Scrolling Down the Street

It's not often that I fall for a boho-style dress; not only do I not have the body to pull of such a look, but it's usually less polished than I like. However, Ruche has this lovely, deep blue frock available right now that perfectly fuses the bohemian sensibility with delicate, ladylike accents:

The white scrolling embroidery around the neck- and hemlines reminds me of a cross between traditional Ukrainian pysanka (dyed and decorated eggs, such as the one seen here) and candlewicking (seen here), with a springtime flair. How would you feel about sporting this beauty as the weather warms up?

Buy through Ruche for $44.99.

Image via Ruche.

-Cate-

Turquoise Chic

I love a good turquoise accent now and then. When that accent comes in earring form, I'm doubly excited. So when I came across these baubles from Lauren by Ralph Lauren, I knew I had found a winner:

The citrine-colored stones perfectly play off of the pale blue reconstituted turquoise. You could dress them down with jeans and a white blouse, wear them to work, or even use them to add a splash of color and a little fun to a black cocktail dress. And at only $34.00 for the pair, these are a true deal.

Buy through Nordstrom for $34.00.

Image via Nordstrom.

-Cate-

People We Covet: Chris Crutcher

Not too long ago, I was lucky enough to see Chris Crutcher give a reading from his autobiography King of the Mild Frontier. Having never heard of him before that night, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. But from the moment he opened his mouth, I knew I was in the presence of someone totally awesome.

He started by sharing an excerpt from "Something Neat This Way Comes," the third chapter in King, which relates the story of the time his older brother convinced him to urinate into the radiator in their home. Foul-smelling chaos ensues, of course, and what made the story cool was the way Crutcher related it. Things took a turn for the downright hilarious when Crutcher told the story of his Sunday school years. I won't go into detail. What I will say is this: the whole of King is worth reading just for that chapter ("Conversations with Gawd").

Crutcher does not tell tales only of himself, though. He's also a rather prolific author of young adult novels, many of them focusing on high school athletes. I recently read Chinese Handcuffs, which I highly recommend, and I know others who greatly enjoyed Whale Talk. Moreover, Crutcher's work is frequently challenged, which, in my book, means he must be doing something right.

What puts Crutcher in a higher echelon, for me, is that he is willing to acknowledge that teenagers have real, legitimate feelings and that they sometimes have to deal with some very adult situations. He never talks down to his audience. Plus he's been publishing novels since 1983, so he's had a long time to perfect his technique. Perhaps the most amazing thing is that his works appeal to boys and girls alike--his female characters are every bit as lifelike as the males--making him someone whose work you might want to keep around for your kids or students.

Visit Chris Crutcher's official website here. And if you ever hear of him giving a reading in your area, seriously consider going to see him. It's totally worth it.

-Cate-

Blossoming

There are few bags I love so much as the Williamsfield tote from L.A.M.B. And this spring, Gwen Stefani's design group has really outdone itself, bringing this lovely iteration into the world:

I think that it's just wonderful, both delicate and bold, cheerful and refined. The strong graphic complements the size and shape of the bag well and will coordinate with almost any color you might wear as the weather warms up: turquoise, light brown, lilac, or green. What do you think?

Buy through Zappos Couture for $298.00.

Image via Zappos Couture.

-Cate-

Changes at What We Covet

It's been a busy time for us here at What We Covet. Maureen has been substitute teaching, and I just got back from a week in Amsterdam. In addition, Maureen is looking into graduate schools, while I'm currently enrolled. The moral of this story is that we are both busy ladies. And as such, our free time isn't what it used to be. Unfortunately, this means that we'll have to cut back on the number of hours we put into blogging here. So, starting this week, you'll see posts from us on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays only, as well as our regular People We Covet feature on the 25th of each month. From time to time, we may pop in for extra posts, if there's something we feel you need to know about righthisminute. I'll also keep up with the Tumblr account, posting there a few times per week. Thanks for all your understanding!

-Cate-

SUCCESS

Once upon a time, I went to visit my friend Holly for a couple of days. One morning, we had muffins. She had a six-muffin tin, but they were enormous muffins, not standard muffins, and her muffin mix would only make four giant muffins. I resolved, then, that she would one day have a pan for normal-sized muffins. But six, because muffin mixes don't make twelve muffins.

Today, as I browsed the Kitchen Collection, I found exactly the thing. Six muffin cups! Normal-sized ones! Stainless steel! Heavy enough that you could beat someone with it!

I bought it immediately, and will be sending it to Holly soon. I don't need to keep it, because my mother gave me one of her normal muffin pans.

And now I have found it online, so you can, too, because it seems that the world very much lacks muffin-sized muffins.

Buy through Kitchen Collection for $9.99.

Wormholes!

If you are around me enough, you will be present one day when I hurt myself. And when I do stub my toe or punch myself in the face or sneeze into the arm of a couch, I will probably say things like "heck," "dang," or "frell."

"What's this?" you think. "One of these things is not like the others."

That's because "frell" is a sci-fi swear. Most people you hear will say "frak," from Battlestar Galactica. I never watched BSG, so I am not one of those people. I watched Farscape.

The main character of Farscape is John Crichton, an astronaut who found one of those mythical wormholes we hear so much about and went through it. The other side of the wormhole was where all his adventures began, with aliens and living ships and traveling through space. It was a lot of fun, and one of my first introductions to science fiction, until it got canceled.

That happens a lot, apparently.

But anyway, now we can see what was! The complete series is available on DVD through Best Buy for $99.99.

xoxo,

Maureen

Segue from Whedon Week into...Felicia Day!

See what I did there?

Felicia Day is also the star of the online series The Guild. If you're not a geek like me, you may not love it as much as I do, but this blog isn't about what you covet, now is it?

Day portrays Codex, the only sane member of the MMO guild the Knights of Good. The other, crazier members of the guild are Vork, Bladezz, Clara, Tinkerballa, and Zaboo. They all have real names, except for Tinkerballa. Codex is Cyd and Clara is Clara. I only remember that because Codex is the main character, and Clara is Clara.

Through a series of unfortunate events, the members of the guild meet each other in real life, and wacky high-jinx ensue. It won't take very long for you to watch and find out what happens; each video is less than eight minutes long, and there are only four seasons so far.

The later ones include Wil Wheaton wearing a kilt.

You can buy The Guild on DVD, but since it's available online, you may as well watch it on Bing before you go spending money. It's not always safe for work, language-wise, and you really shouldn't be watching videos at work anyway.

Also, there are music videos.

Farewell'd,

Maureen

Whedon Week Continues

What combines Neil Patrick Harris, Felicia Day, and Nathan Fillion into one glorious musical package? Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, of course!

NPH portrays Billy, or Dr. Horrible when he's being beaten up by Fillion's Captain Hammer. Billy silently pines after Penny (Day), and when he puts on his lab coat and goggles he's planning how to get her heart by giving her "the keys to a shiny new Australia." During the short web series his current plan is to complete his freeze ray, which he will use to "find the time to find the words to" tell Penny how he feels about her.

He also intends to use it to cement his entry into the Evil League of Evil, an organization headed by Bad Horse, the Thoroughbred of Sin.

Billy's plans go horribly awry, however, when Captain Hammer, who is a jerk all the time, rescues Penny from a runaway van and they begin to date.

But what happens? You'll have to find out after you buy your own copy through Best Buy for $9.99. If only you had been a little faster; at one time it was completely free online. Alas!

xoxo,

Maureen

It's Joss Whedon Week!

Today we're going to talk about Dollhouse, which I mentioned yesterday.

Dollhouse stars Eliza Dushku in the role of a doll (or "active," if you ask people who want to avoid the dehumanizing aspect of it all) named Echo. What is a doll, you ask? Well, in this frightening sci-fi world, people who are in serious trouble can sign their bodies off to the Dollhouse for a set period of time, in which their personalities and memories will be saved to a hard drive and wiped from their brains. These new blank slates can then be imprinted with new personalities and sent on assignments. These assignments are anything from assisting law enforcement to fulfilling very wealthy people's fantasies.

Naturally, this can all go terribly, terribly wrong in many ways.

The first season is all right. The second season is where it picks up and shows that ol' Joss really shows his stuff when the show has a deadline. All Dollhouse got was two seasons, and it made them work. This treatment, however, just made Whedon fans even more resentful of Fox. They were all pretty excited about Dr. Horrible, an online production.

Though Dushku is the star of Dollhouse, the one to look out for is Enver Gjokaj as the doll Victor. I wanted to find a video in which he had been imprinted with the personality of the Dollhouse's resident genius Topher, but this one where he has been mistakenly imprinted with the personality of a college girl named Kiki will have to do:

Buy season one and season two through Best Buy for $39.99 each.

Shall I go now?

Maureen

"You can't take the sky from me."

A while ago, I loaned my lovely Firefly boxed set to my little brother so he could watch it. Then, I wanted to watch it, and I didn't have it, and I was very sad. I'm still a little sad, but I'll be getting it back soon.

Firefly is a television show, sadly canceled after just thirteen episodes. It was brought to us by Joss Whedon, who also gave the world Buffy the Vampire Slayer and more recently Dollhouse and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. The short run of the show makes it an affordable boxed set, but also a depressing one. Firefly is a space western, which means I love it. I love westerns (one of my first loves was Adam Cartwright), and I love space (you've seen us talk about Star Wars, right?). So what happens when you put a western in space? Maureen has a case of the vapors.

Mal Reynolds is captain of the Firefly-class ship he named Serenity. His crew is a ragtag bunch of misfits, but they're like family, and they mostly take care of each other. Mal does some slightly illegal things with his ship, but he's a good guy, because the Alliance is terrible.

A film, Serenity, was made after the end of the show. I haven't seen this one yet, but I intend to. That will be a fine, fine day.

Buy Firefly through Best Buy for $39.99 and Serenity for $19.99.

xoxo,

Maureen

Checkmate, Mario

Some of us are intellectuals. Some of us study hard day and night so we will know all the answers and impress our friends if we ever see them. Some of us pursue activities that exercise our minds. Board games. Logic puzzles. Performance art.

But some of us just want the Super Mario Chess Set because we're nerds. We don't study chess. We're lucky if we can beat ourselves at the game. But we know how the pieces move, and we like cackling evilly while we knock over our opponents' pawns.

Also, we giggle a little immaturely upon seeing the Super Mario Chess Set and learning that Luigi is the Queen. That's just the kind of people some of us are. So of course we want this chess set. We also think it is fitting that at last Luigi has some power while Mario has to stay in one spot and wait.

Buy through ThinkGeek for $39.99.

xoxo,

Maureen

Gotta Catch 'Em All!

I have never actually tried to catch them all. It's a lot of effort, and far too much when the only person you can trade with is your little brother.

However, I do like to collect them, which is why I am really, really excited for the new Pokémon games, Black and White. I am also excited because of various updates to the games. Now the world is supposed to be 3D, rather than the 2D it has been forever, the Pokémon themselves move during battle, and there is a new fire/psychic type Pokémon that is available through April 10. If you want Victini, go go go!

I'm a big fan of fire types, and the only reason I don't have more psychic types in my teams is that Abra is so darn hard to catch. You need a quick claw and a pokemon with Mean Look, and it's just frustrating sometimes. So I'm pretty interested in getting Victini for myself.

But you might not know what I am talking about. This is a description of basically all Pokémon games. A child, probably around ten years old, gets his or her first Pokémon and goes off on an adventure, training and catching Pokémon and battling with gym leaders to earn badges, and eventually making it all the way to the Elite Four and the Pokémon League Champion! Also, there is Team Rocket or a Team Rocket-like group along the way, using Pokémon for dastardly deeds and being mean. The player character usually takes care of that, too.

If you like, you can imagine a happy world where Pokémon frolic happily in the grass, or you can imagine one where all Pokémon are fearsome wild creatures who will tear people apart without trained Pokémon to take them down.

Buy through GameStop for $34.99.

We hope to see you again!

Maureen

Not for Children

You all know how much I like Patrick Rothfuss. I read and enjoyed The Name of the Wind and eagerly await my copy of The Wise Man's Fear, which is not in my hands right now, but in a box at my home base.

Rothfuss also does picture books. One, anyway: The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle.

What is it about? I have no idea. The Princess and Mr. Whiffle, I suppose. The book has three endings, and I'm sure none of them are for children. Rothfuss even had a sticker made up for the book that says the book is not for children. I have to say, the caution that it isn't for children makes it all the more appealing to me.

There are a number of places you can buy a copy, but I recommend Pat's store. It's a little more costly than other places at $35.00, but all proceeds go to Heifer International, because Pat is a cool dude.

xoxo,

Maureen

Psychopomps and Snow

Right now, what I really covet is reliable Internet.

But let's talk about comic books, instead.

One of my favorite web comics, The Phoenix Requiem, is now being published in book form! TPR is about Jonas Faulkner, a mysterious man who appears in the village of Esk with gunshot wounds and a far too jokey demeanor. It is also about Anya, the nurse who patches him up and then gets a little too involved with her handsome new patient.

The first volume of Sarah Ellerton's fantasy comic is being published in glorious full color and will include bonus pages. It sounds pretty exciting.

Read the full comic online at The Seraph Inn, and pre-order the book at 4th Dimension Entertainment.

May your Internet not go down for seven hours,
Maureen

"May the odds be ever in your favor."

That Cate, always talking about accessories and fashion and things I don't understand. She's so crazy.

Let me just get this out, all right, folks? I recently bought Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games, because I decided I was allowed to go buy books, and because the Nerdfighters recommended it to me. And then I finished it that very day. The next day I bought its sequels Catching Fire and Mockingjay, and I finished those by the next day, making it a three-day marathon of young adult sci-fi. Normally I read a lot more fantasy than science fiction, but when you add deadly children to the mix, it seems I devour the stuff. See also: Ender's Game.

The Hunger Games is about Katniss Everdeen, whose name is either cool or weird (but definitely much cooler than poor Peeta Mellark's) and the eponymous Hunger Games. The Games are a yearly event in which all the Districts in what used to be North America send children to the Capitol to kill each other.

Katniss, obviously, ends up as one of these children, and she tries to kill people, and people try to kill her, and it's pretty exciting, except for when it's worrying.

Also, you fashion types would dig it because there is totally fashion. That's right, Cate. Fashion. In a book about children being forced to kill each other. It's like The Baby-sitters Club meets Battle Royale, except, well, not really.

I would tell you more, but I think you should visit either your local public library or a small locally-owned bookstore and see for yourself.

Best wishes!

Maureen

Popping Up

If you're looking for a cute way to brighten up your table, why not try adding a botanical touch, like a poppy-shaped dessert plate, for example?

These plates are not only adorable and cheerful, but they are also a delightful conversation starter. Just imagine all the great chatter that will sprout up as people discuss their favorite flowers (and desserts)! Perhaps they can even be used during a garden party as the weather starts to warm up!

Buy a set of four through Spiegel for $48.00.

Image via Spiegel.

-Cate-

PS Maureen will be taking over the blog for about a week and a half starting tomorrow. I hope you'll enjoy her posts; I know I always get a kick out of them!

You Can See Clear to the Sky

It's that time of year here again--you know, the one where the rain starts to fall again, making everything a little dreary as we head into spring. So, of course, I find myself looking into the possibility of buying myself a new umbrella.

QVC has a perfectly fantastic and retro bubble umbrella available that's tempting me. The panels are clear, but the piping and handle come in different bright colors, including teal, yellow, purple, pink, and more. I think it would cheer up even the most rain-filled days ahead!

Buy through QVC for $15.19.

-Cate-

Pearls of Wisdom

There's really something to be said for the classic strand of pearls. They accent a little black dress perfectly, dress up a twin set, and class up almost any other outfit. Take these white pearls, for example:

Isn't that just lovely? And, if you take care of your pearls, they will last a lifetime and can be passed on to a daughter or other relation. What a fantastic thing!

Buy through Blue Nile for $360.00.

Image via Blue Nile.

-Cate-

White a Minute

B. Makowsy handbags aren't ones that I normally seek out; their styles usually just don't catch my eye. However, I've recently discovered one of their bags that makes me believe in the practicality of having a white purse:

It may not be the prettiest or fanciest thing I've ever seen, but it's a nice size, there are many useful pockets, and--best of all--it'll help you incorporate white into your wardrobe without going overboard. If you're a hobo kind of gal, you might want to check this out today!

Buy through eBags for $206.40.

Image via eBags.

-Cate-

Clomping Around

I'm the first person to admit that I love ridiculous shoes. The latest pair are these fantastic wooden wedges from Chloé:

Wooden shoes are just this side of the most uncomfortable things imaginable, yet they always look so fantastic. There is a certain warmth to them, and an element of classicism, as well. They are, of course, perfect for anyone in tune with nature, or else anyone in tune with fashion. What do you think of them?

Buy through Net-a-Porter for $575.00.

Image via Net-a-Porter.

-Cate-

Around About Springtime

While I have no need for napkin rings at this current moment, I find myself drawn to them because they come in so many varieties. You can find a set to match any decor and switch them out with the seasons. Now THAT'S what I call fun. Right now, I'm coveting the Round Horn Napkin Rings available at Sur la Table, a store with many fascinating things in their inventory. The very subtle horn pattern on these rings will accent white, cream, or yellow napkins perfectly, paving the way for a lovely tabletop as we head into spring.

Buy through Sur la Table for $4.95 each.

-Cate-

Catch the Wave

Everyone knows that Missoni makes some spectacular things. The bright colors and bold patterns are a must for any fashionista. But if you're wary of the effect zig-zags might have on you, why not try some small accessory from Missoni to ease yourself into the land of graphic statements? For example, you could try this cute headband:

Because of the subdued color scheme, you can pair this with almost anything: a Little Black Dress, a white button-down shirt, or a simple swimsuit on the beach. That way, it'll still be enough to get you noticed without drawing too much attention to yourself. Plus, it's super-fun.

Buy through Net-a-Porter for $85.00.

Image via Net-a-Porter.

-Cate-

Circle of Color

I've been craving huge hoop earrings lately--you know, the plastic kind that come in neon colors? Unfortunately, I have sensitive ears and can't simply pick up any old pair of hoops, though I would absolutely love to do so. As a result, I sometimes have to find fun alternatives. Today, they're these earrings from nOir:

Maybe it's because the summer bug has bitten me and so I'm dying for some bold accessories, or maybe it's that the seed beads remind me of the kind of jewelry you might find in a kitschy gift shop in Mackinaw City. Either way, I adore these earrings.They'd be the perfect pick-me-up right about now!

Buy through nOir for $73.50.

Image via nOir.

-Cate-

What We Covet Is Now on Tumblr!

Because sometimes I find it difficult to blog about all the things I find worthy of my covetousness, I've started a Tumblr for the overflow. Generally speaking, it will consist of images and quotations, and the occasional video--things that inspire me, things I want, things I love. You can check it out here. Enjoy!

-Cate-