Not that I’ve ever wondered, but I have received confirmation that I am truly a girl. Just so you understand, I am not a jewelry person. I rarely get my hair cut. Perfume makes me ill. My last professional pedicure was seven years ago. I loathe the ruffled clothing trend right now. But when I walked into the gems and minerals exhibit at a museum this weekend, I was like, Ryan–you must take the kids, because I need some alone time with the purdy jewels.

It’s been a year since I’ve last watched Ugly Betty, and while catching up on the last season, I realized I’ve forgotten about the amazing visuals and set design. Wilhelmina’s luxe, almost foreboding Manhattan apartment called to me. I love the repetition of modern, geometric shapes and exaggerated proportions throughout her space.

I found much better pics at InteriorDesign.net:

It’s fairly decadent, and I’m not sure if I could ever be comfortable habitating a home like this, but the design is intriguing and inspiring nonetheless.

That blue chair! White coral! And this! My word, I am smitten to pieces by pretty much everything at Shine by SHO.

No offense to anyone, but I am OVER vintage chic and for a very long time, my tastes leaned heavily towards Scandinavian country/modern. But for me, for now, it’s all about glam, couture, and gold!

{via Fancy Frills}

These Proenza Schouler shoes slay me. I seriously get on some high just looking at them, admiring them, and saving the images onto my desktop. They’d set you back a thousand bones or more, but if you look at it in the context that they are art, I think the astronomical price and high likelihood that you couldn’t walk in them like a normal human being makes a bit more sense.

{images via Polyvore and…Polyvore}

My friend wants to have an 80′s prom for her upcoming birthday. This is my dream outfit.

{From April issue of Nylon — Garden Collection by H&M}

I adore my crochet doilies from Ikea. Not sure what to do with them yet, though I find this very inspiring.

And I am treasuring my hand-cut wooden anchor necklace by Emedemarta. Opening the package was quite the experience; little brown paper packages tied up in red and white baker’s twine, a thoughtful handwritten note, a little pouch to store my necklace, and little extras thrown in with my order. Definitely my favorite Etsy store right now.

And speaking of handmade, my good friend Stacie and her sister are doing an apron giveaway on their blog Never Enough. My post is a little late on this as the contest ends this Wednesday, but head over there for your chance to win a retro, Minnie-Mouse inspired apron. Good luck!

Yeah, this is what I do when I waste pretend time. I really should be prepping the craft for nursery at church tomorrow, but it’s really satisfying to look at pretty things online. I’m not ashamed to admit that.

All sofas from Room and Board: The Hutton, Reese, and Dublin.

Have you heard Ryan’s piano arrangement of Silent Night yet? If not, you can listen and download here. I promise it is very beautiful.

And how fun is wrapping gifts? Being surrounded by paper, trimmings, and a good pair of scissors is my happy place.

Just in case you haven’t already heard, Kate is updating her shop with yet another round of handmade necklaces! They go really fast, so I’d sign up for her shop update and stay within a 1-foot radius around your computer this Thursday evening. A week ago, I managed to snap up one of the last two. Definitely my favorite necklace right now, which means I freak out whenever the kids get near it.

{Photos by Kate Miss from For Me, For You}

We visited the LA Renegade Craft Fair, and went through as *slowly* as the boys allowed. In other words, Dax’s mini tantrums and signature back-arching move kept us from staying at one booth longer than two minutes. Kai did just fine. Which is great, since he better get used to being dragged around places that involve the words ‘handmade,’ ‘arts,’ and ‘crafts.’ Many more years of that to come, kids. (But I will buy you ice cream, promise.)

Artists that I liked:

Illustrator Caitlin Kuhwald

Wood block prints by Tugboat Printshop
(Saw the three individual, hand-carved wood blocks used
for the three-color crab print above. It was really amazing.)

Berkeley Illustration

Stacie and I went down to the LA garment district today, and I was reminded of what a simple girl I am. Because when I die and get to heaven, presumptuously assuming I’m going to heaven, I’d gladly choose to move into a warehouse full of ribbon and trim over a mansion, any day. Wait. Unless that mansion is a Marmol Radziner prefab. Hm. My brain is now hurting by this hypothetical.

One of the things I really wanted this mother’s day was to make a Lizzie Fortunato-ish necklace or bracelet. Of course that entails me going to the craft store alone and some quiet time piecing my spoils together. Heaven! So here is my knock-off prototype.

And here’s the real deal.

And lastly, mother’s day isn’t quite over for me yet — I’ve asked Ryan to take me to Sprinkles this Friday. I hear it’s supposed to change your life. My own homemade cupcakes are pretty kick-a*$, so I better not be disappointed!

{images via Lizzie Fortunato Jewels and Refinery 29}

Subversive Jewelry by Justin Giunta. Via Nylon magazine.

OH! To fall in love a dress that just isn’t modest enough. All I ask is for designers to use just a 1/2 yard more fabric. Right? Word.

I feel happier just looking at these amazing images by Courtney Brooke.

So glad I never sprung for a Kleen Kanteen, or even a Sigg, because I’d rather spend on one of these!

Buy at Doe.

Digging on these handmade envelopes from Sarah’s blog.
Fabulous, or fabulous?

More at Tickled Pink Knits.

If I got a penny for each time I hear the phrase:

“I NEED a band-aid!”
(Kai)

I could probably afford these shoes:

Height, ruffles, and platform-goodness.
Oh yes.

{via Urban Outfitters}

Marc Jacobs Spring 2009
{photos via style.com}