Showing posts with label Pretty Things. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pretty Things. Show all posts

7.19.2011

DIY Photo Frame

On a recent trip home from my parent's house, G and I stopped at this fun consignment store and found a beautiful - but empty - ivory frame. I knew the perfect place to hang it but I had no idea what to put inside. The same day, we made our usual weekend Home Depot stop and the rolls of chicken wire were calling my name. Some staples, clothespins and Instamatic photos later, I had this:

It's a work in progress...I'll add some of my favorite inspirational images, some dried flowers and a few other sentimental things. This is, literally, the first thing I see when I get out of bed - perfect!

Some of my inspiration came from the following:
All images found via Pinterest: 
fig. 2 from craftjr.com 
fig. 4 from blog.stylizimo.com
fig. 5 from diymaven.com
fig. 6  from stampington.com
 

7.14.2011

Art for Sale

Need to de-stress? Look for cheap art on Etsy!!! It's downright ahhhh-mazing how many super talented artists sell entire portfolios on my FAVORITE SITE EVER. I start smiling as soon as I start scrolling - a little inspiration definitely helps me unclench my jaw and leave my cuticles alone. Here are some current favorite illustration series (which are all in the running for a large blank wall that is driving me crazy):

This lovely artist says (on his Etsy store description), 'My designs incorporate a mixture of childhood experiences, dreams, and daily inspiration from my two kids.' LOVE it. 

These just make me happy - what's not to like? I think framed (bamboo border, perhaps?) on a white bathroom wall would be superb.

 
 

 I'm a sucker for block prints, especially in two of my fave colors. These are lovely, simple and make me want to keep looking. 
 
 
 
 
 Artists shown: 
Circles and Squares by David B. Cuzick  
SeeChangeDesign by Amy TerKeurst
dekanimal
 

4.04.2011

The Birds and the Bees

I THINK April showers have begun - better than snow, right? We had our first thunderstorm of 2011 today and afterward P and I could hear birds singing and ran around the yard pointing at all the pretty green sprouts poking up through the dirt.

Speaking of birds, I'm a sucker for anything bird, bee, botanical themed, which is why I fell in line with Apple & Bee's bold line of bags and stationery:











Aren't they lovely? Perhaps a special someone needs a pick-me-up or maybe you just need a treat! Happy Monday!

2.07.2011

In the Country

I don't know if it's all the chatter about Colin Firth's performance in The King's Speech or if I'm just in the mood for a vacation (or maybe a Valentine's getaway???), but I've been loading up our Netflix queue with some of my favorite English romance movies. I've also found myself bookmarking images of adorable countryside cottages and toile patterns...

Can't you see whipping up a cup of tea in that kitchen or taking a nap (while reading Pride & Prejudice, of course) in that living room?

(Image from Pride & Prejudice c/o prideandprejudice05.blogspot.com; interior images c/o birdsinthegarage.blogspot.com)


1.20.2011

A Little Bit of Everything

Without a set work schedule, I can't seem to fully complete anything. I start little bits of projects all day long but only end up with half-done laundry, a semi-finished bracelet and sloppy blog posts. Sigh.

Instead of writing about the pork tenderloin recipe I tried tonight (mostly because I forgot to take pictures of the results), I thought I'd share pictures of a lovely, meaningful and HANDMADE present P received from her Gigi and Grandpa. It's really too special for words (well, I'll tell you this much...it's a beautiful book of the alphabet made AND bound by hand out of tissue paper).

 
 
 
 

P seems to 'get' that it's special - she gently turns each page and carefully touches all the pictures to feel the texture of the paper. This will be one of those things she will have with her forever (along with Grandma's doll and Aunt J's rattle). Now I'm envisioning packing her up for college and putting these keepsakes in a box...then moving the box into her first apartment...her first home...giving them to her first child...YIKES! I'll never fall asleep if I start going down this road...goodnight!

1.18.2011

Vacuum Wars (Plus Golden Globes Faves)

I'm not shy when it comes to complaining about my struggles with dog hair. I love our dog, but I hate his hair. It's everywhere. No matter how much I clean, vacuum or keep him in one spot, it still shows up on every surface. I guess it never really bothered me until I had a baby who crawled - it's a total gross-out to lean in for a toddler kiss and see black hair poking out of her innocent rose-bud mouth.

So, desperate times call for desperate measures. I bit the bullet and ordered an iRobot Roomba Pet Series vacuum despite the hefty price tag.

Now. Close your eyes and picture the most beautiful thing you have ever seen...imagine a chorus of angels singing in the background...that is how I feel about my Roomba (we're currently tossing around names for our little saint). She is efficient. She is complaint-free. She cleans until she is completely spent. She recharges herself. Doesn't that sound wonderful!?!??! The only downside (and I hesitate to criticize such perfection) is that she is not self-cleaning. I find that this is a small price to pay for the ten hours a week I save from vacuuming.

I thought to fully illustrate my point, I should show some results. I will warn you that some of the images may be slightly nauseating.

 
 
 

Did you tune in to the Golden Globes? Overall, I have to say the fashion turn-out was kind of boring. I think everyone (aside from poor Helena Bonham-Carter) played it safe. I still managed to have my favorites...it was great to see so much color and clean, beautiful hair.

 Emma Stone in a peach Calvin Klein sheath. 

 Mila Kunis (did you hear Natalie Portman call her 'sweet-lips'???!!!) in Vera Wang.

 Anne Hathaway in a beaded (and back-baring) Armani Privé.

Kyra Sedgewick  in a frilly Emilio Pucci.

12.10.2010

For the Ladies

Oooooo! This was SO much fun to put together. Between amazing handmade items to accessories with sparkles, sparkles, sparkles, it was really hard to choose the best of the best. I THINK I narrowed it down to the most swoon-worthy...

 
 
 
Gap 'Always Skinny' Cords - $59 (they are the BEST!)
Bird Sweater - $128
Domino - $21
Terrarium - $139
Bird bowl - $65
Tape - Prices vary
Twig ring - $55
Watch - $48
Calendar - $28
 

11.22.2010

Rainbow Colors

I tend to gravitate toward bright colors during the winter months but always have a hard time determining what shades actually looks good on me. I LOVE bright yellow but it tends to make me look like I have jaundice. I ADORE a deep red (especially in jackets) but it somehow accentuates the circles under my eyes and draws attention to my ever-growing roots. Eggplant always draws my attention but the effect gives me the complexion of a vampire.

After 30-odd years of experimenting, I've finally come to the conclusion that blues, pinks and deep greens are my colors. As for the rest, I can adoringly watch from afar or buy as presents...sigh.

11.15.2010

Tweed, Please

A preppy staple since Coco Chanel introduced it in the 1950s, the tweed jacket is popping up all over the place. I am currently picturing myself in a cropped version, a silky sleeveless top, dark skinny jeans and my new leather flats...

A few top choices:
Top to bottom: MINKPINK, GAP, Milly, Malene Birger, Plastic Island, Frenchi

11.04.2010

New Favorite Things

Buika (reminds me of our honeymoon):


MiH Jeans ('The Marrakesh' is on my list to Santa):

Photo courtesy of Just Luxe.

 
By Boe: Don't you just want EVERYTHING? Great pieces for layering:

The clog boot - GENIUS - at Madewell:


Terrariums to fight the grayness outside:
 
Photo courtesy of Katie Elliott.
Photo courtesy of Rio McThorne.
Photo courtesy of Curbly.

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