Diversions of a Vaguely Halloween-ish Nature (or More Coveting)

Stupid Houston flooding.
I wasn't able to go to the Finao Playdate last night and I'm quite upset about that.

The radar looked pretty much like this last night - the blobs were about an inch or two to the left, though.




To help relieve my disappointment in missing out on last night, I'm browsing on Etsy.


Now, I ask you, have you ever seen a more gorgeous hat?



Made by Baroque and Roll, purveyor of various glamorous head-things.




I also found this excellent alternative to wallpaper, by Byrdie Graphics.






And who doesn't need a good pair of spats? (And a reference to Skeksis?)



Spats of all kinds are available at Straight Razor Slasher Designs.




And, finally, a subtle crow fashioned from an old vinyl record, by Prefectly Random Designs.




Have a lovely Halloween weekend, kiddies!

Very Exciting Things (or Happy Birthday, Website!)

The air around here is buzzing!

Not only is it getting closer to Halloween, but the air is getting chillier, the wind is getting gustier...

Oh, and did I mention my website is finally done??

Yes, kiddies, www.robotinbloom.com is finally, officially ready for the world!

You can get to it by clicking the links above.

And, not only is my site done, but tonight is the night of the Houston Finao Playdate, hosted by Christine Tremoulet.

You can just feel a palpable thrum of tension in the air!

It's either all this awesome business excitement....
or the fact that all I've eaten today is trick-or-treat candy while the fighter pilots of the 25th Annual Wings Over Houston Airshow are buzzing my apartment building, practicing for the show this weekend.

Either way, my blood's a-boilin' and I'm jittery with excitement!
Wheeee!!!!




So loud!




Those buggers are hard to catch!

Networking (or Cupcakes)

As I posted on my Twitter account yesterday - "Today would be ideal for a deus ex machina-style assist..."

That holds true today. Seems I was overlooked by the fates yesterday.

I'm racing to finish my website by next Thursday so I'll have something substantial to show the fine folks at the Finao Albums Playdate in Houston. It'll be my first real networking event since starting my business... (I only received my business cards in the mail a few days ago, so it's all gonna be fresh and shiny!)

The event is hosted by Houston photographer Christine Tremoulet. Judging by her online portfolio, she does really excellent work. I'm excited to meet her and hopefully make a few new friends in the Houston photography scene.

Also, I hear there will be cupcakes!

Friday Kvetching (or Weekend Dreaming)

I'm really looking forward to the weekend!

This week has been a rough one - dropping a chunk of cash on lawyer services, continued wrestling with my site's HTML, and perpetually watery eyes because certain plants have decided to propogate their species lately.

On the bright side, though, I got my new business cards a lot earlier than I thought (exciting!), tonight's episode of Star Trek: TNG is the one where Data and Lore hang with Dr. Soong (goofy!), and our latest Netflix shipment looks promising - The Wrestler, The French Connection, and Breaking Bad: Season 1.

In the meantime, I'll let you greet your weekend with pictures of amazing cut paper artwork by Michael Velliquette.

Incredible!













Please go to his website. Those pictures are just the tip of the iceberg!

Color Your World (or My Apartment Definitely Needs Therapy)

I'm totally plotzing over the entries in Apartment Therapy's Room For Color 2009 contest.



Oh, how I'm dying to paint a room so boldly...



In my current apartment living situation, I'm quite prohibited from indulging in the world of creative wall paint. Hopefully, I can change that soon.







"Contractor Beige" is the worst, don't you think?

Great Minds Think Alike (or JimandPamandJimandPamandJimandPam!!)

Pam made paper flowers for her wedding, just like me!










Flower photos by Kasey Marsh of Monkey Tree Photography

Plasticland (or When I Close My Eyes, I'm Joan Holloway)

Taking a little break in this super crazy day today (Seriously, what's with that?? Today seems like an avalance of hectic-ness for everyone...), I decided to windowshop at one of my favorite sources for eye candy online:



Oh Plasticland... How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.


I can be Joan Holloway





Or Brigitte Bardot






Or even Twiggy




These are largely pipe dreams due to my lack of bravery - not to mention that working from home means having very few occasions and places to wear excellent clothes.

My cowardice didn't stop me, though, from ordering a fabulous winter coat from them this summer.



I know, I know... "It's Houston! Why would you need a winter coat? Especially in the summer?"
Well, a) It's actually snowed twice in the 5 years I've lived here.
b) It's an excellent coat... Come on. Look at it.
c) I needed it to keep my 4 other winter coats company.......... (So maybe I have a coat addiction. So what?)

Anyway, that coat is gorgeous! The color is vibrant and unique, the wool is somehow light yet warm at the same time, and the lining is so soft I go into my closet just to touch it sometimes.

And the folks at Plasticland are totally professional and accomodating. There was a weird shipping fluke when I ordered my coat, but they handled it immediately and straightened everything out.
Awesomeness!

Go shop there!
Unleash your inner Mad Men!

And In The End (... Or Is It?)

I finished my recent foray into the embroidery world a few weeks ago, and thought I'd share the pictures with you.



I tried my hand at some free-style embroidery, inspired by the excellent book, Doodle Stitching.







And, quelle suprise! A robot somehow found his way into my coaster set. And on glitter felt, nonetheless. Hmmm... I'm sensing a pattern here.