Scouting - Photos of Country Dreams

This week I have been scouting for Nature Scenic Photography. While searching I came across the Etsy Store of Country Dreaming. What a sweet name which perfectly describes the Ohio artists photos. I feel drawn into the landscape as if I was standing right there. I just Love when that happens with photography!! Just Beautiful!

Here Comes the Sun

Come On In

Smoky Mountains

Tennessee Cattle Farm

Snowfall Symmetry

(images from CountryDreaming)

Goodbye City PB

It's so disappointing to see home stores vacating their city locations. Today I read Pottery Barn on Newbury Street will not be renewing it's lease. First Restoration Hardware went out and now PB. What's going on? Having these stores downtown makes it easy for city dwellers to shop. Now don't get me wrong I hope this means more business for the smaller non chain home shop owners but I feel there is room for everyone. I am a girl who likes to touch and feel the items especially before recommending them to clients...research is important, it's just not the same shopping online.




(image from Boston.com/Wendy Maeda)

Monday Morning Happy!

Did you have a fun weekend? My weekend was fantastic! It was full of creative brainstorming with my great friend Fernando and some retail therapy at Grand. I am one of those girls who gets really excited when I find a good buy and want to share it with everyone! Do you want to see?


This is my favorite new platter by Danica Studio. I have been looking at this for weeks and finally purchased it. I love that it is a bit oversized so I might just use it in a vignette I have going on in my kitchen (more to come on that later). I also bought an amazing scented candle, coriander & star anise, fantastic!



Take a look at this chair which was propped in a corner of the store. This is a good "keep in mind" as you scout all those flea markets this summer. A simple dining chair painted white with a funky faux seat cover can create fabulous from something ordinary! Nice job!




We both stopped right in out tracks as we entered the store and saw this creative chandelier. It reminded us of the old Skwish Toys. It's as if you could expand and contract it to create the size you wish! I love the simplicity of this piece.

You can find many more items at their webstore! As for me, I am taking a shopping break!

(images by Fernando Neves)

Happy MOM's Day!

Sometimes it is really nice to have your own blog because it means you can post about what you want (within reason, of course!!). Tonight I will take a minute to say Happy Mother's Day to my Mom. I have so much to thank her for like my LOVE of fresh cut flowers, they were always in the house growing up. My LOVE of magazines and books, she taught us the value of being informed and knowledgeable on many subjects! The LOVE of being a great supportive friend to all those in my life. The LOVE of being compassionate. She selflessly volunteers her time to help anyone who needs it, even when they don't ask, somehow she just knows what they need! Most of all she taught me how to be an independent, go getter girl which allows me to do what I LOVE every single day! Thanks Mom for all you do, hope you had a good day!
jul


(this beautiful image is from Frolic another flower loving lady! Check her blog out here)

Shop sales around town!

Ahhh springtime in Boston! What better way to celebrate than getting outside, walking the city and shopping! This weekend there are some great sales at a few of my favorite stores.

Grand is having a 20% off sale on everything in the store. Yes, everything! That means those fun Thomas Paul pillows I been swooning over and the Danica Studio Aviary Platter which I just need to have for the deck parties!

Hudson Boston is having their Textile Sale for the month of MAY!!

For the month of May they are taking 20% off all Matteo Bedding, Denyse Schmidt Quilts, Bryce & Co. Cashmere Throws, Dermond Peterson Pillows, John Robshaw Bedding, and Swans Island Blankets.They have locations in Boston and Wellesley and can be found online here.

The fabulous 20% custom sale at Mitchell Gold ends this weekend! Now don't let the word custom scare you off, this really means affordable! When can you walk into a store pick your favorite chair and than from 300+ fabrics choose the one you want AND get 20% off on top of that? A chair that is uniquely yours....fantastic in my book!

(images from Grand, Hudson, MG)

Diary Entry - Spring Bedding

Today I am over at Stylefeeder blogging for the Tastemaker Diaries. This will be a Diary Entry and a How To Thursday post. Take a peak it's all about switching out the heavy bed linens for light, airy springtime bedding! It's an easy "How To" and can make all the difference with a new season. Doesn't that sound nice? Spring is here, open the windows and let the warm breeze in!

Here are a few more options:

Designers Guild Tullgarn Cocoa (on sale!)


Brocade Home Paisley Print Duvet (love the peony color!)



Overstock Branches in French Blue (this is so fresh and crisp, available in more colors!)

To the head of the class!!

As I posted about 4 weeks ago I have been enrolled in an amazing online course called "Blogging Your Way". Holly from Decor8 was our fantastic leader and I learned more than I could ever pass on! Honestly I had never participated in an online class and was not sure how it would work out for me but I have to say it was perfect. It was such an encouraging supportive, creative group of people I felt like I could share ideas and be comfortable with all the feedback. To say I am going to miss my classmates is an understatement. To show my gratitude would you mind if I share a few of my favorite new blogs? Please take a minute to visit them and say hello!

As you know I am passionate about supporting the locals so here are 2 of my favorite new MA bloggers!
Show them some love, please!

Studio G is a very inspiring blog! I love to read blogs and immerse myself in a topic I do not know much about. If you are like me and wish you had a green thumb click on over to Rochelle's Landscaping blog you will be so happy you made the trip!!

fresh 365 is a vegetarian cooking blog and everytime I pop on over I want to run to my kitchen! The next recipe try for me is the Chickpea Pattie with Arugula, yum!

New Blogging Friends

Dress, Design & Decor is a fabulous Canadian blogger whose posts are always full of interesting images and 3 of my very favorite topics all in one place! I love being exposed to items outside of the US!



Jennifer Squires is an amazing photographer! If you need a break and just want some visual happiness jump on over, it will become a wonderful daily time out.



If you are a book lover click over to the Plankje Ongeregeld
theCre8ive blog just started a new series "Wishlist Wednesdays" a staple for the week!
For all you scrapbooking lovers out there we have New Beginnings, just lovely!

If you ever have the chance to take an online class especially if you are one who works at home, alone most of the day I say JUMP at the chance! It is incredibly rewarding and you make some great new friends along the way!

Quick Share - Are you sturdy?

CB2 just opened a store in LA and I have to say I am a wee bit jealous! When will they come to Boston? As often as I shop online I am a touchy feely kind of shopper. The chairs above are just perfect for my deck and I love them even more since they can stack out of the way. The powdercoat finish in white, blue and yellow are so summery. I just wish I could sit in one before buying. At $99.95 each they are a bit of an investment. Please leave a comment below if you have seen these chairs in person!





(image from CB2)

Erin Condren JOY

This is one of my, "I just have to share moments"!!! In my Mom's Family Circle Magazine I stumbled upon a house tour of a favorite shop owner of mine, Erin Condren. She is the founder of one of the most creative high energy companies I have come across. I have never met her but feel like I would want to be instant friends. Even her designs are welcoming and friendly! If you do not know Erin or her amazing stationary company you must run right over. I promise you will become a fan just like I have.


For the last few years I have been ordering these labels for my company mail and I love love love them. I am always getting compliments with people asking where they are from. I am one of those girls, I find a great company who has creative products and exceptional customer service and I want to spread the word! Now let's take a peak into her home and pass on some of her great budget friendly ideas!

Those are 2 long ottomans pushed against the wall with fun pillows. Great extra seating!!

She bought 2 inexpensive rugs and put them together to create one large area rug! Good idea!

The bulletin board in the "art center" is covered in Astroturf! Very Fun!

To read the entire article and for larger pictures visit Family Circle here.

(images from Family Circle Magazine, Jace Interiors)

Monday Morning Happy!

Hi All! Welcome to another week! How was your weekend? Sunday I went to a fantastic baby shower for my good friend Graciella! It was a very fun way to spend an afternoon. It's amazing how many unique and creative baby presents there are now, this babe is going to be one stylish kid. So many friends are having babies but G lives the closest to me so I am looking forward to many walks this summer, maybe even with some fun lollipops like these above!

The "Cute Picture of the Week" is one I came across from Real Simple a while back. This pupper looks almost happy to be getting a bath, something you don't encounter everyday!
Enjoy the new week
jul


(images from Parents.com/istock Bryan McCay)

Opening the doors in Somerville!

This weekend, Somerville, MA is opening the studio doors for a great tour of the artistic side of the city! The Somerville Open Studio is this Saturday and Sunday 12 - 6pm. Below is just a sample of the many amazing artists you will encounter! Most even sell their pieces through Etsy or their website so if you are not local no worries you can still participate in the shopping! Enjoy!

Pigweed Press

Arguedas Photography


Joey Asal


JewelsFabulous

Take me away!

First let me apologize. This week I have been feeling a little under the weather with an awful sinus cold, not fun but I have been thinking of you and wanted to at least share a little something.

I came across the picture and just had to share. Since Sunday I have had beach houses on my mind, I actually started an inspiration folder with my recent finds. The picture above is fantastic! Take a look at the details. The white cushions each have a different color contrasting welt, orange, pink and turquoise. These colors are than pulled together in the striped pillows. Such a small detail which makes a big impact!
What magazines and website do you look to for beach cottage inspiration? Please share, my folder needs to grow!!

(image from Southern Accents)

Monday Morning Happy!

(a bucket full of magazines, a cup of tea, a comfy chair
and a view of the ocean = the perfect spot!)

Welcome to a new week! Did you have a nice few days off?
What an amazing weekend! It was 80 degrees here in the Northeast which was Summer in April and absolutely FABULOUS!! The weekend was also filled with visits by many good friends and a bit of exploring. Don't you love when you get in the car, set out for a ride without a real idea of where you will end up? That was Sunday for me. The first stop was a fun flea market, Todd Farm which really put me in the mood for Brimfield. Than we explored the fantastic Oldies "Red Barn" in Newburyport where there were a few great finds, but none that we were really sold on. It was all wrapped up with a lazy few hours exploring a new beach and picking seashells! The combination of creativity and spontaneity can make for the perfect day!
Enjoy the new week!
jul

How To Thursday - Small Flower Pleasures

Welcome to another "How To Thursday"! Today I thought we would talk about the simple pleasure of freshly cut flowers and how to have them in your home every week. Now the budget might not allow all of us to have a big bouquet of flowers sent to the house every week so how can we have a bite of joy without the big expense? Small bud vases and creative uses of everyday household items are the answer. Purchase a few stems of your favorite flower or if you are lucky enough to have a garden, pick a small batch. It's nice to mix up your display from week to week. Some weeks I choose to group a few bud vases together and other weeks I separate them and display them in different rooms like the office, bathroom and next to my bed. Places I see a few times a day. Look around your home and think outside the box, this will make the most of your small arrangements and cut down the cost. Below are a few examples.

Tin tea containers are a beautiful and colorful way to display wild flowers

Glass tumblers like these from Lekker are a great everyday option

These NapaStyle bud vases are my favorite. They look great alone or grouped together

Many times there will be an item like these hurricanes above that at first glance you think can not be used as a typical vase. By finding a clear glass or votive holder which fits inside instantly creates an interesting unique vase!


As an Italian pasta loving girl I always have small canned jars of sauce in the pantry. Now, as a CreateGirl I LOVE a budget friendly find! When I am done with these small Classico jars I save them, pull off the label and use as vases. They are so sweet and always start a fun conversation!

Have fun with it! One week use single flowers and the next cut the stems real low and bunch a few together! I promise they will put a smile on your face!


(images from top to bottom: chez larsson, domino magazine, lekker, napastyle, west elm, jace interiors)

Vignettes of the Green Home

The HGTV Green Home is located in Port St. Lucie Florida. It is a very interesting space. Sometimes very bold and sometimes very serene, it's a great mix. I wanted to do something a bit different with this post and focus more on the vignettes of each room. As we all know the accents can really make or break a space. I did not want to distract you with too much content as I was hoping you would focus more on the details. Click on the room name under each picture to explore further! Enjoy your trip through this Green Home!

the Foyer (bold welcome)

the lounge (stacked patterned pillows)

Master Bedroom (great use of a console in BR)

the master bath (tones of blue for the tile are perfect)

pillows in master bedroom (lovely serene color and bedding)

kids bedroom (fun fun fun!!)

Quick Share - The Lantern

Recycled Lanterns CB2 $19.95

Perfect eco-friendly lighting and yes it sets the mood too!! Cozy up my friends we are all doing our part and with this price you can save a little green too!!

Simple Earth Day Pleasures!

Happy Earth Day!! How nice would it be if we could all just take some time today to unplug and enjoy the simple things in life.

Skip the electronics and play with the kids outside, remember how fun a simple ball use to be?!

or meet up with a friend and enjoy the outdoors with a cup of tea

or if you are lucky enough to live someplace warm, why not skip out on the emails and go surfing?

and hopefully by the end of the day you will be able to enjoy a free show of a perfect sunset!

All posts for today were actually typed up Tuesday night so hopefully when you read this I am out for a long walk enjoying the weather!! How will you spend Earth Day?

(images from top to bottom: Kodak, Graham&Green, TPort, BostonCoasters/Boston.com)

SALE alert!

It might be difficult to read the fine print but this sale is at the Hynes in Boston April 23rd - April 26th. Rugs on sale starting from $99. I have never been to a Stark Warehouse Sale but I bet it is fantastic!! I plan to stop in on Thursday to check out the goods and am hoping there might be some fabric there as well. If anyone else checks it out let me know your review.