Spiders & Skulls

My wax-bottomed Maker's Mark glasses and skull cocktail picks are perfect to showcase on the bar this time of year

I don’t really hold back when it comes to the holidays. By this point in the month, my packages of sparkly spiders, flock of crows, bags of cobwebs and arsenal of skulls and pumpkins is out in full force.  Unfortunately, I haven’t really mastered the art of interior lighting for my photography and I still hate the yellow walls that we inherited, so I’ll spare you most shots of my decked out bookcases.

That said, I couldn’t resist an opportunity to show you a few of the creatures that are currently haunting our place. You’ll have to forgive me for leaving out the picture of our apothecary jar of grotesque gummy worms—we either have really hungry ghosts, or my boyfriend’s been over-serving himself.  

The "Webster's Visual Dictionary of Curiosities" always gets a prominent place on my desk in October

Look closely at the hallway mirror and you may find that a spider nest has claimed it

My inner mad scientist can't resist displaying specimens under glass

There's now an infestation on our condiment tray

Thinking about leaving this one up year-round. Bonus: it glows in the dark!

Statement Piece

I love a good statement piece, both in my wardrobe and in my home. I’ve wanted a Juju hat for a long time, but at around $400 apiece it hasn’t seemed like the most practical purchase for this phase of my life. So until I have one of these traditional vividly colored headdresses for my own wall, I’ll be happy to admire the ornate ones featured on Table Tonic and Pinterest. 

Magpie Manse

I’ve been spending an inordinate amount of time on home design blogs lately. Although I’m not entirely bored with our current set up, we’ve been in this condo for over three years, and we’ve filled it with just about as much décor as it can handle. So until we relocate, or we reconsider some of our current not-so-gently-used pieces, I will have to live out my interior decorating fantasies online. Here are a few gilded pieces that recently caught my eye and which would be perfect to incorporate into any home as the weather cools off.

1. Archipelago Botanicals Black Forest Candle, $29
2. Land of Nod Charming Hamper (snakes not included), $89
3. Rablab Kiva Agate Platters, $398 each
4. Land of Nod Gold Clip Lamp, $59
5. Wind and Willow Bowls, $32 each 
6. West Elm Whiskey Bottle, $29 
7. Jonathan Adler Metallic Lantern Gourd Vase, $98
8. Jayson Home and Garden Marble Salt and Pepper Cellars, $108

Cincinnati Crosleys

I’ve always wanted an excuse to buy a portable Crosley turntable, both because the name itself conjures up images of Crosley field and my Cincinnati heritage and because they seem to instantly up the cool factor of any room in which they sit. 

When we moved my boyfriend’s remaining things out of his parents house this past weekend and we inherited his record collection that I didn’t even know existed, my immediate next step was to run out and get one. Even though we still don’t know where it will live in our 800 sq. ft. condo, I’ll be inspired by a few of sfgirlbybay’s images as I begin to spin records all around the house.

images 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Outside In: Resources

Yesterday’s post has me thinking about some of my favorite spots in Chicagoland to browse for unique home gifts and, of course, the occasional present for myself. I have a feeling that this is a list I'll continue to build.* 

P.O.S.H.:  The place to visit for European flair, flea market finds and old hotel place settings. 

Jayson Home and Garden: This isn’t the first and it certainly won’t be the last time that I’ve sung the praises of this boutique. Roaming around inside is like being inside an Anthropologie catalog.  Simply put, I want everything. 

Roost: Sometimes you have to dig, but you’re sure to find a one-of-a-kind vintage piece that will add a certain farmhouse feel to your home. 

Gethsemane Gardens:  When you really want to bring the outside in, this is the place to start. This garden center spans several blocks in Andersonville, and has a large variety of orchids, succulents, air plants and garden supplies. 

*Your suggestions on hidden and not-so-hidden destinations that I must check out are more than welcome!