Guess what popped up at our friendly neighborhood Value Village?? I got a text on my way home from work last week with a big alert: Noritake tea set! Come and get it! Let’s hear it for good friends, who know great teacups when they see them. ♥

I brought them home and gave [...]]]>

Love Noritake

Guess what popped up at our friendly neighborhood Value Village?? I got a text on my way home from work last week with a big alert: Noritake tea set! Come and get it! Let’s hear it for good friends, who know great teacups when they see them. ♥

I brought them home and gave them a little love and a little clean-up, and they came out even more lovely than before. {I want to smack the people at VV for putting sticky giant labels right on top of the pattern on every single cup. Even if they weren’t damaged by it when I got them, after another day in that heat in the store, and something would have gone wrong!}

I also had a chance to sit down and look up the mark:

Noritake

Step I: the Noritake “M” mark dates this set between 1921 and 1953. In 1953, the “M” was replaced with an “N”. Exciting, right? It gets better. Step II: The “M” surrounded by the wreath, underneath the Noritake name, in addition to the “US Design Patent Applied For”…in other words, the whole mark pictured above, most likely dates this set to 1930! They traveled all over from New York between 1930 and now, and found their way into a Value Village on Capital Hill. I wonder what stories they could tell?

…thinking about what they’ve been through in the last 40 years also further fueled my indignation regarding the use of those awful stickers. For shame.

Aside from a little rubbing on the gold on the base of the handles, these are seven of the nicest Noritake teacups I’ve seen! I have them up for sale in my Etsy shop; they could be yours! {They are calling out for you to have a tea party with your friends, with Yorkshire Gold tea and small cucumber and salmon sandwiches. You know you want to.}

Noritake II

Noritake III

♥ Momo

Tuesday Pounce! I’ve published an Etsy treasury titled Adventuring; check it out!

Oh, and how awesome is this:

Kitchenaid Charm

…it’s like it was made for me!

♥ Momo

This is an unapologetic plug for a fancy toy that I need. Sure, I could get by for a year or so with a less expensive version, but I do need a disc cutter, and the less expensive ones have a few design/usability flaws that Swanstrom has worked out. It would last me forever! {They [...]]]>

This is an unapologetic plug for a fancy toy that I need. Sure, I could get by for a year or so with a less expensive version, but I do need a disc cutter, and the less expensive ones have a few design/usability flaws that Swanstrom has worked out. It would last me forever! {They don’t claim it would last forever, but seriously, watch the video and then try telling me I’m crazy. Even if you never knew what I disc cutter was before watching this video, there’s a very good chance you will come away from it feeling this insatiable need to buy it too.}

I added it to my Amazon list, along with the $8.00 pattern punches that I also need, but can’t justify yet. The big difference is that for this fancy toy I have added a bonus: if you buy this for me, you will get a batch of my family’s super-sought after sugar cookies, the amazing, the incredible, Georgettes.  One batch, every month, for a year. I’m serious, and yes, a year’s supply of these cookies might be comparable to the price tag on this tool. Think about it.

♥ Momo

It’s been a very long time since I received a spam comment worth posting, but this one takes the cake:

“Mary Bale the cat woman reminds me of one of Bladerunner’s replicants – straight after the ‘entre of boiled dog’ query in the Voight-Kampff test; “You find a cat alone in the street. You pet [...]]]>

Bladerunner

It’s been a very long time since I received a spam comment worth posting, but this one takes the cake:

“Mary Bale the cat woman reminds me of one of Bladerunner’s replicants – straight after the ‘entre of boiled dog’ query in the Voight-Kampff test; “You find a cat alone in the street. You pet it, and then what?’”

….and that’s it. Seriously? If you’ve ever listened to the rantings of Lewis Black, you might be familiar with his bit on the occurrence of aneurysms: you overhear by chance, only part of a stranger’s conversation i.e.: “If it weren’t for my horse, I wouldn’t have spent that year in college.” It bounces around in your head without an outlet, until your brain explodes. {Yes, I am paraphrasing. But not the bit about horse and college, blame Mr. Black.}

This is a lot like that. If I just left it bouncing around in my head, or my spam inbox, my head might have exploded. So I share!

♥ Momo

Thursday Pounce!

It is cold today! Cold, cold, cold. Think warm thoughts ♥

Felted Wreath

…for announcing the arrival of fall at your door. {In August? I hope not yet.}

Vintage Pyrex

…for mixing up tasty apple cakes, or carrying potluck dishes over to the neighbors!

Mustard Cape

…and for bundling up in before carrying potluck [...]]]>

October Hued Flatware

Thursday Pounce!

It is cold today! Cold, cold, cold. Think warm thoughts ♥

Felted Wreath

…for announcing the arrival of fall at your door. {In August? I hope not yet.}

Vintage Pyrex

…for mixing up tasty apple cakes, or carrying potluck dishes over to the neighbors!

Mustard Cape

…and for bundling up in before carrying potluck dishes over to the neighbors.

Orange Enamel Bellflower Ring

I actually have mixed feelings about this ring. I really love the style, and I think it makes a pretty picture. It’s also an interesting design to have the flower loose  on the ring band. My understanding of enamel makes me a little concerned about the integrity of the enamel on something so loose though. But I still think it’s beautiful!

Back to grey: I couldn’t resist. I’m a little in love with this scarf.

Unisex Military Scarf

♥ Momo

“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like “What about lunch?” -A.A. Milne via Winnie the Pooh

♥ Momo

Have you heard of the igigi general store? It hurts my feelings that it’s in Sussex. As in England, at least a nine hour flight and big money from here…but still tempting.

As I wander around their site, I’m already designing our new rustic house in a big sunny [...]]]>

igigi: Everything I need, I could find here.

Have you heard of the igigi general store? It hurts my feelings that it’s in Sussex. As in England, at least a nine hour flight and big money from here…but still tempting.

As I wander around their site, I’m already designing our new rustic house in a big sunny field, surrounded by strawberry plants, with a small gurgling stream in the front yard, and a big, sturdy pub table with rough benches on either side, and a kitchen full of fancy glass ware from igigi, which carries, and I quote, anything “from a traditional English tea service to hand-thrown South African pottery”. You have to love that. Have to.

I also want to wear everything in their women’s shop:

igigi: 4:50 From Paddington

…I feel like I would fit right into an Agatha Christie mystery in these clothes, which are very reminiscent of Baby & Co. {Loooove Baby & Co.}

Since there is no igigi for me here, I have to make my own fun:

Sapphire & Sterling

I came upon Design Theory while walking to Whole Foods, literally stumbling in from the heat, and a sunbeam full-on the front of the store. I don’t know what I expected. You should go, because I suspect that everyone who comes upon Alyce’s little haven will find something unique to them. I found some of the most amazing jewelry I’ve seen in Seattle, that I never would have expected to find on my way to Whole Foods, and I came away with my lovely ring, above & below. Alyce knows her stuff, and you can tell that she loves what she does. I could have stayed there forever. Definitely go. I’m ordering you.

Sapphire & Sterling II

Sapphire & Sterling III

…I come across a little bossy in this one, don’t I? I’ll have to work on that.

♥ Momo

“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

- Christopher Robin to Pooh

The King County Metro system has moved my bus stop. {Pause for dramatic effect.}

…they actually put another one back, the one between Molly Moon and The Cuff. I [...]]]>

Is it a strawberry?

“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

- Christopher Robin to Pooh

The King County Metro system has moved my bus stop. {Pause for dramatic effect.}

…they actually put another one back, the one between Molly Moon and The Cuff. I never cared about this stop, so its replacement means very little to me. They did however scootch my stop, the next one, up a little more than a block…meaning that I have gone from two possible bus routes home to one. {Tear.}

When I do catch the one bus home, it deposits me two streets up from my own, an I’m exploring all kinds of new neighborhoods on my walk home. Lovely houses, all quiet residential streets, and full of surprises. I actually walked completely past this house before I realized that it smelled like…strawberries!

Those who know me even in passing will probably tell you that strawberries are my favorite thing ever, and here I have a house that smells like sun-warmed tiny English strawberries! I looked everywhere, until I realized that they were growing all over the sidewalk in front of me, disappearing into a mass of blackberry bushes leading up a cement wall to the house. I inconvenienced at least five people {sorry!} while I crawled around taking pictures of the strawberries, but they were so cute, and so small! I love them, and I almost forgive King County Metro, at least while this nice weather lasts.♥

Surprising Strawberries I

Surprising Strawberries II

♥ Momo

Cute shoes for Tuesday. {No photos; Tieks are not friendly to my taking their images for free advertising for them…seriously?} In lieu of those shoes, and because there are no limits to the number of cute shoes I can find on the internet, I give you pictures of these cute shoes {above}, and [...]]]>

Wingspan Heels

Cute shoes for Tuesday. {No photos; Tieks are not friendly to my taking their images for free advertising for them…seriously?} In lieu of those shoes, and because there are no limits to the number of cute shoes I can find on the internet, I give you pictures of these cute shoes {above}, and these:

Room Shoes!...room shoes?

Like MightyGirl, I have walked my way through not one but two pairs of ballet flats. I’m almost completely through one pair of Palladiums, and a pair of Campers. The Campers are probably salvageable, but I have to rig some kind of new ankle strap; after two years, the elastic rounded band from Hell is still threatening to cut through my ankle, starting from the moment I put them on. They’re in the corner til they can be redeemed.

In other news: after working on my closet, I still have an unbelievable number of clothes! You seriously wouldn’t believe how many awesome articles of clothing this little fashion blogger can hold on to. I’m starting to suspect that Anthro ought to start paying me a monthly allowance, seeing as I’m a walking ad for them every day of the week. {I’m serious; Anthropologie? You owe me.}

Lollipop bowls:

Lollipop Bowls!

Lonesome Lollipop Bowl

I kind of love these ♥ The name of the shop “Sometimes She Does” is ingenious; I wish I’d thought of it! She makes other lovely things too, but I think that the best of the lot are the lollipop bowls. They’re simple, whimsical and cute, without having too much going on.

Speaking of whimsy, check out my favorite Etsy shop of felted goodies:

"Whorton Hears a Who?"

Dust Speck!

…it’s been years since I last read “Whorton Hears a Who”, but it all cam rushing back when I saw this. It doesn’t look intentional, but I would swear that this is right out of Dr. Seuss, and if it were in my house, I would expect a tiny “Yawp” to come up from the center of the dust speck.

Who doesn’t love Dr. Seuss??

♥ Momo

Friday Pounce! {….you caught me. This was supposed to have gone up on Friday, August 20th. Aaaaand it has, technically. I just had a crazy week, and have a backlog of posts to put up. Eventually I’ll be through enough of them that I’ll be putting up my July pie pictures [...]]]>

Double Obi in Grey

Friday Pounce! {….you caught me. This was supposed to have gone up on Friday, August 20th. Aaaaand it has, technically. I just had a crazy week, and have a backlog of posts to put up. Eventually I’ll be through enough of them that I’ll be putting up my July pie pictures and recipes…because it was really great pie.}

After a too-hot start to the week, it’s turned grey on Capitol Hill. I’m starting to pull out my sweaters and long pants, looking longingly at my J-boots. {Presence on North Broadway is gone, and with it any lingering urge to buy more boots; the space is now a rather tempting bookstore…updates on that subject later.} There’s every chance that when I stumble out of work, it will be sunny and warm, so more planning is required than a simple sweater and Smartwool-socks based outfit.

I love the obi belt above; it fits with a few other Etsy finds today:

Felted Skirt

I like unusually crafted skirts!

Dried Leaves Dress: Anthro

Dried Leaves Dress II: As I walk away

…this wouldn’t be complete without a wish list thing from Anthro. I love it, it’s made of well tailored felt, with little felt flowers at the neckline, which aren’t annoying at all, even though they might have been. {Because I’m a sartorial masochist I went in, tried it on, hugged it, and put it back. It put a little crack in my heart. Having tried it on, I recommend that if you’re lucky enough to buy it, get a size down, so it fits properly. Because of the material, you run the risk of looking like you’re wearing a well-tailored sack if it’s too big. I was an X-Small. It’s lovely.}

If I had it, I would throw it on, with my little grey military sweater with the red stripes {pic to come} and I would wander around CH taking pretend-pictures with this:

The most adorable camera in the world!

I know I railed against the horrors of the “upcycled” items showing up all over C-Hill recently, but occasionally I see it done well:

Fuzzy.

…and your cute for the day:

Up Up & Away

♥ Momo