Tweet, Tweet

No, this isn't a post about Twitter! That phenomenon hasn't appealed to me just yet.

What does still appeal to me are birds -- and the jewelry, accessories and works of art inspired by them. I did another search for tweety stuff on Etsy. Here are a few things that caught my eye.

This pretty silver and pearl bracelet.

A vibrant, graphic yellow clutch.

These delicate hair pins.

A gorgeous art print.

Photos from etsy.com.

Birthday Wishes

In the soundtrack of my childhood, Bob Dylan enjoyed heavy rotation.

He has always been my dad's favorite singer, so his music is part of my memories of growing up. Certain songs remind me of being eight, eighteen or, now, twenty-eight. Fortunately, I love Bob Dylan's music as well. I was able to see him once in concert, and I find myself turning to his CDs again and again.

Happy birthday, Mr. Zimmerman!

Photo from bobdylan.com.

Getaway, Indeed

I have a serious case of wanderlust. I am positively itching to go somewhere, anywhere!

This happens to me throughout the year. Fortunately, I have a family that's passionate about traveling. Unfortunately, everyone has been so busy and the economy has been so cruddy that we don't have any getaways planned.

Therefore, I'm loving (and torturing myself with) this absolutely stunning St. Barts vacation home featured on LivingEtc.

Would you look at this view? Gorgeous!

I love the mix of dark wood and the lighter natural materials in the shades and baskets.

What a simple yet utterly romantic bedroom.

If I were here, I truly don't think I could leave ... well, except for another trip maybe!

Photos from here.

Big Shoes to Fill

A trend I'm intrigued by this spring is the major sandal. There's nothing dainty about these thick-strapped, chunky-heeled, embellished platforms. I'd love a pair that would make a simple tank, skinny jeans and a single piece of jewelry look like a stylish, complete outfit. I can only imagine the adventures a shoe like this could lead me on ...

A quick search on Piperlime brought me to these:

BCBGGirls' Dalton

Chinese Laundry's Belgium

Pour La Victiore's Pascale

Steve Madden's Madalynn

Photos from Piperlime.

TGIF

Oooh, what a week! It feels like about five were jammed into one. That’s why my immediate plans call for a glass of chardonnay followed by a weekend filled with family and, with any luck, lots of relaxing. Maybe some yard work will get done, maybe not. But either way, I’m looking to unwind.

Cheers to a happy weekend!

Photo from here. 

Thankful Thursday

Growing up, my sister and I bickered a lot. We were just a year apart in school, so we were quite competitive with one another.

One of the greatest blessings in my life is that this has completely changed as we've grown up.

My sister is now one of my very best friends. We are opposites in many ways (although we share the same laugh) but she understands me better than possibly anyone on earth -- and she still loves me nevertheless. You really can’t ask for more than that. And you know how when you see or hear something and have to tell the one person who would appreciate it because no one else would really get it? Well, she's usually that person for me.

Since she’s the younger sister, I’m afraid she doesn’t know how much I look up to her and how much I learn from her. I’ll have to make sure she knows because I can’t imagine life without her in it.

Photo by my mom.

Mad About It

Do you watch Mad Men? I had been hearing such good things about the AMC series that we rented DVDs of the first season this spring. My husband and I love watching a new show that way. We can completely immerse ourselves in it, binge on multiple episodes at a time. 

And what an interesting show! I find the 1950s and early '60s fascinating. The assumed roles people held are starting to crack and they’re beginning to see other possibilities. The program, which is set in a Manhattan ad agency, does a great job of showing the differences between men and women at the time, as well as the differences between working women and those who stay at home.

On a much lighter note, it’s a treat to look at the fashion of the day. I love the fitted tops and the pencil and full skirts. So ladylike! And oh my goodness, the furniture. The sofas in the executives’ offices are ridiculously amazing. And the sideboards and consoles that serve as office bars (seriously, did people really drink hard liquor all day at work in this period?) are gorgeous.

While I wouldn’t trade where I am now to live in 1960, I'm definitely enjoying this intriguing, sometimes dark, sometimes glamorous glimpse into the past. 

Photo from here.