One of the delights of finding a new apartment is the opportunity to redecorate. I’ve chosen paint colors and nearly broken my back painting ceilings. I’ve stressed over finding that perfect mid-century modern credenza. Small accessories, though, are much easier and cause a great deal less anxiety. For the first time I have a mantle to decorate and when I saw the ceramic creations at The Runny Bunny, I knew I’d found the perfect pieces. Made using vintage ceramic molds and glazed in colors like chartreuse and robin’s egg blue, they are an update on your grandmother’s statuette collection. While some pieces stay true to their vintage design, “hybrids” from combined molds are curiously cute (and sometimes creepy) conversation pieces.

The last two featured pieces have arrived safely at my door and are ready to begin their decorative lives with me.

Back in Pittsburgh and it’s good to be home. I’m just finishing up a lovely weekend of unpacking and cleaning. Also, despite the fact that I just spent a full week shopping for work, I managed to pay a visit to one of my favorite thrift stores. As usual, I did not leave empty-handed. Check out these finds:

Incredible owl bookends plus Super Chic, a fashion tell-all published in 1974 by author James Brady. According to the dust jacket, it’s “an irreverent, opinionated, and irresistible account of fashion“. Sign me up!

Today, while out getting lunch, we happened upon a Bonsai Festival. I’ve always marveled at these petite trees and the time and effort that goes into them…

I couldn’t resist: I bought a new leafy friend. I’ll share a picture as soon as I find it a home.

So, that was my weekend. How was your weekend?

This week, we’re in Los Angeles. It’s been great so far: by day we’re shopping for inventory and by night we’re exploring the town. On Friday we went to an unlikely place: the Los Angeles Natural History Museum. On the first Friday of every month they host an event with live bands, DJs, and (of course) dinosaur bones. It was definitely a surreal experience!

Last night, a wrong turn and a stroke of luck brought us to a block party on Echo Park Ave. There was free wine, good people watching, and some incredible stores. Among them, Show Pony, a beautiful space selling vintage, small designers, and the prettiest feather necklaces and headpieces I’ve ever seen.

On the agenda for tonight: a (hopefully) celebrity-filled party at club LAX. More updates to follow!

Each year, Pittsburgh’s Highland Park neighborhood hosts a huge community yard sale where everyone brings their trash out to front yards and porches in the hopes that it will become someone else’s treasure. It only happens on one day of the whole year and yesterday was that day. This was my first time at the sale and let me tell you, it was glorious.

Of course there was the standard yard sale fare: trinkets, piles of records, patriotic mirrors…

Here are my finds:

1. A vintage wrap skirt with the cutest horse and apple print ever ($3)
2. A vintage Etienne Aigner leather envelope clutch ($5)
3. A petite vintage leather across body bag, perfect for going out dancing ($.50)
4. A children’s book (free)

The book is called “If You’re Afraid of the Dark Remember the Night Rainbow”. It’s the most psychedelic kid’s book I’ve ever seen- there’s a definite Yellow Submarine vibe. Check out some of the illustrations…

…I think I might frame a few for the house. All in all, a good haul!

The randomly selected winner of the What’s in Your Bag contest is…

Congratulations, Maggie! I hope you enjoy your new Overboard Bag and Whale Spin Wallet.

Thank you so much to everyone who entered – we had a great time playing fashion show & tell with you!