Snakes on chains

Thrifting is fun because it saves you a ton of money. It is also fun because you never know what wackadoodle thing you will run across. Like these two snake chains. Or belts.

Would you ever walk out of your house with the sole purpose of finding a bit of snake jewelry? But look where thrifting can take you.

These guys are probably from the 80s, but I like to imagine a bit of an Alexander McQueen vibe. Haven't worn them yet. Only taken them out for location modeling shoots.

Found anything fascinating lately?

Big fat bag of eye candy

It's only the end of November, but I've already grown tired of traditional autumn activities like carb loading and cursing the early darkness.

Which leads me off instead to the escapist fantasies like Boutique Homes, where I click until my wrist swells.

Have you seen it?

Banana bread

My friend Mise at Pretty Far West has built a blogging empire around photos of baked goods and sage domestic tips such as 'never let the children know the yogurt is homemade.'

In this spirit I present my banana bread, distinguished only by the use of buckwheat flour (we were out of regular) and my trademark banana buttons down the center of the loaf.

I advise not letting the children know about the buckwheat.

Rope necklace giveaway

Giving away these two necklaces made by moi during a knot-tying phase. If you have a preference for one over the other, say so.

Just be a follower and leave a comment.

Warm color

Cold, dreary, rainy here.

But it's always warm and bright in a high-end catalog. Here's some cool weather/warm color inspiration from Etro.

Urban autumn

I took a walk around the neighborhood Saturday and got to see more fall color than I could find upstate a few weeks ago. We are enjoying an extended autumn in the city.

House Beautiful and Elle Decor for $5

Sign up for a free trial issue of HGTV's new magazine here and you'll then be directed to a page that offers Country Living, Elle Decor, House Beautiful and Veranda for $5 subscriptions.

My DIY: Make a macrame rope and hardware necklace

Here are some fun things you can do with laundry rope, hardware and old purses.

Cut four strands of rope. Tie a bunch of lanyard knots. Slide an aluminum conduit connector (or hardware of your choice) over your ropes. Keep tying knots. Add another aluminum connector.

When you get it long enough, rip a clasp and loop off an old purse. Tie one on each end of your necklace. Pull the ropes tight. Glue. Let it dry. Trim off the rope.

Wear it. In a pinch use it to defend self. (It's quite heavy.)

You can also make bracelets.

Closet of dreams and IKEA hacks

So many projects and things I wanted to post about and so little time.

In the meantime here's a little inspiration if you're cleaning closets this weekend. Interior designer Saudah Saleem turned one whole room of her brownstone into a closet. (Although really it's a home office and sitting room accented with shoes.) She used IKEA's Pax and Billy storage. From House of Fifty.

Speaking of IKEA, two Lack side table hacks, one from Little Green Notebook, the other from Clementine and Olive.

And Jackie at Teal and Lime pulled off an IKEA hack of that Design Within Reach chandelier I walk by once a week and always think I'll try to do some day.

And totally unrelated, but this made my day. Watch it to the end and learn a new word.

The color of less money

Under the influence of this.

And this.

My latest thrifting haul looks like this.

Instead of this from a year ago. (Note: It's not a black and white photo.)

Is color blocking exploding in your closet?

Images: NYMag, J.Crew

Vera Bradley giveaway winner

After adding two more entries for Mise for being Irish and witty, our winner is Maria C., who is not Irish but had a very challenging day.

Congrats Maria, I'll be in touch.