Commas and Clauses

Hazel Stark Giveaway!

2012-01-30T00:31:00.002-05:00

SUPER excited about this giveaway, as I've been corresponding with Hazel for well over a year now (following one of the many instances in which I majorly embarrassed myself over the internet...we will not be going into that) and she's AWESOME. Not only is the girl hilarious, but she's hella talented, as well. Seriously, go check out her Facebook and shop to take a gander at the sweet geometrics and color combinations.

What's up for grabs: One of Hazel's Harlequin cushions in the orange colorway featured above (and here). It is one of the last one's in existence that is still available! And, in my humble opinion, it's one of the raddest pillow/textile designs I've seen lately.

What you have to do to become the Chosen One: Okay, so I just watched Moneyball over the weekend and though I enjoyed it, still can't understand why Jonah Hill was nominated for an Oscar. Not in a year when Michael Fassbender's peen from Shame was blatantly snubbed (those 3-4 minutes of full-frontal did nothing for the Academy?). So fuck the Oscars. If you could create and rig the winner for a new category at the Oscars (not on the lame level of the MTV Movie Awards, though), what would said category be AND who/what would be the victor? Feel free to use any movie from any era you like, but I encourage as many responses that involve the words "peen," "bone" and/or "delusional."

The Chosen One will be chosen at random this Saturday, February 4th, so comment by 10 a.m. EST on Saturday to be considered. Just make sure you leave an email address in your comment so I can reach you if you win! ... Hope this isn't too random that no one leaves a comment ...

Hazel's blog / shop / twatter / facebook

(Hazel's fuzzy cushion in navy linen also pictured above...I love that pillow, LOVE IT.)

heya heya

2011-12-29T15:07:00.000-05:00

Some select corners from my newly redecorated fun room, a.k.a. my office where nothing has gotten done recently:

No. 1 MMMG mouse pad

No. 2 (clockwise from left) Jennifer Davis painting / Andy Rementer paintings / Naoshi sand painting

No. 3 DIY banner kit / Wall Stickz vinyl chalkboard

No. 4 Herman Marie wooden paintings (a + b)

No. 5 Ingela P Arrhenius Babushka dolls

No. 6 Another Andy Rementer painting (I've been hoarding) / a bunch of other random shit I've mentioned in recent months / vintage utility cart from AMradio (was super pleased with that whole transaction, shipping, assembly instructions, etc.)

No. 7 It's out of focus, but my desktop background comes via Thuy, Chau's very talented sister. And Lola's expression comes via her puking this morning. Now she's running around my apartment, barking at dogs outside. She is such a bizarre little button.

On another note, I'm so fucking bored. I want to go back to work/can't wait for this break to be over. I'm the only teacher I know who feels this way. Wah waaaah.

Guess I should update the other blog soon-ish. Meh.

Workshoppe

2011-12-08T11:09:00.001-05:00

A pop-up shop that I desperately would like to patron, as I could see myself buying at least one piece from each designer involved. But, sadly, I can't make it to London this time of year. Perhaps you can.

From now until Sunday, in Clerkenwell, London (hours vary but are listed on the shop's website). Curated by Hazel Stark, who makes awesome prints and pillows--more on her later : )

Hazel Stark, Elin Green, Abigail Brown, Katy Goutefangea, A Alicia, Loligo

AND MORE!

I. Fucking. Want. This.

2011-11-30T07:34:00.001-05:00

more totally relevant screencaps

2011-11-21T00:02:00.001-05:00

The purpose of this post is to illustrate the continued usefulness of StatCounter. Rather than view the site as another means of stalking (it only proves so useful in my labored pursuit of the opposite sex, so I choose not to categorize it as such), I support embracing it as a means of getting to know one's readers. What follows are some choice phrases via Google that have brought together new readers and my blog in recent months, in hopes of illustrating my point. Note that I made rank on the last one. Nice.

On a side note, I just noticed the other day that the other blog surpassed 1 million page loads sometime in the past month, so that's pretty exciting. More to come from that blog...including me actually updating it in the near future/returning from my internet coma. I SWEAR. And this time I'm not even lying.

additions

2011-11-08T14:02:00.000-05:00

The (credit card) coffers have recently been emptied exclusively for the apartment, as my abode needed both a mental and physical facelift following the bitch-ass temp-roommate's departure at the end of August (I said it). I would have documented more, but the lighting's so horrible here that these will have to do for now.

stickers / new chair and pillow / someone got a mohawk (hard to see, I realize) and killed her first cockroach today! slash thought she was playing with it...further fortifying that she is a cat-dog...

And did anyone else catch the end of Sunday's Boardwalk Empire? I've been waiting for that blessed event all season!

P.S.:

I need to save up to buy all five of the Odette rings I've been eyeing from Jennifer's new collection
I'm so excited to finally see Leah and Kaye's collab come to fruition (I wear Kaye's watchful eye ring almost daily, and--obviously--am a huge fan of Leah's)
And if you're in Philly, you should check out the Art et Joie event/market this Friday! Sadly, I will be in NY attending to some very important business, but I would be there if I could!

this is when you know you're poor:

2011-10-19T22:57:00.001-04:00

I tried to convince my brother to join me since he lives in Philly, as well. But funny thing is, he was more deterred by the 6 a.m.-on-a-Sunday starting time than the mild, unpleasant electrical shocks to the top of the hand.

On that note, I'm selling (yet) another dress on LoGE, this time a Wren dress I literally just got in the mail today (fucking Swirl only does store credit for returns...bullshit). I forgot the sizing for the line is small, and thus my boobs are too big (for it). Never thought I'd say that.

2011-10-01T03:14:00.000-04:00

My, it has been awhile, Internet! After loading pictures from my camera onto my computer today I realized I hadn't taken any of my signature craptastic photos in over a month, further reinforcing how quickly this past month has flown by, and also how long it has been since I've actually updated this blog. Whatever. One of the main reasons I wanted to post was because of the afore-featured portrait I "commissioned" (sounds so fancy) from greasychickenface on Etsy. No lie, I paid a total of $30 for this here portrait of Lola (and that's including shipping...from Canada), which is probably the coolest pet portrait I have ever beheld. I mean, for acrylic on wood? Whaaaaat? Total deal. You can see a better close-up of greasy's work on the original listing, just in case you're interested in a little commission of your own.

It should also be noted that the wall-in-progress features one of Becca's paintings (I was so excited when she listed this!), and also a drawing by Chau that I have been utterly in love with since I received it from her last year in the mail. The wall is looking good, and I have no one but you ladies to thank : )

WtLTA - Food Week

2011-09-26T08:36:00.002-04:00

Word up, people. I've been busy as all hell and don't really have much to say these days (though I have been buying a lot of good stuff, which I'll try to photograph...you know, to keep up the materialistic end of this blog). But the ever so sweet Mallory of Where the Lovely Things Are asked me to throw my two cents in for her Food Week posts, so head on over there for the thoughts of a poorly-trained palette (and those of people with a more sophisticated sense of taste, of course). Though I do think my recommendations for where to eat in Philly are pretty decent (pretty much all of them introduced to me by Jennifer when I moved here, haaaah).

Hannah and Ellen have really outdone themselves...again

2011-09-07T01:49:00.001-04:00

I did a really bad job at posting about the pieces I bought from both Hannah and Ellen's past collections (shame on me), mostly because I've been a fail at photographing clothes as of late... And then I had this massive post idea for an aquarium-themed "shoot," BUT... that's still going to happen, in some form or another. At any rate, I am a-laaaaving the Fall/Winter 2011 Hetterson and Dusen Dusen collections. Hetterson lookbook pics directly below (as if you didn't know):

And all of Ellen's beautiful backpacks are already sold out in her shop! NOOOOO! However, Ilana's like a super sleuth or something and posted about Ellen's recent collab with Urban. Check those bb's out! There's even one with Snips! WANT.

How you like my ghetto fabulous cropping? It stays for now. And more of Ellen's cool new jams in her shop.

Thank god this bitch is getting a real paycheck again soon!

2011-09-03T13:47:00.002-04:00

I got my job back, yo. When I shared this with my adviser (who's a nun) at the school I'm getting my certification at, she replied: "Prayers do work." Each time I emailed her after the layoffs she told me that she was praying for me. I feel like I'm on the receiving end of the Catholic school education I never had (or wanted), since my parents were only holy enough to send me to CCD. Whatever. The old lady's cool.

Come Tuesday I'll be working for 24 straight days. I guess that's what I get for having two and a half months off and doing pretty much nothing. AND BEIN' A STRAIGHT-UP BALLER. Baller with an "er."

Madonna of the Mills

2011-08-28T15:02:00.002-04:00

As I "evacuated" in light of the hurricane--and came home to my parents', where there's always premium channel-watching to be had--I flipped on HBO just as one its latest documentaries, "Madonna of the Mills," was airing. As my dog Butters is from a puppy mill, as was Violet, I decided to watch. And as is usually the case when I dwell on the topic of puppy mills--or see those ASPCA commercials with Sarah McLachlan--I started to tear up. The topic especially infuriates me since such a large number of mills are concentrated in central Pennsylvania--my home state--and are largely run in that area by Amish. How one can profess such piety and then deny a living being a chance at a decent life--being able to roam outside of a cage, human love, NOT BEING ABUSED--is beyond me.

What I didn't realize until after watching the documentary is that in light of the fact that 99% of puppies in pet stores come from puppy mills, approximately 100% of these animals have parasites or other diseases because of the conditions they were born into/their mothers and fathers live in. Thusly when you buy a dog from a pet store, not only are you perpetuating the puppy mill trade--by necessitating its existence--but you're also unknowingly buying a dog with who knows how many diseases. That's not saying that these dogs shouldn't be given a chance to be loved, either. These are just things to consider.

Violet died last May because of kidney failure, which developed as a result of her never being given proper vet care in any of her (approximate) eight years of birthing litters at the mill that housed her. Apparently it's cheaper for mills to take dogs out back and shoot them, and then replace them (as they can be bought at auctions for only dollars) than to take them to the vet. When I can afford to adopt another dog, I plan on adopting a puppy mill rescue, even though I know that doing so can be a financial commitment (though Butters has been rather healthy, thankfully). And of course there are so many other dogs (and cats) that still need to be adopted that aren't from mills. But what would we do without PetFinder? I go on that site and browse just as often as I browse Etsy for new shiz to buy, or Craigslist for my dream apartment somewhere that isn't here (haaaah).

I sound like a total tool who has a stick up her ass on her soapbox, but THE PUPPIES, MAN, the puppies! More about "Madonna of the Mills" here, and 10 Things to Know About Puppy Mills.

patterns

2011-08-24T13:12:00.012-04:00

Leah's Internet Girls zine / two custom colorations from Rachel / a pillow cover from Arcelia Home / my new Nümph dress

Whenever I see new work from Leah it makes me wish I knew how to draw/illustrate/what have you. I also wish I could see Internet Girls in person (you can if you're in San Diego!). But this zine is the next best thing, and it's chalk-full of some pretty amazing patterns. And it's just $5! / Rachel really does not disappoint with her necklaces. I've said it once, and I'll continue saying it, as I now want one of her not quite round necklaces (I'm so damn greedy.). / Found Arcelia Home actually through Leah's favorites on Etsy (stalker...). They're having a sale right now, so get on that and snatch up some handmade goodness before that shiz is all gone. / The pattern and colors of this dress caused me to do some impulse shopping last week online. It makes for a nice addition to the casual warm-weather closet, though I'm not sold on the material (viscose, ewww...) and that damn triangle in the chest (remind me again why I got those damn triangle tattoos? they're like the mustache tattoo of 2010.).

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And another pattern in my life: I'm broke, and endlessly pawning off my crap on this blog/LoGE. Just posted my Rachel Comey Winnie Wedges over there. Check them out if you want to be taller than all your friends.

I joined Twatter.

2011-08-23T15:03:00.001-04:00

This shit is addicting.

I had to make a Twitter account for BDiH (for reasons that will be revealed in the coming year...mysterious), which I really didn't want to do b/c I hate Twitter. And Facebook. Though I had to make one of those pages, too. But I have never felt so alive. Just kidding. I'm never going to get off the internet now, though. How does everyone else do it? I was so repressed before.

I'm hoping to use this to befriend a bunch of romance novelists. Turns out there's a lot of historical sexy fiction out there, and I have always wanted to have more old lady perverts as friends.

The Museum of Broken Relationships

2011-08-22T22:09:00.012-04:00

Someone needs to get me here, fast. And by "someone" I mean myself, after I cash that next unemployment check (oh, didn't I mention that?). I be makin' it rain.

When I first read (read: looked at its name) about the Museum on It's Nice That, I thought it was a kitschy little exhibit at a gallery somewhere, not an actual "institution" in Croatia. Croatia, of all places. I love that--as a result--the "Getting Here" page of the Museum's site includes directions to Zagreb's airport from other European countries, not like driving directions "from downtown" or something.

I really wish I owned a museum, you know, or lived in the appropriately zoned neighborhood so I could host the Museum's collection in my living room, because I want to see how they interpret some of this stuff. The blurb for the gnome was the first thing I clicked on (Lauren, I thought of you), and it did it for me:

"The divorce day garden dwarf. He arrived in a new car. Arrogant, shallow and heartless. The dwarf was closing the gate that he had destroyed himself some time ago. At that moment it flew over to the windscreen of the new car, rebounded and landed on the asphalt surface. It was a long loop, drawing an arc of time--and this short long arc defined the end of love."

So cryptic and culminating in such tired prose. I need to go.

P.S. It's in London now, the Museum's traveling exhibition. Go. And see if they have a gift shop.

in retrospect, this post is kind of pointless, but whatever...

2011-08-17T01:28:00.011-04:00

Admittedly, I stopped watching the Tudors four episodes short of the series finale last year because the plot surrounding Catherine Parr bored me/made me yawn. Then enter last night--whilst awaiting the uploading of Logo's Monday night lineup--when I discovered that all four seasons of the Tudors are now available for streaming on Netflix (WATCH THEM. Before those damn plans change.). And, lord, how cheated I feel! I had denied myself THE BEST sex scene of the whole damned show. Skip to 5:47 in the above clip and partake in this mid-week gift from Showtime. Because Charles Brandon was the best character on that show, and how titillating it feels to see the good man finally attain happiness. Plus he's got damn fine hair in that season.

UGH, Henry Cavill...how I wish I were with your child!

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Edit: FUCK, the sex scene's shortened. I've failed you! Go on Netflix and watch episode 8 around the 22-minute mark (I've bookmarked it in my mind, b/c I plan on watching it again and again and again and again and again and again and again...).

things are happening around these parts

2011-08-05T18:31:00.016-04:00

No. 1 Hands down, my two favorite purchases in recent months. I wore my POE dress about three times the first week it was in my possession; I love how comfortable and flexible (using "stretchable" = lycra = awful memories of junior high) the cotton is. And, duh, the pattern is killer. And I was ueber thrilled when seeing my not tuesday necklace in person, as the size, make, and color of the beads contribute to probably the coolest necklace I've ever beheld/owned. I haven't been wearing my necklaces that often lately, but this one I've also been wearing daily. And I may have ordered a few more.
No. 2 I bought (and love) two of Chau's Hoop Paintings during her shop restock. They're helping to fill out my walls, as I've done some redecorating. And after having bought a necklace from Caitlyn, I found in my mailbox her zine "Scribble Scrabble." Probably my favorite zine of the last few months. And said to be part of her upcoming shop restock (GET ONE).

I also watched the entirety of Geordie Shore (or at least what the internet would allow me), and have finished out season 4 of Ab Fab (it has filled the void of the Wire, strangely enough). It has been repeatedly pointed out how often I speak in a British accent to myself/the dog, something I had never thought to be out of place. That and apparently I make a lot of weird, vocal sounds. You know...

2011-07-31T14:26:00.002-04:00

You're probably very un-straight, Olivier, but I would very much like to:

(a) burrow my face in your blonde Asian locks

(b) play house with you and mimic your mysterious accent

(c) rub up against your cardigans (with your lithe little body in them)

(d) make babies with you* and call them "Ollie, Jr." (*not really)

Correct response: (e) do the naughty in your ugly-ass, hole-ridden clothes

And don't worry, people, I won't fuck up again and ruin the show for anybody this season. If people are still watching.

2011-07-28T13:47:00.001-04:00

Chau and her beau BJ just reopened their Etsy shop, and some of the beautiful artwork Chau's been producing and posting on her blog over the past few months have been added. I just can't decide which I love more, the Kiki Smith print or the Hoop Paintings. And which Hoop Painting? Quite a happy happening on this Thursday.

my weekend

2011-07-19T00:05:00.000-04:00

I went home to my parents' and watched LOGO for two straight days. I feel a lot better about life.

have you guys seen it yet?

2011-07-15T16:08:00.004-04:00

(My dog and the 3-D glasses they gave out at the theatre.)

AGGGGH! That scene at the end with Snape made me ball little babies inside. So many epic moments! SUCH an epic movie! (Except the end was super corny, but whatever...)

There was this really annoying superfan chick that kept shouting out shit before the movie started, but she summed up my feelings well at its conclusion: "That marked the end of my childhood." So true, or at least my adolescence. I feel like an era has ended.

Jam: Jacques Dutronc, "Les Playboys"

I've got obligations tonight

2011-07-14T17:12:00.002-04:00

They all involve a handful of gingers.

P.S. When THE HELL did Neville get so hot? (a + b)

POE S/S 2011

2011-07-10T21:05:00.014-04:00

THIS is long overdue, mostly because I'm a tool and thought that an Australian label's S/S collection meant said collection would be released in the Fall in light of the equatorial*/weather difference. But what do I know?! Anyway, I fell in love with these pieces from the in-house line of the Sydney boutique Poepke months ago, but only recently decided to email the store and see when the pieces were being released. But they already were! HOWEVER, they are now on sale, at 50% off. I maaaay have snagged one of the t-shirt dresses in the matchstick print, to further do in my credit card. The last indiscretion before the concerted efforts of recovery.

* I really am a tool, b/c I had written "equilateral" instead of "equatorial" and left it there for a good five hours or so unchecked, forgetting that I was originally going to Google the spelling. Such is to be expected when you're a spelling fail, I suppose.

18 things I've bought/received in the past few months and not blogged about

2011-07-07T15:42:00.017-04:00

Mostly because I cannot take pictures for shit (as is evidenced here, though my apartment really gets no light, so I blame it on that).

No. 1 Dusen Dusen stripes Claire dress (on sale in the grid print in Ellen's shop) No. 2 Ace & Jig red stripe crop cardi No. 3 Dusen Dusen sharks backpack (variations on sale in Ellen's shop) No. 4 Alexandra Grecco Let Them Eat Meringue Pleated dress No. 5 dullDiamond bracelet No. 6 No. 6 button back silk dress No. 7 Dusen Dusen triangles high-waisted short No. 8 Swedish Hasbeens T-Strap Sky High No. 9 Leah Goren cat zine (comes with the Black Cat Print dress) No. 10 Am Appy NEON coral nailpolish (for my day-glo days) Nos. 11 & 12 gifts from Chau No. 13 Erin Considine Cupla necklace No. 14 Hetterson Sunday Best dress No. 15 Leah Goren Bows Print pouch No. 16 Super Lucia's (bought mine here, b/c you can get mad discounts through that site, though it looks like these are sold out) No. 17 Leah Goren Kitty tank No. 18 Nadinoo Fleur's Summer Breeze skirt

Now you can understand why I'm broke, though I did get most of this stuff on sale/at a discount. But at least my wardrobe's kickin' for the summer.

Going to go prostitute myself on the sidewalk now.

cats (obviously)

2011-07-06T16:14:00.010-04:00

I was bored the other day and had this grand plan to make cat garland, as I still have many a bare wall in my apartment. Obviously I'm on crafter level 1.9, so the process is pretty self-explanatory, but nevertheless, here is essentially how it transpired:

And I'm currently jamming to this title sequence. I can't sing for sheeeeeit, but how I wish I could vocally jam like Annette Funicello. She had me at Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special.