any suggestions? We are also in the market for a cargo roof rack. Since installing a car seat our little car seems really little. Hooray for preparing for SUMMER ADVENTURES!

4 things I need/want from the General Store.

1. Matching mugs for Ben & I.
2. Hanging planter for the baby's room.
3. French sneakers for the summer. I think I need some sneakers in my closet, seeing as I will be a mom?
4. Deck towel for all of our aquatic adventures to come....

I might be in the market for an affordable throw pillow (/cover). Preferably with a triangle motif?

These are the four I spied on etsy:

1: Leah Duncan. $34.00

2: spinspin $49.00

3: Hazel and Hunter. $31.60

4: Leah Duncan. $34.00

Have you seen any around?

Speaking of my bike, and Things It Wants, the next wishlist item for updating it is a Brooks seat. So perfect in every way.

Images from their stories & photos gallery.

Oh man. This Swiss Army Bicycle Bike Panniers Bag wants to help me get started on item #21 sooo bad.

This Linus bike wants to live with me.

{whistling noise}

This baby was born the same year as me, though, unlike me has had an extensive facelift. Yours for only 3.5G. Never thought to look for bikes on etsy before...