By Nora G.

Yesterday I walked outside without a coat on, and yes, that was pretty optimistic of me. But the sun was shining and the weather was sweet! The kind of day where if you close your eyes and feel the sunbeams warm your face, you just might be able to imagine spring is right around the corner. I don’t know about you, but I think it is so much easier to dress for lovely, warm weather. I think it’s the whole big coat and clunky boots of winter that put me off of cold-weather wardrobes. So bring it on spring, I want to wear sandals again!!!!

Marni Pleated Sheath Dress – H & M

Shirt – Danish Nuè Notes

Francis Crinckle Parka – Acne

Heels – Steve Madden

Cookie Lily Bag – Mulberry

God save McQueen! Skull Scarf

Hello Yellow!

By Nora G.

First of all, a big congrats to my friends at Cala & Jade for winning the prestigious “Nåløyet” award in Oslo last week for Best Accessory 2012! Woot woot! And yay to me for securing the fab Ciel shopping bag in glorious green just before the weekend! I don’t mind celebrating all things green, again and again…Spring is around the corner after all…

Cala & Jade

Vintage striped washed-silk shirt from EQUIPMENT

Louboutin Torero!

Dress by Malene Birger

H&M pants!

Delicious necklace from Les Nereides!

i only have a couple words for today’s post. dress envy! here’s a collection of pretty, pretty dresses that would make any girl look their absolute best… beautiful inside and out! just click on the image for more info on the dress. oh la la!

By: Nora G.

Fall is sadly upon us, but after missing out on fall last year due to a semester in Hong Kong, I’m more than happy to welcome back boots, gloves and wool socks. And my new fave fall accessory is a felt hat, and as the Snork Maiden from the Moomins says, isn’t it wonderful how a beautiful hat can change one’s looks? One feels free, and dangerous! So hat-up everyone and enjoy the season with its delicious and earthy color feast!

SuzSeams – Brown Felt Hat

Chloè – Jacket

Ralph Lauren – Hudson Classic Jodhpur

Massimo Dutti – Grey Oxford

Jerome Dreyfuss - The Albert

I’m a May baby with an emerald birthstone, and therefore, I have a great affinity for anything green. And by green, I mean that gorgeous deep green hue that enticed Dorothy and gang to follow a yellow brick road. It’s beautiful and inspiring, and something I love to decorate with and wear. So without further ado, here are my latest greenie wishes. . .

Dig for Victory dress

Petal Mix flower brooch

Sweet Maggie Jane coin ring

Sherril Canet room

I may not have a super checkered past, but I am determined to have an extremely checkered present and future. Red and white checkered, that is. Anything gingham is quite fetching at the moment. I’m also in the midst of a baking whirlwind too, and there’s just something so sweetly vintage about red and white checkered accents, especially while cupcakes and cookies are filling up the kitchen. I think it makes them taste better too, actually.

Even if the pattern is on a pair of earrings or a tie, doesn’t it just make you want a slice of toast with Grandma’s jam? It definitely does that for me, and I love it. So in honor of my high hopes for a checkered future, I’ve pulled together some eye-catching gingham-infused items in all sorts of colors and styles for your (and my) viewing pleasure. These will look that much cuter if you have a cupcake in hand too. . . so bon appetit!

Gingham Clutch $26

Woodland Chipboard Buttons $8

Beau Gingham Collection of Ties & Bowties $22

Coco Statement Necklace $35

Black and White Gingham Studs $7

Teal Gingham Infinity Scarf $12

Red Gingham Kitchen Towels $12

When special days are on the horizon, sometimes a new dress just doesn’t cut it. But a new old dress? Now that just might be the ticket. At least for me it is! Thank goodness online communities like Etsy exist, where vintage patterns are available, and even seamstresses are at your fingertips, ready and waiting to make you a special vintage dress that will fit just perfectly.

So, in the spirit of custom-made vintage awesomeness, here are some patterns that make me want to get a new retro dress with a bunch of crinoline underneath and an apron around my waist, and pretend I’m June Cleaver whilst baking a pie. So yeah, call me old school. . . I don’t mind!

1950s Dawn Halter Dress

1960s Sheath Dress

1950s Sundress

1950s Boatneck Rachelle Dress

1950s Atomic Wrap Dress

Simple 1950s Dress

When searching for inspiration, I often use simple keywords on Etsy and other artsy-fartsy websites to gather up cool things I can write about. And it never ceases to amaze me the amount of creativity and eye-catching things one word like gingham or feather can drum up. So today I decided to do something even more simplified. . . and show you what nifty displays of artistic talent were found using just the word blue.

I will admit a lot of sifting is quite necessary, because many unfortunate looking creations can crop up in the searches too. I saved you the horror of that here, but if your morbid curiosity gets the better of you, check out Regretsy for a fantastic collection of less than desirable offerings.

But enough about that — time to just enjoy the blue inspirations below!

Paper Planes Tee

Tree Ring Paintings

“Forever” photo

Viewfinder Mini Laptop Case

Portable Altoid Amp – Speaker for MP3 Players

“In Her Lady’s Chamber” print

Poms!

By Nora G.

Woke up this morning and while flicking through the online newspapers, an article caught my eye. The Norwegian soda Solo is trying to make it or break it in the States. WOW! I say, you go Solo! Growing up in a family where Tab (yes I know!) was the drink of choice for every occasion, Solo was always a welcomed treat whenever offered. It’s orangey, zesty, tasty and of course, yellow!!!

And speaking of yellow, with spring and Easter around the corner I wanted to celebrate all things wonderful and yellow. In Norway, we say “Gult er Kult” (yellow is cool) and I couldn’t agree more. So check out these funky things…. and just follow the yellow brick road to sunshine-filled days!

Hoptimist Bimble

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Voom by Joy Han

Michael Kors

Up in the Air Somewhere

Sweet Nature Designs

Sentimental Heart Photography

For the love, where are you spring? Hurry the h*ll up already! I’m ready to wear open-toed shoes, breezy cardigans and skirts without freezing my bum off. Baseball games, BBQs and farmers markets are waiting impatiently with their toes tapping and arms crossed. Okay, maybe that’s just my toe tapping, but you get the point.

So, to inspire warmer-weather thoughts, here are some very springy (and very random) things to admire, in the hopes that warmer days are in our very near future.

Blossom Bookmarks $7.95

Wide Rose Cuff $19

Metropolis Dishtowel $6.95

Tulips 8×10 $15.00

9:01am Watch by May28th $39

Kathy Screenprint $70

Tulip Clutch (as seen in ReadyMade mag) $28

Mushroom Salt & Pep $7

Petite Critters Cards $18

Tube Vase $12.95

By: Nora G.

I am a sucker for cool jewelry,  and was thrilled when designer Dala Al Fuwaires launched her beautiful accessories line, Olives and Pearls on Etsy. For the upcoming holidays I’m recommending everyone check out her stuff, and put in an order or two for amazing Christmas presents you know your friends will love.

Her personality is truely reflected in her pieces. . . cute, charming, but at the same time edgy and timeless. Here are some of my favorites, and surely some of yours soon too!

And an early Merry Christmas from Hong Kong, or as they say here — Shengdan Failong!!

Simply put, baking is fun and the end result, if executed properly, is tasty and sweet. After recently coming across the fantastic baking blog Bakerella, my world exploded into a million tiny cake treats on lollipop sticks, and I love it. From mini pies to teeny cakes to itty bitty dipped cookies, the sky is the limit with lollipop sticks on hand.

(photo via flickr.com)

I also realize this is not a baking blog, so I took my inspiration from the kitchen and found these. . . super DUPER cute (and tiny, of course) cookie, donut, chocolate croissant and macaroon earrings. These will be first on my list when I finally get that bakery/blog store going. But until then, you can get them on Etsy here and/or here!

So, if you and I have ever watched a bit of television together, you know that it is quite easy for me to be entertained by even the cheesiest of commercials. That being said, the other night when I saw Target’s latest offering, I laughed until I cried.

Perhaps you will find it just as entertaining, and if not, well, at least the pup is cute. Happy giggling!

I saw this ring, and despite its lack of real diamonds, I dug it, and still do (cause I’m not fake; see how I did that?!). It’s a simple message on a sterling silver diamond-shaped design to make that dramatic statement ring loudly (forgive the pun; it’s Monday after all!).

So in a nutshell, this loudmouth piece of jewelry is awesome. And for all the single ladies (all the single ladies!) out there, it’ll give the guy(s) you’re scoping a straightforward message right up front. Yes sir, that’s right. See? Look at my finger. Not fake. Well, maybe it won’t go exactly like that. . .but at least it’s a conversation starter?

Last week when a tornado ripped through Brooklyn, New York, a lot of people there were not only shocked by the damage, but also shocked that it was indeed a tornado. Coming from the Midwest, tornadoes are hardly ever shocking, sadly, and I think that’s partly why I’ve never seen tornado trinkets like the ones W Records by Monkey created emerge from the aftermath of a storm in my hometown.

By using wood from the fallen trees, Patrick Chirico of W Records by Monkey (the creator of my prized vinyl cameo necklace) was able to commemorate the strange weather with a neat little button that says, “I Survived the NYC Tornado,” and, “A Tree Fell in Brooklyn.” Hey Midwest gang, next time we get severe weather, which will be all too soon, let’s get creative too!