Oh, It's Such A Perfect Day (I'm Glad I Spent It With You)

Birthday weekend is in FULL SWING!! I'm SO thankful to have a Hubby that is SO willing to celebrate all the days leading up to the big day (he's actually in the middle of baking me "almost vegan" chocolate-avocado cupcakes as I blog).

Last night, we went on an actual DATE!! We had sushi, we saw Looper (um...what??), we went out for a drink. And today, he was willing to take a day trip to my hometown for some thrifting & nostalgia. Because birthdays should also be a time for reflecting (and Lord knows, there's been a lot of that with the big THIRTY barreling towards me...).

I kind of can't believe how hard we scored today thrifting. I had been looking for a vintage toy camera for Ruby for awhile now and found this one for $3. I also kind of can't believe that Ruby pretended to be taking a photo with it long enough for me to take a photo of it. One year olds are kind of impossible to pose for pictures, if you didn't already know.

We walked around the downtown area and stumbled upon the most incredible wall covered in leaves. We couldn't NOT do a photo shoot.

On Papa: Flannel button-down (thrifted), army surplus sweater (thrifted), Baldwin Denim Jeans (Badowers), Red Wing boots (thrifted). 

On Mama: The "Saba" scarf (FashionABLE - check out their website!), Cardigan (TJ Maxx), Plaid button-down (thrifted), Jeans (Express - Plato's Closet), Chanel inspired vinyl-tipped ballet flats (Payless).

 Papa looking all dapper in his new vintage motorcycle jacket.

Do you want to see what else we found??

Vintage pillows. I normally have a rule against buying second-hand pillows (I mean, come on...), but these were practically in mint condition. And at $2 each, I mean, COME ON!! So hot right now, too.

 Vintage thermoses to add to the collection ($1 each). Because I don't already have enough collections...

My biggest collection is probably my library of vintage sewing books, which is kind of ironic because I can barely sew. The illustrations are mainly what draw me in. Or in the case of this book, the typography, which is RIDICULOUS (in the best way possible). Can you frame books?

THESE DRESSES. It can be challenging to find previously-loved kids clothes that don't show any evidence of "the love", but these beauties made the cut. Throw on a long undershirt with leggings, and Ruby can wear these through the rest of the season.

My actual birthday is tomorrow, so I'm soaking in these last couple hours of my twenties. [Sigh]. I'm not one to get super hung up on ages but, not gonna lie, this is kind of a hard one.

Thank you, Lord, for the years. For the lessons learned. Even the difficult ones. Shaping me into the woman YOU want me to become.

I've got some big dreams & goals for this next decade, some that I'm already in the process of working towards. Some are a little too big to share on this blog now, but you'll know when I do.

Here's to the next chapter...xx

The Wishlist

I might as well put it out there. I don't need these things to be happy, but you only turn 30 once, right? Or maybe I'll be turning 29 again...

1. Garland from Confetti Systems. Yes, I would decorate my house with this.

2. The new Home by Novogratz book by Bob & Cortney Novogratz. These folks are living MY dream - a house full of kids (7!) in New York City surrounded by aesthetically pleasing design. Need I say more?

They're releasing a collection of home items with retailer CB2 beginning October 4th. I haven't even seen their offerings and I WANT IT ALL.

3. Hunter Boots. I don't even care what color. Not because they're stylish or practical (by any means), but because it would make me a REAL BLOGGER.

4. Vinyls. You can never go wrong in buying me vinyl (unless it is a band I don't like). Even then, that sweet crackling *accompaniment of an actual record player could make the worst of the worst sound slightly better.

I've resisted the mass appeal of Mumford & Sons for as long as I could possibly handle, but their new single "I Will Wait" just completely won me over. Don't tell anybody. And I can't say that I could listen to this album from start to finish, but I am *slowly* warming up to this bluegrass jazz.

Also, Sucre's A Minor Bird turned out to be a pleasant musical surprise. The singer, Stacy King, is also one of the Eisley girls and I like their stuff enough. Sucre might actually be better though. Have a listen and tell me what you think.

I would also be happy to accept Instax film, diptyque candles, and giftcards to J.Crew or Madewell. Though I'm hesitant to invest a lot of money in my wardrobe when I don't know how much longer it'll be before Baby #2. And I'm not hinting at anything. But I AM turning 30, you know. The clock is ticking...xx

Hello, Fall.

The fairest of the seasons is finally here! Time for scarves, layers, boots, blankets, bonfires, hot drinks, & football season. My hubby is especially excited for that last one;)

When we came back from our trip from California last month, I definitely experienced a discontent with our simple life in Iowa (mainly to do with the landscape). Having lived here most of my life, I always felt like I missed out on growing up near a beach or large body of water.

But then I am reminded every Fall of how cleansing it is to experience four different seasons. Having such a visual signifier of change can motivate me to make new goals or help put certain things to rest. Autumns here almost make up for a lack of an ocean. Almost:)

This Fall brings about many new changes for our little family. Changes at work, church, and possibly our living situation. Papa starts a brand new job next week, which has us toying with the idea of purchasing a house. We have held off for a variety of reasons, but the more we think about it, the more it makes sense for us at this time. The whole process definitely makes me nervous, but I am looking forward to taking it with stride and patience...

I have also started reading this book, Blog Inc. by Joy Cho of Oh, Joy! If you are thinking of starting your own blog, it's a great resource to get one launched. Plus, it is so beautifully designed as are all of Cho's other collaborations with Meg Mateo Ilasco (Craft Inc, anyone?)

Throughout my life, I've maintained a variety of diaries both online & off. I've journaled pretty much since I could hold a pen, so writing is a very natural expression of documenting my comings & goings. Deciding how much to share with "the public" though is a lot harder for me to do. Needless to say, I'm still trying to figure out how to balance that with my passion for blogging.

Thank you, readers - whoever you are - for keeping me somewhat accountable. There's over 180 million other blogs out there, so I appreciate that you've taken the time to visit mine. xx

D.I.Y. End Tables

Easily create an end table out of hardbound books and screws. Or if you're feeling lazy, buy it from the Tytie shop on Etsy!

Don't forget, booklovers, that tomorrow is the last day to enter the Sweet Harvey letterpress bookplate giveaway! You can't win if you don't enter;)

soZealous for: BOOKS

Don't miss out on a chance to win this week's giveaway from Sweet Harvey! Personalize the books you love with a beautiful set of letterpress bookplates...

Read any good books lately? I'm just about to finish Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, which I'm thoroughly enjoying. SO looking forward to seeing the film!


[Image credits: deviant art. lovefoxxx. doreese. the selby. fuizfuigfui. prettybooks. 1and1is2. urbaneve. dottydot.]

BLOG GIVEAWAY: Sweet Harvey

This week's giveaway comes from letterpress darling, Sweet Harvey!

Brandi Powell, the talent behind Sweet Harvey, combines modern illustration with vintage printing techniques to create a line of goods that is consistently hip & beautiful.

Want to win a set of lovely, letterpress bookplates? IT'S SIMPLE:

Visit the Sweet Harvey Etsy shop and post a comment here as to which item is your favorite.

Winner will be announced this Friday, 22nd October. Best of luck!!

[Contest is open to U.S. blog readers only.]

Recent Mid-Mod Reads

Here's the latest additions to my vintage library!
How to Decorate and Light Your Home (1955) by E.W. Commery & C. Eugene Stephenson.



The Doubleday Book of Interior Decorating (1965) by Albert Kornfeld.


I think the number of retro decor books I own could almost qualify me as a Mid-Century interior design consultant. Inquire if interested...?

How To Lay Out, Cut and Fit (1964) from Sears Illustrated Sewing Library.


A dress form is next on the wish list...
McCall's Sewing Book (1968) from Random House.

This book will especially come in handy when translating my vintage McCall's patterns!

D.I.Y. Book Purse

Since Kate Spade released a beautiful line of book clutches, I've been wanting to make one for myself.

This tutorial from Country Living is one of the best ones I came across on how to assemble your own!

Best of the Week Vol. Forty-Six

1. Vogue Italia featured an editorial inspired by...the BP oil spill?

2. The new line of book clutches by Kate Spade are simply adorable! The collection currently features Great Expectations, The Great Gatsby, and The Importance of Being Earnest with more titles to come!

3. Everything you need to know about living the Amelie lifestyle.

4. A stay at the beautiful Eloise-inspired hotel suite styled by Betsy Johnson starts at the seriously adult rate of $900/night.

5. Thriftcore provides some tips on setting up your own online shop.

[Image via FFFFound.]

Thought on a Friday // 08.06.10

This one goes for all of us.

I'm hoping to get some reading done in the car this weekend on the way to Chicago for LOLLAPALOOZA! We only decided this week to make it to the music fest, which was largely influenced by the release of Arcade Fire's The Suburbs album.

It has become my quest to hear the new songs performed live and I'm only too lucky to have a husband willing to comply with my spontaneous missions.

Hit me up if you have any good book suggestions! And there's a couple for sale in the shop if you're looking...

[Image via weheartit.]

Etsy Shop Update

Newly added to the soZealous shop—vintage books!! Emphasis will be on decorating and sewing reads of the mid-century persuasion (give or take a few years).

You might even find a useful tip or two on styling your soZealous purchases in one of these decorating guides...

Some schemes are a little dated, but there's nothing about this one I wouldn't apply to my 2010 living situation.


BH&G Decorating Book and Creative Decorating On A Budget are both available now.

I'll continue to add books over the next few weeks, as there are many more to be listed!! As always, your feedback is appreciated.

Lost In Translation

While thrifting this week, I found what might be one of my greatest book finds. EVER.

Published in 1959, Women of Japan is a collection of photos & essays documenting everyday life in a style similar to modern-day street fashion observers, The Sartorialist or Fruits Magazine.

The images are simply captivating. Here's a few of my favorites:










Author: Christine Arnothy
Photography: Marc Riboud

There's not a lot of information I could find about Andre Deutsch's publishing house, or other Bruna books, but I'd like it think it was like the Phaidon Press of it's day.

Maybe I'll compile a Women of Italy (the other book I picked up) blog post at some point!