Why Do Birds Suddenly Usurp…

cpaig — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:23:12 +0000

OK, I have made the jump! Carey Girl is now a microblog on Twitter! Find and follow me at www.twitter.com\CareyGirl8.

One Potato, Two Potato…

cpaig — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:32:42 +0000

Three Potato Four! This is one of my favorite shops to find unique items, and they just did a shop update! Here are a few of my faves, snap ‘em up quick if you like them or they will get away. Enjoy!

Hilarious Science Lab Safety Posters. These are really words to live by! When I was in the Chem lab in college we had a common warning that went something like this:
Little Billy took a drink and now he is no more
For what he thought was H2O Was H2SO4.
Remember that, kids, if you can’t get these posters.
Vintage Science Lab Safety Posters $20 each

Two things I need in my life right now. An anchor, and some luck. I should pick these up as monuments to my aspirations.
Decorative Standing Anchor $175
Mini Decorative “Jane” Horseshoe $24

How cute is this? I’m thinking it would be good to haul beach toys for my niece and nephew. Summer will be here soon enough!
Ahoy There! Duffel-Style Bag $35.00

Monday Finds

cpaig — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:03:12 +0000

My methodology for this post involved visiting one of my favorite blogs- Print & Pattern – and checking out all of their sponsors. I found some very cool stuff! Please note: many of these shops are in the UK and although I have converted the price for you, shipping from overseas will add extra cost (sometimes significant). Enjoy!

I pity the fool who puts off doing the dishes. Where else should we keep our puns if not on our tea towels? The “Just Do It” towel should also come with auto bum smacking to avoid creating a situation where you find yourself sitting on your sofa eating a bowl of ice cream whilst sneering at it. Mr. T will set that behavior straight. Watch out.

“Mr. T” Towel
£7.50 (around $11)
“Just Do It” Tea Towel
£11.50 (around $17)
Hunky Dory Home

This owl is very cute, though he looks like he is experiencing something kind-of disturbing. Like my driving. It also comes in pink.
Too-wit Too-woo Keyring
£7.50 (around $11)
Custom Made

To me, there is no such thing as too many blank cards. These remind me of spring and summer, and are just cute and sweet. The Garden cards come in Japanese, English, and Veggie.
Garden Cards
£3.50 each (about $5)
Pinkerton Design

I just can’t resist this. It is full of some of my favorite things. If there was a bar of chocolate in the bag I would be done.
Black Cat in Paris Notepad – Kutusitanyanko
$5
Ginko Papers

Oh, here’s the bar of chocolate. I must say, these towels are full of truisms for me.
Black Toast Happiness Tea Towel
£7 (about $10)
Daniel Craig Tea Towel
£7 (about $10)
Emma Bridgewater

One of several things jumping off of the “Keep Calm and Carry On” poster that was very popular last year. More words to live by, truly. This letterpress poster is by artist Anthony Burrill.
“Work Hard” Poster
£20 (about $30)
SOMA Gallery

Bubbles

cpaig — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:17:25 +0000

Oh how I love bubbles. They are beautiful, ethereal, and perfect. I find blowing bubbles to be soothing, fun and romantic.

Fun and surprisingly elegant, this necklace lovely in a very playful way.
Bubblewand Necklace
$150
Cynthia Rowley

Everlasting bubbles to help keep your mood upbeat. I love how these even have the iridescence or real bubbles.
Ephemera Necklace
$128
Anthropologie

A Token of Affection

cpaig — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:53:20 +0000

I like small elegant tokens of affection. Nothing gaudy or conspicuous. I find subtlety very romantic.

Enjoy!

The elegance of this ring just blows me away. On my caramel colored skin it would nearly melt away.
“Got Heart” ring
$100
Verameat

This tiny canvas (6″ x 4.75″) is the sweetest Valentine I have come across this year. There is even a “gift tag” space on the back for convenience. It can be hung above a bedside table or in an office for inspiration.
Lovebird Mini Canvas
$30
Fred Flare

The same in any language. Sweet brass or sterling coin pendants stamped with an assortment of sweet nothings in either French or Spanish.
Endearment Necklace, French, Spanish
$23 each
Anne Kiel

In my youth I was big in to HUGE earrings (it was the 80s, what do you want?). Now, if I wear earrings at all, they are the subtle post-type. These may not be the most elegant addition to your wardrobe, but they are sweet and will be effective in expressing that affection that is just about to make the leap from twitterpated to love.
Tiny Red Heart Posts
$4
Day-Lab

Vintage Victorian Valentines

cpaig — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:11:02 +0000

I am a lover of modern things, but I also like lovely vintage things. In the case of these valentines I think it is safe to call them antique (being that they are all over 100 years old). It is always good to remember that, when it all comes down to it, people are really not all that different now than they were over a century ago.

Express your passion, your tenderness, and your love – Victorian style.

Enjoy!

I love how this card is bold. The door symbolizes a new beginning, which is a nice sentiment. I love the gold accents. Contains Valentine verse.
Rare Colored Background / Vintage Victorian Valentine Card
$10
Paperbound

Make them puzzle it out. If they don’t get it, maybe it is time to cut them loose. I am really digging the colors on this one. It kinda sounds like Klingon to me – Y’TLORO UUVEE. Very cool. Contains Valentine verse.
Layered Embossed Victorian Puzzle Valentine Card
$10
Paperbound

This is just so sweet. All forget-me-nots and pink roses meaning true love, happiness, and beauty (according to The Language of The Flowers). Not bad…not bad at all.
Contains Valentine verse.
Vintage Victorian Embossed Valentine Card
$8
Paperbound

Feeling not so sweet? Well, that is OK, too. Send a vintage “Vinegar Valentine” (or Penny Dreadful)! Designed to illuminate your cruelest sentiments, this mean, cheap Valentine (often printed on pulp paper) were sometimes sent anonymously. If you want them to know the rejection is from you, sign your name.
Vintage Vinegar Valentine
Around $10
Ebay (search for similar items)

New Beginning

cpaig — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:29:19 +0000

Barack Obama Inauguration poster 2008 for president limited edition archival print
$20
Gemini Studio

Love Lockdown

cpaig — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:04:17 +0000

In love, as it is with many things, it sometimes just doesn’t work out they way you wish, or planned. By the same token, love has a way of surprising you when you least expect it, but you need to be open to it. The uncertainty of these things causes some to go into “love lockdown,” refusing to seek affection for fear of rejection.

It is always good to remember, if you keep your love locked down, you lose.
(Thanks, Mr. West!)

I have collected some items that represent this heavy state of the heart. It is also hopeful, as long as you remember where you put the key.

Enjoy!

A very sad, broken, and bleeding heart in a cage yearning for freedom. Its sadness is only trumped by its loveliness. This necklace has a key and lock clasp. Don’t be fooled – this is a fairly large piece with the pendant measuring 2″.
My Heart Bleeds For Freedom Artful Hardware Pendant
$60
COGnitive Creations

Locked up, no key in sight.
Lock Me Up Ring
$160
Whitemetal

I just love this. The design was inspired by the Emily Dickinson
poem “Heart, we will forget him”. Talk about heavy hearted. I love the hopeful flower, and the bell that can let them know you are coming.
I May Remember – Vintage Lock Necklace
$34
November Rose Atelier

Just in case you did lose that key (in France).
Vintage Key from France
$10
P.O.S.H. Chicago

Be Mine

cpaig — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:00:13 +0000

I am not someone who is disappointed if I don’t receive a card for my birthday, anniversary, etc. Valentine’s Day is a different matter. It is basically all about cards (and chocolate). Valentine’s cards should be evocative, heartfelt, and beautiful. Something to be slipped into a drawer and retrieved when in need of reassurance.

A sweet and affectionate sentiment accompanies this truly “dreamy” card.
You’re Dreamy Card
$4.50
Hello Lucky

For when they need a map. I love the Arts & Crafts styling of this card.

Screenprinted Valentine
$4
heatherjenny

Lovely tattoo-inspired design that gets right to the point.
Forever Yours Card
$4.50
Hello Lucky

Whiskers

cpaig — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:02:19 +0000

I am not quite sure what started the mustache worship craze (worship in theory, not practice), but I like it. Mustaches are soothing, my dad had one off an on, so the are OK by me.

I have picked some items that will be sure to tickle your fancy, if not your upper lip.

Enjoy!

This is really a classic, and is second to none. A hand carved mustache, on a stick! I can see this helping to get through those sluggish parts of the work day.
Mustache On A Stick – The Kid
$36
Somethings Hiding In Here

I just think this is cute. Not too fussy (or pricey).
Moustache Mug
$12
Surya Sajnani

To make doing that thing where you balance your pencil on your upper lip all the more amusing. If not to you, then to your cube mates.
Atypyk Mustache Pencils
$16
Rose and Radish

For just goofin’ around, really. You know when there is that awkward moment between putting the DVD in the player and the FBI warning appearing? Crisis averted.
Self-adhesive Mustaches
$10
Fred Flare