Daydreaming.

I'm really loving some rich browns on white with a side of green. I've been daydreaming about houses lately. Well, honestly, I always daydream about houses. But I guess my homing device is on high power right now. I have always wanted to design and build a home of my own. Money just isn't allowing it in the real world. But I keep dreaming.

Check out those tiled steps.

If only the windows never had to be cleaned, it would be perfect!

Gorgeous.

I adore these floors. They look like glass!

* top image from House Beautiful. all others via Desire to Inspire.

Happy weekend, dolls.

Limber me limbs.

A little-known tidbit of personal information about myself: I lead a yoga class twice a week. By lead I mean that I decide what we do and I simply guide the others through the moves. No big deal. I'm not teacher certified or anything cool like that. Although, that would pretty much rock. I wish I could afford to be.

But anyway. I ditched yoga last week. I was feeling really run down and tired. My body and my mind just weren't up for it. I know what you're thinking...... yoga is supposed to energize and relax or whatever. To that comment, I offer this. I came home from work and slept for three hours straight for three days last week. I. Was. Tired.

This week I am totally ready to get back at it. And let me tell you, laying out of yoga for a week makes you hurt. My muscles are tight. My belly is bloated. I do not feel very agile. I don't really know where I'm going with this. I'm sure you're bored already. I think I just needed a good excuse to post a pic from the Hardtail Forever campaigns. Their photographs of beautiful lithe bodies bending and flowing just makes me want to push myself and my practice further.

Speaking of pushing further..... have you all seen the Yogabeans! blog? No? Well, you should. It is the funniest thing I have seen in a long, long time. It's pretty much a blog of action figures doing yoga asanas. The dialogs are hilarious. I haven't seen this much fun since Celebrity Death Match.

Happy Tuesday!
~Love Jo~

Got Five Minutes?

Because if you do, you HAVE to go watch this. I never post videos, but this one just made my week. I know. I know. It's five minutes. It's the length of one whole song. ONE SONG! You have time for one song, don't you? It's totally worth it. Trust me. I promise. And if it isn't, you are more than welcome to come back and give me hell about it. But you just GOTTA watch it.

PLEASE GO WATCH THIS!!!!!

Happy weekend, dolls.

So Good it Hurts.

It is Friday. It has been a long, tough week around here. So, I'm gonna leave you with something so painfully beautiful that it kinda makes me want to cry just a little bit. Channing Tatum photographed by Mario Testino for GQ magazine.

Yeah. It honestly hurts me just a tad to look at these pics. I mean, seriously, does God just like him more? Is that why he is so blessed with insanely good looks? It's almost cruel for someone to be so gorgeous. Admit it. It hurts just a little, doesn't it?

Weekly Ring Envy ~ with wings

You know, I've never been one of those butterfly girls. Butterflies are great, don't get me wrong. But I've never put stickers of them on my car or tattooed one on my body or hung the Mariah Carey poster on my bedroom door. Just not a big butterfly girl. However, I've gotta be real honest with you here. These new finds have kinda got me smitten over the flittery little boogers. Check out this headband by NevaPlume. So sweet and wood nymphish. (doesn't hurt that she has such gorgeous red hair)

I'm sure everyone has seen this butterfly bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings by now. But still, how fantastic is that? Someone's creative juices were really flowing.

Now, take a look at this amazing ring by Poppet and Pinch. Just like it lit on your finger! Large but dainty looking. (and what a cool picture) I love it. In some cases, I just may be a butterfly girl after all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is exactly how I'm feeling right now. These two pics perfectly reflect the sort of shining solitude that I am longing for. A moment to myself. A moment to breathe.

* top pic via What Possessed Me from P's amazing trip to Iceland. This photo is so beautiful that it literally makes me want to cry.

* bottom photo from Lookbook. I swear some of these peeps have serious talent. in styling, fashion and photography. always amazing.

Everything a Big Bad Wolf could want.

I am out for the weekend. But before I leave I just had to share this with you. It just happens to be the very coolest Halloween costume of all time! Well. To be honest with you, if I could afford this thing I would totally wear it ALL the time. And if I were really fortunate, I would buy the pirate one, too. And my husband would love it. or else. These sexy get-ups are handmade! From a cool little shop on Etsy called Damsel in This Dress. How cool is that name? Pretty clever, huh? They are all made to fit, so you look your vixen best. I just can't get over the Little Red Riding Hood. I'm totally gonna be thinking about this all weekend. Love to ya!

XOXO ~ Jo

Let's talk about things I can't afford and why the economy is screwed.

Today we are going to take a little shopping trip via the ever popular Net-A-Porter. Apparently, they carry all the coolest stuff from all the coolest designers. Please join me as I make a few selections and chat about what I would have to give up to own them.



Let's begin, shall we? *Carine Gilson - $290



Oh, the hot pink is an eye catcher! Yes, your eyes don't deceive you. This is indeed a garter belt. Essentially a few strands of silk ribbon adorned with a lace doily. This darling right here would cost me roughly a week's pay minus enough gas to fill up my car and a Happy Meal. Now that you know which income bracket I am in......................




* Alexander McQueen - $260


let's talk about this very edgy silk scarf with skulls on it. I could buy a dang good self-propelled lawn mower with that much money. This is a scrap of fabric. Those greedy silk worms and their picket lines. Always demanding more money for their work. Of course, I understand. It's tough work for those silk worms to weave those skulls into the design.





*Acne - $375



I have been looking for a good pair of jeans under $50 bucks. Obviously, I am asking too much of this highly intelligent society. For $375 I stayed in a room of my very own for an entire week in May on beach front property with a swimming pool and my own private bath. Vacation? or a pair of jeans? Hmmm. You gotta pay extra for them to wear those perfectly placed holes in the denim. It takes a while.

*Adam - $475

Oh, this one is my favorite. A $475 dollar t-shirt. Whyyyeeeeeiiiii? Why does this t-shirt cost so much? I just don't understand. My little brain cannot comprehend this. Let's see..... what can I get for $475? A month's worth of groceries. Enough oil to heat the house for a season. Or 30 sparkly t-shirts from Wal-Mart. (that's just an estimate. don't take it too seriously.)

** This just in: paillette sequin demand is way up. costs soar to $1.00 per paillette. **

*Cutler and Gross - $490

And last, but definitely not least, a lovely pair of mirrored aviators. Hand carved out of industrial strength plastic by skilled artisans, not only do they shade your eyes from deathly rays of sunlight, but they are also a true work of art. Each tiny spring and screw is hand machined by fairies and then sprinkled with sparkly fairy dust to prevent rust. Okey, so not really. But they should be.

Now let me just say that I am a huge fan of fashion design. I subscribe to a hefty pile of fashion and beauty magazines and pride myself in knowing the names and styles of certain designers. But I must just say this....... WHO DO THESE PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE????? Is it just me, or is there something deeply wrong about a society who can sell a t-shirt for a week's salary? I apologize for ranting on and on, but I get really irritated when I read articles about the recession and "closet shopping" and choosing the right "statement piece" to go along with your wardrobe staples. Some of these fashionistas act like it would be a crime to wear a pair of jeans that cost less than $100. But what the hell is the difference? I have owned Paper Denim & Cloth, Miss Sixty, Seven for all Mankind, Adriano Goldwhatevertheheck and Miss Me jeans (all that I paid under $20 for) and I can honestly say that they are not worth $150 more than the $39 Bullhead jeans that I bought the other day. So, essentially, all you are paying for is a name. A tag. A little insignia on the back pocket. And that is totally ridiculous. No wonder our economy is screwed all to heck.

I am going to shut up now, even though I could keep going. But I'm sure you are tired of reading. That is............ if you made it this far. And if you did, Thank You. I appreciate your dedication.

With Much Love and Respect,

Jo.

Weekly Ring Envy.......maybe.

You know, sometimes I just wanna throw a big bunch of crazy azz rings at you all at once and be like "chew on that for a while." But it would make no sense. They wouldn't match. It would be random and crazy and it could induce a headache. So, instead, I'm gonna stick to one ring at a time. It's in your best interest. I know. I know. Your welcome.

This week I give you a solid chunk of blackish metal with a tiny dot of shiny perfection. from here.

And an adorable red head with freckled shoulders in a windswept field. from here.

And on a really weird side note: if I were a dude, I think I would dig red heads.

OH!!! And thanks so much to the darlings who commented on my tangled mess that I call hair. You guys are too sweet. And you are probably right..... things do look different on someone else. Or maybe our shop camera is just magic. ;)

personal statement

"My hair does not look nearly this effortlessly gorgeous. It just doesn't."

So. There's this guy who delivers parts to us here at the shop. Little old strange acting dude. He gives off a weird vibe. He's always talking about my hair. How he likes it so much better long. How I shouldn't be wearing a hat. He literally gives out a sad little "awwww" when I have it pulled up into a ponytail (which is, like, all the time).

This morning he comes in and declares that he wishes he had a camera on him. "What the crap for?" I delightfully ask. "To take a picture of your gorgeous hair!" he proclaims. Okey, people. Seriously. I slept on this stuff last night. I did not brush it when I got up and came to work. It is a big ol' mess of unflattering waves. HELLO? WHAT THE HECK?!

This, my lovelies, is not Jhirmack bounce back beautiful hair.

*rockin photo on top via coco & kelley.
* scary photo on bottom via the shop camera.

Friday.

If I make it through today......... I will be headed to Raleigh for a wedding. Yay woo. Please sense my extreme enthusiasm. I'm dreading it like the plague. That is a very long drive to go to a wedding for people that I do not know. But it is my wifely duty, I suppose.
My friends at home will be at my class reunion while I am at the wedding. You couldn't have paid me to go to that. Yes. I am one of those people who don't do class reunions. Fuss at me. I don't care. I'm not going. My girl Missy said the other day that I knew in kindergarten that I wasn't going to my class reunion. She's pretty much right.

Just as a side note here....... people are a pain in the ass. I have dealt with stupidity and arrogance and general bulls*!t all week here at the shop. Like I said......................... if I make it through today.

Love to you all. Have a great weekend.
Be good. Be safe. Don't be a pain in the ass. ;)
~Jo~

Slow me down.

I've been feeling kind of put out this week. This leads to a desire to seek out comforting things. Things that make me feel relaxed and safe. Deep warm colors, a comfy place to sit, fresh air.

I have always been drawn to symmetrical, classic, formal looking architecture. I like for doors to be centered on a building and windows to match in size and placement. Columns, mouldings, trim and rock work. All these elements of solidity really ground a structure, making it feel stable and secure. I don't know about you, but stability and security are two things that I hope for in my own home.
I am absolutely loving these two images from House and Home. Exactly the kind of place that I could imagine curling up with a blanket and just sitting. Nothing else. Just sitting. Tell me what you find comforting.

Busy Busy Busy

Very busy around here. I have no ring for you today. Instead, I give you this........... An adorable little dress from a brand new Etsy shop, hkclothescoms. And a price that can't be beat.

~Love~

Wake me up. I'm still sleeping.

Two great weekends in a row! How does that happen? My girl, Missy, just brought me a pile of pictures that she finally had developed. I soooo wish I had a working scanner so I could share some with you. Oh, well. Here's what I've been up to.
* drag strip Thursday. * fireworks Friday. * drag strip and fireworks Saturday. * sleep, sleep, sleep on Sunday. Watched Yes Man, which was hilarious.

I'm still tired. How about you?

*photo from Lookbook.

She sells seashells.

Hello, all you darlings. We are right now entering the 4th of July weekend. I wish you all a happy holiday weekend. And for my Aussie girls, I wish you a happy non-holiday weekend.
I thought I would share some pics of my seashell collection with you. Collecting seashells is a very pointless endeavor. But when I lay them all out and look at the pretty colors and shapes, I am reminded of how great my God is.

* how amazing is that? teeny tiny.

* old and weathered, yet still so beautiful.

* what perfection and design.


I actually have more shells than are pictured. I pick up lots with natural holes in them with the intention of making some mermaid worthy jewelry. And I have tons that are so small that I keep them in film canisters so they don't get lost. Hope you enjoy the pics as much as I enjoy the collection. Now, go watch fireworks!

XOXO ~ Jo

That strange feeling in my stomach.

Something interesting is going on here. The temperature dropped. The sky got brighter. The shadows got deeper. It looks and feels very much like early fall. We haven't even had much of a summer yet. I adore fall, but this is leaving me with a funny feeling in my stomach. Like I slept through the party or something. Anyway, when I first saw the photo above, I got that same feeling. The first thing that caught my eye was the sunlight on her hair. That warm glow. And then how the air looks so clean. I know that sounds silly, but doesn't it look like you could just take a nice deep breath of crisp, clean air and feel that lovely breeze on your face? Something about this photo feels so special. Do you have any photos like that? Please share.

*this amazingly beautiful photo that gives me butterflies in my stomach is from Lookbook. I love you, Lookbook. You rock my world.

Weekly Ring Envy

A totally affordable (even by my standards) edition of Ring Envy this week. I was feeling the need for something colorful, bright, happy..... and maybe just a tad bit hippie.
So, without further ado, I give you the Bouquet of Flowers ring by Kira Ferrer. Bright colors. Happy flowers. Mixy-matchiness. What more could a summertime flower child want? And, here's the good part, Only $85.00! That's a bargain for handcrafted genius.

Now, you need something equally groovy to wear with that ring. This Paisley Handkerchief Hem Top from Daytrip is perfect and you can get it for only $26.00 from Buckle. How cool is that? Some ripped up jeans and a pair of Jerusalem cruisers and you're set.