{love}

{Via Alexis Bittar}

Tartan Love

Lately I've noticed my sense of style evolving. Color palettes, patterns and textures that once upon a time I would have never considered, I'm now strangely pulled too. I find myself yearning more and more to switch things up, take risks, redefine myself. The other week ago I stumbled across a beautiful hooded plaid coat so opposite of my usual style and yet so damn perfect. Heaven only knows where I found it though, for the life of me I haven't been able to find it again sense.  I had all but forgotten about it when wouldn't you know that today I stumbled across another gorgeous tartan coat  (which I bookmarked this time thankyouverymuch). While granted it would be most impractical here in Dublin,  I simply adore the shape, the bell sleeves, the buckle detailing and the oversized hood. I mean really what's not to love?  I'm not sure I can justify the price to S. Monster enough to warrant a purchase that I won't get much use out of at the moment however, I can't deny that clearly this infatuation with hooded tartan coats isn't going away anytime soon....

{Coat Images via Anthropologie and This is Glamorous}

5 Things...

...that make me happy right now:

{Late night zombie killings with S. Monster}

{Snow in Dublin! via Peter McCabe}

{The movie Elf, because smiling is my favorite}

{Mulled Cider shared among friends via the oh so wonderful JoseD}

{Hanging up Christmas Lights ♥}

Holiday Wish List

With Dublin currently under a constant bombardment of snow and sleet, today was the perfect day to stay snuggled up under the blankets and do a bit of online Christmas shopping. Of course after I finished a bit of gift getting, I couldn't resist sharing a roundup of some goodies I've been coveting - a little wish list if you will ;)

As the weather continues to plummet here, all I really want for Christmas are warm layers  to snuggle up in.  This 'Navajo' sweater from Free People is adorable - the bright colors and long length make this the perfect sweather to cheer up those dreary Dublin nights. Add this oh so soft cashmere sweater from JCrew underneath and I'm good to go!

 Of course a fabulous new pair of boots would help complete the look. I've been searching for a great  pair of tall riding boots and the rich cognac color of these Miz Mooz 'King' Boots could definitely fit the bill, though the lace detail and western influcence on these Franco Sarto 'Ponzi' Boots is so sweet as well. Even though they're not boots, these Miz Mooz's 'Historic' Oxfords are too damn cute to pass up. The two tone detail just puts a smile on my face. How could you have a bad day wearing these?

Truthfully though, these super cute Sorel Tivoli Plaid Snowboots are what I really need for this slushy cold weather!  That and perhaps a new super warm North Face Solar Flare fleece to zip up in my jacket :)

Because it wouldn't be a wish list without a few pretties, and because anyone who knows me can attest that I am obsessed with acessories, here  are a few pieces I'm currently drooling over.

I am in love with the new Ray-Ban's small Wayfarer in 'Satin Black'. When I tried this pair on in the store I found it hard to take them off. The color is not only flattering on all skin tones - which will help when I can hopefully  transition from currently goth pale {Thanks Dublin!} to bronzed beach bum again one day - but they're also simply gorgeous in an "I'm not trying" kind of way.

Recently I've totally been digging incorporating more steam punk elements into my fashion. This ring by Etsy seller BillyBlue22 is perfect. Oversized and masculine I am loving all the gear detail. I've been looking for a funky tough ring in sterling and this has both of those qualities in spades!

Speaking of steam punk, I saw these Linear Eclipse Earrings with Hematite earrings recently in Rebecca Davis and have not been able to stop thinking about them! By my new favorite kick ass designer Kara Ross they have a sweet juxisption of being one part edgy, one part elegant for a one of kind industrial chic look.

Also from Rebecca Davis (one of all time favorite jewerly stores which just so happens to be here in Dublin) is a fabulous oversized jade cocktail ring by Kenneth Jay Lane. I wasn't able to find the exact one I fell in love with in the store, but suffice to say it's like the shape of his Snake Print Ring and the color of his Jade Pyramid  Ring 

 + 

Because one of the best things about living in Europe is the traveling and since airlines constantly keep decreasing weight/ baggage restriction, this cute new LeSportSac Large Weekender Bag in Mochuco is the perfect addition to S and I's travel repertoire.

Finally if all else fails, there will always be books. With the recent purchase of a Kindle my book buying has greatly diminished (which as someone living in another country who keeps moving every few years, this is probably a good thing) however I will never give up my passion for books- especially those filled with gorgeous art and design spreads. These art and design books have been on my list for awhile and I would most definitely be willing to pay the exorbitant postage/overweight baggage fees just to have these beauties on my table.

 {Top to bottom: Amsterdam by Hand by Pia Jane Bijkerk; 

Flea Market Style; 

Bazaar Style; 

More Gray Area Sketch Book by J Scott Campbell}

Happy Holiday Shopping!
FK

Lady Mechanika

From the creative genius of Joe Benitez comes the all new Lady Mechanika. Steeped in a Steampunk genre based in turn of the century Victorian England, Lady Mechanika was the sole surviver of a serial killer's 3 year rampage. Found locked away with her own limbs having been amputated and replaced with mechanical components. With no memory of her captivity or former life, she becomes a private detective constantly searching for clues to her former life all the while taking on cases that police wouldn't dare. 

I love the idea of steampunk - a union of old and new, a romantic vision that embodies the grace of an era long gone and the technological advances of the greatest sci-fi stories. Combine that with a sexy strong female in comic form - which as anyone who knows me can attest, I am a bit of an aficionado for - and you have the makings of something that I hope is great. 

I'm not gonna lie, I'm kinda a comic book geek. The art, the stories, the way comic book shops smell of adolescent misfits and 40 year old virgins.....whats not to love?

I can still remember the very first comic I ever bought. It was the summer before seventh grade at a gas station somewhere near the Georgia/ Florida border. There, among gator skulls, bags of peaches and palm tree air fresheners were several comic books - in particular a Spiderman & Black Cat issue that caught my young wandering eye.

Something awoke in me that day thus beginning my secret love affair with comics (at least until I got past my socially awkward tomboy adolescent, then it became my not so secret love affair but I digress)

It's the art above all else that I find incredibly fascinating. I adore the graphic style and there's something about strong sexy female characters that is just so damn alluring.

I'm really looking forward to issue 1 of Lady Mechanika which comes out this month. If it lives up to even half of how amazing the cover art is, then I think it will well be worth the wait!

{Images via J Scott Campbell & Joe Benitez}

Owl Crush

{Via GingiberSnap}

Last night as I was searching for potential holiday gifts I stumbled across the sweetest little owl filled illustrated calendar by Etsy Seller Gingiber. It is so adorably quirky that I may have to purchase one for myself!

UPDATE! Don't miss out on a special "Gingiber Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale! Receive 20% off all purchases on Friday, November 26th and Monday November 29th by using discount code "CYBER2010" during checkout

No worries, Be Happy

Because it's been one of those days (more like week) where I've needed an extra large glass (or four) of wine and a few bubble baths. 

Because I know first hand how hard it is to pull yourself out of a funk and what a lonely place it can be.

Because I have amazing friends who support me when I find myself weary and an incredibly gracious husband who loves me unconditionally and believes in me at times when I don't believe in myself


Because I truly believe that these things should be payed forward and because there's no such thing as too many inspiring talks, I'm passing along another TED Talk for you to bookmark in case you have a bad day/week/month in the future and need something to pull you out of your funk.

Inspiration Monday

A beautiful, touching and incredibly moving TED Talk by Steve Jobs titled "How to live before you die". I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 


-Stay Inspired
fk

30 day challenge

This past Friday I signed up for a 30 day Bikram Yoga challenge. In case you were wondering, Bikram Yoga is a 26 posture sequence developed from Hatha Yoga that lasts 90 minutes and is performed in a special studio heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (otherwise known affectionally as a "Torture Chamber").

Now you should know that until 4 days ago, I hadn't worked out in over a month, am still recovering from a sprained ankle, can barely touch my toes and had only tried Bikram Yoga a handful of times years ago to less than satisfying results (read: I was not a fan).

I'm not sure why exactly I decided to do it. Going into day 4 I am sore and tired. Classes leave me feeling broken and frustrated, not to mention overheated. (Holy mother of pearl I never thought I'd long for the cold Irish weather as I do when I'm in the middle of a class!). And yet despite it all, there is a constant whisper somewhere deep in my soul that says "You can do this! Keep going!".

Have you ever had those days (or weeks) where you feel unmotivated, lazy and a bit of a waste of space? This has been me of late and I've been having a hard time shaking it. Maybe it's the weather, maybe not....I just hate how often I seem to feel as though I haven't accomplished anything, been creative, seized the moment, etc. I think this challenge if nothing else, will force me to take matters into my own hands. To be productive, face my own shortcomings and prove to no one but myself that I can succeed once I stop standing in my own way.  Because let's be honest, that's what Bikram Yoga is - a hot sweaty 90 minute meditative practice.


It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.

-Seneca

Happy 4th of July!

While I'll be doing my best to bring some American cheer to Dublin, I miss being able to properly celebrate at home with friends and family, barbecues and fireworks on the beach. Also, a big shout out goes to my amazing grandfather whose birthday is today as well! There are so many wonderful things to celebrate today -- hope wherever you are you're able to enjoy it to the max! 

Cheers

FX

Images from Top via: bakeralla, coco&kelly, elle est belle, unknown, bakeralla, ryan wolf

Dear Blogger

Why do you frustrate me so? I'm trying to love you I really am, it's just..... what with my commitment issues regarding posting, when I finally do sit down to write, I'd really appreciate it if you would, you know, not suck. Why prevent me from uploading photos? Why keep f-ing up the page layouts? Honestly, it's like you WANT me to throw my laptop off my balcony (1 more glass of wine and S. Monster may have to restrain me)

So in closing -- get your shite together blogger or I'm going to leave yo ass for Wordpress (who I might add is looking mighty fine these days)

Thanks,
FK

Inspiration Saturday

I recently discovered artist Viet-My Bui, also known as ravenskar, and am head over heels in love! Her work is fluid and boldly colored,  edgy yet feminine and absolutely inspiring. 


Enjoy!


xx
FK 

All images via Viet-My Bui

big bad fear

Fear has held me back for to long. Its restrained my voice, my creativity and who I am. It has kept me awake at night, and frustrated during the day. Enough is enough. 


I started this blog over a year ago. I had a few posts here and there and then stopped. I deleted everything and started again a few months ago....and didn't get past 2 posts. And yet, i have been desperately seeking an outlet/ release, yearning to reach out. You see, two years ago I got married, moved to a new country and found myself unable to work. Despite having so much to say it hurt, so many emotions I needed to express, every time I tried to write I froze up (even now I had to have a glass {or 2} before I could write). I became almost consumed with fear and self doubt. What could I write about that anyone would want to hear? I felt too ashamed and embarassed by all of the pain, doubts and uncertanities caused by my failures. I felt I had nothing original to say and no pretty pictures to share. I lost myself somewhere along the way and while I wish I was someone who could use writing and blogging to rediscover herself, I was sadly not (yet) that person. I had to go it alone. I needed to be scared, to be upset and lonely. To feel lost and broken. To feel unworthy, not good enough and selfish. 


I needed to feel it all, to become so overwhelmed by it that I had no choice but to face my fears or cower beneath them. I don't know about you, but I am not one to cower.  So while it's taken me awhile, I'm ready.  Ready to share my story, my hopes and dreams, my expat adventures in the Emerald Isle, and most importantly I'd like to share my fears and my doubts  because if nothing else, I've learned that those things that scare us the most are the ones worth sharing. Because life is not meant to be traveled alone. 


Cheers,
Fk. 

Shot puts and pumpkins

image via

Hello, 

I am a neurotic perfectionist and a self sabotaging procrastinator.....it's nice to meet you. Here at casa de Furi Kuri there's currently a bit of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde going on. There's the "fun loving, happy-go-lucky, lollipops and sunshine" kind of gal and then there's the "self loathing, hates everyone, black pit of despair" cynic. The latter, if you haven't noticed, is a total mood killer. She's also a gianormous  bitch who is currently trying to ruin my life. 

 Over the past week, I've thought about writing a lot. However, as is evidenced by the complete and utter lack of content on this blog, thinking is about as far as I’ve gotten.

Every time I’ve gone to sit down I found all I could concentrate on were the crazy minute details that do not in any way matter. For example the page layout -- are 3 columns better than 2? Or on the font --- should I change the style, or the colors (yet again)? And don’t even get me started on the blog title or column content (I think I spent 30 min trying to decide what to label my links. So very sad)! I had somehow managed to convince myself that I couldn't write until these tiny details were perfect (mind you that I don’t actually know what I’m doing when it comes to decoding html or basic blog procedures so that only compounded the issues at hand)

Even as I write this I can’t believe how ridiculous it sounds! I mean honestly, who the bleepity mother bleeping bleep cares about this shite!? **

The most upsetting thing about this though is that it can be applied to numerous other areas in my life. How many times have I thought about doing something but never actually did it? How many excuses have I come up with over the years -- the timing/ mood/ condition/ etc weren’t exactly perfect – to talk myself out of doing something? How many times have I told myself that tomorrow I’ll do it, tomorrow I’ll take action…tomorrow…tomorrow….tomorrow

It's a vicious cycle. One that almost always evolves out of some sort of fear, results in some form of self sabotage, and leads to a downward spiral of apathy, self loathing and a whole bunch of negative crap. Even though I’m aware of this, whenever it starts, I feel powerless to overcome it.  I wonder if this is how Bruce Banner feels right before he turns into the Hulk…..

Perhaps it doesn’t have to come to that though. As much fun as it is to hate yourself, I’d like to think that my teenage years of angst got most of it out of my system.  That and have you seen the Hulk? I’d rather not look like a giant green beast thankyouvermuch. Especially since green isn’t really my color.

So here's to breaking free from that Mr. Hyde bitch self sabotage. To taking action - no matter how insignificant or imperfect.  So what if I can't figure out basic HTML codes without wanting to stab a fork in my computer? So what if the layout isn't glamourous and the only thing interesting I have to write about is how to shot put a pumpkin into a canal without hitting a swan? 

At least I’m actually writing, and really isn’t that what matters?

Cheers

FK

**Although let’s be honest. Even if no one cares, I still do and thus the tweaking, fixing, rearranging and changing on this blog will probably continue for a bit more…. Just down a few Jamesons before coming over and I promise you won’t even notice. ***

***Man a Jameson sounds so good right about now. Being active sure is hard….bottoms up! 

{Baby} steps

Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?
The Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.
Alice: I don't much care where...
The Cat: Then it doesn't much matter which way you go.
Alice: …so long as I get somewhere.
The Cat: Oh, you're sure to do that, if only you walk long enough.


2009 was a strange and surreal year of many firsts for me. Of great happiness and joy  but also of great confusion, fear, failure and uncertainty.It was my first year of marriage, of making a foreign country home, of unemployment and of feeling hopelessly and utterly lost. 


A very few of you might remember what this once sorry excuse for a blog was (or rather wasn't). I tried to write but found I had no voice.....so this blog went abandoned. Until now that is. 


I deleted everything on here. A new title, a new year, a new start. Tiny baby steps, but steps nonetheless.


2010 is going to be a good year. I believe it will be a year filled with growth, courage, fearlessness, strength and prosperity. I believe that this year I'll find my voice, rediscover my passions and accomplish things I had once only timidly, wistfully dreamed of. 


So long as I keep taking steps, no matter how tiny, I'll eventually get to where I need to be.  I hope you come join me on this strange little quest (or at least drop by to say hello!). It'll be one filled with beauty, lovely designs, inspiration, misadventures, expat living and delightful randomness. 


xoxo
FK