Austin Craigslist: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Also the Just Plain Stupid)

I like Craigslist. A lot. Ok, this much:

See there? That's my bookmarking system, and its wee arteries are clogged with cheap lamps and tables that I cannot possibly squeeze into my home. So I'm just going to go ahead and toss a few gems your way. If you live near Austin, wheeeee! Enjoy some bargains. But first I have some gifts for those of you who live elsewhere -- I'm going to call this selection of junque the Craigslist Razzies. Because this kind of crap annoys the hell out of me.

craigslist addiction

Gosh, who am I kidding? I am just dying to own this golden console overrun by chubby cherubs, complete with a matching cherub studded silver mirror. Apparently the artist also designed Pope John Paul II's throne. Wow! Bonus! And it's only $4000.

craigslist addiction

I am something of a spelling nazi, so when I see "rod iron" I want to smash an anvil through my computer screen, because it's wrought iron, people. WROUGHT, as in forged. Also, wtf is a "mirrow?" Only through context have I gleaned that it somehow means mirror to a scarily high percentage of people out there. But "provintial" is a whole new trainwreck.

craigslist addiction

Sigh. This has been posted for months and months and months. Maybe it's because that fabric + that chair = utterly and completely wrong. I feel bad about dissing it because I know that someone actually put effort into this project, but then I feel angry that such a lovely chair was maimed beyond recognition. It kind of makes me want to claw my eyes out.

craigslist addiction

Ok, this person has highly questionable taste in sofas, which is FINE. Sometimes I like to listen to Moby. We all have our flaws. But when you advertise your fugly crap like it is the shiznit for months on end, and never ever lower the price, well then you, sir, suck. No one is ever ever going to buy that pea green poo for $800, so don't act like you're doing someone a favor by being "willing to part with it, to a good home." I'm sorry, I meant to say: let me just hustle on down to your house so I can submit my application!

craigslist addiction

Speaking of people who are batshit insane, let me just give you a little background on this sofa -- Crate and Barrel's Petrie. It's a lovely couch, and Karly was thinking about purchasing it new from C&B, so hey, why not try to score it for less on CL? But of course the seller wants $1500, and WILL NOT BUDGE on the price. So, lemme see, that's $100 off of C&B's price for a new sofa that can be ordered in your choice of fabric, will not be covered in someone else's cat hair and popcorn farts, and could be paid for on a credit card.

SCORE!!!

craigslist addiction

Awww, I have a special place in my heart for this beauty. And I quote, "Carmen electra has the exact same bed, you can see it on cribs. hand forged by famous craftsman, with blue velevet & candle holders go into posts, sweet for setting the mood:)"

So. many. wrong. things. But hey, guess what? It's only $700. The post states it does need cleaning, though.

Yes. I'm quite sure that it does.

Ok, enough with the scary stuff. I'm no SusieQ over at Eye Spy, but from time to time I do find a few goodies. I usually harass Karly with 800 emails enticing her to buy them, but she is highly resistant. It kind of hurts my feelings. I mean bargain goods are like my baby children (no offense to Ike... there's enough love to go around for everyone). Anyway, I hope that someone out there can love these little guys as much as I do.

craigslist addiction

Teak loveseat and TWO matching chairs for $399. Snatch it up before Room Service does, because as much as I adore them, their entire inventory seems to be coming from Craigslist these days.

craigslist addiction

Lamps for $10 each. $10 for that gold mid mod eyeball lamp! TEN.

craigslist addiction

I know it's not for everyone, but I think this sofa is so awesome. Love the tribal print and the wrapped legs. $200, but it's been listed for a while, so offer less.

Pair of Pace tables for $250. Offer less. If I didn't already have that behemoth of a coffee table, or if there were a pair of end tables, these would be MINE.

Sweet little chrome and glass dining table for $50. Offer less.

Lane walnut two tier coffee table for $90. Offer less.

This isn't really my style, but it's pretty insane. Awesome 50's king sized lacquered mahogany bed. It also separates into two twin beds. $550, but yes -- you should offer less.

Ok, that's it for my marathon run through Austin Craigslist. If anyone out there buys any of my finds, let us know and send in a picture of it in its new home, and I'll post it. Nothing would make me happier than to disperse my addiction elsewhere. Because I just can't keep storing stuff in the garage.

Doggy Style

I love a good weiner... dog, that is. This weekend, we joined Karly and Mattybear at the Weiner Dog Races in Buda, TX, a wee country town just minutes south of Austin.

weiner dog races

Photo by Jay Janner of the Austin American Statesman

It had to be the weirdest county fair I have ever been to, but I gotta say that the pups were doggone cute. So today I'm posting a few doggy decor items inspired by our day at the races. Blue ribbons not included.

Dog speakers

Dogs as typefaces, via Swiss Miss

dog speakers

I am obsessed with these headless dog speakers. Woofers by Sander Mulder.

Dog speakers

Available in a limited run of only 50 pieces, these little dudes by Matteo Cibic have a fine pedigree.

dog stoll ibride

Ibride's Sultana Dog Stool

dog mask boontje

I love this Dog Mask Mirror, designed by Tord Boontje and Emma Woffenden for Artecnica.

hand made wallpaper

Check out this amazing tutorial on how to screenprint your own wallpaper. If you've ever screenprinted anything, you know what a crazy big achievement this doggie wallpaper by Polly Danger is.

whippet bench

And finally, an oldie but goodie -- the Whippet Bench by Radi Designs even comes in gold. Truly, that must be man's best friend.

I'm leaving y'all with a little pic of Me and Ike in the petting zoo at the fair. We survived the voracious baby eating goats... barely. I'm not sure Ike's pacifier will ever the the same, though.

petting zoo

Sorry our posts are looking all wonky... we're having some weird wordpress glitches that force us to code in HTML and mama no likey. Hopefully it'll all magically resolve itself soon.

That's it for the weekend wrap up. Did any of you do anything super exciting? Tell me all about it.

I Birds Austin

Lately I've been very busy.  Ok, so I say that every other day, but this time I mean really really busy.  In addition to the backyard demolition and the guest bath remodel I've been working with superstar client, Birds Barbershop, to unleash a new campaign on our unsuspecting and fair city. See, with the word Barbershop in the name, people often assume that their core customer looks a lot like this:

With free lone star on tap, you best believe that several dudes get their ears lowered at Birds, but they also have customers like-a so:

And plenty like this:

Birds owner, Michael, and I have been brainstorming and coordinating this campaign for months.  All photographs were shot by Alison Narro, layout & graphics by yours truly, and the logo is a spin on an old austin bumper sticker from the '70s.  (BTW, I tried to find a pic of the sticker online and couldn't but trust me it exists)  Here are a few other posters I've put together so far.

The shoot took place over 4 days (one day at each Birds location) and all the models are Birds customers who just so happened to show up during the shoot to get a haircut.

If you're in Austin, keep your eyes peeled, these posters and ads will be popping up everywhere soon.  Treat it like a where's waldo, would ya?