Dilemma

So I finally found a writing desk for our living room after hemming and hawing for 2 months.

Problem its from West Elm.

Why is that a problem?

Because I redeemed a boat load of Amex points for a hefty gift card to Crate and Barrel, swearing we would get a desk from there.

Can you hear me banging my head against the wall right now?

Here is the a pic of the culprit. Now to bite the bullet and buy it.

Ok So what should I get with the CB gift card?

Maybe a chair - but the one I want is from Ballard!

Can't win for trying.

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I got a new toy!

Feeding my photography bug has taken the place of my shopping for clothes and bags .... well almost.

But I do admit that I sit and drool over the B&H catalog earmarking all the new accessories and lenses I want.  I bit the bullet and bought my new baby after taking a photography seminar earlier this month. My original plan was to get another body towards the end of the year but I couldn't hold out. Now my D3000 is relegated to my back up body and travel camera. I have already road tested my D90 and I love her. I see us doing fab things in the year ahead.

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Vintage Lens Cases

While I love my camera bag its kind of bulky to have strapped to me when I go out on shoots and every since hearing about the Shootsac I've wanted one. However, when you are establishing a business you have to prioritize your purchases and invest in what is going to give you the biggest bang for your buck. Unfortunately, the shootsac fell low on the list since it is a want and not a need. So I decide to take a trip over to my local camera shop Chestnut Hill Camera and see what they had to offer in terms of a small lens case that I could wear strapped across my body. I found a perfect little Lowepro lens bag at a great price but when the store associate told me they had vintage lens cases my ears perked up. I love vintage items and love to be a little quirky and different. When he brought out two large boxes filled with black leather lens cases I went gaga. I was able to find 2 in great condition which fits most of my lenses and for $25 they are a great affordable alternative for now. I am also thinking since they are padded that they may be great for using for travel on our vacations as well. Can't wait to put them to the field test.

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Crate and Barrel Lust

I got to see these in action this weekend at a bridal shower I shot this weekend and now I want them more than ever. They are definitely tres chic and stylish in person.

Crate and Barrel Swoop Bowls $7.95-17.95

And I want to throw this onto the list as well.

Crate and Barrel Agave Bowl $66.95

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Wouldn't You know it

Photo courtesy of Ashley at (never home) maker

Last week after seeing this recipe posted by Ashley at (never home)maker I decided to bite the bullet and get a Le Creuset dutch oven. I have been on the fence for a while but this just pushed me over to the other side and with all the cooking I do I thought it would not go to waste.

Well I am not going to pay the ridiculous full price they charge for their products. Le Creuset is tres expensive. Plus I see them in Marshall's and Home Goods all the time at half the retail price.

However, wouldn't you know when I stopped in there this weekend to pick one up there were none. 0. Nada. Zip.

Ain't this a blip?! When I am not interested in getting one it seems like they have a million and one of these on the shelf. However, lo and behold on the day I am there to get one they are no where to be found.

Now the waiting and stalking begins.

Thanks Home Goods/Marshalls.

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Have you heard of Bemz?

Have you heard of Bemz?

I hadn't either till a couple of months ago when I read about them on another blog (I forget which one.) But if you own Ikea furniture like millions of us do then listen up.

Have you ever found an upholstered piece from Ikea and loved the shape but hated the fabric choices they had to offer? (I know I have never been a big fan of their fabric selection, and their strategy of offering everything in plain stark white cotton duck is just not practical for everyone.) Or is your upholstered piece discontinued and you can no longer buy different slipcovers? (Like what happened to us with the Ekeskog sofa. Loved, Loved the sofa. However, when I bought it  the slip cover I loved best of all was just discontinued so I had to settle for my second choice.)

Well here is Bemz to the rescue.

They make affordable slipcovers for  a wide range of Ikea furniture (pillows, chairs, arm chairs, and sofas), and they have a huge selection of quality fabrics in a variety of prints and colors. I have been stalking them for a while since getting a new slipcover for our sofa in the family room is high up there on my decorating wish list. I have even ordered samples a couple of times to see the quality and feel of their fabrics and it has just fueled my lust for a revamp even more.

And the fun part is you can play around and see pictures of your furniture piece with their different fabrics.

Here is the fun I had with our  Ekeskog sofa.

All of these are way to busy for my liking but it is fun to play around.

I am leaning towards something more along these lines.

Yes something very neutral (yawn .... boring) but it gives me more versatility in terms of pulling in decorative pillows and fitting in with decor changes.

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Blizzards are perfect for late night shopping

While the weather outside has been frightful, I have been having one long slumber party here in the house. I take snow days as an opportunity to laze around the house, watch massive doses of mindless television, and to troll the internet looking at all the sites I don't normally get time to see. It is also the perfect opportunity to shop at 2 in the morning.

From my earlier post you may have seen that I was torn between getting a purse and getting a new lens. Well I was able to have the best of both worlds by choosing less expensive versions of both.

Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens

I went with the 35mm lens instead of the 50mm which was half the price. I went back and forth about which prime lens since I am really getting serious about my photography. But right now I need to just master good composition and eventually I can buy into the 50mm. After reading extensively on boards I think the 35mm is still a good solid lens because

• its a fast lens 
• produces sharp pictures 
• its great for indoor and low light situation 
• its great for portrait 

Look at the great shots you can get from the lens. Take a look at this one for example.

Flickr photo from ceazeone photostream

And while perusing on etsy I saw the seller valhallabrooklyn I had bookmarked months ago because I had fell in love with their travel bags. But saw they produced some really cool purses as well. While I love the Marc Jacobs bag, I already have two white/cream bags and another one just didn't seem to be practical. And valhallabrooklyn had an awesome black leather bag listed (can you believe that I don't have a basic black leather bag) at almost half the price of the Jacobs bag.  It was a no brainer.

Larch bag from etsy seller Valhallabrooklyn  in Jet Black

So I am torn no longer. I figured out a way to satisfy my purse addiction and my photography passion. (And the Jacobs bag is still on my wish list if anyone wants to get me a gift.)

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I'm torn

MARC BY MARC JACOBS Classic Q Huge Hillier Leather Hobo

Pro : Its PURTY

Pro: Its PURTY

Pro: Its PURTY

Con: ???????

or

Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

Pro: Beater shots with my camera especially indoors with poor light quality

Pro: An investment in my photography hobby

Con: ?????

or

Nikon 50mm f/1.4G SIC SW Prime Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

Pro: Beater shots with my camera especially indoors with poor light quality

Pro: An investment in my photography hobby

Con: More pricey than the 35mm

I just can't decide, what do you say?

Invest in fashion or my hobby?

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Fab Necklace

Photo J Crew

This is a fabulous necklace , but $295 is just a little to steep or is it just me? Am I being the cheapo? It is designed by FENTON-FALLON and is J Crew's offering of the necklace worn by Michelle Obama on the recent cover of Glamour. (Please bear with me in my Michelle obsession.)

I am wondering if I can find a similar piece for less on etsy or somewhere else on the internet.

The hunt is on!

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