Coffee - Black Please!

spring wishes

2011-01-25T10:29:00.000-08:00

wedges at anthropologie

watch at sundance (it's ceramic!) via bliss

misty

2011-01-23T21:10:00.000-08:00

how wonderful to spend a vacation in a place like this...alone!

desire to inspire

want...

2011-01-20T10:01:00.000-08:00

...her hat, it makes me happy.

(via the sartoralist)

ahhh...

2011-01-19T21:50:00.000-08:00

liking this house on bliss (i really love that couch.)

logs

2011-01-18T11:07:00.000-08:00

there is something cozy and warm about a bunch of stacked logs.

desire to inspire

in a dream world...

2011-01-17T15:19:00.000-08:00

i would dress like this everyday.

(via the sartorialist)

too pretty to eat...almost

2011-01-16T15:02:00.000-08:00

this is naive via the senses five (a great website i found via cup of joe)

swoon

2010-11-03T16:19:00.000-07:00

found at Livingetc. via decor8

yes please!

2010-09-26T09:44:00.000-07:00

preen via the sartorialist

envelopes

2010-06-17T10:04:00.000-07:00

My envelopes always look so plain and boring. It is not something I usually think about too much, addressing an envelope. But these have inspired me to put a little more thought into the next ones I address.

envelopes designs by gina at lettergirl via giverslog

a perfect afternoon

2010-06-14T11:21:00.000-07:00

photo by judith dekker via decor8

Since Miss A has arrived, 6 1/2 months ago, life has been moving quickly. I remember a friend telling me, years before I was even pregnant, to take time to read and drink coffee on my couch in the sunshine. I was reminded of this advice when speaking to another good friend of mine and passed it along as she is due with her first child in about 2 1/2 months. Not that I would trade Miss A in for anything in the world, but there are days where I daydream of having nothing to do but sit on my couch and leisurely read a novel.

a yearly manifesto

2010-06-10T21:50:00.000-07:00

i like this idea....

manifesto via s.hoptalk

a yearly manifesto hanging in your house reminding you of all the lovely things you want to live by.

wow!

2010-04-06T17:04:00.000-07:00

I love this ring . I am normally not a big Kate Spade fan, strange I know, but this is gorgeous!

found via Mrs. Lilien styling house blog

the last of the nursery art

2010-04-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

Today I found, or really Joanna at A Cup Of Jo found, the last piece of art for Miss A's nursery. If you remember from this post and this one, I have been looking for quite some time. I ended up with the beautiful Butterfuly Print from OSoo and this great print from The Voyagers , both from Etsy ! And now this one:

Baby Giraffe by Sharon Montrose

This weekend the plan is to get them framed (and remember I have this one to frame too) and hang them all up! Maybe sometime next week I will have a photo or two to share with you so you can see how they all came together. I hope it looks as great on the wall as it does in my head.

2010-04-01T18:20:00.000-07:00

With Miss A being so little and there not being little kids besides her in the family, we are not doing anything for Easter. I am hesitant to even get her an Easter basket. With that being said I saw these on Design*Sponge this morning and am tempted to make a couple. I have not dyed Easter eggs or decorated for the holiday in years, but this has me a bit inspired. Maybe a little walk through the neighborhood picking some little flowers growing here and there...

dream pantry

2010-03-30T17:50:00.000-07:00

Oh how I dream of being this organized and uniform!

found via ohdeedoh

stuff

2010-03-08T10:27:00.000-08:00

I love beautiful, modern and clean homes like this one from Dutch photographer Marjon Hoogervorst found via bloesom .

But what I want to know is where do they keep all their stuff? As I look around my house there is a lot of paperwork, CDs, DVDs, and miscellaneous stuff that I can never find the "perfect place" for. Do you think someone comes in and puts all there stuff in boxes just for photo shoots like this one? Or do you really think they can get rid of everything that doesn't "match" their home? And looking at the rest of the photos from this house I don't even see much storage space to hide stuff. Hmmm.....

ice cream heart

2010-02-23T14:53:00.000-08:00

I saw this today on Things She Loves:

I immediately remembered that the husband bought raspberry sorbet and he hadn't eaten any yet. So I grabbed a knife an etched in a heart with a little A + T in the middle. Fun surprise to find don't 'cha think?

Gratitude...

2010-02-22T12:27:00.000-08:00

a day late.

1. pink tulips
2. rainy lazy Sunday
3. eggs benedict
4. screwdrivers (or maybe just vodka?!)
5. brunch with a good friend
6. new sunglasses
7. dancing with miss a
8. long maternity leave
9. chocolate shortbread cookies with chocolate glaze and pistachios
10. the energy to clean the house

Are you grateful or thankful for anything that happened to you recently?

organization envy

2010-02-20T09:13:00.000-08:00

I saw these photos of a home in Sydney, Australia on This Young House of Love and it made me wish I had the perfect place for everything. How amazing would it be to have a cubby, a basket, a shelf or a container for everything that lives in your home. I am not sure I will EVER get this organized! And now with the little one, there isn't time to get this organized!

We have the same shelving in the dining room holding all of our barware and some serving dishes. But I love it as a linen organizer. To have a laundry room this large...WOW!

All of those matching magazine holders and baskets make me swoon. We have lost our office space to the nursery (not that our office EVER looked anything like this) so I find myself wishing we had a space to line with shelves of matching baskets and organizers.

It's all almost enough to make me get up from the computer and do something about it! Haahaa!

Gratitude...

2010-02-14T21:44:00.000-08:00

1. Pretty red tulips
2. Making Red Velvet cupcakes.
3. Going to see a movie (first one since Miss A was born).
4. Going to get a beer after movie.
5. Mom coming to hang out and help around the house.
6. Great visit with a friend I haven't seen since Sept.
7. Coffee and bagels on Sunday morning with the fam.
8. Miss A still loving me after a horrible night of crying it out
9. Watching the Olympics...love the olympics!

love it!

2010-02-12T16:47:00.000-08:00

I love this tank!! I just cleaned out my closet and got rid of most of my nice tops that I wear for dressier occasions. Good excuse to spend a large amount of money on this?? Not sure.

spotted here kara janx via oh joy

want this

2010-02-08T09:57:00.000-08:00

I love this poster from Sandra Junto. I think it would look super cute in my kitchen, although there is not a great place to hang it....

Moka by Sandra Junto

Gratitude...

2010-02-07T18:40:00.000-08:00

1. Miss A's gift from one of her favorite aunties.
2. Lots of fun visitors this weekend.
3. Coffee with my sister.
4. Massage at Kabuki.
5. Going to visit a friend mid-week.
6. Girls night (and pump and dump)
7. Date night with the husband.
8. Sushi!!
9. My super smiley daughter.
10. 9 hours of sleep on Tuesday night!!

another polaroid heart!

2010-02-06T09:54:00.000-08:00

Look! Another one! I haven't done anything about the first one I found, but this might push me to start looking for enough photos of us to create one! Makes me wish I had an instant camera!

the image is found via creature comforts

What are you cooking up for v-day?

alphabet poster

2010-02-05T12:40:00.000-08:00

We received a great gift for the nursery from one of husband's co-workers. I cannot wait to get it framed and hang it in the nursery! We received the poster with the white background...I don't think they have the cream colored background anymore. Super cute!

Alphabet Print by Burlesque Design

the dreaded valentine's day

2010-02-02T14:27:00.000-08:00

I never know what to do for v-day. Buying "things" seems silly. But this morning I saw this...

polaroid heart

I do not have a bunch of polaroids, but I do have a bunch of photos of husband and I. Might be a cute thing to hang on the wall for the day!

2010-01-31T09:06:00.000-08:00

I have finally started to order art for Miss A's nursery and am now contemplating how to hang it. I really only have one wall to hang it on so I am thinking about doing it in a gallery/collage style.

both images from ohdeedoh.com

I have three pieces as of now and am hoping to find a couple more soon. Then I have to decide on frames. Do I get mismatched frames like above or all the same like the below image from Apartment Therapy?

Gratitude

2010-01-31T08:19:00.000-08:00

1. My mom coming to hang out with Miss A and me.
2. My friend hearing her child's heartbeat for the first time.
3. Miss A's laughter.
4. Lunch with friends.
5. Our walks to the the park.
6. Banana Nut bread my mom baked
7. Sweet card from a friend coming in the mail
8. My breast pump NOT being broken
9. A visit from a friend.
10. Watching Miss A meet another baby for the first time.

Gratitude...

2010-01-25T10:36:00.000-08:00

a day late AGAIN!

1. 2 day visit with an out of town friend
2. boquet of flowers from husband
3. 2 movies in one night
4. miss A sleeping 5-7 hours Fri - Sun night
5. being treated to a mani/pedi by a friend
6. husband taking a day off work unexpectedly
7. miss A had a good check-up with the doctor
8. lovely box of gifts for miss A from a family member
9. miss A's laughter
10. lots and lots of rain

please pass the tissue

2010-01-25T10:14:00.000-08:00

My mom asked that I buy a box of tissues for Miss A's nursery because every time she looks at her she tears up...pretty cute huh?! So I did what my mom asked, but I hate looking at the tissue box. And then this morning I found this via ohdeedoh...

Paper Pot (Molla Space $40)

It is way more than I am willing to spend to make the tissue box disappear, but it has me on a search for something to beautify the ordinary Kleenex box.

beachy

2010-01-21T10:26:00.000-08:00

Maybe it is all the rain and cold weather,

but this photo is making me wish I lived somewhere warm year-round.

photo via Sartorialist

something to think about!

2010-01-20T15:51:00.000-08:00

The husband picked up a Real Simple magazine for me at the store the other day. In every issue they ask a question for their readers to respond to. For January it was What will you do differently this year? Basically a question about resolutions. As I read through them one really stuck out...

"I'm going to work harder at accepting people the way they are. My 59-year-old sister died this year after a short fight with cancer. She would always tell me when I complained about people, "They're doing the best they can." Her wise words will hep me achieve my goal."

I do an awful lot of complaining about others, especially when I am short tempered (which has happened a lot lately due to the lack of sleep). So I think this is yet another quote I should have tattooed somewhere on me where I would see it several times a day. You would think my resolution should be to work on my lack of patience with others (and myself)...maybe next year, as I already made my resolutions for this year.

Did you make any resolutions? How are you doing at keeping them?

oh rumi!

2010-01-19T17:23:00.000-08:00

“If you are irritated by every rub, how will you get polished?” - Rumi

Hmmm...husband always says I only have 1/2 a nerve (because I get irritated so quickly)...I should get this tattooed somewhere on myself where I would see it several times a day.

Gratitude...

2010-01-18T13:11:00.000-08:00

...a day late!

1. Time Saturday morning to surf the web and drink coffee.
2. My daughter smiling at me.
3. Having three very special visitors this week.
4. My daughter and I having cooing conversations.
5. Decaff coffee really doesn't taste that much different than regular.
6. My husband bringing me small surprises at the end of the day.
7. The beautiful purple and white tulips in my living room.
8. Getting to bake once this week (chocolate brownies...yum!).
9. Getting extra hours of sleep Saturday and Sunday morning...thanks husband!
10. Scheduled first date night with husband (with best babysitter EVER)

on the lookout: spicy!

2010-01-16T22:40:00.000-08:00

As I wandered around on the web today (husband took Miss A for a stroll...I actually read blogs and drank coffee for a whole splendid 30 minutes) I came across this photo...

and I love the spice jars! I love how uniform and organized it looks. My spices are all in different jars (the ones they come in from the grocery). I have been off work and sitting around the house for almost 3 months now, which means I have lots of time to watch things like the food network and HGTV. I want everything to be organized and to look like it is a photo from a magazine. I am on a mission to make my spice rack look something like Lillian's does above.

image from Lillian's Day's Photostream on Flickr via decor8

small moments

2009-12-31T19:50:00.000-08:00

With the sleep deprivation, fussiness and overall chaos that has hit my household over the last month or so I am finding the simplest and most routine things to be moments to relish. For example, I was just taking a shower. Everyone does this once a day (or at least I hope they do), but for me right now to be able to take a shower without the chance of having to get out with shampoo still in my hair is luxury. A reason to be utterly grateful and super happy (well until the husband walked in and said he needed to use the bathroom...happy moment over!). Going to the grocery store is an escape! I used to hate to go to the grocery store, always hoping the husband would do it if I just put it off long enough, now I offer! Taking a quick nap while dad watches Miss A so I can have a bit of uninterrupted sleep, also a lovely few moments! If I didn't look for the good in these little things I most certainly would go crazy! I used to look for rejuvenation by getting a mani/pedi, a massage, going out to lunch or dinner and being wined and dined. If I waited for big things like these to reenergized me, it could be months or years. Now I am looking for that same feeling in smaller moments, probably should have been doing this all along.
What kinds of moments make you feel rejuvenated and reenergized?

holiday sparkle

2009-12-11T12:08:00.000-08:00

So not much time between feeding and crying, but I saw this top on sale at anthropologie and fell in love. What a gorgeous top to wear for a holiday event. And it accentuates the waist...which I am finally getting back and cannot wait to show off after 9 months of big belly!

Have you seen anything that is getting you excited for the holidays?

get outside

2009-12-07T14:07:00.000-08:00

Overwhelmed and exhausted are understatements for how I am feeling these days. This adventure called mommy-hood is quite demanding and all consuming. I know! I know! Everyone told me it would be, but somehow I must have cooked up a different vision in my subconscious because when she cries or needs to eat or poops for the 8th time that day...I can honestly say, I almost lose it! Just being honest here! I love her. I love what she brings to our family. I love to watch my husband with her...but if I am going to be honest...she is difficult...the spitting image of her mother...haahaa!

But today, and any other day where I have spent some time outside of the house, is different. Getting some fresh air and sunshine really helps. We have made a trip to farmer's market, two trips to the doctor's office (he says she is doing great!), a quick walk to the drug store, the grocery, and my husband's office (to show her off). I know none of this sounds that amazing or out of the ordinary...quite the contrary. It is all very ordinary, but the idea is that if you are feeling overwhelmed by something daunting (it doesn't need to be motherhood, it could be a major project for work or writer's block) get outside. The need to socialize with people, get your blood moving, sunshine and fresh air will do wonders for your psyche. I know it snapped me out of my bah-humbug mood that I have been in!

the arrival

2009-12-03T08:57:00.000-08:00

So I have been MIA the last week or so, but for good reason, or at least I think for good reason! My gorgeous daughter was born early, early Sunday morning last week and I have been slowly, and I mean slowly, adjusting to motherhood. Thank god for good friends and a hands-on husband, otherwise I think I would have lost it. Don't get me wrong, I did loose it. More times than I wish to admit. This is hard work. But, wow, when you look into the eyes of the little critter you created with someone you love so much...all that work is worth it. Without further ado meet Miss A!

She is less than a day old here. 7 pounds 8 ounces and 20 inches long...perfect, if I do say so myself! I will try to continue to post daily. Not even sure if anyone is reading. If you are I would love to know about it...leave me a comment. I tried to schedule posts for the first few days when I was in the hospital, but blogger was not cooperating with me (or I did it wrong).

2010 calendar

2009-11-20T14:58:00.000-08:00

Everyone blogging seems to be doing calendar round-ups for 2010.
I am not going to do that.
But, what I am going to do is show you the one I bought because it is so great!

2010 Wall Calendar by letterCdesigns

It is simple and sweet with the greatest patterns in the background.
There is room to write, yet it is not massive.
It will look great hanging in my kitchen nook (where officey stuff is now going due to losing the office because of the nursery...oh and did I mention that I might be in labor right now!!!).
It was not expensive and I got to support an artist off of etsy.com!

Letter C Design, who also has a website here, was so sweet that they sent along a cute complementary note card with the calendar, which I sent to a dear friend of mine who is going through a rough time...see post about good advice and you will know why (besides the fact that I am a nice person) I sent the card!

The note card she sent me was no longer in her shop, but these adorable Owl Lineup Notecards are too cute!

Have you bought your 2010 calendar yet?

letting go

2009-11-19T09:30:00.000-08:00

I was having a conversation via gmail chat with a friend today.
We have great discussions while I am sure he is supposed to be working.

We were discussing how to do what we need/want to in order to be happy and not worry so much about what everyone else thinks. And of course remembering that you have to take certain people's feelings into consideration here. For example: I am not going to do whatever I want whenever I want and never care what my husband thinks. That would inconsiderate to say the least. But you cannot please all of the people all of time is so true. When do you start doing the things that make you happy without constantly being worried about what is going to be said about you when you do them? There seems to be this fine line between being selfish and good to yourself.

The next part of the conversation then started to explore this notion of selfishness. Is it selfish to do what you think is best for you? If people have a problem with it maybe the problem is not with you, but more an issue they have personally that they need to deal with. Are you following me here? So if someone becomes upset with an action you took that really had nothing to do with them (but THEY think it does), maybe they are not upset with YOU at all (although they think they are), but more that they have an internal issue they are not dealing with and it is easier to be upset with you. (Of course you have to really reflect to make sure you didn't actually do something to genuinely upset them.)

So then it moved onto whether you allow the negative thoughts being expressed about YOU by THESE people get to you. How do you brush them off? Even if you can say that the problem really lies within them, it is still hurtful to have people go and complain about you and your choices.

I know everyone judges. Everyone! It is human nature. We see someone do something different than us and we do anything from wonder "why" quietly to ourselves to gossiping about it with our friends and family. I am not saying that I have not done everything on the spectrum. But how do you let go of these negative things being said? I replay them over and over in my head. I hear things they probably do not even say because I over analyze them. Then I change my mind, make a different decision, or spend a TON of time justifying my actions to myself and anyone who will listen. In the end negative comments were still made about me AND I didn't do what I wanted/needed to do. THAT is a lose/ lose situation if ever there was one.

Where do you find that confidence to KNOW you are doing what is right for you and let go of the rest?

CAN vs. CANNOT

2009-11-18T09:23:00.000-08:00

Holly Becker writes a design blog called decor8.
But luckily for her readers it is so much more than about design.
She often poses interesting questions and scenarios that get me thinking and inspire me.
The other day she had a post about a friend of hers who was focused on the negative.
On the reasons something CANNOT happen.
Holly's thoughts (if I may) were to focus on the reasons something CAN happen.
I am often Holly's friend (figuratively, not literally).
I find myself coming up with reason after reason to NOT do something...why?
So this is a reminder to me to come up with 2 reasons something CAN happen
for every reason something CANNOT happen.
Maybe eventually I will stop thinking about the negative altogether (maybe).

comforts: peppermint hot chocolate

2009-11-17T11:02:00.000-08:00

There is something about coming home from work, shopping, errands...being productive in general...and then treating yourself to something warm and cozy once the weather has turned colder. We have finally started to turn on the heater at night for a bit and in the morning while having coffee...so you know it's getting colder. I am packing an extra 25 pounds right now and I still want the heater on!

Peppermint Hot Chocolate....Yummy!

So my cozy treat of choice is peppermint hot chocolate. My favorite is William Sonoma's Peppermint Hot Chocolate that you mix with warm milk on the stove. Just the idea of indulging in this treat is enough to propel me around town to do what I need to do so I can go home, hunker down under a blanket, read a book or check email and drink this coziness.

What treats do you like to indulge in this time of year to make you feel cozy and warm?

more nursery art

2009-11-16T12:54:00.000-08:00

So I am still perusing for nursery art.
Today though I am looking at art that might be more gender specific, where as last time they were pretty neutral.
I have quite a lot of wall space above the crib and am thinking about doing 5-7 framed pieces.
Here are some more choices:

My Little Olive Tree by TRMACKSTUDIO

Colorful Olives by SugarcubeDesign

Butterfly Print by osoo

Robot Alphabet Poster by Creativeneesh

Jewel Beetle Insect Display by BugUnderGlass

Live What You Love Letterpress Print by hijirik

So I think I am getting excited to find out if it is a boy or girl so I can start to buy some of these things.

I will post a picture when I finally order, frame and hang all of them.

Don't hold your breath for that being anytime soon...I have never had a baby before, but I am betting this will not be priority number one upon returning home from the hospital.

But when I am ready...it will be exciting!

What do you think of my choices for nursery art? Do you have other suggestions?

Gratitude

2009-11-15T09:13:00.000-08:00

photo courtesy of foodnetwork.com

1. Time to read a fictional book.
2. Holly at decor8 mentioned me.
3. Chai with a friend and her adorable son.
4. Enjoying the yummy cookies I baked last weekend.
5. Fresh tulips from my husband.
6. Friends and family calling to check on me.
7. Dinner at the richmond.
8. The love of my husband.
9. French press coffee.
10. Looking around my home and realizing I want for nothing!
11. The Apple Coffee Cake I just made...yummy!

uninspired

2009-11-14T19:36:00.000-08:00

So I am feeling uninspired.
Uninspired to blog, to do anything really.
I think all this waiting around the house for this baby to come is making me a bit bored and boring.
My husband went out to dinner with a family member of his that he doesn't know well, so that tells you how well I know him, and I could not make myself go. I am sure it would have been good to get out of the house.
Well...I did leave today. To go to Trader Joe's. There was a guy dressed like a pilgrim and another one dressed like a turkey (a sparkly turkey at that). That was entertaining to me for about 5 seconds.
So when you are feeling a bit down in the dumps and uninspired what do you do?
What gets your mojo flowing again?
It may be that nothing except pushing this baby out is going to do it for me, but I would love to hear what you do anyway!

gifts: men

2009-11-13T09:12:00.000-08:00

I always have the hardest time coming up with gifts for men..namely my man!
As I read all of my normal blogs I notice that the gifts they have listed are mostly for women.
But shopping for the women in my family is much easier for me than the men.
So....
I thought I would put together a few images of things that I have gifted my husband with in the past and....
a few things that I plan on gifting him with this holiday season.

I hope you enjoy and that maybe, just maybe, I gave you some ideas of what to get the special men in your life.

Umbrella...I have no link for this...this is just a generic photo I found. But I bought mine at Saks Fifth Ave. It doesn't collapse and has a wooden post through it...very slick!
These Cuff links are from Nordstrom....I bought mine at a great little store years ago in a town we used to live in.
The Pajama Pants are Old Navy and only $20.
The Business card case is from redenvelope.com and I plan to get it monogrammed with his initials...they do have a silver plated one that I am considering as well.
And the slippers are Ted Baker...he desperately needs a new pair!

the bedroom wish list

2009-11-12T13:11:00.000-08:00

I have been so focused on the nursery decorating for some time now that I have been neglecting the rest of the house. We recently got new bedroom furniture from Room & Board, 2 night stands and a dresser, and now I really want to do an overhaul. Not sure I can afford it, but if I could these are a couple of the things I would love to include in there.

Amenity - Organic Bloom Duvet

Felix Rug from Crate and Barrel

These are the nightstands and dresser that we purchased from Room and Board:

So this is all very neutral. Almost even too neutral for me. And I love the neutral. What splashes of color would you add and where to make it a bit more interesting?

stripes

2009-11-12T09:26:00.000-08:00

I have been really liking the stripes lately.
Which is weird because I have never really worn them.
But these two shirts have me thinking mayhaps I will change my ways.
Well, after I lose this large belly of mine anyway!

chickdowntown.com

NET - A - PORTER.COM

journals

2009-11-11T13:35:00.000-08:00

I have been writing in journals/diaries ever since I can remember. Never have I been consistent about it though. I tend to write when I am really upset or processing something that I think everyone is tired of hearing about.

I found a stack of journals that date back to September of 1998...over 10 years ago! And as you can tell there are only about 5 of them (one of which was written by someone else for me). I have read through them and boy are they embarrassing.

So what to do with them??

It is not like I am Anais Ninn with amazing writing skills or tantalizing affairs. No one is going to do anything with these. Option one is to put them in the basement in a box of stuff that is mostly pre-marriage photos and memorabilia. Option two is to destroy them in the fireplace or shred them...seems a bit dramatic and time consuming though. I worry about someone getting a hold of them, reading them and then realizing what a freak I am.

Do you journal? What do you do with your old journals?

good advice

2009-11-10T13:05:00.000-08:00

I just read an interesting piece of advice.
Background:
Someone was asking how to let go of something that is bothering you.
You know, when something replays itself over and over in your head like a bad movie.
This happens a lot to me.
I get so caught up in an incident that I end up playing out different scenarios in my mind.
This makes me even more frustrated and a bit angrier at the person(s) involved.
We might call this blowing it out of proportion.
These situations are completely avoidable if I could make my mind stop.
Anyway...The Advice:
Sometimes if you do something to help others; it will take your mind off of your own worries.

What do you think?

nursery art

2009-11-09T17:32:00.000-08:00

So I know I mentioned that I am due with baby in a week or so.
I have been slowly putting together the nursery for some time.
Mostly borrowed pieces because, let's face it, I am not made of money.
The basics are all there, but now I am looking for some art to grace the bare white walls.
I found a few things over the last day that have made an impression on me.
Not sure what will end up with, but here are some ideas:

I think the idea of alphabet cards is pretty cute...via Design*Sponge .

Found this via sfgirlbybay. The photograph is by Holly Stewart .

This colored pencil and ball point pen drawing is by artist Hedwige Jacobs who I heard about via please sir . The bright green in the drawing goes great with the rug in the room!

Anyway...I will continue to look around.

Any suggestions?

black and white

2009-11-09T08:46:00.000-08:00

I have always loved a simple palette of black and white. I actually have a friend who often complains that I do not have enough color in my house. I do not know if I am scared of color, or if I really just like the simplicity that a black and white color palette (plus some some other very neutral shades) bring to decorating.

I ran across this photo from Traci French who has a blog called Bliss . She also puts photos on her flickr site . It incorporates two of my favorite things - trees and black and white. And seeing as how the weather is finally turning colder it is very timely. This photo makes me want to hunker down and nest...well partially because of this photo and partially beacause I am due to have a baby in about a week and a half. Anyhow, it made me feel cozy.

Gratitude

2009-11-08T17:16:00.000-08:00

1. My new dresser arrived.
2. Able to borrow a bouncy chair from friend for baby.
3. Lunch with friend.
4. Tea with friend.
5. On maternity leave.
6. Understanding mom and sister.
7. Mom and sister coming to clean my house.
8. Found stroller used for cheap.
9. Haircut=healthy hair.
10. Spare time to ponder, read and write.
11. A friend treated me to a manicure/pedicure.
12. Spending all day Sunday in my pj's.
13. The energy to bake cookies.

Funny when I started this list I was having a hard time.
I was pushing to make 10, and then I came up with more.
What are you grateful for that happened to you over the last week?

laughter

2009-11-08T14:19:00.000-08:00

I am due with my first baby in 2 weeks.
We are super excited!
But I must admit I am getting a bit uncomfortable.
So much so that it often hurts to laugh really hard.
I saw this lady on the Sartorialist and it made me want to laugh -
without the pain!
Looking forward to that!

purple

2009-11-07T07:48:00.000-08:00

How pretty is this color?
Never have been much into purple,
but now am wondering how I could incorporate it into my house.

The beautiful image is from a lovely photographer named Sarah Maingot.
Originally seen on Bliss .

A space for....

2009-11-06T16:49:00.001-08:00

What is this space?

What do I need it to be?

What do I want it to be?

I need a place to archive inspiration.

I need a place to voice my thoughts.

I want it to inspire others.

I want it to make others think.

I have started this blog before....

and let it go.

Now I am going to be home much more....

and I think I will need it much more.

Hopefully you find something you need in it too!