i want it now: mexican bedspreads

It must be summer... because I am loving the brilliant colors and lively patterns on these hand-embroidered coverlets.

At no other time of year do I gravitate toward these kinds of colors as I do when warm, sunny weather finally arrives.

(Mexican Bedspreads from l'aviva)

design inspiraton: a bathroom that's pretty in pink

I've been keeping a design ideas binder for years. Any time I see a photo in a magazine or online that catches my eye, I rip it out and add it to the binder that's organized by room and then specific ideas: colors, furniture, table settings, etc.

Well, the other day, I had the urge to page through it to see how my tastes have changed (not too much!). Here is a page I tore from an old Martha Stewart mag that I wanted to show you today because every time I see it, I just find myself swooning over it. I hope you like it, too! There are so many special touches here, but what I'm really loving is that pinwheel tile border. I {heart} it.

(from Martha Stewart Living mag)

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The weekend is here!
I do hope you find a little time to do something just for you.

See you next week!
xo, Kristin

(Bathtub by Jane Heller)

recipe: strawberry pie

When you die, if you get a choice between going to regular heaven or pie heaven, choose pie heaven. It might be a trick, but if it's not, mmmmmmmm, boy. -Jack Handey

We bought a big carton of fresh strawberries over the weekend, and I thought I'd take a stab at making a pie. (Not my prettiest creation, as you can see from the photo, but it certainly is tasty!)

For the crust:
1-1/2 cups of graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1/8 tsp salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Mix all of the ingredients together and spread evenly into a pie dish -- on the bottom and up the sides. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 12-15 minutes.

For the filling:
1 quart fresh strawberries, washed and sliced
1/2 cup sugar*
3 tbsp cornstarch
3/4 cup water

Arrange half of strawberries in baked crust. Mash remaining berries and combine with sugar in a saucepan. Place saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water. Gradually stir cornstarch mixture into boiling strawberry mixture. Reduce heat and simmer mixture until thickened, about 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour mixture over berries in pastry shell. Chill for several hours before serving.

*The original recipe from All Recipes online calls for 1 cup sugar, which I thought was too sweet. I'd cut this to 1/2 cup to get a bit of the strawberries' mild tartness.

(Crust recipe from The Joy of Cooking, Filling recipe adapted from All Recipes online.)



And here's who I get to look at whenever I'm doing anything in the kitchen. Our little Lulu always hoping to catch a dropped crumb...

design inspiration: pink garden party

LOVE this...

How flattered I would be to get an invite to this charming garden party. I can't quite pinpoint what I like best.... is it the casual linens and slipcovered seats (that look like tea towels tied together with ribbons down the sides)? the dusty pink wall with climbing ivies? or the glass cake stands and bowls holding blooming flowers and fruit?

I think it's the total package... and it's perfect!

(torn from Martha Stewart Living mag -- sorry I don't have the issue info!)

decorating: nursery

Hallelujah, I found our cribs!

You wouldn't believe how hard it is to pick out a darn crib (something that I have to keep reminding myself will only be used for about 3 years) when you actually have to find two! And then to be sure that said crib fits the bill aesthetically but also gets good reviews and safety ratings.

The babies will be sharing the nursery for the first few years (or until we move into a new house), and so I really wanted something that was simple, modern and could work in a bunch of different room configurations.

I think this is perfect.

(Parklane Crib by BabyMod)

Hooray, something to cross off the list!

bed love

Another Monday...
Oh, if I could just sleep in one more day.

(Champagne Roses bedding by Bella Notte available at Pine Cone Hill)

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Time for fun in the sun!

Have a great weekend, All, and see you next week!

xo, Kristin

(Get Away by Joshua Martens)

blog lovin' - bloomacious

This blogging world certainly has its perks... among them reading inspiring musings and seeing lovely images posted by creative souls from around the world.

Like Carrie over at bloomacious... this has quickly become one of my daily must-reads! Food, gardening, interior design -- what's not to love?

(Lemon Meringue Cake... I have to make this!)

design inspiration: eclectic porch

There's just so much to love about this cozy little porch.

First of all, those white clapboard walls and green door are a perfect back-drop. Then add in a bunch of cushy pillows, knobby old farmhouse furniture, a collection of hanging lanterns and a big pitcher of pink flowers, and what you get is perfect.

It's porch perfection.

(Porch via Home Sweet Home)

do re mi

Bee at Contently posted this video over the weekend, and just watching a few moments of it brought a smile to my face. I just love this kind of stuff...

(Sound of Music at Central Station Antwerp, Belgium)

PS - good luck getting the song out of your head long after the video ends... I've been humming do re mi for about the last 5 hours!

PPS - be sure to check out the rest of Bee's site... it's really quite lovely.

crafting: decorating with patterns

This looks like a fun and easy craft project...

Simply stiffen a few favorite fabric pieces with fabric hardener (available at craft shops) and punch out flowers or petals using the handy little punches (available from Paper Source, for one). Lay out your design on boxes, notebooks, lampshades, frames -- anything your heart desires -- and apply with a glue stick.

Lovely!

(From Martha Stewart mag.

Sorry... I don't know what issue it came from!)

i want it now: digital slr camera

Hi fellow bloggers!

I need your help... Wade and I (did I ever tell you that's Dear Hubby's name?) are looking for a new digital camera and a few of the new parents in our group have said we must get an SLR to capture those quick-as-can-be moments that babies often have and that parents don't want to miss.

Help!

I know nothing about cameras... can any of you give any suggestions or recommendations? I can really use the advice.

Thanks!
Kristin

fun at the farmer's market

Our weekend bounty from the Wicker Park Farmer's Market --



2 big bunches of peonies in white with pink tinges along the edges and soft pink,
A stack of crisp, green asparagus,
2 big portobellos,
And a bagful of fingerling and blue potatoes.

Can't wait for next week's trip!

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Aren't these cupcakes simply adorable? The little green caterpillars make me smile.

Have a wonderful weekend!
See you next week.

xo, Kristin

(Enchanted Garden Cupcakes by Hello Naomi on Flickr)

spotlight: stitchface

I came across these little cuties over at Paper 'n Stitch. Handmade, eco-friendly and one-of-a-kind. How adorable!

(Sleepy Owl and Ivory Gingham Bunny by StitchFace)

See the rest of the shop here.

herb potting kit

Check out this cute 7-piece herb kit that comes in a woven bamboo basket. The pots are made from recycled cement bags, and each one includes seeds and soil. This is the perfect gift for anyone who loves gardening, to cook or both!

(Herb Potting Kit, $40, from Shoestring Home)

design inspiration: library table

Have I told you how much I love walls lined with books and old, worn farm tables? Well, this photo makes me just as happy as a clam...

(Via Martha Stewart mag)

design inspiration: kitchens

A kitchen renovation is nowhere near the top of our to-do list right now (we've got a nursery to plan!), but that doesn't keep me from looking at gorgeous kitchen designs that inspire.

Like these!

(Kitchen - via Life in the Fun Lane -- one of my new favorite blogs!!)

(Dream Cook's Kitchen from Canadian House & Home)

(French Country Kitchen from Homes & Gardens)

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Hooray! Another weekend is just around the corner!!

Have a lovely few days, and see you next week!
xo, Kristin

(Gum Balls by Jane Heller)

crafting: plant markers

I love this idea for marking plants in a more natural way than just sticking the little plastic tags that came from the garden center into the dirt. It's simple enough to do... just find a few smooth, flat stones and label each one using alphabet stamps. So pretty!

(from the pages of Martha Stewart mag)

spotlight: artractions

Yep... more art. I guess I'm in the mood to browse for art this week.
From another talented artist on Etsy.
I think these prints are just magical and know they would look wonderful in any little one's room.

(Lights)

(Rabbit & Duck)

(Dog on the Moon)

spotlight: jp greenwood

I've posted work by him before, but I think the amazing photography of JP Greenwood deserves more praise. He captures a feeling in his work... I'm not sure how to explain it. But I love it!

(Cows by JP Greenwood)

This one in particular makes me miss Wisconsin... I can just hear the mooing!

Visit his Etsy shop here.

book club: recycled home

by Mark & Sally Bailey.

I've already added Recycled Home to my wishlist, but I think I might have to get this one sooner rather than later. Page after page is full of inspiration on how to incorporate old objects into a modern home. It's about reusing "bits and pieces... giving them a new lease on life."

Drool worthy, if you ask me.

I first heard about this book at Oh, Mishka. Thanks, Michelle, for always inspiring!

Purchase a copy here.

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Have a lovely weekend, Dear Readers. Hope it's full of fun!

See you next week!
xo, Kristin

(Chickadee Eggs by D.S. Brennan Photography)

PS - I realize this photo has nothing to do with weekends... unless maybe you're a chickadee farmer... but I just thought it was lovely and wanted to share.

look what i got! (part 2)

New kitchen chairs from The Painted Lady!

We had a couple reasons to buy new chairs... Lulu took a liking to our old chairs (that were made of wicker) and chewed through the arms on every single one and she ate one of the seat cushions - darn dog!; and we decided we're going to go with booster seats in lieu of highchairs so we needed chairs that we could attach said boosters to. My one caveat was that I didn't want a "regular" set... I wanted something unique.

And so here's what we found! Four vintage, black-and-white chairs with worn appliques on the inside back. They're totally unique and are just the right amount of kitschy cool.







(Please excuse the bad photography... if it's one thing I could learn to do it's to take better pictures!)

look what i got! (part 1)

One of my new favorite things that I picked up last week at The Painted Lady.

I've been looking for a tall, narrow cabinet for the past year or so, and as soon as I saw this vintage, metal black-and-white locker cabinet I knew it was the one! It holds tons of stuff... like extra glasses, recipe binders, and kitchen linens, and is totally one-of-a-kind. How's that for lovely yet practical?

Needless to say, I love love love.

(12 compartment vintage locker cabinet.)

(Detail shot of the bottom.)

(Detail shot at the top. See my little magnet clothespins?)

design inspiration: from Veranda magazine

I was strolling through the pages at Veranda and couldn't resist posting a few lovely pics from this South Carolina home...

(These are the guest quarters?! Wow... if I ever visited, I'd have a hard time leaving!)

(Guest House Kitchen)

(Yellow & White Guest Bedroom)

babies update

We found out on Thursday that we're having a boy and a girl! Things couldn't be more perfect.

Both are healthy and growing just as they should be.

(Fraternal Twins by Think Like No Other on Flickr)

And Dear Hubby got to feel his first kick this weekend!

This pregnancy thing? It's pretty amazing...

big bins

Some lovely fabric storage bins from Canadian artist Jenna Rose.

The designs are hand-drawn and and then screen-printed on natural cottons and linens. I really like the soft colors and simple illustrations.

(Big Bins by Jenna Rose)

To see the full collection of bins, bags, blankets and more click here.

happy memorial day!

I hope you get this extra day off to enjoy in whatever way you wish.
A long weekend? That's a wish come true!

(Swings by JP Greenwood)

tgif + happy memorial day!

It's a holiday weekend!
That means one extra day to spend however you wish...
A quiet afternoon watching the sun go down sounds good, no?

See you next week!
xo, Kristin

(The View at Riverside Cottage on Martha Stewart)

design inspiration: kid's playroom

I wish, wish, wish that we had an extra room in our house for a playroom just like this...

(Kid's Playroom on Living Etc.)

i want it now: flirty & feminine

The feminine, flirty details of the spring/summer line at J. Crew are simply irresistible. Just pretty as can be.

(Tiered Linen Playa Dress in Papaya)

(Perfect Fit Chiffon Ruffle Tank in Beechwood)

design inspiration: blue redo

What was once a dreary, dull bathroom has been completely updated into a fresh, contemporary bath that's bursting with blue! I love the library sconce that lights the vanity and the vintage farmhouse sink sitting atop a simple blue table. The penny-tile floor is fabulous. If I was redoing our bathroom, I would totally use some of these ideas.

(from the pages of Coastal Living; photography by Erica George Dines & Tria Giovan)

I'm pretty sure that House of Turquoise would love this. I think it's absolutely swoon-worthy! Hope you like it, Erin!

spotlight: midwest modern girl

I love letters, I {heart} fancy fonts (monograms are one of my favorite things!), and so of course I am swooning over these handmade invitations.

Just perfect for a baby shower, no?

(Alphabet Invitations by Midwest Modern Girl)

i'm happy today because...

The lovely Michelle over at Oh Mishka! tagged me and now I'm tagging these six ladies to name the six things that made them happy today: Dionne, Emily, Anne, Joslyn, Mary and Suann.

So now, in no particular order, the six things that make me happy:

1. It's Friday! I know it sounds cliche, but I have been looking forward to this weekend for months. My dear friend is getting married tomorrow, and I can't wait to celebrate with her!

2. I'm 19 weeks pregnant this week. Almost half way there!

3. Enjoying ice cream treats with my co-workers. I don't know whose idea it was, but boy was it a good one! I haven't had a Good Humor strawberry shortcake bar in ages. And I confess that this was actually from yesterday... but that ice cream bar was so darn good, I can't stop thinking about it!

4. Looking at inspiring photos of nurseries to get my mind rolling on how to decorate ours. And I think I found our crib!

5. Knowing that tonight is going to be a quiet night at home after a sort of busy week. Take out is a must.

6. Looking at pictures of Lulu from when she was a puppy. She was the cutest little furball I've ever seen. Seriously.


Even though my list is sure to be different from yours... I do hope that you take a minute today to think about what makes you happy.

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Have a sunshine-y weekend that's full of fun!

See you next week!
xo, Kristin

(Sunny Day by April Rocha via Frolic)

Visit her shop for the rest of her collection.

design inspiration: fireplace nook

I love the cozy living room with its corner bookcase in this charming beach bungalow. Most of us couldn't get away with a turqoise floor but here the hue is perfect. It's beachy keen!

(Living Room at the Beach Bungalow on Martha Stewart)

spotlight: mia joie

Adorable!

(Amelia Shoes from MiaJoie)

Bright and cheery eco-friendly baby shoes from Mia Joie. I'm swooning over her entire collection...

And how lovely do they look paired with this?

design inspiration: a caribbean cottage

A lovely little glimpse into the Beside the Point Cottage in Bahamas' Cistern Cay. The 250-year-old cottage is bright and cheery with glossy white walls and ceilings, a jumble of traditional and contemporary furnishings, and views from nearly every room of the crystal blue Caribbean.

Sounds dreamy...

(Coastal Living Wish You Were Here: Beside the Point Cottage)

Guess what? You can actually rent this beautiful cottage by the week! For more visit here.