Illustrations

I love vintage "textbook" illustrations, particularly diagrams of the scientific variety. There is something about the no-nonsense character of these illustrations that I'm drawn to.

I think that there is such art and nature and while many people love to find that art through photographs I find it even more astounding when we can find it through drawings. It's like a second filter, making it all the more interesting.

This brings me to one of my latest thrift finds: Rocks and Minerals: A Golden Guide, as pointed out to me by my observant boyfriend who mentioned that he remembered looking through this book at his grandmas when he was a kid. The original version from 1957 containing all of it's original amazing (watercolor, I believe) illustrations by Ray Perlman. The diagrams in this book especially have such an amazing visual quality to them. Here are some photos I took of the book (I am without scanner and the book is quite small).





There is especially something about that last illustration (page 140, a, b and c) that really catches my eye. I'd love to scan it, blow it up, print it and hang it.

I specifically love human anatomy drawings (note: probably should not be displayed in or around dining room).

I love this example of decorating with educational illustrations.



[source]

And here are some examples of some great illustrations from Vintage Printable (which is currently down right now for some reason).

As of Late

Currently:

attempting to read: 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles Mann. It's for a class and while I KNOW the book is good, reading about history puts me to sleep (unfortunately) so reading this (or any of our other readings) quickly is proving extremely difficult.

drinking: a caramel americano from Winegars down the street from my house. They're a local place that started out as small dairy farmers long ago and now are still family run and sell ice cream and coffee. I was so excited today when I realized I am a regular there!

wearing: my favorite silk scarf. The color pallet instantly inspired me years ago and I intend to decorate my future studio/office in this pallet of deep violet, pale lilac, bright magenta and olive green*.



About to: go get primped at Alente. They have a very profession, peaceful and impressive salon environment. Much akin to my usual place at home but with more natural light!

Looking forward to: Paris summer 2013 with my darling sister. We made official plans last weekend and I can't wait (but I will).



Here's to a productive, sunny Tuesday and the fast-approaching weekend!

*yes, I realize that "olive green" is PROBABLY supposed to be gold, but I like the idea of it as green more.

The Versatile Skirt

I have a major love for skirts of all kinds. They are much easier to fit than pants, they're versatile and they're easier to take on and off than pants (at least my pants). However, as a cellist I spend so much time behind my cello with my legs spread that the only time I get to wear many of my favorite skirts is during special occasions and that is just not frequent enough for my liking.

I started thinking, what would be my ideal skirt?

It has to be long enough so I can play the cello without flashing others...
...it has to be wide/full...
...it has to be knee-length because 5'4" girls don't do floor-length skirts...
...and it would be nice if it was made out of a drape-y fabric instead of a stiffer fabric.

So, a midi skirt (I'm so glad there is a term for a skirt of my desired length) that flows but is also full...? What does that add up to?

Ladies and gentlemen, I present the beloved and oft forgotten ACCORDION SKIRT. The flirty younger sister of the pleated skirt.



1. Topshop Bright Blue Pleated Midi Skirt $80
2. River Island Leopard Pleat Skirt $46.53
3. Topshop Pleated Calf Length Skirt $80
4. Topshop Black Pleated Midi Skirt $80
5. LuLu's Pas de Bourrée Navy Blue Skirt $34.50
6. ASOS Stripe Midi Skirt $51.72

I already have one in black from the Gap via Goodwill but I'm really eying the leopard one.

Here and There

My wool Penndleton blazer. I love blue and green plaid. I paid this with riding boots and I feel like every time I turn the corner I'm going to see a horse.



Trying to decide nail between nail polish for next weekend (boyfriend visit). OPI Here Today Argon Tomorrow, Revlon Night Plum and Sally Hansen Gun Metal. I'm probablby going to go with the Night Plum.



I picked up crocheting again after being inspired by this headband. The real color is very much a "plum."



Sorry for the pouty face and the terrible color-quality. I think when I try again I'm going to use a fluffier yarn, make the band a few stitches wider and use a darning needle to cinch the band before putting the smaller piece over it. (By the way, perfecting the length and width of that small piece took me FOREVER, and even then it might be one row too skinny). Perhaps details on how to make this up later.



Taunted myself at my favorite antique store here in town (and in general, definitely my favorite) this afternoon. I can't justify pre-buying dishware I won't be using until I have settled into a more permanent housing situation without roommates and big parties. But I saw these Greek-inspired cups and fell in love. I MIGHT go back and get them next weekend if they're still there because every time I look at this picture I want them more and more. They WERE such a good deal... $17.60 for a set of six.

Goodwill finds

I am a total sucker for mint. Mint-colored earrings (among three pairs I bought). $3.99



Detailed pin-tucking on a Gap flannel. $3.99



Recycled wool Gap vest. $5.99



Ruffle details on a purple silk blouse. BCBG Max Azria, $3.99.

Also bought a large pink/blue/yellow flannel ($3.99) perfect to wear to bed but the photo didn't turn out.

Swedish Hasbeens

It's official, I am saving up for these.

Looking Good

So my second attempt at macarons failed.



COMPLETE FAILURE. I used a different recipe and it so did not work. So next time I might use Martha's recipe again and adjust some things but for now, I'm over it. I'm not a big sweet-toothed gal anyway.

In other news: I live in a development called "Cottage Creek" and for the first time ever I can actually see the creek itself from my window due to rapid snow melt. That same creek runs though campus and apparently lot's of campus is flooded. I really despise winter.

Macarons with one O

Currently: waiting on egg whites to warm up to room temperature while I watch the Bears continue to beat the Seahawks in the 3rd quarter.

Why am I waiting on egg whites? Because of my increasing obsession with creating the delicious, delicate, finicky dessert made famous in Paris known as "the macaron" (French) or in Amurica "the macaroon" which causes massive confusion since most Americans will first think of the coconut based cookie instead of the meringue-like one of a thousand flavors (including coconut). Sigh.

It all started yesterday when I read a little story written by a friend of mine. To be perfectly honest I had never eaten a macaron until my first attempts to make them on my own yesterday. I don't even know how I would go about getting "real" ones here in Ellensburg. Maybe Ladurée delivers... in any case, I figure if I want some fresh ones, I'm going to have to make them myself.

My first batch turned out like such:


chocolate macarons with chocolate ganache filling

This is what real macarons look like:









Glamorous, colorful and especially dainty... I might even go so far as to call them prissy.

The key different between mine and Ladurée's are les pieds! The feet! The goal when they cook is to have the heat escape through the bottom of the cookie and not the top, which is what causes cracking.

I have taken note of a few changes I will be making in my second attempt to make delightful macarons.

-I will not be distracted with "chocolate" I am going to flavor these macarons with some English toffee flavor and that will be that. No messing with coco powder.

-I will do the ribbon and glob test I read about

-I will fill my piping bag in a jar as to have both hands free and NOT over-fill it

-I will cook them at a higher temperature. Sort of...

-I will make a little platform out of cookie sheets so they don't cook so fast.

-I will continue to obsessively take notes.

Here are the rest of my photos from my first endeavor:

My Own Cowl Neck

Remember my obsession with this look.

I found myself a cowl neck sweater and a brand new men's white button up at Goodwill yesterday!



I tried it on and now I'm afraid the sweater is a touch too small and the button down is much too big (obviously, it's a men's 14).



Both will serve purposes in my closet, just separately, I think.

Recent Photos

View from my window before and after







a little Goodwill-assisted organizing











attempted fishtail braid