Seasonally challenged

Spring, is that you?

Yes, I'm going though something (what?) but I think it's fair to blame most of it on the weather, yeah? The sun is my mood ring in the sky. She tells me what to feel, but she's clearing going through some crazy mid-30s thing, too. Mood swinging right along with me. Dude, so not helping.

Winter, at least in these parts, was flaccid. If not for two well-timed trips out of the city, my Cougar boots would have seen zero action this season. And that's really no fun at all. I see no practical use for celibacy. I'm not a skier, normally. Nor have I laced skates in recent memory. But suddenly, I wanted these things in my life. Badly. Because i couldn't have them, natch. You want my attention: play hard to get. (No don't.)

(Trading up my cougars for these puppies. But I don't deserve it yet //Keds for Madewell)

Spring just isn't quite so delicious unless it comes on the heels of 3 months of suffering bus-stop waits and near-frostbite due to ill-chosen footwear. This is why I love Canada, usually. Renewal and reward happen naturally four times a year (without asymmetric haircuts or accent walls).

So, YEAH I feel a little ripped off. A bit undeserving of spring. Anticlimax. And you know how I hate straight lines - I thrive on ups and downs and up-up-UPS! Stagnancy is my hell. And well, fall bled into "winter" and suddenly became spring-ish without doing much work at all. Meh.

OK, I'm not really complaining. I see an opportunity for melodrama, I take it. C'mon, you know me by now. In reality, it's having positive effects. It's gorge out this week and even though it doesn't smell like spring or involve any melting whatsoever, it's nice. My soul is getting a little colour. A few extra minutes of vitamin-D absorption and I suddenly feel a renewed sense of motivation and positive energy? Lawd, I'm SO easy.

Honest? I'm in the mood for spring. And love! And change! And bikes! And drinking in the park! And really, whatever it may bring in these globally-warmed times. 

I need this. I'm trading up my drab winter blues for happier spring hues - cobalt  and azure and periwinke, oh MY! Peppered with polka-dots and shots of orangey-red, how can I NOT feel uplifted? Kay, so I'm not allowed to shop right now, but it doesn't hurt to fill up dot-com shopping carts and hover a shaky hand over my credit card before I close the browser, right?

Enjoy some well-seasoned picks for spring (that you'll probably never actually see me wearing). Help a sister out, will ya?

Bling. Mendoza Earrings $635 // House of Harlow 1960 Antler Ring $98

Let's picnic then make out in the sand. 

J Crew Factory stripe pocket shirt // Baggu tote $35

Head scarves. I'll be such a babe in these. Also I may just start a hot-chick bike gang with this girl, because she's on the scarf program too. 

(Elle France / Karen Walker)

Oh hi boys, just goin' to the farmers market.

Pantora chevron dress on ETSY - SOLD while writing this post (frownsy face!) // Baggu tote

Karen Walker

 Jenfashion circle skirt on ETSY $69

Yes, 3rd Baggu bag in this post. But don't you just love these?! There suuuper cheap, too. $35 // Faryl Robin Pump $79

Kathryn Amberleigh T-Strap Pump $139 // Stripe/floral scarf $30

(I feel better already.)

etsy-love!

[ photos via Le Animalé, Happiknits & Shutterography on Etsy ]

I sold 5 items on Etsy this week - it's a good week that way! My only issue with Etsy, as Regretsy has amply demonstrated, no curation means that the floodgates are wide open to bad, bad art. So, finding great things on Etsy tends to require a little digging.

Listen: it's worth it.

Not only am I a seller on Etsy, but I also do a fair bit of shopping on it too. Ususally my shop earnings just get rolled back into Etsy in some way, whether I'm buying fabric yardage and supplies, an amazing vintage necklace, or a cute illustrated print. I love supporting fellow small biz owners.

Yesterday, I was perusing my "Favorites" on Etsy - just a collection of things that I've hearted over the past couple of months, and page no. 1 looked almost intentionally curated. It could almost be a treasury of it's own... mmm, making Etsy treasuries - one of my favourite time-wasters.

Themes were definitely emerging: I'm obviously loving mustard this season. Anything in that rich earthy yellow has been catching my eye these days. Also, season-appropriate chunky knits, of course. Cozy-times.

OK, these hearts are too good not to share:

 natural wool hand-crocheted leg warmers ($30) by donkey & lemon

 

 royal tenenbaums poster by adam juresko

 fine art photo print ($20) by karin A photography

 le animale fox earrings $30

OMG pennants by rank & file $18.50

 pom-pom flowers ($12.50) by steph loves ben

 

 kelsey genna 'beatrice' dress $190

umbu sewing pattern chandelier $200

chunky cowl scarf ($80) by happiknits

 french bulldog print by shutterography $18

 

dandyrions fox sweater $55

3 Things.

 [collar/photo by me, Dudley & Bea]

I have puppy love this week, mostly because I am sooo thankful to have my two babies here while Alex is gone. I grew up in a chaotic (but happy) house, and silence is too weird. Note: the chaos was caused by me 90% of the time. 

(Side note to my mother: I was watching Intervention this week, and a family was being interviewed about their daughter who was the addict and subject of this particular episode. Her mother said: "She was the most exhausting person I had ever met. Even as a child." HAHAHA! I thought of you. :)

So, yeah, I love the chaos created by two terriers. Even if I do complain occasionally. So, this week's edition of my favourite 3 Things is devoted to critters.

ONE •

Verameat jewellery. She has so many pup-themed pieces and I am coveting the Terrier Ring. (*hint, hint*). Select items are available at Rac Boutique in Yorkville. 

TWO ••

Dog Gadgets! A few years ago, I ordered a heated dog bed (I know, I know) from Hammacher Schlemmer, a weird online/catalog company that Alex's brother loves. Dudley hated the bed. But ever since, they have been mailing me catalogs. They have some pretty amazing stuff (gadget-y useful/useless inventions like the always-cool pillow, and remote-controlled beverage cooler on wheels) but two particular items made me laugh hysterically. I love my dogs, but come ON! Introducing: the Dogbrella and the Canine Twitterer. What? (Don't forget to order gift-wrapping :P)

THREE •••

Dennis Marciniak. Dennis is my blogTO friend (he makes me look really, really good when he shoots for my posts) and I found so many great animal shots on his personal site, I had to share. Check out his site daily - there's a new photo every day!