bright with cheer

Since I wake long before the crack of dawn to work, I need my space to bright with cheer and inspiration.  This will do the trick for now.

 P.S....

Lately, I have been obsessed with stretching things over d.i.y. frames.  I bought this tea towel at an estate sale and have been wanting to frame it.  Well I searched high and low for a frame, but have come to the realization that this project required a custom frame. Since I am constantly updating this corner of my office I didn't think it wise to spend money on a custom frame.  So I headed to Lowe's and spent $3 on wood to make my own frame. So cheap and so easy.

**UPDATE: Here is the DIY tutorial

Favorite Finds: blog edition

I have no treasures to share with you today, because believe it or not I didn't go to a single estate sale or even a thrift store this past weekend.  However, I was able to finally catch up on my blogs and here are a few of my favorite finds from blog land.

I just discovered the awesomeness that is Lucky So and So, Jessi Arrington.  A graphic designer in Brooklyn who loves color and obviously life.  Her Weeks Worth of Undies post has left me curious if I could be so brave as to accept this kind of challenge; pack a weeks worth of undies and purchase wardrobe at thrift shops when you arrive at your destination.  Jessi chose to carry out this "challenge" at the TED conference (which she spoke at).  Check out what she wore Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  I admire the confidence this girl has in carrying out each look and owning it.  And why shouldn't she?  She looks fabulous, she's smart, obviously a sense a humor and super cute to boot!  Be sure to also check out Jessi's Outfits Page--her Kermit the frog is hilarious. all above images via lucky so and so

My next favorite find came from a post I saw over at Modern Haus introducing me to the work of photographer Irina Werning and her Back to the Future series.

 This guy looks like a young Frank Sinatra

 This guy looks like my uncle Poncho.  Wait, I don't have an uncle Poncho, but he looks like one of my uncles and he looks like his name would be Poncho.

 

I am looking forward to her 2011 subjects.

Lastly, one of my favorite illustrators shines light on a serious condition that many women...and men...struggle with.

Hilarious! illustration by kristina

wild flowers + pies

There are a few fields by me that are littered with wildflowers.  Their colors are magnificent, bright bursts of oranges and yellows.  I pulled over the side of the road and cut a few for the house.  I love how they brighten up our home, and even though I captured them for my own selfish enjoyment they still have a sense of "wild" about them.

Sunday was pie day at 42nd and Orange, and what a beautiful day it turned out to be.  I should have snapped another pic before I left (I was the first person there) because the table was filled with scrumptious looking pies.

I enjoyed a slice of this beautiful and delicious strawberry rhubarb pie--it was my first time ever having strawberry rhubarb.  Don't judge. 

My kind of math.

After pie and gabbing with the gals of 42nd and Orange we headed to the park to get all our sugar wiggles out before nap time.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend.  Cheers to a fantastic week!

Wishing you sunshine

Have a beautiful weekend friends.  Any plans?  I have an insane amount of work to do, so I have no real plans.  Although I am looking forward to Pie Day at 42nd and Orange.  Will you be there?  Hope to see you there...rain or shine.

image from Once Wed

left behind

This was a beautiful cedar chest.

This particular estate sale was for a woman who loved to sew, this was only a fraction of her vintage Singer sewing machines. 

The only reason this was left behind...there was a "sold" tag hanging from it.  I hate when that happens!  

This was headed for my cart until I was stopped in my tracks by the price... $89!

There was a beautiful collection of this china with 22k gold. 

found fabrics

A few more {fabric} finds from my thrift trip with Julia

 

WARNING:  The next series of photos are so cute they might make your teeth ache.

I warned you.  I can't wait to cut everything up and create some new goods for bink & boo!

Thrifting in Mexio

Ok that's a slight exaggeration, it was actually Chula Vista.  But! we were so close to the border, that at some points I seriously questioned if we had actually crossed into Mexico.  This weekend the fabulous Julia of San Diego Songbird shared her secret thrift spot(s) in San Diego, and let me tag along on an adventurous thrift trip (one of the shops was just off a dirt road).

I bought so much "junk" at our first stop they threw everything in a garbage bag.  The irony.  I found some fun and beautiful vintage books for Bronson.  The colors are so bold and the graphics are completely nostalgic for me.

I was so excited to find these three pieces.  I have plans to fill them with succulents and keep one for the house and give the others as gifts.

This is only a sample of what I brought home.  I will share more later in the week.  I am most excited about the fabrics that Julia and I found.  Thank you Julia for sharing your secrets with me.  Oh, and in case any of you think you can get me to spill the beans on my new and favorite thrift spots?  Think again!  I have learned my lesson.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  Did you do anything exciting?  Anyone make it out to Matilda's Mouse?

DIY Inspiration

 Why I never thought of this I don't know, but I love the idea of a doily runner.  I always see bags of these things for sale at thrift stores.  I might just have to buy a bag....or two.

I am so happy with the "new" curtains, but the hubs doesn't like the rod going all the way across the wall and wants to change it to one above each window.  Not sure he remembers how much we paid for that dang curtain rod, but was enough that I have actually left it to someone in my will.  Ok, not really, but it was seriously  pricey.  I am thinking this is our best option, and a smart one.  Pretty sure I will be headed to Anthropologie this weekend to scout finials.

DIY + image via Design Sponge 

I Saw this DIY, for the 'Les Touches' pattern from Brunschwig & Fils and I think I am going to give it a try.  The pattern is perfect for the office and will be fun next to my pink stripe curtains (that have really grown on me).

How about you, any fun projects planned for the weekend?  I hope you all have a safe and wonderful weekend!

First image from Erin Ever After, second from Little Green Notebook

left behind

 Just so we're clear, I wanted the chairs and not the mattress.

 Did I really leave this behind?  (head hung low) Yes, I did.

Oh the reupholstering possibilities.

I already had the fabric in mind for these stools, but sadly I was too slow to the draw and someone beat me to them as I was gazing at them lovingly.

Cute, but easy to leave behind.

Hey do you have plans for tonight?  Rustic Rooster is hosting a style hour (4:30 pm - 7:30 pm), and it looks to be fun for the whole family.  Check it out!

no more secrets

This weekend I divulged a little secret to a  certain someone about a few estate sales that were happening.  Generally I don't like to share my "secret spots" (I know that sounds awful, I'm an only child), I don't want someone grabbing all the goods before I can.  But in this case we both came out winners. 

That amazing graphic to the right is the cover to a book from 1947 San Francisco is Your Home of course I fell in love with the colors and design.  The glass tray (ashtray?) is too cool for school, and has found a temporary home on  my desk.  Oh, and that pile of turquoise plastic chain? It's a fabulous necklace that I will probably wear everyday this summer.

How about you, what did you do this weekend?  Cheers to a great week my friends!

Enjoy

Yay, it's the weekend.  What a week!  It started with some doubt and insecurity (does that ever happen to you?) and has ended in total peace and joy.  Oh the power of prayer...it's mighty y'all. This week I felt so inspired and creative both personally and professionally--I think the new curtains helped spur that energy.

I tried a few new things in the kitchen and thought I would share my favorite two.  First, whole wheat pancakes topped with fresh strawberries and sprinkled with cinnamon n' sugar.  Second, a tomato and fontina gallette,

Both of these recipes are so easy to make, and would be perfect for brunch this weekend. I hope you all had a lovely week, and that you have a chance to get out and enjoy the weekend. Wishing you sunshine & cheer!

Whole Wheat Pancakes
2 c. whole wheat flour
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 cups milk or almond milk
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
6 tbsp. unsweetened applesauce
Preheat griddle to medium heat, add a tsp of butter, use 1/3 cup measuring cup to dispense evenly. Cook until bubbles appear on top, flip. I like to sprinkle a mixture of cinnamon and sugar over the top of these (no syrup) and then pile on fresh strawberries.  You could even add fresh blueberries to the mix.  I hope you enjoy!

Tomato Gallette

Start by preparing the crust from Smitten Kitchen:

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, chilled in the freezer for 30 minutes
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces and chill again
1/4 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup ice water

Directions:
Whisk together the flour and salt in a large bowl. Sprinkle bits of butter over dough and using a pastry blender, cut it in until the mixture resembles coarse meal, with the biggest pieces of butter the size of tiny peas. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, lemon juice and water and add this to the butter-flour mixture. With your fingertips or a wooden spoon, mix in the liquid until large lumps form. Pat the lumps into a ball; do not overwork the dough. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Now while that is chilling, make the filling.
Ingredients:
4 medium or 3 large tomatoes (or some mixture of randomly sized ones from your garden, it doesn't have to be too specific) sliced
1.5 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup parmesan
2.5 oz goat cheese
1/8 cup fontina optional
1/8 cup gruyere optional
1-2 tablespoons chopped basil or thyme
Optional: Olives, Toasted Pine Nuts

Directions:
Spread the tomatoes on paper towels. Sprinkle salt (about 1/2 teaspoon will do) over the tomatoes and let sit while you make the rest of the filling.
Push a clove of garlic through a garlic press into the 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil in a bowl.
In another bowl mix together all the cheese and 1/2 tablespoon of the garlic olive oil you just made.

Prepare Your Galette:
Preheat oven to 400. Roll the dough out on a floured surface to 12" wide. Slide it onto a baking sheet covered in parchment paper. Push the cheese mixture onto the dough spreading it to about 2" from the sides of the dough. Blot the tops of the tomatoes and lay them on the dough in concentric circles. Sprinkle with the remaining garlic olive oil.

Fold the edges over the top of the galette pleating them(this is the fun part!). Mix one egg yolk and one teaspoon of water and brush the wash all over the exposed crust. 

Original recipe from Smitten Kitchen, discovered via Prudent Baby

Inspiration: living room

A few of my favorites from pinterest.

 

pinterest via Design*Sponge

I want that pouf!  I love how there are hints that this home might be near the beach but it doesn't scream BEACH HOUSE.

pinterest via Made By Girl

This home is beautiful, but slightly too chic for me.  It's the mirror that I can't stop obsessing over.

pinterest via My Favorite and My Best

This is perfection.

 

pinterest via Effortless Style

I love EVERYTHING about this space: the colors, the texture, the decor, the mix of modern, retro and traditional.  I could move right in.

pinterest via here?

What's not to love?

pinterest via Odi et Amo

Drooling.

pinterest via Full House

Dream house!

pinterest via Full House

love the couch and those lamps.

pinterest via design*sponge

I will have these windows in my dream home...and the couch.

What do you think?  Could you see yourself in any of these spaces or is style completely different?