Petty Vices

Clear rose rain umbrella

As a Seattleite, I don't use umbrellas very often (for some reason, its always been anti-cultural here). That said, we seem to be having monsoons lately and not just a light, steady drizzle, so I'm reconsidering my adherence to this wacky "get-wet like a real Seattleite" rule.

My absolute favorite umbrella when I was a kid was a clear vinyl, dome-style one with, I think (?), a mickey mouse design.

I am delighted to share with you an adult version of a clear, domed umbrella (from Umbrellas.net), which I would like to have in my rain gear arsenal. I would like the yellow roses, please, should santa be reading.

Sometimes the kid in me just wants to go shopping for herself

Polyvore to the rescue!
Tweening out with myself by http://pettyvices.typepad.com

My 3 a.m. pancake suit

Stepping out for a bite by http://pettyvices.typepad.com

Nicolette Brunklaus Shady Tree Lamp Shade

Loving this lamp shade design. Am putting this on my "to buy someday" list...

From the website Rose & Radish, where I found these: "Shady conceals a virtual forest underneath its plain drum shade exterior. Nothing from the outside would even hint that there’s anything out of the ordinary, but when night falls and the lights are flicked on, this shade reveals the forest image that hides underneath." How fun!

Evidently, designer Nicolette Brunklaus' signature is adding layers of meaning to her work; I love the whimsy and "secret garden" effect she provides with these lights. 

Coveting Catherine Holm enamel dishware

I love Norwegian designer Catherine Holm's vintage enamelware collection, like this dutch oven being sold on ebay. Adore the orange, too!

Congratulations, President Obama

I'm at a loss for words, so I'll let our new President speak for me (thank you, Life Beyond the Well, for providing this as your 'quote of the moment'):

"I will never forget that the only reason that I'm standing here today is because somebody, somewhere stood up for me when it was risky. Stood up when it was hard. Stood up when it wasn't popular. And because that somebody stood up, a few more stood up. And then a few thousand stood up. And then a few million stood up. And standing up, with courage and clear purpose, they somehow managed to change the world." -Senator Barack Obama

I'm so inspired. Yes we can!