I admit Mad Men has succeeded in making smoking look kinda cool and sexy again.  But then they don’t show us anyone gasping for their breath or dying of lung cancer after.  So Monkey Said Bear wants you to know we DO NOT recommend smoking, nor are we endorsing it in any way shape or form.  The actual alliterative title of the post should be “Pretend to Pick Your Poison…”

But i will confidently say that I adore the accessories.  This post was inspired by reading this and falling in love with the roulette dispenser on Don Draper’s desk:

(and you may be wondering if the Mad Men posts and references are going to stop anytime soon.  Well, friends…… No)

I went on a search and found some rather inexpensive options – some as quirky and kitschy as heck – some elegant, some modern.  For this post i’m focusing on the vintage.  I just might have to get me one.  But what else could I stock it with besides cigarettes?  Any ideas?

Vintage Reuge Music Box

French Vintage

Gone Global

Soviet Russian Leningrad Box

Mechanical Bird

But for now, i’m adoring these items i found via the loveliness featured on Modern Kiddo. Goodness, something feels just plain wrong with such small darling versions of fantasticness.

And stay tuned for a special little surprise at the bottom!

J.Crew’s kids line Crew Cuts

Not for play when the little ones are at their littlest. But always good for decoration.  Let Maya Made teach you how to make these Stone Dolls

Oh just Shut the Heck Up Already!!!!  midstate vintage

Seriously! I said Shut Up!

download this royal print, frame it or tack it up to encourage humble, sophisticated approach for your own sweet princess

Do i even need to say anything?  I think these Donna Wilson whimsical goodies speak for themselves.

And now for that special little surprise…  well, it’s more like a revealing cliffhanger i suppose….  are you hating me for getting your hopes up?  Well, don’t let them fall because very soon they will be met with our very first MonkeySaidBear Giveaway!!!  yahoo!!  We have now officially been posting for over a year and we are so thankful for each and every one of you readers.  So to reward you, we will have our first (hopefully of many) fun giveaway in which one of you will receive a very lovely and unique prize straight from us…. your favorite blog (right?).  Details forthcoming.  And if anyone is an artist or maker or creator of any sort, let us know if you’d like to contribute to future give-aways.  It’s a great way to get your goods out there… to our readers and for the enjoyment of big mouths who are certain to share their delight.

Breakfast is definitely my favorite meal of the day. Actually, it’s one of my favorite things, period. And since this is a blog where we share our favorite things, I’d like to list some of my favorite breakfast dishes and where to get them.

Favorite eggs: The Kentucky Farmhouse Scramble from Lynn’s Paradise Cafe. (pictured above): eggs scrambled with country ham, Jarlsberg cheese, and roasted red peppers, topped with fried onions, served with fried green tomatoes and biscuits with sorghum butter. with  Ever since this dish was featured on Food Network’s Throwdown with Bobby Flay, it’s the only thing I order when I go to Lynn’s.

Favorite pancakes: Cornmeal pancakes from Boone Tavern Hotel. So delicious!

Favorite French toast: A Nice Restaurant. Thick slices, loaded with cinnamon, perfect.

Favorite Donuts: Square Donuts. Sure, they’re fun-shaped, but they also taste amazing!

Favorite breakfast sandwich: Mcdonalds’ Sausage McMuffin with Egg. No road trip is complete without one. Following a close second is the  ACE of a BLT from Wild Eggs. Avocado, Cheddar, fried Egg, Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato on toasted sourdough. (pictured below)

How about you, dear readers? How do you like to start the day, and where? Any suggestions for best bacon? Best sausage? Best biscuits and gravy? Give us your picks in the comments, please.

Did you watch the premiere?  What do you think?  What are we in for this season? Any predictions?

Like Don Draper, we keep it all in the dark…

Lyndsy wins best costume

(from the view of my parent’s screen.  thump-THUmp-THUMP)

I don’t know if you’d ever be seeing Peggy, Joan, or any sassy secretaries in their Sunday casual at Sterling Cooper (Draper Price), but it’s certainly one 2010 ad agency convenience i’ll be taking advantage of.

(I can’t BELIEVE i’m actually putting a picture of myself on here.  Well, you can trust that I made her take it at more than one angle before being “ok” with it)

In honor of this Sunday’s premiere, i thought i’d go on and live it up a bit (as if i don’t actually do this normally).  I’ll also be participating in a Mad Men-themed webinar this afternoon.  I mean -it’s totally for work!! Perfect

I always tell people that even if they come in mid-season or don’t find themselves thrilled with the story-lines… (well, after i tell them they might be kinda lame)… they can still enjoy the Eye Candy.  Particularly in costume and set design.  You can find some fun behind-the-scenes videos here.  The one below is a particular favorite… preview of Season 4 wear-and-tear (you know exactly what i mean)

image via weheartit

If you follow us on Twitter (and if you don’t, what are you thinking?! go do it now) you’ll know that I, Wren, went to Deam’s lake last weekend to celebrate my friend Tyler’s birthday.

It was so nice to get away in our cut-off jeans and straw hats even if the water wasn’t much cooler than it was outside.

Here are some pics.  Is it the weekend again yet??

The Birthday Boy and his new flask.  He’s rather bright don’t you think?  (hahaha get it??)  btw- if you’ve never checked out this boy’s design skillz, DO IT NOW.

photo via ….

One of my very favorite favoritest Australian Beach Cottage blogs…well, favorite blog in general (seriously it’s like a little vacation in the middle of your work-day…just scroll down and be lost in wonder)… is giving away a special treat today.  I would tell you to go get it but i don’t want any more competition so maybe just start following her but don’t try to win.  k?

You’ll also find a witty and enjoyable convo with this inspiring lady.  Could this bloggin’ morning get any better?

Although I spent a week working as a counselor at a Christian camp two summers in a row during college, I never had the opportunity to “go away to camp,” like you see in movies.  If I had it to do over, I think I would like to spend my summers on one of the Pali Overnight Adventures. This company offers 16 specialty camps at their facility in California for kids ages 9-16.

Campers can choose from:

Extreme Action Adventure
Girl Power Extreme
Hollywood Stunt Camp
Motorsports Extravaganza
Secret Agent Camp
Watersports Extravaganza
Acting Academy
Broadcast Journalism
Dance Academy
Rock Star Camp
Culinary Institute
Fashion Design Institute
Film Institute
Magazine Publishing Camp
Movie Makeup Academy
Counselor in Training
Leadership

Hollywood Stunt Camp?! Movie Makeup Academy?!  Secret Agent Camp?!

My only questions are: “Where do I sign up?” and “Do you think I can pass as a 16-year old?”

Enjoying the line from Dear Creatures.

Nice sea-worthy classics with a Parisian flair.  They’re the feature deal on DailyCandy Swirl today and I took advantage of my $10 credit to purchase this…

I’d been looking for a nice easy breezy tunic-like top.  Done.

Couple of others i’m liking from this collection…

And I love when a clothing line gives me something pretty to look at – even when i don’t have enough money to purchase (although that might not matter once i actually see all the pretty-ness. those sneaky ones)