"everyone wanted to be judged"

Abby just e-mailed me this fantastic article on The Bumbys and I had to share it with all of you!  Have you heard of them?  I hadn't before reading this article, but I absolutely love what they are doing.  I'll direct you here to the full article, so you can go read it now...then come back. ;) 

I'm the type that loves to read and collect fortunes from my cookies--keeping only the really good ones--and to have my fortune told.  I have always been interested in astrology, Pagan practices, etc., but what The Bumbys are doing is more literal.  In short, they assess individuals as they stand before them, and give what they call A Fair and Honest Appraisal of Your Appearance.  Along with a detailed, typed {yes, like on a typewriter-typed} appraisal, individuals are given a rating on a scale of 1 to 10.  What I love most is Mr. Bumby's outlook:

“I don’t ever want this to be a mean, hurtful thing. I’m not interested in tearing someone down. Where’s the art in that?”

The Bumbys are available for hire, and I can't help but think of how awesome it would be to have them at an event like a Bridal Shower!  Think of it, all these women dressed up and celebrating together, receiving compliments so they are feeling just as special as the bride-to-be.  I think it would be super-fun...unless you have a Bridezilla situation where she can be the only one getting attention, in which case The Bumbys shouldn't waste their time at such an event.  But I digress. 

They know fashion, they know the industry, and while you may need to Google "Isabella Blow" after reading their typed assessment, it would still be a terrific experience for the memory books. 

I'd hire them for a house party, where guys + girls are told beforehand to come dressed in their favorite get-up...an outfit that tells their story.  What would your outfit be? 

{photo source: The Bumbys facebook page}

if you're in SoCal...

...make sure and attend Dallas Clayton's readings of his awesome books this weekend!  I just received an e-mail from him {or his people?}, announcing they have sold out of both books and are in pre-order status.  He will be hosting a reading on Saturday, Dec 11 in Santa Monica and on Sunday, Dec 12 in Claremont.

Contrary to popular belief, Sacramento and LA are not adjacent, so I will not be in attendance.  Seriously, you would not believe how many times I've heard this assumption from non-Californians.  LA is about a six hour drive...However, if you are in or near the LA area, I wanted to make sure you knew about this event, because it would definitely be super fun to meet him!

I've mentioned how truly awesome these books are before, and it would be such a treat to watch Dallas read them aloud in person, because he is so animated and has a fabulous imagination.  Bring the family, and let me know next week if you were one of the lucky ones that went!

Have an imaginative weekend, friends! :)

book love.

Remember when I gushed about this book?  Now, I am sharing with you THIS! 
Watch the video by Dallas Clayton.  It's hilarious. 
:::adding the new book to my wish list:::

 

Thank you, Joslyn, for the heads up!

My recent book purchases speak volumes

Haha, get it?  Okay, that was a bad one.  But really, looking at the last handful of books I have bought in the last few weeks, they are telling me something. Can you guess what that something is?

 

 

 

It's time for me to get a passport and get the hell out of Dodge Sacramento.  I'm craving adventure, culture, new experiences.  Gabe and I have a few specific destinations in mind, which I cannot yet reveal, so once we get our passports {+ once my vacation time refreshes}, we'll be saying peace out!
  
Have an adventure-packed weekend!


{Tales of A Female Nomad by Rita Golden Gelman; French Toast a memoir by Harriet Welty Rochefort; Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert}

RUE: clever. all encompassing. not at all amateurish.

RUE mag is up and running as of today, and it does not disappoint.  I am only roughly half-way through the issue, but I am too impatient to wait 'til I am finished reading it to share with all of you!  Sometimes the procrastinator-Virgo takes on the extreme other end of the spectrum persona and introduces impatient-Virgo.

Some of my faves so far:

  p. 85  Victoria Smith's place.  Victoria, you took the words right out of my mouth and your home is breathtaking.  In her own words, Victoria admits:
"I fake it 'til I make it;"
"I'm pretty much a homebody with a social side;" and
"I think I missed my era, so I like surrounding myself with bits of the past."

I can relate to all of the above.  For example, I fake it with an IKEA Docksta table in my formal living room, until I can afford the coveted Eero Saarinen tulip table.  And like Victoria, Gabe & I agree we missed our era, which was late 50s - mid 70s, so we dot our home and wardrobes with retro vintage pieces reminiscent of the bygone era, which, mixed in with true antique pieces makes for a very pleasing and interesting aesthetic in our home.  If I do say so myself. 

  p. 138  It's Emily!  As in Emily Henderson of The Brass Petal and HGTV's 2010 Design Star.  Yeah, that Emily.  In this story, Emily got to live out her dream party with the help of the Rue team and some close personal friends.  Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the party. So cute.

Check out the premiere issue for yourself & discuss.  :)  Much love goes out to this very talented team!  I'm really looking forward to future issues, and, well, finishing this issue.

move over Lonny, there's a new mag online

Okay, that sounds mean.  I appreciate Lonny.  You should read it.
You should also read Standard!
I just flipped through this new online magazine--dedicated to all things eco without the annoying redundancy of reminding readers that every aspect of the mag is green--and it is intriguing.  I am seeing good things in its future.  I especially recommend reading the two following inspiring articles:

  p. 76  That Old Thang?
  p. 88  Bride of the Wild West

The former tells the neat story of two friends, both actors, relocating from LA to Austin without purchasing anything.  The two have very different styles:  she prefers, "glamorous, white, and chic" collections, while his pieces are "very masculine Arts & Crafts."  That they meshed both styles together so effectively is refreshing!  Maybe you and your significant other are combining two spaces into one and need some reassuring that all will work out.  Read this article.

The latter is a fun spread showing a new spin on the modern bachelorette party.  It is set in the desert among Joshua trees {which Gabe was completely enamored with on his roadtrip to/from Arkansas last year}, and has a girls' club-native-theme.  Really cute.

Check out Standard mag and let me know what you think!  And if you're feeling it, show them some love on their website.

I'm really digging these online mags.  Up next: Rue!

{first photo was found on AT}

This is...

... the best book...not just for babies or kiddies or expectant parents, but for everyone!  I bought several copies a few weeks ago, and I am in love!  I also got the "Dream Big" poster...

I recommend going here to flip through the entire book, because you will then be hooked and inspired to buy everyone you know a copy.  It would especially make a fantastic baby shower gift...

Go. Buy. Love. You don't have to thank me. :)