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

Dig for Victory dress

Petal Mix flower brooch

Sweet Maggie Jane coin ring

Sherril Canet room

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

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

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!

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

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

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!!

(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!

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

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?

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!

So, in honor of Nora and my new found love for squirrels, here are some top items that are worth changing your own squirrel opinions for. . . just look at those brown eyes and bushy tails. Cute!

It Was a Dark and Squirrely Night Sweater - Modcloth

Squirrel Power Earrings – Modcloth

Squirrely Paper Clips

Squirrel Art “Olive” by Amber Alexander

Have a squirrely whirly weekend everyone! And also in honor of Nora, check out her new travel/adventure blog all the way from Hong Kong called Nora in Wonderland here. She’d love a visit (a web visit that is)!

Here are a few fresh finds that caught my eye and tickled my fancy. No reason. And really, isn’t that the best reason of all?!

First up, I’ve got sandwiches on the brain. Ever since I gathered up enough courage to try Tofurky (the smoke flavoring was a bit frightening at first), I’ve been loving my new found sandwich freedom. So what better way to celebrate that than this super-awesome lunchbox. We’ll just pretend that’s more Tofurky on the sammie there. . .

And I can’t ignore my old standby. The goodhearted pb & j. I toast you, dear friend, with this doppelgänger coin purse.

Next up, this should have been included in my CRAP stamp post earlier this month. So many frustrations, so few stamps. Thankfully we can add this WTF?! stamp to our collection. Sometimes there are just no words. . .

Okay, well there is one word. . . YUMBOTS! It’s two of my favorite things! Cupcakes and robots. Need I say more?

Okay, well yes. I need to say that if you love cupcakes too, check out the Cupcake Project. It’ll blow. Your. Mind. Peach cobbler, tiramisu, even calzone cupcakes! Crazy cakes. Literally.

And finally, before I leave you dreaming of cupcakes and WTF stamps, I give you these silhouette posties (I prefer posties to the other, more corporate term). . . they’re playful and cute, and could add that extra 50’s spark to your desk. I imagine the boy is called Billy or Johnny, and the girl, probably Gidget. She’ll surely help you to not forget the milk! And ain’t that swell.

See that? That’s a couple of lonely sisters dateless on a Saturday, so instead they play games and eat popcorn with mom and dad. It sure is swell. But not the same as being with a boy at the movies. So older sister here, she tells lil’ sis how her friend Kay set out to get more dates.

What ensues is a fabulous, super vintage-y list of what girls should do. . . 1) good grooming habits, including baths, toothpaste and real good underarm deodorant, 2) then, like Kay, begin making more friends at school, mostly with boys, and 3) again like Kay, help out, like offering to make your brother and his friend Buzz sandwiches while they study.

And see that, just by making him a sandwich, Buzz noticed Kay and asked her to the football game on Saturday.

How magically wonderful. Deodorant + Sandwich = Date with Buzz. See Kay lonely. See Kay make a ham and cheese for boy. See Kay date. Ha ha. How great is that? It’s so great, I’m gonna start using the word swell to all the boys like Kay. And I s’pose I’ll wear more deodorant now too. But you can forget about the sandwiches.

Here’s the video in its entirety. It won’t change your life, but in light of our current standards and expectations on this topic, it’ll make you smile!

Schools out….

Woop, woop! I’ve had my last exam for the semester and I’m officially done with my first year of gradschool! Good for me, and good for you, because this means I’ll have more time to share my fashion findings!

So, next thing on my do-to-list is to find the perfect summer maxidress! I just LOVE these!! And check out the very cool and funky accesories from cuter than cuter Norwegian designer duo ugle&Øya that goes with just about anything…

Do I hear midsummernight party??

Tbags

Oasis & Matthew Willamson

French Connection & TopShop

ugle&Øya

But you go ahead, go on with your bad self. Light those screaming crowds on fire with your chest guitar! It even comes with its own mini-amp to really blow their minds!! Surely even just a crowd of 2 would be impressed. . . and it’s such a small price to pay for a few minutes of wicked glory!

Somebody’ an official terrible TWO!

And of course, just because it’s their birfday, it doesn’t mean the creative t-shirt train has to stop. Check out today’s tee. . . a spry, bagpipe playing Scotopus designed by the talented Dave Perillo. Cool!