Haboob = Luggage destroyer

Flying into a storm is both exhilarating and scary as ish. The fiance and I had the pleasure/displeasure of being on an airplane while a crazy storm called a "haboob" (I couldn't make that ish up) was covering the Phoenix area at the beginning of the month. The lightning show was incredible, but the abbreviated drink service as a result of turbulence sucked (we were in first class, which meant all the "free" delicious alcohol you could consume).

When we landed, the aftermath of the storm was insane. All of the fire alarm lights were going off in Sky Harbor, and the ground was covered in grimy dust. It was a weird scene, but we were happy to be safe. Too bad I couldn't say the same for my luggage. When my suitcase and sleeping bag came around on the carasoul, they were caked in mud. The damage to my suitcase was more than cosmetic. A wheel was busted off and pieces of the frame were breaking (which was totally conducive to dragging a piece of luggage over a dust-covered sidewalk).

So with all of our fall travel adventures coming up, I needs me some new luggage. My requirements include a fun design or color (because I'm tired of owning one of the other 128 black suitcases on any given flight) and the ability to be wheeled. And I think any of the below choices would suit me just fine. Here's hoping future haboobs will be few and far between for my luggage's sake.

Get the goods: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

I heart art: Kate Kosek

Get prepared to be seriously inspired by New York screen printer and multi-media artist Kate Kosek. Her layered, geometric and colorful drawings and paintings have my heart going pitter-patter. How amazing would any of these be as a statement piece over a console or hanging in an office?!

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More heart-worthy art awaits here.

Color crush: Patriotic palette

Get into the 4th of July spirit with a little modern red, white and blue inspiration. Flag t-shirts and checkered tablecloths not included.

Wear your patriotism: Scarf / Necklace / Dress / Wallet / Eye shadow / Watch / Painting / Sunglasses / Tote / Bracelets / Shoes / Lipstick /  Nail polish / Jeans

Crush on more colors here.

Color crush: Sunny yellow

With the blazing sun in full effect here in the AZ, bright yellow seems appropriate (gnarly sweat and heat stroke not included)! The citrustry hue makes me happy and has been a long-time fave. It was the primary color in my dorm room decor freshman year of college and is currently featured in the townhouse living room. What colors are you digging lately?

Get the goodies: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

Love color? Me, too. Check out the other hues I adore here.

Five for Friday: Camping, Craig and color amongst other things

Keeping it short and sweet today friends since I gots to get packing for our fun weekend escaping the heat camping up north. Hope you dig what I'm digging from this past week! And may your Memorial Day weekend be filled with tons of good times!

1. Fun Craigslist transactions

The fiance and I met the nicest mother and son during a really great Craig experience on Sunday. They even delivered the pieces we bought for free, which was super helpful since they wouldn't have fit in my car.

It was our first time getting ish off Craig, and I can only hope our future transactions are as good.

Stay tuned for a major project reveal in the coming weeks. Have you scored anything off Craig lately or had good/bad dealings? Please, do tell.

2. Linds' DIY monogram stool

The queen of modern monograms is back with another DIY goody. Be sure to check out Linds' other projects on her rad blog.

3. Death Cab's new album leaking

After months of fake leaks floating around the Internet, a legit one finally arrived the other day. I listened to the album in its entirety four times while I re-painted the master, and although it's good, I love their previous efforts way more.

They're still one of my fave bands in the whole world, and hopefully this offering will grow on me. You can listen to the full album here.

4. Erika's magenta + blue roundup

Erika is always serving up kick-ass inspiration on her blog, and this roundup really caught my eye. Blue is my favorite color (my car is even blue), but for whatever reason, I haven't incorporated it into the townhouse much. Her curated mood board of pretty is definitely making me think twice. There's something really amazing about the blending of masculine and feminine colors.

5. The League of Moveable Type

FREE. MODERN. FONTS. HELL. TO. THE. YES!!!!! As a designer and typeography geek, I'm always searching for new fonts and this open-source type foundry's manifesto is really cool. My faves are League Gothic and Blackout.

Get more Five for Friday in your life here.

Design crush: Mad for marbled

My obsession with all things marbled has reached a boiling point. The abstract design is beautiful, modern and versatile. Pretty sure if the fiance would let me, I'd fill our place of residence with the geologically-approved goodness. What patterns are you digging lately?

Get your shop on: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

Want more design crush? Ask and you shall receive.

Five for Friday: Eff things that break

So that notion about time moving faster as you get older ... It's sooooooooooo true. And it seemed even more evident this week. I'm still in shock that it's Friday. I guess that's what I get for immersing myself in playing catch up after the Great Technology Fail of 2011. And did I mention the dishwasher had a minor leak and the AC started to crap out? When it rains, it pours, people. (Thank goodness our townhouse maintenance dude was able to fix each issue.)

I don't have any solid plans this weekend other than ripping the idiots at NAPA a new one. I got my car back from the dealership after taking it in for a fourth time. Come to find out, the so-called NAPA professionals forgot to plug some hoses back in, sold me a gas cap that didn't fit and didn't even fix the real problem, which ended up costing a pretty penny. The moral of this automotive story, is take your ride to the dealership if you can.

The good ish below is quickly making me forget about the trouble that comes with being a grownup, though. Here's to a weekend where nothing breaks!

1. The launch of Cocoa & Hearts

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2. lemlem's Adama Gauze dress

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3. Erika's amazing office progress

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4. Me Oh My's wood-stained painting DIY

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5. Waylande Gregory For Flair

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Have some Five-for-Friday-worthy goodness you want to share? Drop me a note.

Five for Friday: Back to our regularly scheduled programming

It's been a while since the last Five for Friday and I'm happy to return with another crop of stuff I've been digging lately. This weekend will be devoted to playing catchup with projects and restoring the laptop to pre-hard drive crapping out form. The fiance and I may also check out the Body Worlds & The Brain exhibit at the Arizona Science Center. Happy Weekend!

1. Reconnecting with friends

My Texas homegirl Lindsey came to the AZ for a friend's wedding and we caught up at the end of her trip. Even though our reunion was short, we packed in a lot of stories, laughs and delicious beer. I can't wait for her to come back to Phoenix and for my next adventure to the Lone Star State. Miss you, Linds!

2. Words With Friends

Fancy a game? My screen name = CougChick00.

3. Nicole Cohen's "Splash" series

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4. Blow Faux Dry - Dry Shampoo

5. BAGGU reusable totes

Get your Five for Friday fix here.

I heart art: Anna Kunz

You know I'm a sucker for some abstract goodness, and Chicago artist Anna Kunz is bringing the heat via her works on paper, sculptures and installations. So inspiring.

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More heart-worthy art can be found right here.

Design crush: Melamine platters + trays + dishes

As with most things, what was popular back in the day is making a resurgence. Melamine tableware apparently was the ish during the late 1950s and 1960s. But today those platters, dishes and trays aren't confined to the kitchen anymore.

Used as jewelry holders, catch-alls or art, the multi-purpose plastic gets an update with modern patterns and colors. Be sure to stick to pretty prints, though, because given the cheapy nature of the material, they can go from fab to cheesy in an instant.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

Want more crush-worthy design? Check these out.

Five for Friday: Packing, baseball and love list

This weekend will be devoted to preparing for NEW YORK (yes, it's all-caps because I'm that stoked). In between packing and shopping, the fiance and I are attending a Mariners' spring training game with the amazing alumni group homies on Sunday.

Before I head out for the weekend, I wanted to share some of the yummy things (lots of pattern) I've been inspired by/love this week.

1. Elizabeth Schuppe's abstract paintings

2. My Nalgene bottle

3. Marco Cibola's iPhone case

4. Upcoming spring movies

5. Neapolitan's marbled tea cup and saucer

Get your Five for Friday fix here.

The It List

Happy Friday folks... I hope you had a great week and an even better weekend planned!  Take some time to dive into these great links, there is so much great inspiration here!

• mama loves papa is looking cowgirl-chic for sure, what with posing with cows and sporting some adorable cowboy boots.  I just love this look! (find mama loves papa on twitter!)
• shen dove is rocking one of my favorite looks for spring... a maxi dress with tons of layers. Perfect for when you want to dress for spring, but still be warm! (find shen dove on twitter!)
• the capital barbie features shimmery metallics to add to your wardrobe for spring. This little skirt is just TOO cute! (find the capital barbie on twitter!)
• a spoonful of dish rounds up her favorite pieces from the recently launched (or re-launched) Target GO Collection.  There are SO many good pieces to choose from!
• daily crushes brings the sunshine to you with this gorgeous dress... and a gorgeous room. Both are sure to put a smile on your face!
• turn up the rad finds an amazing rug style that I have never seen before called the Boucherouite.  They are so lovely and unique! (find turn up the rad on twitter!)
• good tots features one simple maternity top in three great maternity outfits. If you have pregnant friends, or are expecting yourself - check out these great looks!
• a spot of whimsy is internet-stalking (in the friendliest way possible, of course!) the first family of fashion - The Hilfigers.   How can you not love these classic preppy looks? (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• thought and musing goes all out with a vintage leopard print jacket.  This is such a fabulous piece and she carries it off so well - very fun!
• rosy + tart has my mouth watering with this simple tomato soup recipe. I can never turn tomato soup down! Yum! (find rosy + tart on twitter!)
• undeniable style is rocking these long wide leg jeans so well. I am smitten with this outfit... I just love a pop of red this season! (find undeniable style on twitter!)
• rose a la mode snagged this ultra hip straw fedora hat for spring and summer - it will look so fab on her, I just know! How would you style it? (find rose a la mode on twitter!)
• walking around {where the sidewalk begins} has me drooling over these sherbet-esque dining room chairs. Mmmmm, who doesn't love an ice cold bowl of sherbet? (find walking around on twitter)
• good life for less released her spring + summer 2011 looks:book - get your copy now for all of your spring shopping needs.  It's like having a personal shopper for the season! (find good life for less on twitter!)

the IT list is organized by jill of good life for less, for information on participating, click here!

12 Months of Neon Love

You won't find these neon signs adorning the walls of your local dive bar.

Victoria Lucas and Richard William Wheater are taking their love of song lyrics and immortalizing them in pretty red tube lights via 12 Months of Neon Love. 

The project, which began on Valentine's Day, will feature a new sign erected on the roof of a studio in Wakefield, West Yorkshire each month for a year. The previous installation will then be auctioned on eBay on the 14th of that month.

I can't wait to see what lyrics they use in the rest of the series. Do you think this falls under the satellite category, therefore allowing the landlord to let me attach one to the roof of the townhouse? 

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