Recently in Spending it all Category

I was at the library the other day multitasking.
Because that's what libraries are for, right?

Writing recipes, looking for design inspiration while simultaneously reading TITANIC TRUCKS to the boy running through the stacked aisles. I was beginning to think that a vacation might be something to consider when all of the sudden books started screaming and jumping off the shelves -- dangerously missing my head... I grabbed Will and dove under the nearest table. The piles of books surrounded us as one manuscript fell open at my knees... it was Poe, "I am above the weakness of seeking to establish a sequence of cause and effect, between the disaster and the atrocity." It was then that I realized that something needed to be done immediately... Because I have reached the final point, and this is it. I am dangerously approaching the end of my blogging quota.

Visualize this to be like filling a water balloon to capacity or eating copious amounts of McDonald's like this guy did a few years ago... only to result in weight gain, heart disease, ulcers and bad skin.... because what did he think was going to happen? I wonder if he wishes that he could go back and undo -- kind of like going back and picking through - deleting the bad blog posts while copying and saving the good ones for republishing possibilities... revitalizing the QUOTA. But oh the HUMANITY.

I started For the Birds on August 22, 2008. It was a slow start... and, although I never intended for this blog to turn into what it is now... it has been a journey like no other... similar to swimming across the Atlantic or leaving the space shuttle mid-universe to test out that gravity theory... floating aimlessly into DEEP SPACE. And if you know what this blog is about, then you're a hair-slight more genius than I, because I lost track a LOOOONG time ago. But I am missing the point.

What I am trying to inch out there is that I am now starting the tedious task of going back, judging myself and then deciding who gets to stay and who gets to go hang out at the pearly gates of archival heaven. But what do you think? If you are here, reading this right now -- If you wouldn't mind turning time off for a few minutes and letting me know if there are any posts that must stay live... Because beyond self-inflicted torture, I am my own souvenir. And I'm sure that isn't the first time I've said that.   

I am living a double life. It's very taxing. One half of me is dying to buy up all the clearance winter cardies to keep warm in my house - it's still winter after all. It's Minnesota. But on the other, I think I must be dreaming of spring every night. Liberated toes. Open Windows. Cuffed jeans that show my ankles. So many live green things around that I might actually get sick of them. Shopping is a horrible push and pull between what's affordable, and, alas, all the full price spring things I really want. I almost did an entire post on sandals. Instead Ry, this week's green bits are in honor of your terrarium obsession. I'll let you click through the link and see what's really going on.

You can find me waxing poetic on kids spring obsessions over at Small for Big.

1. Dansko Sissy Sandals, Zappos.com $110
2. Moss for your wall, Ottoman  $35
3. Draped Sweater Cardigan, Textile Junkie at Target Red Hot Shop $59
4. Interchangeable Carpet Bag, Designs by Danna SALE $50
5. Kork-ease Colosseum Sandals, Sundance $128

It's not easy being green... heck, I'd live in a terrarium if I could... And who wouldn't? Kind of like being a goldfish.. or driving your car around at night with the interior lights on.  

I wore the Brooch yesterday.

I wore it in the car...

You want to see how my brain feels this week? You should take a look at this rattle over at Small for Big. With a brain that squirrelly, this week's picks are more feel good than ever. When I was a kid I used to say "Simple pleasures for complex minds, we need the break". Yeah, I was a nerd, you hadn't guessed that yet? With the weird prose I write? Regardles, let's focus on visually lovely things that might help my mind rest a bit. Feel free to buy any one of these and send it to me pronto. I'd love you forever.

1. Roost Nairobi Stool, Velocity Art & Design $150
2. Offshore Convertible Top, Free People $48
3. Silver Deer Necklace, Retro Skor, $16.99
4. Built by NYC Shoulder Bag - Girard Collection, Swiss Knife Shop $69.99
5. Woodland Owl Wing Headband, Sleepy King, $16
6. Ry's addition to this week's Random Five -- because we are on complex patterns and she loves to shop for her niece, (slightly obsessed with little girl clothes because she has a bruiser of a boy two year old) -- Check out a new FTB Twitter Follower VYSSAN LULL's Retro Dress Orange by Strömming, $62:

I'm asking because yesterday I saw something that sent me into a deep meditation of WOW you are REALLY intense... So intense that the craziest thing I've done lately is order this brooch:

But then I thought further and it was total madness that I went out INTO THE SNOW to build yet another snowman. OR - perhaps it was the blue cheese that I allowed on my beet salad... Cheating myself is only PART of the diet game. Then there was the mixing of darks and lights in the laundry -- something that I do ALL THE TIME. So insane that whilst at Target last week I took the chance on GINGHAM--My inner cowboy calling. I might just paint my nails... SOME ONE STOP ME. 

But there was a time when I was equally inspired... although I've never acted on the desire... I really wanted this exact same tattoo--to be worn with ratty jeans, black eyeliner and purposely tussled hair--just precisely out of place. 

And no. Courtney did not make it okay to have a gut OR go sans bra...Nice try though. But.. the image was burned into my brain. Okay - So WHAT IF 1995 was 15 years ago. I resisted the impulse by bleaching out my bangs. I know - how very SKUNK of me. ALMOST as insane as the triple pierce in my ear circa 1988--almost completely wiped from existence. And so... while others are out there doing what could be considered CRAZY - I just have to pay thanks... thanks for the allowance to live vicariously... and because if this was a level 3 on pain -- in my world it would have been a 20... along with my safely coiffed brunette existence... I bow in envy. 

But would you just look at this? Art for Art's Sake AND permanent to boot. Well done Vapid--Well Done!

  

I have already mentioned over at Small for Big that I'm not really into hearts, red and pink, lace, doilies, red roses, or padded heart-shaped boxes. They make the stores look very chipper this time of year but they're not for me. So, giving and getting on Valentine's Day is a little bit harder. But I refuse to ignore the holiday because frankly, any excuse to love and be loved seems like a good one to me. In my hunt for gift-giving ideas I ran across several things I thought worthy of sharing. (and a couple I can't share with you because they're sold out, arrrgh.) All of them would be unique "vessels" for your personal love message - some more literally than others. I'll assume that you, dear reader, are smart enough to decide how to add your own Sweet Nothings to each item. My favorite has got to be the spare change spy coins-- they've got secret compartments. Seriously, what self-respecting adult male doesn't like spy gear?

1. Reindeer Moss Hanging Terrarium, Lbnrandt Terraria on Etsy, $18
2. Heart shaped key, Stat Key Company, $11
3. 2 Carat Cup - The Ring Around Your Finger Mug, the Spoon Sisters, $15.95
4. Hollow Spy Coins, Think Geek, $20.99 - $25.99
5. Girafee Paper Doll Card (out of stock, other designs available), Hungry Dog Designs via Etsy, $8.50

Ry has her finger hovering over the BUY ALL IN STOCK button for the Terrariums... so GET ON IT!

What is your favorite Valentine's story? Share and share alike - the fave story will land you a Bird Watcher interview here on FTB. Tons of fun. Talk about LOVE - read the last one here. 

Yay! February!
January was a doozie, right? Well - time to move on. This month we are trying out a few new things at FTB - including calling it FTB, not to be confused with the notorious OTB but in commonplace with OCD as well as CO'D--Isn't he just dreamy. At any rate. A few new things are happening here at FTB - more reader interviews, more products and more design... yes. more more more. So without hesitation to kick things off, I reached out to my product guru Mari... she's Ma-aaarrrr-va-lous.... sorry, I couldn't help it. Here we go - LET THEM LOOSE!

When Ry asked me to do some regular posts on products it was perfect timing. (She begged, you know, it was pretty sad to see her so desperate for my brilliant expertise and witty posts How could I say no?) I'm a mom and a shopper with no disposable income. So any money I spend tends to go towards my baby birdie. For myself, I've found one of the best ways to get it out of my system is to gather my favorite picks together in an online shopping cart and walk away. All the thrill with none of the regret! Now, I can do that right here. You can look forward to products that are high on individuality, but almost always low on price. Because though I LOVE fine things, and definitely have champagne tastes, I think I'd have a heart attack if I spent $100 on just one thing. This week's binge is courtesy of Etsy.

The Random Five:

1. Forest Wooden Bird Necklace, $10
2. Cherry Kimono Kanzashi Flower Hair Clip, $23
3. Orange Blossom Small Corsage Brooch, $25
4. Lost Lucy Formica Painting, $35
5. Beige Felt Hat with curls, $69

Side note... Ry bought the Orange Blossom Small Corsage Brooch and plans to wear it among her layers of black. But what is one hint of color? Let's watch - she just might implode.

So. I kind of know how to cook. It isn't unlike knowing how to design - you start out with an idea, you look for ingredients, sketching it out, you gather it all together and in the mixing bowl or cooker that parallels to Adobe Illustrator or Indesign, you make it all happen. Sometimes there is a learning curve in which you have to seek instruction from a cookbook or webex... Then there is the presentation and the guests/family members that parallel to clients get to tell you what they think. It is then up to you as the GRAND CREATOR to decide to take what you are told or perceive as being critical and either embrace or internalize for self incrimination. The difference, however, is that once a design is complete - its out there for the world to see and if you change it, the results can be detrimental. Cooking - one can really only improve on..

Most of my usual dishes are light versions of comfort-food cuisine.. Lately, however, I have been challenged to become good at something that I have rarely attempted before... BAKING. As it turns out, its not so easy... which is probably why BAKERS find themselves in an entirely different section of the culinary world. I can feel those of you that know me laughing. Yes. Patience is an issue here (as I put the frosting on before I bake). But, I am open to new things, and with Will and his food allergies, I am taking on the challenge..  And so... as I attempt to step into the circle (pie plate collection dusted off from my bridal shower) I sure could use ONE OF THESE:

That's right. The KITCHENAID ARTISAN STAND MIXER. Now you know I'm serious.

PS. Now taking sponsors.

Throwback posts:
Things Just Got Ugly
The Meat Eating Vegan
Chicken Again?

Like this ad. Now - go out, buy vodka and do something differently.

It has been a really long time since a print ad impressed me.

But we can certainly lust and drool over the things we can't have. In the immortal words of Luke, "I want to learn the ways of the Force and become a Jedi like my father." It has been my experience that if I think about it enough--drive myself insane and then think about it some more... sometimes those things that you thought you couldn't have somehow appear with your name on them. Let the obsessions begin...

This bookcase (originally mentioned by coochicoos) by Shawn Soh.

This (or any) painting by Amy Casey - I wrote about her work @ Artistic Things a few weeks back... TOTALLY obsessed with her work.

This Rocco Pyrite Ring that I twittered about last week. Fit for a superhero (like me). This ring could double as a serious weapon..