Euro Toys

We've been in and out of all the best toy stores in town since Tracy's been here.  Even though I don't have kids, I can really appreciate the quality and aesthetic of the toys here.  I was especially taken with the incredible stuffed animals.  Sure, you've got your Steiff creatures, which are historically gorgeous and of the top quality.

But I found another brand I fell in love with--Kosen.  (You have to check the link... and then go to the selection of cats, of course!)  They are all handmade in Germany--hand stitched and painted.  Just lovely.  I think I stood there, examining all of them, for an inappropriately long measure of time.  But just LOOK at them!

OK, so this guy's not a Steiff or a Kosen, but he totally deserves to be up here.  Look at all of his crazy "birdfur"!

Pissing Dogs/Boys and Pissed-Off Cats

Tracy is here.  And she's found the zenneke pis!  Just so you know, there's the mannekin pis (see below) and the jeanneke pis (yes, it's a squatting girl child... ack!) and the zenneke pis.  It's the trifecta of voiding statues--a boy, a girl, and a dog!

A couple of angles for your viewing pleasure.  And look--some humorist has placed a Jupiler can below his snout!  A little Jupiler and who won't lift their leg?

We've seen the mannekin pis shill for Coke and, as you know, I'm quite taken with finding him in all forms around town.  It's disturbing that a urinating anything has become a marketing tool for all sorts of things.  But this one is especially icky... a french fry relieving himself is supposed to make me want to eat some frites?  As if an anthropomorphic fry isn't weird enough, this one has made a puddle of... is that ketchup?!  I'm so confused.

And here's the real thing!  The MP in all his glory!  Dressed as a... I'm not sure what... but we were really into his bolo tie.  He looks to have a strange devil tail from this angle--probably not his best.

This is Cochino coming off of a nasty hiss at Jack through the window.  She is all riled up about having a dog here.  Silly chat.

Back to Brussels

The trip back with Jack went soooo smoothly.  Well, beyond the check-in at the airport in St. Lou (sorry for the cursing, Mom), really.  But overall things were great.  Tracy was WAITING for me at the baggage claim in Brussels--believe it!  I have never been so relieved.  And of course the customs agents in Brussels barely could manage to review Jack's papers.  I swear, anyone want to smuggle an animal into Belgium?!?  Ain't no thing!

Wedged in.  Too much stuff.

At the airport in Chicago.  Those "exercise shoes" are a blight, I tell you.  A BLIGHT!

Look how happy he is at his temporary digs in B-town, despite the fact that his kitty host has been downright rude.  (Oh, the hissing!)  Sorry about that, Jack.

Gratuitous Lomography 2

Really enjoying the Diana Mini.  Shot this one in the format that allows for two 3" x 4" shots side-by-side.

Foyer view.

Uncle Leo with snowglobe.

Aiden.

Pretty-eyed Alexis.

Last Wednesday at The Royale.

Being Italian.

Fall's jewels.

Hildress.

 Chair cat.

N + B + N.

Sparkle shoes.

Indoor out.

Creepy.

On My Body

Wore it:

Yeah, it was in the 70s this week.  Yeah, it's November.  Nice.

Shirt anthro, necklace Digby and Iona, skirt Cooperative, tights H&M, shoes Rachel Comey, bracelets vintage.

 This necklace is from Digby & Iona.  Check the website for other wondrous designs.  This one is like a fancy-lady version of a monkey's paw.  

The little finger is articulated so as to allow the hand some "expressions."  And it also wears a tiny golden diamond ring.

Photobooth Classics with Chi

I can't wait to be reunited with this one.
Next week!

Wardrobe Streeeetching

Still mixing it up, but can't wait to access my closet back in Brussels!  Until then, here's the latest from St. Lou.

Those neon pants!
Vintage "It's hard to soar with eagles when you work with turkeys" tee.  True talk from a vintage tee.  Pants samples, boots Frye, necklace Les Preciouses.

 Close up of necklace amazement and some turkeys (one overall-ed).

You ask why?  Because I have time.  Because I have time.

Wearing my xmas present early.  Amazing DVF sweater with silk fabric woven through the knit.  omg, it is SO good.  I will take a close-up with the good camera as soon as I'm reunited with it.

Alien abduction?  It looks like I am about to be taken up.
Shirt old Ella Moss, skirt J. Crew, leggings BDG, shoes Rachel Comey.

Family Fashion

This is Elliot.  I want that outfit.  The pink hair poof, the ballerina skirt, the silver glitter boots.  It is perfection.  She is clearly the coolest girl around.  Look at her pulling hair and taking names.

They need to make these big-people sized because I want them in my life, on my feets.

This is Tyler.  He is practicing his lounge act, which is tailored to a cat audience (namely, Hilde).  The check shirt says he means business, but the colored keyboard implies that a feline-friendly party is about to be thrown down.  Ain't no party like a kitty-cat party 'cause a kitty-cat party don't stop!

And these lovelies are Aunts Louise and Helen.  Especially loving the polka dots and stripes here.  Tres chic!

Mexican Bakery Wars

You know how enamored of Diana's Bakery I am.  So when some friends suggested I hit up El Chico Bakery just down the street I was a smidge wary.  How could El Chico hold a candle to Diana?!?

I don't think they had as large of a selection as Diana's, but it was all fresh and smelled incredible.  I lucked out that they still had some tamales left (Saturday = tamale-day) around 3 pm.  Said tamales were pulled from a plastic cooler, so I knew they'd be good.  Pardon my french, but you know shit's legit when it comes from someone's mom or grandma's personal cooler.  

The tamales were delicious.  They were "mild" red tamales yet had just enough spice.  The masa was moist and well-flavored.  The tres leches cake was not as saturated as Diana's version, and honestly I like my TL pretty wet, so the point goes to Diana's there. 

Also tried a pumpkin empanada, which was good, but could have been more, um... fried.  As in crispy.  But the flavor was good.  And props for seasonal flavor offerings.

All in all, another gem on Cherokee Street.  And this one's got eat-in seating.  At Diana's, it's only to-go. Anyway, try 'em both yourself and decide.  I'm calling it a draw.

Wearing It

A couple days' worth...

Identity has been protected...

I have been really into "vintage" big shirts lately.  I don't know if they can properly be called "vintage" because we're talking early '90s here, but everyone bandies the term around so I'm doing it.  Yeah, really feeling those old rayon boxy button-downs from Limited, Express, and Gap.  This one's from Gap;  I thrifted it on Cherokee.

Blouse Gap, scarf vintage I. Magnin, shorts vintage Levi, tights UO, boots Frye, bag D&B.

 Patterns!

Vintage mohair jacket from Wilbur in Philly, jumper vintage Gap, bag D&B, tights Anthro, shoes Rachel Comey.

No jacket, same face.

Horsey tights (and a smidge of Panton chair)!