Pack Rat knows that you can’t go home again; but you can shop there

Has anyone ever seen that Kids in the Hall episode where Bruce McCulloch sings a song expounding on how Terriers are the best dog ever? I have a feeling the designers over at All-Mighty Clothing might have that song as their ring tones. Their adorable Boston Terrier, Mighty, is not only the mascot but also the inspiration behind many of their designs. I loved everything in their shop, but for the item du jour I chose this “Mod Mod with Pups” top. On sale for $24, this top is officially aDOGable. With its soft, tied collar, and two-tones of blue, this shirt is feminine without being cutesy, retro without being over-the-top. And the two Terrier pups in the corner are a delightful surprise. With its fine tailoring it could be considered “business-casual” but the puppies give it personality. Love it!

Pack Rat hurts less than getting kicked in the face with a golf shoe

I am a wuss when it comes to pain. Or, maybe, more accurately, I’m just very pragmatic. There’s no way that I would willingly subject myself to the feeling of a needle repeatedly being driven into my skin, no matter what the outcome. And while I love tattoos on other people, you’ll never see me sporting a butterfly or rose on my ankle. But no matter how practical I find them, tattoos are empirically pretty freaking cool. Well, co-wusses of the world rejoice along with me, because now there is a more stylish, more artistic, and less wiener-y option than sporting the temporary tattoo. Inkart 76 transfers the classic tattoo images from the Miami Ink studio on to a necklace you can take on and off at will–with no lifetime commitment. And they are super affordable, unlike the real thing. I get the sneaking suspicion that my personal favorite is apparently the designer’s top pick as well, because it is called “My Favorite Tattoo Necklace.” Just a guess, though. At $15, both your skin and your wallet will be pain free.

Heeey-yooooh! It’s magazine time again. Welcome to Issue #5 of Pack Rat, where the fun never ends. This issue we bring you fashion, art, and more crafts than you can shake a stick at. (Well, maybe you can shake a stick at them. I shouldn’t jump to conclusions about your ability to shake sticks at things.) Marvel at the creative prowess of Valiant clothing designer, Mykel Walker. Wonder at the thrifty chic fashion we found, all in the ballpark of $30. Thrill at the grotesque beauty unearthed at the Museum of Bad Art. Plus, we have some cool craft tutorials too.

Pack Rat isn’t suppose eat twiglets: they make us violent

Today’s featured item is from Harrilu. Yellow is the color of summer time sunshine and this Citrus and Coral Vines Shirt for $27 is an afternoon delight. I love the length and the cute cap sleeves. Also, the way the botanical silk screen comes out of the neckline is clever. Harrilu also specializes in baby apparel. A strange coincidence with yesterday’s Item Du Jour; maybe my biological clock is trying to tell me something? Yikes!

If you’re lost, you can look and you will find Pack Rat, time after time.

Here’s one for the mamas and the papas out there. Actually, this is for anyone who loves cross stitch. Tiny Modernist is an adorable baby apparel shop that sells onsies adorned with Eames and Eero Saarinen chairs. It’s enough to make this single girl want children. But whether or not you have little ones, you can appreciate the four pattern cross stitch package, which provides the patterns for four different types of modernist chairs. $12 will get you a pdf of the whole lot, or purchase them individually for $4 each. That’s divine design to me.

Pack Rat is going cold turkey as we quit our addiction to cold turkey.

Bonjour, mis amies. I feel like that is probably not spelled correctly, but I took Spanish in school, not French, so just considered it a best guess. If you are easing into the dog days of summer, and you’re looking for some footwear that will reflect your laid-back lifestyle, head over to Lady Harvatine’s blog and check out the sweet tutorial for summer slippers. (They’re like flip flops, but softer! and more cozy!) They are super stylish, and won’t make your feet sweat in the summer heat.

And this has absolutely nothing to do with anything, but blogger Liz Harvatine is originally from Connecticut. And as someone else originally from CT, this pleases me. There, I’ve said it. I’m a nutmegger.

Photo courtsey of Liz Harvatine

How fantastic is this? Alicia and David, from Badass Custom Decals are offering a special promo for all Pack Rat readers. If you order one of their awesome wall decals before the end of July, mention Pack Rat and you’ll receive an additional 10% off on your order. It’s rare that a good thing gets even better, but there it is folks. Check out the original post for more info

Pack Rat was kung fu fighting, this cat is fast as lightening

Today’s fun time purchase comes from Snorg Tees. Most of Pack Rat nation probably loves the handmade and the homespun. And if you do, then you are going to eat up this t-shirt. For only $16.95, you can let the world know that you are a master in Mixed Martial Arts…and Crafts. I love the idea of the craft ninja. I am a craft ninja.

Pack Rat wonders how Joel eats and breathes, and other science facts

I came across online store ModCloth while I was looking for something totally unrelated last week. That just goes to show how wacky the e-web is. After drooling over almost all of their vintage/vintage-inspired offerings, I settled on these Dirty Martini Peep Toe shoes. And it’s not just because they come in my mammoth size 10 shoe size. They are subtly retro and classy, not loud and gaudy like, say, go-go boots (not that I don’t love a good go-go boot). They are office ready and dress-up friendly. What’s not to love?

Pack Rat magazine’s alias is Nick Soapdish. It’s French.

Quick update on the magazine. Perhaps unsurprisingly we are running behind schedule. This time we have a pretty good excuse though, as we had a major computer crash and ongoing computer bugs that we are trying to deal with. We hope to have the July/August issue to you asap.

To that end, I’m going to keep these next few blogs brief. I found a “how-to” for these cunning oil cloth lunch sacks over on Martha Stewart’s website. It is actually the second time today that I have stumbled on to a website or article relating to Martha Stewart, and it’s not yet 10 am. I wonder if it’s some kind of sign?