Spent the weekend alternately lying around in complete slacker mode or running around like a chicken with my head cut off–no in-between. Crazy or lazy, I always say.

Thrifted shorts, belt & top; no-name bag; Naughty Monkey sandals; Stetson hat

On Saturday, the most strenuous thing I did was eat. To be fair, I actually LEFT THE HOUSE to do so. TWICE. That has to count for something.

SSOM

On Sunday, I headed over to Main Street to volunteer at Second Sundays on Main‘s kick-off event! It was a gorgeous day, and I took plenty of photos while still managing to do a little shopping and a LOT of eating. You know how I do.

I bought a tomato plant that I hope to Not Kill (that’s my not-dead basil, cilantro, and lettuce in the pot in the background) , a fun ring from Black Diamond Designs, cute button earrings from YayToonDay, and peppermint soap (SO refreshing in a post-workout shower) from Pine Lane Soaps.

After stopping by 4U Urban Boutique‘s one-year anniversary party (congrats, guys!) and a last-minute trip to Kings Island, I was thoroughly exhausted. How was your weekend?

You'll also like:

So, I have a “problem.” I’m suffering from shoe withdrawal. I haven’t bought a pair of shoes–any shoes–in over 6 months, and I’m starting to feel it. My left eye is twitching.

Add to that the fact that in the last two weeks, not one but TWO pairs of my favorite walking flats have developed holes in the soles. I know shoes can often be re-soled, but, really, where’s the fun in that? Shopping is much more satisfying! I was thinking about…

Cafe noir wedges; Topshop animal print sandals; Marci crisscross sandal

I prefer shoes with an ankle strap (support & adds visual weight to chicken legs) and a slight wedge (helps me walk), but I really just need something cute, walk-able, and under $100. What do you think?

You'll also like:

I planned on doing a video blog last year. The problem was, I was scared of looking silly on camera (inevitable, trust me) and hated that I didn’t have the ability to create a television-ready broadcast complete with studio lighting and zippy Flash intro. I was daunted by the fact that I had no clue how to get professional results using an amateur video editing program.

Really, how ridiculous is that? But because I was putting all this pressure on myself to create something perfect the first time around (I do this often, and it is often the source of my frustration), I was so afraid to tackle the project that it never got done.

Do you know how good you get or how much you learn from doing nothing? Mmm-hmm, you guessed it. Zero equals zero. Even I know that, and I got C’s in math. Except in geometry, which is the biz. Anyway.

I had to give myself permission to mess up. Not only did I give myself permission to mess up (because why do things halfway?), I made it mandatory.

I said to myself,

Self. You must make a big honkin’ mess of this whole thing. When you’re finished, it should be blatantly obvious to anyone who watches that you are a goofball and a complete amateur. The results should be so horrifically bad that you never want to show anyone for fear of public shaming by a mob of angry villagers wielding torches.

And then you’ll post it for all to see.

When I changed my mindset, screwing up became my goal. And guess how much I learned? A lot more than I did waiting to magically achieve newscaster-esque perfection on the first go-round using a program I’ve only used a few times.

Swap haul video

Note to self: face powder is a must. Sigh.

So, I’m passing on the assignment. Stop putting so much pressure on yourself and find something to really f*ck up. Create a really ugly website using tables(!); take blurry, grainy pictures of the weeds in your garden; make an ice cream and fried chicken casserole; wear white patent leather sandals with fishnets. DO IT. Own it. F*ck-ups lead to freedom.

Look, everybody messes up. Sometimes you have to just do it. It’s not a mistake if you learn from it, and if you learn something, you’re already moving forward.

You have my permission, so…what will you f*ck up?

You'll also like:

On Saturday, I hit u.swap, a clothing swap put on by U-Turn Art Space and vintage shop Chicken Lays an Egg (check out co-owner Jessy’s blog, Mascara or Motoroil).

Surprisingly (to me), I found ten items I was ready to part with–I have a hard time letting go of clothes–and managed to bring home a few new things in support of what I’ve decided to deem “sustainable shopping.” What? It’s a real movement.

Clothes kept coming in as people arrived, so there was plenty to choose from.

The place was packed with swapper-shoppers and filled with sweltering heat. No air conditioning + 90 degrees + lots of people = sweat dripping down my face. I tried not to sweat on the clothes up for grabs, but I’m not making any promises. Launder your stuff, ladies.

Rosie from The Brush Factory doing some on-the-spot alterations. Brilliant.

I have a habit of buying stuff that doesn’t fit from thrift stores and convincing myself that I’ll get it altered, or even less likely, promising to alter it myself using my handy DIY skills. Needless to say, none of this ambition leads to any actual productivity.

Whirly Girl + Kitchenette macaroons

However, I am productive when it comes to procuring anything even remotely dessert-y, so after I’d bagged my goodies from the swap, I marched straight over to the Whirly Girl truck and indulged in a macaroon. Which I insist on over-pronouncing in French as macarON. ‘Cause I’m pretentious like that.

UPDATE: I did a haul video about my finds! Watch it here.

Have you ever been to a clothing swap? Did you come home with anything good?

You'll also like:

I can’t stop thinking about:

Ming Makes Cupcakes

I don’t know who this Ming person is, or why she feels the need to torture me so (she knows I’m not gonna bake), but her cupcakes have been messing with my sugar-addled mind.

Feminine, floaty blouses

The drapier and pastel-ier the better.

From Queen’s Wardrobe

Home decor blogs

Maybe I’m in the mood to decorate, maybe I’m in the mood to move…But I probably won’t do either anytime soon. So, I fantasize:

Images: The Paris Apartment (imagine what you could do with those chairs!), Visual Vamp, Alkemie, Coco+Kelley, Sketch 42

You'll also like:

Do you ever feel like you’re stuck in a style rut? You know, skirt + blouse, pants + cardigan, jeans + tee, blahblahblah boring. I hate that.

When I do feel that way, I look elsewhere for style inspiration–usually to my fellow bloggers or recent designer collections. I was procrastinating doing research and checking out some of my favorite blogs, when I came across a photo from Dries Van Noten‘s Spring 2010 collection.

I immediately remembered a sarong I received as a souvenir from a friend’s trip to Thailand and thought, “I can do (something similar to) that!”

I just added my trusty gray sweatshirt and some “exotic” accessories:

Elaborate earrings purchased as a direct result of my ongoing obsession with Indian bridal jewelry.

A combination of beaded African bracelets and a few wooden bracelets I picked up at the hair store. No, the hair store–the place where they sell weaves and wigs. Don’t underestimate the selection in those glass cases in the front of the shop, okay?

A beaded bag and nude shoes (Attention apparel manufacturers: light beige doesn’t equal “nude” for everyone.) I love the little gold elephants marching across the sarong.

Sunglasses I got on sale years ago. I’m surprised I still have them–I usually lose sunglasses within, like, a month of purchasing them.

It’s not a difficult look to replicate. The idea is to take a bunch of varying cultural influences, toss them together, and see what happens. Don’t be afraid to mix things up a bit!

1. J. Crew sweatshirt  2. Bracelets, Ainamoja.com 3. Skirt, Milliana.com 4. Chloe sunglasses, Aloha Rag 5. Earrings, Kaneesha.com 6. Rosegold heels, Shopbop.com

Sweatshirt, American Apparel; skirt, souvenir; earrings, Bombay Jewelry; shoes, Steve Madden; bracelets, random; purse, Miss Selfridge; sunglasses, Gucci.

By the way, bellydancing costume boutiques are my new favorite places to shop online.

Where do you find inspiration when you’re in a style rut?

You'll also like:

Last weekend, I decided to take advantage of the gorgeous weather and take some pictures. I’m still learning this whole photography thing…

Beau seemed to think I was doing okay. “I’ll watch from the window,” he said.

On Saturday morning, I got up and made breakfast for the first time in…hmm…what year is this?

Mmm, grilled cheese with smoked gouda and jack, and tomatoes and basil. I always add a touch of basil to my grilled cheese.

Later, I decided to hit Findlay Market for some fresh fruits and veggies.

At the market, I pretended to inspect the fruit as if I knew what I was doing. I didn’t.

I did know what to do when I got hungry, though:

The ribs from Ms. Helen’s Grill were fantastic–tender, juicy, and just spicy enough to make your nose run. The mac and cheese had a smooth, rich flavor and tasted like actual cheese. Ms. Helen put her foot in it for real!

Later, Emily and I headed over to Bromwell’s Gallery (where the Stop Traffick photo shoot was held) for Alison Shepard’s “Our Beauty Flows Like Water” opening.

I hung out on the fire escape while Jim Tarbell played the harmonica, and Emily checked out the artwork with 3-D glasses.

There was a really lovely breeze out there.

Ol’ Tarbell actually sounded pretty good!

The art changed from fluorescent pink and orange to bright blue and green with the glasses!

Beau was waiting for me when I got home.

“You know it’s past my dinner time, right?”

Right.

What did you do last weekend?

You'll also like: