something new

I recently stumbled across a new (to me) blog
run by Jeanie of The Paper Nut.

I found quite a few cute things lurking throughout her archives...

Her brilliantly fun lettering:

{click it to enlarge the letter-goodness}

{Paper Nut Letters found here here and here}

My favorite among her wedding invitation suites:

{Great Wedding Suite by The Paper Nut}

The most awesome pair of girls pants I've ever seen!

{Crankypants on Etsy}


Some fantastic wooden finds...

{Plastica}

And, last but not least, something kind of weird that I kind of like...

{Little felt toys from AsherJasper on Etsy}

tire-ing out.

The philosopher and I have been shopping for bikes today. Allllll day. It is not a very fun experience actually. The first store, Revolution Cycles, said decent entry level road bikes would start around $650. The next store on 45th and Roosevelt was a total waste of time. No customer service, no cheap bikes. Gregg's on Greenlake informed us that decent entry-level bikes would run more along the lines of $800. Yikes.

Craigslist has been pretty disappointing overall. A couple of leads but mostly old bikes. The ones that are new and that look pretty good are still selling for $5-6. A lot of money considering I could just get a new one for a little bit more. Hmm...

The pawn shops were worse. Mostly mountain bikes.

There are two really, really crummy parts to this whole bike-hunt. First, I feel like an idiot. I don't know the lingo. I don't know anything about the brands or parts (except for my brief internet research last night). AND, they always want me to get on the bike to check out the fit which is, by far, the most uncomfortable experience. "How does it feel?" "Uncomfortable." "Why?" "Because it feels like you're about to let go of the bike." Yes, I am terrified. I seriously wish I were 6 again and could go for one with ribbons and training wheels without being judged (or worse).

Which brings me to the second really crummy part of the bike-hunt. All of the "moderately" priced bikes are U-G-L-Y. Why doesn't electra make a great road bike that looks like the other road bikes... but, you know, cute?

I really want this bike:



Unfortunately it is a cruiser bike and the philosopher would never let me live it down. Maybe as a gift to myself someday after I face my fears and become a regular biker.

Another cruiser bike from electra I love is this one, voted Best Women's Cruiser Bike for 2009:


The electra road bike equivalent is, I think, "the townie". They're not really road bikes but some are a sort of cross between a road bike and a comfort bike. Some are single speed, others 3, some 7, some 8, some 16, and even a 21 speed model.






Aren't they wonderful?! Electra is known for challenging the hunch-style riding most road bikes require. Unfortunately, that is just one more reason why it is hard to convince L that these bikes are real bikes. (Not that I really know... )

The felt bikes are kind of cute but the road bike versions aren't anything to write home about.

True Love... and Consumerism Galore. Eekk!

It is sick, I know. But I am endlessly amazed and in love with Etsy.
My wishlist just grows and grows and grows.

I try to fight it. I try keep the consumerism down.
And, I'm broke yo so I usually do.

But really. truly. Is this not amazing?
Ugg. I loovveeee the cell phone case too.

I especially like it since the camera I own would fit inside it
and I haven't been able to get a holga to call my own.

Then again... this case costs more than the beauty-full holgawood herself.

Maybe part of the reason I'm so into this little case is because
it reminds me of the felt-tabulous creations by Princess Lasertron.
I've been obsessing over her pins & corsages.