Saturday Somethings

and another thing.

2011-09-20T08:59:00.000-07:00

I am loving concrete countertops! awesome.

somewhere.

2011-09-20T08:56:00.000-07:00

i needed somewhere to post these beautiful pics.

a wall.

2011-04-14T18:31:00.000-07:00

the nursery. not done. my baby is six months. but the wall is killer! here is a man stencilling the design I made on the wall. oh wait! that man is my husband...how did I talk him into that? He swore off my projects a long time ago! the finished product...the wall...not the nursery. stay tuned.

Valentines.

2011-02-12T18:29:00.000-08:00

I made some valentines while the little one was napping. it was heavenly!

recycled.

2011-02-08T19:38:00.001-08:00

Made a little Valentine's Day project. I used old magazines and scraps of ribbon. Nothing beats a project you can do start to finish in about 30 minutes...I need to do more of these, I seem to get myself buried in monster projects that never end and I simply can't finish!

mojo.

2011-02-06T23:37:00.000-08:00

I think I finally got my mojo back. The sleep deprivation doesn't phase me anymore. And going back to work has stimulated my brain to think deeper thoughts then, "what time did I feed her?" In fact, I have started to want to do projects again..and I've even started having creative ideas again! In fact, yesterday I had two! Woohoo! After months of feeling brain dead I've finally got my mojo back and it feels great!I saw an article about a lady who has been part of a craft group for the past ten years. Every month they get together to do a little craft. If you would have told me that before I had a kid I would have thought it was quaint, but probably a waste of time...but now I get it! I see the value of a couple of hours out of the house to chit chat with ladies and get your creative juices flowing...anyone, anyone?...

all things nursery.

2010-10-04T13:54:00.000-07:00

there's a babe on the way, and no nursery to show for it. most mommas are done with the nursery months in advance...but, not me. There is a bassinet next to my bed awaiting her arrival and some clothes washed and ready to go...and that's all she gets...for now. The Nursery will come shortly after we rid ourselves of the queen bed taking up all the space in what will become her nursery (and will no longer be our guest bedroom). So until then, I'm swooning over these nurseries...and trying to find some motivation or energy to do something besides lay on the couch when I get home tonight...

for sure.

2010-08-26T15:26:00.000-07:00

I'd love to attend this party....

or maybe for a more kid-like flare, this party...

i need an excuse to throw a party!

dinner at dusk.

2010-08-23T14:14:00.000-07:00

can we please have dinner at dusk at this little table from a beach cottage? I can almost taste the salty breeze...mmmm.

patience.

2010-07-29T10:07:00.000-07:00

I need to find the patience to paint a pattern like this on my master bedroom focal wall...so awesome!

easter lovelies.

2010-03-31T10:08:00.000-07:00

these tiny bouquets in eggshells are the sweetest thing I have ever seen. they remind me of spring...and today when its SNOWING outside that's exactly what i need.

this would make a very sweet center piece or easter gift. it looks like wild clover, and the chocolate bunny is so cute!

wishes and fishes.

2010-03-11T09:44:00.001-08:00

my husband was paying attention...and he surprised me with the domino design book for my birthday. I swooned.

and I spied this lovely. Can't get enough of the logs stacked in the fireplace. I also love this as an idea for a feature wall. It mixes so nicely with a more elegant look or a more casual feel.

place settings.

2010-03-01T19:47:00.000-08:00

My grandmother received china and silver for her wedding. she pulls them out from time to time.

My mother had a nice set of stoneware and china she received for her wedding which we used on some special occasions when I was young.

But...I got corelle for my wedding. functional. every day. corelle. oddly enough I even registered for china...what a waste picking out a china pattern was because we didn't receive any of it for our wedding. looking back now I am SO glad we didn't. We really wouldn't use it enough to justify the expense. However, that said I do really love dishes. and so I have been collecting black and white dishes from thrift stores for a long time. I love having mismatched dishes! I don't entertain often enough, but I can't wait to have a big party and pull out all my black and white place settings! *disclaimer: these are just some of my favorite pieces*

and since we're on the subject, check out this awesome printed placemat. I love the idea of printing something for a special occasion. or in my case I think I would want to use old sketches or architectural blue prints (since I have an unlimited supply of those).

hobby season.

2010-02-26T12:34:00.000-08:00

Everyone has a favorite time of year. I have several. But the one I'm REALLY looking forward to this year is "hobby season." Hobby season follows busy season. When my work finally slows down and I start going home at 5pm like normal people do then hobby season officially commences. And I can finally do all the projects and outings I've been thinking about for 3 months. These two projects are first in line for hobby season this year:

this color collage is so neat. its just a lot of things of the same color on paper. nothing difficult. but really cool end result. (pretty sure this came from design sponge)

Second, is this fabulous doily pillow. so sweet. (sorry I can't find the original source)

the list is expanding rapidly, I hope April comes soon!

back.

2010-02-23T10:55:00.001-08:00

i had to take a small blogging hiatus...okay it wasn't that small. but I'm back. suffice it to say working sun up to sun down and every minute in between and thereafter is not condusive to keeping up a blogging hobby. nevertheless.

meet my new favorite color. ruby red. I've always thought of it as rust. the common person may call it orange. but at the end of the day its still my favorite. I've been begging my husband to paint me something using this color to put on my wall. I've yet to find any success in this endeavor but I'm holding out hope. maybe for my upcoming birthday? good idea, no?

today.

2009-12-05T09:00:00.000-08:00

Today I love these items...

this dining room table made from an antique door.
these ring holders. I love the way these look.

these snowflakes. I only wish I were that handy with scissors!

this little table. this would be perfect for my little entryway

vintage books...or new books that look vintage.

this picture. It makes me want to fall in love all over again.

this great graphic print.

this lovely garden party...oh how I'm missing summertime!

this is going to be my new inspiration board. simple. lovely.

a great christmas project. on my way to goodwill to pick up some beautiful goblets, I think these would be great for a candle lit christmas feast.

an outdoor bed. I can see myself curled up there reading a book, or basking in sunshine.

what are you loving today?

beautiful bedrooms...

2009-12-05T08:48:00.000-08:00

I swooned.

2009-11-20T16:01:00.000-08:00

love this. hang something over your dining room table that's not a light fixture, what a novel idea! And the christmas ornaments are such a wonderful touch.

white.

2009-10-02T15:27:00.001-07:00

sticking with the white theme, I thought I'd post these lovelies.

definitely.

2009-09-30T19:07:00.000-07:00

This is definitely one of the loveliest white rooms I have seen. Love the bedding, especially the pillows, love the lamp, and the painted panelled ceiling is charming. Not to mention, how fun that the decorations are articles of clothing and accessories. very nice.

found it.

2009-09-17T15:17:00.000-07:00

here is the kitchen I couldn't find. I love the chalkboard wall. so sweet. Very simple, with clean lines. love it.

cucina

2009-09-15T16:58:00.000-07:00

that's italian for kitchen. Here are some favorites; however, there is one I couldn't find which I will gladly post tomorrow. enjoy.

family dinner.

2009-09-14T15:57:00.000-07:00

an american institution. we haven't had family close by for several years. my brother and his family moved to a neighboring town last month. yesterday we had them over for dinner.

it was simply enchanting.

they have 3 adorable children who i love to pieces. and a new tradition was born, or an old tradition was re-established i should say.

family dinner.

and the food wasn't so bad either if i do say so myself!

change it up.

2009-09-11T15:30:00.000-07:00

I decided to change it up today. no feature friday.

today its all about the washroom (as my sister who lived in Canada says). lets be honest we all spend way more time in here then we would like to admit...and that's why it should be lovely.

here goes:

very cool vanity.
this tub looks luxurious
best use of a small space. I think most of us have a bathroom about this size...but lets be honest they don't look this good. okay maybe I'm speaking for myself here.

perfect way to make your bathroom more inviting...add furniture. love this.

how cool to walk right in from outdoors. love the concept of outdoor showers...probably not ideal for every climate. I like the tile too.

nicely done. notice that the mirror isn't the whole wall, its only above the sinks. cool design aspect.

and thats all. have a lovely weekend.

sweet.

2009-09-10T15:42:00.000-07:00

I thought this was super sweet.

love the idea of taking a cookie cutter to brownies, it makes them so much more exciting. and the bag was also homemade, which I thought was ultra clever. this project would be great with one of those lovely date stamps that always remind me of the library. or you could just throw a brown paper sack through your home printer.

the mister has been working extremely hard this week, and i think this might just cheer him up. Who would you give this too?

coffee table books.

2009-09-09T15:15:00.000-07:00

I've always thought that buying books was not for me. I don't want to store them, haul them when I move, pay for them, and most of the time I don't read them twice. I am a very strong advocate of local libraries.

However, I have become a coffee table book fanatic. I find myself swooning over books that I long to put on my coffee table. This first occurred with the domino book mentioned a couple weeks ago; however, this weekend heightened this new addiction. While in NYC I came across book after book that I longed to own. I shant list them all or even attempt to list very many...but suffice it to say it started at the metropolitan museum of art where i wanted to buy 3 or 4 books full of beautiful artwork and photographs and only worsened at MoMA. where it became almost unbearable and I had to leave the store...

so if i had loads of cash today. I would purchase the domino book previously mentioned, The Sartorialist, Frank Lloyd Wright's complete collection, and something featuring photos by Walker Evans.

*picture borrowed from apartmenttherapy

By Me

2009-09-01T14:35:00.000-07:00

I'm not even sure I can call this a "project" per se, but I did add a new 'element' to my bathroom.

That's right, I put sticks in a clear vase. And although the picture is horrible, it looks really cool. I am very happy! The best part of the whole project was finding the sticks, each one I found I liked more than the first. I found myself getting carried away and picking up more then I needed, and I even put some away for later. That's right I am storing some really good looking sticks for later!

it reminds me every morning to enjoy the simple things in life.

*disclaimer: no trees were harmed in the process of making this "project" all sticks were found on the ground because, lets be honest, I didn't have any tools to cut them off trees and it was dark.

i wish.

2009-08-31T16:42:00.000-07:00

spent the weekend totally enraptured in this splendid book. I thought I could settle for just borrowing it from the library, but I have already asked Santa for it....simply fabulous!

Feature Friday

2009-08-28T08:15:00.000-07:00

todays feature is blackeiffel.

rachel at blackeiffel is splendid. She has lovely guest bloggers each week. She posts georgeous pictures. and she totally inspires me. she and i share one great similarity, we live in the same great city and both adore a bakery called tulie.

that's not all. She posted the most adorable child's party that was peter pan themed. She took a trip to France recently that has me swooning each time she posts about it. She is incredibly talented! and I would love to meet her one day at our favorite bakery for one of these (which is the coconut cream torte I got last time)

and if that's not enough she recently posted about what has become my newest obsession...travel journals. check these out!

after seeing these I wished I had made one for every trip I've ever taken. so neat!

my own.

2009-08-27T12:15:00.001-07:00

i made these cake stands and thought i would share.

i think they are lovely.
now i have to bake something to display on them, i'm thinking mini cupcakes.

there are a couple others, but these are my favorites.

more favs.

2009-08-26T15:02:00.000-07:00

bad week in the business world. however posting these favorite accessories has made me feel much better. enjoy.

love the branch with the birds in the corner

the entry way piece of my dreams. simple. cute. functional.

love these chairs.

definitely need a wall hanging inspired by this one!

sweet dresser.

lovely.

nesting tables, so cool.

love those boxes

make. or break.

2009-08-25T14:19:00.000-07:00

I am convinced the light fixtures in a room will make it. or break it.

Here are some of my absolute favorites that I have been hoarding. I hope they inspire you as much as they inspire me.

I'm off.

2009-08-19T13:07:00.001-07:00

headed here to do this.
leaving work early for a long weekend. ciao!

birds of a feather.

2009-08-18T16:13:00.000-07:00

today i fell i love with these lovlies at anthropologie.

this mobile.

and these accessories.

pretty sure these would be awesome at my house!

Feature Friday

2009-08-14T15:33:00.000-07:00

Today I am featuring Give Away Today.

Everyday they give away at least one GREAT item. And all you have to do to enter the contest is comment. You can have up to four entries for each giveaway! I found out about this about 2 months ago, and a couple of weeks ago I WON! And let me just say I couldn't have been more excited!

I won earrings from Crystal B. ...they came in the mail yesterday on an extremely atrocious day. My day was no good, but the earrings are stunning!

Thanks Crystal B!

Well I'm off for a much anticipated roadtrip home.

if.

2009-08-13T16:11:00.000-07:00

If I owned a restaurant it would defintely be inspired by this one.

library.

2009-08-12T18:28:00.000-07:00

Oh to have a library. this one is quite unique, one wall is real books the other is wallpaper. love the idea! I think it's very charming, don't you?

spice.

2009-08-11T12:19:00.000-07:00

feeling like i need a little spice in my life...been at the daily grind too long. headed home for the weekend which might be just the break i need.

love this pic. reminds me that i need a little spontaneity every now and then. did you get your dose of spontaneous today?

eleven.

2009-08-11T10:46:00.000-07:00

finally hit some yard sales and thrift stores on saturday. it's been a very busy summer.

eleven dollars later I was feeling VERY excited about my purchases. I scored 2 black and white plates, a vintage vase, a glass light fixture, 3 antique glass knobs, and an antique lamp. I've got lots of projects to do now. I can't wait!

Feature Friday

2009-08-07T06:29:00.000-07:00

Today I am featuring oh hello friend. Which you must check out soon because all the giveaways she is doing for her customer appreciation week end this weekend. and you will definitely want to win!
I love the pictures featured on hello friend. She really has an eye for things that are lovely. It's very inspiring. Some of my favorites lately have been...

These lovely items from her shop, are so sweet in the packaging you almost don't want to remove them...almost.

And these lovelies are the items included in the Thursday giveaway this week. I am so in love with the date stamp! I hope I win!
Have a lovely weekend!

I spy.

2009-08-06T19:00:00.000-07:00

I spied this lovely today and I'm smitten. I have seen a lot of lovely wallpaper...but I think I like this better. How lovely. and possibly inexpensive, no?

Le Holder.

2009-08-05T21:38:00.000-07:00

The first step to overcoming a problem is admitting that you have one. I have a dangerous addiction to long whimsical necklaces...I can't help myself. Which has only created a bigger problem...how to store them? I want something beautiful as well as functional. Here are some ideas I've come across, and if I wasn't out of town for work I would post a picture of my latest failed attempt at making my own...

Love this one. Unfortunately, its not the best angle to show off the necklace stand, but you get the idea. vintage banister concept.
also love the simplicity of this one, however, this is not nearly large enough for my ever expanding collection.

Not designed for necklaces, but this would be a lovely concept as well.
And lastly, I came across the greatest DIY project for a necklace stand based on the same tree concept I have been using for my inspiration. Do yourself a favor and check it out here. Or if you have any other great ideas let me know.

love.

2009-08-04T18:03:00.000-07:00

loving these sweet cards made of leftover paper scraps. green card making...who knew? I especially love the lettering...I think I may need a typewriter.
Love these clothing tags. Could anything be more fun then those?

Love this new chalkboard paint. Paint anything and then write on it with chalk...the possibilities are endless!

I think one of these would be the perfect way to enjoy the rest of my summer...is it just me or do you feel it slipping away too?
note to self: spend more time outside in August or you'll be sorry in three months!

yes please.

2009-08-03T20:30:00.000-07:00

I adore vintage comb sets. They remind me of a vanity in my grandmother's house where we used to play when I was a little girl. I spied a couple of lovely vintage hand mirrors last weekend...but found myself wishing I could have inherited one of the many sets that belonged to my great grandmother. That would have been lovely, no?

Once. Wed.

2009-07-31T12:44:00.000-07:00

Truly the most brilliant and vintage and lovely place of all time. Once Wed.

I love everything wedding. I love fresh flowers. beautiful gowns. candles. colors. food. This site features absolutely delightful weddings. Most of which are in beautiful, green backyards. Splendid diy projects too!

Oh to plan a wedding again!

Check out the real weddings featured here.

before and after.

2009-07-30T15:40:00.000-07:00

AWESOME transformation.

I relate. I would like to convert my own traditional styled abode to a modern, chic studio. This one was very well executed. The pendant lights are my favorite part. And I love the white color palette. I only wish...

almost too beautiful to eat...

2009-07-29T16:15:00.000-07:00

well, almost...except I would definitely sample the macaroons. I love food photography, its so beautiful and delicate. And I love when food coincides with a color palette. lovely.

Abode.

2009-07-28T16:01:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics from my recent saturday staycation which included a couple of great spots. First, Abode. From the outside you feel like you are entering a Latin American Market...but the inside is fantastic! Complete with vintage everything. I was in heaven! And I just found out they do markets on Saturday mornings. Apparently, they are like a big vintage yard sale. I will definitely be checking that out.

an inside shot.

I also sauntered into second hand chic. Which I didn't get a picture of inside, but it was equally marvelous. Really chic clothes, awesome accessories, and vintage furniture worth swooning over.

Seriously great shops in SLC...

My favorite angles.

2009-07-27T17:22:00.000-07:00

Most of my favorite pics are the ones without faces. Please note I didn't say heads, however those are great too sometimes. I love when a picture is taken from behind, or the side, or in action. I think these are lovely. For those of you who follow Nie nie she posted a FABULOUS family pic which is exactly what I mean...click here.

Feature Friday

2009-07-17T14:54:00.000-07:00

Today's feature is SimpleLovely. Definitely one of my favorite blogs.

Joslyn makes Texas sound so magical and foreign...who knew, Texas? She always looks stunning in a dress over jeans which is her favorite uniform...not many can pull that off. She has another blog called raising foodies which I adore. And she instituted a spending hiatus that I didn't formally participate in, but it definitely save me a lot of money! One great feature about her blog is that she invites other incredible bloggers make a top ten list of their favorites and she posts it. Some of the best blog lists to peruse are on simplelovely. And to top it all off, she is SO stylish.

She MADE that necklace. So chic.

We share a love of white rooms

And we both thought the following idea was stellar.

Cheers to SimpleLovely

Have a great weekend!

Vintage buttons

2009-07-16T15:34:00.001-07:00

I think vintage buttons are so sweet. I absolutely love cards and papercrafts made with vintage buttons. There is a great boutique in my home town that sells them by the hundreds in cute bags. I have never broke down and bought a bag...but there's a good chance I will next week when I am home. Wouldn't they make really sweet magnets? or jewelry? oh the possibilities...

I Need.

2009-07-15T09:11:00.001-07:00

I CAN'T believe I don't own a breakfast-in-bed tray. What household is complete without one?

That MUST be the reason I never get breakfast-in-bed...

Nonetheless, I feel a void in my home which I hope to fill shortly by making one. The tray pictured is an old cupboard door picked up at a salvage yard. Positively brilliant. I'm sure I shall awake to breakfast-in-bed very soon. *hint, hint*

*check out craftynest for other sweet DIY projects*

Summer Lighting

2009-07-14T13:03:00.000-07:00

Summer is a feeling. It's feeling like you can stay up late every night of the week, even though you still have to go to work everyday. It's feeling like you should eat ice cream every meal, soak up the sun liberally, and abandon adult responsibilities more often. And no summer is complete without quiet evenings in the great outdoors. And I'm madly in love with the lanterns I have been seeing everywhere. I am in the process of making my own, which I will be sure and post. In the meantime enjoy these courtesy of d*s.

Feature Friday

2009-07-10T13:25:00.000-07:00

Each Friday I will be featuring fellow bloggers that inspire me.

Today I am featuring Andrea at hulaseventy. Andrea is a very talented photographer and does really sweet polaroids...like this one.

Hers is the first blog where I spotted my favorite to-do list of all time,"38 things to do before I turn 39." Her list is fabulous. My favorites include number 6. celebrate the chinese new year in a garden and number 8. write one sentence everyday for a year and number 13. wander aimlessly. I love lists as many of you know, so I embraced the concept and have my very own 24 things to do before I turn 25 (which might have to be a future post by itself).

I also love her photobooth fridays. As well as photobooth pictures in general. She takes her kids to a photobooth for mothers day every year which is such a sweet idea.

I love the way Andrea embraces life. She shoots fabulous polaroids, savors moments with her kids, and cruises the darling bicycle pictured above. check her out here.

*I will be adding each featured blogger to my side bar for future perusing*

love.

2009-07-09T14:31:00.000-07:00

Here are some ideas I've found for a headboard alternative.

This is a bed made from crates and an old door.

This is a antique divider screen repainted.

No headboard at all. Just a simple shelf. This is stunning.

I'm ready to sell my bedroom set. However, I'd have to do one of these all on my own...M has sworn off sanding, painting, and "projects" for the rest of the year.

Making a Come Back...

2009-07-08T11:53:00.000-07:00

The Polaroid. This has to be the COOLEST picture ever, I would like to buy it and blow it up to hang in my bedroom. I'm swooning.

**picture featured on designsponge contest**

Today.

2009-07-07T13:47:00.000-07:00

In the mood to put this away...

And have a quiet SUMMER evening here.

Salt Lake City

2009-07-01T11:30:00.001-07:00

Design sponge has featured a great series of city guides. They include must see design shops, must experience neighborhoods, and must eat food. I have loved reading about foreign cities and exotic places and wishing I was there. This week they featured my very own Salt Lake City! I could not be more excited! I am planning a 'staycation' for Salt Lake to visit a few of these shops and to eat at Este a new york pizza joint I have been wanting to try...after the fabulous review included here I HAVE to try it. I'll post my own review of the places featured. If your a Salt Lake local check it out here. Or you can check out other fabulous cities here

Radiant

2009-06-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

These all came from the same house... So not my house, but I wish it were! I couldn't figure out why I loved all these rooms...What do they all have in common?? LIGHT

The skylights in the bedroom, bathroom, and dining room make for a very dramatic effect, no? I love the mix of modern and traditional. Love it.

Homemade anyone?

2009-06-26T15:28:00.001-07:00

I saw these two books at the library last night.

First, this one caught my eye...maybe it was the David on the cover. Is there anything more universal then duct tape? I'm dying to try some of these projects. I love that is says, "the art of the tape" who knew?

Second, I also found this gem. It's chalk full of great ideas. Many of which you could substitute other types of paper for. Really, really cool ideas!

The authors - Lauren and Derek are SUPER talented and they create a lot of DIY projects for design sponge which I adore. They have a shop in San Francisco called the Curiosity Shoppe which is on my list of boutiques I have to see. Check them out here.

Day-Dream Vacations

2009-06-25T16:49:00.000-07:00

I plan at least 100 vacations every year, but I only take a couple. I love to see the latest travel deals and decide where I would go and when...if I had the money. This week I'm daydream vacationing in Maine for Labor Day. Anyone want to join me?

By Me

2009-06-24T08:06:00.000-07:00

Here are my own paper creations. I made these bracelets a couple of weeks ago. I love them!

A Continuation

2009-06-22T15:10:00.000-07:00

On the same theme "I heart paper". Check out this video.

I Don't Know from ATO Records on Vimeo.

The Art of Paper

2009-06-18T08:13:00.001-07:00

I think I could decorate a whole room with paper. Aren't these awesome?

Cupcakes are out....

2009-06-15T19:49:00.001-07:00

French Macaroons are IN....

I know because I've seen them EVERYWHERE! Milan, Paris, California...even Martha has a tutorial on making French Macaroons. They are every bit as delectable as they look too!

The macaroons pictured above were purchased by me for a certain someone while I was in San Jose last week. You will be shocked when I tell you that I paid $2.60 EACH, that's right, for each individual cookie. That's a lot of money, no?

Regardless, this is me insisting that if you see them in a local bakery, splurge and then indulge.

create.

2009-06-10T20:19:00.000-07:00

I have days like today. Days where I'm sure I don't belong at a desk. Days where I dream of being a boutique owner, selling things that are lovely, dainty, whimsical, and urban. A shop complete with lots of windows and natural sunlight, exotic wallpaper, colorful display cases, and oozing with charm. I'd have a workshop in the back where I could create, and I'm not exactly sure what I'd be making, but it would be splendid and we'd always be sold out.