Working Girl

I LOVE this post on decor8 about making office spaces pretty and functional. I want all of them. Any good ideas for making shared office spaces nice? We're three deep here, and the guys just don't share my design aesthetic (aka, they could care less).

Summer Music

When I was little I got angry at yard work one day and announced that when I grew up I was going to pave my yard. As luck would have it, my yard now is indeed enormous and concrete. Which, turns out, is the perfect place to have bands play at. Last night some old friends (Adam and Darcie, a recent friend (Taught Me), and some new friends (Canoe) played in my backyard. We had s'mores and listened to their pretty music. Check it all out, they're great.

(sorry for the small picture)

Oh, NieNie

I grew up with the sisters Clark, aka NieNie and CJane, among a few others (something in the water of Oak Hills apparently leads one to blog later in life). Today there are all kinds of auctions to help out NieNie and her husband who were recently in a terrible plane crash. Design Mom and Jordan both have amazing things on their blogs, which you can bid for. All money goes towards helping NieNie. Go here to get an idea of all the great things out there.
Like many of you, I want to do something to help, but don't have a lot to donate. So, here it is, my baby auction, for any two evlove bracelets your heart desires (value =$30). I'm starting it out at $1, and you can bid in increments of 50 cents. I really do think that every little bit helps-- and hey, you may get a super good deal. Leave a comment in the comment section below with your bid amount. Auction will close Sunday, August 31, 2008 at 10pm Pacific Standard Time. The winner will submit payment to the Stephanie Nielson Fund Paypal Account and send the receipt to me to receive their prize.

Word of the Day

recessionista : n. A person who dresses stylishly on a tight budget.

Ha! I think that you could also call this a grad student. Anyone got good stories about punking the recession fashion wise?

Purdy Party

I love how shimandsons makes really pretty and simple things. These pictures are from a recent birthday party for her son-- I love the red and blue. It's all pretty simple but she uses a unified pallet to tie everything together. I wouldn't mind if my next party looked like this.

What to Wear to Prague

The only time I've been to Prague I was by myself and my camera was broken. I think the sound and feel of this J. Crew video captures the feeling of that experience rather well. True, it's a glorified commercial, but it's a nice watch, and the Leona Naess song is good. I'm typically not much of a J.Crew shopper, but their new catalog came yesterday and I love a lot of their new looks-- lots of vintage details etc.

Tap Tap Tap

I will not be buying this beauty. And thus my fingers will NOT be making those happy noises on the keyboard. She really is a fine looking machine, eh?

Killing it Softly

A trend I've yet to embrace.. frankly I think I look dumb in scarves.. but they're already predicting the death of this one ?? I mean wearing a Keffiyah is edgy, but very safe in the US. Infitada concerns aside, I'm pretty sure it's gotta little life in it yet. Buy them here.
p.s... after I wrote this, but pre-posting I had a chance to see Thom Yorke of Radiohead rocking one of these. Clearly not dead yet.p.p.s. I was just at Long's Drugs where they are selling Keffiyeh-esque scarves for $9.99.

Photo Pass Weekend

I got a special pass to take pix and borrowed a friend's professional camera go to the Outside Lands Festival in Golden Gate Park this weekend. The music was great, the weather was surprisingly good, and people were wearing the most amazing things. I have a billion more pictures you can see here. My favorites are below. Oh, and special thanks to Rebecca for scooting me all over the city and park and to Adam, for letting me use the super sweetest camera.

In my neighborhood

Gotta love it when you're driving home and at an intersection this person asks you for directions.

In the mail

I love getting mail. Such a fun and happy surprise. Alice sent me approximately a bazillion postcards the last few weeks she was in Switzerland. Love.

Shoe Gazing: 2

Waiting for the bus spotted this nerdy/stylish Asian school girl. Dig the short socks and pink chucks.

The Happiest Place on Earth

Recipe for a great day:
Eat garlic chicken here: Then roll out with these two:And ride this over and over:
magic.

How do you call a girl like Mary?

My sister turns 3^3 today-- one of the coolest ages ever. Which is fitting because she's the coolest. Ever. Mary is a rock star literally-- she'll probably be touring this fall, so if you want her to come play in your town, give her a woot woot. She's been recording all kinds of great tunes in London this last year. Oh, and don't be fooled by the rocker exterior.. she's a closet brainiac finishing her master's thesis right now. So muchos lovings to my sister!
p.s. I love this picture of mary and her musical collaborator john at a new year's eve wedding. Mary has the prettiest eyes, eh?

New from eVlove labs:

Its electric, boogy woogy. I am fending off certain aspects of the '80s revival.. ahem MOM jeans! However, I like the super duper neon colors. Which these all are, though they are looking a little less bright on my monitor. Rest assured they are practically day glow.

R&D on the open road..

Spotted, bought and tasted in the central valley of CA.
Exhibit A: Banana flavored Twinkies.
Verdict: Gross
Exhibit B: Mint Musketeers
Verdict: genius

Tattoo you

d.i.y. temporary tattoos you make on your printer. genius. I've got a billion ideas for these.

The Fruits of my Labors

I will watch your gardens whenever you are out of town if you pay me with these:

Light, the House

After years of dreaming and schemeing, we finally made it happen: group sleepover at the Pigeon Point Light House Hostel. Some of the best things were not documented: hot tub on a cliff overlooking the ocean, stoner/surfer caretaker, etc. Things I did manage to immortalize include:

The lighthouse in all its glory.
The awesome garbage can graphics.
Haters: not welcomeThis hostel is not for wimps.We went to the baby goat cheese farm and gorged ourselves. I learned some new and confusing info at the Pescadero Art and Fun Fair