Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Latest Find: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Thread Social & Esley

Lately when I've gone shopping, I have a ticking time bomb in the form of a 21 month old stuck in a stroller. Usually he is pretty good, especially if he has a truck in his hands, but I just never know when he is going to reach his limit.

So in an attempt to ward off a stare-inducing meltdown, I've gotten pretty good at flying through the aisles, grabbing what I need or what catches my eye. I'm sure I'm missing some pretty great stuff, but this method nonetheless worked on a recent thrifting outing here in Nashville.

I managed to pick up three gorgeous designer dresses. The first is a dark blue 3.1 Phillip Lim cocktail dress. Ruffly and decadent, it would be perfect for a summer party or a fancy date night. Alas, it is too big for me, so I'm pretty certain it will wind up on my Ebay store in the near future. These dresses can retail for $600 and more, so someone is sure to get a steal.




 The back ruching is beautiful!



The next dress I found is a pretty rockin' Esley dress. This was brand new with the tags still attached, and originally retailed for almost $100. Not super pricey, but I got a great deal anyways. I'm thinking about saving this for a performance. It has a fun swirly skirt that would be perfect for dancing.




I think my favorite may be this Thread Social dress. I have nothing else in this color, so I thought it would be a nice stand out piece. I love that it can be dressed up with heels and jewelry, or worn a bit more casually. Maybe not to the playground, but definitely for dinner with the girls on a warm night.
Thread Social dresses tend to retail in the $300 to $700 range (with some topping $1000!), so I definitely got a bargain.



Until next time, Happy Shopping!

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Fun In Nashville: Porter Flea


When people think of Nashville, probably the first thing that comes to mind is country music. This, of course, is not a bad thing. Many, many people and businesses make their living from that kind of music. But Nashville is so much more than that. 

There is a massive, creative community here, and events like the Porter Flea are helping to spread the word that we have some pretty amazingly talented people in this town.

I can't wait until Saturday! Will I see you there?

Some of the cool vendors who will be there:



I'm loving this iPhone skin. Or this one . I can't decide.



Hands off people. This dress is going home with me!



Ah, here we go. Linocut cowboy boot greeting card . YeeHaw!



Wow .



Bicycle Print . So perfect.



Organic pillows ? You read my mind. 



Gorgeous wood pendants . Would look pretty with the dress above, no?

There are so many more incredible vendors. Too many to include on this blog. So come in person to check them out!



Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Bruschetta

Bruschetta is one of my favorite foods to make. Super easy, delicious and healthy, you really can't go wrong. Nate and I like to eat it alone for a light, simple meal or pair it with angel hair pasta and red wine for a more substantial one. It is also a great appetizer for a dinner party.

Here is my recipe. It's really simple and not super measured, but I've included some general measurements for reference.

I start with eight Roma tomatoes. For two people, this is a lot, but I feed Maddux the leftovers. He loves it! Also, I like to use organic tomatoes.

 I cut off each end of the tomatoes, then cut slices. I clean out the pulp in the middle, then dice the tomato into small pieces and throw into a bowl.

 Pour in about 3/4 Cup Olive Oil and about 3/4 Cup Balsamic Vinegar and stir well.

 Add about one tablespoon garlic. You can use pre-minced garlic or do it yourself with fresh garlic. I love my garlic press from Williams-Sonoma.
Next, I add salt and garlic to taste. Probably about a teaspoon of each. Or more, if you'd like.
And don't forget the basil! Mix well.

 Fresh baked or store bought, it doesn't matter. I use a loaf of French bread and slice about an inch wide.


I like my Bruschetta a little chewy and melty in the middle and crisp and crunchy on the outside. To achieve this, I spoon a bit of the liquid mixture of olive oil and vinegar from the bottom of the bowl onto the middle of each slice of bread. Then I place a heaping spoonful of the tomato mixture on top.
The oven has already been preheated to 400 degrees. I bake for about 10 minutes or so, until the bruschetta has reached the desired crispiness.


I top mine with a Parmesan, Asiago, Romano cheese mix. See, super easy! Enjoy!




Monday, June 11, 2012

Lucy & Lloyd on Ebay!


As some of you know, I used to own a tiny little consignment boutique in the Green Hills area of Nashville. It was truly a labor of love. I had no idea how it would be received, but within a few months of opening, I had write-ups in both The Tennessean and The City Paper . I loved my little shop, but after a couple of years, I found myself married and pregnant. Both amazing things, but at the time, not really conducive to being a full-time shop owner, at least not for me.

So, I closed shop, but have retained my love of fashion, and most especially, reasonably priced, accessible-to-all fashion. I have a little spot on Ebay that I have been selling pretty dresses and other items. So won't you please check it out?

And I still have some crazy dreams of opening another shop , with a music venue attached. Stay tuned.

Etsy Find: Judy Kaufmann

Judy is a Barcelona-based illustrator whose colorful drawings bring a huge smile to my face. Check out her Etsy shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/judykaufmann














Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Home Tour: Valparaiso, Indiana


Janis is one of the coolest, most creative girls I know. This mother of two, wife and marathon runner is also a dedicated craft whiz. You can find some of her terrific ideas on the blog that she hosts with her friend Kristy.

I fell in love with her house the first time I stepped foot into it. Built in 1912, it is filled with vintage finds, handmade craft projects and original artwork.

Janis kindly allowed me to take pictures and ask her a few questions, which you can find after the photos.


 The girls' downstairs playroom.

 Chalkboard painted wall in the front hallway.

 1920's chandelier in Anni's room.

 Anni's room

 Anni's original artwork in her room.

 Upstairs bath

 Upstairs bath

 Rosie's bedroom

 Artwork in Rosie's room.


 A tent in the dining room? Yes, please!


 Table decals by Luvloo Designs. 


 Front sunroom


1. What is your favorite room in your house?
                    My favorite room is [my daughter] Anni's room because when I first walked through the house it seemed like everything I would have wanted in a room as a little girl. The window overlooked a two hundred year old elm tree in our backyard and it was small and quaint and had nooks and crannies.


2. Where do you find your design inspiration?
                    From anything and everything. Music, colors outside, Anni's paintings, The Art Institute of Chicago and design blogs like 'Oh Happy Day .'


3. Do you have a favorite place to shop?
                    My favorite place to shop is Etsy. I like finding original designers like 'Muck Duck' and 'Collective Revolution.' Some of the most creative people I know are the ones who take risks, put their hands in rusty junk and think outside of the box.


4. Where did you find the amazing chandeliers in the girls' rooms?
                    I got the chandeliers from Ebay. Anni's is French from the 1920's and Rosie's is mid-century. Totally Eames looking. Funky and fun like Bud (Janis' nickname for Rosie).


Thanks so much, Janis! Be sure to check out Janis' blog, Loosygoosey.wordpress.com