Something Old, Something New

This past December while I was shopping for Christmas presents I discovered Fantasyland Records. I needed to find a place that would have some of the more obscure bands on Cuyler's list. I was puzzled when I was told that one of the CDs I was looking for was only available on vinyl, in fact the only new music they sell is on vinyl?

I thought of records as being antiques.... collectibles. The patient shop owner explained how popular vinyl is, how great the sound quality is, and how people have lost some of the genuine experience of buying and owning music because of the internet. It made sense! I couldn't stop thinking about it, talking about it.

So, this past weekend we bought our very first record player, hooray!!

We had fun cruising around the Guitar Center searching for the right one for us. Carson experimented with tambourines, bongos, yukalaylees, and strummed the guitars. She danced around in the disco lights while we found one that was reasonably priced, great looking, and came highly recommended (Numark TTUSB). It's easy to use and we can even back up our vinyl onto our computer- Perfect!

Next stop, Fantasyland Records....... to begin our very own record collection. As soon as we walked in the door Carson began fingering through the records in a bin on the floor, checking out the covers. She ran up and down the aisles while we listened to the music and made our selections.

It's funny how you set out to do something for one reason and realize later that it means so much more. A record player is such an exciting new addition to our home, for us and for her. What better tool for teaching our child to love music? It was a day we will remember always....I feel certain of it!

photos: our fancy new record player and my first few album picks (some of my favorite CDs that are scratched beyond use)

suggestions? post a comment and tell me your favorite album or a great resource for used records???

I Am Also A You

p.2: "If it is the truth, what does it matter who said it?" Anonymous

p.3: "Grownups have a strange way of putting themselves in compartments and groups. They build up barriers.....of religion, of caste, of color, of party, of nation, of province, of language, of custom and of wealth and poverty. Thus they live in prisons of their own making." John Nehru

p.1: "And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little tings the heart finds its morning and is refreshed." Kahlil Gibran

p.2: "Beauty is truth, truth beauty, that is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know." John Keasts

p.3: "Has any man attained to inner harmony by pondering the experience of others? Not since the world began! He must pass through the fire." Norman Douglas

p.1: "Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it." Confuscius

p.2: "You can't stop progress!" Anonymous

p.3: Lyrics. Hair, 1967.

I Am Also You is a book of illustrated truth, so it says on the back cover. I found this book in the dollar section of a used bookstore about a year ago in Dallas. Can you believe that? One American dollar!!!

"Together, quotation and photograph become something more than the sum of their two parts- a feeling that is meant to produce an almost audible click of nonintellectual understanding in the viewer's mind."

Published in 1971, the book is filled with these amazing black and white photographs by Jay Thompson and inspirational quotes. The Beatles, Keates, Thoreau......to name a few. I think it is beautiful! My pictures are not great, but I still wanted to share.

Have a great weekend!

On The Cheap

How many times have you discovered some amazing guest designer in Target when there is nothing left but the signs above the fixtures? Have you ever asked someone where they got their dress and been shocked to find out it came from Target....but is sadly long gone???

Well, your prayers have been answered!

Celebrating 5 yrs of the GO International Label, Target is re-releasing 34 collaboration dresses from 17 of todays' most coveted designers. Mark your calenders, don't tell any of your friends, and maybe you will have a shot at getting one for yourself. March 13 in store and online www.target.com

Here are a few of my favorites:


Alice Temperley, Libertine, Tucker, and Tucker.


Rodarte, Proenza Schouler (own it & love it), Zac Posen, and Tracy Feith.

all pics: Huffington Post and Target Pressroom.

Anatomy of a Room

Moving from a larger home in Dallas to a much smaller one here in Atlanta forced me to do something I was longing to do, simplify! I had no choice but to clean out the excess and leave a good amount of our belongings behind. Now we are surrounded by things that we need and love and nothing else. My style of decorating is always evolving, but what I have found to be constant is my appreciation of a good mix of colors, textures, and materials. Also, I love an object with a good story behind it!

So..... I thought it would be fun to do a little house tour series! After six months of living in "The White House," as my two year old refers to it, things are starting to feel like home. There is still plenty of decorating and projects to be done, all of which I plan to share. Until then, here are some pictures of what has already been accomplished.

We will begin with...... my living room, enjoy!


Vintage cheerleaders- Uncommom Objects, Austin TX. Couch and rug- Ikea. Woven bowl- a shop in Albuquerque, NM.

50s Danish Lamps- thrifted Dallas, TX. End tables & coffee table World Market. Original Indian Prints- Narca Duncan, Cuyler's grandmother.

Newspaper Flowers Wall Art- DIY, made from Observers Dallas, TX. Books -(fashion, photography and football) an attempt to display OUR interests side by side. Antique Buffet- family piece handed down, houses wedding china and crystal.

Vogue- 2001 through the present, a collection that has been hauled all over the country.

Longhorn Mount- a wedding gift from the Bakers, the owners of Bevo. Bull Cane- belonged to Cuyler's granddad, John David. Rocking Chair- my dads from childhood.

Whitehall Electric Organ- a family piece handed down from my Great Auntie Inez. Framed print- $1.00 garage sale find, Dallas.

Wood and Resin Bowls- Target. Bronze Elephant Bookends- belonged to my Grandfather Hamlet. Silver Initials- a house warming present from friends in Dallas.

Classic Wooden Board Games- Target. Pickle Jars- Costco. Corks- bottles of wine enjoyed with friends.

Wine Decantur- Crate and Barrel. Longhorn Painting- gift from Cuyler's mom. Cardboard Taxidermy- Uncommongoods.com.

A little more Vogue.....couldn't help it!

Denise Kupferschmidt

Collage Totems, cut book pages. First spotted on All The Mountains
Denise Kupferschmidt








Collage. First spotted on Arrow & Arrow.
Mudchicken

Not sure what it is....... but I have been loving collage! I think that I always have. These are two of the artists that I discovered thanks to a couple of my new favorite blogs. There is something so pleasing to me about the combination of different images layered on top of each other. I like the contrast, the distortion....... I would happily hang any of these in my house! Would you?

An Awesome Book Indeed!

Anyone that has talked to me in the last month or so is already aware of how obsessed I am with this book. An Awesome Book, by Dallas Clayton is the most amazing story about dreaming big!! I discovered it while watching Joaquin Phoenix in Im Still Here. It is probably the only good thing that came from viewing that movie.....but made sitting through his rap sessions well worth it! I quickly scoured the internet to find out where I could get my hands on it and realized that it is actually somewhat difficult to find. I was beyond thrilled when I discovered that you can read the entire book here. I immediately began planning a large scale wall art piece for Carson's room. (That is still in the works, so I will hopefully post progress soon.)

Anyway, when I got invites to three birthday parties in the same week I had the perfect excuse to order the books directly from LA. Choosing presents for anyone can be hard, but especially for children! What do they like, what do they hate, what do they already have? I think that a book is always a great present! Both to give and receive! The only challenge is finding one that they don't already have. An Awesome Book is the perfect solution! It has a magical message and for every book that you buy Awesome World Foundation donates one to a library, hospital, school......to promote childrens literacy and big dreaming. Check it out!

Love the Jill Stuart.....

Love the colors! Love the fabrics! Love the length! Love the boots! Love the hair! Love the lipstick! Love it all! I even love the belt bag, yup, I said it....I really do!!!

Today is officially the last day of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York. I have been doing my best to keep up with the shows via style.com and other great fashion blogs, although the wealth of images can be daunting. Fall is the best season in all of fashion, the stuff that The September Issue, is made of. Aside from all the rich colors and textures ,(fur and leather aplenty this season) you have the structure and layering that helps make you feel cozy and conveniently hidden. Not everyone has the body to rock all the sassy summer trends....minis and mid drifts, oh my!

Anyway, after cruising through a good number of the slide shows I would have to say that Jill Stuart is my favorite presentation so far. I could post every piece, I love it that much! For me it is the perfect combination of retro 70s glam and sweet romantic hippie. I like the silk color block dresses for day and the romantic chiffon pieces for night. The chunky boots toughen it up a bit and the socks give it something unexpected, that just through this together casualness that I personally love. From beginning to end it was strong and seemed very fresh and new, which can be so hard to find!

Plus........ how can you not love gold lame knife pleats????

all photos: New York Mag

A Magic Carpet Ride

You have a magic carpet
That will whiz you through the air,
To Spain or Maine or Africa
If you just tell it where.
So will you let it take you
Where you've never been before.
Or will you buy some drapes to match
And use it
On your
Floor?
Shel Silverstein

Is there anything more magical then watching your child experience something for the first time?

This weekend we took our daughter to Disney. While riding The Magic Carpet Ride I looked over and watched the wind blowing through her hair, the sun shining on her cheeks, and listened to her squeals of delight. I was totally swept up in it! Dreaming, believing, wishing ......for her!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Keeping The Dream Alive

Hello, I'm a thief, nice to meet you!

When I was a sophomore in High School I stole a couple of books from the library. Well, first I stole a CD from my parents, and then I stole the books. Its terrible, I'm aware! Sadly, for my parents it wasn't the first or the last CD I stole from them- Hall&Oats, Abandoned Luncheonette. Sorry mom!

Growing up in Jersey in the 90s, my options for music were pretty limited. Ace of Base, Bon Jovi, or Bush? So, I found refuge in The Beatles. I fell in love with the Abbey Road album and became obsessed with the late 60s & early 70s. I turned all my jeans into bell-bottoms with moms' old Singer and tried to get my friends to call me Yoko. (Lame, I know.....plus it didn't work)

I dreamt of growing up and living like a gypsy- traveling, being involved with things that added value, surrounding myself with good music, interesting art, and dear friends. And that, is just what I'm doing!

Well, sort of..........
15 yrs and 5 cross-country moves later I still own (and cherish) said stolen goods. I may still be a work in progress, but I'm keeping the dream alive.......and that counts for something right?