mipmup.

spooky.

i don't really like the kid down the street because of his "bratty" hair (he's three and yes, i'm shallow). anyway, i was chatting with his dad and asked the kid what he was going to be for halloween. he was being shy (another pet peeve) and so i guessed.

"star wars figure?"

"spider?"

the dad says, "no. something scarier."

i almost said, "a republican?"

but i bit my tongue. just in case, you know.

huh?

what the hell is up with "elizabethtown?" it is a cameron crowe film, right? we were all set for a fun sunday afternoon but ended up walking (sulking) out.

stepford, ct.

when you find yourself experiencing true happiness that the worms are still alive in your compost bin after a month of neglect, you may quickly realize you need a life. also, if you can somehow relate to the robotic housewives in "the stepford wives," then that might be another wee sign.

seriously.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• sea-inspired earrings. i love this entire collection, actually. in silver, naturally. since i can't go on vacation, i might as well feel like i'm wearing one. $140.

• big (organic) pants. i'm all about the wide leg. and orange! therefore, these are now on my holiday wish list. at $118, i better have been a very good girl this year.

• hemp scarf. hey! stylish scarves in muted tones that aren't made of wool! sign me up. $53.99.

• sweet laptop sleeve. gorgeous! i wish there was a non-leather version though! $595.

• pretty evening clutch. simple design. i'm into "go with a lot of things" type of bags and this works for me! i like the price, too! $43.

photo credits: calliope boutique, hip and zen, green culture, see jane work, kewl finds.

the world's thinnest books.

received this via email today, credit unknown.

french war heroes
by jacques chirac

how i served my country
by george w. bush

my beauty secrets
by harriet miers

how to keep top secrets of the cia
by karl rove and scooter libby

where weapons of mass destruction are in iraq
by dick cheney

things i love about bill
by hillary clinton

how to build your own airplane
by john denver

my super bowl highlights
by dan marino

my little book of personal hygiene
by osama bin laden

things i cannot afford
by bill gates

things i would not do for money
by dennis rodman

my wild years
by alan greenspan

amelia earhart's guide to the pacific

america's most popular lawyers

detroit: a travel guide

a collection of motivational speeches
by dr. j. kevorkian

all the men i have loved before
by ellen de generes

guide to dating etiquette
by mike tyson

spotted owl recipes
by the epa

the amish phone directory

bridge travel
by ted kennedy

how to drill for oil
by the sierra club

and the world's number one thinnest book ..

my book of ethics

tom delay

with introduction
by dick cheney and george w. bush

my dashboard.

why i love my dashboard: a harry potter news widget. life is good. also see: "harry and the goblet of fire" countdown widget. yes, in fact, i am a nerd.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• vintage halloween. i came across this book while perusing a book store in north beach, san francisco this past weekend. i have no idea what i would do with it, but it contains such wonderful images, i want to buy it. i wish there was an electronic version; i'd make greeting cards and such. $9.99.

• pretty fall flannel. i love these new colors! makes me want to go to bed. starting at $24.

• back to school. how cute is this lunchbox?! $46. (egads! but still. really.)

• versatile black dress. shoulda just ordered this one instead of running to four malls in one day in a frantic search for a the perfect dress to wear to the wedding last weekend. $170.

• cotton wreath. this reminds me of snow. it's so pretty, i feel like eating it. $99.

photo credits: powells.com; garnet hill; little paper company; bliss; green culture.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• zara. ok. it's my new favorite store. it's like the universe answered me or something. i was looking for a european clothing store that was accessible to me online (suggestions welcome!), but as i was questing for a dress to wear to a wedding this weekend, i found zara. it's perfect! the clothes are stylish, totally non-banana republic (not that there's anything wrong with that) and not expensive! i bought this great acrylic (you know me, no wool allowed) orange zip cardie for $29! i love, love, love this store. you must go. (unfortunately, no online shopping at least for us in the united states). note: hacibey just posted about their new home store! oh no!

• rockport boots. yes, it's true. i'm finally approaching middle age. i like rockport boots. i mean, what is going on? this week, my husband's friends invited him to "the club" to watch football. what the heck? what's next for us? an aarp membership? anyway, i do like these boots. call me granny. go ahead. $120. update: darn. this just in from rockport's customer service: "the idris has a leather suede upper which is not man made suede.  all of our styles contain some type of animal materials."

• cool pet dish. everything and anything for my baby. $75.

• cuff bracelet. i want this. i don't know how much it is, but i want it. the end.

• aster vase. this vaselet is adorable (and oh so tiny)! $14.50

photo credits: zara; rockport; elsewares; vera wang; kewl finds.

seven.

my niece turned seven this weekend (a big deal in filipino culture). she had a mighty birthday party on saturday and what did she want to do on her actual birthday? spend the day with our dog, to whom she brought a hat since she missed the festivities the day before.

and not only did she want to spend the day, but she wanted haley to come out to brunch with us, too. no problem. we knew just the place and hey, an hour wait is nothing for a child's happiness.

the best part? telling her dad that sometimes she just wished aunt mipmup lived next door (um. what about my husband, her ninong?!) made my weekend. and apparently, haley's, too. completely pooped her out.

friday favorites.

here are my favorites for this week:

• colourlovers. i love checking out the palettes and new colors (colours!) users dream up. free.

• undersea wall calendar. i don't use a wall calendar, but this one makes me think i would. the illustrations make me want to dive in. bonus³: handcrafted, made with soy-based ink and printed on recycled cardstock. $16.

• buddha desk organizer. not sure if this is sacrilegious, but i think they are adorable. conversely, i can imagine a jc desk organizer, so i guess it would be ok. $16.95.

• flannel pjs. mmmm. don't these look dreamy? $98.

• portfolio. this cool-looking portfolio is made from reclaimed billboards. way to make a statement, eh? $69.99.

photo credits: colourlovers; blissen; wrapables; blissworld; green culture.