crafting: homemade muffins/gift boxes

Remember when I posted about this craft project here?

Well, look what I made last weekend!


The second of my four (!!!) baby showers was Saturday, and as a little thank you to my dear friends who hosted, I made some homemade blueberry and strawberry muffins and put them in these circle and square boxes decorated with fabric flowers.

I think they turned out quite lovely. ;)

design inspiration: rustic cottage kitchen

Check out this very cool, very rustic cottage kitchen.

(Torn from one of last summer's issues of House Beautiful)

A charming retreat with bluestone floors, cabinets made from old fencing, and fresh white walls. The vintage industrial pendant lights and old truck springs cum counter stools are a great (and unexpected) contrast to all the old wood.

This is definitely the sort of casual, livable weekend house that beckons you to put your feet up and relax. Aah...

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When it's summer, it just seems like every day should be Saturday.

Have a great weekend,
and see you next week!

xo, Kristin

(Pink Bike by The Bucks County Frame & Moulding Co.+)

Check out the rest of the amazing photography collection!

spotlight: little pink house

Here is a great gift idea!

Each handmade 10" hoop features a custom-made felt portrait of a home that the artist copies from a photograph you send in to her. She'll personalize it however you like -- and will add in any special details you want to see.

(Little City Hoop by Little Pink House)

spotlight: clementine handmade jewelry

These earrings are really quite lovely...

(Snow Blossom Earrings by Clementine)

There are so many lovely pieces to fill your jewelry boxes. Check them out here!

design inspiration: gray & white kitchen

Some people might look at this and say, 'gray and white? boring boring boring.'
But I look at it and say, 'ahhh... perfection.'

(Kitchen on Delikatissen)

I simply must someday live in a house that I can put beadboard in so that I too can have a lovely, understated kitchen like this.

I found my way over to Delikatissen from none other than Mary. What would I do without her?

spotlight: moozle home

Remember when I was swooning over this playroom here?
Well, look what I found!

(Tee Pee by Moozle Home)

This is just too cool for school.

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I hope you spy something so lovely this weekend that it stops you in your tracks.

Have a great one and see you next week!
xo, Kristin

(Shed by Simple Moth on Flickr)

on my bookshelf: beach cottages

How wonderful it would be to call a beach house home.

Since I'm not planning on moving to the coast any time soon and I definitely don't have any extra money lying around to buy a cottage, I'll just have to live vicariously through the pages of the wonderful book, "Beach Cottages" by Mary Emmerling.

(This isn't technically on my bookshelf yet, but I plan to add it soon!)

Order online here.

recycled glass tumblers

Check out these very cool glass tumblers made from recycled pop bottles.

With these, you can pat yourself on the back for being eco-conscious (they are recycled glass after all!) and you get a set of four super-cute, one-of-a-kind glasses!

(Set of 4 Clear Pop tumblers in assorted "flavors", $32)

design inspiration: laura resen interiors photography

I can't get enough of the beautiful interior shots by photographer Laura Resen.

Such wonderful eye candy in each and every one...

(This living room looks cool yet cozy, well designed yet lived in. I'm loving the stacks of books on the cabinet and the way the art is hung sort of randomly - though I'm sure lots of thought went into it. And of course, how can I resist white floors?)


(Hello lovely! The planked wood ceiling and old farmhouse style furniture beckons you sit down and stay a while. How wonderful is that ceiling pendant?)


(Dreamy and breezy, this bedroom sitting area epitomizes casual comfort. That slipcovered wing chair looks so cozy to curl up in with a good book, and the big leafy print on the ottomans is fantastic-ly unexpected.)


(Ok, this might seem a little odd to some to highlight as an interiors shot since a) it's outside and b) there's really not much interior to be seen at all, but what I'm really liking and totally inspired to copy is the use of butterfly chairs on the porch. They're lightweight, comfy and stow away in a pinch. Why didn't I think of this for our deck furniture?)

I have no idea who styled these shots or designed these rooms, but he/she/they certainly deserve a big pat on the back.

Once again, via Mary Ruffle. She really finds the most amazing inspiration, no?

spotlight: trace my face

How stunning is this?

To me, it is perfect.

(First Bloom of Spring Necklace by Trace My Face)

See more goodies at her Etsy shop here.

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I couldn't have said it better myself...

Have a great weekend, All!
And see you next week.
xo, Kristin

(Daydream by Susannah Tucker)

And seriously, check out the rest of Susannah's shop... her photography is amazing!

design inspiration: dreamy bedroom

What an idyllic escape...

I can picture a whole scene where this room would fit perfectly...

The master suite of a lakeside cottage. Imagine rolling out of bed in the early morning, walking over to the beautiful window and peering out to see the sun rising over a calm lake. Knowing that you don't have a care in the world today... only to relax and take in the beauty of nature.

(Tudor Style Country Bedroom at Canadian House & Home)

design inspiration: swedish simplicity

I've been oohing and aahing over this lovely Swedish country room.

Less certainly is more here with the mix of a naturally bleached wood floor and understated yet elegant furniture. The white painted paneled walls are a great backdrop to a simple plate collection.

Lovely!

(Room Inspiration at Marie Claire Maison)

anthro wish list

There's still more to love at Anthropologie.

I've drooled all over the July catalog...

(Sunlit Angles Sheath)

(Lilac Ombre Heels)

(Inverness Trench and Crewelwork Bag)

spotlight: zelaya

Love this.
Soft, flirty, feminine...

(Gardenia Top)

tgif + happy fourth of july!

Yay! A long weekend! Fireworks! BBQ's! Ice cream treats!

I'm signing off a little early this week, so...
Have a good weekend, and see you next week!
xo, Kristin

(As We Do giclee print by Leah Giberson)

Leah's super cool shop is here.

spotlight: berta's photography

wow. i'm swooning over here.
check out her photography.

(Fragile)

(One for Eve & One for SnowWhite)

(A New Beginning)

(Dreamplace)

Via Mary Ruffle. thank you thank you thank you, mary!

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)