Friday Favorites & Life Lately

This has been one heck of a week, man. I've been hovering on the edge of getting sick for a few days now, and I'm pretty sure the only thing keeping me going is a steady stream of hot tea with honey (and maybe a dash of whiskey at night) and lots and lots of coffee. So I've been working from home (and coffee shop, and library) for the past two days (on Wednesday and Thursday), trying to negotiate with a very stubborn sore throat. Oh, and also because of catpocalypse...on Tuesday night, Zeb must have seen and/or smelled one of the many strays in our neighborhood, which resulted in a MASSIVE EXPLOSION of agression towards Zephyr. Let me tell you, those pheromone amalgam diffusers work wonders, after a day and a half of not recognizing each other and having to be separated, we plugged the diffuser in and BAM, they both chilled out and were conked out for a few hours. Hating your sibling takes a lot out of a cat.

So all of this has lead to it being kind of a stressful week, life-wise. I'm not sure what I'm up to this weekend, but I can tell you, it probably won't be much. I would love to get outside and see something new, I've been craving nature lately like mad. We're definitely feeling more at home in Pittsburgh and really enjoying the city- especially compared to how we felt six months ago- but something that I'll always miss about home is being able to drive north for the weekend and have somewhere free to stay. It's a lot easier to get away and go for a hike or go to the ocean when you have family to crash with. I have a couple of short trips to visit friends planned in October though, which I'm looking forward to.

My goal for this weekend, other than getting back to balance and SLEEPING, is to really get a handle on this here blog. There are so many changes that I've been wanting to make over the past year, but just haven't made the time to actually implement them. If you haven't noticed yet by the many times I've written about it, I get distracted. Usually I get distracted by sunny days and nice weather, I hate feeling cooped up inside, but also hate being upstairs in the office at night away from things. Such is life I guess. Anyways, right now, all I want is sleep. Sleep would be so good.

Wow. That was a whole lot of words to basically say, I'm tired, the cats had a fight, and I hope I don't get sick....How was your week?

Here are a few things that brightened up a very stressful week:

I'm very excited to welcome Bali ELF as a sponsor this month. If you're not familiar with this brand BaliELF is based in, you guessed it: Bali. All items are made to order by hand, using vegetable dyed leathers, you pick the color and interior. The Vagabond duffel might just be the perfect travel bag yet. Receive 10% off your order with the code ORCHID.

I'm really loving maxi skirts for fall and Spotted Moth has added some adorable options to their new arrivals lately. I love the fall colors of this striped skirt.

This sequined dress from Ruche has such a lovely silhouette. I'd wear it now with a collared shirt underneath, and for a holiday party later on with bolder accessories.

Lulu's is stocking up on cold-weather clothes! I absolutely love this faux-leather skirt, it would look perfect with a grey sweater, tights, and flats.

InfinEight is back from vacation and fully stocked! Absolutely loving this bronze and burgundy necklace.

Speaking of fall colors, this velvet maxi from Bluesville, USA might just be the perfect shade of burnt sienna! Receive 15% off your order with the code orchidgrey.

I am so excited for my friend Mandy of The Curvy Blogger, who launched her Kickstarter this week! She's starting a clothing line called Zaftig for sizes 10 and up. The first dress, seen in the video, looks amazing!

I found this article via A Cup of Jo and couldn't help but repost. This woman and her thoughts on her personal appearance is incredibly inspiring, and the apology from the person who initially insulted her is surprisingly inspiring as well.

After Thrift Shop, I didn't think I could possibly love Macklemore and Ryan Lewis more. And then he released this.

Remember when I was volunteering at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum? Harold Burnham, the boat-builder next to the museum received a National Heritage Fellowship. They sailed the Ardelle, which was launched last year from Essex to DC, and the Washington Post wrote about it.

The earrings in this shop are so unique and beautiful!

Another Etsy shop that would have all my money, if it were possible.

I'm a little bit obsessed with velvet this season, loving: these insanely awesome pants, this geometric mini, and this cute shift.

Have a safe and relaxing weekend!

Friday Favorites and Life Lately...

The world's most skeptical owl from yesterday's trip to the National Aviary.

Happy Friday the 13th! How can it possibly be the 13th of July already? This month is flying by at an alarming rate. What a weird week this was, we're having some car trouble, so not being as mobile has definitely put a damper on our activity level, plus we're laying low in anticipation of going north. Trying to save our pennies in preparation of eating our way through New England (Friendly Toast, prepare yourself).

This week I am:

Listening to:
Really loving the whole Pizza Tapes album, it's a little more...bluesy, than what you would first expect from a member of the Grateful Dead, and that's why I love it. It's the perfect soundtrack for working from home and doing things around the house.

Reading:
I honestly didn't read much this week, but I'm really looking forward to checking out some of the recommendations left in the comments section of last week's post. And I want to check out all of these recommendations from the ModCloth blog. Not that it really counts as reading, but I picked up a copy of Women's Health last week, and that's honestly where my attention has been going. I like reading it every now and then for workout inspiration. It's a great way to add something new to a tired routine. Kettlebells are where it's at this week.

Anticipating:
A couple days off to clear my head and clean out my house (last weekend was completely unproductive).

Coveting:

This perfectly scalloped dress from Ruche.

 

This floral backpack from Lulu's would be perfect for hikes.

This sweet spotty top from Spotted Moth.

These handmade leather flats from BaliELF.

Receive 15% off with the code ORCHID

Loving the geometric beads of this necklace by InfinEight.

 Can't get enough of this 90's floral romper from Bluesville, USA!

Receive 15% off with the code orchidgrey

A few more...

//I am completely obsessed with this Leah Reena Goren dress.

//This red maxi is too, too pretty.

//Super obsessed with this cat print top. Cat print dress. Cat clutch. Polka-dot sneaks.

Have a fun weekend!

Life Lately...

...According to Instagram (user name: OrchidGrey). I'm a so SO happy it's Friday. Last weekend in NYC was great, but I'm happy to have a weekend to myself. This week was hectic. Some good, some bad:

The Good:
- I have a cat on my lap right now.
- I finally got back to the gym. I've been pretty unmotivated lately (for the record I blame the month of February), so it was great to get back into what will hopefully be a new routine.
- I made this gem.
- Chris took my excessive hinting and bought me a sweet Valentine's ring (I bought him a wallet).
- We had a great Valentines dinner at Piccolo Forno in Lawrenceville, one of our favorite restaurants.
- Today I enjoyed "Food Court Friday" with co-workers at the Robinson mall. I had a coke (I brought a tuna sandwich, which I ate later. Sometimes it's nice to go on a field trip, even if it is to the mall)..
- It's staying light out later and later!

The Bad:
- Our apartment is a mess (as usual).
- My hair is a hot, hot mess and I'm toying with the idea of growing out my bangs. I need to do something with it but I'm chicken and don't have the guts to try a new stylist.
- Our mattress is still on the floor. When we moved in, out box-spring wouldn't fit up the stairs of our place. We've been sleeping on the floor for four months.

A few more: 
- There's still time to enter the Bonlook giveaway!
- I love this simple clutch from Le Lapin D'or. Get 10% off your order with the code Grey10.
- This made me cry.
- This post of Joanna's has me thinking about what we choose to share vs. what we choose to keep private on our blogs.
- Pretty shoes for spring.
- I love this map art project, I want to make one with Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.
- Would you wear color-block shoes? I love them!
- Homemade Samoas? Yes please!
- I've been looking for flats lately, the new collection from Blowfish is perfect! Enter BFORCHID15 for 15% off!
- Another clutch to add to the list, handmade perfection.
- The perfect moto jacket, and it's vintage! Enter code orchidgrey for 15% off!

Have a happy and safe weekend!

Happy Friday!

I can't believe it's already the end of the week, are you looking forward to the weekend? Any special plans? I am ecstatic, Chris actually has a weekend day off! We have a great Sunday planned with lots of projects, I just can't wait. I'm feeling really good about how this week went, I got to the gym when I said I would, am feeling super motivated about this here blog, and am finally feeling a little more organized.

Oh, and I finally bought a replacement lens for my camera! So, if you've been wondering what the heck I've been up to, I can finally show you soon! My lens has been broken since fall fashion week, usable sure, but broken and taped to my camera. The situation only got worse when we moved, so I haven't been able to carry it with me when we're out and about for fear of damaging it more. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my lens comes today, but if not it'll be Monday. I seriously can't wait to be able to share more with you all, especially since we've been doing more exploring of our new city!

Here's what I'm loving from around the web this week:

1. I can't get enough of lay-down styling, and Ruche's new Seasonal Solutions lookbook is perfection! They offer great ideas on ways to style your glittery pieces post-holiday. This is my favorite look!

2. It's so exciting to see some warm-weather styles showing up on Blowfish! I can't wait to wear sandals again and think these are super cute.

3. This sweater would be perfect styled with dark denim and a long sleeve top for the weekend, I love the pattern!

4. A cute, belted clutch, perfect for a weekend date! Get 10% off your order from Le Lapin D'or! Enter the code Grey10 at checkout!

5. The perfect little velvet dress!

Happy Weekend!

Happy Friday!

So, I finally got one of those rolls of film developed I mentioned a few weeks ago, above you'll see a couple of images from summer 2010. Yep, I really need to get it together when it comes to my film and actually get it developed on time. It was a nice surprise to see some pictures of the ocean and Halibut Point State Park though. I'm really missing the ocean these days.

Do you have any fun weekend plans? I'm looking forward to finally getting a Christmas tree this weekend, and hopefully getting into the Holiday spirit with some crafting.

Do you have a wish list this year? We're not doing big gifts, but here are some things I'm loving:

1. This lime colored skirt from Ruche would be the perfect way to brighten up the dark winter months.
2. I'm loving the Hat Field boots from Blowfish, wouldn't they be perfect for tromping around the snowy city? Don't forget, you can receive 15% off your order by entering BFORCHID15
3. This striped top from Lulu's would be so easy to dress up or down, I'd pair it with a suede skirt and booties.
4. Dalaga carries such a great selection of pretty dresses, this one would be perfect for a holiday date.
5. I love this copper penny charm from Noble Town Vintage, the perfect simple necklace.
6. This might be the most perfect Holiday dress, Bluesville, USA always has the cutest things and you can get 15% off your order by entering orchidgrey at checkout!
7. Are we friends on Pinterest yet? I've been looking for hair-inspiration and it's the perfect place to find so many ideas!
8. This dress would be lovely for New Years!

How do you all feel about gift guides? Would you be interested to see my take on gifting? or are you already experiencing gift-guide overload?

Have a happy weekend!

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday! How was your holiday? Our Thanksgiving was perfect, in fact, if the way yesterday went becomes our Thanksgiving tradition, I think it just may be my new favorite holiday. We started the day off with some baking and Alice's Restaurant (the Arlo Guthrie film), went on a long hike in the afternoon, returned to cook our holiday feast (while listening to the audio version of Alice's), and finished the day by going to see The Muppets! It was awesome. Alice's Restaurant is always a big part of our Thanksgiving, the classic rock station back home plays it on repeat on Thanksgiving day and we usually listen to it while driving from house to house. It was so nice to spend the day together and listen to it while we cooked.

Are you hitting the sales today? I'm headed into work today, but even if I wasn't, i don't think I would be shopping. Too much mayhem! I will, however, be checking out a few sales online:

Noble Town Vintage is offering free shipping on ALL orders, including international! Have you entered the giveaway yet?

Lulu's has a great sale going on today, you can save up to 90% off!

Ruche is offering 15% off with the code BFSALE15, I would snag this comfy striped dress!

Blowfish is offering 15% off for Orchid Grey readers with the code BFORCHID15!

Bluesville, USA is offering 15% off as well with the code orchidgrey!


A few more things I love:

The Delightful Dozen is offering a great necklace giveaway this week!

I'm in love with everything in this shop.

Happy and happy (and thankful) weekend!

Have a Beautiful Weekend!

You can really see where my priorities were this week: Zephyr. His little face kind of kills me, and I find myself focusing on him when I get stressed out. I think that may make me sort of insane. But, I'm not gonna lie, this week was a little stressful, and I'm so happy it's almost over. Nothing horrible happened, but ending a long week with car problems is not my idea of a good time. But the good thing is, it's sunny today and I have an appointment to get my brakes (yeah, scary) fixed on Monday! It was wonderful waking up to sunlight streaming in our bedroom windows, such a nice way to wake up. I'm not sure what this weekend has in store for us, Chris will be working, so I may take the opportunity to do some thrifting. And then there's talk of Light Up Night, which sounds awesome.

Here are a few highlights of this week:

I have a poll going on my Facebook page about the Disqus commenting system, if you have a minute, I would love to know your thoughts!

Are any of my Pittsburgh readers members of Venture Outdoors? I'm thinking about joining this winter.

Noble Town Vintage is offering free shipping on all orders (including International!) through December!

This sculpture is amazing. That's all I have to say.

Elizabeth was the prettiest bride ever! And congratulations to Miss James who ties the knot this weekend (can't wait to see her BHLDN dresses)

Love these vintage Levi's, perfect pants for the impending holidays!

I would love to spend the weekend wrapped in this cozy sweater, reading a book. I need to get to the library!

Have you seen this fun wishlist from Lulus? You can take a peek at what I'm wishing for this year!

Speaking of wishlists, what kind of wishlists would you be interested in seeing on Orchid Grey? Anything in particular?

Have you seen Blowfish's new accessories category? I love the boot-tights, genius!!

What are your weekend plans? Anything special?

Have a Happy Weekend!

Yay, it's Friday! Do you have any fun weekend plans? I have to work on Saturday, but aside form that we don't have much in the books, maybe another hike? Maybe I'll finally get all that film dropped off an developed! One of my goals this weekend is to finally get the upstairs of our house in order, get our little office set up, and maybe take care of the tangle of clothes on our bedroom floor.

The weather has definitely cooled down over the past few days, and as much as I love it, it also puts me in the mood for winter shopping, which I'm trying to resist. I've been very good about not spending frivolously, so let's just do some window shopping on the internet:

Have you entered the Ruche Giveaway yet? It's not too late to get your name in! I absolutely love these sequin shorts from them!

Did you like my new shoes from Lulu's in yesterday's post? You can find them here!

I love this beaded dress from Bluesville, USA- perfect for a holiday party!

The new styles from Noble Town Vintage are so pretty! I'm obsessed with these earrings.

These cute little flats are so sweet, Blowfish makes the most comfortable shoes.

I loved Kaelah's tour of her bedroom, so pretty!

Have you seen all the wedding outfits on Delightfully Tacky? So pretty!

I love this simple bracelet.

Have a great weekend!

Halloween 2005

(a crappy zombie, Richie Tenenbaum, a troll doll)

Are you excited for Halloween? I am but I have no idea what I'm going to be this year. I always end up being something kind of ugly or off-putting, never anything cute for some reason. Maybe this year will be different!

Have you seen Jessica's genius Halloween ideas? I think the Hamburglar is my favorite!

Did you know I used to play the trombone? For a brief stint in the 8th grade, until it got too cold out to practice in the barn! I think I need this darling dress to remember my time in the brass section!

I would love to get this very manly notebook set for Chris to keep track of things with.

Have you seen Ruche's new fall look book? This is my favorite look of all, I love the lace top!

I love this cute denim dress, can't you see it working for all seasons?

A classic bomber jacket is perfect for fall.

I'm completely in love with these creepy-cool candlestick holders, they would look great on my kitchen table.

I love this DIY of Elsie's, wouldn't it be great to do with a quilt?

I'm on Pinterest now and completely obsessed!

Have a great weekend!