Village

Hi! Remember me?

2012-02-08T20:52:00.002+01:00

Oh hi! I have a blog? what!? I'm sorry for my absence, for real. I've been sick ALL month long - 2 flu's and a cough that won't go away and it keeps me up at night and then I'm so tired by the time I get home from work and keeping up with everything got very overwhelming. I'm still having some fun though, don't worry!

and I also still like triangles, I haven't changed much in a month!!!
and exclamation points!
(via)

Random Photo

2012-01-10T22:04:00.000+01:00

Life is good, ya'll. How is your new year going? I'm still getting in to the swing of things after vacation, new years and being sick for FOREVER. I'll be visiting you soon! But for now I'm enjoying my new laptop and I just ate a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup for the first time in years....life is good.

P.S. Finally got all the pics today from our trip, the above is one of my favorite memories from Gran Canaria...5 hour mtn bike trip, leche leche at the top of a climb, cool breezes when leaning over the edge of the valleys...getting a boost up a hill by the boys...good times!

Hi!

2012-01-05T14:07:00.000+01:00

Happy 2012!!! What does one even write for the first post of the year? Gran Canaria was amazing (pics soon). So far my 2012 has been...bartending at my fave bar to bring in the new year, lots of kisses and prosecco at midnight, dancing until 8, recovering, first day of work and FLU! which is where I'm at now...so lame.

Also, I have an important piece of advice - do not bring your laptop bag to a bar...someone might spill a drink in it and you might visit your apple store with a hopeful heart only to find that it's unrecoverable and then you'll be buying a new laptop thinking you should have just gone to bed (that might be my new motto this year). Aaaand that is why it's quiet around here. Should hopefully have a new one by this weekend and then its back to business, peeps.

Catch me up!

merry xmas

2011-12-26T18:39:00.001+01:00

Merry Christmas!!! We are in Gran Canaria...and so is santa, yeah!!! I hope you are having amazing holidays!

Hey Girl..

2011-12-23T17:01:00.000+01:00

Have you seen these hilarious "Hey Girl" pics? They crack me up - pretty hot! Thanks to my friend Christine for sharing them on FB :)

I'm sure you're busy, but here are some fun links for your entertainment.

+ Come on! We're going to get the Christmas Tree!
+ Come shop these pretty vintage scarves.
+ a great paper ornament diy idea
+ I tried this Mushroom Pasta Sauce the other day and it was incredible.
+ I loved this whole Friday Faves list.
+ Did you check out the guide to gift guides yet?
+ NPR's top 100 songs of the New Year
+ Cute post on vintage by color
+ An amazing apartment

Lately...

2011-12-20T09:35:00.000+01:00

I'm happy to have finally gotten around to blowing up one of my photos, framing and having Mark hang it up. It's all broody and lovely and makes me happy to see it.

Watching my friends come over and trying to resist popping a day in my bubble calendar. Funny story - my favorite designer ever had to come over to to change something in the lamp - I let him pop one of the bonus ones! It's a huge honor if it's bestowed on you. Also, it's teaching me a lot of lessons in self-restraint.

My beautiful friend and the most heart warming Christmas lunch that she prepared for a couple of us girls...(listen to how sappy I am!) We even got to decorate her Christmas tree which made me giddy since I don't have one! Another day I'll have to share the most thoughtful cool gifts she made for us. (Thanks Jen!)

A trip to Strassbourg to visit the Christmas markets with two of my favorite partners in crime.

And this, friends, is what I'm loving lately.

Village Gift Guide: Him

2011-12-19T09:21:00.001+01:00

1. Clean Everything Wallet (via mat)
2. Noise Cancelling Headphones - these are heavenly on a plane, train...anywhere really..
3. Book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance - one of both M and I's favorite books - motorcycle travels and philosophy all in one..
4. European Outdoor Adventures Film Festival DvD - this is full of inspiring films about people and their adventures in rock climbing, climbing mountains in -40C weather, white water rafting in the congo, etc...We attended the actual film festival a few weeks ago and it was definitely a rush.
5. Chambray Tie - they are all the rage
6. Whiskey glasses - for the guy who is maturing gracefully and ordering whiskies at the bar
7. Para-gliding Lessons - no big deal.

Good luck shopping for him - it's always the most difficult for me! I hope this jump starts your thought process though (but really guys, it's a week before christmas, hope you are done!)

Here is a list for the guys from my guide to gift guides...

For dad - Inattendu
For Him - Inattendu
The Hunky Man - Down and Out Chic
To Him/From Her - Balue
Under $80 - Truffles n Ruffles
Steven Alan for Him - Pennyweight
For you guy who rocked the Movember trend to perfection - Express-o

And for real, enter the giveaway, I'd love for one of you to win a cute bracelet!

Enter HERE!

!! Giveaway !!

2011-12-16T21:27:00.004+01:00

Need a Xmas or New Year gift? I'm so happy to be hosting a giveaway for Lenneke from her shop, lennebelle. Lenneke runs the blog "a little hamster" which I've been reading for awhile. Good luck to you - and perfect that it's so near to Christmas right?!

_______________

What? A Wish Upon a Star Bracelet - in your choice of color.

Where? From lennebelle (blog: a little hamster)

When? You have all weekend to enter, winner announced Tuesday!

How?

Do one or all! (up to 3 entries)

1. Leave a comment telling me how great I am (just kidding, a normal comment will do!)

2. Like lennebelle on Facebook (let me know you did)
3. Like a little hamster on Facebook (let me know)

Efrat Deutsch Jewelry

2011-12-14T23:12:00.000+01:00

Efrat Deutsch Jewelry Design Promo Video from Efrat Deutsch on Vimeo.

I'm excited to share Efrat Deutsch Jewelry because you get to see the process of her making jewelry in the above video! I've often wondered how all of these amazing etsy shop owners that we find are making their items - and this gives a great inside look in to the process...I love it so much.

Efrat has joined my group of incredible and talented sponsors and I'm so happy to have her as a part of Village. Here's a little interview so that you get to know her as well.

Check out more of Efrat Deutsch at her blog, Facebook, Twitter and shop.

And you might want to check out free shipping!

Who doesn't love gift ideas?

2011-12-13T15:46:00.000+01:00

Are you finished Christmas shopping yet? I have everything shipped off to my family in the states but I'm sure, true to nature, I will be scampering around at the last minute to complete my shopping for M and friends here. Here are some last minute ideas for that awesome girl in your life.

Butter Nail Polish in Chancer
Whisper Ring (Cat Bird)
Chunky Scarf (Need Supply)
A cool Planner (Poketo)
Rectangle Earrings (UMC)
Leather Button Wallet (Poketo)

Need more ideas? Check out my guide for some pretty awesome gift idea lists that I've come across!

Katie Walker Designs

2011-12-09T21:08:00.002+01:00

Today I'm featuring a special girl, Katie from Katie Walker Designs (on Etsy). I've been a longtime reader of katie's blog (Katie-did) and have always been impressed by her talent and knowledge about textiles. She hand prints the coolest scarves (and we all know how I feel about those). Also, I don't know if you say 'hand print' but you know what I mean. You can go back to this post to see it in the works or just check out her blog where she keeps us up to date on her creations!

Anyway, Katie you rock!

Visit Katie in these places: Twitter, Etsy, Blog, Website

2011-12-07T19:42:00.000+01:00

I need this going on in my house!
(via)

And how are you?! It's my friday today...I love the canton I work in and all of its public catholic holidays! hell yes. I have a busy 4 days ahead though, birthday parties, going away parties, fajita parties, france for a christmas market, christmas shopping, catching up on running, catching up on blogging and catching up on doing nothing (somewhere in there hopefully). And then before I know it it will be Monday :( lame!

A Classic Bag

2011-12-05T21:18:00.000+01:00

Can I marry this?
(via Brissa's Pinterest)

I'm back! ;)

2011-12-04T19:12:00.000+01:00

Hi friends,
This past week was b-u-s-y, hence my absence from your blogs (and mine!). We had a friend (back from High School!) visiting and were busy showing her a good time! This past weekend we took a trip to Germany to watch The Ten Tenors perform (her roommate from NYC is one of them) - and it was pretty awesome, I have to say. At first I was all "rock opera? what?" but it was really fun and all the guys were really cool! If you get a chance to go it's pretty impressive (they are touring Germany now).

Anyway, the photo above is from our Thanksgiving last weekend. We did a traveling one - an Apero at my house and the dinner at my friends (a blocks walk)....I've been feeling so thankful to have a lot of quality people in my life and am already looking forward to next years food ;)

SO! This week it's back to normal - time to catch up on blogging, running and achieving some kind of balance...
AAAAND i just remembered I need to Christmas shop so probably not a lot of relaxing :(

How have you been?

So Pinteresting..

2011-11-24T07:09:00.000+01:00

I've been pinning it up lately, here are some 4 recent faves.
{Visit the rest of my boards here.}

1. A globe of good colors
2. Everyweekend shirt
3. still lusting after black leather jacket
4. and searching for tasty winter meals

And the 2011 Guide of Gift Guides makes its debut, up top! I'll keep adding to it!

View from the Exterior

2011-11-23T07:07:00.000+01:00

I just received my "View from the Exterior" print from Fieldguided. It is something we both like...now to find the perfect place for it..

Have a good day you guys.

Firework Studies

2011-11-21T20:34:00.000+01:00

I'm so fascinated by this book, I need it in my collection!

via

Hope you are having a happy Monday...I just got back from a run outside - it was COLD but invigorating!! and now i can't stop speaking in exclamation marks!

p.s this week we're going to learn about Katie from Katie Walker Designs, and dudes, I envy her know-how when it comes to working with textiles. See a previous post I did here for a sneak peak. Maybe you remember it?

Weekend!

2011-11-19T10:47:00.001+01:00

Happy Weekend you guys! I've been sick for the past couple days and am finally feeling better, thank goodness! Spending today catching up on household things and then going to the spa area at the gym later...that is a good Saturday..
Here are some links for you peruse for the w/e!

+ the PERFECT holiday hostess gift
+ Marcel the shell with shoes on is back!
+ Really good question..
+ Winter Beauty guide
+ Always impressed by fellow bloggers photog skills: northern india
+ This is the most funniest haunted house video I've seen (ok, the only one, but it's good)

Home Decor loves..

2011-11-18T09:04:00.000+01:00

Hi, my name is krystal and i've never heard of Toast before. wtheck!

1. Blue Velvet Pillow Cover
2. Blanket
3. Sheepskin Rug
4. Lantern

Guest Post: B for Bel

2011-11-17T08:53:00.000+01:00

Hi, everyone! I'm Belinda and I blog (compulsively) over at B for Bel.

I'm so glad to be guest posting on Krystal's blog today because I've been a reader for a long time now and have always admired her taste and the inspiring things she posts.

Which is why, when I came across these collections of super unique, but undeniably chic, jewelry, I knew it had to be shared with other people who enjoyed them as much as I did- other Village readers! :)

A couple of months ago, I blogged about cufflinks made from real bullet casings that would make a perfect gift for the boys. But a few weeks later, I discovered this collection of jewelry from Bullet Girl that is also made from real bullet casings, but boasts an extremely feminine, wearable and tasteful flair.

Bullet Casings Jewelry

These are just a few of my favourites, but you can check out more on the website.

I'm a huge admirer of beautiful jewelry, but most of the time, I prefer to stick to simple lines and sentimentality. And I know I would just DIE if I received these morse code necklaces from anyone! These necklaces by COATT spell out affectionate words in morse code and are versatile enough to be worn everyday.

Morse Code Necklaces

Love Me Do, Amore, Peace LuckyLove

Pasta Jewelry
You know that Dolce & Gabanna is a true fashion giant when they can turn uncooked pasta into a fashion statement.

{images: source}

I have to say, I'm not hating it! Especially not when there are these silver and gold versions created by fellow Melbourne designers, Lucy Folk. Food jewelry may come off as tacky if not balanced well, but these accessories have done the pasta trend justice.
All collage images via TrendLan d

Or, if pasta is simply not your thing, you just may find gold in the form of pretzels, popcorn, Nachos, and other crumby snacks you never imagined wearing around your neck. Until now.

{Last image: source}

I hope you enjoyed these collections!

If you're looking for other curiously delightful design, art, photography, food and much more, come say hello at B for Bel! I would love to meet you.

Thanks for having me, Krystal! :)

Christmas Cards

2011-11-16T07:02:00.000+01:00

I interrupt any semblance of planned posts that I had to bring you these gorgeous Christmas cards. I've been reading Caroline's blog for awhile now and really love her photography...especially this beautiful snowy photo that she's made in to a Christmas card...brilliant!

November is brought to you by:

2011-11-15T07:42:00.002+01:00

Fournier.
Socially Conscious

Katie Walker Designs
Talent.

Upper Metal Class
Incredible.
(click for her new website!)

EL Vintage

Style for life.

My Best Friend Jules

Professional Blog Design

Branda

Knitting amazing things.

Thank you a ton to my November Sponsors for making Village their homes.

View Sponsor Page for more information.

Hi Sunday

2011-11-13T14:28:00.002+01:00

via

Started Sunday morning with an intense spinning class at the gym (being yelled at in german is oddly motivating) but very easily transitioned in to a lazy sunday. I'm cleaning up, listening to Angus and Julia Stone (thanks Nadege), reading The Imperfectionists here and there, drinking coffee, watching yellow leaves float by my windows, and thinking about the past - one of those days =) What are you up to?

Yep.

2011-11-10T18:40:00.000+01:00

Like it says!
(via)

P.S. What is up? Everyone and their mom is getting sick here and I"m thinking it's my turn. Or else I've exhausted myself this week. Either way, a cozy Thursday night at home is what is needed tonight I think..

Sweaters are Better

2011-11-08T22:30:00.000+01:00

Just send these right over here...
the hair too, i'll take the hair
(via & via)

photo

2011-11-07T22:38:00.000+01:00

I won this print from Heidi Adnum and her etsy shop a while back now (I've been meaning to share it sooner! I keep it in my kitchen at the moment because it reminds me of those few and far between quiet relaxing mornings where I can take my time, make and enjoy coffee, etc. I like the quiet :) And this picture!

Roasted Tomato Soup

2011-11-06T20:18:00.001+01:00

made this amazing soup from Meal du Jour the other day for my ailing better half...it was INCREDIBLE.

air bnb and the neatest flat.

2011-11-02T23:06:00.000+01:00

For this trip we used AirBnB for the first time and I'm in love. It's a website where you can rent out a room or a whole apartment to other travelers...kind of like couch surfing but maybe classier or something? I don't know, just kidding - I've never done couch surfing so I have no clue. It sounds kind of surfer-ish so I can't help but think of potheads on my couch. Which would be more than fine, but I'm just saying. Anyway, AirBnB.

Right, this is the loft we chose...killer right? We didn't want to leave when we got there, we had to drag ourselves out, we didn't think Barcelona could actually be cooler than that loft. Good thing it was though! The only truly sucky part was that it was loud, which I knew about it. But the kicker was this stupid kid who rode his skateboard by and then tried flipping it? jumping it? I don't know...anyway, he did this for like an hour in front of our window (at MIDNIGHT when we had to get up at 4) and I had the most unpleasant thoughts toward this child!! I was also equally impressed with his drive/dedication to learn whatever it was that he was sucking at! Like, he never improved during the whole hour.

Anyway, I better go to sleep.

PS i had THE crappiest paella in Barcelona. It was like salt, instant rice and some seafood. BLEH. But on the other hand had the BEST tapas in the whole world.

b.1

2011-11-01T19:37:00.000+01:00

My favorite picture from Barcelona. I had so much fun taking motion/blurry pictures that most of them are like that...woops! Guess I'll have to go back. I LOVED IT. It's my new fave. More later though...a ton to catch up on now. What have you been up to?!

Vacation

2011-10-28T18:17:00.000+02:00

guys, you'll have to excuse my blogging lameness this week and weekend, it's been busy around here. And tomorrow we are taking off to barcelona!!! I'm super excited, I've alllllways wanted to go there. We are trying out a flat from airbnb, also, so I'll let you know how it goes. I'm also sure I'll have a good purse snatching story since that's happened to every single person I know who has been there (all 4 of them).
Have a fantastic weekend you guys!

(image via)

New in.

2011-10-27T18:59:00.000+02:00

Some new beauties in. The first one was ordered from here (and lets just say it's really a shirt, but a cute one) and the 2nd one was purchased from Fizzen here in Luzern. love love love.