amanda archer

I wear a lot of sundresses. I live in Phoenix, and when it's 120 outside, the last thing I want to do is wear pants, a bra and a top. Insert cotton sundress. So - mine tend to be spaghetti strapped or halters, lots of solid colors, very very simple. Sometimes simple to the point of boring or blah. But, I love them. I try to dress 'em up with cute shoes or fun jewelry. But the cute shoes idea always flies out the door when I spot my Chaco flips (I love you Chaco). And as for the fun jewelry - I own some rad stuff - but I wear my silver studs, my Fossil watch, and a couple silver rings daily. I really need to start putting effort behind my choices. I have some beautiful things...I just never wear them.

Anyhow, I think I would look rather smashing in one of these Amanda Archer dresses. I can tell right away that the cut of this dress would rock my body in all the right places. It would be a more classy choice for when I don't want to show too much skin with a slinkier dress. And they are soooo pretty! Check out her Etsy shop.

egg press

Ooooooo! Go to Egg Press - they are having an amazing sample sale! 10 letterpress cards for $10!! They are being sold as grab bags...different groupings of cards...so it's sorta like a lil surprise present to yourself. But hurry = sale ends April 20th!

seattle phone pole

Yet another reason that Seattle rules: they decorate everything uniquely...and yes, beautifully. My aunt spotted this across the street from the bus stop in their neighborhood. I think it's quite fantastic (possible illegal?) but I love it.

scenes from sunday

chaos

When I saw this on my love for you is a stampede I immediately identified with it. This print shows the inner workings of my brain these days (complete with the foot in the center lower 1/3). It's a David Shillinglaw print titled, "Chaos is my favourite colour." It's crazy. And awesome. Perhaps it's the yummy drizzly weather, or the incredible culinary creations from the weekend, or the inspiration from the recycled glass shop, but I am feeling creative! unique! inspired!

While enjoying Easter weekend with family on Queen Anne, my aunt introduced me to a couple of her fave blogs and now my head is spinning with elation. There are SO many more fantastic and inspiring lil goodies to follow and learn from. Where to start!? So excited!

Plus my medical externship is clearly rocking my face off. And I love living in the Seattle area, even if it is only for a month. But there are about a zillion things I have yet to do here that I'd love to experience.

OK. Right now, I just need to breathe. And go to my first surgical case of the week.

easter!

These pretty silk dyed eggs are made my thejunebride. Anytime I see fun Easter eggs I think of my mom - she always had the crazy coolest ideas for decorating them every year. She could probably start her own Etsy shop with all those creative beauties. She's the kinda lady would can really really appreciate a beautifully decorated Easter egg. It's in her blood...we are Czech...Czech's make eggs that look this:

here

This happy Easter will be spent at my aunt and uncle Queen Anne home, where we will partake in poached eggs, kolache making, gardening, and all the lovely pleasures that the weather will permit. Enjoy your day!

i live for saturdays

hello poppyseed, you are my favorite kind.

Saturdays are my perfect day. Today I'll spend my perfect day picking up some stuff I bought off Craigslist, visiting a recycled glass store/gallery (?), and an awesome paper goods shop - Seattle rules. The afternoon will be spent helping out in the garden of my aunt and uncle's Queen Anne home,, studying (blah), and drinking any of the vast assortment of their loose leaf tea collection, until my uncle uncorks the wine. Tonight, my aunt will (try) teach me how to make kolaches...which are a traditional Czech bread delight. I'm elated about this. Grew up eating these at my grandmother house. When my sisters and I were young we would FIGHT over the fruit fillings...cherry, strawberry, apple and would never touch the poppyseed...things have changed.

Oh I hope my camera works to document this. Enjoy your perfect day.

pic from here.

my peeps

found here

After work last night, and after my quilting adventure, I went out and purchased a small army of yellow sugary peeps. I did't grow up eating these at Eastertime. In fact, I'm pretty sure they were banned in our house because they are gross. But, somewhere along the way, I started liking them (sophomore year of college perhaps?). Something about that crazy artificial sandpaper texture melting on my tongue. I dunno. But I ate 'em. Yes. All of them. And yes. My tummy still hurts (and my teeth?).

It's one of those seasonal treats that I indulge myself with. Only once a year. At Halloween it's those orange and black wrapped peanut butter taffy things, Valentine's it's Necco convo hearts...you get the idea.

crafty after

I'm in between surgical cases at the hospital today. Really neat cases. Well, really neat to me anyway. I'm still so green to everything. I like that though too. It's a gray sky kinda day thus far...and I like it. It makes the grass, bushes and trees pop with color. I'm excited about going home this afternoon to do an hour or so of craftiness. I think I'll work on that quilt...am feeling creative...and I can't waste that kind of energy on studying!

great green image via flickr.

brown bag

Heloise Hobo bag - Chloe

"cinnamon and oats" - handmade handbag by Zhenun Leathers

I'm looking for a brown bag. No no, not the lunch carrying variety. The luscious over the shoulder type. I'm not a bag collector, though I'm sure My Guy would dispute that (he doesn't quite understand why a girl needs more than one). Anyhow...

I'm a picky bag buyer. I don't buy often, and I can't buy expensive (hello student debt up to my earlobes). I tend to gravitate towards classic lines, style and durability. Though I haven't quite got down the whole "classic lines" concept. I try.

"the tulip" handmade handbag by Morelle

Leather tote - handmade handbag by StudioOneDesigns

Large leather tote - handmade tote bag from TheLeatherStore


Raw edge Larch leather bag - handmade handbag via valhallabrooklyn