Links of Note.

Well hello!

I really dropped the ball on blogging this month. Times are a'changing over here. We gave our notice to move (it was a decision we had been putting off for awhile) which means we now need to find an apartment. This is both exciting and stressful as the majority of Vancouver landlords seem against pet owners. We will keep our chins up and our eyes peeled.

I also found a perfect (even though it is very part-time) job for the summer which I will have to tell you more about later.

So things are on the move and I am excited to be back June 1st with a more consistent (and interesting, not to worry) blogging regime.

Here are some links to whisk you away into the weekend.

Joanna had her sweet baby boy Toby. I thing I heard a giant collective squeal when she announced it to the blog world.

I have to say that Rifle Paper Co. is my number one in terms of stationery these days. Check out these DIY cocktail invitations she did for the Crafts Dept. Do you think Anna would make me some moving announcements?

A pretty swell giveaway at you are my fave.

She's right, this documentary is great!

I have been really enjoying Mint's National Stationery Show Recaps.

A super sweet necklace DIY.

I give a big 'YES PLEASE' to this memorial day inspired outfit.

This proposal made my heart melt.

Until Tuesday m'dears!

Face Masks and American Psycho.

Sorry I've been absent lately, have been trying to pin some life things down (as you can see, hehe).

Links of Note.

This strawberry gives this week a thumbs up! This weekend is a long weekend here in Canada but since I haven't been working, I didn't even realize (what a hard life I have eh?). I hope it is full of sunshine and full of treats for all of you! Here is a (very short) list of links for you to enjoy!

New online vintage shop from Bliss in a Teacup.

Indoor S'mores.

Gorgeous old business cards.

DIY Fabric Tape.

Oh hey, you're cute.

Another piece to add to my bunny collection. By Green Thread Shop.

Hey I like you: You Are What You Love.

You Are What You Love is a beautiful blog created by Aprile Elcich. It is a dream of a blog. Aprile is also a mighty fine artist and thus it is worth your time to visit her shop. Now, go look for yourself and check out her recently completed thesis!)

Would you like to advertise with Post Grad Hair Cut?

Rates are set with small, new business in mind as Post Grad Hair Cut is still quite new itself and spots are available for June, July and August of this year. If you decide to be a sponsor you will be given a 150x120 space on the left sidebar, a small write-up on our sponsor page and an introductory post sometime during the month. Placing advertisements on blogs can be a great way to spur recognition of your online business and I would be happy to be a host for yours.

For more information on rates, site statistics and any other details please contact me at swagnerm [at] hotmail [dot] com. I welcome all bloggers, designers, artists and crafters who match in some way the style I try to represent here on Post Grad Hair Cut.

In my bag: The last bag.

This is the very last post of the 'in my bag' series. Thank you to everyone who participated and everyone who commented. It was great to see what you all carry around!

My name is Jacqueline Sofia and I am a fresh-out-of-college working woman. I work in Baltimore in the Center for Global Health at Johns Hopkins, and I am also taking prerequisite classes for nursing school. My blog, All Things Beautiful, is a scrapbook of everything I feel is worth taking a second glance at. We become so busy with our lives, that it is easy to miss the beautiful things in life. Thank you to Samantha for giving me this opportunity to add my bag contents to her series!

1. The bag. My parents took a trip to Italy last year for my Mom's 50th birthday present, and came back with some really wonderful finds, including this brown leather bag. It's simple and big enough to carry the increasing amount of stuff that I seem to accumulate.

2. Wallet. I recently purchased this read leather wallet from Iragranteco on Etsy. The leather is so soft and its recycled from her other projects! I can even fit my passport in it...for that unexpected trip to Europe or South America every one should be prepared for.

3. Cell phone. I still don't know how to use all the gizmos on this thing.

4. Change purse. I got this back in middle school from Old Navy. It's been a faithful companion ever since. I collect change like it's my job, too, so this comes in handy.

5. Moleskin planner. I like to go "old school" when it comes to keeping my affairs in order and write everything down instead of keeping one of those fancy electronic planners. I am also terrible at remembering things, so this planner is like my second bible. I don't know what I'd do without it.

6. Red notebook. This is nice to have on hand for memories I want to keep, quotes I want to take note of, or recipes that I find.

7. Naked Bee Hand and Cuticle Healing Salve. I have super dry skin, and this salve is wonderful for keeping my hands from becoming old and wrinkly looking!

8. Sugar in the Raw packet. I am a coffee addict. It is apparent by the sugar packets I carry in my purse on a consistent basis.

9. Thomas Paul Luddite sunglass case. I don't wear much jewelry, so the main accessory I have on me at all times are sunglasses. I bought this sunglass case from a small boutique where I live in Lambertville, NJ- Bucks County Dry Goods. I love the antique look of this case and its softness, which makes it easy to store in my sac.

10. Camera. My boyfriend bought this digital camera for me for Christmas. I used to have this bulky, 5-year-old canon powershot, for which I would have to manually open the lense in order to use it. I am always taking snapshots of food, and this slips right into my bag or pocket whenever we go out to eat.

11. Seashell pill case. My mom always carries a cute little pill box with her in her purse. For my birthday one year, she bought this one for me- I don't usually carry medicine around with me, but I still like to keep it in my purse because it reminds me of her.

12. Woven multi-color pouch. The contents include a Tide stain stick, Burt's Bees Res-Q Ointment, as well as Peptobismol for those days you go out to eat and your eyes are bigger than your stomach.

13. Keys. My friend, Jules, brought back this leather Africa-shaped keychain from Niger a couple summers ago, after she spent time working for Catholic Relief Services. The other keychain is an ode to my local National Public Radio station, WYPR. I am a lover of all things NPR!

Bits of an Efficient Trip to Portland.

I love Portland. I try to go every year. This year my sister, her friend and I rented a car and made the drive on Friday afternoon. We had all day Saturday to pack in as much as we could and we shopped, ate and appreciated numerous gorgeous brick buildings. Here are some highlights.

After we arrived in the late evening on Friday we venture to the Nob Hill area to find something to eat. We stumbled about 23 Hoyt and delighted in their delicious (and very affordable) Happy Hour menu. The roast beets with goat cheese (for $3) were my favourite.

In the morning our first stop was Powell's legendary bookstore. I was excited to see that they were exhibiting Nikki McClure's amazing paper cuts.

Any trip to the US is not complete without visiting an Anthropologie store. It is conveniently across the street from Powell's so we were there as they were opening the doors. And now begins a series of my sister and her friend posing.

I was very tempted by the Filson store. I love their bags and classic styling. The store itself is gorgeous with a real moose head (it really gave me some perspective on how big moose actually are).

After some more walking we ended up at Oblation Papers and Press. My sister and I tried our hand at some calligraphy pens and I admired their urban paper mill.

For lunch we stopped at Traders Joe's and picked up some snacks, then borrowed the steps of just one of the many gorgeous apartment buildings to stop and sit.

Back in Nob Hill we enjoyed delicious milkshakes from Moonstruck chocolates (I dream about these every year leading up to the trip). My sister spent some time in the stunning Goorin Bros. Hat Shop. deciding on what fedora to purchase (I believe she decided on the one in her hand in this picture).

While wandering and deciding on where to eat dinner I noticed some clever balcony gardening techniques (previously mentioned here).

For dinner we ended up at a really lovely restaurant called Papa Haydn. The decor was wonderful with yellow and white table linens on the outside tables. We enjoyed mussels with chorizo sausage, french onion soup, a cobb sandwich, cucumber salad and white wine. For dessert we tried the amazing pistachio milles-crepe cake.

Portland is so lovely. It feels like home every time I visit. I would move there in a heart beat if it wasn't so tricky to find work as a Canadian. I hope to go again before summer is through! On Sunday we left bright and early and stopped at an Outlet Mall for a shopping experience like no other. After being spoiled with the well-decorated and personalized shops in Portland I have to say that outlet shopping is not my favourite way to shop. I did however come away with two pairs of badly needed shoes, so no complaints.

Portland Glimpse.

My first trip to Portland was Summer 2008. I went with my friend Connor and it was a great trip. She inspired me with her interest in the telephone poles layered in posters. Two years later and the poles are still there and still surprisingly stunning in their layers of decay. Tomorrow I will share more Portland Weekend details with you.

Swing necklace.

Swinging Necklace by Toby Jones.

Sketchbook Bags.

With my old brown bag on the verge of retirement I have been shopping around for a replacement. I really like the bags by Sketchbook Bags. Particularly this 'explorer' bag.

Cedar Pillow.

It looks so real.

Flag Necklace.

I really love the effect of these leather flag necklaces Scout Holiday. It is like bunting you can wear!

Links of Note.

Hello and goodbye to week number two of May! Aren't those flowers pretty? Brendan was nice and surprised me with them yesterday. What a guy. Today I am off to one of my favourite places, Portland, OR! I am looking forward to shopping and eating maple bacon donuts! I will be sure to post about it when I return. Next weekend I'm going to have a little bake sale at one of the monthly markets so if you have any suggestions for tasty treats to make, do let me know. Otherwise, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and here are some links I thought you all might like.

First off you should all visit Ann's blog to enter her giveaway for a piece of her art. Ann is one of our sponsor's here (A Beautiful Party) and her work is lovely.

You will get a giggle out of these unicorn cupcakes.

I have to say, thank goodness Nautical is back. Love this curation of sea-inspired garments.

Vegan lip balm with a fun name and stay-put design.

Yum. I think I'll have some of these for dinner.

A great idea for placecards and table decor -- wheatgrass.

A chocolate dress!

Gorgeous bird cage.

Anabela's enviable trip to Chicago.

I may try this cat bowl for Marty.

I wouldn't mind sporting this on a certain significant finger.

Decorations for your man-lodge inspired room.

I'm considering some pretty sugar cookies for the bake sale!

Young Hipsters.

The purely paper flower shop.

Very pretty necklaces.

Love the plus-size models in this French Marie Claire Spread.

Phew! That was a lot this week. Keep up the great work everyone!

Oustanding in the Field.

Have you heard of Outstanding in the Field? They are self described as a 'roving culinary adventure -- literally a restaurant without walls'. Guests are taken on a tour of a farm, garden, islands, ranches or even sea caves and then served a meal created from almost all local ingredients prepared by a chef from the region while seated at a long (and I mean long) table. The mission is to re-connect diners with the origins of the food they eat and to honor local farmers and food artisans who cultivate it. They are currently selling seats for their North American Tour including a meal at UBC Farm here in Vancouver in July. Very cool!

Oh Macrame.

After a recent chat with my new friend Galit she reminded me of this incredible macrame work she did for Aritzia last year. I think she's done a lovely job breathing new life into an old craft.

Monochrome Weaves.

1. Bag 2. Chair 3. Rug 4. Cardigan

Marty likes: Dream Cats.

I stopped doing my 'Marty likes' posts a few months ago as I thought I was verging on 'crazy lady who spends too much time with her cat' territory. But how can one resist? I feel supported in my habit by Anabela's new tumblr called Dream Cats. I'm sure I will have quite the time picking a shot of Marty to submit.

Hey I like you: Ming Makes Cupcakes.

Here is yet another cupcake website, Ming Makes Cupcakes, that makes my mouth water. I love the simplicity of the layout and the up-close and personal photographs. I will definitely have flourless beet chocolate cupcakes!

Steve Alan for Keds.

I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a pair of these Steve Alan Keds.

How to make a zipper pouch.

Hey! If you're interested in learning how to make a pouch with a zipper, head on over to Lauren's blog for my guest post and tutorial!

DIY Shower Curtain.

One of the biggest disagreements in terms of home decor that Brendan and I had was that over a what shower curtain we should get and I think now I have found a solution.

I love this recyclable DIY shower curtain from Grain Design. It comes with a permanent marker that you can draw your own design on. It is machine washable and is made of a plastic that breathes, reducing the growth of mildew and mold. At the end of its life it can be recycled. A great idea all round.

In my bag: Part XV.

I know I said last week that there was only one more bag to reveal but I was mistaken and there are actually two. So here is the second to last post:

I'm Amanda and I'm the author of A to B {www.amandablaira-to-b.blogspot.com}. I'd like to figure out a way to support myself by surfing fashion blogs, drinking green tea and smooching my boyfriend. If you know how to make this happen, hit me up!

The Bag: Black, faux leather shoulder bag from Target. It’s huge which allows me to fit my whole life in it (I wonder why I have back problems). It will be a sad day when I retire this bag.

1. Fendi sun glasses case to house my non-Fendi glasses. I found this case and it made me feel fancy.

2. Skull make-up bag from Target (I really love Target) and inside the bag:

1. Tampons-every girl needs them!
2. Eye glass cleaner spray- I hate when my glasses have smudges.
3. Bottle of Echinacea pills- I like to boost up my immune system.
4. Evian face spray- It makes you look fresh and glowy.
5. Tic-tacs- For fresh breath of course.
6. A pill box- Full of Excedrin, Midol, and ironically more Echinacea.
7. Various lip glosses- Again, every girl need them!
8. Neosporin- I’m really clumsy and always cutting/scraping my body up.

3. Moleskin London tour guide notebook. My boyfriend bought me this for when I came to visit him in London.

4. Earth Science almond-aloe moisturizer with spf 15. I hate dry skin so I carry this around just in case.

5. Black Roxy clutch wallet. This is a Hobo knock off but it was only $30, versus their $100- can’t beat that!

6. iPhone charger. I love my iPhone and if dies I feel naked so I carry my charger to make sure that doesn’t happen.

7. Add More 'Ing To Your Life' by Gabrielle Bernstein. I love this book for daily inspiration and reminders on how to remain happy.

8. iPhone earphones. I use my iPhone as an iPod and a phone so these earphones are essential!

9. A felt fortune cookie that says “Sunshine brings happiness”. Just because this makes me smile.

10. Fan. I found this on a bus and I thought it would be perfect for hot summer days when I need to cool off (I would like those days to be now!).

11. Pens- For whenever I need to write a quick note.

Thanks so much to Amanda! Next week is the last post! Stay tuned m'dears.

Hello pretty!

When I first saw this image I thought, "What a lovely bunch of rings, I'd like them all". Then I realized that they're sold as a set. What a gorgeous concept from Iosselliani.

Sam Made Giveaway Elsewhere.

Just wanted to let you know that I am giving away one of my screen-printed sewing kits over on Last Legs. Go put your name in the draw!

And I'm back!

Sorry for my absence last week and I hope you enjoyed the posts from Frizti Marie, Becka and Diana. All three proved that they are worth their weight in gold for their lovely blog posts. Last week was full with spending time with Brendan's family. On Friday we celebrated the passing of Brendan's Grandpa, who lived such a full and positive life. While I had only known him for the past two years it was really wonderful hearing stories about him and seeing his family be so close. He is true inspiration for living a successful life.

On Saturday we made a last minute decision to take a drive to Vernon (about five hours from Vancouver). I spent the majority of my childhood and teen years in Vernon and my younger sister still lives there today. It is a nice drive, full of rolling hills, mountains, trees and snow. I think we both needed to get out of the city. We enjoyed quesadillas and enchilladas from my favourite Mexican restaurant and time visiting with my sister.

On Sunday on our way home we stopped to play mini golf. This place in Kelowna was the ultimate birthday destination when I was a kid and it brought back a lot of memories. Needless to say we're better at posing than we are at golfing. Once we reached Hope (the filming location of the movie Rambo) we stopped at a great diner and enjoyed a dreamy piece of cocount cream pie.

Overall it was a great time but I am happy to be back and ready to blog!