Ring Love

images courtesy of stone poetry jewelry

image courtesy of aurum handmade jewelry

Books Part II: The Challenge

This is a follow-up post to my blog from a few days ago. I have decided to do it. I am committing to read five books in 2011. You may think that number is a little wimpy. I call it attainable. I wanted to ease back into reading with a goal I could achieve. Lets face it, who wants to rekindle a love affair and fail miserably. Here's my line up. I have until December 31st to read all five, which I don't think should be an issue. Thanks for all the suggestions and wish me luck.

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

This was sort of a no brainer and the first book that came to mind when I decided to do this project. I have owned this book for three years. And for three years I have made excuses not to read it. It just looks boring and as much as I hate to say it.....I totally judge books by their covers. My good friend, my sister-in-law and even my grandmother have recommended it countless times so I am giving in and reading it. I hope it lives up to all the hype.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Pretty much everyone I know has read this book and loved it. It was the number one book recommended to me. People actually give me a look of horror when they learn I have not yet read it. I imagine it being the equivalent to someone saying that haven't read Water for Elephants. Everyone has read that book. So here I am...jumping on the bandwagon.

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

I think I started this book about four years ago. Life happened. We bought a house, moved and well, unpacking and decorating took over my life. This time I am reading the whole book because I remember loving what I read. Shameful admission: I am so embarrassed at having never finishing this book. That is so unlike me. I crave completion. So, what I did was just tell people I read it and loved it. You read it here first. I never finished this book.

A Widow for One Year by John Irving

My husband and Miss Marina Star both love John Irving. I decided to give it a whirl. I loved the movie The Door in the Floor (the screenplay is based on a portion of this book) so the book has to be great, right? Using the logic 'the book is always better than the movie.' How can I be disappointed.

Unbearable Lightness by Porita de Rossi

No story behind this pick. I am simply intrigued by her story and the bravery associated with sharing something so controversial and private.

Other contenders:

• The Sound and the Fury
• Anna Karenina
• One Hundred Years of Solitude
• Angela's Ashes

Window Shopping

I'm not much of a winder shopper. Meaning, I rarely buy something I've seen on display in a store window. However, I can really appreciate a well put together retail window. Two companies that are really doing it right and stepping out of the box are J. Crew and Anthropologie. I know you aren't shocked by my second pick. I saw one of my very favorite window displays about two years ago at J. Crew. They lined the inside windows with newspaper and made small square cut outs that you could peer through to see the clothing displays. It was so original and different and I so wished I had taken a picture to post. Here are a few really great displays using common things in unusual and creative ways.

Wooden Hangers & Ribbon

Clothespins & Thread

Clothespins

Zippers

One last picture for good measure. Ordered this dress and it arrived in the mail yesterday. It's even better in person. Looks great with my whiskey colored, riding boots & brown houndstooth tights.

Books

image courtesy of Book of Art

Reading is something I used to love doing. Reading made me love to write and in fact, made me a better writer. Reading for the sake of enjoyment is something I have completely stopped doing. I used to make time to sit down and enjoy a good book. I couldn't wait to get home and read whatever book I was in the middle of. Picking up a book is something I never do anymore. I'm not sure if it's because I am busier now then I have ever been. Or it is the amount of writing I do professionally that has made reading sound less desirable. Whatever it is, it's to blame for my "book funk." I could also attribute my lack of interest to having not read an absolutely amazing book in a long time. I've read some pretty good books, but nothing that left me wanting more. There is nothing better than finishing a book that leaves you thinking about it for days. Maybe I need to try Miss Marina Star's approach and set an annual goal for myself. Forcing myself back into the habit I used to love so much. Suggestions?

Chanel-ish Ballet Flats

I'll likely never own these......

so I guess I'll settle for these......

Jewels For Your Neck

Urban Outfitters has the greatest necklaces right now....

This is actually a locket. Makes it even more charming.

Black Booties

Nine West Platform Booties. Oh so pretty......and on sale!

A Warmer For My Neck

image courtesy of love & knit

Apparently, I need a scarf like this to cohabit in Oklahoma this week. It isn't exactly warm around these parts. This girl makes really great stuff and has fun style. I love the squirrel sweater above.

The King Is Dead

I previewed this album Sunday night. It left me with a smile on my face. I really love The Decemberists. I was left disappointed and mildly heartbroken when I listened to their last album and hated all but two songs. This is The Decemberists I know and love. The first song "Don't Carry It All" is my favorite. Check it out here.

I'm Over Winter

The new Anthro catalog showed up in my mail today. I flipped through it and imagined freezing cold, 20 degree wind wasn't blowing in my face and instead I was wearing one of these dresses while sipping wine outside on a restaurant patio.

A New Year, A New Look

What would I do without my very own personal, live-in designer? Mixed Handbag just got a bit of a face lift. It was time. About once a year I start bugging my husband to create me something new. I am a horrible client. He always manages to deliver and I can't thank him enough for all his patience. I can think of about 50 things he would rather be doing with this Sunday.

He really hit the nail on the head with this one. You see to me the a blog header needs to describe what the intent of the blog is and convey why you blog. He incorporated all my favorite things and generally what I tend to blog about. Travel, food, music, fashion and a little of me.

I vowed to blog more frequently in 2011 and I think this is a nice start. When you are comfy in a space you have created, you tend to want to be there more often. So enjoy fellow bloggers and followers and Happy 2011!

Functional, Yet Sassy Gloves

I got these gloves for Christmas. Well, actually mine are orange. (I detest the color purple.) I love these gloves! They are the perfect weight, have those stylish little ruffles and allow me to iPhone to my hearts content – all while keeping my hands nice and toasty.

Black & white

Love this dress......

.....to wear with these beauties.

Kate Spade Clutch

I adore this. I love the back of the purse and the little quote in pink.
"I loved her simply because I found her irresistible."

The Story Behind Our Christmas Card

I've had quite a few people ask questions about our Christmas card this year. I decided to dedicate a blog post to the how, why, etc. First off, we owe a HUGE thank you to my father. My idea would never have been executed without his carpentry skills and incredible patience. I really do think he can build anything.

Is this Photoshopped?
No, other than resizing the photo to fit the 4x6 postcard we mailed, this is all the real deal.

We did not insert our pictures onto this backdrop. We are really standing/sitting behind this photo wall that my dad built. Those are real pictures and picture frames hanging on the front of the wall. We took the glass out of all the frames to reduce glare.

How was it built?
The photo wall is huge and was built in two panels with hinges in the middle. This was done because a.) we had to get it in our car and b.) we have to store it somewhere in our house. It hangs on two six foot wooden poles. Wallpaper took the most patience because of the odd size of the panels. My dad, with Zach's supervision, painstakingly was able to line up the pattern on the edges of the panels.

What will you do with it now?
We plan offering the photo wall as an option at weddings and events that Zach shoots. Minus our family pictures of course.

Who are the people in the photos?
1. Zach holding a pair of very old antlers we borrowed from my dad. Originally, I wanted to hang the antlers on the wall, but that just didn't work. Zach made it work.
2. Zach with Wayne Coyne. If you know Zach well, there is no explanation needed on why this made it on the wall. And yes, we did send The Coyne's a Christmas card.
3. Zach's Mom & Dad
4. Us at Christmas last year
5. Santa.....I mean it is Christmas after all. Zach took this photo three years ago during Downtown in December and was our Christmas card that year.
6. Zach's great grandfather Pat Woolman
7. My mom as a baby
8. My parents, my brother and sister-in-law and Z & I
9. Me in a classic senior pictures pose.

It is a challenge to come up with a creative idea for cards every year. Last year I thought no one would really notice if we didn't send one. I will never make that mistake again. I realized that people appreciate the extra effort. I also learned that my husband and I work well together as a team. Even though we both try and "art direct" at times.....at the end of the day I feel good about what we created together. That may sound weird to most people but we like projects and the challenge associated with turning out something people will enjoy. So there it is. Our card. Merry Christmas, Nash Style.

Best of 2010

It's that time of year again. Time for my annual list of my favorite music from 2010. You can look at my 2009 list here and my 2008 list here.

1. Mumford & Sons - The Cave
2. Arcade Fire - This is by far my favorite album of 2010 and I can't pick one song. The whole thing is knock your sock off good.
3. Beach House - Used to Be
4. Gorillaz - On Melancholy Hill
5. Local Natives - World News
6. Black Keys - Next Girl
7. Band of Horses - On My Way Back Home
8. The Fresh & Onlys - Waterfalls
9. Alexander - Truth
10. Cults - Go Outside (technically this album hasn't been released yet, but since I heard the song in '10 I am counting it. You can preview the song here)
11. Warpaint - Undertow
12. Ray LaMontagne - For the Summer
13. Jonsi - Go Do
14. Sleigh Bells - Rill Rill (I hated this album at first. I decided to revisit it a few months ago and found a completely new appreciation.)
15. Belle & Sebastian - Write About Love
16. Vampire Weekend - White Sky
17. Delta Spirit - Salt in the Wound
18. Lykke Li - Get Some
19. The Avett Brothers - Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise
20. LCD Soundsystem - Home

On another note, one of my New Year's resolutions for 2011 is to blog more frequently. I haven't been good about updating regularly and I will try and do best in the coming year. Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and is surrounded with family and love. See ya in 2011!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year....at West Elm

A few of the things I've got my eye on for the after Christmas sale.

Images via West Elm

Wrist Candy

I'm adding this watch to my Christmas list.

Luxury for the coffee table

I really, really want this book.

We Will Become Silhouettes, Part II

Yes, please. Anything with silhouettes is perfect.

Whimsical, pretty things....

I'm back. Been a while since I last blogged. I have neglected this little corner of the World Wide Web. We've been busy bees. So, here I am with a scintillating post about my new favorites from Anthro. I got my new catalog in the mail today. Yes, I will take one of everything please.


I buy myself one ornament from Anthropologie every year. This will be the one I purchase this year. For about a year, I have wanted some Russian Matryoshka Dolls (Nesting Dolls).

These vases are awesome.

Quattro anni

This was us four years ago today, at 1:oo in the afternoon. Everyone says their wedding day was perfect. Ours really was. It was one of those rare days in Oklahoma.....70's, blue skies and no wind. I truly think when you can say you found that someone who makes you better than you were, you can't ask for anything more in life. I am one of those lucky people. If I told you we are just as happy today as we were four years ago then you would know the whole story. Lover, thank you for being my husband. Even when it's hard. I wouldn't want to take this journey with anyone else.

Happy birthday to my best friend. Thank you for agreeing to marry me on your birthday. I hope four years later it was the best gift you ever received.........aside from a Canon 1D Mark IV.

I'm back!

I've been on a bit of a blog hiatus. I honestly didn't think anyone would notice. Apparently, I was wrong. A few of the six or seven people who read my blog were curious as to where I have been and eagerly anticipating a new entry (hate to say I don't think this one will redeem myself). I have been busy. Whew. So, here I am. Back in action.

GAP changed their logo. Kind of weird. I am just not "feeling" the new logo at all. It doesn't evoke any emotion in me. Except for maybe confusion and it's boring. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I guess I am wondering why the GAP felt the need to rebrand themselves. What do you think?

The return of frizzy hair and pimples

I've got a serious bone to pick with the beauty care industry. I've been living in deep-seated denial knowing this day would eventually come. ::::pause for effect:::: My favorite styling product and face soap have BOTH been discontinued. That's right. Why must they get rid of every product I fall in love with? I truly do not understand. I realized both were getting a little harder to find and would stockpile when I was in a store that carried them both. While in CVS this evening, I got a rude awaking. No more to be had.

Any woman will tell you she has spend countless amounts of money and time researching, sampling and testing just to find that one product that works with whatever her 'thing' is. I just happen to have two 'things'. Finicky curls and sensitive skin.

I don't want gel or mousse. I want a nice cream that is going to make my curls bouncy, non-frizzy and most importantly non-crunchy. This isn't the 80's. I really think the haircare industry thinks every woman has straight hair. Which is just a shame. We curly headed gals are a cash cow. We will drop the bucks on that one product we think will make our curls look their very best.

I've only touched on 50% of my current situation. I can't even begin to imagine what my face is going to look like at this time next month. I foresee a return to adolescence right around the corner.

You may have stopped reading this rant a few paragraphs back. Could I blame you. However, I can honestly say this is something that angers me. And my other half as well. Poor Z. First his brown, Gap flat front pant and now his favorite socks. Between the two of us we are first in line to board the bitter bus. I have literally watched my husband for all four years of our marriage mourn the discontinuation and try to replace the only pair of pants that fit him well. Laugh, but it's kind of sad. However, there is something about getting my distaste out there that almost makes me feel better. I am sure that will wear off as I am squeezing the last few drops from my product reserves.

Fall Preview

Since tomorrow is the last day of summer I thought I would share a few of my "wants/already purchased" for this fall. I am loving what is out there right now in the way of fall fashion.

I seriously cannot stop thinking about this camel leather bomber.

I wanted one faux fur piece for fall and this turned out to be affordable.

Tweed blazer. Goes with everything. Enough said.

I love this skirt. It reminds me of a picture I saw of my grandmother.
She was a very classy dresser.
She wore something similar with a pair of spectator pumps.

On the hunt for a long denim shirt that I can wear with
leggings and brown boots.

The Suburbs

Seriously can't stop listening to this cd. I previewed it on NPR before it was released, but had no idea I would love it this much. I haven't stopped listening to it since it arrived in my birthday package a few weeks ago. I love the entire album.
Favorite songs: #3 (Modern Man) &
#15 (Sprawl II - which reminds me of an old Blondie song)