Floto

Sometimes I see something I like that costs too much money, and I go, "Ah, well." But then I keep thinking about it. I go back and look at it again. Eventually two years have gone by, and I keep looking at it and keep wanting it. Then I know that it's worth the money.

 



 



Click picture to see me photoshopped.

This one next.





Argyle is Cool Again

I'm old enough to remember when argyle was hopelessly unfashionable, but the linear repeat of it always appealed to me. So I'm glad it's now hip.

And I love this tutorial from Laura Howard of Bugs and Fishes --

Easy to make and great looking. And what about super-sized diamonds in crazy colors like turquoise and red, or orange and hot pink? With contrasting embroidery? Whoo.

Laura has more tutorials on her blog. Know anybody having a baby soon?

 



Urban Outfitters Sale

They have got them some cute stuff over at Urban Outfitters.



Cotton shower curtain, $14.99.


4'x6' chenille rug, $39.99.


Tragically not on sale: Ivy Chair, $358.

Love Me Some Silicone

Look what I got! Only $5.99 at Target for these Michael Graves measuring cups. Ha ha ha! I saw the exact same ones at Williams Sonoma for $24.99.

And you can pinch anywhere on the rim and make a non-drop spout.

Gaah! Somebody needs a manicure.

I can't find them online, but maybe you can get them at a bricks-and-mortar Target. Except not the one at Libbie and Broad in Richmond. Sorry.

Eeek! from Mibo

Can you believe it? Summer in Richmond has broken, finally, and that means Halloween! Woo-hoo!

Get in the mood with these petrifying creatures from Mibo, only $3.95.

Don't Do This

I answer the phone at work. "Human Resources, Susan Rudolph."

"Hello, Ms. Rudolph, how are you?"

"[What?] I'm fine, thank you. [miniscule but censorious pause] Who is this, please?"

"Oh! I'm ... well, my name is ..."

So goes yet another encounter wherein I chew somebody's nose off for making a faux pas. Since it says right there in my "About" that I'm trying to stop doing this, let's move along to the nature of the faux pas.

When you make a business call, or any call to somebody you don't know, you're in the position of asking a favor. In the tiny social contract that the other person agrees to by answering the phone, you're the bottom.

So you're obliged to get to the point. You want to start things off with a pleasantry? Give me your name, say whom you're affiliated with, and describe concisely what you want. That's what I call pleasant.

But throw me off guard by deviating from accepted telephone etiquette, and I hate you already. Though later I will forgive you.

p.s. No, seriously. After I spit out the chewed nose, I feel bad, and I'm super nice and helpful for the rest of the conversation.

Clean, Classic Hat

This one's for Mel. Family of four, not including three dogs -- things are usually flying around all over the place, amirite? Under those circumstances, can you have too many hats?

When everybody's scrambling out the door every morning, you need a generous supply of warm that your two-legged darlings can grab, put on, and go with. Here's one from Purl Bee you can crank out in multiples all through September.

Oooh, I love the colors. And no itch! It has a clever cashmere lining around the bottom for soft and cozy (only 23 rounds -- one skein of cashmere will be enough for several hats.)

It's hip. I love it. Pattern here. Make it in colors that kiss you on the lips.