Super Secret Project Announced

Shoppista went and bought a house. The picture to the left is the view from the porch. As befits Shoppista's graduate student status, the house is modest and slightly in need of some DIY, which could not make Shoppista happier, seriously!

Anyway, move-in is going on over the next few weeks after months of dilly-dallying and uncertainty concerning the sale, and then this blog may pick up its posting feet just a bit. Don't be disturbed if some of the new posts are on doorknobs and tile... You know how new homeowners are.

Oh Target, My Target

We hear that Target is having financial troubles during the recession. This is such sad news! We love Target! They bring affordable design to the market. They are maybe a little less evil than Wal-Mart *cough* some other retailers. And they have that little section at the front of the store where you can get adorable tchotchkes for just a buck.

So, below, some love for Target. Possibly in some future posts, too. (Depending on whether Shoppista gets distracted.)

P.S.

Shoppista knows that her posting lately has been lackluster and she apologizes profoundly. She is working on a very important project right now—life-changing! Exciting! Top secret!—but things should be back to normal in a month or so. Until then, she's trying to eke out at least a weekly post, and sometimes more.

Retail Therapy

Shoppista still misses her darling cat very much, but she is back to shopping, and thinks that Morrigan, who enjoyed immensely to lie down on crinkly new bags from the store and to conceal small purchased items like wallets and cell phones under her fuzzy belly, would approve.

Dipping our toes back in the water of shopping (pls ignore terrible metaphor), Shoppista finds that lately Target is simply her favorite store. So today, three posts from the beloved big box store.

When We Don't Feel Like Shopping II

Morrigan, 1998-2009

Shoppista will briefly address the blog in first person at this time:

My adored and saintly (truly) cat, who has been my inseparable daily companion and dearest friend for eleven years, passed away last night. Her name was Morrigan. She was an extraordinary friend and inspiration, and for her sake, I tried to be a better person than I really am. I think at times she was fooled into thinking I deserved the unconditional love with which she honored me.

In her memory, I would like to use my little soapbox here to ask you to consider providing a home for one of the many animals in your area who would be delighted to reward your offer of mere food and shelter with unreserved worship and adoration, or helping a local shelter take care of such animals until they find such homes. Shelters are in constant need of not only funds, but also volunteers to walk dogs and socialize cats with petting, and even donations of things as simple as old towels for animal bedding and bathing.

We will get back to shopping next week. But first, a moment of (bloggy) silence for my first, my unforgettable, my incomparable cat. I will miss you so much, kitty.

When We Don't Feel Like Shopping

Shoppista has a much-adored venerable family cat in the hospital right now, and so posting will be light this week as she commutes to see her darling and generally takes a break from stuff to deal with life. Expect regular posting to return next week.

Happy New Year!

We'll be back on January 2 with new content. Wishing everyone a new year full of peace, prosperity, and happiness.

(photo by pixieclipx)

Vintage Round-Up

Etsy's thriving vintage section is full of tiny, beautifully curated little shops with things that, if Shoppista were several different persons decorating several different houses in several different styles, Shoppista would have bought already. As it is, she has to content herself with passing on to you her very favorites. Help them find good homes, yes?

Ghosts, Goblins, Birthday Cake

Yes, it is Shoppista's birthday today. Please wear a silly costume in her honor and hand out good candy to those adorable kiddos who are begging at the door. (Don't be one of those apples or toothbrushes kind of houses. Just don't.)

Or you could just do that stuff because it's Halloween, and Shoppista will assume that it is also in her honor.

Back on Monday!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

What's up with that big banner ad, you say? We've joined the BlogHer ad network! Things may look a little off-kilter the next few days as we figure out how to tidily incorporate the ads, so bear with us if things look odd. If this were, like, 1996, there would be an animated gif saying "under construction." (Let's all take a moment and be glad it's no longer 1996.)

Where Is Shoppista?

Dollinks, we are so sorry you have left you to fend for yourselves in the shopping of the internet. Shoppista is snowed under with grading and other unfortunately un-shopping-related work, but will be back with a new post late this evening on Friday (sorry about that, but even Shoppista falls asleep sometimes).

Until then, she recommends you entertain yourselves with some canines of the upside-down persuasion.

But check back tomorrow for new content here. Mwah mwah.

Extra! Up to 50% Off At Sundance Catalog

Sundance is one of my favorite catalogs, but they're pretty expensive. Which is why I'm delighted when they have a sale. Check out my favorite deals below.

Now With Comments!

Just trying something new. Maybe the windowshoppistes (i.e., you) would like to talk back to me? We'll see.

Hurricane Aftermath

Oh, my darlings. The hurricane very nearly did blow Shoppista away, and she spent most of a week without power and without internet. Tragically, the stores were mostly closed too. What was Shoppista to do with no shopping available? It was very sad.

Shoppista now has power and, as of a few minutes ago, the internet. Oh internet we love you so much never leave us again. Mwah mwah mwah! (Those are kissing sounds.)

So there might be a weekend update, but regardless, posting will certainly resume by Monday. Big hugs to other Gulf Coastians who do not yet have power and internet. Shoppista feels your pain.

Hurricane Sale! (But Without The "Sale" Part.)

Yes, Shoppista lives on the Gulf Coast, which means she will likely be dealing with Hurricane Ike by this time tomorrow. This could mean that she will be so bored stiff from the bad weather that she'll post constantly. Conversely, it may mean that she has no power, and thus no internet, and thus no updates for a few days. Stay tuned. If she doesn't blow away, there might be weekend posts.

Sew, About Today's Posts

Har har.

Today's posts are themed because I saw a sewing-machine-themed thing on Etsy, and it made me think of Missy, a cool acquaintance of mine who sews things. And then I wondered if there were very many cool sewing-machine-themed things out there for persons of Missy's ilk, i.e., cool people who make crafts. And lo, there were. And Shoppista saw that it was good. Uh, the end.

Sickblog 2008

Shoppista is down with a horrible cold, because it is, after all, nearly fall, so the cold season is upon us. Also, she works in a germ factory—no, not a daycare, worse—a university. Perish the thought.

So it seemed only fair that she prepare you for cold season while she sniffles and pities herself in her pajamas. Below, three cold-season essentials to help you survive the bird flu or whatever the illness du jour will be this season.

Etsy Vintage

You'd never know it from their tagline, but Etsy doesn't just have handmade stuff. They're also an amazing source for vintage goods. Below, my favorites from the several carefully curated vintage shops on Etsy.

New Look For Windowshoppist!

Many thanks to Jeremy Corff for donating his illustration and design services to increase the cute-osity of the blog!

Things may shift around a bit the next few days—he's still monkeying with margins. But already, we're looking better around here.

And The Rockets' Red Glare! (etc.)

Happy Fourth of July to all Shoppista's (United States of) American readers! We'll be back next week.