"It's not for me to tell you to be patient..."

"So this story, this struggle, continues today — for even as we face extraordinary challenges as a nation, we cannot — and will not — put aside issues of basic equality. We seek an America in which no one feels the pain of discrimination based on who you are or who you love."
-Obama's speech yesterday's at the LGBT Pride Month reception

I so, so, so want to believe this will happen. Obama's remarks yesterday were uplifting and inspiring, but are still just words thus far. So there damn well better be some actions behind them!

Happy Pride!

Alice in Wonderland

Now even creepier!

These are some of the first images of Tim Burton's new Alice in Wonderland, set to come out next March in 3-D! I love the original story, and it can only be made better by the inclusion of Anne Hathaway, my beloved HBC, Johnny Depp, Alan Rickman, and Stephen "I'm a national fucking treasure" Fry. See afterellen for more!

Rachel Maddow Moment of Geek with Bill Nye the Science Guy!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

New family member!

No, we have not had a miracle baby. We have, however, added a lovely, if a little rough from wear, stuffed pheasant to our household. We call him Philmore.

Jennifer's second job is managing online sales/auctions for a consignment company and so she always sees the good stuff first. I had to bid on this little guy, who just needed some love, and snagged him for $12! Jennifer also brings home loads of old books that can't sell, so her job is tops in my opinion.

Outfit Post: Tuesday

I haven't done an outfit post in a while, but I really liked this outfit I put together this week. Blazer, tank, skirt from Target, brown tights from Gap, boots from Duo.

Why can't I live in the UK?

I mean, I want to for many reasons, but right now because of these gorgeous poetry books from Faber and Faber. I love poetry, and I love books, and I loooove woodcuts.

Art in the Park Purchases Part 3

Another booth that really caught my eye was that of Karen Kemp, which was full of vibrant painting and etchings - including a big painting of a box of donuts and a group of cupcake pieces that every single passer-by remarked on. Tres cute.

I was tempted by her cupcake etchings, but ultimately fell in love with a tiny etching/collage of a dala horse.


It's printed on a 8"x10" piece of gorgeous thick white paper, but the image itself is diminutive - about 2" square. She uses a mixed process of etching and chine colle, a process similar to collage, to get black ink images on pretty paper backgrounds.

Art in the Park Purchases Part 2

We both fell in love with the prints at JHillDesign. Designer Jennifer Hill is adorable; she chatted with us when we first stopped by and bought greeting cards, and remembered us when we came by a second time to buy prints. Hers was one of my favorite booths at the festival.

Jennifer bought a piece from the Places I Have Never Been series - it's just what it sounds like, images inspired by places the designer has never been.

Prairie City, Iowa - Celebrating her roots!

I decided to buy one of her charming animal alphabet prints. I picked the whale because of the gorgeous purple coloring, but could easily have picked any of a dozen others.


Two more purchases to come! Stay tuned!

Works we thought about buying

If we had a little baby, we would have snapped up illustrations from Harriet and Mickey, Ink, in a heartbeat.

Hungry

Yellow Giraffe

If I had had the money, I would have snapped up some jewelry from Jennifer Chin of Lush Metals. Her works remind me of delicate paper quilling.


I also fell completely in love with the jewelry of Lisa Gent, especially her pearl disk necklaces.

Art in the Park

Yesterday Jennifer and I went to the DeCordova's 24th Annual Art in the Park festival. Despite ridiculous amounts of rain, we had an awesome time. There were loads of artists there with works for sale - many had both original pieces and more affordable prints for sale. We came back with quite a haul.

First, we each got a print by watercolor artist Greg Stones. His works are quirky and very funny while also being meticulously detailed and delicate.

My choice - Penguin in Love.

Jennifer's pick - Penguin vs. Reaper

I also picked up a copy of his book Goodbye, Penguins, from which both of our illustrations originate.

Stay tuned for more of our purchases!

Anniversary

Last Sunday Jennifer and I celebrated our second anniversary. I planned out a surprise day full of a ton of our favorite things. We started off with pancakes and smoothies (made in her fancy new Waring blender, one of her gifts from me) then got dressed all cute to embark on our day.


First stop was the DeCordova museum to see their new exhibition and have a pan-European picnic with brie, gouda, french bread, olives, hummus, and dark chocolate.

Adorable picnic basket from Target!

Next, we went to see The Importance of Being Earnest at Wellesley Summer Theatre. As Oscar Wilde is our household god, it was only appropriate that he be a part of our day.

Finally, we got all dolled up and went to Sel de la Terre, a restaraunt in Natick that's slightly more upscale than we often do but not to fancy to break the bank. The food was amazing!

I loved our day very very much, and it was just topped off my the lovely and thoughtful gifts from my girl. She got me the most gorgeous purple purse, which I have had my eye on since last fall, as well as a beautiful and delicate 'mon amour' necklace, which I never want to take off.


Jennifer received from me the afor-mentioned (awesome) Waring blender, a super-cute and super-easy ice cream maker, and a silly little ruffly apron. I also repaired and added to her charm bracelet, an ongoing gift from me that had suffered some sad damage.

Super cute and makes a-maz-ing ice cream!

Dror for Target

I just browsed through the sneak peek at Target's new housewares and office supplies collection, Dror for Target. I'm in love with this quirky bookshelf system.


I love the weird, topsy-turvy design achieved with multiple stacks together. It's very surrealist, a little Tim Burton-esque. I am curious if it comes in different colors because I think it would look nice in black.

Crazy pretty

I saw this picture on gofugyourself and had to giggle.

Because when you see anyone else, ever, dressed like that you back away slowly and call the authorities, but when Helena Bonham Carter does it, all I can think is "oh, HBC, you are so delightfully wacky." I very much adore her, from her big hair in A Room with a View, to her chain-smoking flippancy in Conversations with Other Women (fabulous movie, btw), to her absolutely mad insanity in Harry Potter. Maybe it's because I'm re-reading HP right now in anticipation of the movie, but I'm so excited to see her reprise her role as Bellatrix.

Oh, and it also helps that she can look like this, too.

Outfit Post: Monday

Fairly simply outfit: sharkskin silver skirt from Old Navy, purple top with pom-pom trim from Gap, teal peep-toe slingback flats from Gap.

I love these shoes and especially love that I snagged them and a magenta pair on super sale for ~$11 each!

Closet clean-out!

Jennifer and I went totally through our closets this weekend to weed out little-worn and ill-fitting clothes. Since I seem to have put on a few around the bum area, some of my jeans and trousers have been languishing unworn and I decided good riddance and got rid of a few of those just-too-tight pairs.

However, while I was at it I found a number of things that I like but never seem to wear and decided to make it my goal to actually work them into my outfits. So, to encourage myself to do so I've decided to post a week's worth of outfits with at least one little-worn piece in each!

I'll post today's outfit, too, although I'm wearing a new shirt and shoes and a skirt I wear fairly often. I'm defending it because this is the first time I've worn this skirt to this job, and the first time I've worn it with flats and bare legs.