Absquatulate

KONZUK

I'm in love with these rings made from titanium, stainless steel, and yes, concrete!  Check them out at: KONZUK.

style on a dime.

I had been obsessing (a little) over these J.Crew taffeta party skirts that were full, pleated, and fun.  But I just couldn't see spending over $150 on a taffeta skirt that you can only wear during the holidays.  When I was at the local JC Penny's picking up some additional gifts I saw this: JCPenney : Worthington® Tafetta Skirt.  In red, black, and silver gray and ONLY $17.99, marked down from $50.  Impulse buy? CHECK.  Didn't even try it on, as the mall was starting to get really busy (at 10 am).  It fits well, I wish it were a little shorter, but it's festive and looks great with a sky blue cashmere sweater, pearl earrings (thanks you-know-who :) and black leather boots.  Score!

Do I have the time? Why yes, it's the future.

Covet!

Sweet Sam Moon!

OMG, and I'll be getting a paycheck in three weeks: Sam Moon Trading Online.

Cydwoq

If the elves of Mirkwood lived in Burbank, they would be making Cydwoq shoes.

(It must be the weather, rainy and 60degreesF always make me yearn for another LOTR reading/viewing.)

Stay!

Lipstick has historically been a trial for me. I've got small, pouty lips that look fine, but dark shades never really did it for me. For special occasions sure, but only when I had a lot of time to brush on the lipstick, set with powder, apply more, only to have it disappear 30 minutes later as soon as I took a sip or a bite of anything. So I stuck with light, sheer shades that were easy to apply without needing a mirror.

However I've always been envious of girls like Maggie who could pull off the red lips any time of day. So classic! So chic! So... not quite right on me. And the reapplying, OY!

Well, I took Maggie's excellent advice and gave superstay lipstick another try. I'd tried Cover Girl's version a few years ago, and meh, it was okay, but it still ended up flaking off in a little while, and it was messy to try and reapply. The tint was too thick and if I wasn't careful looked goopy on me. With Maggie's ringing endorsement I picked up a tube of Maybelline's Super Stay Lip Color and it's fabulous. Lightweight, good application (although beware of density of the product, I have to be sure to blend away heavier lines around the outside of the lips from the applicator before it dries), and smashing color! The bonus: At Target, it's only $7. I'm trying to keep myself from buying another three right now!

So, thanks to Maggie for the great tip! Maybe I will pick up a tube of red...

I Used To Live On The Moon

Nunchucks

So tell me UofR people, now that I'm taking karate, can I wear this shirt?

Tired of paying too much for shipping?

I am. A quick Google search led me to this fabulous site:  RetailMeNot.com.

Two gals, a blog, and an aesthetic

For interior design ideas, check out desire to inspire.

The Sweet Science of Light Layering » Curbly | DIY Design Community « Keywords: lightlayering, lighting

Accent lighting makes it a home rather than an institution: The Sweet Science of Light Layering » Curbly | DIY Design Community.  Link courtesy of FryKitty

:: neutrino designs ::

Gorgeous gorgeous dinnerware featuring physics!  What's not to love??   :: neutrino designs ::.

Three years too soon

One of the few good things about living in Rochester was the abundance of relatively well built arts and crafts or four square houses that were reasonably priced. Unfortunately in western MA, those kinds of houses are a little rarer to find. Case in point: thisadorable red bungalow that is a whopping $375+k (although it does have over 2 acres of land, IN Amherst). Maybe in a few years... *sigh*

pushmepullyou design art prints - abstract kiwi

Link: pushmepullyou design art prints - abstract kiwi.

Clouds for your Feet

These Acorn shearling slippers are the best. They are even better when you get them on sale and $20 off. It's like tiny, airy marshmallows enveloping your little toes. Like the finest fuzz from the head of a kitten angel so gently sheared and tucked around your ankles. Like wearing pomeranian dogs inside out.

I am seriously considering wearing them to my final tomorrow at 8am.

When I am Queen of the World

If I ever get large sums of cash or a monarchy, I will own dozens of bicycles. Vintage bikes, bikes from Japan, bikes from the 1950s with white wall tires. And for the European section? I'll own one of these darling Dutch bicycles from Jorg and Olif. I will have a basket on the front with an adorable little lap dog in it and I'll be picking wildflowers at my own private farm.

Living Logos

The Max Plank Institute in Dresden is full of smartey scientists. Don't believe me? This article explains how Michael Schmitz (German website) created a "living logo" that represents the state of the Institute based on employee voting, funding, number of articles published, etc. Makes sense as they are interested in how cells organize themselves into systems.

Courtesy of Mr. Kottke.

Payoff

As the impending anniversary of my birth loomed in the horizon, earilier this fall I decided to take on some extra work tutoring to put towards a decadent indulgenece to celebrate the day I came into existence. I'm living on a shoestring so this squandering of income on something so temporary really can't be justified in any rational manner. Heck, the only argument I can put forth is that I'm not dipping into loan money to do this; I worked extra hours on top of everything else to afford this, and well HELL, it is my 30th birthday. I wanted do something fun, something totally relaxing and indulgent and irresponsible. A month of groceries can't hold a candle to the prospect of aroma therapy, a 60 minute massage, a facial, a manicure, and a makeup lesson.

Here's to oatmeal for dinner for the next six weeks!

Delicious Notecards

I am drooling over the cards at Elum Designs. Below is just one example of the many, many fine cards they produce. Go look at them!

Needed

We need more graphics of dead presidents wearing modern hats. That is all.

Someone I know Is Going to Kill Me

09-03-06_2110
Originally uploaded by absquatulate.

But regardless, I want your opinion: yes or no on these shoes?

They were cheap enough that I don't mind keeping them, but I have the receipt. I was on the fence and bought them because they were the last ones in my size in red.

So: Yes, or No?

Han Shot First

On the one hand, this would be ridiculously easy to make oneself and well, after the whole Frank Cho thing on PvP, I'm not sure I care about supporting the artist anymore. On the other, gimmie! (why doesn't this come in babydoll tees??)

Or, perhaps, hehe gimmie!

Lacy Delicates Back in Fashion

I've always had a penchant for adorable, lacy ladylike underthings, but the last decade or so has been an exercise in how LITTLE one can get away with wearing.  How wonderfully refreshing to see that things are becoming a little more sensible, and the fabulous KnickerBlog has a wide range of underthings to please the laydlike garter-belt lover as well as the cheeky Britney Spears wannabe.  And how can one argue with a cutely designed site about knickers (a much preferable word to the detestable "panties")?

If you have the need to please a ladyfriend this Valentine's Day, check out their Valentine's Day Lingerie Guide which is chock-full of good advice.

Gifts fo the Gal

Have a special gal in your life to get a gift for, but not sure what to do? Before you go to Zales and plunk down your hard earned cash on something that everyone else in your neighborhood will be wearing, take a look at some alternatives. Whether she's a sister, mother, girlfriend or wife, there's bound to be a piece of jewelry from one of the fine purveyors in this AskMeFi thread. All of the independent jewelry suggestions are fabulous and offer lots of choices for the woman in your life. I can also recommend So-Charmed bracelets as unique and beautiful source of jewelry too.

For Future Reference

K-Roz points us to this wonderful little interior/home furnishing site.

Drool!

Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie.