wants vs. needs

photo on the right by Bryan, who is pretty much the best.

Etsy and I had a little falling out for a couple of years - they didn't do anything wrong of course, but the feeling of endless amazing goods mixed amongst some (let's be honest) not so amazing goods got overwhelming. Last year though I received an Etsy gift card from my brother and sister-in-law, and thus we were reacquainted. 

...and now I am ALL IN. Every so often I'll log in and click that little heart button like a madwoman. My favorites page has grown quite a bit as a result, but since I'm currently (always) in saving $$$ mode and can't buy everything I will just post them here. It's like virtual window shopping!

p.s. Actual purchases featured above! Wedding band from Lichen & Lychee and the bowl in which we keep our shinies from Revision Design.

GEOMETRY tote & Terrestre 05 necklace from depeapa

petit cafe set | Hitonari Works & ceramic spoons | aveshamichael

 Mountain Blossom furoshiki | The Link Collective & Sniffy Soap sample | vice and velvet 

Arc Earrings | Tiny Armour & Hammered Brass Cuff | Rock Salt Vintage

pizza tank | xenotees & bye zine | Sarah McNeil 

fresh start

Happy New Year little blog! 2013 was amazing in so many ways, but guess who's too lazy to do a recap? Yep uh-huh this moi. I'd much prefer to make a fun little gif and then wax poetic about my New Years Eve.

The evening was spent with some wonderful friends at a bar that was just crowded enough to make it a party, but not so crazy that we couldn't hear ourselves talk. Sure, the DJ was just so-so, but after midnight the playlist turned to old school Backstreet Boys, so all was forgiven.

The next day I prepared some tasty breakfast burrito bowls (look at all that cilantro) and then something KINDA major happened.....

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Yep, you might know this already, but a certain fella popped the question! Obviously there were tears and much nodding of the head, and now I get to wear this amazing herkimer diamond ring with the prettiest hammered rose gold band. I don't know how he figured out exactly what I would have picked for myself, but this is it! Simple? Rustic? Mineral setting? HAHAHA MY DREAM COME TRUE, I DIED ABOUT FIFTY TIMES. We're taking our time and not getting a head start on planning yet but I must warn you, dearest blerg, that there may be some mawwaige related posts in the coming months.

2014 is already off to an amazing start, and there are a lot of exciting things waiting in the wings. I'll keep it at that for now, but I can only hope that everyone out there in internet land is just as excited for the new year as I am.

unlisted #5

welcome to my semi-regular hexagonal list of things I've been thinking about/obsessing over! previous versions: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

molasses cookies | I didn't realize it, but molasses cookies are SUPER easy to make. I mean, I guess it makes sense, it's a simple cookie, but I can make these babies at the drop of a hat! What's Gaby Cooking has the perfect recipe, I've been eating one (or two or okay okay three) in the mornings with a good pot of black tea for dunking.

triforce ring from Eugene Tan | With the news that they're remaking Windwaker in HD I have been thinking a lot about the Zelda games. Zelda holds such a special place in my heart! This ring is a great little homage to the games - after all, the Triforce is a fantastic example of good simple design in video games. (related: this great article on "fake" geek girls)

upstream color | Don't you love it when you can't really tell what a movie is about from its trailer, but you can tell it's going to be interesting?! No? Just me? Either way, Upstream Color looks like a beautiful and pooosssiibly freaky movie - just watch the trailer. I know I can't wait to see it!

orchid grey's hair | Julie Sharp has perfect stunning hair that I am getting very envious of. Must not cut hair again, must not cut hair again, must dye ends soon.

help us great warrior! | The brainchild of Madéleine Flores is my kinda superhero. She loves pizza and cats and cute boys and her idea of saving the world is bringing candy to a party or kicking the bad guy in the shins. What else do you need?

super deluxe edition of rumours | HAPPY 35TH BIRTHDAY RUMOURS. How can I express how much I love you? You are such a perfect album, I listen to you all the time! And now there is a fancy rereleased version of you with live tracks and other goodies? OH MAN, what a great day.

in store

LEIF is the kind of store that I love. They don't have a giant stock of items, just a small selection of housewares and accessories with a fantastic eye for simple, well designed loveliness. If I could, I would buy one of everything. Don't you love it when you find a little treasure trove of items that fit your aesthetic to a t?

Here, a selection of my favorite items.

1/ batik coffee scoops 2/ clint box 3/ speckled boulder mug 4/ quartz cluster necklace 5/ spear towl

winter is coming

star siblings tote by fencing & archery | mcalister wedge boots from j.crew

Yeah okay, the last post was pretty nerdy. Hopefully you were okay with that because this one might be equally nerdy, if not more. I am coming quickly to the end of the first book in the A Song of Ice & Fire series (you might know it as the tv version, Game of Thrones, which is what got me started on this whole thing). It's so good, oh man. You see the same event through the eyes of multiple characters, and it's easy to get attached to every single one of them - even the baddies.

I'm loving the overall tone of Game of Thrones, too - it's dark and cold, even though the first book takes place during a very long "summer". That tone carries over into the show, which has some GORGEOUS costume design. There's even Helmut Lang's most recent collection, also inspired by Game of Thrones.

So yeah, I figured I should do a round up of my favorite Game of Thrones-y things, for more nerdy fun. Enjoy, and remember: a Lannister always pays his debts (as in someone should buy me that antler chair post haste).

hybrid No1 by merve kahraman | vintage celluloid brooch from the greedy seagull

unlisted #3

Okay, I still haven't done my first analog challenge yet. Maybe tomorrow? In the meantime, I'm catching up on some of the things occupying my brainspace. (previous versions: here and here)

from left to right

Room in Paris from AirBnB: So now that I've taken a week long vacation (my first in ages), I've got the bug. A certain someone (name starts with a B and ends with an oyfriend) is afraid of flying, but we have a system down now - three tablets of Calms Forte and he's out by the time we take off! So why not take the plunge and go to Paris next? This room on AirBnb is calling my name HARDCORE. I mean, look at that wood paneling behind the bed. C'est genial!

Adventurer's larder from Hchom: This one's for you nerds. I've been pouring through the archives of Hchom with the sort of glee I only experience every once in awhile. Marian Churchland is an illustrator and comic artist, and Hchom is her illustrated/photographed log of everything she wants - normally food or fancy jackets. I especially love her list of food in Skyrim and this menu of food for her imaginary cafe. Foodies + video game nerds unite!

Honey Wheat Cake: More food. I want to eat anything with honey on/in it.

David the Android video: Fassbender, dear readers. FASSBENDER. He's holding strong on my top five, and for good reason. We saw Prometheus last night, and I'm happy to report that he was my absolute favorite part. Never have I felt more love for a (possibly flawed) robot! My fellow moviegoers were less than happy with the movie overall, but I enjoyed it in the way that perhaps only someone who didn't grow up with Alien could. But really. Watch this "viral video" (ew, I hate that phrase) they made starring Michael Fassbender and I think you'll understand why he's so great.

Hand Carved Coco Bead Necklace: Thief&Bandit is one of my favorite sellers on etsy. I have one of their keychains and it is ever so charming... and just look at this necklace in all of its tassle-y wooden bead-y goodness!

This cat: I wish I knew the original source for this little darling. I love it so much, I even made a little version of it myself.

key frame

2012 is a year of firsts for the ol' blogert, apparently! First real photoshoot happened last month, and now I'm pleased (and kind of surprised!) to present my very first give away! Shabby Apple is a darling clothing company whose swimsuits I'm spending a lot of time ogling in my never-ending search for the perfect beach attire (Yes, I know I live in Minnesota and it is currently February. And last summer I wore a bathing suit approximately three times. Let me have my silly obsessions). Imagine my surprise, then, when they contacted me about doing a giveaway! It was definitely an "I can haz real blog?" moment, let's just say that.

 

After reviewing the pieces available to give away, I've chosen the Key to Wonderland Necklace. It's no secret I have a thing about keys, so this is the perfect piece for my first give away! Charming and sweet, I think it would look great with cocktail dress or in your favorite t-shirt and jeans.

Okay, so here comes all that technical that I feel so special writing! REAL BLOG ALERT!!!

In order to be eligible for this giveaway you must:
 +Be from the USA. Sorry international readers, hopefully there will be another giveaway someday where you can enter as well.
+Follow Shabby Apple on Facbook. That wasn't so hard, was it?
+Comment here with your favorite item from Shabby Apple... and you're set!!


 GOOD LUCK, DEAR READERS. Tell your friends! Make me proud! Entries accepted until February 15th! UPDATE: Entries have been closed! I'll draw a winner and announce it in the next few days, stay tuned!