annie and olive

Sweet name. Adorable goodies.

I am loving the delightful collection of handmade hair clips and jewelry over at the Annie and Olive Etsy shop. Each piece is handmade from fabrics and felt with pretty little details just perfect for girlies young and old.

(Felt Clip & Ponytail Holder)

lesson on living {grab a tissue}

Even if you do nothing else today, please make a visit over to Mackin Ink to read this.

Karey shares a story from her heart. A story of love and of loss. And of hope and of courage. And of mothers and daughters and sisters.

I hope you find as much inspiration in it as I did.

Fight for It from DazeyChic's Etsy shop.

thoughts to ponder

Bricked In - from ArtByChrysti's Flickr photostream.

I've got creative block. It crept in a week or two ago... and again this morning I was sitting at my computer thinking about what I might like to talk about today, and nary an idea came to me. Same goes for yesterday. Sigh.

Not that there aren't tons of wonderful things out there to write about. I just can't seem to pin down my thoughts. They're all just fluttering about in my brain but as soon as I think I've got one, it floats out of reach. And I'm stuck waiting for the words to come.

Well, I'm a little low-energy today, so I figured why wrack my brain when I can call on the wise words of some other {much more!} clever people out there? All I can do is try again tomorrow. These are a few quotes I have pinned up on my corkboard that I enjoy every day:

My goal in life is to be as good of a person as my dog already thinks I am.
Unknown

Let loose! You can't amaze the world unless you first surprise yourself. And remember, time's fun when you're having flies.
Kermit the Frog

This is my life. It is my one time to be me. I want to experience every good thing.
Maya Angelou

Keep a journal. Take more pictures. There's no point in making piecrust from scratch.
Nora Ephron

bake for me

I can think of about 5 different people that these adorable recipe cards would be perfect for. {Including me!} The set of 12 recipe cards features cute retro pictures of kitchen tools & quotes on white linen cardstock.

Bakers Recipe Cards from Invita Paper Studio on Etsy.

flutter clutter

I just love where this blogging world can lead us and who we meet along the way. Had I not started this blog, for example, then I never would have gotten an email from Cindy Rokoff way over in Portland, OR telling me a bit about her {lovely!} shop, Flutter. Sadly, I’m not one of the lucky ones who can just walk right in off the street, but I was able to get a taste of the Flutter experience online.

It’s packed with goodies galore that grabbed my attention and affection. Vintage furnishings and knick-knacks, lotions and potions, and baubles and beads gathered from around the globe. Some are old. Some are new. All are unique.

Cindy first opened the doors to Flutter in 2006 and is gearing up to celebrate its anniversary in May. She has enjoyed success over the past two years partly because her store is always changing and also because she doesn’t take herself too seriously. At the bottom of it all, she’s having fun, and it shows.

Thank you, Cindy, for welcoming me into your “wonderland”!

pillows that pop

Every year as spring makes its way in, I get the irresistible urge to redecorate. I guess it’s something about the renewal of spring. Newness blooms all around us, and so I feel the need to give my home a breath of fresh air as well. Over the years, I’ve come to realize that a complete re-do just isn’t gonna happen. I don’t have the wallet for it or the time. BUT what I can do is add little bits here and there to shake things up.

One of the simplest ways to make over a space – without emptying your wallet – is to invest in a few accent pillows. Adding lively pops of color and layering with interesting patterns and textures is a quick and easy way to awaken a sleepy room.

Here are a few toss pillows that I’ve got my eye on {available online from Flutter}:



(Clockwise from top left:)
Marzipan Pillow ($52)
A single bloom in pink and cream stands out on a neutral ground.

Mango Pillow ($72) Turn up the volume with the punchy colors of this floral patterned pillow.

Nouveax Golden Pillow ($68)
A bright shade of spring green is the background to a botanical fleurs-de-lis.

Mango Stripe Pillow ($58)
A striking pillow bedecked with bright jewel-toned stripes and a playful pom-pom trim.

little joy #22

I was having a pretty terrific Thursday anyway... only one more day until the weekend, a fun Bar Louie lunch with the gals from the office, my boss was away for the entire day, and it was warm and sunny out. And just when I thought my day couldn't get better, I came home to find this in the mail:

From my dearie niece Emma. I opened it and my heart melted.

It's hard to believe that I can have so much love for a little one {who isn't even my own!} but I do. From the moment I laid eyes on her.

She's got me by the heartstrings and isn't letting go.

covetable cap

Can you tell I feel like shopping?

Love, love, love this floppy sun hat from Urban Outfitters. The wide navy and pink stripes are nautical-chic, and the large brim is sure to cover my chinny chin chin from the bright rays.

Setting Sun Hat ($34)

my morning ritual

It goes something like this: Open closet. Sigh. Rummage through drawers. Sigh. Mutter I have nothing to wear under my breath. Repeat.

This is definitely no way to start the day.

If only I could buy every outfit from the Spring ’08 collection at Anthropologie. Then I’d never have to fret over what I’m going to wear.

The collection is full of flirty dresses, tailored jackets and snazzy sandals in lively patterns and vivid colors. Little details like fluted pleats, picot trims and flutter sleeves make every piece pretty and feminine.

My favorite outfit? The pleated Trace Paper Skirt paired with the sunshine-yellow cropped Geometric Jacket and sexy red Slingbacks. So dreamy. I have to have it.

Good bye closet dullsville; hello style!


Trace Paper Skirt ($148)
Geometric Jacket ($178)
Star Turn Tank ($38)
Bing Cherry Belt ($48)
Mapped Course Slingbacks ($168)

speechless

That's me after looking at the marvelous sneak-peak photos (like the one below) over at Design*Sponge. Amazing. Breathtaking. Brilliant. Superb. The list goes on and on...

I urge you to go now to see the rest of the awe-inspiring photos from London-based stylist Emma Cassi's home.

I wouldn't think twice about packing up and moving in today, but I get the feeling she isn't looking for roommates.

(photo from Design*Sponge)

won't you sing with me?

A B C D E F G… these Alphabet Cards are sweet as can be!

Designed and crafted by New York-based artist Ida Pearle, all 26 cards showcase a playful collage to represent each letter.

Every collage is hand-made with care using silk-screened artist’s paper and other specialty papers for accent and texture. As a special finishing touch, Ida also adds string, ribbons and cloth.

A great way to add a modern touch of décor to your tot’s bedroom while at the same time helping him learn his ABC’s!

As first seen on Elsie Marley (where the cards are displayed in an amazing pennant-like design).

sheer beauty

Yet another breath-taking print from Fieryeyed's Etsy shop that leaves me weak in the knees. The polaroid image captures a tranquil moment when day ends and makes way for night. A moment that begs you to stop, take a deep breath, and quiet your mind. The muted tones and soft lines evoke a feeling of tranquility. It's a peaceful moment, and I am so glad I can share in the magic of it.

Evening by Jenifer Altman

For more amazing photos check out Jenifer's portfolio here.

decal decor

I am loving these wall decals from Elephannie's Etsy shop. Her chic designs include blooming flowers and blossoming trees, and whimsical birdies and beasts. Monograms and wall words complete her collection {and yes, you can customize}.

The decals are a cheap and easy way to make a statement or to add a finishing touch to any room. And the best part? They're not permanent. So in case you decide that the fat little birdie sitting on the branch doesn't go with the rest of your living room decor, you don't have to sweat it. You can just peel it off... easy as pie!

I don't think I'd be sweating any of these for a loooong time.


Bird on Branch


Cherry Blossom Tree


Love Forever

lend a hand

Kinda creepy, yet totally cool.
From I Love UMA {urban materials + accessories}


Offer Hand Hook


Come're

beaker approved

Send your happy birthdays, thank yous and congrats in scientific style with these hip cards from Pink Loves Brown. No lab goggles necessary!

{And for anyone who doesn't get the Beaker reference... he was my favorite muppet.

Beaker: mee mee mee

Contented Me: you're welcome, Beaker.}

rainy day blues

It's been rainy and gloomy all day, and I can think of nothing better than going home tonight and vegging out on the sofa until bedtime...

comfy pj's + a pot of hot tea + one of my favorite chick flicks = a perfect night!


All this darn rain better make some pretty flowers!

indie shopping

Some pretty things from Indie Fixx Shop.

cupcake tea towel; dress form card; your life print
Handmade. Original. Lovely.

an organized home

Keeping your home tidy is a tough job, and it's a task that needs constant attention. But I think it could be a little easier - and less time-consuming - if you had a few of these lovely items from UK-based, Cox & Cox to help you organize. Time to tackle that clutter!

Magnetic Wipe Clean Board (about $28)

A list maker’s dream! This wipe-clean marker board looks like a sheet of loose leaf paper and can be used again and again for shopping lists, honey-do’s or whatever else needs remembering. And it’s green, too… with no paper waste. Just jot, do, erase and repeat!

Whitewashed Wood Peg Rail (about $75)

This peg rail is a catch-all for bags, coats, scarves and hats (or whatever else needs to find a home). It has a wonderful worn-out look with eight antiqued-metal hooks mounted on a whitewashed wooden plank.

Wire Mail Box (about $22)

“This wonderful wire mail box is great-looking as well as infinitely practical.” Looking like it's from another era, the mail box can be hung or left freestanding to catch loose letters and papers that pile up around the house.

Damask Notice Board (about $56)

A damask wrapped board set in a lovely antiqued wooden frame can be used to showcase photos and cards or appointment reminders and theater tickets. Seven “gulls egg” pins are included and so are four bird pictures for a little bit of inspiration.

sweet dreaming

As a little girl, I dreamed of having my very own canopy bed. My cousin, Stacy, had one and after every sleepover, I'd come home the next day and beg my mom for my own. The bed of my dreams was white and had a ruffly pink and white check canopy and matching bedding. It was the epitome of girly, and as far as my 11-year old self was concerned, it was the only bed for me.

Fast-forward 19 years and that canopy bed is a distant memory. A little blip on the long list of things I so badly wanted, needed when I was a kid. Or so I thought... until I saw this. Oh my, isn't it wonderful?! The lovely Leah Bed from Beach Dwelling.com is newly made with an old-world look. The graceful curves of the arched canopy and footboard and raised platform evoke a feeling of romantic nostalgia, and the steely gray finish is the perfect backdrop to a set of crisp white linens.

Oh that I don't have a guest bedroom because I could most certainly see decorating it around a pair of the Leah Beds. I'd finally get to live out that long-ago dream of having a canopy bed - even if it isn't in my bedroom.

"colorful, quirky, vintage & bazaar"

These are the things Selina Lake is into. And boy is she good at using these elements in her interiors. Lucky for us Selina’s gorgeous interiors are showcased page after delightful page in her new book Bazaar Style. My copy finally arrived yesterday after months of waiting, and after flipping through it I see that it was worth every minute.

Stylist-extraordinaire, Selina Lake has an eye for style and an uncanny knack for arranging old and new objects in fresh, fuss-free ways. Her style is graceful, feminine and romantic. It’s chic and casual. A self-professed rummager of flea markets, Selina is always on the look-out for treasures. Clever details, flowery patterns and bright pops of color show up again and again in her spaces.

If you’re into this, you should pick up a copy of her book. At the very least, check out her portfolio. And if you’re like me you’ll be wishing you could crawl right into some of the photos. Every room is warm and inviting and just feels special. These are the places where you feel so at home you think nothing of kicking your shoes off and putting your feet up on the coffee table. Or curling up in that oversized lounge chair for a long nap. The places where good friends show up again and again to spend long afternoons with lots of chatting and laughing.

This is the kind of home I hope to have.

greetings

Nothing beats coming home from a long day at work, sorting through the stack of mail, and discovering a lovely greeting card tucked in the middle of all those annoying neighborhood coupon books and credit card offers. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside to know someone was thinking about me and sent over some cheer. And it always works! No matter how sour my mood, I always perk up after opening a card.

These delightful Red Cap Cards are just the ticket for sending greetings. From happy birthday wishes to new baby welcomes, the cards have just the right amount of whimsy without being too cutesy. The delightful woodland creatures are straight from a magical land with “pony rides and party caps” and they’re sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. Spread the love and send one of these to a friend!

weekend well-wishes

I'm signing off a day early this week. Tomorrow morning we're heading up to Wisconsin to celebrate my dad's bday and share in some cheer at his retirement party. Can't wait to see the folks, eat some cheese curds and kick back and relax. Have a wonderful weekend!

(Image from Morning's Light; originally posted on Solitaire Miles.)

the sweetest thing

i love love love this photo from Elle Moss. It captures the wonder of childhood. That time when anything is possible and it seems like the whole world is in the palm of your hand. Elle is "always looking for the extraordinary among the ordinary," and I think this image is nothing if not extraordinary. It's whimsical and dreamy and leaves my heart a-fluttering.

The 5x7 photo is available from Elle's Etsy shop here.
For more inspiration, check out her amazing Flickr album here.

a wednesday haiku

best toffee ever made
melts in your mouth like butter
happy candy world.

Little John's English Toffee

(thanks Lisa for sharing your prized loot!)

a chocolate chip cookie disaster (aka recipe to try: hazelnut blondies)

What happened?? I've been scratching my head over this ever since...

I decided I'd bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies last week, and after I spotted this recipe - touted as the "best ever" - I knew I had to try them for myself. I mean really, best ever? How am I supposed to pass that up. Not possible.

Well, I don't know what happened but these cookies were the biggest flops I have ever taken out of the oven. The taste was great, although a bit on the buttery side, but the texture? Awful. The cookies flattened like pancakes on the baking sheets. Sad, pathetic little pancakes. And, I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but the 4 cups of chocolate chunks were almost too much. Especially since the cookies flattened... they were nearly impossible to get off the baking sheets because of all the melty chocolate everywhere. Once they cooled, they were not at all the kind of cookie that I'd go for. I'm a soft and chewy cookie gal, and these were thin and crispy. After reading all the comments posted by others who have tried the recipe, I see that I'm in the minority, so it was obviously just me and not the recipe. {sigh} I hate it when that happens. I feel so left out! Like the time I was the only girl who didn't get invited to Jenny Gerber's sleepover party in fourth grade. Shivers.

Good thing I have this recipe to fall back on. Martha's done it again, and oh my goodness these Hazelnut Blondies are amazing. Quite easily in my top five favorite homemade desserts. And if you try these at home, by all means remember that dollop of Nutella. Spread it on nice and thick. Mmm... a little bit of heaven on your plate. You really should shut down from your computer and go make these. You'll thank me later. Now go get that oven pre-heated!

(As an extra chocolate bonus, I added 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips and 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips to the dough... yum yum yum.)

Thank you so much Bake or Break for your post about this recipe. You've made my world a happier place!

rainbow bright

Add a fresh splash of color to your home with these chic kitchen accessories. The pretty pastels and vibrant hues greet spring with a warm glow.




Counter-clockwise from top left:
Colordrop Tumbler from Anthropologie.
Evette Cocktail Napkins from Crate and Barrel.
Citrus Stump Pot from Sprout Home.
Pink Kitsch Serving Tray from Hanger 18.
Curvy Servers from Branch.
Egg Planters from Uncommon Goods.
Latte Mixing Bowls from Anthropologie.

easter wishes

Wishing you a fun-filled Easter. All you've gotta do is add the HAPPY!

(image from Martha Stewart)

white out

I can't believe that it's snowing again. And not just a couple flurries. Oh no. We're in the midst of a full-fledged winter storm warning. Yuck. I'm sooooo over it. Rather than looking out the window and seeing loads of of the white stuff falling, I'd rather pretend that I'm here.

(photo from Marie Claire Maison)

I'm imagining that we're sitting down to an evening meal after a long, relaxing day spent on the beach. We'll dine on fish just off the grill and salads brimming with perfectly ripened summer veggies. Chilled, bubbly prosecco fills our glasses, and a strawberry shortcake is the perfect sweet ending to the meal. As we settle back into our seats with bellies full, we'll quietly enjoy each other's company as the sun sets along the waterfront.

hippity hoppin' ~ part 2

I hope my Easter basket is filled with a few of these delicious treats on Sunday!

Knipschildt Chocolate Quail Eggs from Chelsea Market Baskets

French Macarons from Vanille Patisserie

Peep Peep Cookies from Chocolate.com

Chocolate Eggs from Lake Champlain Chocolates

chicago fave: andrew hollingsworth

I recently popped in at Andrew Hollingsworth to do some shopping for a Client and got to thinking that it had been quite a while since I visited the uber-cool River North home furnishings shop. I really shouldn’t let that happen again because I always fall in love with everything there. Andrew has amassed a wonderful collection of classic Scandinavian furniture and modern decorative objects and lighting. The eclectic mix of old and new works because they all have underlying clean lines and fresh forms. This ability to mix and mingle styles and periods is a trademark of Andrew’s, and the result is always fresh, yet timeless.

And what do I really love about Andrew and his shop? His core design beliefs (as listed on the back of his business card):
buy what you love and let the rest happen
great rooms like great love have an element of the accidental
there is always a good reason to give fresh flowers
the best furniture mixes well with others
a good life should be colorful
beauty is in your own eye: follow it
furniture gets bored like people: move it around
buy the best you can afford

What great rules to live by when creating your own living space!

hippity hoppin'

I know this is going to make me sound like I'm about 8 years old, but I cannot wait for Easter this year. The reason? Candy!! I gave it up for Lent - all of it, the chocolatey and the sugary, the hard candies and the gummies. I even bid adieu to chocolate chips, which I know aren't candy, but are so often my go-to when I need a quick fix that I just knew that if I didn't get rid of them too, I'd not really be making much of a sacrifice. So anyway, my last forty days have been spent missing all those delicious m&m's, skittles and swedish fish... and my peanut butter has been very lonely without its chocolate chips. But miss them no more! In 3 short days I can gobble all those craveable goodies and then some.

We won't be heading up to my parent's house until next weekend, when we celebrate a whole slew of fun things: dad's bday, his retirement and Easter. And I am keeping my fingers crossed that my mom brings home one or two of these:

Growing up, these decadent Chocolate Fudge Eggs were an Easter staple. The Easter Bunny always brought just one for the family to share, and I can still picture my mom at the cutting board with the dreamy fudgy egg, dividing it up for the four of us. The chewy, buttery fudge center is rich and thick, and covered in a shell of delicious milk chocolate. Drool. My sister and I would always fight over the sugar flower... ah, the memories!

There is nothing like these Seroogy's fudge eggs, and I bet they'll be doubly good this year because of my candy fast. I'd better call my mom to make sure she remembers to get one for us. I call the flower!

how's the weather?

Some nights I can barely keep my eyes open past 9:00. And lately, it's been more like most nights. I don't know if it's the gloomy weather or because of Daylight Savings Time or what, but I'm just so sleepy!

The problem with snoozing this early, though, is that I miss the 10:00 news and its all-important weather forecast. Spring in Chicago means wacky weather, and unless you want to be the only one standing on the El platform in a skirt and sandals while everyone else bustles by in parkas and hats, it's best to never miss the weather forecast this time of year.

I wouldn't have to worry about sleeping through it if I knew I could wake up and check my own nifty Enamel Thermometer from Basic French. These indoor/outdoor thermometers have just the right amount of retro flair, and the colors are bright and lively. I am loving the lime, and even though I know it can't tell me whether the weather will rain or shine, it shows me the temp and sure looks good doing it!

recipe to try: strawberry bread

I haven't met a dessert bread that I didn't like. Banana, pumpkin, zucchini... you name it. I like it. And I bake them often. They're easy. I almost always have all the ingredients on hand. And they're a hit with whoever I share them with.

So, when I spotted this recipe for Strawberry Bread in a back issue of Everyday Food, I just knew I had to try it out. I never thought to use strawberries in bread before, but this recipe proves that the combination is friggin' delicious. Soft and chewy with a hint of cinnamon and sweet strawberry chunks that melt in your mouth. Perfect with a tall glass of milk.

I made a loaf last week, and we scarfed it down in like two days or something ridiculous, so then I made it again for work, and my co's gobbled it right up. This recipe is definitely a keeper.

(flour mixture? check. strawberries? check. sugar, butter & eggs? check check check.)

So, go ahead and give yourself a little treat this weekend. Make this bread, and enjoy every last crumb.

Strawberry Bread

Serves 8

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 pint strawberries, rinsed, hulled, quartered, and mashed with a fork
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs (I used beaters equivalent)
1/3 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Butter an 8-by-4-inch loaf pan.
In a small saucepan, bring strawberries to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring, about 1 minute. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt; set aside. With an electric mixer, cream butter, sugar, and eggs in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add flour mixture alternately with 1/3 cup water, beginning and ending with flour. Fold in reserved strawberries.

Scrape batter into prepared pan, smoothing top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 1 hour (tent with foil after 45 minutes if top is getting too dark). Cool in pan 10 minutes. Run a knife around edges; invert onto a rack. Reinvert; cool completely.

Note: I wish I remembered to take a photo of a finished loaf, but it was already halfway gone before I remembered. Oops!

chicago fave: the painted lady

The Painted Lady is one of my first stops when I’m looking for a one-of-a-kind, vintage-modern piece for my home. The charming Chicago shop is overflowing with hand-painted furniture, bedding, art, lighting and tableware. The goods are all stacked and layered about – lending to a totally laid back and cozy shopping experience. And best yet? It’s affordable. So affordable you can’t help but do a double take when you see the price tag, and then you feel that bubbly bliss that makes you hop up and giggle like a school-girl because you've just realized the bargain you're getting.

Beth, the owner, is a busy bee scouring flea markets and antique shops in pursuit of the perfect pieces. From vintage dressers and crystal chandeliers to newly made dishes and linens, the eclectic collection is always changing. And the bedding? Oh my – it’s dreamy. Remember when I was drooling over this? Well, I about fainted when I spotted it laid out on an old iron bed, in all its ruffly goodness. I think I squealed. And as I type this, I still cannot believe I actually walked out without it. {Sigh.} I have to work harder than ever to convince hubby that we need it.

Don’t think I walked out empty handed, though. Oh no… impossible. I nabbed the perfect white iron café stool ($22!!). It has just the right amount of nicks, scratches and wobbles. Not sure where it’s going – maybe the upstairs bathroom? – but it was too sweet to pass up. And Kate scored a lovely lounge chair ($625!!) upholstered in a soft yellow and white floral for her new apartment. It is the perfect chair – marrying a soft feminine look with a modern design.

Leaving that shop yesterday, we were two very happy peeps…

The Painted Lady * 2128 N. Damen Ave. * 773.489.9145