I’ll be the first to admit I’m not an outdoorsy kind of person. I prefer the warmth and protection of the indoors and the conveniences of modern technology. But mention Greer, Arizona and my heart flutters. When I was growing up, my family and a large group of our family friends camped every long Labor Day weekend in Greer. Our campsite became a familiar retreat where I was able to grow, learn, and explore. It was where I first truly learned to play poker and where we all heard that Princess Diana had been tragically killed. It was a constant in my ever-changing developmental years. The weather was always wonderful, even the rain (and that’s a lot coming from me). The food always tasted better in Greer and the fishing was always plentiful. I haven’t been back for several years, but I always feel warm and nostalgic when I remember all the great times we had there.

Fred Flare specializes in fun clothing, housewares, and accessories that are all a little bit kitschy and a lot funny. Some of my favorite things they carry are the things that look like food, but aren’t.

Candy Stash zipper wallet - $18
Bacon Bandages - $9
Peanut Butter and Jelly pouch - $12
Potato Chips pouch - $10
Stuck Up magnet set - $10
Petit Four lip balm set - $18
Dessert erasers - $12
Juno cheeseburger phone - $26
Ice Cream lamp - $48

By far the most frequently visited post on this blog is from this past April on Exposed Bulb Fixtures. I really love the look and can’t seem to get enough of them. It looks like the trend is clustered fixtures, providing impact through numbers. Here are a few I think are really charming and would be so fun to have in my home.

Firefly pendant lamp from CB2 - $199

Cluster pendant from West Elm - $199

Train station swing-arm sconce from Restoration Hardware - $129 for small, $149 for large

Exeter 16-jar pendant from Pottery Barn - $319

Brass and Nickel cage light from Tracey Kessler - $185