Creature Type

Man, this post is really stupidly timed. Not only is not Friday, but my birthday was yesterday! Haha, I’ve had it in the works for days, but I’ve been laying low to fight off a nasty sinus infection, so c’est la vie. I’m feeling better now and was able to have a perfect little low-key gathering of friends last night with board games and pizza. Just what I wanted! :)

The following items are ones I’ve asked friends and family for specifically, things I’ve been considering buying for myself as a birthday present, aaaand a couple dream items.

1. Blue Rosette Dress by Caitlin Shearer  | This one has actually become very bittersweet. This dress was what Andrew was going to get me for my birthday, but I didn’t realize until the last minute that I misread the listing and didn’t realize the sizes were AUS! It doesn’t actually come in my size! I’m completely heart broken, but I’ve contacted Caitlin and we’ll see if I can beg her to make something, ANYTHING in my size because I’ve been dying for one of her pieces for ages. :(

2. Doc Martens | I’ve wanted a pair of Doc Marten boots for years–probably a decade of thrift store hunting at this point. They’ve proven to be such a great fashion staple. They’ll last forever, go with almost any outfit, and are pretty much timeless at this point. I need to just commit and finally buy a pair!

3. Catherine Street Pipa Bag by Kate Spade | Haha, this is my dream item, but I recently saw this bag in person and I just melted. LOVE. In the past few years, I’ve made a resolution to cut back and only buy high quality bags once every year or two. I used to buy cheap purses every few months from Target or the mall, but they end up dying painful, ugly deaths. Who knows, maybe I’ll go nuts and indulge in this baby for my 2013 bag.

4. Ida Heels by B.A.I.T. Footwear | Another pair of shoes I’ve been wanting for ages. So cute and they’re available in the dreamiest ice cream colors!

5. Betsey Johnson Alligator Ring | I specifically told all my friends that I wanted to start collecting Betsy Johnson jewelry and they did not disappoint! I didn’t get my alligator ring–I foolishy walked away from it in Nordstrom Rack months ago and have regretted it ever since–but I got lots of other glittery goodies that I can’t wait to share with you guys!

6. Dress Form | I want a dress form to make my sewing habit easier! I always try to work without patterns or modify them to fit me and it’s so annoying to keep taking it on and off as I work. I always sit there sewing in my underwear! Haha.

7. Hime Gyaru Nails by Aya’s Kawaii Mono Ya San | I looove Japanese nail art. I want to start a collection of fake nail sets, too!

I don’t even know why I decided to torture myself by putting this post together, but this week I felt like sharing some beautiful frames that make me cry myself to sleep at night with burning desire. Sigh.

I really resolve to finally buy a second pair of glasses this year–I did finally cave in and order a pair of gorgeous Tumbleweeds sunglasses already–does that count? It’s so hard to make the commitment, though. Even with all the awesome discount places online nowadays, my prescription is pretty strong and always requires an extra charge. Plus, my face really seems to only be suited to a small range of eyewear shapes. Until then, I’ll keep on dreaming of these babes…

1. Preston Blue Marblewood | Warby Parker
2. Kasli Purple/Red | Eye Buy Direct
3. Rock! Deborah Pearl | Eye Buy Direct
4. Nytva White/Yellow | Eye Buy Direct
5. Derek Cardigan 7005 B Black | Coastal
6. Love L740 Passion Fruit | Coastal
7. See 1415 Hot Pink | See Eyewear
8. Donetsk Yellow | Eye Buy Direct
9. Winnipeg Green | Eye Buy Direct
10. See 9623 Black Glitter | See Eyewear

This isn’t the first time I’ve posted a FF on Saturday, so please forgive me again, but whenever the mood strikes for a FF round-up, I like to honor it.

The shift in seasons always inspires a lot of really awesome outfits popping up on my usual blog reads, tumblr, etc. I wanted to share some favorites from the last week or so!

The always lovely Ashley of Fancy Fine. I love how much color, pattern, and texture is going on here and how perfectly it works.

Natalie from La Vagabond Dame. Mixing stripes is my favorite!

Kailey from Mermaidens could have any outfit she ever wore on my favorites list and it would be accurate! I love a dress/pinafore layered over a cute blouse. I’m specifically envying her super cute lady tie and those shoes! I finally got a pair of lace-up, saddle shoe inspired flats this week, actually! They’re white and pink and I can’t wait until the weather is nice enough to venture outside without fear of ruining them in the slush instantly.

Just when I get in a habit of dressing conservatively, Hayley from Fashion Hayley always reminds me how much I love to dress brightly and uniquely! I love her bold sartorial choices always.

Kelly from IslandChic77. I love everything about this look so much, but those jeans are especially flawless.

Eline from A Fluffy Blog always makes interesting, adorable, unexpected choices with her outfits. She inspires me to look at the pieces in my closet in new ways.

These gorgeous ladies photographed in Paris by Sandra from A Love Is Blind are giving me LIFE.

Kate from Scathingly Brilliant is another constant source of clothes envy and inspiration for me. I keep seeing this adorable black pinafore from Dahlia popping up on stylish bloggers and I can’t take it! It’s so dreamy! I want it!

Happy Friday, everyone! I’ve been hit with a few large purchases recently, so I’m trying to go into meek, non-spender/shopper mode for a bit. Among those big ticket items are my shiny new iPhone 5 and my exciting, sort of impulsive trip to NYC in April! So I have no regrets, but all that fun hits my bank account pretty hard.

Anyway, all this means I have to just enjoy window shopping all the exciting new spring items that are popping up online in some of my favorite shops. I thought I’d channel my consumer cravings by sharing some of favorites from awesome Etsy shops today!

I just have to start with my lovely new sponsor, Delicate Doilies! Emily and Shola has curated a wonderful selection of vintage dresses, tops, accessories, and more. I’m especially smitten with those pastel loafers and floral print peplum dress! So dreamy! Delicate Doilies is generous enough to offer my readers 20% off their purchase with the code “creature”!

I’ve been admiring the gorgeous jewelry on LilahV since before the holidays! I love how clean and simple everything is, but with really unique pops of color or unexpected shapes. Everything looks so delicate and beautiful it all is–the quality and craftsmanship really shines through!

I want to completely cover myself in everything from Starlight Deco Dream! Especially all the incredible Sailor Moon jewelry! I am gagging over here from the amazing. GAGGING.

Can you even handle the sweetness from Twenty Fingers Accessories & Home Decor? I hardly can to be honest. My eyes well up from the perfectness and the mixture of want, envy, and adoration I feel when I scroll through all the items. Too dramatic? NEVER!

I’m so happy that Sara Lyons’s illustrations have been making the rounds on tumblr. Her work represents such a fabulous subversive feminine aesthetic that I really aspire to be more like myself. Everything is so fun and pretty with a wink. Dying for the nail decals and tiny stickers!

It’s been so so long since my last Friday Faves post! Six weeks in fact! I’m a firm believer in not forcing myself into blog-related deadlines if I’m really not feeling it, so I’m ok with only collecting some favorites when I’m really excited to do so. I totally am today!

One of my favorite things about following to many different blogs is all the cool, handy, and interesting DIYs I come across! I’m not titling this post “Favorite DIYs” because I’d be lying if I said I actually completed all of these, but I have them all bookmarked and if I haven’t attempted them yet, they’re certainly on my shortlist! Or my dream list if they involve trickier materials. It’s one of my goals for this year to make some DIYs myself to share with you guys so hold me to that! ;)

DIY Shoe Clips | ModCloth Blog

French Macarons | Tumbleweed Blog

How To Make Your Own Flat Paper Bags | Miss Indie

 Making Costume Jewelry Sparkle | My Dear Watson

Make Your Own Floral Crown | Flashes of Style

DIY Sequin Sweater | Honestly WTF

Homemade Beeswax Candles | A Beautiful Mess

Flag Sticker Garland | Cornflower Blue Studio

Circle-Skirted Dress | The Pineneedle Collective

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Do you guys have any favorite DIYs? Any you’ve made yourself? What’s next on your to-do list? I’ve been especially dying to make that sequin sweatshirt!

This friday I wanted to share some of my favorite goodies that I was lucky enough to receive for Christmas this week! I always love seeing what everyone gets. :)

Clearly I had a fabulous haul! Andrew got me all the nerdy accessories an obsessive girl could dream of! ;) I didn’t include my favorite, though…

Haha, best ever, right?

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So what did you guys get this year? I love hearing about everyone’s favorite gifts!

A few months ago, Ikea announced that they intend to build a new location in the Kansas City Area. I have mixed feelings–of course I’d rather have one in my hometown, St. Louis, but the new KC Ikea will officially be the closest one to me. Currently the closest is in Chicago, almost a 6 hour drive away! The KC one will be 3-4 hours away. A little more doable. Plus, a couple of my best friends live there, so just another reason to visit! ;)

In January, I am absolutely thrilled to get the opportunity to attend the Resolve to MAKE: 2013 Illustration Workshop with Kali Ciesemier–I’ll talk more about this another time–but I’m going to have a few hours to kill the afternoon we get into Minneapolis. You know what Minneapolis has?

…Ikea.

Y’know what I have?

A tragically empty loft full of college-type hand-me-down furniture. I’m going to try and save some pennies and get a few goodies to take home with me! Here’s a few of the things on my current wish list:

1. LAPPLJUNG RUTA | Area Rug
We have a bold, black and white patterned rug in the living room area, so I think this one would look balanced and cool in the office/workspace area. We really should have more rugs to cover our cold, hard, concrete floors, but I’m always uncertain about placement…

2. VÄTE | Table Lamp
I love glowly little lantern lights! This would look so cute in our bedroom, sitting on #3. :)

3. NYVOLL | 6-Drawer Dresser
This just may be my one must-have. We have a walk-in sort of closet, but little else for clothes storage. I really want a dresser to store more folded clothes and display jewelry and accessories on top of.

4. FRODE | Folding Chair
We are so pathetic when it comes to hosting gatherings. We always encourage people to bring their own chairs–awful, right? I want a cute set of these!

5. STENSTORP | Kitchen Cart
Ever since we first moved in, I’ve liked the idea of a faux island for our kitchen. Our space is super open and the kitchen is right in the middle of everything, but when you’re cooking and preparing food, you face the wall. I’d love to be able to chop, stir, and mix while enjoying a conversation or movie.

6. EXPEDIT | Workstation
This is the most impractical pick on my list for our current space. No idea where I’d put this guy, but how awesome would it be as a sewing table?! It’s like it was made for it!

7. RENS | Sheepskin
I love the comfort and texture sheepskin throws add to a room. We could drape one over our ugly old arm chair to make it look more glam or use it as a little rug in our closet…

8. IKEA PS 2012 | Coffee table
Because of our concrete floors and wide open space, furniture and storage on wheels is super convenient. This guy would be so cool! I love the pop of color it would add.

9. RÅSKOG| Kitchen cart
Rather than use this as a kitchen cart, I’d love to store sewing, craft, and art supplies in it.

10. GILBERT | Chrome Plated Chair
Another cute and practical chair. The sheepskin throw would look great on this, too! :)

11. LIATORP | Sideboard
I want to put shoes in this! Enough said!

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 Are any of you guys addicted to Ikea, too? What’s on the top of your wish list?

A couple of years ago, I had to enact a cardigan purchasing freeze on myself. I bought so many it was ridiculous! I got into the habit of just not even considering them while shopping because I knew I didn’t need any. My poor collection is definitely looking worse-for-the-wear nowadays. So many arm and elbow holes! :( While I’m looking forward to slapping some cute elbow patches on–preferably heart-shaped ones–there are some cheap, thin ones that probably just need to be retired.

Both fortunately and unfortunately, this means I’m allowing myself to start shopping for some new ones! I love cardigans so much as a general rule, that this is a pretty overwhelming task. It’s hard to narrow down which colors, styles, and patterns you think could become everyday favorites.

Here’s a peak at some of the items in my cardigan wish list!

1. Cowl Neck Oversized Wrap Cardigan by idea2wear via Etsy ($56.00)
I usually gravitate towards more traditionally styled cardigans, but I’m really loving the drapy, asymmetrical shape of this hand-made one! It looks so comfy and would make a super casual outfit instantly look more unique and well-styled.

2. Love Is All You Knit Cardigan via ModCloth ($74.99)
This guy is pretty much my exact mental image when I think of the perfect sweater! Cozy knit, neutral and comforting color, sense of texture, and best of all–my beloved heart-shaped elbow patches! Perfection.

3. Kim’s Foals Rush In Cardigan via ModCloth ($79.99)
I love the beautiful colors and pattern on this one! I usually wear my sweaters open, but I could see myself buttoning this one up to enjoy the full effect!

4. Vintage Pendleton Oversized Cardigan by Noteworthy Garments via Etsy ($36.00)
The pattern on this vintage cardigan is GORGEOUS. I love getting high-quality knits second hand.

5. A Wear Cat Jacquard Cardigan via ASOS (£22.50)
I’m a sucker for animal patterns and prints. I also love the navy color and cropped sleeves!

6. Longline Bow Print Cardigan via Forever21 ($29.80)
BOWS! ‘Nuff said.

7. Spiked Knit Cardi via NastyGal ($68.00) 
It’s a bit hard to tell in the photo, but this one has little spike studs all over the sleeves. Such a cute little edgy detail! I’m into it.

8. Under The Sea Cardigan by Fairytale Attire via Etsy ($31.00)
This is the one item on this list that I fully intend on actually purchasing for sure. I’ve seen Fairytale Attire’s work floating around the internet before and I’m in love! She thrifts the sweaters and does custom back appliqués. Genuinely needing some new cardigans is the perfect excuse to finally buy one. Yes, darling. Yes.

This week I’m going to get in the Halloween spirit and share some of my favorite Halloween-ish goodies from around my little blogoshere! I’m going to share some of my own next week! So excited. :)

DIY Pumpkin Painting | Pearl + Earl’s Good Time Vintage Blog
I love this cutely creepy little guy that Jessa painted! I love the glowy lights inside carved pumpkins so much that I never think to just paint one, but this little DIY definitely influenced me to give it a try! 

Googly Eye Nails | ModCloth
I have hearts in my eyes for this creative, crafty manicure idea! Really thinking about rocking these on Halloween… I’ve been needing a craft store trip recently anyway… ;) 

Pumpkin Brownie Recipe | MissIndie
Mandy’s been posting tasty pumpkin recipes all week, but these brownies just slayed me. Just thinking about the rich pumpkin/chocolate combo has me drooling.

Classic Horror Movies | Thompson Family-Life
Danielle shared some charming vintage horror movie posters in this blog post, but what really stole my heart was her amazing Halloween decorations for her fireplace and mantel! The colors, textures, and creativity are so fabulous–especially the masks on the portraits! So good.

Skully Bow Heels | PonyChops
Chantal’s hand-painted shoes are always gorgeous, but I feel like her style especially suits Halloween themed designs! Loving this black cat pair, too!