I'm a Little Thirsty

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Okay, how funny would it be if you brought that hostess book to a party as a hostess gift?!  Kind of an underhanded jab for the hostess that you are not particularly fond of.  When I think of someone doing that, it cracks me up.
I've sometimes got a warped sense of humor, what can I say?!
In other news, I picked up my Microsoft gift card yesterday, and got ready to order my brand new Surface 2 tablet, only to discover that I cannot use the gift card online; I have to go to Glendale to pick it up.  This is not me complaining, though- I am super excited to be able to use it in my classroom.
I hope you are having a fantastic Wednesday.  (Wednesday, woo hoo!!)

Out of Print and The Incorrigible Children

outofprintclothing.com

When my husband and I were recently vacationing near the coast I went exploring in a local book store and found these really great t-shirts.  I had to have the Jane Eyre one (It is my favorite book and I even wrote my thesis on it) and when I went online to check out the website I found many more items that I would love to own, including the "Poe-ka-dot" pouch--how funny is that!

Out of Print t-shirts by desertgirls on Polyvore

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn / Alice in Wonderland / Pride and Prejudice / Moby Dick book cover t-shirt | Outofprintclothing.com / Goodnight Moon book cover bodysuit | Outofprintclothing.com / Poe-ka Dots / Jane Eyre canvas pouch | Outofprintclothing.com
Another store that I came across carried these books, "The Incorrigible Children."  The front cover caught my eye because it is just so adorably illustrated.  I have never read one of them but maybe you could tell me if they are as good as the front covers?  They seem to be in the same vein as Lemony Snicket's "Unfortunate Events" books; that's my guess anyway.

barnesandnoble.com

barnesandnoble.com

We arrived back from our beach vacation yesterday and we are about ready to start back to work and school.  My daughter is starting kindergarten on Thursday(sniff sniff) and she wants to go help daddy in his classroom today.  I am going to take the opportunity to spend a nice day with my son.  He has requested BJ's Restaurant for lunch.  Anyway, I hope you all have a nice day!

Favorite Childhood Books and The Book Swap

Today is the last post for the Preview to Summer Book Swap, and the theme is favorite childhood reads.  This time I'll be linking up with Nina from Run Dance Love.  I also get to share the goodies I got in the book swap!
My partner is from the blog Blair's Head Band.  If you're in the mood for a little snark and a good laugh, you definitely need to go check her out!  She's all the way across the country in New York, she's getting married in the fall, and she is pretty brilliant at speaking her mind and kind of saying what a lot of us have thought at one time or another (as witnessed here).

This was my first ever swap, and it was great.  I got two books that I can't wait to start reading- Truman Capote's In Cold Blood, and Ali Wentworth's Ali in Wonderland.  She also gave me a sweet little New York notebook and a little bag from the famous New York book store the Strand.

image via

image via

Big thanks to M for all my goodies!  You really helped make this such a great experience, and while I apologize again for the tinsel in your package, if it kept the books from being soaked in champagne, then it did its job!  

Now, on to the link up.  My favorite childhood reads...

First, I'll start by saying that when I was little, I wasn't a big reader, much to the disappointment of my Mom.  She would take us to the library on a regular basis, hoping to spark something.  It wasn't until 4th grade when  my teacher read The Westing Game to us that I really wanted to read on my own.  I was hooked- I even got my Mom to take me to the library so I could finish the book early. (And then tell my classmates how it ends.  Hey, they asked!)

image via

So that book really got me to love reading on my own.  If we are talking little kid books, though, then The Pokey Little Puppy was always a fave.  

I also read The Chronicles of Narnia every summer when we went on our annual beach trip.  But I will only read them in the original order. None of this nonsense that Lewis' stepson used to change the order to match the book's chronological order. 

image via

A Little Princess and The Secret Garden were also favorites, along with Babysitter's Club.

So what were some of your childhood favorites?  I could add more... Mr. Popper's Penguins, all of the Ramona books...

I hope you have a great week, made sweeter by the fact that it is short!

Literary Crushes and a Few Good Pins

Hello, friends!  It is hard to believe that this week is already half way over, but I have to admit that I am ever so glad that it is- 3 day weekend, here we come!  I, for one, am looking forward to sleeping in.  I miss sleep.  It's my own fault for not getting enough.  Well, mine and my cat Taylor- it's her fault, too, since she has taken to using one of my beside lamps as a scratching/rubbing post and nearly causes it to fall over every morning at about 3 or 4 a.m.  I have to figure out a way to anchor it down to the table (I'm thinking earthquake putty), but I also have to figure out a way to anchor the table- she has almost caused that to crash and fall, and it would be horrible, because it is a mirrored side table.

Source: rofloffice.com via Lori on Pinterest

So, anyway.  Wednesday means a link up at The Vintage Apple.  And I am going to attempt to do my little assignment for the Preview to Summer Blogger Book Swap.  I have to say I am glad I participated in this swap; it has been fun reading other bloggers' posts covering different literary topics, and exchanging book packages via the mail was fun too- I can't wait to share what I got from my swap partner!  (And I can't wait until I have time to dive into my new reads!)
For this week's topic we could choose between Literary Soundtracks or Character Crushes.
Every time I attempt to answer these questions, my brain turns to jelly.  I feel like I haven't read anything besides young adult fiction (with my students) in forever, and the books I have been reading don't really lend themselves to crushes (Hitler, anyone?!).  So I have to try to delve back into my past and think of some characters I fell in love with.  Or think of some songs that just scream soundtrack to a certain book.
And since my brain has kind of been fried lately with tons of end of the year projects and grading and drunk men on my porch, I am going to give you the opposite.  I am going to give  you a list of anti-crushes.  These are horrible characters the likes of whom should be avoided by women (and men!) at all costs.
1. Dorian Gray.  What woman doesn't love a narcissistic, egotistical maniac who  not so secretly prefers men over women?!  He may be hideous on the inside, but come on, we all know that it's what's on the outside that really counts, right?!

Source: doctormacro.com via Lori on Pinterest

2. Alex, from A Clockwork Orange.  Have you ever read this novel?  On the one hand, I recommend it, as it is a classic piece of literature, but on the other hand, I say stay away from it, as it is so very, very disturbing.  This book is the kind that stays with you, even when you don't really want it to.  It's like gum on your shoe.  Alex and his droogs are perhaps some of the most despicable literary characters that I have ever come across in my life. Even the author said something to the effect that this book would follow him all his life, and not in a good way.

Source: nickdrake.tumblr.com via Gustavo on Pinterest

Okay, enough with the bad boys whom I think you should stay away from. How about a good guy?  How about (drum roll, please...)
1.  Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables.  He's just so good to Anne, despite her many rejections and flaming red hair.  (Just kidding about the hair!)  He is steadfast and makes sacrifices for her even when she doesn't know that she wants him.  He waits for her and he loves her as she is.

Source: anneofgreengables.com via Karah on Pinterest

2. I also love Snape.  That's right.  Severus Snape.  I love him for loving Lily as much as he did.  Ahhh, Snape, you greasy haired softie, you.  Love him.

Source: Uploaded by user via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Okay. Done. I guess I could mention more. I would not be opposed to meeting one of the male leads from a Sophie Kinsella novel, for instance. Or a certain Mr. Darcy, of course.
Now, on to some random pins for Wednesday Pinsday.

Source: theeverygirl.tumblr.com via Lori on Pinterest

I adore this lamp.  And pretty much everything else on that desk.

Source: rstyle.me via Lori on Pinterest

Yes, please.

Source: bunnyvictorious.com via Lori on Pinterest

I hope you are all enjoying your week!

Won't You be My Neighbor?

<center> <br><a href="http://desertgirlsvintage.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Desert Girls Vintage" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnYNySVe114lMYwM90uFcnzP1hjEBe21ZpslTqnd6nbL27xuh79CfBvdh9WFcDhtNXEOvTJIyWToJBVjJaKK66uKUqRxAqQ9sgfWt0tLFViuOhdjuvxKabevdas4XaotDgpYmXHaTsUm4/s400/book%2520swap.jpg"/></a></center> <br>

On Friday, after returning from a field trip to the Ronald Reagan Library (where my students were amazing, I must say!), the Cat and I ran a couple of errands, which included ducking into Marshall's for a return and a quick look around.  This trip happened to be pretty productive.  Sadly, no new clothes for either myself or the Cat, but I did find a couple of prints for my bedroom (and Rebecca approves!  Hooray!), a small vial of powdery glitter (you should always have glitter in your house, right?), and a couple of books.  Oh, and some bath mats, but that's kind of boring.  Soft, fluffy, boring bath mats that were on clearance, 2 for $12.  They are the best bath mats ever, so I am a happy girl.

Anyway.  I also got a couple of books.  Oh, and some stationery.  (I did say this was a productive trip, right?)

So, the books I got were a little random.  One is a collection of quotes from one Mr. Fred Rogers, whom I love.  When my little AlliCat was little, she loved watching Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, and I loved watching it with her.  In the aftermath of the attack on Boston, many of my friends posted a wonderful Fred Rogers' quote on facebook, which I'm sure you've seen but I'll post anyway.

Source: thesilverpen.com via Sharon on Pinterest

I can't wait to thumb through my new book of quotes. I think it will be well worth the $2!
The other book I bought is The Cocktail: 200 Fabulous Drinks by Jane Rocca.  I had seen this book before and was drawn to it because, hello, cocktails! , but also because of the artwork in the book.
The illustrations are done by Australian artist Kat Macleod.  She works with mixed media, and really brings an added flair to the drink recipes.

buy it here

Here are some more examples of her work.

Luggage Set

Dumpling

Traveller

These pieces, along with others, are for sale at Lamington Drive.

Maybe this weekend I'll get to test out at least one recipe from the cocktail book.  I can sip my drink while reading through some quotes by Mr. Rogers.  It'll be a really beautiful day in the neighborhood then.

Oh, and there is still time to sign up for our book swap!  This is such a fun way to connect with other bloggers, share a little something you love, and receive a little something back.  

Have a great weekend!

Book Swap Linkup!

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Books are the reason Lori and I met.  Books are one of the reasons we started this blog.  We can't think of anything we like better {aside from a new pair of shoes or selecting wall colors} than a great book.  Reading just makes our lives richer.


pinterest

pinterest

pinterest

pinterest

pinterest
 We are excited to announce that we are co-hosting a book-swap event with Martha, from Quick Cheap and Pretty blog.  We really hope that all of you will like this idea and join in on the fun!
Here are a few details via Martha below {also visit here}

--The swap is open to all U.S. residents, whether or not you have a blog of your own. Since this is our first time hosting a swap we're sticking to a domestic swap to keep things simple, but hopefully in the future (once we've got the hang of things!) we'll be able to do something similar on an international level.

--You must follow your co-hosts (Desert Girls Vintage and Quick Cheap & Pretty) via GFC or Bloglovin' to participate.

--Sign-ups open up April 13th and you'll have until the 23rd to add your name and e-mail to the linky widget down below! Please make sure you use an e-mail address you check frequently, since this is how you'll receive your swap partner info. Matches will be e-mailed out on the 24th. 

--By signing up you're committing to ship out your swap package by May 1st. That gives you about a week to contact your swap partner, trade shipping info, buy a book, and hit the post office. Please send out your swap package on time; it's no fun waiting and waiting for a package to arrive!

--Choose a book that you enjoyed recently and think someone else would enjoy reading also. (I would recommend grabbing a paperback to save a little $$ on shipping.) A used copy is okay if it's in like-new condition; please don't send your swap partner a book that's dog-eared, stained or otherwise broken down. It's just not polite!

Okay, I think that's it! Sign up using the linky below!

 

<div align="center"> <a href="http://desertgirlsvintage.blogspot.com" title="Desert Girls Vintage"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3749d1pEPq6Dna0W3wiHkJQX4KQjyyrKRvPiLS1ub7NULL4Xsej1zDpgVeCPll08jkkPTwu4hePy0gVGB8CVam4Q7TrC9E75-uwnrrJw4TPA0Zgkyh_JVsYX0eWq0Osde6rFpg0iYusz/s400/book%2520swap.jpg" alt="Desert Girls Vintage" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Inspiration: Harper Lee's Letter

50th Anniversary Edition, To Kill a Mockingbird
illustrated by Sarah Coleman of Inkymole
I love the silhouette look of this cover art- it is gorgeous. 

The internet is full of depressing stories and horrible happenings from all over the world, but every once in awhile, things of note are shared that are inspiring and heartwarming.  I love stumbling across the latter.  The other day, a piece was done on letters that authors have written to their child fans.
The following letter is from Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird, to a young fan who wrote and asked for a signed picture of the author.

image via Letters of Notes
06/07/06
Dear Jeremy
I don’t have a picture of myself, so please accept these few lines:
As you grow up, always tell the truth, do no harm to others, and don’t think you are the most important being on earth. Rich or poor, you then can look anyone in the eye and say, “I’m probably no better than you, but I’m certainly your equal.”
(Signed, ‘Harper Lee’)

After reading that, it is easy to see how the infamous character of Atticus Finch came from the imagination of Harper Lee.  

Mockingbird Brooch, made from pages of the book.
Available from House of Ismay

To Kill a Mockingbird, first edition
Available at The Sage Scottie

Vintage style tee - buy it here

Atticus and Scout
(Can I just say- Gregory Peck.  Yum.)

Here is the artwork from a copy of the book, framed.  Beautiful work from Sarah Coleman.

If you have never read To Kill a Mockingbird, or seen the movie, please do- it's summer!  You have no excuse!  Curl up in this nationwide heat wave, turn on some air, sit back, and enjoy a true classic.  (The great thing is, when I say "classic," I can be referring to the book or the film.  They are both fantastic.)

~Lori