Then and Now

I've been on Pinterest forever. Okay, not forever, but since its inception more than three years ago. Just skimming through, some of my pins came from early spring of 2010. Today I boast 95 boards and more than 7,000 pins.

I occasionally go through my pins to make sure they have a proper link and hash tags. It's a side effect of the crazy. Lately I've also become intimate with my "Decor to Adore" and "Mastering my Domain" boards because, you know, I'm a homeowner now.  It cracks me up to see how my tastes have changed in just three short years. Let's do some then and now comparison.

Once upon a time, this kitchen looked ideal.

from shona hem via pinterest

Now, this is what makes me swoon.

from Small Place Style via Pinterest

There was a time when I would walked 1000 in these shoes.

Polyvore via Pinterest

Today's choice would be almost as precious, but not nearly as cloying.

Where did you Get That via Pinterest

This would've been just the right amount of sparkle.

Fashion is Poison via Pinterest

These days, less is more.

1st Dibs via Pinterest

I haven't painted my finger nails in years - probably  close to a decade - but I almost considered doing this.

Hitchhiking on the Howling Road via Pinterest

Now, I'd more likely entertain this manicure.

Bloom via Pinterest

I'll never doubt Karen Millen's sense of design and tailoring.

Karen Millen via Pinterest

But I think I'll don something a bit more playful while I still can.

1st Dibs via Pinterest

I have always had unreal expectations about how much I can get done so you can imagine how long some pins have been sitting on my Make Me This board just waiting for me to actually make them. Among my early ambitions was this ruffled cardigan.

Life is Beautiful via Pinterest

However,since there are only 24 hours in a day I'd rather spend my time on this more tailored refashion.

Z via Pinterest

Speaking of that odd universal lack of time, you don't even want to know how many things have been pinned with the greatest intentions and absolutely no follow through. Whoops.

New Year's Resolution, anyone?

Find Inspiration In: Flamboyant Flamingo Jewellry

Kenneth Jay Lane designed and Cartier set this flamingo in characteristic pose for Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor in 1940. The plumage was set with calibré-cut emeralds, rubies and sapphires, the beak set with a cabochon citrine and sapphire, the eye set with a similarly cut sapphire, the head, neck, body and hinged legs pavé-set with circular-, brilliant- and single-cut diamonds, measuring approximately 95mm x 65mm x 22mm. Estimated at £1,000,000—1,500,000 GBP.

Sources: Steel Orchids, Fashion: a Crash Course

Seriously, how could this bird not inspire some sort of feeling?  Oh boy do I have ideas. Watch out!

Nailed It, the redux

In July I shared with you some of the awesome manicures I had come across on Pinterest. Then, on October 2 the ever-mysterious anonymous left a comment asking where the nail armor I had featured could be purchased. Alas, Anonymous, I do not know.  But while I was looking I found a lot of really cool info on the happenings within the realm of nail art.

CalGel Gradation Manicure

 First, I have to come clean. I never paint my nails. It looks so polished (ahem) and chic for about three hours and then one of them will chip and drive me absolutely crazy.  I love a good wash of color, I just like it on my toes. It should come as no surprise that my head has pretty much been in the sand when it comes to all the novel nail accoutrements available.

Ming Vase Manicure

First, polish. Even I am not so out of it that I don't know about all the crazy crackle finishes and magnetized fun available in a bottle of polish these days.

part of the Shatter line from OPI

Shine from Yahoo! has a rundown on the many many brands that make a crackle polish and where you can find them here.

Sephora felt it very important I know about the new magnetized polish from nails, inc. It looks pretty cool (pricey, but cool) although I have my doubts about my ability to recreate this look.

Click on the image for more info

From paint on we move to press on. No! Not press-on nails! Well, not exactly.  I'm talking about nail polis stickers! I first noticed these puppies on my acquaintance, Drea, when I asked if I could post this "boudoir" photo of her.

photo by Lauren Kennedy

I realize there are more eye-catching things in this photo, but those nails totally grabbed me! I can't speak for Drea's nails in particular but you can totally get this look and about a dozen others using the Salon Effects line by Sally Hansen.

The way I understand it, you press these nail polish strips to your nail and shape any of the overhanging excess with a file. It is entirely possible that I could do that without royally screwing up.

I know, I know, I also am reeling from all the greatness now available in my favorite nail product aisle.  But there's more. Anonymous, all this is for you, babe. I didn't find the pearl and filigree "nail armor" we both admired, but I did find the Japanese practice of Stereoscopic nails.

from http://www.tumblr.com/tumblelog/notmybedtime via we heart it

Basically anywhere from one to a 10 set of acrylic nails can be custom ordered from a number of nail artisans. The nail is literally built to your specifications using paints, "mixtures", jewels, you name it! Instead of lifting copy from somewhere else (and stealing their photos) I'll refer to this post on PingMag. Really, you have to see the photos. And the video. People like Megumi Furukawa, Aya Fukuda,  and Naomi Yasuda have taken what once was street style and made it an intricate art form.

I sort of love it.

Okay, but some of us don't have time to sit down and get a set of acrylics put on. Then what?  Well, we do what the stars do.

Diamond Pave Nail Ring from Bijules

That's right, we get pave diamond set nail rings. Or, you know, something not $4500.

There you go, Anonymous and my other darlings.  A whole lot I didn't know about fingernails. If I do try the Sally Hansen number I promise to tell you all about it.  Will you do the same?

heart-to-heart

Thanks to the Etsy favorites feature, I have hearts, you have hearts, we all have hearts! Here, we’ll hop from heart-to-heart each week, progressively adding to our heart trail as we follow the favorites from one seller to the next.

Last month left our heart trail with

...Ida Estelle {Moroccan Wrap Bracelets} who hearts

...fairysomnia {Moose Watercolor} who hearts

...Kerrera Skye {Knit Fingerless Gloves} who hearts

...Paper Polaroid {Paper Heart Garland} who hearts

...Pillow Pallooza {Pixelated Felt Pillow} who hearts

...ouma {Ombre Ruffled Skirt} who hearts

...can you guess?

Heart-to-Heart

First, a disclaimer of sorts. I would love to take credit for the entire Heart-to-Heart concept, but I can't. I found this awesome feature on Scoutie Girl some time ago when it was being done by Jan Dicintio.  When Jan left Scoutie Girl so she could focus more on her shop Daisy Janie, I offered begged to be allowed to continue the feature. Alas, Scoutie Girl has also opted to shift its focus and Heart-to-Heart will no longer be posted there. But I just can't let it go so, without further ado...

Thanks to the Etsy favorites feature, I have hearts, you have hearts, we all have hearts! Here, we’ll hop from heart-to-heart each week, progressively adding to our heart trail as we follow the favorites from one seller to the next.

Our trail starts where I left off at Scoutie Girl with

…Romy66 {Lion Fish} who hearts

...Cathy Morell {Cotton Blossom Collar} who hearts

...Stacey Creel {Hammered Copper Earrings} who hearts

...Lori Hammer {Butterfly Cuff} who hearts

...SquirrelNuts {Alligator Charms} who hearts

...StoriesDivinations {Vintage Maps Card} who hearts

...stop back by to find out!