look of the week

doesn't she look like such a lady in those light pink tights? i love the over sized dolman shirt and the cut-off jeans look (not to mention the braided headband!) what a fresh yet colorful outfit.

upcycled plate hook

aren't these plates just lovely? a little shop, called postroadvintage, found these plates and upcycled them by adding a ceramic white knob. wouldn't these be great to hang your jewelry and knick-knacks around the house? how sweet...

big window challenge

three interior designers give it their best for this years big window challenge at new york's bloomingdale's. they have all done such great work. go to this site and check out the competitors and vote for your fav!

i love this design done by apartment therapy's, Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan. titled, "the writer's romantic supper".

look of the week

how cute is she? fashion icon and director of Vogue Pelle and Vogue Gioielli, Giovanna Battaglia, looks darling in this v-neck, poofy-sleeved dress and lace-up heels.

(image via swide)

valentine's bunting

isn't this a fun little v-day decor piece? made by blue moon studios and priced at $20, this would look very sweet hanging in a window for passersby to see and smile at.

the butchart gardens

growing up in Seattle, we were very close to Canada. so every now and then my grandmother would take me to the beautiful butchart gardens on Vancouver island in the summer. it is absolutely stunning; flowers, trees and water everywhere. if you are ever in the area, you should take a visit.

image via bctravel

image via gerald brimacombe

image via virgo merry

the bun

i think my hair is the longest it has ever been, about mid back, and i am loving it right now. after i had our baby, i cut it shoulder length and soon realized that was a mistake. i missed my hair way too much! since then, i have been growing it back out and love the top bun i can put it in. the bun is so classy and is looking very good on the runway too.

i wonder what these girls are up to... can i join?

(image via culture of cute)

this side sleek bun with side part is so darling, yes?
(via msn lifestyle)

a how-to of the messy bun can be found here

(images via experience parisienne)

bridal veil

my best friend alyssa just announced her engagement to her boyfriend of a couple years! he actually went to high school with us and they ended up going to the same university after graduation. it wasn't until after college that they started to date. her wedding is set for august and she asked me to be her maid of honor (she was the maid of honor in my wedding).

it made me think about how beautiful weddings are and what a beautiful bride she will be. they are having it at a local Seattle area winery. i just can't wait to see what she will look like and how it will turn out. only gorgeous, i bet.

blusher length veil (via wedding all about)

i love this birdcage style veil (via one little dove)

the feathers on this add a simple touch of elegance
(via unveiled bridal designs)

chicago modern

a newly renovated home in chicago offers a light-drenched modern appeal. this was orignally a townhome in lincoln park (an area of chicago) and was completely rehabbed by architect Sig Froelich of Froelich Kim. there are more and more homes here in chicago going the modern route rather than the traditional (yay!)

love the light marble paired with sleek stainless steel

side view of kitchen leading to the stairwell

(via chicago home magazine)

cheese pairings

a little chef-based company in Brooklyn called Sunday Suppers ,which can be found here, helps the novice or elite chef with all kinds of food fancy. a recent blog entry of theirs featured a how-to on the pairing of cheese and food. although i am a huge cheese fan, i don't necessarily know which cheese might taste well with what food so i found this entry to be fun and useful!

doesn't this cheese scape look classy (and tasty)? ...and i LOVE the milk glass cake stands

craft spaces

my hubby recently bought me a book that I have been dying to get, Organizing Your Craft Space. the book has so many great ideas to get that clutter-of-a-room (which i think most of us have) organized. sometimes i think we feel it will cost us an arm and a leg to be clutter free, but there are ways to get organized at a relatively decent price. i, personally, have found some great organizational pieces at the second hand store!

how very peaceful!

(via craft blog)

i like the bright personal touches added to this space and it looks like this desk may have been repurposed with a bright white paint
(via craft blog)

this center unit is such a great idea! makes it easy to get to and useful for those odd shaped pieces that normally take up so much room

(via the project girl)

this room has such a great simplistic danish modern appeal

(via rachel leonard)

the modern and clean feel of this room would set my mind at ease. i like to have a clean work space before i start any of my art.

(via craft blog)

earth inspiration

the occurrences in Haiti lately have really made me think about our surroundings and how precious they really are. here are some beautiful earth inspired pictures i found from a few fellow artists.

"my favorite river" (via blissfulimages)

moss terrarium (via fantastic creations)

"autumn in the dell" (via country dreaming)

rainbow cake

for any of you that have kiddos, this cake will defintely do the trick. if it makes me excited to want to make/eat this cake, then I think the little ones will go crazy over it too! it looks like it might leave a big mess for clean up but way worth the effort put in.

directions found at omnomicon

spun cotton

i stumbled upon a little site called vintage by crystal. she makes these adorable little creatures/people out of spun cotton. these whimsical creatures make such a great collection when they are all put together too!

seattle cabin

a couple near Seattle, Mac Dunstan and Linda Grob, built this traquil and modern cabin in 2004 for $500,000. it spans a decent 1,600 square feet with stunning views of trees and mountains. what a fantastic retreat, or home! i am originally from Seattle and this definitely fits right into Washington's natural landscape.

(via travelinyourmind.wordpress.com)

fabric poms

i saw these fabric poms about a month ago on once wed and really haven't been able to stop thinking about them. this site has the directions and it seems fairly easy. they would look just darling as decor in a small wedding, girl's room or just around the house.

moccasin

these moccasins, just out from Urban Outfitters, are to die for. the lace detail on the side and front make these cute as a button. i know it might be chilly out but wouldn't they be the cutest paired with some leggings and a skirt?

granny chic

granny chic, i love you. don't the bright colors and flowers make you want to smile? i sure adore it. it's very fun to go to a thrift store or antique mall to grab something 50 years old and make it 'new' again. patterns, doilies, colors, oh my!

this floral chair paired with the kelly green lamp makes me drool

(via absolutely beautiful things)

doilies, oh doilies, you are God (and art)

(via apartment therapy)

riding pants

i love the look of riding pants, classy yet stylish. you can dress them down with a simple tee or dress them up with a geometric shirt and an over-the-top necklace. here's a few pictures I found that caught my little blue eyes.

from Balenciaga Women's fall 2007 collection

these riding pants are in a cool grey color which look smart and sexy

(via chictopia.com)