If I Must Say So

Popping In

2013-01-07T11:50:00.001-06:00

Hello! Oh my ... so this is what it feels like to be blogging again. Or just checking in anyway. The sudden break I took from blogging has been quite nice, but I sure have missed it. I've been busy, y'all. But so have the rest of my blogger friends who've been doing an amazing job at keeping up with their blogs. I don't have an excuse, and I don't know when I'll be back to full speed. But, to be honest, I'm not too worried about it. I will be back 100% when it's time.

Just to give you an idea of what I've been up to -- I've been a busy little bee working at my new job with my favorite brand, and I've been doing some freelance design blogging and social media for another small business here in town. The house is also keeping us busy. I've made little progress with things like artwork and small details here and there. At this very moment we're having our heater and air conditioner replaced, like whoa. It's a huge expense, but this house is 70 years old and it's about time someone did something really nice and grand for it. Next, our fireplace is going to get a cute facelift with a fresh coat of paint.

To keep me focused on designing and styling our dream home, I'm still pinning and finding new inspiration daily. And today I discovered the new home goods line by Steven Alan. Yes, it is wonderful, and I may have found another incredible and splurge-worthy site for all kinds of things I don't yet know that I need.

Brown napkin set. Grey napkin set. Nesting cups. Indigo carafe. Serving bowl. Throws and blankets.

I'm in love with the rich stripes and the soothing nature of the jagged textiles. From napkins to throws and ceramics of all sorts, Steven Alan has found a nice balance between something you'd find in a cabin nestled in a snowy mountain somewhere and a bungalow in East Austin. Love!

Where, Oh Where

2012-12-02T09:26:00.002-06:00

I've been scrounging for more time to blog lately. I'm coming to terms with the fact that I just don't have the time at this moment in my life to write a blog post everyday. But I will keep trying.

Thanks for reading and checking in, even though it's been a little quiet around here lately.

Hugs! Oh, and here's a photo of me with my giant new glasses, and one of a quick update I made to my office. I needed to brighten up the room with something, so old-school magazine posters it is!

It's Coming Along

2012-11-12T15:43:00.002-06:00

Hooray! I finally found time to take a few photos of our home today. I'm also finally at a place where I feel pretty good about some of our decorating decisions. We still have a ways to go, and we're probably years away from making some of the major updates we have in mind. But in the meantime, I'm feeling good about where we are and what we'd like to do in the next year or so.

And as you may have guessed, I'm lacking a fancy camera and photography skills. So my best pictures are taken via iPhone and filtered via Instagram. I focused on some of the latest details we've added throughout our home. Hope you enjoy!

First, the living room ...

I've gone a bit crazy for graphic prints and coasters. And pillows! I can't get enough of them, and all I want to do is pile up our bed and couch with all kinds of different pillows. The line must be drawn, or I could just start collecting pillow covers.

I've also become obsessed with chairs. A family of two only needs so many, but our living room desperately needs some extra seating. I found these little vintage French cafe chairs at Mockingbird Domestics, and I think they make for nice seating around the house. Now into the dining room ...

While my office needs the most work right now, it's still one of my favorite spots in the house. It has beautiful windows and a great deal of space. But I think the room is still trying to figure itself out.

And our bedroom is starting to feel real nice and cozy with new curtains and nightstands!

And those are the deets. Have a lovely Monday!

Little Things

2012-11-05T09:43:00.000-06:00

Remember these sweet little things I mentioned in Friday's post?

Well, I brought three of them home from the FELIZ sale on Sunday, and I think they're really starting to like it here! I would have bought more if I could because I think the concrete combined with metallic colorblocking is just the surprising look I'm going for.

The maker Joanna was so nice and patient with me. I had all sorts of questions about the succulents and how to care for them, but she helped me pick out the perfect ones that required minimal watering. Just lots of good vibes and these plants should live a long and happy life.

She even let me take home her new favorite piece, which was a sea urchin shaped succulent in a round planter. I love the gold detailing on the top.

Oh, Laszlo is based in Austin! You can purchase her planters on Etsy or at Olive Vintage.

FELIZ Sale!

2012-11-02T11:21:00.002-05:00

Perhaps I've taken a mental break from blogging. It sure seems like it, but I've popped in today to help spread the word about an amazing event happening this weekend.

FELIZ is a beautiful handmade gathering curated by two of Austin's finest collaborators - Abby Powell and Natalie Davis. These ladies have put together an exquisite line-up of makers for this event. It all starts with a "Meet the Maker" party at West Elm tonight, followed by a day of artisan workshops on Saturday, and ending with the FELIZ Holiday Sale on Sunday where handmade enthusiasts can shop the wonderful goods from some of the best makers around the country.

FELIZ is a celebration of handmade, and I'm so excited to finally meet some of the designers and makers who I've been coveting the works of online for quite some time now.

Like Shanna Murray ...

And Oh, Laszlo ...

Hope to see you there!

Out West

2012-10-24T08:27:00.000-05:00

Last weekend we spent a few days in Marfa to celebrate our anniversary. It's insane to think that it's already been a year since that beautiful day. So much has happened since then: we've traveled around the world, bought a house, changed some things. A banner year, I'd say.

We went to Marfa to get away and explore the tiny West Texas town that continues to draw visitors from all over the globe. (Yea, Beyonce just paid Prada Marfa a visit.) I haven't been out west since I was very little, on a camping trip with my dad in Balmorhea, so it was nice to go back. Kyle and I loved the open landscape, the marshmallow skies, and the variety of people and personalities in little Marfa.

Our friends told us about The Get Go, which is the local market full of the most delicious and nutritious drinks and eats. We ate locally for most of our stay, but we were jazzed to shop at The Get Go the one night we decided to stay in and cook. We made falafel and cooked tofu with tasty sauce.

Marfa Book Company was another important stop for us. The shop has the most amazing selection of new and classic books. The art collection is astounding, as expected, and I also love the range of poetry and chapbooks available in the store. The small art gallery in the back is a beautiful space as well.

We had our anniversary dinner at a local hot spot called Cochineal. Beautiful drinks, vibes, everything. And then there was the blue cheese souffle, which still makes my mouth water.

Even though we didn't stay at El Cosmico, we wanted to visit the lobby and the grounds of this popular camping spot. I didn't grab a photo of all the vintage trailers and teepees at El Cosmico, but I imagine it's a fun place to stay with a group of friends!

Then there was Cobra Rock. I was so, so excited to visit this workshop/store, and it greatly exceeded my expectations. One of the owners, Colt, was the sweetest guy. He even let me try on a pair of the famous 1940s square-toed riding-heel boots, and they felt good.

Another amazing stop was the Chinati Hot Springs. We took an unpaved road through some pretty rough terrain to get there. I was nervous about driving through a deserted canyon, but everyone said it would be worth. And the scenery was magnificent.

One of our last stops during our Marfa exploration was at a new boutique called Freda. The shop was in the tiniest building, but the nicely edited collection of handmade things helped me for forget about the tight space. My favorite pieces have to be this kite mural and ghost toast figurine.

It was so nice to get away for a while. Marfa is a dreamy little town, and I love all the creativity happening there. But today it's back to reality.

Alyson Fox for West Elm

2012-10-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

Last night I previewed the new Alyson Fox for West Elm collection. This is some seriously cute stuff, y'all. Recognizably Alyson Fox, the vibrant patterns create a nice balance for folks like me who love detailed prints that create subtle impact. I also love how the collection is very straightforward: just pillows, rugs, one chair and one pendant. Alyson's work will be available online on October 23.

Austin is very lucky to have this great talent in our city. Some friends of mine are hosting another event with Alyson next week on October 25 at Kickpleat. Alyson will be talking about her inspirations, her creative process and taking questions from the group. She'll also have prints for sale, and there will be a make-your-own-necklace station for the crafty ones. Tickets are available here.

Gilded Pumpkins

2012-10-18T09:47:00.001-05:00

It's the time of year when I start to get questions from friends and co-workers about what I'm going to be for Halloween. I like Halloween for many reasons: the candy, the costumes, the excuse to pretend to be something completely different from who I really am for a night. But the truth is, I'm not into all the work and pressure that goes along with coming up with a great costume.

I remember one Halloween in college when I felt serious pressure to get dressed up for a Halloween party (of course) and I kept trying to make a costume out of clothing I already owned. I changed "costumes" five times and I did not enjoy the party. Long story short -- I like Halloween and all the creative costumes out there, but I prefer to just sit back and watch.

But I still love pumpkins and all the fun decorating ideas that go along with them this time of year. My friends at Mockingbird Domestics held a pumpkin painting party a few weeks ago. I wasn't able to attend, but I did a little pumpkin painting of my own using my new favorite paint: gilder's paint.

This project was super fun and easy. And my pumpkins look fabulous, don't ya think?

What you'll need:

Gilder's paint

Miniature pumpkins

Tape (use thin tape if you want more gold paint on the pumpkin)

Sponge brush

What to do:

1. For the geometric shapes look, wrap the pumpkin in tape several times. Be sure to leave part of the pumpkin exposed.

2. A little gilder's paint goes a long way. Get a decent amount on the sponge and paint over the exposed areas of the pumpkin.

3. Let the pumpkin dry for about an hour and then remove the tape.

4. For the polka dot pumpkin, use your finger to rub the paint in circular dots on the pumpkin's surface.
5. Let the pumpkin dry for about an hour.

Have fun with this one!

Style Post: It's Been A While

2012-10-15T11:25:00.000-05:00

Finally a new outfit post! I've kind of missed putting one of these together! Hopefully it's not too weird that I'm wearing the same shirt in the last one I did over a month ago. But it's a different look, I tell ya. New hair, new boots and a whole lotta black.

Over the last month I've cleaned out my closet twice, figured out my fall uniform and collected a few new things. The first thing is black jeans. I've never been a huge fan until recently, and now I want to wear them with everything. They are slimming and add a little edge to every outfit. The biker boots were a new find, and this big triangle necklace is just another fun piece I'm into right now. I've been looking for easy ways to jazz up the wardrobe by combining fun jewelry with classic pieces I already have. I'm tired of buying skirts or blouses that I can only get an outfit or two out of. I'm tired of having pieces that I'm not madly in love with. Fun jewelry is helping me fall in love with basics all over again.

Madewell tee, leggings and boots. Anthropologie necklace.

This, I Like

2012-10-12T09:55:00.001-05:00

It's a busy weekend for Austinintes! We've got Austin City Limits, a huge football game and the usual weekend festivities. I'll be working a bit and catching up on the blog. I'm seriously slacking in the blogging area, but more food, crafty and outfit posts to come soon!

In the meantime, here are some more things I fell in love with this week.

Floral collars. Brass earrings. More sleeveless chambray.

Have a good one!

An Illustrated Fall by Hannah Fenves

2012-10-11T08:23:00.000-05:00

My girl Hannah recently put together another series of sketches in the spirit of fall. (Remember her summer sketches? So cute!) I love the personal inspiration behind this collection. Don't you think these would look darling on little cards and stationary? Here's what Hannah said about this series:

Fall reminds me of my dad taking me and my sister on "leaf walks" where we would inspect the different colors and shapes of the fallen leaves. Fall reminds me of the plaid flannel shirts my dad would wear when raking the front yard and let me jump into the HUGE pile. Fall reminds me of going to the local pumpkin patch and picking out a "jack-o-lantern pumpkin" and a "pie pumpkin." Fall reminds me of petting the farm dogs at the pumpkin patch that would lay in the sun with straw sticking out of their fur. Even though the temperature gets chilly, fall always seems so warm with the colors and delights that reflect the season.

Check out Hannah's Etsy shop where you can see more of creations. And keep an eye out for cards with her fall sketches on them very soon!

Darts & Arrows

2012-10-09T08:26:00.000-05:00

I've been obsessed with colorful and structural necklaces lately. I usually don't buy a ton of jewelry and just stick to the classic pieces that I have. I tend to feel a bit guilty when I buy something large and costume-y and then only wear it a few times a year. I like necklaces that I can throw on with anything. Necklaces that just go !

Madewell arrowstack necklace. Triple chevron necklace. Big dart necklace. Canoe umbra necklace.

These arrow-inspired pieces are exactly what I could go for right now. I like to call them "mini statement" necklaces that you could wear everyday. Versatility, people!

Calling It "Fall"

2012-10-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

What happened to the weather this weekend, y'all? I've been looking forward to fall for weeks it seems, but the giant cold front that blew through on Saturday completely took me by surprise. I made a quick road trip up to Dallas to visit family and I did not pack appropriately at all. As soon as I get home today I'm packing up all the summery dresses and sandals and officially calling it fall.

Photo.

This, I Like

2012-10-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

I'm completely enamored with the online shop Leif. Have you heard of it? It's full of some of the most darling treasures and small things. I've become such a fan of small shops and boutiques that really take the time to curate a distinct collection. It can be clothing, men's shoes or just knick knacks for the home. I love any and all of the above when the collection can paint a picture of the curator. I love it even more if it's a curator I can connect with and one I can admire. That's how I feel about Stacy Longenecker of Leif. She's got the goods and here are a few things I really like:

Wool hat. Earrings. Cups. Spice spoons.

Electric Love

2012-10-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

Oh man. I am loving these beauties by Electric Love. These gorgeous dreamcatcher-like things are handmade in Brooklyn. All the leather, feathers and natural elements are mesmerizing in these designs. I do love the designers' interpretation of a dreamcatcher, but the wider piece in the first photo is very intriguing as well! It packs a huge punch with the extra large branch and all that movement.

Those are my top three. Hit up Electric Love to check out the rest.

Dispatches From Round Top

2012-10-02T07:00:00.000-05:00

For years I've been wanting to explore Round Top during its famous antique/thrifting season. I finally got to go with some friends of mine last week. We made an entire day of it, and boy did we need 3-4 days to really make the most of it. Round Top is about 90 minutes outside of Austin, and the fair is probably the biggest jumble of antiques, junk and treasures I've ever seen.

I love thrifting, but I also appreciate an edited bunch of goodies, so I found myself admiring some of the higher-end booths with nicely curated collections. But all of the other booths were pretty astounding as well. It's amazing what these vendors have found and brought to the show this year.

I had a lot of fun at Round Top, but it was hot and I did suffer from heat exhaustion. If you make the trek, please wear the right clothes and drink lots of water, mmk?

Outfits Lately

2012-10-01T07:00:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. Last week was a blur and this week is expected to be the same. We knocked out a lot of fun house projects last weekend: hung up some new stuff, did a little deep cleaning and started planning our first little dinner party! Busy and fun, let's put it that way.

I know I'll eventually get back to blogging regularly, but I've really missed my outfit posts! With our schedules being off a little, it's been challenging to put together a full shoot with good lighting, etc. So I'm winging it with the iPhone photos. Here are little glimpses of outfits I've donned lately:

Hopefully I've have a real outfit post for you soon! Until then, catch more little outfit glimpses on Instagram (@birdflygood)!

Cozy Throws

2012-09-24T08:07:00.001-05:00

Details, people. Right now I'm on the hunt for the perfect living room throw. Something basic but colorful. Something that pops but doesn't clash with the mellow vibe of the room. But the most important thing? Coziness. Yes, indeed.

I'm into all of these, but which one do I choose?!

Hudson Bay blanket. Jonathan Adler. Stone Textile Studio. HomeMint.

This, I Like

2012-09-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

I feel like I've been loving a lot of things on the blog this week! Maybe it's because of that Recharge I had on Monday. Allergies are no fun, and I'm happy to be through with that mess. I'm kicking off my weekend with a post about things I fell in love with this week! Here's to ...

Wide-brimmed hats and angular bobs.

Metallic gold elbow pads.

Tan wallets and supple leather.

Pumpkin chai donuts.

Severe shift dresses in neutral hues and big dots.

This stuff, I like. Have a great weekend!

Pillows & Other Details

2012-09-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

All the house details are coming together, but very slowly. We can't afford to rush into anything, so we're really trying to take our time with every room and every piece we pick for the house. Lately I've been focusing on the living room and little details to make it feel cozy and extra special. I already have a few pieces of vintage-inspired art on the walls mixed with a few modern pieces of furniture. Now I'm choosing pillows and more textured pieces to bring in more color and an extra splash of energy.

I've been inspired by kilim rugs and pillows, cacti and metal or wood pieces adorned with leather.

Cacti in a vintage cup.

Kilim pillows. Kilim rug.

Purple, orange and pink.

What are your favorite details in your home?

Metallic Sweaters

2012-09-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

I could get into these for fall. Chunky, gold-dipped grandpa sweaters and metallic cardigans?

Rachel Comey. Need Supply.

Mama like.

I Found My Second Home

2012-09-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

Hi friends. For the past several months I've been helping out with a new retail concept in Austin. It's called Mockingbird Domestics and some of my dearest and oldest friends own and run this business. I love every ounce of what they're doing and can't thank them enough for letting me be part of it. This experience has brought me so much closer to what I love and to the creative community here in Austin.

The concept is simple -- locally made, fine crafted furnishings and home provisions. Everything is handmade, and the majority is designed and made in Texas. They also offer a beautifully curated selection of vintage items (sourced in Texas) and repurposed pieces to complement the collection.

I'm extra jazzed today and finally blogging about the business because the brick and mortar store just opened last weekend on South Lamar. The space is stunning, you guys. It's beautifully designed to showcase the artisans' work and vintage pieces that add extra originality. I think of it as a living showroom, a space that will constantly evolve with the artisans and the treasures the owners find.

I think my favorite thing about Mockingbird Domestics is that it offers some of the highest quality work I've ever seen. The furniture, housewares, art and vintage items are all hand-picked and hold a story. Stop by Mockingbird Domestics at 2151 South Lamar and be prepared to spend some time there. It truly is a retail store full of life and community. I think I've found my second home.

Recharge

2012-09-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

It's allergy season in Central Texas and I've been feeling super icky and under the weather. I've never been allergic to ANYTHING until a few years ago. I moved to Austin in 2004 and for years I just felt sorry for all the sniffling, sneezing types who suffered from allergies every year. I eventually caught on and now I get mad allergies every year when the seasons change. No fun.

This time around my friend introduced me to the Recharge -- a delicious shaken iced drink from The Steeping Room. The Recharge has not cured me, but I do feel a bit better after having one. I'll definitely be making these at home from time to time.

How do you survive allergy season?

DIY Beaded Bracelet

2012-09-11T07:00:00.000-05:00

I love my Sculpey's Premo Accents Clay! My last clay bead necklace was so fun and easy to make. I've been dreaming up more ways to use all that clay I have left over and I thought a little beaded bracelet would be perfect!

This one was slightly more time consuming, but I have a feeling I'm going to wear this piece with everything. I love the pop of color (pink, of course) and the uneven texture of the beads. The double wrapped leather cord is also different and kinda fun.

What you'll need:

Sculpey's Premo Accents Clay

Greek leather cord, about 24 inches for the double wrap

Baking sheet

Round pen cap

Rolling pin, or a similar object for flattening soft things
Pin or needle

Jewelry clasp

What to do:

1. Take some of the clay and knead and play with it to soften it up.

2. Once it's fairly soft, begin to flatten it out on a hard, flat surface.

3. Use a rolling pin or device (I used a smooth pen) to roll the piece of clay out until it's pretty flat, about 1/32 (or less) of an inch high.

4. Using the cap of your pen, carefully cut out your clay discs.

5. Gently pierce an even hole through the beads.

6. Bake all the beads at 275 degrees for about 15 minutes.

7. Allow your beads to cool.

8. String as many or as few as you'd like using the leather cord.

9. Fasten the jewelry ring and clasp to each end of the cord!

Have fun making these little bracelets. I have more in the works already!

Color Happy: All Kinds of Pink

2012-09-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

How was your weekend? Kyle was off at a friend's wedding in Sonoma (lovely!), so it was just me and poodle holding down the fort. I worked a little, made a few things and played with friends. But I mostly just tried to take advantage of the amazing weather we're having! Give me highs in the mid-80s and I'm so ready for fall!

All in all, the weekend was good, and I spent plenty of it pinning for color inspiration.

Photo 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Today I'm feeling color happy for pink. All kinds of pink. It's a color I rarely wear, but it never ceases to make me happy.