stuffed animals

I think my fascination with taxidermy was predetermined by growing up in the  Midwest where  hunting is the game, and deer heads are your trophies. Though I've never fired a rifle in my life, and have little interest to, my allure to this peculiar art form manifested in an ever-growing collection of butterflies and moths. After studying abroad in London, I met a fellow taxidermy enthusiast, Basia who showed my some PRIME taxidermy in Paris (specifically, Deyrolle. You can make your own butterfly shadowboxes! Ah!) Think roaring tigers, frolicking zebras, iridescent beetles and gigantic moths, all frozen in time. There is just something eerily magical about it. Anyway, I recently stumbled upon another take on taxidermy that is even more magical...Netherlands based Les Deux Garçons (Michel Vanderheijden van Tinteren and Roel Moonen)  created a collection of whimsical beasts mixed with millinery, found objects, and toys. I ♡ THESE. I hope you find them as dazzling :)

 

Security Blankets for the Boondocks

If you too live in the boondocks, somewhere deep in the woods, off the grid, in no man's land, then this post is for you. In quite possibly the slushiest day of the year, Haley and I decided to embark on a photo quest. So, we packed up my recently made "Security Blankets" (reconstructed blankets and afghans into cozy shrug sweaters....probably crocheted and knitted by somebody's grandma, long long ago...maybe even yours. You know the kind I'm talking about.), a fur hat, a bottle of Absinthe (for aesthetic purposes only), my Lomo camera, a poncho, and some rubber boots and got in my Bug and drove into the Kinnikinnick State Park to snip snap some snapshots--midwestern style. 

It was a chilllllly damp day, but that was no match for Haley Blayne Prochnow. Oh no no. She managed to look toasty and cozy like summer never left. Not to mention she un-stuck the Bug from the soupy ice mess we were working in. What a champ. Here's some proof of our labor to feast your eyes on:

You can get your very own "Security Blanket" here! 

 

unnecessary necessities with Haley Prochnow

After a melancholy night of watching Animal Hoarders  and sipping on cheap vodka, my counterpart, Haley and I decided to escape the cave, and do some much needed supply hunting.  Appropriately, we went to one of our favorite spots in Minneapolis--Hunt & Gather (just great, guys. Seriously, the best. Every time I go, I can't believe this place is real). After rummaging through piles of stamps, maps, and old photos, and fur collars-o-plenty, we both found some unnecessary necessities to feast our eyes on. Here are a few of my take-homes. The nostalgia makes me swooooooon. 

(the day was punctuated with quesadillas from Los Ocampo, and lemon-buttercream cupcakes from Salty Tart. Yum.)

One Sweet Read

{A note to you, Dear Reader: Due to some technical camera issues and obscene weather conditions (haveyouheard???), the 'pearly shells' necklaces aren't quite up for sale yet, but they will be soon! I promise. Here is some eyecandy to keep you satiated until then...you better enjoy it.}

I had to fight my friend Seth for this book at the Hudson Goodwill. I've never seen something quite like it. And can we just acknowledge how apropos for my lastest "pearl" obsession...could it be fate that united us? Quite possibly. Between the intoxicating cover art, and the almost-too-precious chapter titles ("Rose-Petal Wings"? "The Young Man Whose Shadow Took Charge"?! and "Murredin and the Wonderful Lily"?!?!?!), all I can say is: ohmigodIthinkI'mfallinginlove...

Light Bright (after midnight)

And sometimes you find yourself laying on a rooftop, next to new friends and old, watching one of these get set into the sky together. Mmmmagic.