playing favorites...

The last month has been an exercise in patience, and also a lesson about my full addiction to the internet. I miss my computer. If it wasn't for the very generous birthday present of a lovely little something that allows me to check my email and manage my etsy shops from something that can fit in my pocket, I'm not so sure I would have any sense of calm at all. Which is pretty sad.

But I thought I would share a few favorite bits of my new place. I've been working away at it, and while there is still much to do, I am pretty content with where it is at the moment. Or at least where it's headed.


Clockwise from top right:

1. This is perhaps the most organized I have ever been in my entire life. What's even more exciting about this picture is that it is sitting in my very own STUDIO space. I am thinking I am going to get to break this room in a little this weekend, and I am really quite excited about this.

2. A small part of a larger art wall. I'm a little in love with the paint color in the living room. It's a light grey.

3. The beginnings of a glove mold collection (with a small porcelain hand thrown in for good measure). My sister finds this very creepy. I think it's lovely and can't wait to find more.

4. Best refrigerator art ever. And I do. Love Tim Gunn.

I've also stumbled across some really great new (musical) artists recently. You might give them a listen. If you into that sort of thing:

- Tina Dico "Count to Ten" - I have a feeling that this is going to get a lot of play in the studio. I like it a lot.

- Jon Foreman "Fall", "Winter" and "Spring" - Three EP's that are really incredible. I really love them all. My dad is a fan too. He especially likes "Winter".

- She & Him "Volume One" - "She" is actress Zooey Deschanel and "Him" is the super talented M. Ward. There is something really charming and endearing about this. If you like Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins "Rabbit Fur Coat" you might like this too.

- Alexi Murdoch "Time Without Consequence". Just really lovely. I was pretty much hooked by the first track.

I'm quite sure I'm forgetting tons, but that just saves more for later I guess. Hope you are doing well. I'm hoping to add some new items to the amelia mae shop this coming week, so keep your eyes open for that.

xo,
Amy

purchase of the year

Hands down. Best purchase of the year. I won't bore you with the details, but I will say this: Last pair left in the store. My size. Rang up for half of what I expected (which ended up being slightly more than my lunch. Such a steal). Made traveling seven hours with my boss IN A U-HAUL totally worth it.




Luckily I have a boss that 1. is enjoyable to be around, despite being IN A U-HAUL and 2. relishes in amazing purchases even if they are not her own.

It's pouring down rain here today. I'm not at all upset about this, because it was supposed to be ice and I got to wear my new wellies to the grocery store.

Off to clean. Enjoy your weekend.

xo,
Amy

a weekend off

Sorry for the delay in posting. It was a tremendously full (and extended) weekend, which left little time for things such as blogging. But I had a wonderful time with Beth. I am so thankful that she was able to visit when she did. And although I'm in this sort of frenzied mode right now, I know the time off was just what I needed. Here's a bit of a recap:



1. We went to the Girlie Show on Saturday. There were lots of amazing artists and crafters, yet somehow Beth and I ended up buying very similar items from the same girl -- Amity Treasures by Jackie Porter. She has an etsy shop as well. This is the necklace I purchased. I love it. A lot.

2. Beth's dyed vintage slip peaking out from her skirt. She's so L.A.

3. Stuffed French Toast -- delicious. Walnut raisin bread stuffed with loads of strawberries and cream cheese from Cafe 501.

4. Beth's necklace purchased at the Girlie show. An airplane, a brass heart, and a Rocky Mountain National Park charm.

5. The pin I got from the same booth--a white cowboy boot, a black enamel charm and a little sparkle.

6. I am so smitten with my new moccasins. So comfortable and perfect for fall. Just like these, only in chocolate brown (and much less at Shoetopia in Norman).

7. We, of course, made a trip to Blue 7 -- where I couldn't resist buying this bag by Loop. Mostly because I loved it--but a little because the vendor tag is a paper crane. Love.

8. While I was still admiring the paper crane tag, Beth was falling head over heals for this repurposed vintage shirt by Shanna Banana. It's pretty adorable on her, and I gave her much praise for supporting so many local artists and establishments while in Oklahoma.

9. Beth's pin from Amity Treasures. The white square says "Tim" and has a pink astronaut charm and a brass horseshoe. So, an easy sell.


There are so many other wonderful things (things other than purchases) that I wished I had photographed and could include--like all of the wonderful friends we were able to catch up with, and all of the new memories that were made. However, it is some sort of rule, I've decided, that we seem to be completely incapable of taking photographs while visiting each other. I know we'll regret that one day. But for now, we will, I suppose, have to enjoy each other's company undocumented.

The next couple of weeks will be a flurry of activity in preparation for Indie Emporium. So, posting might be a little light. But, I do hope to see you there if you're in the area!

xo,
Amy

curiouser and curiouser...

A big thank you to Ez at Creature Comforts for blogging today about The Curiosity Shoppe. I had not yet heard of this treasure trove--and I am completely smitten. A few of my favorites:



Clockwise from top right:
1. Bird Tray Set. Yeah, I'm still not over the whole bird trend. Sorry.
2. Letterpress Art Print. So pretty. And so incredibly affordable.
3. Red Dogwood Apron With Rickrack Trim. I'm not entirely sure if it is my previous time as a shopgirl at Anthropologie, or my somewhat befuddled (and yet not fully realized) domestic tendencies, but I think vintage-style aprons have a certain sweetness to them that I find really appealing.
4. You're Swell Card. If only it came in a set with a "magical" or a "goodness gracious" -- it would come frighteningly close to totaling out my vocabulary.
5. Gothic Dessert Plates. Silhouettes AND unbreakable melamine. Delicious, indeed.
6. Alabaster Stag Head. This is about as "outdoorsy" as I get. Especially in August in Oklahoma. Yuck. But I think this is truly lovely.

Other good news for the day is that it is the middle of the month which means I am granted more e-music downloads. This is excellent news. I just downloaded the new Waterdeep album "Heart Attack Time Machine" and, oh yes, it is very good. As expected.

A good Monday for you? I hope so. I hope it is a most excellent start to a wonderful week.

xo,
Amy

the good and the bad

There are a few things that I might, perhaps, admit to being relatively good at. I make an excellent cupcake. I'm a very loyal friend. A hard worker. But there are also several things that I will gladly own up to being rather pathetic at -- anything that involves someone saying "Here--catch!". Singing harmony (although I do so wish I could). And most definitely the ability to organize my possessions. My sister is actually quite amazing at this. I have never had this ability, and instead find myself getting all clammy and suffering from heart palpitations after only a few moments in The Container Store. I just don't know what to DO with all of those things. Don't get me wrong--I love all the little cubbies and drawers. The specially sized things for spices and shoes and everything in between. And I do get a little weak in the knees if it comes in a beautiful color or lovely pattern. But having to pick out just what I need to actually contain my goods--I just can't do it.

But I am very proud to say that I have spent the majority of the weekend getting my closet and other areas in order. And it is looking so lovely. I still have quite a ways to go, but am very pleased with the progress. I am still not a huge fan of the sorting-through bit, but I do so love getting rid of what I know I no longer need. Living in Chicago took such a toll on my shoes--between walking block after block on asphalt and then the addition of a very mischievous puppy--let's just say a lot of shoes had to be thrown out. But the rest of my shoes have such a nice place to stay now. I was at Target on Friday and noticed that their shoe-sized containers were on sale for 99 cents. I love a bargain. So now each pair (or two) has its own little box with a photo on the front so I know what's inside. Love:



My sister has had her shoes organized like this for quite some time (only she uses her favorite little label printer that she ASKED for for Christmas - this is how we are different), and I, admittedly, scoffed at the idea. But I am beginning to understand and appreciate its brilliance. Here's hoping I can maintain it.

I was also able to add a few items to the amelia mae shop:



These little tags would be the perfect staple to keep on hand for all occasions. And this:




A little banner to make decorating for birthday celebrations a snap. I'll be adding more banners in other colors and phrases in the near future.

Hope your weekend was refreshing. Happy Monday.

xo,
amy

some favorites...

Goodness. It has been quite some time since I have updated this little blog. So sorry for the absence.

I thought I would share a few of the little things that make me smile from time to time:



1. A new favorite t-shirt. Of a very angry bear.
2. My favorite olive green flats. I've had these for a while, but noticed that other colors are available here.
3. I love these bangles. I am quite sure that I wear them too much. I think the entire lot cost about 6 dollars. So I got my money's worth.
4. I'm still not entirely sure why I love this ring so much, but I do. It says "Sheila" -- not my name, nor anyone I know. But I had to have it.

Okay. Back to work. Hope you are having a lovely weekend. And I hope the sun is shining where you live, because it certainly hasn't been shining here.

xo,
Amy

it's really all in the little things

And so goes another weekend...

I hope you all made the best possible use of the weekend. Mine was spent rather entirely at my bill-paying job, so it went quite fast. But I have a three-day weekend coming up so there is some end in sight. Here are some other little odds and ends that are making me happy right now...

1. I keep finding these wonderful little treasure chests on the web from ladies blogging about their incredible finds. Having moved back to Oklahoma after living in Chicago for two years, I do sometimes miss the variety and so on. So, I'm finding these collections indispensable and inspiring and so much more. I have known of decor8 and design*sponge for some time, but just discovered Creature Comforts (thanks to decor8 for that one) and design is mine. And I'm loving them all. So check them out if you're interested in that sort of thing (pretty things and great design and good ideas and so on). As I'm writing this, the most recent post on design is mine is about a children's clothing company that is "organic, fair-trade, sweatshop-free, and beautifully designed". Sold. Blog=bookmarked.

2. I'm not much of a television girl anymore. Not really at all. But when I was in LA, my little Beth coerced me into watching an episode or two of the Office and I must say I'm glad she did. I netflix-ed season 2 and have been watching the first installment in bits and pieces. Granted, it does stick out a bit in my netflix queue, among a rather large assortment of documentaries and indie films just waiting to stop in for a visit, but it is quite funny. I think it makes me appreciate the little nuances and oddities of my own (cubicle-free) bill-paying job a bit more.

3. I'm seriously considering a quick little day-trip to Dallas sometime soon. I need a little getaway, a refresher--some inspiration. And so I keep dreaming of Anthropologie, Urban, and so on. And I'm a sucker for a little cropped jacket and I have a feeling I might find one at XXI Forever for next to nothing. I'm trying to decide if I should work in a trip to the Dallas art museum. But it is only a day trip. So we'll see.

4. I listed these two in the shop this weekend, with their third mate joining them tomorrow:





Yes, they make me happy too.

Hope you have little things that make you happy as well. Or big things. And I hope Monday treats you well.

xo,
Amy

I still hate titles...

A three-day weekend? Yes, I believe so. Hope yours was well. Even if you had to work, as I know many of you did. Mine looked a little like this:




1. We had a little family party to celebrate the belated and upcoming birthdays of my grandmother and sister, respectively. So, so nice to see everyone and get to spend some quality time together. This is the cake Michael decorated. On his first try. Ever. I know. I, of course, was the only one who was, admittedly, rude enough to point out that he forgot to cross the "t". But it was delicious, and I raved and raved so that, maybe, makes up for a little bit?

2. A new little something. I'm still unsure about this one. Extremely, actually. It's a little, um, cheery perhaps? I don't know.

3. It rained on Sunday. Poured. Good thing I had my little galoshes with me because I had to do a wee bit of wading--to be able to get out of my car.

4. Another new lovely. I'm a sucker for houndstooth. I'm just saying.

5. More of the birthday celebration. Delicious. Seriously delicious.

6. Just finished this one a little bit ago.

So, all in all, not too bad. Hopefully the coming week will be equally fulfilling. For you included. There are a couple of new prints in the shop as well. So you can check that out, if you'd like.

xo.
amy

things to look forward to...

consuming my thoughts lately:

1. late night chats with such a lovely friend

2. good sushi - the kind that doesn't make you wonder just how long the fish took to arrive to my very much land-locked state.

3. "sunny"/smog filled days

4. celebrating Easter with someone who has had such an impact on me spiritually

5. an opportunity to actually acknowledge my resolution to take more photographs in 2007

6. oh so much more


I leave for California in a mere 4 days. Yay! As far as the shop goes, I came extremely close to posting a new print tonight, but was not completely satisfied and so opted out. We shall see if it happens before I leave town. Not entirely likely. But I am counting on coming back full of inspiration. We'll see.

xo,
Amy

another list

Other lovelies making me happy...

1. It is officially, officially Spring. And I am promising to enjoy it for all it's worth before I am shaking my sweaty fist in anger at 105 degree days.

2. A lovely exchange with a child (A three-year-old name Reagan)---
Me: Is that your baby brother?
Reagan: That's Baby Reese. (pause) I think he's my brother.
Me: Oh. Excellent.
Grandma: Reese was adopted.

Love it. She'll figure it out eventually.

3. I downloaded a new-to-me artist yesterday. I can do that more now because I joined e-music, and it has guilt-free downloading. (They wooed me in the promise of 50 free downloads.) Anyway, I tend to pay very close attention to "people who downloaded this also downloaded_________." So should you not pay attention to that, and always wonder who does, well it's me. I am the target audience of the "people also bought" in really any form. Not in a conformist sort of way, just more out of curiosity and a desire to discover other artists. So I just downloaded Andrew Bird's "Armchair Apocrypha"-- and I am loving it. I listened to it on the way home from work today, and was really enjoying it. But when it got to track five and he used the lyrics "and I was a cartographer of tangles in your hair" and "awkward pause" in the same song, I thought "Sold." I also decided that I seem to be drawn to artists who make good use of glockenspiels and whistling. Among other things.


I think, perhaps, that I'll leave my list at three this time. I am hoping to add a new print to the shop in the near future. I have an idea that has been stirring around inside me for quite sometime, and I just seem to be having the hardest time getting it out on paper. But hopefully it will happen. We'll see.

Hope you can find some blessings too.
Amy

a list...

I thought I would take a little mini-break from writing about prints. Not for any particular reason. But I am really very, very sleepy and I am a little afraid that it might not be all that coherent. So instead I thought I would share 5 things that are making me really happy right now:

1. I ordered this little gem from a favorite etsy artist of mine the other day. Her name is Mati McDonough and I have already two of her prints. One of them is among my favorite items on my wall, because how many people, really, can say that they have a painting of a kitten wearing boys underpants and tube socks clipping feathers from a bird to add to his angel wings? Who among you can claim that? That's right. I love her work because, and this is intended as a compliment, she paints like a child sings. You know: free, unafraid. Anyway, it's currently in transit and I am really excited about getting it. Don't you love the anticipation of packages?

2. I visit my bestest little Beth in only three weeks from tomorrow. I probably could have listed five things that make me happy centered on this trip alone, but we'll leave it at that. I simply adore this girl, and as we seem to only get to see each other once a year, I am all a-twitter with anticipation.

3. The weather has been absolutely gorgeous lately, and I am fully confident that Spring is finally here. As much as I love to layer -- and I do -- it is nice to not have to put a thousand things on before walking outside.

4. I keep revisiting my Margot & the Nuclear So & So's album. You should give them a listen if you haven't already. I'm particularly enjoying the tracks "Skeleton Key" and "Paper Kitten Nightmare". We will ignore the fact that I am really -- not at all -- a cat person, and that kittens have come up twice in this list. We will also ignore that I could do several lists just on music that is making me quite happy right now. You could click on the profile link to the left of the screen for a short list, if you're curious. And I'm serious about the suggestions. Should you have any.

5. I have gotten to reconnect with several old friends since launching Project 8256. Which also means that I am checking my email even more compulsively than I already did. I am also meeting such lovely people through etsy as well. I am anxiously awaiting another very special package from a different designer on etsy (who, unfortunately, must go unnamed for the moment, because it was ordered especially for someone's birthday - see #2). She took the time to look at our etsy site and write a sweet little note. So nice.

So, all in all, not such a bad week. Hope yours is happy as well.

amy