AnthroTour--Glendale

 Happy almost Easter weekend, friends! Yesterday was so very glorious--bright and sunny and breezy with the occasional wispy clouds coasting in a bright blue expansive sky. Of course, not to rub it in, but this is what Southern California often looks like.

Don't worry--what we lack in weather problems, we make up for in traffic congestion and general rudeness. Which was made worse yesterday, apparently, by Obama arriving at LAX. Yes we can...be even more crowded!

 Anyway, I tried on a few things at Americana Anthro, but thought this pinata-like wall covering so colorful and glorious--just like the weather outside, most worthy of posting. Gorgeous.

 View from the checkout counter.

 And Avery and me, enjoying the weather. Me in an Anthro Sparrow Konichiwa sweater and Bee's favorite blouse, and Avery in her favorite pink jumper. She is perfecting her pensive look. She's a brooding artist, after all.

Last call for the $150 gift certificate Dr. Perricone giveaway. Will announce the winner on 4/24, likely evening after all the festivities.

We have an Easter egg hunt planned, and are trying to play cupid for one of our best friends...I guess that's how we inject romance into our lives nowadays--by being nosy busybodies and living vicariously through our single pals. We can already claim credit for 2-3 unions (one marriage with child!), but he is our current center of focus.

Btw, if anyone in LA is interested in being set up with our very handsome, tall, athletic, sweet-natured, disease-free friend, please email me. He enjoys mountain biking, politics, dogs, and unfortunately, the comedy of Daniel Tosh. As does Chris. As do I. But his show has reached a level of vulgarity I find hard to digest.Which seems to be the main theme of his show.

Happy Easter to all! Hope you are all having a wonderful, relaxing, peaceful time surrounded by loved ones.

Anthro Stalkers

OMG.
     Happily enough, Nalynne and company came out for the week and we found time to go to Anthro. Three days in a row. Two different stores. One battered and beaten credit card.

     Anyway, we spent just as much time loving the window displays as the clothes. Especially at the El Segundo store, where we saw THIS AWESOME DRESS.

     It's sewn together. Hand dyed. Meticulously clothespinned. Fully zippered. Ruffled and swathed and just fully amazing. I insisted that Nalynne stand in front and pose, smiling gorgeously with perfectly styled hair. She agreed.

     She's wearing an Anthro Clinton Trench and Timberland boots and I forget what else underneath. But I guarantee she is wearing something--no flashers in this family.

     But what is that sparkling red and black item in her right hand?
     A Kate Spade bag, which I panted heavily over all weekend. See close-up here.

 

 Anywho, we loved the tops that were obviously sewn. And we were to find, were hand dyed. And probably better constructed than most items I've bought at Forever 21. No offense, F21.

 Also, Nalynne loved the different ways the succulents were displayed.

       Like how they were tucked into the bags like a canvas utility belt. Full of plants. And JUST whilst we were oohing and aahing, and wondering what GENIUS was behind all of this...
we stumbled upon the visual team for the store. And when we asked who had done the wedding dress in the window, we discovered it was Connor.

     What a catch! He is obviously talented, can sew, can make rope chandeliers, and is verrry easy on the eyes.  

     And apparently quite modest. He was so endearingly aw-shucks and shy in the face of my adoring gush of flattery.
        
     The terms "genius!" and "amazing!" were thrown about and if I hadn't been holding Avery in a sling, he might have run away from the crazy lady (finding that somehow having the baby makes me less physically threatening).

     Who almost asked him to sign his name on her baby's forehead. JK. That was Nalynne's idea. Her idea that I happened to take as my own.

     Finally, when I stood around awkwardly for a very very long time, he sighed and agreed to let me take his picture next to the dress. Along with Tracy, who also apparently worked on the dress, but also was necessary for moral support.

They agreed to allow their pictures in my blog. I think they would have agreed to anything just to make me not stand over them anymore, jiggling my iphone excitedly. And you see the result above.
Crazy swimfan behavior wins again.

so much leafy goodness

can we just chat for a minute 'bout how amazing, truly AMAZING anthro's visual team is?
check out this leafy rainforest overlay floating about an embroidered pillowed heaven.
i'm thrilled at every turn in anthro's store.

wow! it's just burlap wrapped around wiring. um, easy enough? i'll just whip it up while watching glee tonight.

aaaaand, look how it matches the window paintings! what's this? am i suddenly in the amazon rainforest?

a few days ago, i saw them constructing this and was wondering how the cat's cradle would turn out. again, totally in line with anthro's commitment to design with simple elements, like having 12,000 used tea bags hanging from the ceiling in london.

oh, also found in the london store? apparently a LIVING. WALL. OF PLANTS.

i'm not usually one to notice everything all at once, but everytime i go into anthro, i become increasingly aware seems that their aesthetics are so interesting, curious, whimsical and intricate, made of eco-friendly, everyday materials.

makes you want to save up all your coke cans and arrange them artfully into a large, elaborate wall rosette.

addendum: ooh! guys! guys! check it out. have you ever seen something so eliza doolittle on LSD in your life? THIS is what i should have worn to my senior prom!
gah!! (sound effect of gagging for that skirt)