Just Ducky

While peacocks will always be my favorite, I do like all kinds of other birds including ducks. Jon often talks about one day having a home with a pond so that he can have ducks. Over the course of years that we've lived in this house, we do have duck visitors from time to time in our pool! And, we always enjoy a walk in the park to feed the ducks - this will really be fun when Richard is older!

Another fun fact is that we often tease each other when we "walk like a duck". Some people are more prone to let the front of their feet go more outward than their heel. I guess we are some of them, although I think it's improved over time with work on our postures and Jon actually going to a chiropractor. Anyway, a few years ago Anthropologie was selling mallard heels - deep green suede mary jane heels that had 3D duck heads on the toes. We both thought they were a riot, but I never ended up buying them. So, like a lot of things in my life, I end up searching for them with hopes to someday own them. I do most of this searching on eBay. I now know that they are by designer Chie Mihara. And while searching, I came across this duck skirt that was sold at Anthro in 2004. It's by Odille and it's official name is Dot Decoy. When I first saw it, I thought it was the ugliest thing...... but then...... it kinda grew on me. It's quirkiness and charm won me over so I kept on searching until an auction in my size eventually popped up. A true example of finding something while looking for something else.

I've paired it here with a dark green turtleneck from Kohl's, a colorful beaded necklace from Macy's, and, until I find the mallard heels these green patent leather mary jane's from Kenneth Cole will do just fine. I am no stranger to wearing "different" things in the corporate world. Especially when that corporate world is in a smallish city in Michigan. So now that I think about it, the mallard heels might be too much for some people. As it was, I got a few odd looks the day that I wore this. But the compliments out weighted them. The trick is, always be confident! Always dare to be different!

Peacock Find

It doesn't take much to excite me these days.... Yesterday, it was a trip to the grocery store - by myself - wahoo! And a stop at Starbucks along the way. I am easily distracted when I go shopping. And when you go to a mega store for your groceries, it is easy to get off track in the other departments like housewares and clothing. Which results in the fun comments when you get home, such as "That's all you got? You were gone so long." Yeah, ladies, it happens to all of us. But that's another story for another time.

Anyway, going grocery shopping on a Saturday is not ideal to me since the stores are so crowded. But lately, it's been the only time I can get there. I am already kicking myself as I pull into the crowded parking lot. I only need a few things so I want one of those smaller carts rather than maneuver a huge ass one through the isles of people. Of course, these small carts are elusive on a weekend. I checked both cart corrals with no luck. So, as I'm making my way to the back of the store I see a new section of items which include reusable plastic cups. I invested in a couple of these after having Richard because I was ttttthhhhhirrrsssty all. the. time. I had never been so thirsty in all my life from the hormone changes and breastfeeding. Now I tote one to work from time to time, usually filled with tea. Since these type of cups have come out, I am always looking for peacock ones. Because come on, they have every other type of print out there. I scanned the shelves and as soon as I spotted the feathers, my heart skipped. Hoorah! I bought 2 of them and as silly as it sounds, they brightened my otherwise dull shopping trip. They are waiting on the counter for tomorrow morning, when I will fill one of them with something tasty from my Keurig. Probably my Tazo Zen tea.........

Wearable Stained Glass

Here's an outfit I submitted to Effortless Anthropologie last week. This lightweight, sweater vest/wrap is by the brand Moth. It was an eBay find for me a couple of years ago, so it's vintage Anthro - just not sure what year. It has peacocks on it, and some pretty to roses, in a stained glass like pattern. Another peacock sweater I've shown on here is by Moth too, so it's interesting to see brands come out with multiple peacock designs! There's other peacock lovers out there! Usually, I am pairing my Anthro treasures with inexpensive basics - the white tee and brown belt are from Kohl's, and the jeggings are from JC Penney. Those basics go a long way in a gals wardrobe.

Little Projects

A few weeks ago, in a key themed post, I showed a little shadow box I made with some keys and mentioned that I had more in the works. When I was making the key one, I wasn't even sure where I was going to hang it. Then, more ideas came to me about showcasing "collections" and I realized I wanted to do a series of shadow boxes. At the same time, some empty wall space became available (which I will talk about later) so to work I went at creating.

For my shell collection, I left the 12 sectioned tray it's original black color. I thought it showed off the shells best. These shells and corals are from our trips to Florida, St. Lucia, and Belize. I used glue to keep them in place.

I painted another 12 sectioned tray a tan color, for this collection of large buttons. Again, using glue to hold.

Here is where you can see all 3 in action! The best part about these projects was that I already had everything I needed on hand. I used up 2 cans of spray paint that had been in the basement (the cream and tan). Already had sandpaper for distressing. I used a jewelers drill to make the holes to wire the keys onto the box. Glue. Glad to showcase our travel treasures in a new way. Love buttons! And who knows - there may be even more in the series to come. The possibilities are endless.

The space where they are hanging is in our upstairs living area, outside of our 2 bedrooms and bathroom up there. We have a couch, tv, and little office up there. However, since it's a cape cod, the ceiling starts to pitch up so that leaves some walls with decorating challenges. Our couch is up against one of these walls, and for the longest time I had a long narrow picture hanging above it that fit the space perfectly. We got a new tv for our living room that was much bigger than our last one, so the art that I had hanging behind it no longer worked. But, the long narrow picture in this space did. So I moved it downstairs, opening up this space for these little projects.

The trays are from 7 Gypsies, and they have many varieties. I was gifted one for Christmas, and then Michael's had clearanced them so I stocked up (although they only had the 6 or 12 section ones like you see here). I do plan to make some of them into the photo / mixed media / memory type works of art that you see the examples for, but coming up with this idea was fun too!

I had also thought the empty trays would look cool lined up together for a jewelry display, each section then holding a piece of jewelry. I usually have no problem with my "height" displays at shows (busts, mannequins, suitcases, toolboxes) but then I feel that all the rest of the jewelry that I have after doing that is just laid out in no particular eye catching way. I'll have to try this idea too.

My go to pretty dress

Here's another outfit I recently submitted to Effortless Anthropologie. I blogged about this dress and the bracelet here quite a while ago. Needless to say, I did purchase the dress shortly after I blogged about it. I was actually on my way to Wisconsin to host a bridal shower for my soon to be sister-in-law, and I thought this would be the perfect shower dress! It sure was! I stopped at an Anthro in Illinois on my way there. Since then, I have worn it to 2 very unique weddings - one at a castle, and the other at a gorgeous manor where the bride outdid herself with a vintage theme (including an entire table to mis-matched tea cups to drink from). It has also gone to work with me a few times, even once early on in my pregnancy (gotta love those empire waistlines). And I just wore it to a baby shower I co-hosted. The nice thing about it is that it's very versatile. If it's warm, I got for a short sleeve shrug, bare legs and strappy sandals. If it's cooler, I can do tights and the sweater above.

Catching up

Life has been so crazy busy these last few weeks! Some days I seriously wondered how my body was still functioning. I won't bore you with the details, but I will say this: trying to wear many hats and feeling like you are failing at them all is very frustrating! But, jewelry and clothes can brighten any day, right? I'll catch ya up on some Anthro outfits I've been submitting regularly at Effortless Anthropologie, and then I'll try to get some posts in here of jewelry and other projects I've been working on. I feel like my blog is changing, as my life has changed, so perhaps a new little description snippet is in order!

I couldn't get a good picture the week that I wore this Anthro skirt (Feathered Village skirt by Maeve). That's okay, I didn't really feel like showing my face anyway at the time! I was in the midst of a terrible head-cold like virus. Long hours at work, as well as continued postpartum hormone adjustments, have left me feeling like I have lackluster skin and hair as well. Meh. Anyway, I got this skirt during their big holiday sale - I think it was around $35 - what a steal! I paired it with a basic white top, brown belt/tights/shoes.
Here's a better look at the necklace I am wearing - one I made last year I think? The Humblebeads gnome really picks up the reds and blues in the skirt, and the nature theme goes well with the bird motif on the fabric.

If you want more inspiration from this cute skirt, here's a post Lorelei did on the Earrings Everyday blog about some earrings she created based on this piece! Hmmm, I do like the darker top she has paired with it.......