Since my "day job" resides in the financial services industry, the economy has been weighing heavily on my mind for quite some time. It seems that the writing has been on the wall since mid year, and the hammer came down today. This isn't the first round of layoffs my company has seen in 2008, but for me, this one hit closest to home.
I still have a job, and I am greatful, but many folks that I have worked with over the years do not. People with families. My heart goes out to them.
Let's just say I'm having a very difficult time getting into the holiday spirit this year.
As the weeks drag on, and my attention span wains on the tasks at hand (sorry Eric), I am shifting my focus to the bedroom. There's something about winter that makes me want to crawl into bed before 10pm, and the current state of our bedroom demands attention.
Besides, redecoration is far more fun than renovation.
When we first bought the house almost 5 years ago, my tastes were different. I am a huge fan of color, and it often gets me carried away. In a moment of lesser judgement, I thought it was a good idea to paint our bedroom a deep, bright, 'Mango Tango' orange. The name alone should have clued me in. On Friday, I bought a gallon of a pretty pigeon gray and plan to get it on the walls... by the end of the month.
I'm looking forward to finally hanging some art without giving myself a grand mal seizure.
Here's an update on the floor situation. The dining room is underway. To those of you who have never laid true hardwood flooring, try not to judge our progress. I now understand why people go with the click together composite. 
That said, our new floor is going to be beautiful.
I've been getting ready for this sale for months now. I hope you can stop by and say hello.
For a complete vendor list, go here.
Ring a ding ding.
Only in the past year or so have I been a ring girl. I think Gemmafactrix might have single handedly won me over. I mean seriously, she's a jewelry genius. Take a look at these beauties.
Amidst my never ending search for stackable rings, I ran across a new little Etsy gem today and had to share her with you. UK based shop, A R Gonzales is filled with stackable rings galore. It's like a dream come true. Anna's descriptions are fantastic, she's quite the writer. Once I saw 'Beatricks' rings', I had to have them. 
They're kspell's now.
Just a few items I dream about adding to my winter wardrobe.
Wool belted poncho coat by Calvin Klein.
Frames by Chanel.
Bag by Hobo International.
Since Eric and I have been burning the midnight oil on various home improvement projects, I find myself over-fantasizing about building a modern master suite off the back of the house with large sliding doors that open up the outdoors and a sauna retreat.
These fantasies took a Kubrickian turn when I discovered the pod like architecture of the Saunaschiff in Berlin. With a swimming pool, bar, and lounge area, who would ever want to leave?
One can dream.
Found via Loyly.
Bloc Party, 'This Modern Love' - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.
Another little gem from La Blogoteque. I find Kele Okerek's shyness very endearing. This is a sweet rendition of This Modern Love.
Happy Tuesday. Enjoy.
I cannot get enough of TV On The Radio's newest album Dear Science. Among the many great tracks, Lover's Day is my favorite. I think it's the most romantic song I have ever heard. It gives me chills.
Serious.
Download it here. Then go get the album. You'll thank me later.
What a great outcome. I was so pleased to be in the majority for this election. America has done me proud.
Sadly, during the celebration at a local watering hole, my purse was stolen. It has been a difficult ordeal, but I'm trying to stay positive and remain thankful for the things I have, as opposed to focussing on what was lost.
I hope whoever took my purse enjoys my ipod, cancelled credit cards, and $7 cash. Lunch is on me.
Last Friday I took a half day off from my day job to meet the ladies of Oliver Wyman at Sydney's for my second Kspell Jewelry trunk show. While there was no trunk, there was a beautiful long table that served as the perfect backdrop for my work. These ladies were very good to me, and extremely kind.
Right afterwards, I sat down for coffee and great conversation with Amy Olson, my new jewelry buddy and fellow Etsian. I can't express how excited I am to have a friend with a similar hobby and lots of great advice.
It was a very good day!
For my birthday, Bonnie gave me a couple of design books knowing that Eric and I have been working on reworking our living space, one of which was a beautiful book on Tord Boontje by Martina Margetts. I knew a little about him, but lately his designs are really speaking to me. I love the use of light and shadow, and the nature inspired silhouettes he plays with. His pieces are modern, yet whimsical...industrial, yet organic. I think it is these contrasts that make his design so appealing.
Top of my want list is the Garland light which can be found via Modern Poverty:
I also love the Icarus light, a favorite of Bonnie's,who commented that it looks like it could take flight... or maybe lay eggs. I also think it could have swooped down onto Vince Neil's head moments before performing Shout at the Devil in 83':
But I find this bird mobile totally inspiring.
Courtesy of Spool, you can download the bird pattern here!
I've been eyeing this number for months, and now that it's fall, I keep picturing myself wearing it with plum colored tights and my favorite boots.
Just when I'm trying to tighten the purse strings. Oh Kimenna, why must you tempt me so?
Come say hi. It's going to be a very busy weekend.
Complete vendor list can be found here!
Ah September. This month always feels so transitional and bitter sweet. I'm sad to see the summer go since I usually spend half the year waiting for it, but September offers a soft shift in season dotted with important milestones.
September 7th was my birthday. I've made it too that magical number that always seemed to signify true adult hood. 30 is the age I used to label a"old" in my teen years. But of course, now that I'm here, I feel young. Just like the "old" people said I would.
I'm actually happy to be 30, proud of it. I like the person I've become over the last decade. Oddly, turning 29 hit me really, really hard. It came at the heels of a rough year with a lot of familial drama I tried to bury. I feel like I've come out on the other side that (as much as I can anyways) and things look damn good from here.
The weekend of my birthday was incredible. Eric and I made it to the Built to Spill show on Friday the 5th. It was looking a little uncertain as we waited in line painfully close to the front doors for about an hour. We made friends with the folks in line, commiserating about the uncertainty but remaining hopeful. With some patience we made it in, and I am so very glad we did. It was amazing, playing Perfect from Now On from start to finish. This was one of the most definitive album of my 20s. It's the soundtrack to my introduction into the slice of early adulthood that college living and roommates seem to afford. Velvet Waltz gave me goose bumps, and the entire album still resonates. Thanks to Music Fest, we caught some other bands on Saturday including an indisputably beautiful performance by the Fleet Foxes. The lack of sleep was worth it.
The weekend was rounded off with my birthday brunch. Pastries from Petit Provance, strong coffee, and stronger bloody mary's - my idea of a perfect Sunday. I have to say that I have the most wonderful friends. Most of the ladies I know brought flowers, probably because they know that I love flowers, but also because they are so dang sweet.
A few days later we were off to Idaho to visit Eric's family. Lot's of family, and the question of when Eric and I are going to add to our family came up ad infinitum. I'm beginning to get the impression that folks who want a little Krystin/Eric mish mash might be giving up on me. Am I the only one who thinks I still have time?
I digress. On September 17th, Eric and I hit the 10 year mark of the day we met. When people ask us how long we've been married (4 years on September 18th), the answer sounds hollow and doesn't manage to carry the true weight of how long we've been together. Our love is bigger than 4 short years. When asked the same question, Eric likes to answer "One billion years."
That's just shy of how much I love him.
This last week has kicked concert going into high gear. It seems as I've gotten older, concerts have almost lost their luster. I am very pleased to say that I feel like I'm experiencing some kind of rebirth with my appreciation of live music. Concerts are feeling magical again.
Last Friday I had the pleasure of seeing Bon Iver in concert at the Aladdin. If previous posts haven't clued you in, I am in love with this band. Their sound has such a uniquely haunting quality, and suffice to say I wasn't quite sure how it would translate live...but I was taken aback by what they were able to accomplish.
Let me just say that they had two drummers, and that's a sure fire way to steal this girl's heart. On the album, many tracks increase intensity and the song plays on. At the Aladdin, this build up was absolutely mind blowing. My mind was blown. No joke.
I think my favorite moment had to be during The Wolves (Act 1 & 2) with the help of the audience. Typically I find audience interaction annoying, I came to hear the band after all. This piece of the show was a true exception for me - you could feel the song closing in around you. It was amazing.
Thankfully Eric (being Eric) painstakingly recorded the show and now has this to share with the world: Download it here. Enjoy.
The living room is coming along, but I don't want to share photos until the floor has been laid...end of September is my goal. We've been painting like crazy, splurging on new furniture, things are shaping up nicely...but the dining room light fixture needs a serious upgrade. I have my heart set on a white chandelier, but am having a hard time finding the perfect piece to compliment the space.
I love this coral inspired piece, but it truly doesn't match our decor. I'm almost crazy enough to redo our dining room just to accommodate this piece. Almost.
Eric has been a real sport. I've slowly worn him down into accepting some of the more feminine design ideas I've had lately. I suppose the chandelier is the next attempt. This one is toned down enough that I think he might actually go for it...but it's rather plain for my taste:
Here is another contender. The fact that it's off white my help us avoid having to repaint our dining room ceiling. After paining the living room's, I'm all for omitting that step.
Finally, I found this chandelier at Target...if only it came in white. Black could work, but we've made a few black furniture purchase lately, and I think Eric will resist it with all his might - it has dangling crystals for Christ's sake!
Tell me what you guys think - which one would you choose? I need advice.
