Drop & Anchor

first aid kit

2012-02-10T09:46:00.001-05:00

I'm fairly certain I first heard of these girls years ago, and thought they were just fine but nothing really struck me. Then I saw them mentioned on another blog today and gave them another listen. And another and another. The first song I chose to listen to, Emmylou is just beautiful. Their voices are sublime.

And then I listened to a few more which again were just fine but didn't strike me. And then this. With the perfect grungy dusty '60s sound. It made more sense when I found out it was produced by Jack White.

And an extra. A cover of Johnny Cash's I Walk The Line.

smitten

2012-02-09T10:18:00.001-05:00

I know I don't post much these days, things just kind of fell apart blog-wise. I never even finished up with January Photo-A-Day posts. Whatever. I might do that soon.

But I just had to stop in real quick-like before I get ready for work today and share with you the most lovely, inspiring Tumblr I ever have seen. Truth be told I never got into the whole Tumblr thing, but this is a game changer. Lucky for me the author also has a Pinterest page so I can keep up with all the pretty without having to venture into the Tumblr world.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring you wit & delight.

Ok, I'm done. Enjoy your distractions.

Photo A Day

2012-01-25T22:27:00.000-05:00

day #15 happiness

day #16 morning

day #17 water

day #18 something I bought

day #19 sweet

day #20 someone I love

day #21 reflection

I have been having a little bit of a hard time keeping up with the photo a day, and not always getting them in quite on time, but I'm not giving up! I am determined to see this thing through! I am currently caught up, so let's see if I can keep it going for the remainder of the month.

Photo a Day

2012-01-16T15:23:00.000-05:00

day #8 sky

day #9 daily routine

day #10 childhood

day #11 where I sleep

day #12 close-up

day #13 in my bag

day #14 something I'm reading

Read a little more about what the heck this Photo a Day thing is anyway, right over here.

And by the way, I have finished reading The Lives and Loves of Daisy and Violet Hilton. It only took a couple of weeks, which may not be fast by anyone's standards but my own. But in my defense it was a pretty big book and I don't have a whole lot of free time. But boy when I did I devoured that thing. There is some disturbing content and it's not an altogether happy story, but quite amazing, fascinating, and true. So do what you will with that information.

#photoaday

2012-01-08T18:52:00.002-05:00

So I have decided to participate in a little thing called the January Photo a Day Challenge. There is a list of topics and you take a photo every day to go with each topic. The list is as follows.

I picked up on this challenge a little late, so I started on Day 4.

letterbox

something I wore

makes me smile (full disclosure I took this photo the day before, but I didn't think I needed to take another one)

favorite

I will be back again next week with a roundup of this week's photos. Have instagram and want to join in the fun? Just start uploading your photos on the given day and tag it with #photoaday and #day(number). Not following me on instagram yet? My name is dropandanchor, so look me up and drop me a line!

here's where I say happy new year

2012-01-02T20:11:00.003-05:00

I thought I could get away without writing this post, but somehow I can't escape the guilt. As a blogger it is my duty to round up the old year and welcome in the new. It's just something we do.

Source: brentfosterphotography.com via Jeanne on Pinterest

So here's 2011 in a nutshell:

Moved into our first house

Got married

Got a puppy

Kept one of last year's resolutions and finally listed some knits on Etsy (and had 5 sales in the first month!)

That's really all that sticks out at the moment, but really that is quite a lot. Big, momentous, life changing, time consuming things. 2011 was a year to remember.

So what of 2012?

I've got some things up my sleeve.

I'm so happy I finally kept my promise to launch my Etsy shop and it is my biggest goal this year to really take it seriously. I have been working on branding (business cards, packaging, banners for blog and Etsy shop) and researching everything from business licenses and trademarks to accounting programs and taxes. I'm setting goals and planning rewards for myself. It's kind of all I can think about these days. It's too easy for me to get discouraged and demotivated so I'm proud of myself just for getting this far and it's enough to propel me forward for now.

The second big goal for the year is travel. We promised ourselves we would take a vacation to Europe for our anniversary. A delayed honeymoon. My first time out of the country (except when I was something like 10 years old and my family went into Canada for a day on a big camping trip up the East Coast). The mister bought me a passport case for Christmas so it's almost official. I should probably get that passport. Maybe.

And there are always less exciting goals, like figuring out how on earth to keep the house clean on a regular basis and planning monthly date nights. Working on that whole work/life balance thing people always talk about.

docked

2011-12-29T09:56:00.000-05:00

Loving all of the retro-inspired accessories for new technology these days. Because everything doesn't really have to be shiny and silver (or gleaming white) and BORING. Good design is good design and these things work.

The clock dock for iPhone

The V-Luxe iPad dock for ease of video watching.

Christmas traditions

2011-12-25T20:36:00.001-05:00

Being our first Christmas as married folk, the mister and I have been busy discussing holiday traditions we grew up with, talking about what we want to carry on for our little family and coming up with new traditions that are our very own.

First, let's just get this out of the way, but presents are to be opened up on Christmas Morning. Not Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day. Christmas Morning. I have fond memories of waking up at approximately 4am (sometimes probably even earlier), sneaking down the hallway into the living room to see all the presents under the tree. My siblings and I would try to locate all of our gifts under the tree (this became such a problem that my parents actually stopped putting names on the gifts, making for some awkward moments when they realized they had given you someone else's present to open), we would peek in our stockings and usually fall asleep on the living room floor before we would dare try to wake up the parents so we could open presents. Those are my memories of Christmas. Those are the memories I want my children to have. So. Christmas Morning.

The next one we decided on is Christmas breakfast. Today it was more of a noontime Christmas brunch, and that is fine by me. It was delicious.

But the most exciting Christmas tradition is the Christmas lights tour. The mister found a website that tracks crazy lights and displays, and put together a map for us to go out and track them down. And let me tell you, there were some beauties.

These people kind of blow my mind. The time, money, and imagination that go into these displays is like nothing I will ever have so visiting these houses is like going to another world. I love it. And it was the perfect way to end our Christmas day.

it's beginning to look a lot like...

2011-12-13T22:38:00.001-05:00

New garland I made from pages of an old encyclopedia (they do have a use after all!). Gingerbread shakes, gingerbread lattes, cranberry bliss bars, oh my. Decorating the tree, undecorating the tree, bowl full of balls. The nutcracker gang. Foggy winter mornings. Sugar cookies in my beloved KitchenAid.

It's beginning to look a little bit like Christmas around here. Now if only I could put presents under the tree without the puppy eating them all.

greetings

2011-12-07T20:00:00.001-05:00

I can't believe it's just a few weeks until Christmas and I haven't posted a single Christmas card! I'm still not really in the holiday mood, but I saw this card today and just loved it so I had to share. The owl and fox are pretty cute, but the mouse just slays me. Precious.

Letterpress from the always adorable hello!Lucky

let's get out of this country

2011-11-30T20:10:00.001-05:00

I've been reminding myself that the mister and I promised we would take a real vacation for our anniversary. A delayed honeymoon if you will. And that anniversary is coming up quickly enough that it's time to do some serious prepping. For starters- figuring out exactly where we're going, doing the research, booking, and getting passports. I for one have sadly never been out of the country. No, scratch that. I went to Canada when I was somewhere around 10 years old. Just to the other side of Niagara Falls. I remember seeing black squirrels there. That's about it.

Anyway it's time for me to get a passport and take a good European vacation already. So I've been doing what any reasonable person would do. Looking for accessories for the passport I need for the vacation I hope to take in the near future.

I could go trendy:

Or cute:

Or classic:

But I guess the important part is just that I GO.

hoop dreams

2011-11-28T09:11:00.001-05:00

I don't even know what to say about what I'm about to show you. There is apparently so much talent out there that this one person can create something every single day for an entire year. And none of them suck. They are all perfectly composed using materials practically made for this purpose and oozing with charm and personality.

Lucky Jackson has unfortunately stepped away from her Etsy shop in order to dedicate herself to the 365 day project, and thank goodness because if she could maintain them both at one time I might just throw up my hands and wonder why I even bother waking up in the morning if I can't be so inspired and productive.

I want to line a long hallway with these embroidered portraits. So Much Love.

pucker up!

2011-11-23T11:53:00.001-05:00

Just a little something to make you smile today, spotted on A Cup of Jo.

Getting ready for our trip to the grocery store, doing some prep for Thanksgiving dinner! How are your plans coming along?

Shop Update!

2011-11-18T11:45:00.001-05:00

Yes, the long awaited shop update is here!

I just listed three new knit hand muffs in my etsy shop today, and of course I wanted you guys to be the first to know! It's just the first batch, and as I have ironed out some kinks I should be cranking them out a little bit faster from here on out. Please let me know if you would be interested in any holiday gifts ASAP so I can make sure I get them out in time. Custom orders are welcome.

Oatmeal with plaid flannel lining (and pocket!)

Storm with plaid flannel lining (and pocket!)

You've seen this one before

Sky cable 100% knit (no lining)

bah humbug

2011-11-16T09:32:00.001-05:00

I've been talking about this at work for a couple of weeks now, but somehow no matter how many times I admit it (isn't that the first step?) I still can't get myself out of it. Denial. Complete and utter denial.

I have put up festive decorations, photos of people all bundled up with their stacks of Christmas presents or the tree on top of their car. I have hung ornaments and peppermint candies and Christmas crackers in all the windows. Christmas music has been on our playlist for at least a week now, and I even caved and put the She & Him Christmas album on my iPhone last week (and have listened to it exactly once because I realized I just wasn't in the mood).

Yesterday someone reminded me that Thanksgiving is next week (well, they were talking about Black Friday, but same difference) and I was FLOORED. I had to check the calendar. It's true. Thanksgiving is NEXT FREAKING WEEK! And it still doesn't feel like the holidays. Normally at this time of year I'm getting anxious to put up the Christmas tree and being forced to wait until after Thanksgiving, and frankly this year it feels like it's just coming and I'm trying not to think about it. I should be watching The Grinch and Scrooged and A Christmas Story. I should be cutting paper snowflakes. I should be buying presents. Holy crap I haven't even thought of buying a single present yet! I understand this is normal for many people, but it is not normal for me.

So I'm determined to find the time to dive head first into this holiday season in the next week, and come out of next weekend officially ready for it to begin! And I have found the first project on my list over at How About Orange:

I'm hoping they are a little bit easier than they look because they sure are cute!

new tunes

2011-11-09T11:40:00.002-05:00

So it's been nearly a month since my birthday and I'm just now getting around to sharing some most excellent new records that I got for the occasion. I go through record buying spurts sometimes where I just need to have them in my life. I don't necessarily think this is one of those spurts, rather, these two albums happened to come out at roughly the same time and this is how I choose to support my favorite bands. I refuse to purchase MP3s. I just won't do it. And what's the point of owning a CD anymore? Records are prettier and come in limited edition colors (I am such a sucker for colored vinyl) and they come with a free digital download most of the time, so it's a win/win situation.

I have been holding out on listening to the She & Him Christmas album, but I have to admit I just put it on my iPhone today. So. We all know where this is going. Christmas music for the next two months! Yeah!

baby love

2011-11-06T20:25:00.002-05:00

I'm sorry I haven't posted much lately. Things have been bananas over here. I'm exhausted. I'm getting ready for the holidays at work (!!!), and also I haven't slept for more than 4 hours at a time thanks to this thing right here.

Doesn't she look peaceful? Don't let her fool you. She's crazy.

Except when she's not. Aw.

She certainly has her moments. In between the biting and chewing and barking and pooping in the house. And hating everything we buy for her. Eating the mail, our shoes, hands and feet, my hair, but never her chew toys. Puppies are great, aren't they?

Truth be told, it is pretty satisfying to see her learn commands. She's getting pretty good at sit and sometimes I don't even have to ask her to sit before I feed her, she's just sitting and waiting instead of jumping and trying to dive into her food container like she used to! And we have even found a toy that she seems to like!

The tennis ball is almost the size of her head, but she is somehow able to pick it up and carry it around in her mouth and she LOVES IT! But she still confuses my foot for the ball sometimes and goes after it with unmatched ferocity. Darn those sharp puppy teeth!

the mister thinks I don't need a new jacket

2011-11-01T20:56:00.000-04:00

I happen to disagree.

Piccadilly Coat from Modcloth. It's dying to be worn with a skirt, tights, knee socks, and boots. And a hand muff. Of course a hand muff. So cute!

notes on creating a monster

2011-10-27T19:46:00.002-04:00

When I was in high school I encountered what I will refer to as the Hallmark Mom. You know you are dealing with a Hallmark Mom when there is a collection of cards for various occasions, not because there are immediate needs for such cards, or even plans to use them. They are there so that one can be prepared for anything, and have a card at hand to commemorate it. The Hallmark Mom will also decorate for any reason at all. Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Halloween, birthdays, whatever. Groundhog Day and Election Day probably. They will literally take any excuse to decorate, and they must have an entire guest house to store their goods. Or so it seems.

Anyway. My point is: I used to think the Hallmark Mom was crazy. Why would anyone want to decorate for Halloween? Halloween is for dressing up and eating candy. Carving pumpkins and corn mazes. That sort of thing. Who needs all the extra work of decorating? (unless we're talking about haunted house-eque props for your front yard if you're welcoming trick-or-treaters. I always loved those houses)

But. I see it happening. It started with a few cute little wooden props. Some craft pumpkins I covered in glitter. Some of those old plastic trick or treat pails. I'm not sure where to draw the line, and I'm not sure I want to anyway.

So, accepting the fact that I just might be turning into a Hallmark Mom, let me share with you one of my most favorite Halloween displays ever, from Thompson Family Life.

Super cute, right?

So what is your stance on holiday decorating? Yea or nay?

rare gems

2011-10-25T22:00:00.000-04:00

Our plants need some new homes, and while I don't think these are quite right for us I do think they're quite lovely. Don't you think?

Score & Solder via Unruly Things

Meet Sophie

2011-10-23T09:34:00.002-04:00

This girl.
I don't even think I can properly describe how precious she is. I fell in love with her the moment I picked her up and she nuzzled her little head in my neck (she has since decided that nuzzling is not enough and chewing on my ears is better). She is bouncing around one minute, boxing and playing, and fighting sleep the next. She doesn't really like falling asleep it seems. Fights it to the last second where she simply cannot stand anymore. It's pretty much the cutest thing ever.

Here's a little video the mister took on our trek home from picking her up.

She's also costing mama quite a bit of sleep, and keeping us on our toes making sure that she doesn't chew on everything in sight. For reals, Day One included the things one might expect (shoes, table legs, fingers) and lots that maybe you wouldn't expect (books, carpet, power cords). Anything. Doesn't matter. But only mildly interested in her own toys. Figures.

And the kitties are doing alright I think. Molly is very curious. Winston is suspicious and scared, but I'm impressed that he's not just staying under the bed and is venturing into the living room more than I expected him to. I think they will get along. I love our growing family. :)

mama's got a brand new bag!

2011-10-19T21:07:00.000-04:00

Thanks to the lovely ladies over at Ellington and Unruly Things who generously offered up a free bag to one lucky winner... ME! Just in time for my birthday, and seriously, just a few days before I entered the giveaway I was telling the mister how I needed a new bag (I basically have 2 bags that I have been using for the past 3 years and they are quite dirty). And here it is. The leather is beautiful, the details are perfect, and the size is great. It holds my knitting and has enough pockets to keep everything I need to get to without digging into the bottom of my bag.

I'm feeling some good blog karma, and loving it.

no words

2011-10-17T13:08:00.000-04:00

Ok, so not exactly NO words, but very few. I am completely exhausted from our trip to Vegas. I slept about 12 hours last night. Here's some random peaks of life according to my iPhone.

Random thought: it was interesting to do Vegas by day. The only times I have been to Vegas previously were with school and with work, and I was in meetings and such all day so only had time to go out at night. And it's not like we had all the free time in the world this time around either. Only one free day actually. So I'm not sure why it felt so different. But even driving around running errands, I was able to appreciate the scenery in a way I hadn't before. The mountains and desert and palm trees are quite lovely and a nice contrast to the cheesy, sleazy feel of the strip. But I still love Fremont St the best. The old neon signs and actual light bulbs used, they get me every time.

Oh yeah, and we were happy to be there for our dear friends getting married! It was a beautiful non-Vegas wedding with lots of personal touches, and they just looked so happy together you can't help but have a good time around them.

Thank you for having us! :)

And the winner is...

2011-10-16T18:27:00.000-04:00

First of all, thanks to everyone who entered my giveaway. I'm so happy to be able to celebrate with all of you and to be able to share my hard work! It's great to hear such positive feedback around something I am so excited about. Thank you thank you!

So without further ado...

Which means the winner is...

Congratulations! Please send an email to dropandanchorstudio (at) gmail (dot) com with your choice of hand muff and your mailing information.

Again, thank you to everyone who entered. Keep an eye out on the blog and you will be the first to know when the muffs are available in my Etsy shop!

And keep reading the blog because you like it, obviously ;)

my night in photos

2011-10-12T10:55:00.002-04:00

Yes, I could have already seen Mates of State weeks ago here in DC. But. They just happened to be playing on a Wednesday night and the mister has class on Wednesday nights. When I first realized this, I was kind of devastated. I don't even know how many times I have seen Mates of State at this point, but suffice it to say it will never be enough. But it was not to be.

Until.

I heard that they would also be playing Baltimore. Just a little while later. On my birthday.

So, yeah, I could wait.

I think it was pretty much meant to be. The Ottobar is a cute little venue, with an odd little balcony that puts you just at top left of the band. You could probably reach through the beams and touch Kori's head (if that weren't a totally creepy thing to do). And for some reason I thought I had read an article that indicated they would be playing almost exclusively new material at the shows, but was so absolutely thrilled to find out that was not the case! Not that I don't love the new stuff, but they played so many of my favorites that I was totally not expecting to hear. I kept thinking well I'm sure they're not going to play this one. And then they did.

Fluke

At Least I Have You

For the Actor

Goods

True Love Will Find You in the End

And then some. I was also surprised at how many songs they played from Re-Arrange Us, given that it was largely disliked by critics. I liked it, but I'm a little bit biased. And I'm still waiting to see Mags on stage. That's what people are really there for, right? No? Just me? Ok.

Oh and whatever you do, don't forget to enter my giveaway! There's still time!

Click here