mod thursdays (yes I know today is friday)

hello lovely,
it is official. we will get internet the week of august 8th. thank goodness! then i will be able to blog regularly again! i can't wait. i have so many things to share with you. i've been taking photos for several blog segments while i've been away: our house before shots, 2 style blog sessions, maternity pics for my coworker katie, and a LOT of wedding crafts. so get excited, i know i am. yesterday i decided to start something interactive on the blog. i like to think of it as a movement. i challenge each of you to participate in "mod thursday." every thursday wear your best mod attire. it can be as simple as wings in your eyeliner, or as bold as a full ensemble. i did it yesterday and it was awesome. i already have my friend jessica on board for next week. i think it will be even more fun if you post your mod thursday photos on the mice and birds facebook page. that way everyone can see them. i've already posted mine from yesterday. (style blog featuring this look coming soon...) so, will you participate? think it is a fun challenge? let me know!
xoxo,
alyssa renee

long time no see!

hello lovely,
sorry it has taken me so long to blog. it will be even longer before i can do a post with any substance to it. we are moving! yay! i took before pictures so the afters will be even more impressive. i promise to get those up as soon as we have internet. right now we are living out of boxes. niles moves his stuff in this weekend so we should be living semi-normally next week. his parents are giving us their fridge and couch too! i can't wait to have every thing in order and begin our lives together. i'll be going home for the last month before the wedding. that way mom and i can get last minute things in order. whenever possible i will try to update. just be patient with me for the next few weeks. promise it will be worth it!
xoxo,
alyssa renee

decorating inspirations

hello lovely,

niles and i are about to buy our first home tomorrow! i am beyond ready to get started decorating. it will take some time i'm sure, but once it is all done i'll share some photos. maybe i'll do a blog series of the process. who knows! for now i'm having fun getting inspired to decorate. i'm really in to midcentury modern. i hope i can incorporate it into our home wherever possible. i think the main way i will do this is with vintage pieces, and my curtains. i want to use geometric prints and create my own looks. so much to do! luckily i have a craft room i can work in and close the door when i need to take a break. here are some images that are inspiring me at the moment.

xoxo,

alyssa renee

i love the colorful chairs here. I have a similar table. maybe i'll make my table pop with a bright accent color.

i have 2 tables just like this! might be a nice touch to my living room

i can't wait to organize my craft space. i want lovely shelves with mason jars filled with materials. i also want a giant cork board filled with clippings. my own inspiration wall. 

niles has two old book cases. maybe i can paint them white and do something similar in the back! 

i LOVE the this room.

the textures, the color scheme, the furniture. 

all of it. 

this will be a LONG way in the future, but maybe one day our patio will look like this...

my photo wall is what i'm looking forward to the most. 

and on a random organizational note...

this isn't decorating, but it is a genius idea for space saving under the sink!

style envy: regine chassagne

regine chassagne is a goddess on stage. she commands the crowd and drives the arcade fire's amazing live performances. i've only seen them twice, but both times left me in awe of her talent and style. she is my alter-ego's ultimate style envy. her unique dresses, wild hair, and cool gloves are what draw me in.

if only i could carry a tune... then i could try to be just like her. 

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wedding trailer

Alyssa and Niles Wedding Trailer 9.10.11 from Niles Thomas Maddox on Vimeo.

4 years ago today, niles asked me to be his girlfriend. in less than 3 months, i'll be his wife.

happy anniversary, lovely.

it's not easy being green

hello lovely,

i am so pumped for the newest muppet movie. i can't believe i have to wait until november 23rd! they are doing such a great job of generating excitement for the movie. as if they had to generate any from me at all... i've been excited sine the idea was batted around that jason segel would write and star in the film. then, when i read the synopsis? i knew it would be epic:

"On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter,  the world's biggest Muppet fan, and his friends Gary (Jason Segel) and Mary (Amy Adams) from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper)  to raze The Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets' former stomping grounds. To stage The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever and raise the $10-million needed to save the theater, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit the Frog reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, Animal is in a Santa Barbara clinic for anger management, and Gonzo  is a high-powered plumbing magnate." 

oh, my heart is so happy. i can't wait!

xoxo,

alyssa renee 

my favorite thing

this is a bold statement i know, but i think i've figured out my most favorite thing. well, other than kermit the frog, my granny's hugs, and my puppy dog. vintage kitchen supplies. i'm so obsessed i took pictures of my growing collection of vintage pyrex dishes. i can't wait for this collection to fill up the counter! this is just what i have so far.

love.