Break from blogging.

Maybe you can tell from my previous post that I'm blogged out!! So I've decided to take an indefinite break from blogging. And the Google Reader too!! My full-time job, my part-time dabbling in finding the perfect job, the Olympics, the upcoming presidential election, trying to finish several sewing projects, cleaning the apartment, and my voracious policy wonky reading habit are all taking precedence to this blog right now. Anyway, knowing me, I could be back within a few weeks or as soon as tomorrow. See ya when I see ya!!

Blog overkill.

I have a serious case of blog overkill. I get sort of demoralized when I open Google Reader and am confronted with 87 unread items that have accumulated since I last checked Friday afternoon. Is it sad that one of my favorite things about the weekend is not having to face the endless onslaught of fake-cheery blog posts, innumerable galleries of Stepford-perfect homes, the latest eco-chic designs, and magazine worthy vacation pictures? That the prospect of the interminable Monday morning scrolldown makes me break out in hives? Of course, I've got to 'fess up to my own contributory negligence in the matter, but seriously, either I have to be more selective about my subscriptions, or I will go certifiably insane.

Pattern potpourri.

Sometimes I wish I were a textile designer or a printmaker or a letterpress artist, because I've always wanted to take all these patterns and prints I see on vintage housewares and do something magical with them. Maybe one of these days I'll get around to it, but for now, here's an assortment of some particularly pleasing patterns I've seen recently on etsy. Click on the picture to check out each past present.

A midsummer night's green.

I very nearly bought myself a pair of black suede boots at the mall the other day before I caught myself. With temperatures in Atlanta still hitting the upper 90s, I don't think I'll be wearing boots for a couple of months. So since everything here is still lush and verdant, I thought I'd post a few items in honor of the color green before we all switch over to black, gray, winter white, and what is apparently the color of the fall season, purple.

Top row (L to R):

1. set of 8 Homer Laughlin bowls and extra serving bowl, $24.50 from Jen's Closet
2. fondue set, $10 from Aunt Sissy's Attic
   
3. 4 coffee mugs, $15 from Modish Vintage
   

Middle row (L to R):

1. Pyrex mixing bowl, $12 from Soulful Hues
   
2. 6 glasses with wheat design, $10 from Miscellania Mania
   
3. enamel pot, $22 from White Elephant Vintage
   

Bottom row (L to R):

1. vintage modern swing arm lamp, $38 from bluebellbazaar (reserved)
   
2. 6 tumblers, $8 from geo pillow
   
3. Shenango creamer, $11.95 from LadyFran
   

We have a winner!

I'm back from the beach and, as I promised, here are pictures of the past presents I've put together for the first Past Presents Shop giveaway contest. And based on my highly unscientific method of picking paper entries out of a baseball cap, Leah of moxie photo & design is our lucky winner!! She has such great taste, I'm a bit wary of how my small efforts will be received, but you can't really argue with a free giveaway, can you? Can you??