Double the Fun

I love looking through online galleries of homes, perusing pictures for ideas for my own spaces. There's so much inspiration to be discovered. And as I pored over living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms on House to Home, I found two of each that I particularly like.

Photos from here. 

Manifesto

Not bad advice for a Monday, eh?

Photo from here via here. 

Our Tree

It's been a wonderful weekend. We've had family in town to celebrate my nephew's birth and my grandmother's eightieth birthday. I love when lots of family gets together and we hug, laugh, eat and simply spend time together. It's neat to look around and notice the traits we share, and listen to old stories that represent the history we share. We have quite a colorful family tree, and I love it!

Speaking of trees, aren't these prints by Angela Vandenbogaard beautiful?

Photos from here. 

Chirp

Today I am grateful for the simple joy of hearing birds outside. The weather may have turned cold again but the birds are chirping away, and it's a beautiful reminder that spring really isn't too far off.

Birds are also one of my favorite jewelry motifs. Here are a few Etsy pieces I'm loving:

Photos from here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here. 

Memorable

I was sad to hear about the passing of Elizabeth Taylor. Her glamour as a young movie star is inspiring and timeless, and she appeared to live her life as a true original. I especially like this quote from her:

"I don't entirely approve of some of the things I have done, or am, or have been. But I'm me. God knows, I'm me."

I find this statement so honest and authentic. Don't we all feel this way about our lives? Shouldn't we?

Photo from here.

Bold & Beautiful

Today is dark and gray and rainy. I love moody, stormy days like this every once in awhile, but I am so looking forward to spring and bright days full of color. Until that happens, these gorgeous acrylic paintings by Michelle Armas will have to tide me over.

Photos from here. 

Cheers!

I love quizzes. Any little questionnaire that can help me understand myself better or hone in on what I like is pretty cool in my book. So I was excited to take Stylish Home's Style Maker quiz. And I was even happier with the results: I was told my style is "Park Avenue Cocktail." The results went on to say I enjoy "graceful living in a well appointed home," that my house is a "den of discussion for artists and intellectuals" and that others with similar tastes include Marlene Dietrich, Frank Sinatra and Audrey Hepburn.

If this is the case, perhaps I should add some art like this Audrey mural. And throw a swank cocktail party!

Photo from here.

A Wish

 Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Pretty Things

While on Diem Design's Etsy shop, I found myself drawn to two types of photographs: flowers and maps. Both are so lovely. They make me feel simultaneously energized and calm, inspired and content. And they make me want to go out and discover other pretty things today.

Photos from here. 

Dreaming

When you hear the phrase, "a hilltop home in Napa wine country," you get the feeling the house is going to be pretty incredible. And this home, featured in Architectural Digest, truly is. The creamy tones, the serene bedroom ... the pool! Yes, that pool is where I'm going to mentally escape today. Care to join me?

Photos from here. 

Screen Style

This weekend I watched French Kiss, the 1995 movie starring Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline. I'd forgotten how funny it is, how neurotic the main character Kate is as she travels to France to win back her fiance. I'd also forgotten how cute some of her outfits are. A few pieces feel perfect as spring approaches, even if my plans don't include jetting off to Paris and Cannes.

* Striped shirt

* Sunglasses

* Backpack

* Blazer

* Khakis

* White shirt

* Necklace

* Dress

Reach Out

Today I am grateful for all the connections this week has brought. I had a wonderfully long chat with a friend who's living far away, and last night I went out with a great friend who lives close by. We had a blast, laughing so hard tears streamed down our cheeks. And it's truly been a blessing getting to spend time with my mom, sister and her new baby this week; it's a beautiful point in our lives that I will never forget. As we move into the weekend, I'm hoping to simply be with my husband and pup. And maybe I'll give some other friends a ring, too.

Here's wishing everyone a weekend full of connections!

Photo (of me as a child) by my parents.

HIs & Hers

My husband reacts quite strongly whenever we happen to wear similar clothes. If we're about to go out and he sees that we're both in, say, jeans and a black shirt, he will sigh and head back to the closet to change. While I'm not suggesting that we go out in matching outfits, there is something appealing about looking like we complement one another. Maybe we could go for looks like these from Banana Republic:

Photos from here.

Cool

I am enamored of New York artist Suzanne Caporael's striking prints. Whether she's exploring geometric forms or depicting a landscape, her work pulls me in. I especially like the ones that employ cool shades of blue and green. Have a look at a few pieces:

Photos from here.

Stitched Together

Yesterday was my grandma's eightieth birthday. While I can't comprehend that number, I do know I'm so blessed to have this incredible woman in my life. She and my grandpa were quite a pair. While he was outgoing and jovial, she has always been loving in more quiet ways. She's ultra-organized, with Tupperware stacked and individually labelled in the refrigerator, and she's part of a lineage of women in my family who are very particular about things (when my husband first met my grandma, I think he understood me a little more). She's always doing kind things for others, whether it's baking seventeen different kinds of cookies so everyone has their favorite when they visit, or knitting blankets, baby sweaters, hats and other items that will keep people feeling warm and cared for. Grandma is constantly knitting and it's a good symbol for what she does. She keeps our family stitched together.

Photo from here.

Gratitude

As a very full, unusual and wonderful week comes to a close, I have so much to be grateful for. Here are a few things:

* I'm an aunt! And I'll get to spend some time with my new nephew this weekend -- and his beaming mom and dad, too, of course.

* I've rediscovered how good it feels to move my body. I've been running and strength training and stretching more and I don't want to stop.

* Although I'm mentally and physically tired from a busy work week, it's so nice to have a job that challenges me and lets me be creative.

* Birds are chirping outside in the morning. Spring can't be too far away!

* My husband and I have a weekend ahead of us with no plans.

* The fact that as my family grows and life changes, my little pup will always be my first baby.

Have a great weekend!

Photo by me.

Screen Style

Dirty Dancing is one of my all-time favorite movies. While I've loved its characters, storyline, dancing and music for years, the fashion of the film somehow seems right as I think about spring and summer. Maybe I'll knot a white shirt above jean shorts or pair an embroidered top with white cropped pants. Hopefully I'll dance the night away in a swooshy pink dress and metallic sandals. Who's with me?

* White shirt

* Jean shorts

* Embroidered top

* Cropped white jeans

* Sneakers

* Pink dress

* Sandals

Old & New

I love the combination of contemporary furniture and older architecture. And I appreciate when a homeowner can artfully combine vintage items with pieces made today. Perhaps that's why I was taken with this restored Victorian, featured on Living Etc. Clean lines mix with interesting details. Have a look:

Photos from here.