Image: source.

The affordable stacks of mixed metals from Etsy shop Painted Metal are right up my ally, especially "coal & ice" and "white & gold."

Check out the cute prints at Rifle Paper Co.!

Jezebel runs down the most overused romantic comedy cliches of the decade.

Image: source.

I love the sculpture that Lex Gjurasic is trying out! So creative and colorful.

In honor of PC, Why Geologists Love Beer.

Florida Supreme Court Bans Shackles for Juveniles in Courtroom: The Florida Supreme Court has banned the widespread practice of shackling juvenile defendants in courtrooms, calling it "repugnant, degrading, humiliating and contrary to the state's primary purposes of the juvenile justice system."

Love Cary Grant, love this movie.

More gorgeous antique jewelry from Erie Basin: these huge malachite earrings and this stunning amethyst ring. They are always a reliable source for one of a kind pieces.

More on the making of the awesome Fantastic Mr. Fox.

The beautiful Marc Jacobs Sasha bag now comes in grey - stunning.

"Karen Golinski, the staff attorney for the Ninth Circuit of Appeals, who has been refused shared spousal insurance benefits by the federal government, will not get them. That's the final word from her boss: the federal government."

Sarah Haskins: Lessons 2009!

I love that the slogan on these pro-choice license plates in Virginia is "Trust Women, Respect Choice."

Great news! Ban Lifted on Federal Funding for Needle Exchange: "Congress had banned the use of federal money to finance needle exchange programs. Supporters of the ban thought such programs encouraged drug use. Now, activists see the lifting of the ban as a step forward in the fight to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS."

Image: I knew Pamela Love's jewelry was cool, but her personal style is pretty sweet as well.

Recently I've watched a few episodes of the new drama Mercy on Hulu. It's a standard drama about nurses working at a hospital - not groundbreaking but enjoyable, and interesting because it also deals with PTSD of doctors and nurses who have been in Iraq. However, a recent episode left me seriously upset, angry, and disappointed. In th episode two men were admitted for injuries they sustained from fighting each other - it turned out they were a couple. They were placed in the same room for treatment, no one ONCE mentioned the words "domestic violence," their fight was played as a "aren't gay men so dramatic," and the treating nurse was determined to get them to stay together. To top off the insult and injury, at the end of the episode the token gay nurse storms in and gives a speech about how "we" worked so hard to get the right to marry, they can't just give the relationship up. What!? I don't think you would ever see a show where a man and woman beat each other up, it's treated as a joke, and the whole episode was about getting them to stay together. And if you did, their would be an outcry. As there should be for this show. Big FAIL, Mercy.

EDIT: Wow, just to make the disparity even more glaring, a later episode features a woman who is a DV victim and the exact same nurse that disregarded the men in an abusive situation devotes herself to getting a female DV victim to leave her abusive spouse. Wow, glad to see that domestic violence is taken seriously....when its a straight white woman.

Awesome film by Charles and Ray Eames for Polaroid. (h/t the wonderful Swiss Miss)

I love this basic black dress from Ruche!

Image: source.

Just finished The Elegance of the Hedgehog - I wasn't as thrilled as I had hoped to be. There is something difficult about an author who decides to have two characters that are "geniuses" - it makes it seem, to me at least, like they (the author) is using it as a way to convey their "genius" thoughts, and wore thin for me fairly quickly. The book did pick up about halfway through, but then seemed to end abruptly. That said, there were a number of times i dog-eared a page because of a turn of phrase or observation I liked, so it certainly wasn't a complete disappointment. I hope we have a good conversation about it at our January book club meeting!

For the other book club I've recently joined, we just had a great discussion about Say You're One of Them. We all agreed the book was uneven, but when it was good, it was heartbreaking. Next up for this book club if The Help.

The NYTimes has a great article on artists who quit their full-time jobs to make it as independent sellers on Etsy. Also keep in mind these amazing shops for independent, unique, and handmade gifts for this holiday season (or any other time!): Elsewares and Buy Olympia

Travel + Leisure rates the world's top 50 hotels - all pretty drool worthy.

'Out West' at the Autry examines the history of homosexuals and transgender people in the Old West.

Image: source.

50 of the world's best design blogs.

I love this simple mixed-metal necklace, these amazing mottled brass earrings, and these really unique red silk twist earrings, all from Etsy sellers.

All about writing on trains.

This hot springs in Colorado looks like a dream vacation.

The best urban parks in America.

Yay Hitchcock! 8 reasons why North by Northwest still rules.

This wallet is probably as close as I'll ever get to owning Proenza Schouler...but I'll take it! That blue is to die for.

Portland, OR based Stone & Honey has some amazing jewelry! I particularly love this unique pulse necklace (gold is my favorite but the oxidized silver is pretty badass as well), and their really creative use of agates and crystals.

See these adorable slippers? My mom MADE me a pair for Christmas! Pretty awesome, right?

Love this horizontal turquoise ring, 'golden drop' earrings, and jasper necklace from Sara Westermark's Etsy shop (I got a pair of these earrings from her before and they were great!).

Image: source.

Customizable Keds? Loving it.

Slate ranks the best jazz albums of 2009. And Pitchfork's top 100 tracks of '09.

Rogue Femme Art to appear in Art Calendar Magazine! Congrats, ELM, for continuing to be an example of amazing talent combined with sheer willpower and determination!

Manola Dargis loses her sh*t on Hollywood - and it's awesome. "I don't want to be the woman critic. I don't want to be the feminist critic. I don't want to be the shrew. What I want to do is talk about the art that I love and point out, every so often, inequities"

Oooooh! Aaaaah! Old Hollywood has a plethora of amazing, unique jewelry finds...

Parole is a difficult issue to discuss but it NEEDS to be a topic of public awareness and involvement. From the LA Times: When California denies a murderer parole, should it need a reason?: Eligible prisoners can't be refused early release just because of the gravity of their crimes -- 'some evidence' has to show the inmate would pose a threat to public safety, some judges have ruled. (h/t Crim Prof Blog)

Image: source.

Interesting article about the movie Gomorrah. I wasn't as blown away as a lot of people by the movie, but it was definitely a view of Sicily and organized crime that I hadn't seen before.

Yet another amazing bag from Valhalla - drool!

Left: check out (fellow Bard class of '03 member!) Angie Smith's series Rodeo Queens - great stuff.

Upsetting but not surprising: New York Finds Extreme Crisis in Youth Prisons: A report by a state panel found physical abuse and untreated addiction and mental illness common in prisons for young offenders.

Just finished "The Elegance of the Hedgehog." In my opinion, it didn't quite live up to the hype, but I'm hoping it sparks some good conversation for my first book club meeting!

Etsy-mania!

NK and I spend a lot of time on Etsy and generally come away with one of three responses: (1) Yikes!; (2) I could do that!; or, (3) I wish I could do that! Here are some of our favorite Etsy finds of the season - enjoy! xoxoxo

(1) A terrarium is a random gift, but who wouldn't benefit from a little more greenery in her or his life? I would

daydream about a little elf running through this one. - N

(2) This simple, chic dress would make anyone look instantly put-together. I'd wear it with my hair in a bun and some sparkling studs. - N

(3) This reconstructed blue plaid shirt has just the right amount of darting and ruffles to make it a little bit "girly" without being ridiculous. - S

(4) This bone and gold feather necklace manages to be both delicate and bold at the same time. - S

(5) These yellow bee earrings would be a great shot of color for the dreary winter. - S

(6) For the professional vintage queen in your life. Be sure she doesn't actually wear it to a deposition though! - N

(7) A fierce statement ring (that only an equally fiece girl could get away with). - N

(8) I've never actually dated a guy who knew how to wear cufflinks comfortably (someday, someday), but maybe some of you up there in Boston have? - N

(9) This letterpress print poster (L) is a great piece of inspiration for anyone in your life. So would this beautiful and heartfelt piece of affordable art(R). - S

(10) For your geeky BFF. - N

The debate over a public law school in Mass (UMass Law at this point) continues.

Don't think I'm bold enough to try wearing bow ties but love this spread from CaliVintage!

If I was rich I would buy my friend NK this adorable bunny necklace - so perfect for her!

This is a great, affordable (and vegan) bag from ModCloth.

World's coolest pools!

Image: source.

So nice to see! A success story about a bookstore.

Really upsetting: Poor Children Likelier to Get Antipsychotics: Some children from poor families may be receiving powerful drugs because it is deemed a cheaper way to treat a problem.

Image: source.

Fabulous Gifts Under $50!

The wonderful NK helped me round up these great gift ideas that cost under $50, all great for the ladies in your life (left to right) (click on the photo to enlarge):

Sweet Nothing Necklace: I love almost all the unique jewelry on Bona Drag and this necklace is a perfect example of their keen eye for combining the classic with the sassy.

Essie Nail Polish: Admit it: you've fallen for the status symbol that is Chanel Jade nails. If you're too practical or too broke to shell out for the real deal, try this Essie mini collection. There is just enough Mint Candy Apple in this little bottle to keep you from feeling wasteful by the time you've realized that pastel green nails really don't look great against any skin tone!

Early Bird Alarm Clock: Help your friends start their days off right with this adorable alarm clock which slowly illuminates as the bird chirps.

Brass Tube Necklace: I love the way this necklace looks like tiny, hollowed bamboo pieces from afar.

Nancy Drew Notecards: I have long adored Nancy Drew, the titian-headed gumshoe who's too classy to ever chew or step in gum. Encourage your bestie to keep in touch via these adorable notecards.

D.S. & Durga Eau De Parfum: D.S. & Durga get it right every single time with their unfussy, sophisticated scents. My personal favorite from this collection is Smoked Amber. (Editorial disclosure: the beautiful and talented Durga has been a friend of mine since we were little girls.)

Compacts: These sparkly compacts are adorable, the hardest part is deciding which one to get - the adorable cat, the romantic heart, or the ornate peacock?

East Coast-West Coast Tote: My heart is torn between the two coasts, so this bag is a happy medium.

Fair Trade Desk Organizer: This homey desk organizer would warm up a sterile or corporate desk and office - a great gift for the reluctant young professional.

Striped Gloves: Now that the first snow storm has hit, I'm remembering how much I love fingerless gloves, and these ones solve the problem of cold finger tips with pull-over mitten tops. And stripes never get old.

Maggie Bucket Bag: This is the classiest looking $44 bag I've seen in a while.

Stuffed "Wee Gray Wolf": What is there to say other than this little guy's name is Hamish?

Had a great meal at Craigie on Main last night - service was great, decor was warm, the burger was juicy and delicious (and actually arrived medium, like I wanted!) and it was all topped off with the best beer I've had in a long time, the Jack D'or from Cambridge's own Pretty Things Brewery.

These earrings are ridiculously beautiful - and way outta my budget.

Left: my beloved Ramona from the Jezebel article Can The Right Books Make Feminist Kids?

I posted on Facebook recently about my love of books and my dislike for the Kindle, and it started quite the discussion! My passion was largely emotional - a love of the tangible page, a belief in the importance of the bookstore as a space for art and conversation - but friends brought up other great points about the role of eReaders in the homogenization of the literary world and the way that "e text books" take away the potential for affordable used books. It's a discussion I'm sure will continue for a long time...

On that note, this weekend Dean reviewed the third novel in Steig Larsson's trilogy. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book (although that seems weird to say about such a violent and dark book) and am looking forward to reading the second over my upcoming long weekend family vacation. (h/t Alaska Employment Law Blog, ie my dad's blog).

The fashionable NK and I are putting together a few "gift guides" for the season, so stay tuned if you still need holiday present ideas! First up: recession appropriate presents under $50.

I love Marc Jacobs' whole line of bird bags - this dream bag is on sale, but that still doesn't put it in the "reasonable" range....

And speaking of birds, Digby & Iona has a great new sparrow necklace and ring, plus these feather earrings.

Image: source.

Starting a "boot camp" at my gym Monday - never done something like that before, but hoping its a good kick start for getting in better shape....sort of nervous about having someone yell at me while I work out though!

Gorgeous new dresses from Ruche: tri-colored and pink, basic sparkly black, purple ruffles!

“Life will break you. Nobody can protect you from that, and living alone won’t either, for solitude will also break you with its yearning. You have to love. You have to feel. It is the reason you are here on earth. You are here to risk your heart. You are here to be swallowed up. And when it happens that you are broken, or betrayed, or left, or hurt, or death brushes near, let yourself sit by an apple tree and listen to the apples falling all around you in heaps, wasting their sweetness. Tell yourself that you tasted as many as you could.” - Louise Erdich, The Painted Drum

Love this brass necklace.

Fear of Falling: How the U.S. News & World Report rankings have changed law school.

Image: source.

Possible epicurious food trends for 2010.

Love this chunky vintage necklace!

And this (affordable!) ring.

When does ineffective assistance become malpractice?

I love covers! Folk covers of punk classics.

Zadie Smith on the rise of the essay.

Best book covers of 2009.

The pink lady of Malibu.

Maira Kalman's latest visual essay.

From the SF Gaurdian: "How the sustainable local food movement neglects poor workers and eaters"

Love it. Image: source.

This winter is all about boots, thick leggings, and cozy dresses for me - and this one is definitely on my wishlist - looks ideal for the chilly Boston weather!

Awesome mixed metal and crystal necklace.

Image: source.

Why you should read comics aloud to your kids.

Support (the amazing) RadioLab!

An interview with John Darnielle who, I must say, put on a surprisingly rockin' show this past weekend.

I just started reading the collection of stories, Say You're One of Them. It's very readable in the sense that it's well written and immediately absorbing, but difficult to read in the intensity of its content and the difficult lives of the protagonists...Recommended, but brace yourself.

100 days in Montana's Glacier National Park.

Blue whales singing differently around the world...but why?

Definitely have a crush on this bold, yet delicate, leaf ring (in gold, of course).