heysusy

DOWN, BUT NOT OUT! { the gray sweatshirt gets some love }

Hoodie zip sweatshirts will always be popular for their versatility (if you're too hot, you can open up and air out). But there is something so great about the basic, gray pullover sweatshirt. I love it because you can't escape from it! ...and it's tempered with that sort of awkward 1950's high-school sports team try-out thing (think Danny when he's trying out for track to impress Sandy in Grease...pompadour and all!).

It may look like a weakling....but it is scrappy!

So...I thought today I'd present some classic varieties, and a few updates on this look. Nice for a Friday, right? Of course, I opt for the classic at the top left as my first choice. But-- the one at the bottom right has the benefit of two big hip pockets. Perfect, perfect.

Links...clockwise from top left:
Classic Pullover $11! - here
Ruffle Dress, I pretty much like anything by Preen - here
Long Sweater- normally can't stand anything Juicy has been even part of but this isn't bad - here
Pocketed Dress $39! - here
Classic Pullover (pricey, but I bet it's worth it!) - here
Elongated Classic Pullover - here

I'll be back later today with a weekender... some accssories that are sweatshirt-approved!

GOOD GIFTS FOR GOOD BOYS {nice gifts for guys!}

Hi Kids! Sorry to be out of the loop for a couple of days. I was busy before, but after Daily Candy, I'm swamped! Which is great for me...but not so great for my blog! Anyway, I wanted to take a sec post about something I just found out about, I thought you might like to know about too.

I love my boyfriend. He's self-sufficient, intelligent, funny, capable, and still so supportive of me and the insanity I like to call my...ahem... life approach. He also draws cute pictures, and knows how to make a great mac and cheese.

But DAMN! He's hard to shop for.

So, I was thrilled when Kim of Delight.com mentioned in an email the other day that they'd been busy launching a site for BOYS called Gent Supply Co. I took an immediate visit, and found not one, not two...but about 15 things that might work as gifts for Kurt. Useful things-- unique things-- funny things-- and things that hold those little piles of change that every boy seems to accumulate.

Now, I know this is not the usual style/fashion/trend post...but I had a feeling that maybe some of my readers also get flummoxed about what to buy for their guys, and those good guys out there certainly deserve a little something. As always, Delight does a fantastic job staking out part of the internet in their own unique way-- and this new venture is no exception.

Anyway, I highly recommend!

I WANT, I GOT! { DAILY CANDY!}

Hi all. I'm going to be a wee bit busy today... The 2010 Wall Cal is a part of Daily Candy's ShopTalk nesting roundup today. Exciting!
Take a peek here (make sure to scroll through and check out the other items-- I LOVE the decorative trophies!)

Candy Wrapper Image via Inchmark
(c'mon, you KNOW I'm busy when I do a "via" image).

Je me souviens {BONBON OISEAU}

Ah...November! Time to head out into the fall air, but keep the home fires burning.

One of my favorite chilly autumn memories is of a trip I took to Paris a few years back. I was spending a couple of weeks there, just wandering around...and I ended up passing an inordinate amount of time in the little antique and estate jewelry shops of the Left Bank. The variety of art deco pieces astounded me, and it was so wonderful to see all of the delicate yet pronounced shapes of the deco asthetic put to use in jewelry and adornment. It's such a weird and wonderful look. Hooray for triangles!

That is one of the aspects I love about Bon Bon Oiseau...There is a lovely commitment to a strange asthetic. I think of those rambles into rare places, a fortune teller's trinkets with secret meaning...souvenirs.

Deb, you were missed yesterday!

INCREASING RIDERSHIP { DNTX bike accessories }

We all know bikes are the latest hip accessory. I'm torn about that because it *used* to be that you had to know someone to score a fixed gear...or you had to learn to build your own. But now, you can just order one through a pull-down menu at Urban Outfitters.

Anyway, corporate co-opting of indie culture aside (no, I don't plan to ever stop kvetching about that!), I have ridden a fixed gear for years, and highly recommend it. If you're not too attached to your brakes. But if you get a chance, give it a try.

One of the bummers about taking up riding (esp. in the city) is the amount of stuff you end up schlepping even when you're just going to ride down the block. Your lock needs to go somewhere. Your wallet... Your lipstick, of course. Your keys. Your...bag of jellybeans. So you have to carry a bag. Which, if it's hot, prompts your back to sweat through that pretty peasant blouse you're wearing. Not so cute upon arrival.

That's where DNTX comes in. Utilitarian accessories for body and bike that offer a nice alternative to typciall, insect-looking, modern bike gear. Made by a independent lady designer. By hand. Huzzah! For more inspiration, read her profile.

I've got a little cold today, so I'm not going to be back posting a weekender this afternoon....but I thought this would do just fine!
enjoy! xx s

BTW { TINA TARNOFF }

Sorry about the lack of post yesterday all, it was a very busy, very rainy day and I was running all around NYC like a crazy, soaked, sea hag. But I'm glad to see people enjoyed the cable knit post!

So, you've probably seen Tina Tarnoff's sweet silhouette-style papercuts featured on some other blogs of note. Birdcages, people kissing, sweet, pretty things happening in a beautiful, delicate world.

But, I hope she does more of these. The bold color on black, the retro-style signature, and the gorgeous color combinations put me in mind of the mid 50's...when prim design was just beginning to explode into the optical joy of the 60's.

Anyway, you'll see what I mean when you visit her shop...there are lots of pretty papercuts. And you can see what people's preference is if you check out the sold items listing. But, personally... honestly...I'd rather have one of these. When I think of my life, it looks more like this than that.

xx susy

OR ELSE { alternate uses for cool vintage items }

Good Monday Morning, sweethearts! I hope your weekends were wonderous. Mine was...work-filled. Taxes. Paperwork. Invoicing. Tabulation. Computation. All the little bits and pieces that require more concentration than I typically have during the week. Things are getting BUSY. So, just probably this one post today-- but it's a good one!

These really cool vintage cheerleading megaphones seemed like just the thing to put up here for a Monday. Go Team! You Can Do It!

I like the idea of inspiring myself with objects I love...finding new uses for everyday things, which I'm sure you can tell from my own collection and designs. There's an element of surprise, but also a kind of delightful transportation that occurs when an object appears out of context.

Each of these would work well, and happily, they are all available for sale. 

In fact, you can find them right here.

WEEKENDER { four of my favorite fall jewelry picks }

This weekend, if you're so inclined, pick up a simple treat to wear to all those upcoming after-work holiday parties...Each of these shops features items that could go from day-to-night looks easily, and I like these sophisticated, simple styles. So noticable in such an understated way...The *overstated* fun can come later, when you've polished off that second hot toddy!

Clockwise from Top Left
Dores
Clementine
Elephantine
Local Library

Enjoy your weekends, all and thanks for stopping by my little corner of blogland! xx s

It's a Set Up! { etaletc }

Hello all! Mornings good? Good!

Some of you may already know etaletc and their etsy shop, but for those of you who haven't been over there, go and take a peek. It's a really interesting take on what you can do with the etsy format. Normally, unorthodox crops of items don't work so great on the big E. But here, they do. Plus, the prices are reasonable, and the items are basic, yet well selected. Anyway, well worth checking out.

My picks? Funny you should ask!
This Striped Tee
This Boyfriend Jacket
This Tote

I'll be back later this afternoon with a weekender!

WEEKENDER { Get Your Wrap On with Nice Package! }

Feeling uninspired for what to do this weekend? I hope not. But, if that is indeed the case, hop on over to Marichelle and Ez's new website and diy packaging specialty shop, Nice Package.

You probably know Marichelle and Ez from Their respective blogs- hearthandmade and Creature Comforts.  I have had the pleasure of getting to know both of them better over the course of 2009, and I couldn't be more excited to see them launching into a new business idea. 

Both of them are extremely inventive and entrepreneurial, with lots of unique ideas on how to use the internet to connect with their design and handmade-loving audience in innovative ways. NIce Package, filled with pretty goodies, created with love, is probably just the tip of the iceberg for these two style-loving mavens...and I can't wait to see what else they have up their (well-styled) sleeves! For more of what I mean, check out the great tutorials they're beginning to launch on the Nice Package Blog ...with self- styled, beautiful photos, and plenty of pretty ideas for a Sunday afternoon!

Enjoy your weekends! xx s