I was thinking about gift guides - we all wait for them with bated breath each year. . .right? Waiting for the experts to tell us what we really need and want for Christmas this year. I'm no fashion editor. . . but at the end of the day, all it is a list of things those highfalutin editors, well, like or want or need. That's it. Just some (rather) arbitrary list they agree on in an office. . . though well informed, yes (they are at the center of the universe). Or even (dare I say) influenced by advertisers paying the bills (I get it. I get it.)? I thought - I have a list too. A Smmidge list.
So, basically, if you are reading this blog or have read it in the past and even remotely related to it (to me, working mom, frustrated designer, wanna-be bohemian, yadda yadda), then you might like this list of fun "happy's", as I love each of these things. . . (and- ehem - not b/c they are advertising with me. I WISH!) I'm working on Doss and Ben's list too, so mens and kids Smmidge lists are on the way.
Do you ever come home from the store with, for example, some sweet pickles. . . only to realize you have, like, four other (unopened) jars of sweet pickles. . . ? You just are in a pickle phase. Clearly. I love pickles (and olives and pickled okra and banana peppers. . .I digress). So this happens alot (literally). . .and I also love a certain color mix as illustrated in the above brainstorm (and below in every other facet of my life) for a nursery I'm working on. I found the stripe on the left and just could not get it out of my mind. . . I couldn't NOT use it. Now my sweet friend, for whom I'm working on this nursery, loves peach. I have never had someone say so plainly, "I love peach". I found that so refreshing. . . I have never fancied myself a peach-lover per se. But as I explored peach, I found it to be paired with colors that are definitely in my comfort zone. Turq, pink, brown, gray, orange, yellow, green. . . love these colors and love them all together. . . maybe I'm a closeted peach lover!? And apparently, I not only design nurseries in this scheme (Doss and my niece Lola both had variations of this - albeit very difference tones and applications), but I also put together outfits and make Christmas decorations in this same space (Christmas recap coming soon!). . . it is abundantly clear to me that I'm absolutely in earth-tone over-drive. But I don't care!!! I heart these colors, and live in these colors. I embrace this earth tone pickle phase.
I'm seriously obsessed with this dress - got it at J Wilde in San Angelo (LOVE San Angelo) on our way back from Marfa and it is almost an exact match the stripe fabric I can't live without.
Here it is up close. The stripes of my [current] dreams. I found it at Dallas's Fabric Factory
This look is : (so comfortable!) Liz Claiborne (I'm serious! it's so cute) plaid jacket I swiped from my Mom; green tunic from Boden (that my Mom actually gave me!); dark navy Gap jeans from last year; pretty scarf from my MOL, Terry.
Paper chains we are using on our Christmas tree this year - by Ben and me - uh, in all my fave colors, of course!!
And, glitter balls (that's right) and boxwood wreaths (from the darling shop Downing Hill), to which I added my felt circles. . . all in my color comfort zone. See how well they match my outfit!!
Was playing around with my logo and pipe cleaners. . . and low and behold - it is all in my pink, blue, green, yellow, orange zone. . . whew. Do you think I need an intervention?
We went to Bishop Arts last weekend to do a little shopping and I finally had the chance to go into Dirt. We met Chris and Sonya - the groovy duo behind the inspired shop (I love that they live upstairs. Hello? Dream). Their event floral designs are gorgeous, but what I heart the most are her reclaimed wood boxes filled with succulents (with a background in set design - Sonya wields a drill to make them herself). They are so chic. And at terrific prices, they would make super-amazing gifts this holiday season. Another must see/must-have - snuff bottles and tin cans with mini flower arrangements - a surprising hostess gift . . . and you want to be remembered for this. I promise.
Doss enjoyed the carolers immensely. Got right up in their business and started dancing.
It really was a lovely holiday season evening in Big D. Look at that skyline!
. . . who wear bow ties. And real men - gentlemen - groovy men - wear bow ties of course. These bow ties have style true gents will love. I do too. And the folks at Forage (check them out) and Somethings Hiding in Here (one of my fave fave fave blogs) are doing it and making it well. . .all of it - bow ties, boxes (I adore those damn boxes) blogs, and such.
I don't know about y'all, but I often feel like I'm on the cusp. Like I'm "just about there". . . "just about to do it", "just about to make it", "almost hitting my stride". I think some of it is just plainly the human experience. . . the syndrome of wanting what you don't have. I fight that as best I can, and feel that this is a little deeper. . . like there is something else I'm meant to do, give, create, explore, be a part of. . . you know? That is what Smmidge is about - doing what you do and finding your way. For me now, it's about devoting more to this. . . the stuff that I understand and am good at and not fighting that (living with style IS important!). Anyway - there have been some recent, uh, changes at my d-a-y-j-o-b that, ehem, make me think. . . "what am I doing (50-60 hrs/wk)?" (I know - risky statement).
So, in lieu of actual action, I just drive and rock out. (Hmmm. Maybe this a problem. . .?) This time, the soundtrack to this breakdown (no - breakthrough. Thanks Jerry Maguire) is Josh RouseCountry Mouse, City House. An oldie but goodie. There are so many tracks that I adore (Hollywood Bass Player and Domesticated Lovers) andthat and make me feel so normally abnormal (a lovey feeling I might add.). But this one - Sweetie - well, it is right here with me in my dreamy dream. That oh-I'm-almost-there-I-can-just-taste-the-ideal-situation-and-I'm-ready state of mind (been there?). . . imagining my own life of bicycles and music and life with my family. Now, I'm a total-semi-cynic now (thank you Life) - so the jigs up. I get that it is never perfect. . . but I'm a searcher. I think there is more to it than this drive-corp-work-drive-sleep-fly-sleep-work-oh!-hello child-hello husband-ok, bye!. Thank you Marfa.
You may not be here with me - a tried and true 30-something, semi-cynic, but still dreamer-searcher type in mild breakdown mode (no. breakthrough! I almost forgot) - but I don't think it matters where you are in your journey. . . this song and entire album is worth a rock-out ride in the wagon. . . Plus, some of you are probably nerd-lovers like me (I married one rad nerd). . . right? Josh's glasses and short sleeve button-down against that stark black background and stripped down production are just too much. Love it.
