Gift Guides - Hipster boyfriend

chess set starting at $9.99 from ebay

fedora $30 from Milk Bar

plaid blanket $39 from Ethanollie

roadtrip bingo $7 from Perpetual Kid

bottle opener ring $8 from UO

bike bag prices vary from Seagull bags

I <3 columbus - Clintonville Community Market

This tiny little market is tucked away among the cluster of houses that create Clintonville. It's a place very dear to my heart. Although the shop is small, it is packed with goodies. It houses farm fresh eggs, hard to find organic baking goods, vegan meat, local produce, and a plethora of vitamins. I'm often caught here buying a package of Newman O's and milk from a local farm.

p.s. if you haven't tried milk from a local farmer yet, do! It's so yummy.

Gift Guide - For the gentle soul

blue jars $10 from Maisys Market

ballet slippers $54 from J Crew

tenderness candle $13 from Paul Robinett

cashmere scarf $98 from Nordstrom

hand soap $22 from Anthropologie

journal $28 from Moxy

Tiny Little Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

Wardrober - Slouchy Trousers

I'm in love with slouchy trousers. I hunted for the perfect pair after I saw the above photo until I found these. The rest of the outfit was inspired by Garance's post.


photo via style sigthings

We eat well - Chicken Cordon Bleu

I could barely wait for Mark to bring out our dinner last night. It smelled so amazing... and tasted just as good. The menu was: Chicken Cordon Bleu (ham and swiss cheese stuffed inside chicken breast), boiled red potatoes, green beans with a white wine and shallot sauce, chocolate milk (with REAL whole from a local farm milk).

Inspiration - Thanksgiving

I will be hosting a tiny little Thanksgiving at my house for my parents and myself. I'm really looking forward to a relaxed day of cooking with my mom and stuffing my belly full of venison and pie.

Things inspiring my Thanksgiving (going clockwise from top left photo).

Clever Nettle's amazing vintage outfits.

Sweet little cloth napkins.

Every photo looks a little more lovely as a poladroid.

Grocery store centerpiece. Genius.

Tiny pies in a jar (Thanks Sara <3)

Georgeous table settings.

Before & After - Basement door

This little door which leads down to the basement is one of the first things you see as you walk into our kitchen. When we moved in it had this strange section of pealed off paint. So this past week I finally got around to peeling off the rest of the paint and turning it into a chalkboard for all of our important messages. I still have a ton of the chalkboard paint left... I think I will cover everything in it.

Ballerina

Yesterday I watched Bertrand Normand's mesmerizing documentary, Ballerina. It follows a handful of Russian ballerina's through different parts of their career. They are so incredibly graceful and their devotion to their art inspires every nerve in my body. These girls dedicate their lives (almost every waking hour!) and their bodies in order to create some of the worlds finest dances.

I find myself incredibly drawn to that concept of absolute dedication to an art. To focus my entire being towards creating something incredibly beautiful to share with others.

photo via VIFF

Wardrober - hobo clown hat

I always prepare these posts about some outfit that I put together and what the inspiration behind it was. I then I my hand freezes up on the "publish post" button. And my head starts racing... am I being self indulgent... I think this is sort of narcissistic... I'm too old to do this stuff, I should leave it too those kids on lookbook (maybe I'll get a lookbook account). ANYWAY, who cares. I love fashion, I always have. It's a huge part of who I am so I'm going to post completely self indulgent posed pictures of myself because life is too short to not do what you love.

So... about this outfit. I've been pulling most of my inspiration recently from 1920-40's fashion. So I had my little sheer black pleated wrap shirt on and this hat was just sitting on our mirror. It had been part of a friends halloween costume and it just so happened to look pretty darn good on me. I would have never picked it out in a store but we found each other regardless and we will be good friends I think.

I <3 Columbus - Eclectiques Antique Mall

I fell into my paradise yesterday. I'm still recovering from the coma this shop put me in. The dust must of done some damage to my brain because two hours floated by unnoticed as I ogled over everything. It's as if the vendors visited only the most amazing estate sales and are now offering it all to me. Thankfully I've become very good at resisting my urge to buy everything I love. I did give in to some perfect (and well priced) Christmas gifts.

p.s. I stole the first three photo's from yelpers.

Any takers?

Most of you who read this blog probably already know this but... I finally got a job at a hotel. I am working at the front desk of a lovely extended stay Marriott. Things seem to be falling into place and although my dream of owning my own boutique hotel is still very far away I at least feel like I'm on the right road. Now... if anyone would be so kind to lend me the money to buy this property I will guarantee you a free room in my establishment for the remainder of your life. ;)

Cat n Mouse

Gretta's kitten energy is never ending. "I must find a solution" I thought, after a morning filled to the brim with hissing and yowling from the other two felines. Twenty minutes later I'm back with mice and a good ole laser pointer (yes Ali, I am aware of the psychological dangers, but if it keeps Gretta from terrorizing the other cats then I think it all balances out). Sigh... peace... and some darn cute pictures.