bowls.

i hate to say it, but i'm kind of itching for fall. and fall means chili and stew and oatmeal.

my bowls already outnumber my plates, but i probably need more.

these from urban look like they would accommodate a hot bowl of something quite well. also, the plates, which are stackable too, are worth looking at. and, if you didn't notice, they're both very cheap.

stackable bowls
urban outfitters, $2.99 (was $5)

umbrella update.

i got my paper parasol up and running (hanging?), and i am quite pleased with the outcome. (i had nothing to do with its installation. thank you, joe.)

the odd little room where this now hangs is no more than 40 square feet and leads to my bathroom.

i had been wanting to make a small dressing room out of it since it also has a closet and some built-ins, but i didn't know where to begin to make it less dull.

the umbrella was a good start, i think.

butterfly and bushes paper parasol
the paper lantern store, $7.95

soap!

not much time but saw via apartment therapy and promptly had to report to you.

handsoap
foliage, $12

trapeze dress.

somehow my name has made it onto the alloy mailing list for the first time in 10 or so years. and, surprisingly, the delia*s-esque girls catalog is no longer filled solely with the angsty baby tees and maryjanes that fill my 7th grade memories.

instead, during a quick flip-through earlier this afternoon, i came across this dress...

and these boots.

and these boots, too.

and this jacket.

can you tell the summer heat is getting to me?

so, yeah, to bring me down to earth (or just summer), this dress... it looks so comfortable and fun.

denim trapeze dress
alloy, $42.50

shoe.

i won't say i'm not completely excited about these shoes. i mean, come on... cable knit + keds... whoa. and that rubbery toe? loving it.

keds 'champion cable-knit' sneaker
nordstrom, $49.95

shirt-dress.

came across this the other day and couldn't resist it. it isn't easy to find lacoste shirt-dresses, and i was especially excited to find it on sale. so, i hope it fits and the horizontal stripes don't do me wrong.

lacoste half-sleeve polo minidress
saks, $87

umbrella.

i forget who turned me on to this paper lantern store a couple weeks ago but i am greatly appreciative.

i had been looking for a paper parasol to use as a light fixture on a boring ceiling light in a room that needed some jazzing up. (bamboo handle trimmed down so that it hangs about 8 inches upside down from the ceiling. will post pictures.) pearl river, of course, is a good resource, but i had never been able to make up my mind.

then i came across this one and had to have it. and for $8, i really couldn't pass it up. i also loved this one, but it was out of stock.

so, i am anxiously awaiting this delivery. i am expecting it tomorrow and can't wait.

butterfly and bushes paper parasol
paper lantern store, $7.95

owls.

this post is for ms. s, who called me out on my post inactivity lately. i can't help it! i don't know why i'm not so preoccupied with material goods. it's actually very bothersome. i plan to spend tomorrow thoughtlessly catching up on magazines. maybe that will help.

so, yes, i did watch harry potter (the first one) for the first time last night, in preparation of the newest one (apparently there are like 5 and i hadn't seen one?). so yeah... i'm on my way to being in the know.

anyway, i like the owls in the movie. i also like these letter holders (or bookends, if you wish).

owl letter holders
the curiosity shoppe, $55

more bag.

lots of love for this one.

cargo computer bag
jalda, $498

bag.

via shiny squirrel.

croc doris bag
jalda, $430

good to know.

ever wondered how long all that stuff at the back of your medicine cabinet or bottom shelf of the refrigerator will last? now you know.

swim.

i came across this a few weeks ago in a local publication and it was in emerald and i fell absolutely in love. i can't seem to find it in anything other than black or red, but it is so gorgeous. looks like it would be pretty flattering too for those of us who aren't nicole richie.

ruched halter maillot by lenny swimwear
londomondo, $170