Heartburn, nausea, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea

That's what my new bathroom makes me feel. So I've been talking about this for the past couple of weeks but we finally moved yesterday. It was a harrowing experience, much less for me than the actual movers. Alex had already taken up about 20 boxes and stacked them on the stairs leading to the rooftop in an exercise of magical Egyptian pyramid building. The morning of we were still scrambling to get last minute stuff and we thought we left much to be done...

We had to call in last minute movers because of a misunderstanding. Having two sets of movers moving up and down, we needed a maestro to conduct everything! There is still much cleaning and organizing and trading of fridge contents to be done. But the first thing I want to start working on is the master bathroom, pictured above. I didn't realize it had been painted Pepto Bismol pink, including the ceiling!!!

Here is my Polyvore set that I just made to keep track of my ideas for the bathroom. I want it simple and NOT PINK.

I need to paint the walls a light turquoise color as I want this to be the main color of the bathroom, with touches of khaki/sand. Then I can stop hyperventilating when I walk in there.

J'adore...

After months of lusting after it, this is finally mine! This is the Queen of Hearts bracelet from Bonbon Oiseau's Reve des Bonnie & Clyde Collection from seasons past. I picked it up from her at the Flea this Saturday and wore it all weekend. It's made with vintage Victorian glass hearts and x's from the 1850's and a delicate heart chain.

I can't tell you enough how much I love this bracelet! I can wear it with so many things. Thank you thank you thank you Deb & Vanessa!

More photos of Bonbon Oiseau at BK Flea on Saturday...

Bonbon Oiseau banner made by Marichelle of Heart Handmade!

ZOMG

These pillows by GoBuggyGo on Etsy! I cannot think of a more perfect addition to our home than these meat pillows. Educational too! I'm not keen on the "country" print of the fabric but these look simple enough. Or maybe they will do a custom order.

Awesomeness.

Last night in the old apartment. ALMOST all packed. I'm at the point now where I've said "F it," I will just move all the loose bits up little by little.

Watched Fritz Lang's Metropolis at BAM today with live band 3epkano doing the acompaniment. It was a pretty awesome experience - I've only seen the Giorgio Moroder version, with some of the film painted over in red-yellow-green-blue so the original compositions of the band were a little weird at first. The music was beautiful though and having a live band during the movie was a first for me. Question: Why does BAM keep their movie theaters at freezing temperature???

After dinner I went for a late night run. I know I have to move tomorrow but I am also trying to run twice a week and I missed the 2nd time. I would really love a cup of hot tea right now but stupid Keyspan turned off the gas!

With love, your Pachu

I haven't seen my dad in almost 10 years. Extenuating circumstances. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of him or am not reminded of him. My love of food and bad horror movies? That's dad. My dimples? Dad. My preference towards track and basketball? Dad. Bunions on my feet? Thanks Dad! Corny sense of humor? That would be Dad.

My whole life, everything he did was to make us happy...even when he made mistakes. I understand that now.

Happy Father's Day, Pop. One day we'll all be together.

Tea for one

I've been searching vintage tea cups on Etsy (surprise!) as I drink tea almost every day but have been using a giant coffee mug to drink out of. These are so pretty:

From the Nostalgia Shop, vintage. Also in pink, sold as a set.

From forestofice, vintage

From Leaf Design, vintage

Then I stumbled across Louche Lab, from Brooklyn. I must be psychic because a lot of things I am drawn to are made locally! Here are some of her pieces:

Seahorse and octopus tea cup set with saucers. P-p-p-precious!

Japanese style tea cups

Tapas plates with sea life

I love how simple they are and they look like watercolor paintings - my favorite medium for its versatility and transparency.

Gah!!

I really love these prints by Danna Ray/Groundworks. Whimsical and a little sad, too.

Home sweet floor

So I'm driving myself crazy with this move coming up. Not from the packing, but from design ideas! So bear with me, this will have an interior design slant of sorts for the next few months.

Here are my ideas so far...
For the bedroom & connected bathroom, I want the beach. A flax/khaki down comforter and apricot jersey bedding. Bright blue, peacock and yellow linens.


All bedding from The Company Store, where all my current linens are from. Very well made and they always have great sales.
I saw this pretty garland on Etsy by Sepia Art Studio...

...but then I realized I was basically going to be paying $25 for twine & rags. So I will make my own as I too have twine and beads and can get seashells for a buck or so via Etsy, my latest addiction.

I'm on the hunt for photos of surfers, the beach and underwater things. Also hollowed out sea urchin shells and things in shades of sea glass and sand. Since it will also be my work area I want it to be calming.

In the kitchen and dining area I'm thinking of a southwest theme with a little Dia de los Muertos thrown in:


This is from Gothic Cabinet Craft. I really wanted an old vintage farmhouse table but the prices were exorbitant. Add "reclaimed" to any piece of furniture and it automatically triples in price! The design is pretty typical which is why I would get it in the distressed green finish. We have space big enough for this which is exciting. No more eating in front of the TV! As for chairs we will pick those up as we go - they're easier to bring home from flea markets and mismatched ones are ok.


I have always loved these tissue banners. These are by Ay Mujer! on Etsy, handcut and she also does custom orders.


I like how the wood comes through. If you look at other photos you can see that it is on a house-shaped piece of wood with a tin roof that has scalloped edges. And the pink is a nice pale shade too! By Aeonia.


Another Etsy find, by DavidM9637. This will be great in the kitchen as a spice rack and place to hang my aprons.

As for dinnerware...
I'm finding a couple of sellers on eBay and Etsy who have small collections of these cheerful Marimekko dinner plates. They're being sold 2 and 3 at a time so I have to be patient and collect them all

I also love love love these Spin Art plates (called the Right Rounds) by Nuno Studio of Brooklyn! She does great work, like lavender plates with armadillos or white plates with turquoise line drawings of bivalves.

And that's just the beginning. Exciting but daunting at the same time!

Wheeee

Makin bacon - Swavorski crystal shadows


Stoopin - I made some cash to spend at the Flea


Asobi Seksu at the Music Hall of Williamsburg... at the end of the show Yuki jumped on the drums and pounded her way into my heart. Again.


Under the Brooklyn Bridge at the BK Flea in DUMBO - I met Angel down there and we bought a bunch of stuff.


Funny bedroom slippers


A pretty grass-green BMW in my 'hood. I want.

Ooops

I've been neglecting this blog but I have kind of a special announcement to make! I took that jewelry workshop with Deb of Bonbon Oiseau a few weeks ago. This we all know. I've always wanted to learn it but never got around to doing it... I was so geeked I bought a bunch of beads, gems, findings and pliers...

Please visit my Etsy store to check out what I've done so far!

Please click on the photo to visit my store :)

Prints if you please!

I've abruptly changed gears and have been on the hunt for things for our upcoming move to the bigger apartment upstairs. For instance, these adorable Gocco prints by Argyle Whale, who I saw at the Renegade Craft Fair this weekend. We have so much wall space I can now buy things in small groups of THEMES. This one being animal love. Let's do it like they do on the Discovery Channel.

There's a lot of different prints as well as notecards, etc. And I am supposed to be saving for new furniture. Ahahahaha!!

Things I will do with all that space:
1. The second bedroom will become Alex's DJ/music room.
2. The 5x5 Expedit bookshelf from Ikea will go in the bedroom, which will double as my work room. Art supplies, art books, knitting crap and more. There is a wall full of built in shelves in the living room for books, movies & photos.
3. The second bathroom will double as ... MY DARKROOM! Years of wishful thinking finally come true. I've already started looking up enlargers on eBay. A hint - make sure you add a "darkroom and developing" filter or else you'll end up with a search full of penis enlargers. Funny but also disturbing.
4. We can buy a full sized dining room table so I can start my supper club.
5. Rooftop access = herb garden. And BBQs!

Yes we will! If anyone has any good leads on nice vintage furniture, let me know. We need dining table, chairs (will take mismatched ones), a dresser, new couch (Alex's request), possibly a new desk. I'm getting free rein this time!

Busy bee watch the world go by

At BK Flea, whimsical reupholstered antique/vintage chairs by The Divine Chair Company


Celebrating Lauren's 26th at Studio Square in Queens


SEIBEI at Renegade Craft Fair at McCarren Park


Up in the Air Somewhere at Renegade Craft Fair - wonderful, delicate ceramics


Sunning at the park


Mini marching band

When I hear that jingle jangle...

The Troggs, not Hot Hot Heat.


Deb of Bonbon Oiseau hosted her first studio workshop this past Wednesday, where we made a pair of earrings and a bracelet. She taught us the basics of rosary beading and using head pins as well as how to measure out chain for a bracelet. She's great at teaching and very patient, especially when I had some very un-Zen-like moments while attaching charms to my work.


My finished projects! This is something I have been wanting to learn ever since I can remember. So now instead of just threading beads onto coated wire, I can do a lot more. Stay tuned for the etsy store.

In other news, our mothering landlord's knees have finally given out and she's asked us to trade apartments. What we're gaining: an extra bedroom, an extra bathroom, a wide open kitchen, tons of natural light, a HUGE living room, a HUGE bedroom, roof access, fire escape, and a wall full of shelves. All this for the same price we're paying now. We are only losing a first floor apartment and exposed brick wall. I figure it is a fair trade :)

We only have to confirm it but move date is set for July 1st. I am actually pretty excited, as opposed as I was. This will give me enough room to start my supper club!

67

67, originally uploaded by Montague Street BID.

4

4, originally uploaded by Montague Street BID.

The meter cozies for the Montague BID project have been up for over two weeks now and I have still not been out to see them. They are due to come down June 15th, must make a trip out there! Here are mine!

Swells

Kamakura Beach, originally uploaded by /\ltus.

I had a dream that I was on a beach and crazy tidal waves started rolling in. They were breaking before they hit the shore but everyone was freaking out. I started running and found a little boy that looked homeless. He was in raggy looking clothes that were too big. So I grabbed him and ran.

The entire dream consisted of us trying to find shelter and food and trying to stay away from the water. I came across a section of sand where there were hundreds of tripods with cameras set up, all pointed towards the ocean.

1. If the dreamer is drinking water, this is a symbol for enjoying life. If the dreamer is at presently in bad circumstances, dreaming of drinking water implies that good times are ahead.

2. Clear, calm water portends happiness, while river rapids or crashing surf implies rough times on the horizon.

3. A waterfall, particularly if there is also a rainbow in the dream, indicates success, happiness, and wealth coming into the dreamer's life.

Great.