um ... {June 29, 2009}

(My new pet Rosemary swims in revelry!)

UPDATE:
A few of my design-minded readers have asked for photos of my new place. I love studying other homes & apartments on Design Sponge, so I thought I'd share too. It's a work in progress, but I've posted a few snapshots RIGHT HERE! I hope to eventually replace my couch with something soft & upholstered, purchase a vintage wooden bed frame, and find the danish teak side table of my dreams. Wish me luck, the search may take awhile!

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I have a confession to make. I'm embarrassed & bashful to say this, but I'm not very inspired by music right now. More specifically, I'm cheating on music with something else—led astray by a distant creative being, a third cousin six times removed. See, ever since I moved the majority of my free time has been spent studying interior design (I'm fascinated with mixing vintage & classic aesthetics) and bargain shopping for furniture. I can babble and bore you at length with the merits of mid-century danish teak wood pieces and vintage knoll pollock 1965 business chairs. This past Sunday morning I was on my hands & knees at the SF Antique and Design Mall, examining leather upholstery imperfections and peering under tabletops to uncover Denmark authenticity stamps with a furrowed brow.

You are nodding off already—a thin, shiny line of spittle is trickling down your chin, isn't it?  I'm not sure what's come over me. I'm damn preoccupied. I have been wooed by design—I am in love, anew.

Even though I haven't been music-minded lately, I've managed to frequent a few fantastic concerts this month. Recent shows include Au Revoir Simone and The Antlers (I met Peter Silberman before the show and was hot-faced and woefully inarticulate, SIGH), Jens Lekman, Ben Kweller, and most recently—Okkervil River and Wilco. My friends have contrasting opinions about last night's sets, but I Ioved both performances. I spent the evening moon-faced and slouched in the stands, enjoying an atypically warm summer evening set to toe-taps and songs. To me, Wilco is indie easy-listening—it will never rock my core, but it's familiar & cozy like an old boyfriend's t-shirt. Sometimes that's enough. It certainly was last night.

June's been a damn fine month, friends. I will return very soon—inspired and trigger-happy with new music recommendations. Hope everyone's Monday is off to a good start—& onward!

I Am Trying to Break Your Heart - Wilco | purchase  
California Stars - Billy Bragg and Wilco | purchase  

(image by bella muse)

Comments

[lucia]

cool!!! i love au revoir simone!! and i had listen to Wilco and it is nice too!!
good luck with your inspiration!!!!!
xxx

[Kim]

I'm supremely jealous of you and all the fabulous concerts you went to. :)

[Jillian]

I too share an intense and shameful love of all things interior design. Maybe I'll luck out and will be able to visit blisslist for music and design recs? :)

[suzanne]

better check your pulse...if Okkervil River didn't inspire you, you must be dead...

[Katie]

You don't need an excuse for being obsessed with mid-century furniture. I've (admittedly) abandoned music for more trivial things. I'm heading up to San Fran in August -- any shopping suggestions for cheap home furnishings?

[Doniece]

ooh, the alameda flea market is calling. august, love?

[Will]

I'll be waiting. Hope to see you back soon!

[me]

Thanks for the comments everyone!

And believe me, it is taking a lot of restraint to keep from posting design links but I think my blog is a bit unfocused as it is! Just go to Design Sponge, Black Eiffel, SF Girl by Bay, and Swiss Miss for the best design links. Maybe one day I'll launch a design blog, we'll see.

Katie, I do recommend the SF Antique and Design Fair - esp the 2nd floor. There are plenty of shopping spots all throughout the city, but most are not cheap. (But still worth checking out for the window shopping alone). I can send you a list if you'd like... or if you are up for a shopping friend, let me know!

And Doniece - I am going to the heaven-on-earth alameda flea market this weekend and I will probably be there all day, echos of "eeeeeeeeeeee!" wafting between booths. xo.

[Brendan]

I'm jealous of your decorating skills. I think more so now too because I've got myself an apartment that I'm moving into in August over on 23rd between California and Lake. Yay.

Btw, the Alameda flea market you mention, that's the one out on the old base right?

[Amber]

Oh wow! The photos of your house are exactly as I pictured your dwelling to look like... Your blog matches your home (and I can only assume your personality!) so well! Seeing pictures and hearing about you moving makes me excited to move myself. I've always had roommates and whatnot but in two months, I'll finally be in my own studio... I can't wait to decorate!

[Angie]

Thanks for posting pics of your new place. It looks lovely and very cozy. I love all the prints and plants--right up my alley. Kudos on your decorating skills.

[me]

thanks, pretties!