Royal Wedding Bliss

We couldn't help but wake up at 4:45am this morning to take part in viewing Prince William and Catherine Middleton's royal wedding with over 1billion others around the world.  I felt so strongly about seeing it as it happened, 1) because I have a fuzzy but happy memory of watching Charles and Di's wedding when I was small and 2) because it isn't often anymore that we have a chance to be a part of a collective experience that is happy.  We were among a billion peeps watching two gorgeous people look lovingly at one another in what seemed like Royal Wedding Bliss, all at the same time.  Amazing and wonderful.   And of course, what sort of event would this be if it weren't for the momentos available to commemorate this day. . . here are a couple of items that don't make me gag.  And moreover, I even sort of like them.  Here's to another happy event - our collective two day honeymoon that is a weekend, yay!

William and Kate Tea Towel

Beautiful William and Catherine pillow by Jan Constantine

Wallpapery Love

vintage funky perfection. LOVE the color.  image here

high impact traditional.  image here

graphic focal wall, bright color mixes.  image here.

a boho gal's dream.  image here

love this.  want this.  need this.  image here

vintage romantic.  image here.

funky country.  this is totally in my subconscious and i love it. image here

blue wall, pink chairs.  fantastic.  image here

large scale sweetness.  image here

 images via Pinterest (individual links in captions).  See here for more wallpaper. 

Smmidge Style: Workwear

Workwear is just never easy, is it?  I walk a fine line with a corporate job, and. . . well. . . a constant "questionable" interpretation of business casual that includes jeans that I pawn off as skinny "slacks"; pattern on pattern "craziness", and colors that some might say, uh. . . " wow, that doesn't match. . . AT ALL", or "I sure could never pull that off" - my personal favorite semi-compliment.  It's fun.  But I have to say, I'm in enjoying solids these days very much - anything to make it easier. I find this knee length skirt and plain tee comfortable and flattering and frankly, sort of businessy in a slouchy way.   No?
Anyway, my workplace is definitely comfortable with solid colors, and the arm patch (I bought at vintage store and stitched on the sleeve) and patchwork ikat shoes (by Julian Louie for Aldo) make the cute black eyelet skirt a tiny bit funkier. . . it's all about compromise.  Happy Wednesday.

Inspired by. . . "vintage" Domino Magazines

I hoard magazines.  I admit it, and I love it.  I'm particularly proud of a couple of my collections including Dwell and Elle Decor, but the best sets are the now defunct Cookie and Domino.  I was going through some old spring Dominos last night looking at outdoor furniture and trying to decide what to paint my toenails.  I came across a favorite issue - May 2008 with Julianne Moore on the front.  Lovely!  And still chock full of relevant and fabulous ideas.  Ahh, to open the mailbox and see a new Domino. . those were the days! 

hmmm what color?

glorious patterns and colors.

orange top table - yes please.

yellow chaise lounge with palm leaf cushions. . . ?  take me to Palm Springs.

and a little detour - I found the reasoning behind my blue bedroom curtains.

Luckily, Buggers loves to read the mags with me too. 

What I'm Reading

It's been awhile since we've talked books. . . so here we go. We just finished an oldie but goodie, Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential which is amazing.  And I can't say enough about Just Kids, by Patti Smith.  A chronicle of her time with Robert Mapplehthorpe when they were young, bohemian artists in 1960s New York City.  Magic.

Two amazing women that are teaching me so much and making me laugh are Tina Fey and Ruth Gruber.  Bossypants (I'm listening to the audio and literally laughing 'til I cry, and almost wreck), is hilarious.  Her tails of everything from self-image to puberty to non-existent college relationships to being a "boss" and everything in between is fantastic.  I literally can't wait to drive to work so I can hear the next chapter. Get it.  And finally trailblazer Ruth Gruber is a woman who inspires you to push yourself to do more and not to submit to boundaries.  To remember, always remember the people and events that came before you - something that is very important to me.  If you don't know her story, you must.  Witness.  Have a great week!

Pretty Present: It's the Thought That Counts

 I mean, I know I've had a bad week. . . or, uh, two.  Nothing earth-shattering, just the stuff we all struggle with, jobs keeping us away from our kid, too few hours in the day, tax-time stress (really, that is what we owe?  are you SURE?), and the big burly future. . . And I realize Hubs knew I was in it deep on some level. How could he not, what with the circles under my eyes, the irritability and such. . . ?  But I didn't really think he knew.  Maybe he did. . . because this sweet little pink package met me when I came home late last night, and it is the best. present. ever.  I have worn a chain with Bugger's initial (D) on it, since the first week he was born.  First it was an Anthropologie chain (which I lost a year ago this weekend on a girls trip to Rockport), then it was a boutique gold chain with a D and a tree charm (bought for me in Rockport by my sweet girlfriends) after I lost the other chain, THEN since that recently broke it has been nothing.  And I've coveted a Helen Ficalora chain ever since.  I just love the simplicity of the designs.  So, needless to say I'm feeling buoyed today. . . sometimes it makes it all seem ok just to know that someone hears you and understands your struggles and takes the time to do something out of the ordinary to show their appreciation.  It could have been anything - a note, or cupcake, or this.  It's all in the thought behind it.  Thanks Hubs.  Happy Friday. 

Isn't it pretty?! Looks like a stamp, which you know I adore.

I'm not with Doss enough, but through this I feel a little closer.

My Week

Here's hoping your week is going better than mine!  Whew!  It is Thursday.  That's a good thing. And I do adore these old horror movie promotional images. Tomorrow is a new day.

chevron heaven

I just can't explain how much I'm in love with all the chevrons (or zig zags depending on your point of view.) going on these days.  I love the graphic quality that translates in any color and from fashion to home.  It's all I got today, but atleast it's like heaven.
chevron heaven by Smmidge 

West Texas Delight, Betty & June

I love to be delighted, don't you?  And I get particularly delighted by small-towners (as I call anyone who hails from, or lives in a small town) doing awesome things, and drawing on unique perspectives to make and create.  Resourceful creativity is the best, and I think small-towners do it best. It's easy to think the the city is where it's at - but I know better, having grown up in a very small town myself. . . Anyway, I was back home (in the small town of Baird) over the weekend visiting my parents, and happened upon a super cool new shop in Abilene - Betty & June - a pure West Texas delight.  Jessica, the proprietress, is ahh-dorable and is bringing a really modern approach to fashion (and retail in general) to the area - groovy modern brands, a great mix of price points (much of the selection is under $100!), and rootsy (yay!) branding that I love - all derived from family. Jessica and her husband [an Air Force pilot] had super inspirational and fashionable grandmothers (and you know how I feel about groovy grandmothers) - Betty & June, thus the name.  Did I mention Jess is a Mom of a 4 yr old, too? wow - doing it all.  Love it.  Betty & June will forever be on my weekender route when I'm home (one that includes Relics).  Looking forward to the next visit already!

Cute corner store location in downtown Abilene.

I love the black focal wall in the entry with hand painted stories of Betty and June, and, ehem, some mimosa fixins.  Awesomeness.

Color ways.

That's Jessica, next to the desk o' accessories from which I purchased a chevron (another current obsession) necklace.

I loved this maxi dress.

I love how she left the floors "as is" against the crisp with walls, colorful accents and utilitarian hardware. 

We ARE kindred spirits!  Jessica utilized hand-stamped luggage tags.  Adorable. 

Great display for her select shoe assortment.

If you are ever in the area, be sure to check'em out.  

I couldn't resist this scarf!

Be My Headdress

I'm obsessed with turbans.  I have always loved hats and scarf wraps, but this is sending me over-the-edge happy.  Image link here

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