Craigslist Chair

Check out this vintage lounge chair posted on Craigslist in Birmingham, AL (cost - $95).

It reminds me of this beauty from Urban Outfitters (cost - $248).

I am doing a daily craigslist search to find a new chair for our living room. The original one was moved to the dining room to make space for the Christmas tree and there it shall stay. Now, when I'm cooking dinner, my honey sits in a cozy chair nearby to play his acoustic guitar or chat with me about our day.

This chair isn't "the one" but I thought you'd like to see it any way.

Have a lovely day!

Nine Lives

Our war on clutter concluded this weekend with the dreaded guest bedroom.  The (thankfully) enormous closet busted at the seams with outdoor gear, old books, unfinished projects, a desktop computer and much more.  We pulled out every box, emptied and refilled, made trash piles and new thrift store piles and purposefully organized the contents back into their (now spacious) home. 

During the process, I came across the Nikon camera I received for Christmas many years ago.  So long ago that 3.2 megapixels was nice.  I remembered that it does not turn on anymore and the SD card is stuck.  I tossed it into the "would anyone want this for parts?" pile and went about my work.

Eric got the SD card out and turned the camera on.  What?!

This camera has nine lives.

During a backpacking trip with our dear friends, Sam and Rebecca, I took one picture and then dropped it in the sand on the bank of the creek.  It was toast.  Eric's dad took it apart and it functioned perfectly.

Then, Eric borrowed it on a trip to North Carolina with his friend, Wes.  Ice tools in hand, they climbed a 250' frozen waterfall on Whiteside Mountain.  Once at the top, Wes dropped the camera.  In slow motion, it fell all the way down and lodged itself in a deep mound of snow.  Eric rescued it, set it in front of the car heater on the drive home and it thawed out nicely. (Below are a few amazing pictures from their trip, including the mountainside the camera was dropped from).

See?  Nine lives.  I'm so excited, though, because it made for such a nice segue into my next goal for 2011.

Goal Number 2: Take more pictures - bring a camera along!

We now have Eric's Canon, my Nikon and my new Polaroid Instant Camera.  No excuses.  This year, we are making memories and taking note of them. 

Please share - what are some of your goals for the new year?

A New Year

This past fall I traveled to Chattanooga for work.  Finding myself alone in my most favorite of places, I browsed Frasier Ave like a regular tourist and brought home a few inexpensive treats. 

One such treat was an tiny, old-school journalist flip-top notepad.  I have always wanted to be the woman who jots down ideas and thoughts as she goes throughout her day so she can actually remember them later. 

Finally, it has a job.  Storing my 2011 goals. 

I've never written resolutions before.  I am not much one for setting goals.  But I have this notepad now and it is begging to be used. 

It works like a charm.

Goal number 1: Keep a clean, organized home.

Simple enough, right?  As soon as our feet hit the cush apartment floor Sunday afternoon, we made a beeline for the bedroom closet and organized to our hearts content.  We have since organized the kitchen cabinets (even under the sink!) the bathroom and laundry room.  Old, unused items are sitting in garbage bags awaiting their ride to the thrift store.  Everthing in it's place.

My mom helped us in this endeavor with the cute-as-pie owl letter holder she gave me for Christmas.  Mail seems to make its way into every nook and cranny in our apartment and I'm sure it feels special now that it has a home.

In closing (seems like the right thing to say at the end of such a long post), this blog needs more lovin' and I intend to show it how much I care, starting today.

Happy 2011!

Gift Guide 4: Your newlywed sister who laughs with all of her might and loves playing (and usually wins) all types of games

A leather belt to go with her cognac boots, $40

A soft-hued tiffin box to store her lunch, $37

A 1946 Monopoly game, so she can beat her honey in vintage style, $22 

Polka dot tights for a wintry feminine touch, $22

Red hot suede pumps to match her fire engine hair as a kid, $49

A glamorous ornament to grace their first Christmas tree, $28

A funny book on being domestic and still having fun, $13

Love for Etsy

Aren't the Christmas cards below so sweet?  I think so.
From Etsy seller The Spotted Sparrow.  Enjoy!

Have a joyous weekend! 

Birds of a Feather

As you may have guessed from my blog title, I love birds.  This obsession started when I was planning our wedding and wanted their cute little feathers everywhere.

When we were in Nashville last week, Eric took me to this awesome shop called Pre to Post Modern.

I found myself in quirky vintage heaven.  I also found myself a precious new framed print for $15.  Two owls, side by side on a branch. Cute as pie. Eric approved and I walked out grinning from ear to ear (especially thrilled because when I brought home an embroidered owl from my garage sale adventure he just laughed and shook his head). 

I would love to take a picture for you, but I can't upload anything since our camera cord was resting in the laptop case when it was stolen.  Hopefully we will replace it soon and I can show you a few recent projects. 

In the meantime, my bird adoration has shifted to include owls and I am finding them everywhere.  A few of my favorites are below.  Enjoy! 

{ceramic owls, catchall owls, dishtowel owl, pitcher owl, stamp owl}

Gift Guide 3: Your techy brother who makes the tiniest sailboats out of paper and talks your head off at lunch

A case for his ipod touch that epitomizes class and reminds you of his blog, $18

An eco-friendly travel mug for his newest obsession, $8

Christmas tree in a can, because it's funny and cheerful, $11

A flexible tripod so he can take his amazing pictures anywhere, $40

An origami bank that reminds you of his paper folding skills, $13

An Apple keyboard turned clock to keep time in style, $39

A cookbook to satisfy any bacon cravings, $20