Snail Mail ! ! !

via paperpastries/carolyn suzuki goods | walkinlove/snail mail package ideas | mr.printables/ghost boxes

When I was in kindergarten, we had a mail box system in our classroom. It was this plastic monstrosity that had awesome stationary and stamps (to a six year old!) and a mailbox. We could write letters to each other and our teacher would hand them out at the end of class. I would write myself blank letters so I could keep all the paper. I still have an affinity for paper goods, but I'd try not to buy them, because I didn't have a use--until now. 

I've always thought the idea of having a pen pal who I could send gifts and cute letters and become great friends with was lovely and sort of a dream (in a life list/bucket sort of way). Now, I'm content to have letters sent to me at all. Recently, I've gotten into the pen pal world and I'm including the tumblr sites I like. Woohoo!

via maikonagao/pineapple | cocorrina/it's gonna be fucking awesome | historyinhighheels/you fancy

The Place for Pen Pals: Hello and this is The Place for Pen Pals. We are a community that tries to be safe as we can, we post ads and share stories to help people find their perfect pen pal. Our goal is that everyone experiences snail mail or an email buddy or even a skype friend that will be your friend for not just tomorrow but for the years to come. Why not give us a try and become part of a family. // All of the ads are fabulous! They're long from what I've seen of other pen pal sites and this is great! It's much easier to find someone with similar interests than slugging through long conversations that turn into nothing. :(

*Penship: HELLO! And welcome! If you are searching for a pen pal you are in the right place! // This tumblr has an in depth tag system that I haven't found elsewhere and this is where I've found the majority of my pen pals.

Letters and Gifts: This is a place where you’ll be able to find the perfect pen pal. Submit your information: picture, name, age, where you live, your interests, and/or your perfect pen pal. // Not too popular but there are so many gems! I've found a friend or two and the response and ad posting time is very quick.

Searching the tags for pen pal, snail mail, or penpal results in a slew of other tumblrs--including for French enthusiasts and teenage pen pals. Email pals are popular too (shoutout to Thuc from Germany!).  Remember: be safe, don't give out too much personal info, and it's okay to say no if you are uncomfortable.

via rianastamp/cactus | babble/luck of the Irish | alicemolds/washi tape

Interior Inspo: office/desk area

My desk area right now is a fugly mess. :( It's currently holding my telly, playstation, good luck baubles, and those lights that reflect constellations. My desk itself is wood and littered with nail polish marks. I suppose that adds to the whole artist charm and whatnot, but I like a monochrome base and decorating from there. When I lived alone, my desk space was always clean, neat, and somewhere I could be inspired (if I actually sat down and worked).

So clean!

A photo posted by Ashley Irzyk (@hadesmerfolk) on Nov 1, 2013 at 12:12pm PDT

I'd like to get a white desk, but I'm not confident I could keep the wood clean.  I don't want black, because....because it's way too dark. A pine desk wouldn't be too bad--made in the likes of Ikea's pine. So much decorating, too! IMO, collages of inspo should be all over--at least something within reach to get "the juices flowin'". With, mmmm, white walls, maybe? Or a pastel color and white furniture? Mahh, I can't decide. Naturally, I put together an inspiration board.

What's in a Home?

Barb and Adam prints | wisdom teeth magnets | The Invasion of the Flying Saucers candle

I have a thing for lists. I make 'em for grocery items, makeup, art journals, characters. My lists know no bounds. Naturally, wishlists are the epitome of lists I can make, moreso if they include prices and pictures. My polyvore, etsy, or wanelo are preemo examples. I WANT SO MUCH STUFF. Unless I become a millionaire sometime soon, they're all pipe dreams. Guidelines? Previously, I mentioned an attempt to create a realistic wishlist of to-buy items that are (mostly) affordable. 

I've decided to break them into categories for cleanliness and simplicity and I'm alllll about price versus use. I'm totes willing to cash out more $$$ if I'mma have the item for a while. I sort of have a closet one started, what with the giveaway contest, but house and decor is where I'm startin'. "Home is where one starts from" and all that junk. I've slowly, slowly been creating and adding to my hope chest, most of which I have from my short stint living by myself. Links lead to shop pages.

 rose quartz mineral specimen | coffin bookcase/shelf | lobster claw oven mitt

My interests span about a million genres. If it's bright, kitsch (the more the merrier!), Mid Century, or macabre there's a 98% chance I'mma adore the shit out of it. If it's cute, Japanese, Prohibition era, or cinema related, I'm prolly going to like it. I'd like to think I have some taste. This giraffe faux taxidermy and poodle plate are fuckin' UGLY. Hello, vintage "girl" handheld mirrors and macaroon candles. Don't even know why I like them, but these pom pom flamingos, poodles, and bears are cute as fuck.

I don't know, there's a charm in Mid-Century--true vintage really--knickknacks interspersed with modern "quirky" items and wood. So much wood. I have a thing for textiles and mixing styles. I've yet to master the art of this and sometimes I'm afraid my home will just look tacky. Buh. I don't like theme rooms. A house's decor should have a flow, like a heartbeat. I want to go to my living room then bedroom and recognize this house belongs to the same person. But I digress. 

TLDR; I need to learn to edit and focus on what I really want instead of shit that would look cool or impulse buy, 'cause "it's only four dollars!" I think I'mma need to find a small little apartment to squirrel away in. 

Obscure Fate lamp shade | Big Bento Box of Unuseless Japanese Inventions | Frida Kahlo apron