Name Change & Shop

So it has been a little while since I last posted. I love reading blogs, and I admire people who are able to commit themselves to writing theirs, and I always have lots to say... but somehow, a regular blog post is virtually impossible for me. I want to change that, though! For a few reasons:

1) I have a new endeavour that I'm excited to talk about: I started an Etsy shop named Milk & Amber, which has been super fun and enriching. It lets me live out that persistent dream of owning a vintage shop just a little bit. All my treasure hunting feels like it's being put to some good use. And now I have lots of pictures and finds to share!

2) Since graduating, I feel a little pent up writing-wise. I used to write thousands of words a week, now I skim Pinterest for stimulation - big change! Writing will be good for me, I like sorting out my thoughts, even if it's only me (and maybe my poor boyfriend) who will read it.

3) I work at a thrift store now! I'll be surrounded by neat old clothes and such all day, so there will surely be gems I'll need to show off!

Yep, I'm excited to try to get this going again. I'll be sharing lots of finds that will be available in my shop. And I'll try to keep the 'editorials' to a minimum.

Talk soon,

Katharine

Find: Saraghina, Brooklyn, NY

I get mad cravings for fresh mozzarella, and our trip to New York was the perfect time to satisfy 'em! Few restaurants in Charlottetown offer good mozzarella or bocconcini, so I was like a kid in a candy store when it came to good Italian. Saraghina, a lovely neighbourhood place in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, was perfect for this: fresh, homemade margherita pizza with big basil leaves, sweet tomato sauce, and big chewy pieces of fresh mozzarella. It's busy all the time, apparently, but if you can ever make it down, make it part of your itinerary - you won't be disappointed!

Finding: Hair directions?

So, I've been thinking about where I'd like to go with hair over the next little while. My hair is usually some variation on brown-ish, short-ish, curly-ish. Like the following:



The curls are permed in, I have naturally straight, thick hair. Short? Long? Blonde maybe? If so, which blonde and how much of it? Help!

Find: 450ml CIL Premium Paint

MAKEOVER!

I have been searching for a cute lamp for my room for a long time, and in the meantime, I've had a lamp more or less like this one to make do with. Then, one day, it struck me: why not just make that lamp better? At Canadian Tire, you can buy 450ml of CIL Premium paint for only 5.99 to test it out - I bought mine in Ocean Spray.

It still needs another coat, but I'm loving the results.

The colour is warm and light - it's my perfect Robin's Egg/Tiffany/Aqua blue. I stuck some dollar store decals on the lamp some years ago, and just painted over them to add some texture.

Also bought the Navajo-print place mats that day (99cents for 2 at Value Village) and layered them over my antique wooden nightstand (the top of the table is partially sanded off).

It's not perfect yet - another coat is definitely needed - but it's certainly diminished my need for a potentially expensive new lamp!

Finds: Thrifted pattern belts

Nothing like some funky graphic, colourful belts to spice up any outfit - or to make 'em more casual.

From left:
Teal, coral, orange and royal blue aztec belt with ornate silver buckle, 2.99, Value Village
Vintage pinks-and-blues navajo print belt with silver buckle, 3.99, Value Village
Vintage red, green and white beaded belt with bronze clasp, 2.99, Value Village

Multi-colour beaded leather belt attachment, 50cents at a flea market, on a vintage skinny tan Ralph Lauren belt, also Value Village

Find: Catherine Malandrino's Min Gown

Love the lavender on Emma Roberts, and love this teal too! Ms. Malandrino sure knows her draping. Swoon!

Finds: Navajo & Ethnic Prints Online

As an anthropology major, I always try to be mindful of collectivizing or amalgamating groups that have distinct cultures. "Ethnic," "tribal," and so on are not terms I am usually comfortable using to describe basically non-industrialized-Western culture. Um, except with clothing, for the most part. It is difficult, at least in PEI, to find cool ikat, Navajo, Aztec, or other ethnic or tribal-esque prints - most finds are relegated to thrift stores, and that is all based on luck and digging. However, my family just returned from a trip to Boston, where my sisters perused Forever 21 countless times (and brought me back some sweet finds! Thanks guys!)

Checking out Forever 21's website is dangerous:  free shipping on orders over 60$, and tons to choose from. Oh dear.
Here are some of my finds:

All these tops range from about 16 to 22 dollars. Not bad!

I am equally impressed with Urban Outfitters. Check out some of these:

Come on, pay day! Time to get back online and into some fun new pieces :)

-K