Dance Party Friday- France Gall

Because I am channeling France Gall today, with my hair in my skinny jeans and ballet flats. And because I love her. That's all. Happy Friday!!

Mod Monday- Vidal Sassoon on the watch list

I spotted the trailer for this movie over HERE. They did a pretty awesome synopsis and made me want to get a super mod haircut via Vidal Sasson.
Have you seen the movie? Did you like it?

Mod Monday- Moonrise Kingdom

B and I went on a dinner and movie date Friday and saw Moonrise Kingdom. I loved it. Wes Anderson is one of my favorites (my freshman college roomie and I used to fall asleep to The Royal Tennenbaums 60% of the time). The whole movie was muted in that fantastical 60's era coloration. Anderson's Mise-en-scène is pretty brilliant, you could pause the movie at any given point and you would have a hang-able work of art. We noticed many of the scenes were very symmetrical, but I think that is just Anderson's style.

Alternative Movie poster snagged from HERE

I like to think that Suzy and Sam were what Ben and I were when we were little. Suzy with her books and records, and Sam with his mad outdoor skillz. I could just see little Ben on his canoe navigating through the woods. I am seeing a very potential Halloween costume in the works and Lox Papers has put together the perfect board so I can shop for Suzy. Anyone know where to get a Khaki Scout uniform for Ben?


Its a perfect movie to get you in the summer mood. I highly recommend this film. I will definitely see it again.

Ride Colorfully with Pinterest and Kate Spade Vespa-- I want that!!

A couple weeks ago, I entered the Kate Spade #RideColorfully contest that they were holding on Pinterest. I want that Blue Florence Broadhurst Vespa like nobody's business. I have been bidding on eBay for a blue Vespa since I was 16, (hoping that I never win cause I didn't actually have the money). Nonne the less, you can see how far back my lust reaches. I have searched the Kate Spade page looking to see if there has been any winners announced to no avail. So.... if you lost my contact info, here I am... waiting to claim my blue Vespa!!

I had a lot of fun putting my board together, I tried to pin a few things to keep it local in Dallas. These are the places that I would actually ride my fancy Vespa to. Calatrava Bridge, Bishop Arts, Deep Ellum and White Rock Lake. 

And the other pins are ones that I would DREAM about riding my Vespa to. Including, Seguaro in Palm Springs, The Standard in NY,  Brooklyn, NY (Williamsburg is totally Vespa friendly!) and the Neon Boneyard in Vegas (cause cab rides are expensive as hell). My picks were mostly in the US, except for a couple Pins I did in Copenhagen, Denmark and Manchester, UK. Both very ride-able cities that I would always love to go back to.

What are your suggestions for Vespa friendly places?

**I have linked all photos back to their original sources above. I love Pinterest but realize it is vital that we always credit back to the originals!!**

Dance Party Friday- Mama's Pick

In honor of Mother's day this weekend, I asked my Mom what her favorite song is. She told me that right now King Floyd- Groove Me is one of her favorites 'cause she can Hula Hoop to it. Yea... She's a badass that Sharon Davis. I am sooo lucky to have such an awesome Mom like her.
Have a great weekend friends and go Groove with your mamas.

Dance Party Friday- Whitney

We have had an abundant amount of Whitney playing on our showroom iPod and I have to say I forgot how amazing this song is, makes me wanna dance! So, bring on the weekend... and High Point Market.
I hope you fee like a Million Dollar Bill. Happy Friday!

The flowers are in bloom and so is Emily Hallman's Spring Collection!!!

 I had the absolute pleasure a couple weekends ago to meet the lovely Emily. She is the creator, designer, seamstress and model of the clothing line Emily Hallman.  Emily let Hilary and I into her studio (as documented here by Hilary) before TxSc, to see how she works. AND she gave us a sneak peek at her Spring collection which is launching TODAY!!

from our field trip to Emily's studio

I loved Emily from the very second I met her. Not only a NC native like myself, she suggested Vietnamese Pho for lunch. And we all know the way straight to a girl's heart is food (well at least mine).  But she really won me over when she started showing us the clothes that she designs and makes herself. I mean, serious attention to detail here people. Her clothes are ladylike, fun, retro with a modern twist and customizable to fit whoever is wearing them. Check, Check, Check!

this is from her holiday collection, but it was too awesome to not mention.

Have I sold you yet? Well if not... check out her entire line HERE.
My most favorite skirts of them all... the Rose Skirt... was posted on her FB page a couple days ago. Don't forget to LIKE her while you are there.

Some other rad booths at the Vintage Show

Vintage Junkys, these girls had a super fun booth to shop and had that 50's high waisted bikini they suggested I try on fit me, I totally woulda bought it. Something tells me these chicks with style are gonna find another one for me soon. Their Etsy shop is here.

Janet at Skip to my Lou was blowing my mind with her jewelry creations. Each piece is handmade by her from vintage pieces. Her merchandising on vintage photos was pretty cool too. On the back of each photo it tells the story of each item that went into the piece, plus a story about the photo... Art all around. Skip to my Lou isn't on the webs but you can call Janet at 903-825-3757

  Beads by Sandy was like a candy store for jewelry makers. Old keys.. Check. Colorful beads... Check. Bracelets with bugs in them? Check. Hilary and I both got bug bracelets and joked they were our "grown-up" friendship bracelets. Nothing says BFF like dead bugs captured in lucite.

 Nova at Collective Nest, had some really great items including some lovely vintage lingerie and get a load of that blue dress!! And her Etsy shop is open all the time. Vintage shopping at 2 am? Sure!

What do I do with my hands?! Oh, there. And the jumpsuit I never bought. But I did get that cutie citron 60's dress. Vintage Martini had the mother load of any vintage brand you have ever heard of including the Pucci dress none of us got. Oh well. Check out the Dallas Vintage Jewelry Show homepage for all the vendors. So worth it.

It's in the details- Texas Style Council Recap #1

This being my first blogger conference, I assumed there would be some well dressed ladies, but good God, I was like a kid in a candy shop of inspiration!! I really appreciate the girls that matched their outfits to their cards... Molly's nails matched perfect! It helped me remember.

All weekend long, it seemed like I was zoning in on the details of peoples outfits. And man there was a PLETHORA of goodness. Hilary and I were good partners in crime all weekend. We figured out she was good at taking in how a person would put something together overall and I would zoom in on a  fabulous jewel or detail of a garment.

Joanne rocks a very monochromatic scheme with a pop of blue; and Metsy had a blingin' fun red necklace.

I also realized that once I got home and was going through my photos that I really need to be a better journalist and A- write down who is wearing what (its hard to remember who someone is by their hands). B- note where they got it from so I can share with you guys. DUH, seems like blogger 101 right? Clearly I get all distracted by pretty and sparkly things--insert blonde joke here--

Rocquelle had some serious hairdos and that pearl necklace rocks; Jesse's feather plume fascinator is right up my alley; OMG who's rock ring is that?!oh, it is Haley's ring!; Joanna's lace top and fun belt totally pulled her LBD together; Merl, you have some mad necklace skillz. I want that.

So here are a few of my faves that I could actually identify... well except for that bad ass ring. who does that belong to?! I LOVE it. It is Haley's ring! Thanks for identifying that Metsy.

Sarah had the most amazing Twiggy lashes

Anne was sketching away, I am so in awe. She posted a few of her sketches so you should check those out!

Modern day Polaroid... Instaprint

If you are as addicted to Instagram as I am... YOU WILL LOVE THIS. Kickstarter just put up a new product called the Instaprint, you can go check it out on their page for all the info. But in a nutshell, it is a modern day polaroid in which you snap a photo with your Instagram app, set a # for your Instaprint machine and anytime anyone on Instagram uses that hashtag... IT PRINTS TO YOUR MACHINE. What the what?! so flipping cool.

On their site right now, you can tag an existing Instagram photo with #instaprint and you can watch your photo print live. That's my photo!
Of course I thought this would be the perfect thing for Ben and I's wedding, so I went ahead and backed the project. You should too. Let's make it happen.

Sometimes I pretend I live in So. California, today I really wish I did

Because if I did live in Southern California, aside from the proximity to beaches and awesome weather, I could pop over to UC Santa Barbara's AD & A Museum to see the current exhibit "Carefree California: Cliff May and the Romance of the Ranch House".  
I could read the books and surf the net all day but there is something about going to an actual exhibit to learn about a topic. I mean... hello? I am a visual person. And although I live in a perfect case study for Cliff May, I want to know more.

So, if you are in or near the Santa Barbara area in the next couple months, pop into the exhibit for me and tell me all about it.
**our neighbor Vanessa (who also lives in a Cliff May) sent this awesome link with more photos and a recap**

1 month Blog hiatus... OVER! & my #febphotoaday challenge

It started by me being busy, then manifested into days and days going by with no posts. So about halfway through the month, I decided to keep going with my non-posting. It was kinda refreshing and I feel like I am a little more inspired. You could however, have found me over on Instagram everyday because I was doing the #febphotoaday challenge (via FatMumSlim). So, here you go. Here is my month of February in 29 photos.

Above going clockwise from top left: 1: Your view today-Oak Cliff; 2: words- White Rock Lake; 3: Hands- HID; 4: A "fabulous" stranger

clockwise from top left:: 5: 10 am; 6: dinner; 7: button; 8: sun- downtown Dallas

clockwise from top left:: 9: front door; 10: self portrait; 11: something that makes you happy-Buddy; 12: inside your closet

 clockwise from top left:: 13: blue; 14: heart; 15: phone; 16: something new

 clockwise from top left:: 17: time- party "time"!; 18: drink; 19: something I hate to do- dishes; 20: something I ate

 clockwise from top left:: 21: a fave photo of me- and Callie; 22: where I work; 23: my shoes; 24:inside my bathroom closet

top left:: 25: green; bottom left 26: night;  top middle: 27: something I ate; top right 28: money; bottom left 29:  something I am listening to- fans at the Stars game

There you go! I promise March will be better. AND I am so looking forward to The Texas Style Council in Austin next weekend!! woot!

Yard inspiration

contemporary exterior design by san diego landscape architect Grounded - Richard Risner RLA, ASLA

With all the warmer (freakish) weather lately, I have been dreaming of getting our yard together.
Here are a few inspiration photos I found over on Houzz.

modern landscape design by san diego landscape architect Grounded - Richard Risner RLA, ASLA

modern firepits design by miami showroom Phil C

Vegas via Instagram

I have been entirely reliant on my Instagram app to document this trip to Vegas (especially after my Rebel battery died during the Chinese New Year celebration). I feel like it gives the perfect vintage funk to this city... don't you agree? Here are some of my faves. If you have seen these already, my apologies.

Chinese New Year Celebration at the Bellagio

You can follow me on Instagram @little_ekd

Registered!! SO excited for the Texas Style Council

Thanks to Hilary, for gettin me on board. Countin' down til March, Austin here we come!

A lovely Sunday in NYC

Sunday we had a day off in NY since the building is closed so Seth and I decided to go play in the city.  Started the day with this lovely view from our hotel window... you can see the Freedom Tower being built in the middle at the very back of the photo. Then we met my friend Jen and went to the Guggenheim to see the Maurizio Cattelan exhibit. Pretty dark and humorous stuff, totally interesting and I highly recommend it.

Then we went for a run/walk through Central Park where we got to make these GIANT bubbles...(the photo below is our demonstrator... the guy runnin the bubble show).

 

The morning of athletics was quickly ruined when we stopped for Pop Burger then headed to Brooklyn to wander around... including SmorgasBrewery at the Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg. 

 

 We rounded out the day with a pop into one of my faves Artists and Fleas (where we had an unexpected participation in the filming of the web documentary Failure Club). Then onto a lovely dinner at the Two Door Tavern with Jess.

Ever wonder what we mean when we say "market"?

Well I break it down for my girl Lisa for Bleep Magazine. Starts on page 79. Check it out!

Interior use of concrete block

We had lunch at Alma in downtown Atlanta today and i couldn't stop staring at this amazing collection of patterned Concrete block. Clearly I have an obsession

Handmade this Holiday

Ok, so this isn't my pledge to make ALL my presents handmade... BUT I am trying to give a little homemade/handmade vibe to my gifts this season. Even if is is made by someone else [local]. That counts too... right?!

Hilary getting a pretty groovy dress herself

 I started my quest with Hilary [inspired] with a jaunt over to the Dallas Flea on Saturday. Keepin it local, y'all. We had a blast talking to artists and collectors and merry handmakers. I was especially impressed with:

I bought the necklace on the top left... serious outfit gamechanger

• Dora [who makes AMAZING clothing and jewelry] from d.p.c.
• F. is for Frank [cute and totally swoon-worthy jewels] 
• Ida [extraordinary repurposer of vintage furniture] from  the urban cottage
• leah duncan
• Sofia [carefully crafted eye for lovely vintage clothes] from The Lovely Hunter
• Holly from Jarma
• Michelle [who would be an incredible asset for thrifting cause of her awesome taste] from Pocket Full of Pearls

Dress [top left] from Sofia Lovely Hunter [top right] makes it's debut at vintage Christmas Party [photo by Andrew Balwin]

I was feeling so crafty and inspired that Sunday, I made a batch of sugar scrub found on Pinterest for my homegirls at work.
Since I was on a role, I went ahead and made washi tape gift tags for all my gifts to give them a lil handmade flair.

So what are you doing for gifts this holiday? Making anything good i need to know about?!

Fish, Eat, Shoot, Eat, Fashion, Fashion, Muppets [in that order]

The Thanksgiving holiday was restful, busy, inspirational and awesome. We went out to have our first Thanksgiving with Ben's family. That consisted of B catching a giant bass, me shooting (apparently I am a natural per Ben's Dad), and eating ALOT. We ended the night watching Bill Cunningham New York (after I saw Hilary's post on it... thanks for the suggestion!).

 Then onto Friday where we had our second Thanksgiving at Joslyn's (we have a TON to be Thankful for).

Saturday morning B took me to see the Gaultier exhibit at the DMA which was pretty amazing. If you make it to Dallas, this is a must see!!
A quick bite at the Nammi Truck and then we went to see the Muppets!!
I have been singing Manah Manah for dayssssss. The Muppets were so good. And isn't that Eric Slager Muppet (at top) interpretation rad? You can buy it here.