The Outfit I Want to Wear Every Single Day of Spring

I mean seriously? Does it get any more gorgeous? I am pretty sure I am turning into a 'riding through a meadow on a wild horse while wearing a daisy crown' girl this Spring.

Lust

Free People, why do you want me to be poor?

Technicolor Love

Miss Lana and I went out to breakfast and manicures the other day. While getting our nails done we were talking about decorating my apartment. While we were talking I confessed that I had realized while looking at furniture online that I am willing to pay way more for a purse than I am say, an armchair. And, luckily, she agreed. Which kept me from feeling like a crazy person. But this brings me to the topic of rugs.

Rugs are expensive. It's as simple as that. I don't think there's really any getting around it. And when you are looking for something other than a traditional Persian looking rug things get even more expensive.

After looking around a lot I had found one rug I liked. I figure I'll need something at least 5'x7' so spending less than $500 was looking less and less possible. Until I stumbled upon these.







These rugs are by a company called ABC Carpet and Home. As far as I understand, these rugs are worn vintage rugs that are somewhat bleached out then over dyed. I think they're gorgeous and would love to have one in my home. Here's the problem, the least expensive of these rugs is 3'x4'7", orange with a house (?) drawn on it, and $900. So in other words, buying one of these is not going to happen. But I mean, how hard could bleaching a rug and dying it be?

Apparently really ridiculously difficult. Check out comment number two.

Now I know I'm stubborn but I still feel compelled to try it. I figure I can buy a rug at IKEA for under $100, bleach/oxyclean/something it to lighten the color, then figure out a way to redeposit color. Perfection is not the goal here so it doesn't really matter if there are flaws. I know dye needs heat to set so maybe I can hand apply dye diluted in hot water? Use a blow dryer to set it? Ideas? Advice? Warnings that I may or may not head?

My other idea which is significantly more simple yet also less awesome is to get a low pile rug from IKEA and use silkscreen ink to basically just paint a design onto it. Silkscreen ink doesn't move unless it's washed without being heat set first. With most fabrics you can just throw whatever was silkscreened into the dryer after the ink dries to set it. With a rug I'm pretty sure sitting on the floor and blow drying the rug would work well enough. If I went this route I'd basically have two options, free hand paint a design with a brush or create a stencil and use a brush or roller to apply the ink. I think this idea would look best on a neutral rug, I'm thinking a darker gray, with a design in multiple colors. For that reason I don't want to use an actual silkscreen. The process just becomes too difficult when using too many colors.

If I went this route I'd likely end up with something along these lines.







What do you think? Take on the crazy difficult project with a hopefully amazing outcome or go the safe route?

Winter Wish List

Winter is coming! While often times Fall and Winter wardrobes get combined into one group of things to wear that falls under "warm and dark" I think there's a real difference in feel to the two seasons. Winter is celebratory and you see it in the fabrics available and the influx of sparkle. And while Autumn is about feeling crisp and cool Winter is about being cozy.

These are the things I'm craving this season.

This dress is whimsical and sweet without coming off as young. I love the neckline, the detail at the waist, the hem...but most of all, I love that deep, rich, purple.

Goddess Dress by Free People in Aubergine

I'm not a person who takes weekend trips. My weekends are usually spent doing all the things I'm too busy or lazy to do during the week. If I owned this bag though, I may find some places to go.

Bear Creek Weekender by McFadin in tan, sold by Free People

I don't care how unflattering this may turn out to be in real life. I want to live in this sweater.

Waffle Knit Cardigan by Hinge in Stonehenge

This is pretty. And I want it. It also comes in about ten other colors so you could wear it alone, with other bangles, ooooor even with the same bracelet in other colors as well.

Grete Filigree Bangle by Rachel Leigh in Palm, sold by Free People

This just looks so soft and comfortable and perfect for a snow day spent inside.

Velvet Trim Slouchy Tee by Ella Moss in Mushroom

Nails in Winter are always dark. You've got all those colors with "noir" tacked onto the end, why not mix it up with some gold?

The Full Monty by Butter London

The lovely Miss Lana was on a mission earlier this season to find crushed velvet leggings in a color other than black. While crushed velvet reminds me of the bad Christmas dresses of my childhood spent in the late 80s/early 90s, actual velvet makes me fall in love. There's something about a fabric that begs to be touched that's so fitting for the cold months. And I love black.

Velvet Leggings by Gap in black

I'm all about this dress. It's perfect for a party or you could take a worn brown leather belt, belt it, throw on a denim jacket, and wear some boots with bare legs. I'd probably be wearing it with a cardigan, tights, and flats to work.

Beaded Jersey Trapeze Dress by Suzy Chin Maggy Boutique in Taupe

Melissa Joy Manning is my most favorite jewelry designer. This woman is just incredible. If you're looking for perfection this isn't it. And that's what makes it wonderful.

Champagne Diamond Slice Ring by Melissa Joy Manning

I'm pretty proud of myself for this pick. They're weather practical, cute, easy to pull on, and versatile.

Pull On Duck Boot by Bass in tan, sold by Free People

Also I'll take this haircut. With or without the sparkles.