Thursday, December 30, 2010

Inevitable

With the New Year just around the corner, it is inevitable, impossible to resist the urge the organize. Industrial shelving is such a versatile and affordable option. Once piles of fabric, books and baubles are placed on them, there is a beautiful contrast to the sternness of their structure. There's nothing I like more than that kind of contrast. Find them here.
Image via Automatism

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Sparkle

Wouldn't this be perfect to wear on New Year's Eve?!
Giant Dwarf

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

That Time

I hope everyone had a perfect holiday. I did and now I'm looking forward to the new year. It'll be time for a new calendar, this one is beautiful.
Dea + Bean

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Wrap

Contractor's paper is my favorite wrap. I've been using it exclusively for a few years now. I love it's versatility. It can be dressed up to look as glamorous as these or left alone and have a vintage postal package feel. The components for this years gifts will be paper, masking tape, and golden paper dessert doilies, a white pen and some yarn/ribbon in a color that has yet to be determined. Now I just need to get to it!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Travels

I had the most pleasant surprise of an unexpected gift in the mail on Friday. A copy of Paris Handmade was sent to me by a friend. So, of course, my weekend was spent dreaming of visits to all of the Parisian shops that fill it's pages. That's not a bad way to spend a few days!
Pia Jane Bijkerk

Friday, December 17, 2010

More Knitted Loveliness

Another adorable and unexpected knitted scarf. This one can be found at Emmadime.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Forecast

There's rain in our forecast from now until Christmas. It's perfect, natures way of slowing things down. Who wants to go out to run errands when they can be sitting by a warm fire instead?!
Country Home

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Dear Santa,

If I were making a list this year, it'd look like this but I think a simple gift of Honey Bees to benefit someone less fortunate via Heifer International would be even better.
Jayson Home and Garden, JCrew

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Teasures

So much unique loveliness to be found at Lucie Ellen.

Monday, December 13, 2010

With the Grain

Breads are a favorite in our household; dumplings, Beirocks (hand held German meat pies), Kuchen and cinnamon rolls. All of which are made on an extra large cutting board that hides in our kitchen cabinet. I love the idea of an exposed work station instead.
Country Home

Fascinating

"Fifty years ago, a group of Italian scholars gathered together to discuss a problem: how to preserve traditional Italian cooking. They formed the Italian Academy of Cuisine to document classic recipes from every region. The academies more than seven thousand associates spread out to villages everywhere, interviewing grandmothers and farmers at their stoves, transcribing their recipes-many of which had never been documented."- Jayson Home and Garden

Thursday, December 09, 2010

Easy Does It

Completely, madly in love with this style.
This is Glamorous

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Wants, Needs, Desires

Entertaining a mild obsession with an antique secretary desk on craigslist this morning. All I can see is potential but try as I might, I can't figure out anywhere to put it in our house. It's a classic case of not needing it until I see it.

Monday, December 06, 2010

Monday Morning Update

Thank you to everyone who's been asking how I'm doing. Things are going well so far. I've had two of four weeks of chemo/radiation treatment and really shouldn't complain (I'll save that for later, if it becomes necessary) because other than being exhausted and not feeling well, it has not been horrible. I simply spend most days laying on the couch.

I am a lucky girl though. I've never appreciated my husband as much as I do at this moment in our lives. He is working hard to make this easier on me. My family is supportive and in one week, all of my siblings and I will be together for the first time in a year. I consider us to be 4 parts of a whole so a year is a long time to be apart. People have been wonderful to me. Food has been arranged for us 3 nights a week, I get cards in the mail nearly every day and all I have to do is ask and I am taken care of. Want to go on a walk, done. Want to have some company, done. These are the things that really make a difference.

Mondays are my chemo therapy days right now and even with things going as well so far as they have, it's enough to make me want to just stay in bed because each week is daunting not knowing if it will be a good one or not. But in turn, every week brings me that much closer to putting this whole situation to bed and that is something I am looking forward to very much. So for now, it's full steam ahead.

Thank you for supporting me here, I have the best readers in the world!

Sunday, December 05, 2010

Decor

I'm beginning to give some thought to holiday decorating. My big plans are for hand stitched mushroom ornaments with sequins and embroidered details. With so many beautiful natural forms to use as models, I can't help but think that this is a motif that I will be quite happy with.

Friday, December 03, 2010

Note to Self

Someone might find this knotted scarf under the tree from me this year. Of course, that's assuming I can manage to pick up a few more knitting skills like increasing and slipping off purl wise. Both sound so simple but are not proving to be as of yet. Doing my best to keep in mind, "patience, is a virtue".

*Shelia pointed me in the right direction for improving my knitting skill, if you're wanting to do the same, go here.

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Perfect Find

Found two vintage horse trophies via Modish Vintage. They've been a perfect addition to the horse theme bedroom our eldest and I have been slowly piecing together for her.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

A Color Story

Love this simple color palate and the feeling of warmth that it gives. Even just a hint of that coppery color goes a long way and more of it is even better.
BHG, Country Living, ?

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Rue

I'm being completely honest when I tell you, I've been thinking of doing this very thing, antlers from tree branches. It really works. Rue magazine read my mind.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Monday Morning Musing

found via Zesty Nest

All Day

Given the option, today, I'd rather hide under the covers.
Marie Clare Mason

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Beautiful

This is only one example of the fine work to be found at Irregular Expressions, be sure to take a look.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Perfect

Today I'm loving the idea of using multiple bird prints in my master bedroom! Thinking about all of the color that would be introduced; not to mention the beauty and interest, it just seems perfect. I've been at a bit of a standstill in that room since I attempted to reupholster the couch there. Which I did immediately after getting a new kitten. That turned out to be a bad idea. But now, the couch is being sent out to the upholsterer for completion and I think I'll start searching out some prints.
Canadian House & Home

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Fun

Vintage stamps available at Anthropologie, 50 in each envelope, a great beginning for a collection!

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Please Note

Posts here will be few and far between for now. The snag I mentioned a few weeks back is actually more like an unraveling of sorts in the form of cervical cancer. The long and short of which means surgeries (#2 tomorrow) and then chemo therapy and radiation treatment for 6 weeks as soon as I've recovered from that. I'm not looking forward to any of it but I know I can do it. I've had many life experiences that have been far from ideal and so I hope that they might have prepared me for dealing with something like this. . . and I am ever an optimist. I will be fine but it will be awhile. So, send a healing vibe my way if you have some energy to share and I'll be forever grateful. I'll be back here as I am able.
Wolf House Vintage

P.S.-Please know that I hate to air such private real life ugliness online but I hate to just stop posting without an explanation and I know that "life" happens to all of us so you'd probably forgive my social faux pas with that in mind.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Femininity

Don't you just love the complete and absolute femininity of this little space?!
Living Etc.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Monday Morning Musing

Warrior- 1.) One who is engaged in or experienced in battle. 2.) One who is engaged aggressively or energetically in any activity, cause or conflict.
Simply Photo via We Love Indie

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Time

It's time to plant bulbs for spring blooms. While I'm not very good at delayed gratification, I make an exception when it comes to bulbs. For all of the hard work it takes to plant them, the rewards are many; years and years of beautiful blooms. Plus they increase in the number of flowers each year, entirely on their own! This year, I'm in favor of the daffodil, Accent. The color combination is just so pretty.
Paper Boats

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Field Trip

In case you haven't yet, I suggest a trip to visit Erie Basin (the shop and the blog). I can spend hours there.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Family Function

It's happened, we had rain yesterday and more on the way today so immediately we begin to think about cold weather foods. Chili, soups, stews, and breads; anything that simmers all day on the stove top. One of our favorite things to do as a family involves getting together in our kitchen with another family. We all work together to cook and eat all day long. It makes us all so happy.

Looking at this kitchen, I just know that it works wonders for cooking together in a group. Two tables tops ready to be covered with flour and dough to be rolled out, a double oven, a huge stove and lots of open counter top, divine.
House Beautiful

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Therapy

My yard and garden and I have become a bit detached over the last few months. Our summer was unusually mild so garden production was disappointing. I have been preoccupied so I've hardly set foot into the yard in ages. Today, I have the day off, I think I'll spend it outside.
House Beautiful

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Must Have

I'm a lover of lace. Not every lace, I'm sure you understand but there are many that capture my fancy and this application is one.
papermash

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Inspirational

Feminine and mildly dramatic, I like it.
1st Option

Monday, October 11, 2010

A Review

I have to say that for the most part, I love the Tucker line available at Target right now. The prints are perfect as are the length of the dresses. The only thing I don't love is that they're made from 100% Polyester and I'm not sure if I can bring myself to wear them just for that reason. I really want to though.
Target

Monday Morning Musing

A perfect little sentiment.
(?)

Saturday, October 09, 2010

Infatuation

Yes, I'm still stuck on American Indian style. . . therefore, I am hopelessly in love with this necklace from Mania Mania.
Shiny Squirrel via We Love Indie

Friday, October 08, 2010

Sealed

I have to tell you, I adore this art piece because of it's complex simplicity. Simple in that it has been created simply using wax seal stamps. Complex in that search for said stamps (the perfect ones for the project) could become rather time consuming. I will now be on the look out at every estate sale from now on though,that is for sure.

Staple


I am fairly certain that a denim shirt will be one of the staples of my wardrobe this fall.
Madewell

Thursday, October 07, 2010

Interest

A monochromatic doesn't mean dull. Look at all this variety in textures. I'm interested, I love the layered look!
Coastal Living

Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Someday

The perfect backyard shed is still not a reality for me. Maybe the dreaming part is the best part, I may never know. For now, I have to say; dark paint, white trim with plants growing up the side is an exciting option to consider for someday.
Country Living

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Cheat

So often maps are full of beautiful colors so why not cover the walls completely in those tones? I've found that it works wonders to use the various colors from one map as the color scheme for the entire house; a cheat sheet of sorts.
House Beautiful

Thanks

Getting back to it all this week. I appreciate your kind words and the time away. I won't bore you with the details, let's just get back to pretty things. . .
Papermash

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Snag

Friends, I've run into a little snag. Nothing that can't be mended but I'll have to take a little time off to do so. I won't be posting for a week or two but I do hope to be able to do some visiting to your blogs between now and then. See you back here soon. Karyn
Clare Owen

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Compromise

If they can't be built-ins, I see know reason why they can't have character. Love the added touches to these two cabinets. Paper or lace?
Home Life, ?

Monday, September 13, 2010

Opinionated

As far as I'm concerned, whoever first decided to stop using built in shelves, had the wrong idea.
Domino, City Sage, Marie Claire Mason