Sunday, December 27, 2009

Update

I've decided that this is the perfect time of year for a bit of a staycation. I'm going to read a book or two (it's been a while), make some things, travel a bit via Keith Johnson, and hang out with the family. I'll meet you back here just after New Years.
Rubie Green

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Back Soon

Wildly absorbed with pre-Christmas preparations. Be back soon with a dress update.
NZ House & Garden

Monday, December 21, 2009

Last Minute

Looking for a last minute gift idea? You can find perfect printable calendars galore at Etsy. Take a peek. This one is from Mibo Studio.

The Week Ahead

Let the whirlwind that is the week before Christmas begin! Presents to wrap (even still there are some to buy). Cookies to make, a dress to finish. The children need their Christmas Eve attire still and a tree is yet to be decorated here. We usually have 6 of them. One in each of the childrens' bedrooms, an aluminum tree in Husband's office, the family tree upstairs in the loft and a pretty one for me in the living room. Excessive, I know.

*Image can be found and used from Vintage Printables. I used this one for my December postcard, I like it so much. Which reminds me, Christmas cards to send. . .

Friday, December 18, 2009

Found Accidentally

I want this dress. I adore this dress.
Henrik Vibskov at Creatures of Comfort

Thursday, December 17, 2009

On the Wall

The subtle colors in this coat of arms look amazing.
House Beautiful

Versatility

Also fantastic worn. Find them at Vintage Vendor, Kathryn's Nostalgic & New, and Miss Crowland Leather.

Inspiration

Beautifully inspiring coat of arms drawing from 1485. I'd love a simple coat of arms hung on my fireplace.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Out of the Office

Out today. Very important business. Shopping for Christmas. Wish me luck.
Harrah's

Monday, December 14, 2009

Cultivating Ideas

I mentioned that my winter gardening has not been all that successful as of yet but seeing this image has me thinking that if I could convince Husband to build a greenhouse, all that could change rather quickly. Wouldn't that be fun?!
Martha Stewart

An Observation

We live in such a great time as far as the availability of artistry is concerned. I really think that this time will be spoken of in history books as one similar to the Art Nouvea movement. Gone are the days when only mass production is available to the masses. This beautiful calendar from The Wild Unknown which was featured on Design Sponge over the weekend, is a prime example. I don't have words to express just how lovely I think that it is, strange to be moved by such a thing but so it goes. Calendar options are endless at Etsy. Here's one in particular that may be under the tree this year.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Cozy

Don't you just love these pieces from Anthropologie? Keeping warm was never so beautiful.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

I hope that your weekend is just what you need.
Skona Hem

Friday, December 11, 2009

Stress

Today is the last working day of class (boy that went quick). My dress (this isn't it, but might as well be) is far from finished. I've been too intimidated to work on it at home. Why did I pick such a difficult pattern?! Oh, I know because it will be awesome when/if it is completed. Getting nervous, the plan is to wear it Christmas Eve. That day is getting very close. Hoping for speed and super sewing skills.
Image via Geometric Sleep

*Update- Thank goodness for extensions!!

Procrastination/Planning

If I ever get around to Christmas decorations here, I'd like to end up with something like this. Of course as soon as I want burlap ribbon, I can't find it anywhere.
Southern Accents

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Coordination

I haven't gotten the tree up yet but I'm busy trying to work out the wrapping scheme for the few things that will go under it. I love this simple/messy look. Then there's this from Martha, print your own paper. I'm sure that there will be many other great ideas sprouting up over the next few weeks. Do you have a plan? I know I'm not the only one who spends too much time thinking about such things.
Skona Hem

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Show and Tell

These are the rain boots I ended up with to wear into the winter garden (see previous want post here). The garden doesn't look like it's going to be very successful but I am so happy to be tending it in these. I find them to be quite adorable and we all know that is a very important thing even for a garden boot.

Just Right

Old, worn and beautiful.
Skona Hem

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Favorite Things

My favorite things today are vintage metal boxes. They have so many uses, hairpins, safety pins, buttons, recipes, and that's just the small ones. The list goes on and on. Not only are they utilitarian, (which happens to be my favorite word at the moment) they are also beautiful. There are so many styles, that they can really be a personal gift. For instance, the honeycomb pillbox is so me that I'm certain Husband will be giving it to me for Christmas this year. I can hardly wait.
Minus One, Uncharted, Macho Machismo Vintage

Monday, December 07, 2009

Color Crush

Brown (see bedding and wallpaper above) is my favorite right now. I've been noticing it everywhere. I've been dying to use a large check brown gingham in some way, any way, in my wardrobe. I saw an old dresser in a thrift store painted brown with gold(ish) knobs. It was beautiful. So, I want it in my decor too.
Elle Decor

Sunday, December 06, 2009

Wovens

Sheila, don't you think this would make a great woven scarf pattern, the pattern to the left and right of the door? I don't know, maybe it's not even possible but wow. A rug would be even better.
Taschen

Friday, December 04, 2009

Embellishment

Pretty little shoe-clips, the perfect party going accessory. Find them at B. Poetic.

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Stripes

Oh, I wonder how painted stripes work on orange peel textured walls! My pantry could certainly benefit from some extra attention.

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Textile Love

I adore these screen printed tile fabrics from textile designer, Karen Barbe! They will all come together into quilts. Fantastic.

Making Time

Yesterday I spent time with my *grandparents. They live only an hour away but somehow I've let that seem much farther than it is. No more. We had lunch and talked just them and me. My grandma taught me new embroidery stitches. My grandpa told me stories. It was the best and better yet, we'll be doing it once a month, every month.

*They've been married for 65 years. That's a wonder to ponder, isn't it? 65 years!

Monday, November 30, 2009

Versatility

You know I love, love, love a beat up, well worn kitchen table. You can just tell that this table is used for just about everything. Pictures are painted here, bills are paid here, food is loved here. I'm certain that the chairs get moved out of the way regularly for obvious things like rolling out dough and just as often for less obvious things like cutting out patterns & stamping fabric.
Cottage Living

Treasure Hunt

Somehow, somewhere, almost all of our teaspoons have disappeared. We realized one night as the table was being set for dinner that our everyday set of utensils was down to only 3 spoons. I suspect the youngest of our bunch. What she's done with them, I don't know.

Now the last time we purchased everyday silverware, it was hard. We were on a tight budget and the options in our price range where few. It took quite a bit of research and some compromise. Now we are on a tighter budget and I don't have the desire to do so much research in this area at this time.

This time around, I'm taking the easy way. We are thrifting spoons. I'm a little excited about it. Today my two eldest girls searched through a box of spoons at a thrift store and came up with 10 beauties for $2 total. They are pleased that we now have fancy spoons along with a spoon from Denny's, a spoon from United Airlines and even one with the initial B which suits one of them well. I am happy that the job is done.

They had so much fun doing it, I think our collection is sure to keep growing.
The Selby via sfgirlbybay

Friday, November 27, 2009

More

If yesterday's feast left you culinarily inspired and hungry for more of such meals, visit Sunday Suppers today.
Karen Mordechai

Thursday, November 26, 2009

For You

I'd bring you these flowers were I your guest today for dinner and at the table when it was my turn to say what I'm thankful for, I'd simply say "a lot" because it just seems most accurate. Enjoy your day.
Martha Stewart

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Collected

This print by knitalatte from Resurrection Fern is fantastic. So are all the rest.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Checking In

Are you hosting? What's your tabletop scheme?

I usually go a little crazy trying to get the perfect table. I'm a guest this year but if it where here, I'd be keeping it simple. Something like this, feathers for sure, stamped in either brown or a deep purple on an heavy, natural linen colored, muslin type fabric and hemmed into napkins. It's a little strange for me to not be rushing around trying to get everything just right but I sure am enjoying it. My main concern is what to wear and that's more than enough.

Monday, November 23, 2009

To Do

It's a short week. I lose focus fast. I need a list.

1. Menu and groceries.
2. Finish couch in bedroom.
3. Clean office.
4. Mop floors.
5. Work on drapes for the dining room.

*Note to self- Work in order, NO skipping ahead!

Friday, November 20, 2009

It's Not Just A Phase

The moon is one of my favorite things. I don't feel like photography captures it's true beauty but I do love these pieces of the phases of the moon. A lot.
Art.com

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Tell Tale

What says alot about a person? Why, the number of books they own, the titles of those books and the way in which they are stored. I'm partial to stacks, lots and lots of stacks.
Domino

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Things I Want

A house in the country. One we'll have to drive a distance to get to. The furniture will have dust covers and I'll have to head over early to open up the house for the family. We'll stay for the summers. We'll have dinner parties there to open and close the season and invite our friends for long weekends. Sometimes we'll head over just for a weekend as a special treat. It will be dreamy.
Martha Stewart via Absolutely Beautiful Things

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Cozy

Oh, the color combinations here. I adore the blue with the orangy reds. Such a warm space.
Dave Coote via Bromeliad

Monday, November 16, 2009

ReVisiting

We've broached this subject before but I feel it's important to reiterate my love for the art work of Viv Strauss.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Daydreaming

In one of my most often reoccurring fantasies, I am the buyer for our local public library and I ensure for all people like me that the good books with lots of beautiful pictures and the ones with detailed instructions on how to make stuff are always in supply. It's a perfect world.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Completed Project

Here it is! Basic Industry Sewing Class Project #1! You might remember that I set out to copy a JCrew look so I've added a leather belt and a cardigan to make up my ensemble today. This is the first time I've worn the skirt. I'm very pleased. I'm sure that in no time at all I will own this skirt in many different fabrics. It's inevitable. It's how I shop, find something I like that fits (hard to do, I'm tall) and then buy one in every color then wear it until it wears out and start all over again.

Change of Plans

Oh, thank goodness Husband hasn't built the backyard guest house/shed yet! I wonder, do we have the room for one like this? I feel I just have to have it. Can you imagine? How fun.
via Interior Divide

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Bright Spot

Love these colorful coat racks. Imagine coming in from a dreary day to hang your coat and umbrella here. Wouldn't it be nice?
Urban Outfitters