Popping In

Hello! Oh my ... so this is what it feels like to be blogging again. Or just checking in anyway. The sudden break I took from blogging has been quite nice, but I sure have missed it. I've been busy, y'all. But so have the rest of my blogger friends who've been doing an amazing job at keeping up with their blogs. I don't have an excuse, and I don't know when I'll be back to full speed. But, to be honest, I'm not too worried about it. I will be back 100% when it's time.

Just to give you an idea of what I've been up to -- I've been a busy little bee working at my new job with my favorite brand, and I've been doing some freelance design blogging and social media for another small business here in town. The house is also keeping us busy. I've made little progress with things like artwork and small details here and there. At this very moment we're having our heater and air conditioner replaced, like whoa. It's a huge expense, but this house is 70 years old and it's about time someone did something really nice and grand for it. Next, our fireplace is going to get a cute facelift with a fresh coat of paint.

To keep me focused on designing and styling our dream home, I'm still pinning and finding new inspiration daily. And today I discovered the new home goods line by Steven Alan. Yes, it is wonderful, and I may have found another incredible and splurge-worthy site for all kinds of things I don't yet know that I need.

Brown napkin set. Grey napkin set. Nesting cups. Indigo carafe. Serving bowl. Throws and blankets. 

I'm in love with the rich stripes and the soothing nature of the jagged textiles. From napkins to throws and ceramics of all sorts, Steven Alan has found a nice balance between something you'd find in a cabin nestled in a snowy mountain somewhere and a bungalow in East Austin. Love!

Style Post: It's Been A While

Finally a new outfit post! I've kind of missed putting one of these together! Hopefully it's not too weird that I'm wearing the same shirt in the last one I did over a month ago. But it's a different look, I tell ya. New hair, new boots and a whole lotta black.

Over the last month I've cleaned out my closet twice, figured out my fall uniform and collected a few new things. The first thing is black jeans. I've never been a huge fan until recently, and now I want to wear them with everything. They are slimming and add a little edge to every outfit. The biker boots were a new find, and this big triangle necklace is just another fun piece I'm into right now. I've been looking for easy ways to jazz up the wardrobe by combining fun jewelry with classic pieces I already have. I'm tired of buying skirts or blouses that I can only get an outfit or two out of. I'm tired of having pieces that I'm not madly in love with. Fun jewelry is helping me fall in love with basics all over again.

Madewell tee, leggings and boots. Anthropologie necklace.

This, I Like

It's a busy weekend for Austinintes! We've got Austin City Limits, a huge football game and the usual weekend festivities. I'll be working a bit and catching up on the blog. I'm seriously slacking in the blogging area, but more food, crafty and outfit posts to come soon!

In the meantime, here are some more things I fell in love with this week.

Floral collars. Brass earrings. More sleeveless chambray.

Have a good one!

Darts & Arrows

I've been obsessed with colorful and structural necklaces lately. I usually don't buy a ton of jewelry and just stick to the classic pieces that I have. I tend to feel a bit guilty when I buy something large and costume-y and then only wear it a few times a year. I like necklaces that I can throw on with anything. Necklaces that just go !

Madewell arrowstack necklace. Triple chevron necklace. Big dart necklace. Canoe umbra necklace.

These arrow-inspired pieces are exactly what I could go for right now. I like to call them "mini statement" necklaces that you could wear everyday. Versatility, people!

Outfits Lately

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. Last week was a blur and this week is expected to be the same. We knocked out a lot of fun house projects last weekend: hung up some new stuff, did a little deep cleaning and started planning our first little dinner party! Busy and fun, let's put it that way.

I know I'll eventually get back to blogging regularly, but I've really missed my outfit posts! With our schedules being off a little, it's been challenging to put together a full shoot with good lighting, etc. So I'm winging it with the iPhone photos. Here are little glimpses of outfits I've donned lately:

Hopefully I've have a real outfit post for you soon! Until then, catch more little outfit glimpses on Instagram (@birdflygood)!

Metallic Sweaters

I could get into these for fall. Chunky, gold-dipped grandpa sweaters and metallic cardigans?

Rachel Comey. Need Supply.

Mama like. 

Back to School Cool

I haven't done the whole back to school thing in a while, but sometimes I wish I could. Just long enough to have an excuse to collect new supplies, a fun backpack and an abundance of tech gear.

But who needs excuses? Madewell collaborated with a little boutique called Top Hat to release a lovely collection of office supplies and accessories. Here are just a few of my favorites:

Darling little notebooks 1 and 2. Memo. Delfonics pens. 

Herschel Supply Company backpack. Baggu iPad sleeves. 

School supply shopping back in my day was never this much fun. But today, it is!

Style Post: Black, White & Pink All Over

Hi, friends. I'm happy to say I think I'm back to regular blogging action. The desk has arrived and the fridge should be here very soon. I've so been dying to put our new kitchen to work. It's been way too long since I've cooked anything besides gluten-free pasta and stir-fried tofu.

But I got back into the outfit post swing last weekend. I often drive by this bright pink Mexican restaurant slash bingo hall right off the highway. As you can see, the pink is rather raspberry meets Pepto-Bismol -- a combination I actually like. So I thought the wall would be fun to photograph.

Along with bright pink walls, I've also fallen in love with high-rise skinny jeans again and girly makeup, like bright blush and lips. It's definitely different for me to get dolled up each day, but I kinda like it. I feel put together, even underneath that messy top knot.

Madewell shirt, jeans and shoes. Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses. 

Find Me on Swish & Swoon

Hello! Today I wrote a little guest post for a blogging pal, Jess of Swish & Swoon! Her blog is all about life and style, so it felt pretty perfect sharing my some of my home decor inspiration with her. Hop on over to Swish & Swoon to read the post!

Arrows via Etsy. Camera print via Design Editor.

Cobra Rock

More Marfa love on the blog today! Mockingbird Domestics is a new shop here in town that carries these cute little wallets made out of leather scraps. This leather is super gooey soft, and I flipped when I learned the craftsmen actually use this stuff to make boots. Only one kind of boot, actually. The style is a 1940s squared-toed riding-heel boot and I'm determined to get my hands on a pair, even if that means making it out to Marfa one of these days.

Photos via Cobra Rock Boot Company.

Who else wants to go out to Marfa with me to marvel at boots, chairs and other West Texas things?

Mini Style Post: Red Lace

Last weekend I got to mixing up my fancy pants wedding guest attire with one of my very favorite items: an army jacket. I styled my vintage lace shift dress and new/gently used Ferragamos with this cozy jacket to bring the look down a bit. Don't get me wrong -- I love the swanky look of this dress. I wore it to a wedding earlier this summer and it really was the perfect party dress. But last Sunday I wanted to look swanky casual, and this is what I came up with:

J.Crew jacket and belt. Vintage dress and shoes.

Have a super Tuesday!

Looking Girly

I'm going for a new look makeup-wise. I usually just throw on some mascara and lip balm and call it a day. Sometimes I wear a bright lip color when I'm feeling fancy. But I'm starting to think that having an actual makeup routine and the right products on hand will help me feel more put together each day. But what look should I go for?

Photo 1. Photo 2. 

I found these two via my "Pretty Lady" Pinterest board. I love the idea of a light and simple everyday look, and then bright blush and lips for a more dolled up girl. Or maybe I can come up with a way to combine the two! Stay tuned ...

Summer With Gorman

I love/hate how every fall seems to take forever to get here. We're all just really hot, sweaty and dying to get our bodies into some cool weather stuff.

But I have a feeling we're still a few weeks from boots and layering, which is why I'm refreshingly excited for Gorman's just-launched summer collection. Here are three of my favorite styles from the new lookbook:

I hope we get Gorman in the states one day.  I love how every collection is full of goofy prints and color combinations. Some of my favorite pieces for summer:

I think every piece would transition beautifully for autumn in Texas. Can I have them all?

Bluesie

Lots of navy and blue trending on my Pinterest board right now.

Photo 1. Photo 2.

I think I'm just subconsciously falling in love with tomboy looks covered in blue. Maybe it's because a new season is near. Pre-fall lookbooks have become part of my nighttime reading ritual. While there's a lot to look forward to, I'm hoping to get reacquainted with my own sweaters, blazers and layering pieces before diving into next season's must-haves.

Are you excited for fall yet?

Silla Means Chair

A few months ago I popped into JM Dry Goods to admire the Bolivian blankets, handmade tapestries and other worldly things. But what really caught my eye were these chairs. I loved the supple leather and the industrial look of the exposed metal.

I had no idea where these chairs came from, but I assumed somewhere in Mexico, India or Morocco since that's where JM Dry Goods owner Michelle Teague sources a lot of the handcrafted pieces for her shop.

I'd been thinking about these chairs a lot and I sincerely wanted a bucket chair to call my own, but we were saving for a house. So, we've had to put off any really-nice-chair purchases for a little while. 

Then, just last week, I came across a little video produced by Levi's for "Made Here," a collection of handmade goods and apparel, all made in the USA by emerging artists. The featured craftsman, Joey Benton of Silla, talks about the inspiration behind the new line of sandals he's made out of leather leftover from his other projects. And what might those other projects be? Chairs!

Yes. Turns out Silla, based right here in Texas, makes the most amazing leather chairs that I have been ogling for so long. The leather chair mystery has been solved, ladies and gents. What a feeling. 

And here's the Levi's video: 

Mini Style Post: Striped & Sunny

You guys! I've been blabbing about our house so much that I completely forgot to do a style post last week! But to be perfectly honest, you haven't missed much. I've been sporting plenty of baggy looks and easy-going dresses worn with my trusty old man loafers. Perfect for unpacking, running errands and easy weekend naps.

J.Crew dress. Thrifted loafers. Clare Vivier clutch. Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses. 

Another quick personal life update - I've been doing the gluten-free thing for a couple of months now. I don't think I'm intolerant, but I just wanted to try it because I've heard great things about people feeling more energetic and healthier after eliminating gluten from their diets. I thought it would be worth a shot since I'd been feeling pretty sluggish and bleh. 

Now, two months later, I really do feel more energetic from day to day. And my clothes fit a little better too. I'll also be the first to admit that I need to do more research on this diet before I can say I'm completely gluten-free. Food can be overly complicated sometimes, and I need to get better about planning meals around the simple stuff, i.e. real food. Hopefully becoming gluten-free will help me get on the right track. 

I also know a ton of people who are gluten-free now! What challenges and successes have you had with the diet? Austin friends - what are your favorite restaurants with gluten-free items?

Style Post: Fade Into Orange

We are officially homeowners! We own a house! What the heck? We closed yesterday and now we're doing everything we can to get our place in tip-top shape before we officially move in with all our stuff this weekend. This house is an oldie, and she needs some love. But all the work is going to be even more rewarding because we'll be doing it to our house.

I can't wait to explore our neighborhood, play in our yard, and turn this house into a home. Yesterday we took a ton of photos, so I'll be sure to share some as soon as we can.

I wore this outfit (similar look here) last weekend for a trip to the house to finalize a few details before the big move. It's a semi-housework outfit, I guess. Roughed up chambray, silk skirt, and grandpa loafers. I sort of think the clay bead necklace ties it all together.

Madewell shirt and skirt. Thrifted loafers. IGWT cuff. Handmade necklace. Clare Vivier clutch.

Style Post: Holly Dolly

Hello! My blogger friend Holly is off on her honeymoon this week, and she's asked me to style up a  honeymoon-inspired outfit for her blog today! Hop on over to Holly Dolly to check out the post!

Thanks for having me, Holly!

Style Post: Throwin' It Back

How was your weekend, friend? Ours was lovely. A bit of packing, blogging, and planning for house stuff (house update coming soon!) kept us busy. And the weather has been something else. Sunny/humid days with patches of rain here and there, and then wildly stormy nights. Why does Mother Nature have to be so wishy washy?

We snuck out early enough yesterday to snap a few photos. More red, white, black, and polka dots. This dress sooo reminds me of the 90s with its throwback silhouette. I love the short and flowy, and the straps do this fun criss cross thing in the back (not pictured, sadly). It's fun, and another super find from my favorite local vintage shop.

J.Crew cardigan. Vintage dress. Madewell shoes. Anthropologie bracelet. Handmade necklace.

Have a great Monday!

The Rucksack

This whole week I've been blabbing about my birthday and all the fun we had celebrating last week. Well, this next post is only somewhat related to all that. Kyle fulfilled my only birthday gift wish by giving me this adorable and uber-functional handmade canvas rucksack.

I'm pretty obsessed with it, as I've been in desperate need of a pack big enough for my laptop, tablet, and other essentials. I found the Etsy seller/maker through Pinterest, of course. Sweet little Moorea just pins the coolest things, this rucksack being one of them. Kyle worked with Abby Meadow of Infusion, and he said she was the nicest person. And I believe it. She makes every bag by hand, from start to finish. Her designs are functional, stylish, and perfect for every day or outdoor adventures.

Good stuff, I tell ya. This rucksack just happens to be my favorite at the moment, but Abby also makes all kinds of totes and messenger bags. Be sure to visit her shop to check out the rest!