Friday Link Hootenanny :: Cool Things To Browse

Link Hootenanny

ONE MORE WEEK TIL SCHOOL IS OUT!!!!!!! Whooo hoooo! Let the Summer Vacation Count Down begin! Are you guys out of school already? Actually I don’t know why I’m so excited, I still have to work! hah. BUT it does mean we are thiiiis much closer to family trips to Michigan and Myrtle Beach, and also my Birthday Tradition, Tiki Oasis. What are you guys up to this summer? Answer below, but before that….check out some fun “Friday” linkies! (I know…it’s Sunday. Better late than never!)

1. WOODEN YOU LIKE NEON?

Neon has been all the rage and I’m still really loving it. I think it works best when paired with a neutral (like greys and whites and even beige. Yes. I said beige!). But I really love it with WOOD. And of course Martha is all over this with a snazzy jewelry DIY. Oh Martha. See it here. (via someone….I can’t remember who. Oopsy!)

2. CRUMPLESTILTSKIN

Meet, the Crumpled City Map! This is such a clever idea—a city map that you can simply shoved into your bag without folding. When you need it again, it magically unfolds. Each fun “crumpled: maps features wonderful illustrations and are even rain proof. Plus you can open and close them in 2 seconds—less time it takes to open yer umbrella. I really want one. (via babyccino kids)

3. LETTER RIP

Adorable Kiddo reader Ashley (of The Stork and the Beanstalk) tipped me off to the magic of Paul Thurlby. His series of alphabet letters is SO cool and charming. I think they’d be amazing in a kiddo room or your living room. See them here.

4. STATELY SAMMIES

How delicious do these look? Designer Kelly Pratt has crafted a series of sandwiches based on different states. Her mission? Set out to make a special sandwich for each of the 50 states, using classic ingredients found locally. Join her on this delicious journey here.

5. KING OF YOUR OWN CASTLE

Do you have Game of Thrones Mania? If so, you can own this life size replica of THE throne for a mere $30,000 clams. Zoinks! Not the coziest looking thang, eh? As an aside, I am thiiiiiiis close to finishing the last book (lawdy is it taking me FOREVER!). It’s tough on a Kindle, because you can’t flip to the back to double check characters and I fully admit some chapters I think, “WHO is this person??” Anyway, I just finished Season 1 and loved it. Can we discuss how hot ol Peter Dinklage is? I love him as Tyrion.

6. HIP BABY BOOKS

Back in the day, Baby Books were very Hallmark “Special Moments” in their design. Not any more. Just look at these fancy Nancies. The Plibook Collection by PiqPoq are just the thing for the modern parent. Score them over at kickcan and conkers. (via handmade charlotte)

7. PRETTY PAPER


Aren’t these cool? See more paper pop-ups by snazzy Portland-based designer mengyu chen. (via whoreange)

8. BEEP BOOP BEEP.

These super clever Space Invaders playing cards are by Russian design company Art Lebedev Studio. Wolfie would totally dig them. You can buy them here.

9. BONUS VIDEO

Mr. Rogers was always a calming force in households of the 70s….with his soothing voice and wise words. I didn’t appreciate him in my laters years, preferring the spazzy good fun of Sesame Street. But as I’ve gotten older I’ve realized how AWESOME he was. My friend MizLandry showed me this excellent remix video. It’s fun, funky and full of cool Mr. Roger’s missives. I think you’ll like! (“But Mr. McFeeley….I didn’t order a flute!” hahaha) Enjoy that last bit of weekend friends! See ya here tomorrow….

Life, Collected.

Real Life : Alix

I don’t know about you guys, but MAN this year has just flown by!! I can’t believe summer is just about here. We still have a week of school but then we’ll be rarin’ to go. Life has been pretty action packed—we’re workin’ hard and playin’ hard. We’ve really been trying to get outside and enjoy the weather as much as possible! That means BBQs, long walks in the woods with Sammy, swimming, seeing friends and plotting out camps and vacation travel.

Back in October, Wolfie’s class sold the most tickets for their Halloween Festival booth (the water balloon toss). As a result, they won a spring ice cream party! Greg dressed up as the Fantastic Mr. Fox for halloween and the kids were excited that Mr. Fox was going making another appearance!

Ice coffees are one of my favorites when the temperatures heat up. I’m always amused at how the barristas muck up my name. I’ve had Alice, Ellis, Axel, Alice X (written when the discussion went, “Alix” “Alice?” “No, Alix….with and X”). This was a new one!

Are you ready for summer? Any big plans? On a totally random note—who’s watching The Bachelorette?? And how about The Glee Project?? If you are a Glee fan, it’s a realllly fun show! (And it just started this week!)

The last ferry ride and a new beginning.

Real Life : Dottie

Recently, I took my last ferry ride to a job I held for eight plus years.

You see, I worked at a major networks’ Interactive site as a PR director. It has been an extraordinary experience. And extraordinary stressful–demanding I’m out of the house from 7AM to 6PM most days and always a phone call or email away, constantly reaching for my Blackberry.  I am thankful for this job which has allowed me to meet some amazingly talented people. CBS has always had a habit of hiring the smartest people around with incredibly sharp with–many of whom I’m lucky enough to call friends.

You do get to meet quite a few fancy people working for a major television network like LL Cool J, the cast of Big Bang Theory, Ileana Douglas, Jeff Probst, Mary Louise Parker, Rob Lowe, the guys from the band Spoon, and half the cast of Gossip Girl.  And there isn’t a conference I haven’t been to–E3, SXSW, ComicCon, heck, you name it. But honestly, it is the hours spent with co-workers that became friends staying late working on some big announcements. Or sharing excitement with my spokespeople before they get in front of the cameras for an interview.  Or that amazing feeling reading an article that I helped place in the Wall Street Journal or on a nationa morning news show. And I’m thankful for this job because it has allowed me to support my family through some tough times as well.

But it was time to move on. My work/life/blog balance was woefully out of whack. Perhaps that is just the way things are, but all of a sudden it just became too much.  The price to high for my sanity and my health.  And it wasn’t just about me. It was about the Peach. And Eric. Basically, I wasn’t seeing enough of the two most important people in my life. And I knew that that needed to change.

I’m also very lucky to have a dear friend go through the experience almost exactly a year ago. When Alix left her big stressful corporate job, I was so impressed by her grace and joy changing her work life balance and still bringing home the bacon!  She has been truly an inspiration and I’m still proud of her and amazed at how much she’s done during her first year freelancing.

Speaking of freelancing, I start my new consulting gig in a couple of weeks and I’m so excited about it.  The new company I will consult for is one of my favorite companies and run by some of the most talented people in the business. I have to pinch myself to remember that this is my life.

But what to do with this wonderful bit of free time? Well, celebrate of course!

I’m planning on a bit of organizing, a bit of sewing, and a bit of travel. I feel like this little slip of time is a wonderful opportunity to do something a little bit extraordinary.

Like a little jaunt to Paris.

More to come on that. Oh yes, much more about that!  Because I’m leaving today for Paris. No agenda–just a ticket, a hotel reservation and one of my dearest friends.  You can follow my adventure on Instagram and Twitter under MissDottie.  Oh, and there will be adventure. And some fine champagne, I’m sure.

Cover Lovers // Groovy Album Art

Vintage Graphics

When it comes to vintage record albums, it’s TOTALLY ok to judge a book by its cover! Even if the inside record is a bit beat up, the cover can still sing. I’ve started posting some fun record finds on instagram—you can follow along too if you like! I’m @galexina over there. Post your own record finds and tag me  and the tag #coverlover so I can find you too! I’m also thinking this could be a good way to document cool things without buying them…..hmmm,