Happy Syttende Mai!...

image from here

Happy Syttende Mai Everyone!

Brooklyn ~ bridge and shoe love...

One of the best things I did for myself in Brooklyn last week was to
walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.
There are some things as an American that I truly believe you should do, and this is one.
As Americans we often take for granted the things we have,
and the work of those who came before us.
It was nice to have the time to 
slow down and appreciate.
It was an absolutely gorgeous day and people from all over the world were here.
The whole experience gave me goose bumps!
I can't wait to walk across this again someday with H.
Everything about it took my breath away.

mesmerizing...

There is nothing
about this
that I do not like.

and these shoes...
are you kidding me?!!!
they have me written ALL over them.
by far the most practical and beautiful
shoes
I have ever seen
at a fashion show.

And the music....
Soledad...
ahhhh...

cheers to beautiful shoes and bicycles...

I LOVE these shoes.
Oh YES I do.
I started stalking them before my NY trip,
it didn't work out to get them then.
Then...there was a brief moment in time
when they were available online.
And a few short days later
these beauties were on my feet.

What I like about the new shoes
is not only do they LOOK good,
but (wo)man oh (wo)man are they COMFORTABLE.
And comfort is my middle name.

And some of you may have given up on me
thinking I run around in lycra all of the time
and lost all my sense and love of good design.
Not so fast....
That will NEVER happen.

In fact, I'm such a freak about good design and beautiful moments,
that I had this photo shoot planned for the last three weeks
and was waiting for the perfect moment to execute.
Today was that day.
How boring would a picture of just a pair of shoes be?
You've got to accessorize those feet!

AND ~ Here's the Pashley again for you who keep thinking
she has gone into bicycle never never land.
The Pash is the perfect accessory (I know I should say bicycle...)
She is patiently sitting and waiting for me to
slow down
get bored with all this lycra business
and tool around the neighborhood.
I think she may be waiting a loooong time.

Cheer's to beautiful shoes and beautiful bicycles.
And Sun and Lovely Lovely Autumn.

ps ~ yup, that's the top I made all by myself.

i've fallen...

Out of Stock?!!!
Seriously?!!!!
But you JUST arrived.
OH Camper,
WHAT are you trying to DO to me?
I fall hard
and now I am left with nothing
but a broken heart.

PS I am in New York next week
I have mapped it ~ .9 walking miles
from my hotel
to the Camper store.
Don't think if I can break away from meetings,
I won't come looking for you...

solicitation...

Now and again I receive solicitation e-mails

from bicycle related companies.

I am probably unnecessarily flattered,

momentarily,

and then I move on my way.

I have not advertised in this space,

nor do I post an 'advertisement' of something sent to me.

Until today.

Yesterday I received an e-mail with words that jumped out at me:

Spanish

Textile

Bicycle attached to a sewing machine...

Well, that hits my soft spot people!

No money or words have been exchanged,

I just like it.

So here it is, the video of solicitation...

These two friends,

The Sewing Machine and the Bicycle,

need just two more friends ~

Twins.

okay, I give...

okay Camper,
you've got my attention.
I give...

tootsies...

Yep, I am still on my little sewing posting streak...
Earlier this year I had two occasions for baby gifts.
Using the Cutie Booties pattern from Amy Butler
and some awfully cute monkey fabric,
I successfully made these cute little shoes.
I do not knit much anymore, but I have to say
I would much prefer to knit a baby hat
than these fussy little shoes.
However, they were worth the effort.

And speaking of cutie booties...
I completely forgot I had these toe covers
until I started digging around
in my winter cycling gear.
These were just perfect paired along with a pair
of SmartWool socks for a low 40 degree morning.
I am a big believer in the right tool for the job,
or in this case the right cycling gear
for an enjoyable ride.
40 degree morning?!!!!
Uh Oh!
Here we go...

BEAUtiful...

I got my usual itch to do a little shopping today
and stumbled upon this mesmerizing video.

I am totally psyched Camper is involved with this.
We have a little sailing history ourselves,
so it is always close to my heart.

And while I was there, I found this nice little spot.
I like how the bicycle is a character.

Happy Saturday Everyone!
After a long stormy week,
it looks to be a lovely perfect week ahead.
I'll be off showing the parents around most of the weekend,
but for now I'm off for a ride
in the BEAUtiful
SUNSHINE.

Roll it!...

how the Republic rolls...

yes my sweet, that is a Camper shoe
placed on a Dutch-Style Bicycle...

I noticed these bicycles quite awhile ago
and I have to say, when I received the marketing brochure
I was completely seduced.
I know a lot of it is the nice photography,
my obsession for Camper Shoes,
my complete appreciation of good design,
and of course my long festering love of
Dutch bicycles,
Is it a good bicycle?
Where is it made?
How Heavy Is it?
I have no idea,
but Public Bike, damn it, you make me want you.
And of course in my opinion most good things
come out of the Bay Area,
so here we go again...

I am pretty sure I have seen this girl riding around St. Paul
on a Cream Public.
I keep wondering what the bike she is riding is
but am usually going up a hill and do not want to stop and ask.

If it is her and this is the bike,

tis a thing of beauty in passing

and they are the picture of grace and beauty

perhaps headed off to the farmer's market...

I also find it incredibly wonderful
that when I return for my next visit to NorCal
I now have a hotel to stay at I can afford
and a bicycle I would like to ride.
h2 is not the first hotel to come up with this idea.
the W
my experience in Stockholm where we picked our Kronan's up at a hotel
and the Ace in Portland come to mind,
but this is not about originality,
it is about options.

I feel like the world of 'Dutch-Style' bicycles
has opened up so much since I began my search
at least three years ago.
It gets me excited
and I will try to post a few other bikes
of note I have been seeing soon.

I know I have a Pashley,
but so what,
I am greedy,
I want more,
MORE DUTCH-STYLE bicycles!
MORE!!!

California here I come...

camperitis...

We have a little project going on right now
which you will learn about in time.
But for now let's just say
I am getting a SERIOUS
case of Camperitis!
This happens sometimes...
It's like being on a diet,
all I want is just one...
all I think about is just a pair...
abstinence is never healthy,
and I do not believe in diets...

trusty...

Trusty black boots on snowy days...

Trusty red shoes make happy days...

Winter Prep Installment 8
I have a thing for my shoes.
my Camper shoes to be exact.
In them I walk,
In them I stand,
In them I ride my bicycle,
In them I walk the streets of Europe,
In them I engage in new conversations,
In them I bring design inspiration to the everyday,
In them I tromp through the snow,
In them I have to accept a forecast like this:
Total nighttime snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.
Wind chill values between -14 and -23. Blustery
Sometimes, a good trusty pair of shoes are all a gal's got...

i am thankful for...

my boys...



fast rides...




slow rides...



family picnics...



rides with my sweetheart...

a summer to explore...
a new job...
our own home...
our health...
crafty inspiration...
new friends...
and so much more.

oh...
and...

Shoesgiving Day...

Happy Shoesgiving...
I mean...
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

May not only today,
but all your days,
find a moment to pause
and be thankful.