lavender's blue, dilly dilly

Lavender's green
When I am king, dilly, dilly, you shall be queen.

Who told you so, dilly, dilly, who told you so?

'Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly, that told me so.

Do you remember that nursery rhyme? I played it for a piano recital once in Elementary school, and now that I've brought home a bottle of lovely Caldrea Lavender Lotion, every time I put it on (or even see the bottle, for that matter), that little ditty pops into my head.

Did I tell you that I'm obsessed with lavender now? It's my new favorite scent. Ever since we went to Mexico (which I am now realizing I have not talked about AT ALL... oops!) I started to love it. We were lucky enough to have a room with a balcony that overlooked a huge garden of lavender. Rows and rows of it. We were still a few weeks away from seeing the flowers bloom, but the garden was so pretty nonetheless. The owner of the villa grows lavender for soaps and lotions, and so there were bunches of the dried flowers hanging all around leaving the most amazing aroma in the air. And even though it’s been months since our trip, every time I smell it, my mind goes right back to our time in Mexico. (Hence the Caldrea Lotion – who wouldn’t want to be reminded of a perfect trip?)

Now I'm on a mission: to find inexpensive bulk dried lavender so I can try to copy the idea in the photo above. (If anyone has any suggestions for finding it, I'd really appreciate it!)

{Photo above was taken by me at the office of the villa.
They had bunches and bunches of dried lavender strung from wall to wall.}

all that glitters

What girl doesn't daydream about getting a shiny new piece of jewelry now and then? You'd have to call me a liar if I said I didn't keep an eye out for new and sparkly somethings to add to my jewelry box. And if it's the right time of year you can bet that I'll be putting it on my birthday or Christmas wishlist and hoping that a certain someone is paying attention. {Very lucky for me – he usually is!}

Well, guess what's right around the corner? That would be my birthday AND Christmas, and like any good list-maker would, I’ve decided to put these lovelies by Emily Amey at the top of my list:
Clockwise from top left: Seafan Stack Ring with Two Diamonds, Urchin Ring, Bubble Stack Ring, Custom Made Ring.

lulu's big day

halloween decorating - on the cheap!

I love this cheap and easy Halloween decorating idea. The eye-catching results are a treat and not at all tricky to recreate.

To paint pumpkins - use painter's tape & self-adhesive paper to mark off stripes, circles {or whatever designs your heart desires}, and then spray with glossy black and white paint. Let dry and remove the tape/paper. It's as easy as that!

If I were to try this, I think I'd definitely do the polka dots - since I am really in to those lately - and I'd also see about getting different letter/number stencils to create words or maybe even our monogram. Or ooh!... I could put four pumpkins side-by-side and paint one number from our address on each and put them outside our door. Hmm... now there's an idea. I also really like the mix of painted and plain pumpkins like in the photo above and do currently have an empty fireplace...

Painted Pumpkins come from Good Housekeeping, an excellent resource for holiday crafts and decorating. Definitely worth checking out if you're looking for some ideas.

(tas)tea

My friend, Betsy, and I met for dinner last Saturday night, and as we were leaving the restaurant with full tummies - but not so full that there wasn't room for a little more - we decided to stop by Argo Tea that was right up the street. Neither of us really knew what we wanted, but when we got to the counter we saw samples of the newest flavor creation - the Pumpkin Chai Tea - and after just one sip we both said, "I'll take one!"

This is my new favorite drink, and I haven't stopped thinking - or talking - about it all week, and so I was very happy to be reminded this morning that there is an Argo Tea right there on the first floor at the Merchandise Mart and I could get myself another of those yummy drinks. Now I am happily sipping my tea as I type.

I'd never had chai tea before... and I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I actually thought it was a coffee drink. (Even though I am aware that it says nothing of coffee in the name, I still thought it was coffee. Probably because of all that other coffee lingo that non-coffee drinkers never learn - lattes, macchiatos, frappuccinos - I just figured this was another one.) So, anyway, now I'm happily hooked on (non-coffee!) chai.

But let me get back to the pumpkin-y goodness that is the Pumpkin Chai. Warm and spicy and with a nice pumpkin flavor - it's almost like eating a slice of pumpkin pie but without the calories. (Actually, I don't know that, because lord knows I've seen the calorie counts on a few of those other drinks posing as harmless. To tell the truth, I don't even want to know what's in this... I'd rather enjoy it blissfully ignorant of what's inside. Although I do order skim milk just to be on the safe side.)

So, I don't know if Argo's are everywhere or if they're just a Chicago thing, but if you get a chance to stop by, be sure to try the Pumpkin Chai Tea. It's the perfect fall drink.

(Can I just say how annoying it is to type chai again and again? Especially when I repeatedly mistype it as chair. Thank goodness for spellcheck!)

so we meet again

"Hello, Internet? It's me, Kristin. I know we've met, but it's been a while since I've been here so I just wanted to re-introduce myself. I do hope I can start visiting regularly again because oh how I've missed you."


Sorry that I've been m.i.a these last couple weeks, dear Readers. I've been quite swamped at work and haven't had the energy to turn on the computer when I get home. I've got several ideas in mind to tell you about and hope to get into back into the swing of things real soon.

chicago fave: the examiner

Chicago Dessert Examiner is one of my new favorite stops when I'm surfing the web. It's always full of the latest and greatest on the dessert scene here in the Windy City, and I'm usually left with a mouthwatering list of treats to try after I stop by.

There are nearly 50 cities covered by the Examiner. You should check to see if yours is listed too.

west germany studio pottery

Fat-Lava is a veritable treasure-trove of beautiful pottery! {I wish I could take credit for finding the site, but it was actually my boss who read about it in a magazine.} Anyone looking to start a pottery collection – at prices that those new to collecting can actually afford – should take the time to check it out.

After doing a little reading on the subject, I discovered that the production of West German Studio Pottery was at its height during the 1950’s to 1970’s when the innovation of bright colors, unusual patterns and distinct shapes pushed the boundaries of traditional pottery. The pieces vary so much that I'm sure all of us could find at least one that we love.

Fat-Lava features a large collection of vases – big and small – as well as other decorative objects. The site is divided by factory, but you can also do a specific search. For those of us stateside, the only problem is that prices are quoted in Euros, but I have heard that there are tons of pieces on eBay.

Look for more West German Studio Pottery at Outernational, where prices are quoted in US dollars.

design inspiration: black & white bliss

Aha! I found another one!


Check out this super sophisticated yet totally liveable foyer. The black casework is so very chic and creates such a lovely background for the furniture and art. Who would have thought that black would be so wonderfully liveable? The cane bench and black and white dresser are total opposites stylistically, but when you put them together in this room they form the perfect union. And it all has to do with the colors. See how you can bring different styles and ideas together so long as there is one unifying element? I also really like how the framed art is casually displayed along the molding.

I told you I was digging black and white lately!

(This image was also lovingly torn from an older issue of Elle Decor. I apologize that I don't know which or who to credit.)

design inspiration: from the files

It seems like it's been forever since I've had a chance to just sit and look at interiors that inspire - be it online or from magazines - but then I remembered that a couple weeks ago, we had an office clean up day - you know the kind, when you go through all your files and drawers and clean out all the junk that doesn't matter any more - well, anyway, I dug up a bunch of magazine tear-outs that I'd been hanging on to for this client or for that. Even though most of the projects have already wrapped up, I still didn't have the heart to throw these out. They still inspire just as much as they did the first day I laid eyes on them.

In no particular order...

Such a feeling of romanticism is evoked when I look at this image. It begins with that amazing oversized, gold frame mirror leaning on a mantle filled with a teepee of birch logs. A pair of classic daybeds in a simple neutral fabric sit side-by-side beneath an intricately carved chandelier. The pair of standing candelabras flanking the fireplace in a polished black finish add such an interesting contrast to the rest of the very pale room. And I think this is a great example of how to style a monochromatic room - with just a single pop of color for contrast and by using a mix of design styles to add interest. I love this room - it's just so pretty and so wonderfully girlie. Too bad it would never ever ever work at our house... for too many reasons to go into.

Ah... here is exactly the kind of dining room I would have in my dream house. The bookcase lined walls - complete with a ladder on a rail - create such a cozy feeling that I'm sure I could sit in there for days and not tire of it. And look at the detail on that ladder! The nailhead trim is so clever. What's so great is that the bookcases don't overwhelm and there is even still a huge spot of wall left for art. It's a library - dining room - gallery in one, and to me, it is perfect. And wow... take a look at those floors.

Maybe this kids room is a little less formal, but it's not one iota less inspiring. It's kid-friendly yet uber-stylish. A high chair rail - so I'm not sure what exactly you call it then since it's not at chair level - separates white painted walls above from a genius corkboard below. What a fabulous way to have an ever changing gallery of art on display. The bold colors of the upholstery are so refreshing and lively. And I adore the combo of stripes, color blocks and bulls-eyes. Toys are cleverly stored in a big cabinet with different red-doored compartments and a pint-sized table in vivid blue is a great place for playing games or making more of that art to display.

(I apologize that I don't have the details for either of the top two photos to note who is behind these fabulous interiors, and all I know about the third is that it is from Elle Decor. Like I said, these were ripped from magazines - some of them years ago - and I never thought at the time that I might be writing about them on a blog some day!)

black & white

Really loving all the black and white at Pottery Barn right now. I spied these favorites in the latest catalog.





(From top: Woven Bamboo Baskets * Modular Chalkboard & Pinboard Tiles * Black Cache Pot * Graham Desk & Hutch)

recipe to try: spook-ie cookies!

(Finger Cookies from The Secret Life of Food via Epicurious.)

I just have to make these cookies for Halloween this year! Aren't they great? The recipe sounds simple enough - if a bit time-consuming - they're just sugar cookies rolled and shaped with slivered almond 'finger nails'.

I was reading through the Reviews on Epicurious and found all sorts of great tips and variations - like adding chopped pistachios to make green witches' fingers or dipping the ends in red food dye so they look severed.

I can't wait to try them! What do you say, Juju - you with me? We'll have to remember to take some pictures to post.

Finger Cookies
Cookie Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sliced almonds
2 tablepoons Icing Glue (see below)

Icing Glue Ingredients*
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon water

Directions
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter until smooth and creamy.
2. Add the sugar, egg, and vanilla extract and mix well.
3. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt and beat until completely mixed.
4. Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
5. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
6. With your hands, roll a heaping tablespoon of dough into a finger shape for each cookie. If the dough gets sticky and hard to work with, put it back in the refrigerator for a little while. Place fingers on an ungreased cookie sheet about 3 inches apart.
7. Use a butter knife to make knuckle marks on the finger cookies. Slightly flatten the front of the finger to create a nail.
7a. Chill fingers in refrigerator for an additional 15 minutes before baking.**
8. Bake 20-25 minutes, until fingers are slightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool. Meanwhile, prepare the Icing Glue. Mix together powdered sugar and water in a small bowl until the consistency is similar to that of a paste.
9. Attach almond slice fingernails to the tips of the fingers with Icing Glue. Let glue dry for about 30 minutes.

*One reviewer suggests using red jelly to attach the almonds instead of royal icing.
**Another reviewer tip - this keeps the fingers from spreading too much. All that butter needs to chill out!

clever clipboards

As if I wasn't wanting a baby enough already, then I had to go and spy these "It's a Girl" and "It's a Boy" clipboards by Courtney of Two Straight Lines. I am LOVING these clipboards decorated with sweet things that welcome baby. Cute-as-can-be knitted caps in pink and blue, black and white footprints, ultrasound photographs and pacifiers strung with ribbon are all joined together on these clever portable scrapbooks.

What a delightful way to announce your little one. I could see hanging this in the nursery, and then adding more clipboards as baby grows and memories are made. You could take the lock of hair from his first haircut, an ornament from her first Christmas, or an invitation to baby’s first birthday party. Pictures with grandmas and grandpas, a label from her favorite baby-food jar, or a little square from his favorite blankie. The list goes on and on – the possibilities are endless. It’s such a clever way to display the special moments you share with your little one.

I'm definitely going to file this idea!

hold on to your hats

The inspiring set of nursery photos below from Two Straight Lines will blow you away!

What’s most inspiring to me are all the little details that make this room so very special. Hand-sewn fabric smocks hang on big white hooks, a ribbon ‘clothesline’ is strung up from wall to wall to display teensy keepsakes, and little newsprint butterflies flutter above the dresser. White furniture pops in front of pale blue walls and red floral-banded curtains made from a bedspread adorn the windows. The attention to detail is simply amazing.

Never have I wanted to decorate a nursery more. Now all we need is a visit from the Stork so I can!

Here are my favorite shots and ideas:

From top: (Bed) (Clothesline Detail) (Curtains) (Smock) (Butterfly Detail)

(Be sure to head over to Two Straight Lines to see the rest!)

chicago fave: café avanti

Who knew that walking along Southport early on a Saturday morning with Wade and Lulu in tow would turn out to be one of my favorite things about the weekend? The weather was perfect, and we were looking forward to the weekend ahead. Already feeling a little hungry from the blocks of walking we already had behind us and knowing how much we still had ahead, we decided to make a pit-stop at the adorable Café Avanti. The place is decked out in a very kitschy 50’s vibe with blue and brown and pink polka dots. I first visited this local spot earlier in the summer and indulged in only a steamed vanilla milk and promised I’d be back soon to taste something on the menu. I’m so happy I finally got to make good on that promise.

Neither of us was really in the mood for a big meal (we had a 7 year-old’s birthday party later in the day and knew there would be a ton of food that we don’t have the willpower to turn down). So we opted for something light to just fill our bellies a little. I stayed outside with Lulu while Wade ordered, and in just a few minutes, he returned with yummy drinks (he a coffee and me another steamed milk) and some very delicious, piping hot scones. Blueberry Lemon and Cranberry White Chocolate. Perfect texture, great flavors and just the right amount of big blueberries and cranberries in every bite. Yum yum yum. We ate up every last crumb. And were perfectly content to start the walk home.

Café Avanti * 3706 N. Southport Ave. * 773.880.5959

(sorry - no photo for this one... I didn't bring the camera!)

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I'm wishing you and yours a lovely autumn weekend.

(Photobrick's Pumpkin on Flickr.)

'Til next week, my friends!

halloween decorating

Halloween is definitely one of my favorite holidays - second only to Christmas, actually - and I'm thrilled that it's almost here again. The aisles at Target are overflowing with costumes, candy and decorations, and just strolling through last weekend, my mind started filling up with ideas for decking our halls in orange and black.

Since we just moved into our house around this time last year, I didn't really get a chance to do any Halloween decorating, what with all the unpacking to do, but this year that will definitely not be the case. The calendar is wide open and we're nicely settled in. And with the help of Martha Stewart, I've got a few ideas up my sleeve...

(Martha Stewart Paper Shadows and Bat Garland)

The tricky part will be waiting until October 1 to start decorating.
Stay tuned for more Halloween posts in the weeks to come!

mama needs a new pair of shoes

... and she really wants these!

Those ruffles are pretty as can be.

(Ruffle Row Peep Toes from Anthropologie.)

apple of my eye

When I look at this, all I can think of is digging into a warm, gooey slice of apple pie with a big scoop of vanilla on top.

Maybe that's what I'll do this weekend. The forecast is calling for a rainy one, so baking seems the perfect way to spend the time.

Have a good one!

Red Apples by Desert11sailor on Flickr.

dhurrie rugs

If I could say with certainty that Lulu wouldn't destroy one of these gorgeous woven dhurries from John Robshaw, then I might actually consider getting one.

But I'm still trying to get over the hole that she chewed through my kilim...

I guess a new rug is just going to have to go on the wishlist for now.

four-legged fashion

Lulu's first birthday is just around the corner and me-thinks she needs a new collar. I think the birthday girl would look just perfect in one of these...Adorable dog collars from Mascot.

Clockwise, from top left: Old School Repp Collar, Sailors Knot Collar, Sailors Knot Collar Natural Collection, Urban Nubuck Collar

{What do you think, Hillary? Wouldn't one of these fit the bill?}

a whole lot-ta on sale!

Psst! Hey you! You need to get over to Lotta Jansdotter right now… Unless you don’t want to shop her amazing collection of screen printed linens, stationary and ceramics at 50% off (and more!) the regular price.

I’m guessing it’s an end of season sale or something because they’ve slashed prices across the board. Baby, bags, apparel and linens – all are uniquely Lotta with nature-inspired patterns, earthy color schemes and neutral fabrics. And not all, but a LOT, are marked down.

Now go on… stop reading and get over there !


I’ve got my eye on the line of Redig Mustard pieces – flirty dresses, bags and table linens.

down-to-earth style

Natural beauty and contemporary design. That’s what you’ll find when you take a look at the wood collection at Potluck Studios.

Sleek trays, nesting bowls and serving pieces are made from renewable wood in a gorgeous whitewashed blond finish that lets the beauty of the woodgrain show through. I love the organic look of the pure, untreated finish. The unique design of each piece is very alluring, very smart. And each piece – from a square handled tray to a footed compote dish – can easily stand alone as the focal point of a tabletop or can meld seamlessly with other pieces, be they ceramic or glass.

The easy part is thinking of all the ways to incorporate one of them into your home. The hard? Picking out just one.

To see the rest of the collection, click here.
To visit Potluck Studios, click here.

they say a picture is worth a thousand words, but what about the frame?

It may not be a thousand, but I'm sure I can come up with a couple...

Ever since I opened an email from RianRae last week, I cannot get these True Love Frames out of my mind! The ornately carved frames remind me of castles with four little turrets pointing up to the sky, and if you look closely, you can see the initials T & L hidden away in the two tallest peaks declaring True Love. And I'm loving the chip carved frame. It looks like Tramp Art, a form of folk art dating back to the 1800’s. {I learned all about it when I asked my boss about a beautifully carved jewelry box she had sitting on her desk. I didn't realize it was actually a Tramp Art antique.} I’m sure all three of the finishes - gold, brown and natural - are pretty, but I think natural is tops.

RianRae True Love Frames, ($88)

{For more on Tramp Art, visit here.}

a new season

It happens every year. The hot, dog-days of summer fade away and are replaced with the much-appreciated cooler days of fall. The sun sets a minute or two earlier each day, and my morning routine starts needing a jump-start since the sun is still hiding when I'm supposed to get out of bed. Chilly nights equal perfect sleeping weather. Pumpkins and mums and apples of all kinds pop up in the grocery stores and colorful leaves begin their floaty descent from tree branches.

Fall is just beginning, and it’s my most favorite time of year. You can feel it in the air. The kids are back at school; another summer vacation passed. My summer diet of popsicles, corn on the cob and fresh veggie salads will soon be replaced with apple crisp and lasagna and roasted chickens. The white wine glasses get pushed to the back making room for the red.

It’s the time to get cozy. To pull out the throw blankets tucked away in the trunk. To dust off the baking books that didn’t get used because it was too hot to turn on the oven. It’s time to nest. And with nesting comes shopping. I mean, we all want a pretty nest, don’t we? Here are a few goodies the magpie in me has her eye on.

(Sophie Conran Pitcher from Anthropologie; Bistro Towels from Harold Import Company; Vintage Inspired Basket from Basketville)

(Lattice Coasters from RianRae)

(Roost Agadir Poufs from Velocity)

(Succulent Wreath from VivaTerra)

in grief

I've had a hard time getting back into the swing of things. I was already feeling a little out of it coming back from Mexico, but then on my first day back at work, I got the call. A call in the middle of the day from my dad (neither of which ever happen). I knew from the second I saw the caller ID that something was wrong. He told me that my grandmother died, that my mom was up at the hospital with her when she passed away and that the funeral would be in the next few days. He'd keep me posted on all the rest and my mom would call me that night. We hung up, and I was heartbroken. I knew she was sick. I knew this was coming... she was 83, after all, and lived a full life. But no matter how ready you may think you are, when that call comes, you're left feeling stunned.

And sad. Oh so sad. Sad that this woman who has always been in my life - greeting me every time I walked in the door with giant bear hugs and kisses on the cheek, talking with me about whatever was on my mind no matter how busy she was, teaching me about birds and animals and flowers - was now gone. Sad that my mom has now lost both of her parents in a little over a year, and even though she's nearly sixty is left feeling like an orphan. And so sad that I wasn't able to get right over there at that second to see her, and hug her and tell her how much I love her.

In the days leading up to the funeral services, we talked a lot about my grandma and the influence she had on all of us. We shared stories and special memories and looked at stacks and stacks of pictures. I learned so much about the woman she was... besides just the Grandma I knew. She was a farmer's wife who believed her greatest accomplishment was her family. She was a community leader and advocate for women's rights with a voice that left a brighter future for many. She received many awards for her hard work.

Sharing these stories reminded us to celebrate my grandma and cherish the lessons she taught. Devotion to family. Fighting for what you believe in. Living each day to the fullest. I know that I'll never have her back, but she is in my heart and in my mom's, and the love we share as a family will keep her spirit alive.

oh boy

Time is just flying, and I haven't had a chance to get to Contented Me at all. Sorry! I'll try to get a few posts up before the week ends. See you soon!

vacation - here i come!

I'm signing off a little early this week.

Why, you ask? Because I'm leaving on a jet plate. And I'm heading here:

La Villa del Valle in the Guadalupe Valley, Mexico.

"A secluded, relaxing sanctuary" in Mexico's wine country.

All I want to do is this:

And drink a lot of wine and take a lot of naps, too.

See you next week!

recipe to try: cookie dough truffles

Bite-sized chunks of cookie dough covered in chocolate? Where do I sign up?

After I watched Paula making these easy-as-can-be-yet-so-delicious-looking-I-can-hardly-stand-it cookie dough truffles, I vowed that these would be my next dessert treat to try, and I ran right over to my laptop to get the recipe. {Well, I went online right after I cleaned up the puddle of drool on my coffee table.}

Don't they look amazing? Any cookie dough lover out there will appreciate these. We no longer have to feel guilty for our batches of cookies that yield half as much as the recipe calls for because we ate too much of the dough. This is dough that's meant to be eaten! And because sweetened condensed milk is added as the binder, we don't even need to worry about getting sick from raw eggs. {Getting sick from eating too many? Well, that's a different story.}

I can't wait to try the recipe. I'll let you know how it turns out... but if you beat me to it, please let me know what you think!

Cookie Dough Truffles
from Cooking with Paula Deen March/April 2007

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1-1/2 pounds chocolate bark candy coating, melted

Directions:
In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in milk and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour, mixing well. Add chocolate chips and pecans, mixing well. Flour your hands because dough will be sticky and shape into 1-inch balls. Place on waxed paper and let chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Using 2 forks, dip cookie balls into candy coating to cover. Place on waxed paper and chill to set. Store in refrigerator.

Makes 5 dozen truffles.

euphoria

I wish my computer was scratch and sniff.

If it was I would surely rub a hole right through the screen from trying to smell this all day. It's Euphoria by Calvin Klein. My new favorite scent!

Now, I know it's only August and my birthday isn't until November, but I sure hope a certain somebody remembers this when he's shopping. {wink wink}

Euphoria Eau du Parfum Spray ($75) available online at Sephora.

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Even though it's well into August and the stores have already stocked the shelves with back-to-school and halloween, we've still got a few more weeks of summer. Enjoy every minute of it!

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time." ~John Lubbock

(Running Ahead of Oneself by OrangeAcid on Flickr.)

Have a lovely weekend. See you Monday!

good things

Martha Stewart Living always impresses. I love cracking open each shiny new issue to see the bounty of lovely images and ideas that are piled up inside. The stylists are the cream of the crop. Purrdy pictures abound. And the brains behind the mag come up with one amazing decor, holiday decorating, organizing, gardening, cooking, baking, collecting - you name it! - idea after another. MSL is the inspiration bible.

Every year for Christmas my mom renews my subscription, and until just a few days ago, I kept every issue. There were stacks and stacks... all organized by date {Martha would be so proud!} and full of dog-ears, notes and bookmarks. But all good things {hee hee, no pun intended!} must come to an end, and the neat-freak in me decided it was high time to bid adieu to those stacks. But not until I went through each one and tore out the ideas that I wanted to keep. After what seemed like endless page-turning, I finally got through every last issue, tearing out pages as I went along. Now the only stack that's left is the one on the curb for recyling.

Here are a couple of my tear-outs that I think are share-worthy:


I love this idea of using an old chair as a bedside table. Here it's used in a guest room, set up with essentials that welcome. I could also see doing this in a master bedroom with a lovely vase of flowers and an alarm clock on the seat and a stack of books or magazines below.


They manage to make even under the kitchen sink look pretty! I know that mine could use some organization like this. And what fun to go about grommeting. {Sorry, I realize how craft-nerdy that just made me sound.} But I do think it would be nice to have a place to hang my rubber gloves and a dish towel or two rather than stashing them in a drawer across the room.

Old metals cans are transformed into a collection of simple white vases that are perfect for showing off flowers from the garden. And just think how green you'd be if you held on to those old soup and coffee cans and turned them into something beautiful. Now if only I could get my hands on so many gorgeous hydrangeas...

on friendship

I’m a little blue. I should be full of happy, but actually I’m a little sad. I was away last weekend – spending a blissful three days with my dearest high-school girlfriends – and it was, as it always is, a perfect weekend. But now it’s over. And oh how I hate to say goodbye. I adore these girls. Ahem, women. We are all grown up now, after all. But each year we trek back to Wisconsin from wherever life has led us just to be with each other. That’s all the weekend is about… simply being with each other. There are no special events to attend or formal dinners to put on. It’s a-ok to stay in your pajamas all weekend. There is no judging. We’re each loved and accepted for exactly who we are. And always have been. We laugh. We cry. A few laugh so hard they end up crying. Together we look back and smile on our pasts and look forward to our futures. Friendship really is life’s dearest gift.

So here's to you, my dear ones - Aimee, Jill, Jody, Sarah, Tera, and Tori – your friendship is priceless, and I love you with all my heart.

(What Happiness Feels Like by DazeyChic on Etsy.)

design inspiration: colorful bedrooms

So, I know this may seem contrary to my usual love of white interiors, but I guess I'm in the mood for a little color today, and these bedrooms look just perfect to me. They are both fine examples of how to use a bold color on the walls. The blue room is beach house casual with white beadboard, industrial-inspired reading lamps and striped fabrics. It's all about simple lines and clean living. The pink room, on the other hand, is boho-chic with an antique iron bed, mounds of flowery pillows and a crystal chandelier. The pink-panel wall, collection of mirrors and plaid curtains add feminine charm and add to the cozy appeal of the space.

(Posh Living's Beach House Bedroom on Flickr.)


(Tammy Manet's Pink Room on Flickr.)

design inspiration: coastal living

Sitting in the doctor's waiting room this morning, I started paging through a copy of Coastal Living and was so smitten by the photos, I just had to go online for more. I was instantly enamored when I saw this:

What can I say? You know I love the nearly all white palette and cannot resist the pared-down look of this casual cottage getaway. The architecture boasts clean lines, and the décor is informal – a mix of flea market and antiques store finds.

I imagine how cool the salt-bleached pine floors would feel beneath your feet and how the ceiling fan overhead would softly whir day and night. We’d all plop down on the comfortable slipcovered sofa after a long day of playing on the beach and use the huge coffee table to set up board games or to nosh on snacks. The antique pine wardrobe would be filled with blankets for cuddling up after the sun goes down.

It’s about living simply. Making your home a cozy and peaceful retreat.