I know what you're thinking-- "Why does she take so many pictures of her cat for her blog?"

Well, it's because I don't get out much, and he's adorable and funny, and he's like a little baby that will never grow up. What's NOT to love about that?

Turned out our big Halloween plans involved me watching 'November Issue' on Netflix and eating Doritos while Trent went to a friend's party costume-less because a friend of his had done a facebook update indicating that not only did he have the same costume, but it was more thought-out.

Why were we celebrating Halloween on October 30th? Because we're responsible adults, and no one with a day job and school celebrates ANYTHING on a Sunday night.

Also, I've officially decided to buy all of my clothes out of season and on sale. I love American Eagle, despite my junior high loathing of the brand because anyone who was anyone wore American Eagle, and my lack of anything stylish indicated that no, I did not belong in the rich suburbs that we resided in. Anyway... I managed to buy a sweater, a thermal, and an out of season button up shirt for $42. Definitely not thrifting prices, but a damn good deal. And to tell you the truth, I really don't enjoy thrifting for clothes.

Speaking of thrifting, I forfeited my chance to go yesterday and instead sat curled up on the couch while my Saturday afternoon drifted past me. It happens. Instead, I present to you this darling Japan-made Orla Kiely-inspired mug from which I am enjoying my morning tea. Cute, no?

It's not terribly bright out today, due to all the October rain, hence the grainy digital photographs, but I really wanted to photograph our new computer desk corner. While at Ikea, I snagged some more frames for the art I have laying around, and this is what resulted.

Those equestrian art prints are from "Album of Horses", 1951 Rand McNally. I was originally going to buy this print from Southrosewindow's Etsy shop:

But when I realized that the print was from a book about horses, I did a quick Ebay search and bought the whole book! And for less than that single print. Crafty, right? It was full of really great horse illustrations, but the fox hunt and polo match were my favorites. The colors are really beautiful.

I've cleared a space to start working on our new shelves, and this is the result. All of that junk/prized possessions ;) will eventually be displayed artfully on the white lack shelves. More pictures to come. Stay tuned.

When I saw on sfgirlbybay that Lama was having a making-room-for-new-inventory sale and had select items up to half off, my heart jumped. I'd had my eye on the Pink Lady pillow forever, and it had dropped from it's steep $56 price tag to a measly $28. I didn't even hesitate. I bought it. No regrets. Also, best thing about this is that the NEXT morning, they were sold out. This never happens to me! I'm usually that poor customer who waits until the morning and then sobs into her boyfriends apathetic embrace about not acting on impulse.

Also, I've finally done what I have been telling myself I'd do for the last 6 months. Last weekend I went BY MYSELF to Ikea and bought some lack shelves for our living room. (By the way, being at Ikea alone is depressing. There's no one to turn to and say, "Oh! Wouldn't that look FANTASTIC in our house?") Anyway, we'll finally have a decent place to display all the random thrifted decor I've accumulated since we've moved here. My darling boyfriend has agreed to help me assemble them on the wall. I can't wait to see how they turn out.

Today is a Sunday, which is normally the day when you go out for brunch and come home to nap the afternoon away and eat takeout while watching that weeks television shows you that have absolutely no time to watch the day of. Today is not one of those Sundays. Things have fallen into disarray around the house and I have errands to run.

Trent and I have been getting into more than the normal amount of relationship spats the past week or so, and neither of us could pinpoint what the hell was ACTUALLY wrong (Because lets face it, it's not REALLY about that tiny thing you picked a fight over). It turns out, we're both under more pressure than we've ever been in our lives, and it took a monumental fight to figure it out. It's the most amazing thing to turn stubborn, angry resentment into an empathetic mutual understanding.

School and work are very demanding of our time, and by the end of the day, neither of us feel like cleaning up our home or cooking dinner. I know that this is temporary, and that it is going to benefit us in the long run, but it doesn't make it any less tough in the moment.

I'm really making an effort to give myself a break. Especially as far as my blog and shop go. I know it doesn't really show on here, but I think about this space a lot and about all the work I want to do in our home, and what it boils down to is being picky about what I flow my energy into.

I'm going to give myself permission to be sporadic and unconventional about my blog for a little while. At least until school starts to wrap up and I have the same excitement and vigor required for nursing creativity.

It goes without saying that I'll still have a hell of a lot of posts about great shops and Etsy finds and thrifty finds, so bear with me!

Scooooore! I am absolutely SINGING this phrase. I've been looking for another leather bag at the thrift store forever. Like, ever since I found this gem, which is a darling, but not practical for my personal school and work needs.

It's not very large, about 10.5" tall. Just big enough to fit all my crap.

Initially I wasn't even sure I wanted it, but the price was right, the leather was heavy (which means it is well-made) and other than a bit of staining on the front and a scruffy bottom, in perfect condition. I bought it with the intention of selling it, but between the thrift store and home I fell madly, madly in love with it.

I couldn't believe how much pottery was on the shelves today. A lot of it was marked with the initials "NR", and I assume it was some garage clean-out due to the cobwebs and dust all over them. I almost bought more, but I'm not really a rustic pottery kind of girl. This eggplant-colored vase was really beautiful though, so I brought it home with me. I think it will look lovely with a bunch of flowers.

Overall a really great thrifting experience today. I ran out of light, so I didn't get a chance to document the rest, but man, did I find some good stuff. My register lady even commented: "Looks like you managed to find the cutest things in the store."

Damn straight.

No way, is that Ikea? Way. Apparently Ikea has a Swedish blog (in Swedish, of course) that displays the gorgeous particle board in great lighting and with other stuff we can't afford. Apartment therapy did a post about it today and I ran through all 14 pages of Livet Hemma and rounded up my favorites. Enjoy.

P.S. That couch made with side by side chaises is g-e-n-i-u-s.

A few Etsy favorites from this week. I sit and go through hundreds and hundreds of Etsy listings everyday to pass the time at work, and I love to bookmark the ones that stand out. I wish I could buy them all!

Click on pictures for links.

I am delighted at this change in weather. It's true that it's not quite cold enough to turn on the furnace, but cold enough that I skip across the cold wooden floors in the morning. The boots that I bought are by far the best shoe purchase I have ever made, and do indeed make me feel like a secret agent/rock star/pirate/horse jockey/New Yorker simultaneously.

We absolutely hit it out of the ballpark this afternoon at the thrift store where I scored an unbelievable haul of finds. No less than THREE pyrex mixing bowls, a painting of waves crashing in a cove, a leather glasses case, and (GASP) a

Le Creuset sauce pan.

Also, you have my entire permission to laugh, but I bought our Christmas tree today. I ordered it on Sears.com and arranged to pick it up to save on shipping, and realized at the pickup station how laughable it was that some young, pretzel munching girl and her boyfriend signed for an 18" Christmas tree in October. I laughed when the employee told me that it took him forever to find it because he was looking for an ACTUAL Christmas tree, not our Charlie Brown parody.

There was no way I was going to be able to wait until December, so I assembled it immediately and placed it on our side table. It's going to be a looong Christmas season.

Pictures found via Design Love Fest.

I really like my dentist office. I think dentist offices can be appropriately judged by the quality of the art on their walls. I also like that they have jars of mini candy bars on the receptionist counter. Very clever business strategy. I'm on to you...

I had to have a cavity filled the other day, and while in the awkward position of being nearly upside down in the reclining seat and face sagging from numb gums, my dentist told me that I have beautiful lips. Adding the the awkwardness was my inability to respond while the hygienist's latex-covered fingers were in my mouth. I blinked in response and for the remaining 45 minutes of oral torture carefully examined the compliment to determine whether my dentist is worldly or peculiarly creepy.

I still haven't decided.

Loving these pops of color.

Click on photos for sources.

Absolutely LOVE this little New York apartment I found on AT today. It appears that not everyone is a fan of simple and white, based on the comments, but I'm glad there are other people out there with similar tastes to mine. That bedroom area is to die for. I especially love her sheepskin rugs on the floor which made it look even cozier. Well done, Alexandria.