Green Bean Machine

It was such a happy day when the Library of Congress joined flickr. There are some fantastic color photos of factory workers during WWII.

I saw this book at Yolk when we were down in LA last month. Hatched is a very humorous book about pregnancy, childbirth, and baby-rearing...as illustrated by chickens. I think I may need to get a copy for my sister (who is very much enceinte). 

I'm way past due for a haircut. I've tried a lot of different things (short, long, black, red, blonde, purple..ew), but I think I'm just going to commit long-term to my staple of dark hair, short bangs. It's a classic and easy to style which is what I need (because I am so not a hair person). 

(Images: Audrey, Audrey and Natalie)

File under: You've GOT to be kidding me. Fringe Thigh Highs from UO ($88).

OH. MY. GOSH. I'm totally crushing on Amy Bennett's At the Lake series. Her Neighbors paintings are also quite lovely. Maybe someday I could commission her to paint our house. You know, when we have a house. And gobs of money to throw at artists.

I saw this post on AT yesterday and thought it was pretty funny. Kahlua at MMemes recently moved into a new apartment and realizing how much IKEA furniture she actually has, decided to poke fun and create her personalized IKEA catalog.

After the mister and I got married, we chose to furnish our little place from the Swedish Retail Giant because, well, it's easy and relatively inexpensive. My personal style is all about white white white and clean lines and simplicity, so it's kind of a go-to place for me.

I've been really proud of myself lately, however, because I've been patient and found some great finds on Craigslist (like the $10 dresser which is close to being done).

On a side note, I've decided to keep more personal and home-related posts over at the new family blog and have Green Bean Machine be more of a pretty pictures and designy blog.

We didn't have a cake topper at our wedding. I searched and searched for vintage toppers that I liked that weren't expensive, and I eventually gave up on the idea. Of course, now there are lots of crafty folk making awesome (custom) cake toppers. I want to have an anniversary party just so I can have an excuse to get one!

The Small Object and Goose Grease are my favorite wedding topper makers right now. Check these lovelies out.

Wedding No. 36 by The Small Object

Wedding No. 23 by The Small Object

Custom Toppers by Goose Grease

(photo from johnnyvintage)

Rachel Denny's domestic trophies are fabulous, a humorous marriage of craft and taxidermy.

With the amount of people selling vintage items online (via eBay, etsy, or their own storefront), it's easy to either go unnoticed or be passed over for better price, better condition, or better seller rating.

I'm really pleased to see more vintage resellers focusing on the staging and photography of the objects for sale. Three Potato Four (below) is a great example. While they've got a great eye for vintage treasures, the value is heightened by the attention to presentation. You purchase an item from them (1) because you like that item, and (2) because you like how the picture makes you feel.

Not only does presentation heighten the sense of value and give the buyer ideas for display (much like house staging, no?), it shows that the seller puts great attention into every detail and indicates that they will give that same attention to their customer. Beauty!

This image and the first are from Present & Correct, which inspired this post. Thank you for doing what you do.