etsy wishlist

this and this from The Little Stitch
this, this, and this from Little Black Duck.
this from Bailey Doesn't Bark.

The talent out there amazes and inspires me. Thank goodness for a place like Etsy to showcase it all.

the magic of polaroid

I remember when I was in sixth grade spending the afternoon at my best friend at the time’s house. Like most middle-schooler’s we quickly got bored with whatever it was we were doing and started looking around for something else to do. We eventually found her mom’s Polaroid camera, and spent the next few hours photographing all sorts of things and then waiting in anticipation for each little picture to develop. I actually still have a few of those pictures tucked away in a box in the closet. Every time I pull them out, I feel a surge of happiness remembering that lovely day. We’ve lost touch over the years, and I never knew whether she got in trouble for using up all her mom’s film, but what I do know is that seeing those pictures form from nothing right in front of our eyes was like magic, and we loved every minute of it.

There are 25 photographers out there who feel exactly the same way about the magic of Polaroid and together they compiled a book of arresting and inspiring photos titled “For the Love of Light – A Tribute to the Art of the Polaroid.” Created and edited by Jenifer Altman, the book invites us see the world through these talented photographers’ eyes.

I can’t wait for my copy to arrive. You can order one too. Just click here. You’ll get a limited edition numbered copy (one of 500) and a limited edition 5x5 print from the book.

offensive + delightful

I got a real kick out of this kooky, hip, witty, retro-inspired line of greeting cards from Offensive + Delightful. They're definitely not intended for anyone who takes himself too seriously. Or maybe they're just the thing for that somebody to get 'em to lighten up!

My faves: Hey Baby * So Old * Welcome * Happy * Thank You

I spotted these first on Design Crush... a very lovely blog full of very lovely things.

photo inspiration

I've never been more inspired to take a photography class than I was after I started looking at these amazing food shots at Dapan's Kitchen on Flickr. {That and I've never wanted to lick my computer screen more!} The images are simply delightful. And of course, I went right to the "Sweet by Dapan" set and haven't been able to think about anything but getting something sweet to eat since.

Wouldn't it be lovely to see a few of your favorites printed and framed? Here are mine. The calm simplicity of the photos is really just beautiful.

Black Sesame Cookies & Chai Cake

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"Summer is Back" on Hele's Flickr photostream.

"Summer afternoon... to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." ~Henry James

Have a wonderful weekend!

let's shop: mothology

I have been oohing and aahing over this site for months now and thought it was high-time to write a little bit about it. I don't need to say much... one look and you'll be hooked. But just in case you need a little extra urging I will say this: the vintage French table ware, linens and home accessories are out of this world.

My faves are {drumroll please}:


These hand-blown translucent blue milk glass vases and hurricanes.
A petite white ceramic pot de crème with a teeny birdie finial.
This delicate, sky-high glass pastry stand .
A newly made table runner that looks like antique French linen.

Check out everything else from Mothology here.

smitten kitten

Who doesn't need to jot down a note here or there throughout the day? I'm always scribbling phone messages and notes from my boss down on whatever piece of paper happens to be lying on my desk, and as you can imagine I've misplaced a few of those messages more than once. I wouldn't have to scramble for a spot to jot if I had one of these cute memo pads with a vintage wallpaper cover from Smitten Kitten. And I love the pencil holder!

(Memo pads shown are Deco and Picnic.)

design inspiration: bathroom decorating

Before I can get to the point of this post, I have a confession to make - one that I'm embarrassed to admit to anyone who is not my husband or my dog (and frankly, the only reason they know is because they live with me). I’m just going to throw it out there {like ripping off a band-aid, right?} My favorite show on TV right now is "Denise Richards: It's Complicated".

I cannot believe I’m admitting this.

I remember months back seeing the commercials and thinking, oh good lord, here's another one looking to get another 15 minutes. What on earth could she possibly do with a reality show? {Am I really so quick to forget how deliciously addicting reality TV can be?}

So anyway, there I am a couple weeks ago doing some Sunday night channel surfing, when I end up on E! and an episode of “It’s Complicated” that was about 5 minutes in. Denise was in her reality-TV splendor, and I was hooked. Now I’m even Tivo-ing it.

A lot of the episodes feature scenes in Denise’s bathroom, and every time there is a bathroom scene, I find myself completely enamored with its loveliness. First of all, it’s huge with soft white walls framing a dark wood floor. The extra-long vanity is on one wall with an enormous framed mirror hanging above. On the counter sit vases of roses and framed family photos. A large round tufted ottoman swathed in soft, ultra-feminine shabby chic fabrics sits in front of a white fireplace and is the place for friends to perch and talk. On one end is the shower and on the other is a soaking tub with white painted cabinets that are perfectly distressed on either end. The bathroom exudes femininity and is just so pretty.

I’d love to have a bathroom like this to call my own, and if I did… I’d fill it up with these:


Mirrored Vanity from Lorin Marsh.
Neblina Chandelier from Ironies.
Rustic Bleached Out Bonnetiere From Heather & Company, Inc.
Cloverleaf Ottoman from 1st Dibs.

Alltop Women

In case you haven't already, check out Alltop for "all the top stories". Described as "a digital magazine rack," its got tons of websites and blogs ranging from all different topics from A as in Anime to Y as in Yoga (sorry, there aren't any Z's!) The very organized site is super easy to use. I love going to Alltop Women, where I've seen a lot of my favorite blogs plus found others that I never would have known about. If an article looks interesting, you just hover your mouse over it to read a blurb of the story, and then you can decide whether you want to read more. There's LOTS of reading enjoyment here! Go ahead - see for yourself!

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Ahh... Friday!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

It's gonna be a hot one.

Happy Girls Under a Rainbow by Pink Sherbet Photography.
Check out the rest of the amazing - coloful! - photography here.

(I'm going to be away on a work trip for the next couple weeks and will have little to no access to a computer while I'm gone. I've got a few posts lined up for you and look forward to getting back into the swing of things in August. See you soon! ~Kristin)

recipe(s) to try: brunch delight (with Smitten Kitchen)

How many synonyms are there for the word yummy? Hmm... Let’s see. There's delicious, delectable, lip-smacking, and scrumptious. Mouthwatering, tasty and toothsome. And still many others I'm sure. You get the point - there’s a lot. Well, you’re going to need every one once you start scrolling through Smitten Kitchen.

I love to look through recipes and have tons of bookmarks and favorites saved to show for it. Not to mention the countless copies that have been printed off and stuffed into my recipe keepers at home. Smitten Kitchen is always one of my go-tos when looking for a new recipe. So, naturally, this is where I stopped when I wanted to find something to make for brunch this weekend. I actually found twelve somethings. But with only one oven? Looks like I’ve got some narrowing down to do.

From top left: Raspberry-Topped Lemon Muffins * Rich Buttermilk Waffles * Leek and Swiss Chard Tart * German Pancakes * Big Crumb Coffee Cake * Pumpkin Muffins * Dream a Little Dream of Scone * Boozy Baked French Toast * Coconut Macaroon Pancakes * Spinach Quiche * Zucchini Bread * Whole Wheat Apple Muffins

Thank you, Deb, for the wonderful recipes! Your photos are just dreamy!

bottoms up!

I’m so not the type who waits for a special occasion to break out the bubbly. It’s too tasty to have only at weddings or for ringing in the New Year. Nope, I’ll enjoy a glass any old night of the week, for no special reason at all.

And after finding these, now I really want to have a glass: Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup.

Just drop a bud into the bottom of a glass, pour in some of the sweet pink syrup, top it off with champagne (or anything else that fizzes), and watch as it slowly blooms into a dazzling flower. The makers say the edible buds taste like raspberry and rhubarb… a perfect complement to champagne.

At only $13.95 for a jar of eleven, I think these are definitely worth a try. Cheers!

Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup available via Firebox

let's shop: pedlars 2

Just when I thought I'd seen everything there was to see on Pedlars, I went and spotted these.

Truly loving the perpetual calendars - great vintage industrial designs that would look perfect on any modern-day desk. And they're green too! You can use these good-lookin' gadgets over and over and over again.

let's shop: pedlars

What fun it is to go "window shopping" across the pond right from my cozy desk seat! Actually, it’s about all I can do with the dollar/Euro exchange rate being what it is now-a-days, but I digress. Anyway, let’s talk about the oodles of goodies over at Pedlars.com. Organized by department (home life, out and about, pure fun to name a few), it’s easy to wander through the site ogling the lovely objects along the way. Here are just a few of my favorites that I found while scouting around this afternoon.
A collection of mismatched printers' blocks. Spell whatever you like with the lovely assortment of perfectly patinated blocks. They’re all a bit distressed and loaded with character.
The folks over at Pedlars say this copper bowl was hand-hammered in Istanbul from 50 year old Turkish copper. Sounds just delightful to me. I love the hammered pattern and could see a collection of these displayed on a kitchen wall.
I can’t say that I’d actually use this vintage wasp catcher as it was intended, but I do fancy the gorgeous hand blown look and could certainly see using it as a candle holder or putting a few together on a shelf as a whimsical collection of corked bottles.

I don't even like hard-boiled eggs, but that doesn't mean I can't take a second look at these friendly little knitted egg cosies. Hello little chicken and kitty-cat!

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Laugh with friends * Sleep in * Relax in the sunshine* Be merry * Share your love

Enjoy every moment of your weekend!

Photo from girlhula.

this makes me happy

I could watch it over and over and over.

Thanks, Megan for passing this along.

You can also watch it here.

i'm addicted

Is there help out there for a girl like me? A girl who goes gaga every time she sees a lovely white piece of porcelain or pottery? I think I'm gonna need it... especially after spying this amazing set of Pierced Plates at Burke Decor. Each delicate, lacey pattern is different. And so purdy.

Want a set for yourself? ... just click here!

too cool for drool

With all the new mommas and mommas-to-be in my group, I'm always on the lookout for cute baby accessories. These definitely fit the bill! Sweet bibs and burpies from Bean Pickle Sprout. They're hand-made (sometimes from vintage fabrics) with adorable birdie appliqués. The made-to-order bibs are just $10.

thoughts on collecting

It all started when I was installing a Client in her new home. She was unpacking her exquisite milk glass collection, and as each piece was unwrapped I felt myself getting more and more excited to see what beautiful object would come next. Her collection is stunning. The mix of shapes and textures molded out of creamy white glass is so perfectly pretty. Each has a story, and she couldn’t have been happier to share some of those stories with me. And, oh how much I wanted a few of those pieces for my own!

That’s when I knew… I wanted to start collecting milk glass too.

I’ve always loved it… why not collect it? My mom’s “chicken bowl” is one of my favorites (the lidded bowl is shaped like a fat hen), and my grandmother has several covetable serving pieces that get brought out to the Thanksgiving table year after year. I’ve seen just how lovely a collection can look grouped together on bookcase shelves or in a hutch.

So that’s that. I’m going to collect milk glass.

Photo: "Things" on Fieryeyed's Flickr.

couldn't have said it better

Care to join me?

Getting back into the swing of things after a long weekend is always so hard. Wouldn't this be the perfect way to ease into Monday?

(photo from Eirarara on Flickr)

birthday wishes

Happy birthday, Jason!
May you always have plenty of cowbell.

(Photo from Danarah on Flickr)

the weekend is here

...and it's early!

Pop * Boom * Bang

Sparkle

Time to celebrate America!
Happy Fourth of July.

(Photo from Photo Machine.)

design inspiration: house envy

I am so gaga over the photos Moline posted of her home in Germany that I can barely see straight! Simplicity in the design and so very thoughtful in the details, what a talent she has. It was really hard to narrow down the pile to just a few favorites (if you call 9 a few!), but here they are!

(Be sure to check out the rest of her amazing collection here.)

what i'm reading

Do you ever find that when you near the end of a great novel you start missing it even though it isn’t even finished? You start reading slower to keep that last page from coming? And then when the inevitable happens, and you do finish that last sentence, that you read everything else on the book - the back flap, the author’s bio, the reviews – just to keep it going a little bit longer? That’s what great novels do to me. I get so caught up in the stories that sometimes they end before I’m ready. It’s like they’ve broken up with me and I don’t want to say goodbye.

This just happened to me with The Birth House by Ami McKay. I’m having a hard time putting into words why I loved it so much. Maybe it was the lovable characters and the enduring friendships they shared or maybe it was the style of writing –like a journal or even a scrapbook (as the author describes). Or maybe because at the heart of the story it was about mothers and babies and pregnancy and that’s the one thing I want most in my life right now but am having trouble getting. Most likely, it’s the sum of all these things.

I hope if you decide to read it that you love it too. I’d love to hear what you think.

The Birth House * Ami McKay
Read more about it here.
Order it online here.

recipe to try: strawberry cream cake

Strawberry Cream Cake from Everyday Food

Cake, cream and berries… triple yum.

Believe me – this cake is every bit as tasty as it looks. I made it for a potluck dinner with friends last Saturday night, and it got rave reviews. I just had to share the recipe with you. If summertime makes you crave fresh berry desserts like I do then you’ve gotta give this recipe a try.

It's a cinch to make, and you can even make it up to a day ahead. I made a couple modifications to the recipe: instead of eggs and whole milk I used egg beaters and skim. The buttery cake was perfect for soaking up all the sweet strawberry juices. And the dollop of homemade whipped cream was heavenly.

Find the recipe here.