luggage as decoration

Every day, I pass this antique store with the most charming merchandise - tin stools, library catalogs, beaten-up couches and other random treasures. Just recently, I saw a beautiful pair of vintage suitcases. The way the two were stacked on top of each other reminded me of an image I pinned a while back. In the photo, the old suitcases are used as a nightstand - I loved the idea of using them as a decorative piece. So I bought 'em!

I'm happy to have these, not only for the old-fashioned flair they give to the living room, but for using as a holder for random things that I'd like out keep out of sight (i.e., extra linens and things). I get really excited for dual purpose items.

fleas and food

wow...that is the most unsavory title ever.  but, moving on...


my new favorite place to be?  the hell's kitchen flea market.

i loved the collection of completely random and unique things you wouldn't find anywhere else.  can you guess which piece i desperately wanted to take home with me?

 i'll give you a hint: it's reeeeally cool.
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if you guessed the burt reynolds-ish body form, then you'd be right on!  i would have liked to use it for hanging my scarves and necklaces on, but something about lugging this thing around all day (in addition to my heavy camera) was just exhausting to think about (and it conjured up funny images in my head of weekend at bernie's).

afterwards, me and bob went to whym (a new favorite restaurant of ours), where the service and food were just so on point.  their extensive choice of fresh juices are enough to keep me from ever ordering an alcoholic beverage there.  but the food was the real star: juicy pulled duck sliders, the most tender berkshire tenderloin, bosc pear and creamy brie quesadillas, crispy-on-top potato gratin and avocado-ginger salsa rocked our worlds.  we will be coming back.

 -jillian m.

my beauty wishlist

i've always loved makeup, but i've only recently started to experiment with bolder looks (smoky violet eyes, cherry red lips with a cat eye, etc.).  and so, with the increase of experimentation has come a longing and an excitement to try some new beauty products.  here are a few things i've had my eye on:

kiehl's ultra facial tinted moisturizer, $24.50 - i'm not a foundation wearer (it feels too heavy on the skin), but tinted moisturizer is the next best thing for a more even complexion.  plus, if you're going to do moisturizer, you need to turn to the company that does it best!

skindinavia makeup finishing spray, $29.00- how nice it would be to not have to keep reapplying makeup all night!  just a few spritzes of this after initial application and it's guranteed to last for 16 hours.  does it work?  almost 100% of people that reviewed this product at makeupalley.com would buy it again.  so i say that's a yes.

urban decay 24/7 glide-on eye pencil, $18.00 - an awesome selection of bright colors and glides on like a dream (and it's waterproof!).  great for smudging and dare-to-look-at-me eyes.

too faced naked eye soft & sexy eye shadow collection, $35.00 - i've been coveting this one for ages!  the shadows are extremely versatile so there are a tons of looks to play with.  neutrals to darks are ideal for a day to night look.

bobbi brown pot rouge for lips and cheeks, $24.00 - cream blushes are ideal for dry cheeks and a natural, dewier look.  bobbi brown always gets it right.

as you've probably noticed, all of these are worth a pretty penny, hence the word wish in wishlist.  but i'm willing to consider close substitutes, so if you have any suggestions, please share!  are there any beauty items you've been eyeing lately?

-jillian m.

fred flare's got flair

i found this article about wacky food-themed house items and through that found fredflare.com, an online boutique that sells the most adorable (and kooky) items.  i'm talking tiny rubber duckies for floating in your cup of tea (aka tea duckies) and a vanilla ice cream cone lamp!  i'm way too tempted to buy the barbie and ken tin lunchbox and the cupcake bandages (which i would probably wear on a daily basis, cuts or no cuts). 

i've already got this website bookmarked.  i'm restraining myself from buying anything at the moment, but i know where to come when i find myself needing a peanut butter and jelly pouch.  because you never know when you'll need a wallet that looks like a pb & j sandwich...

-jillian m.

p.s. just learned that there's a fred flare store in brooklyn.  i'm so there.


{images: fredflare.com}