Slowly I’m started to feel a little less frazzled, a little more myself.  I think part of this change is the weather - a change for the better.  The recent heatwave in L.A. has played itself out.  In fact, it should be in the 70s this weekend which is below normal for August. The heat really just gets to me every time.

I’ve also cut down on internet time - big time.  Which is weird, because my job is web-based and most things I do revolve around the computer.  I mean, I love to stay in touch.  But too much virtual reality can leave one feeling a little out of touch, you know?  For the past two evenings I’ve had my nose in a book - actual books made with paper that smell good and have roughly cut edges (there’s a term for it in publishing though I don’t remember it).  OK, maybe paper books are not as “green” as digital ones but I love the tactile quality a book has and it just seems more real, more real than anything labeled “reality” as of late.

And I’ve talked to friends - on the phone!  One friend of mine, who is going through some difficult times, I talked to maybe 3 or 4 times in the last two weeks.  We were laughing at how it was the most we’ve talked to each other in a long time, and how silly it was that it took something painful for that to happen.

I feel like I’m gaining some clarity and lightening my load…No, I wasn’t able to take an actual vacation, but taking a mental break from the everyday does help!

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Anyway, I can’t post without including a picture of something pretty, right?  I found this old ’50s dress at a local antique market and have been wearing it almost non-stop (along with my homemade granny cardigan).  In fact, I think it has already faded a bit from the repeated washing.  It’s sleeveless and lightweight and in the sweetest print.  The best part?  Rhinestones!  Yes, my dear friends, said dress is BEDAZZLED.

This is not the first ’50s dress that I’ve found with little jewels encrusted on the bodice.  I suppose it was a trend back then.

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Dears, enjoy the weekend!

I’m popping in to let you all know that everything in my vintage shop is on sale: 25% off!

I’d like to send this stuff to good homes so that I may focus on other things.  That being said, I’m totally open to a little haggling, flea market-style, so if you see something you like make me an offer via the “contact” link in my Etsy shop.

If you think you have a friend that might be interested in something here, please spread the word, thanks dears!

I don’t recall when exactly but I told you I’d post pictures of my studio (a fancy way of saying office) after I painted it grey (from bright yellow).  Well, it’s probably been a couple of years now but here it is!

A perfectly styled room it is not.   Isn’t it better to see how I really live?  The most significant thing I’ve done to prepare for these photos was clearing off surfaces.  I can’t help but live with stacks of papers (work, sketch, etc.) on my desk and sewing table but I figured that would be too distracting.

This space is really me, a jumble of all my favorite and mostly old-fashioned things.  And I love pattern so much, I buy fabric just because of the print (I know many of you do the same!)  and I’m surely running out of room.  I’m also in love with old, delicate, falling-apart things (as you know) and now the north wall is looking a bit like a bricks ‘n’ mortar vintage shop with the Edwardian blouses and 1930s dresses hanging from it.

You can see my mother-in-law’s rug in the lower left corner of this pic, in front of the antique sewing thread cabinet my landlord gave me.  Isn’t the lighting here a little odd, like I had the flash on?  I didn’t though - it’s just the white morning light coming through the facing windows.

Below is my little nook which includes this unglamorous but functional Ikea futon.  At least it’s a comfortable place for my childhood teddy friends.

Hi Totoro!

I’ll end this post with the seat at my desk, a place where I spend a lot of my day working, drawing and gazing out the window with my dear cat Spoo. (He often sits behind the curtain to watch the busy little house finches in the morning.)

I hope you enjoyed this mini-tour of my world.  Enjoy the weekend!

Some lovely vintage goodies are in my vintage shop!  Pretty things perfect for midsummer: gingham dresses and accessories.  (And one very sweet lone crocheted item, hee hee!)  For the first time ever, I’ve got dresses for our curvy ladies which makes me as pleased as punch.

For my dearest blog friends:  buy anything from my vintage shop and get *free* shipping.  To get this deal: please enter “BLOG” in the message to seller box and I’ll credit you the shipping & handling fee.  Free shipping deal ends this Friday, July 23rd midnight PT.

These listings are for U.S. delivery only but I might be able to ship elsewhere; please convo me on Etsy.