Elecric-Green Sofa

I love the green on this Wormley for Dunbar sofa.

Party Planning Guide

In my quest to improve upon my entertaining skills I stumbled upon Martha Stewart's Party Planning Guide. I am definitely on the casual end of hostessing, more backyard brunch/barbecue than gorgeously put together dock setting, but I want to remember using bamboo to hang lamps or decor.

More Greta

A few more of baby Greta . . .

This girl has more volume in her hair at 2 weeks than I would have with an entire bottle of hairspray.

Ava and Elsa

Greta's unbelievably gorgeous big sisters.

Ava and my M are friends and have pretty similar personalities, so I loved that she was jumping off the furniture while we were waiting for little sister to fall back asleep. It is always nice to see another monkey child.

Greta

Such a little love . . .

In my quest to figure out photographing newborns I am remembering just how precious they are.

Haven't forgotten all the other stuff though.

James Nares

Bloggers are some of the most delightful and helpful people. Thanks to Jane I found the artist of a painting I was lusting after, and now I think my emotions for James Nares' work have increased to true love and he just might be my second favorite artist.

The movement in his work in unreal. It is captivating.

I definitely have a thing for blues and greens.

The technique he uses is intriguing. View more of James Nares' work here. It is interesting to see how his work changes over the years and the variations on his style (I posted my initial favorites).

Tornado Watch

We are on a tornado watch, which means that even though I am tired to the point of starting to feel sick I am not wanting to go to bed because that really loud thunder and unbelievable lightning could mean trouble. Not so likely where we are at (oh so glad I don't live in the Midwest, we are more Mideast), but it still makes me nervous.

So, in honor of frightening weather (and in gratitude for weather radios), check out Weather Photographer Jim Reed's website or the site for his Storm Chaser Book. It is amazing what the weather can do.

Oh my . . .

My Dad is a wee bit obsessed with Haagen-Dazs, so when I read that they now make single serving size containers in this month's Gourmet mag, I had to laugh because he is always complaining that you can't buy HD in a half gallon size. I decided to check out the website and email him the link for laughs, and discovered a "serving suggestion" section with all sorts of recipes and ideas for different ways to use your ice cream.

I am intrigued, but know that somewhere my Dad is crying out in anger at the thought of decimating the perfection that is an unadulterated pint.

I had to write it that way because that is how passionate he is on the subject.

pssst, Dad! There is a quarterly newsletter you can sign up for!

Case Study - Outdoor Dining

I have been looking for an outdoor dining set, and Case Study's stainless steel outdoor furniture is exactly what I would like to own.

I love the look of the lounge chair above, and think I would try to use it at the head(s) of the table.

Chairs for the sides.

I think I'd have to find a spot for the loveseat too.

Stone Forest

This Triple Basalt Fountain from Stone Forest is incredible.

Website says photos shouldn't be duplicated, so I am playing it safe.

Bringing Books To Life

Show me and I forget.
Teach me and I remember.
Involve me and I learn.

-Benjamin Franklin

This little guy and I were reading Aesop's Fables and came to the story of the crow who drops pebbles in the long-necked jar to get the water to the top so that he could drink. It was one of those rare times that we just went with the spontaneity of the moment and replicated the story in our kitchen. It led to a very enjoyable and memorable experience. He was involved, and he learned.

I like to think that he will always remember this afternoon. I like to think I will too. Watching him discover that he could make a book's "fantasy" his reality was wonderful. I hope it helps him to realize that just about anything is possible. If you can imagine it, you can find a way to see it through.

He got so excited as the water reached the top. You could tell he was so proud and so thrilled that he had solved the problem himself. He even took a little drink!

Note to self: Try to bring books to life more often. As these books get reread the experiences will be remembered.

Improving Aesthetics

This table setting is appealing and simple and I think I might be able to pull the basic look off. I need to start serving meals in a more aesthetically pleasing setting for my family and friends. It really sets the mood and makes the meal much more than just a meal.

Who doesn't want to feel special and catered too?

(Also a good reason to collect more kitchen/dinnerware items!)

image via Toast and Tables

Must become better hostess . . .

How bright,inviting, and simply delightful.

via Jules Loves via Toast and Tables

Ranunculas

I adore ranunculas and for whatever reason can never find them. I think this must add to their appeal. One lucky day I will enjoy a bowl stuffed full of them, or even better, figure out how to grow them for myself (I think they like cool weather though and I am not a greenhouse owner or a green thumb).

images via toast and tables

One More . . .

One more delightful image of what the Coral Pendant Light (or similar) can do for a room (Thanks Jane!). There are more delightful variations on this light here.

I must own one of these someday. I just can't picture it in our house now, even though I would love to have a spot for it.

image via Camille Engman

Coral Pendant - DWR

This light has always appealed to me, but I couldn't picture it in a room . . .

Now I can and I love it!

room image via Traditional Home, found on Oh Happy Day

Absolutely Lovely

I have fallen in love with smaller, intimate garden areas and am particularly enamored of this timeless, classic look at the moment. I am finding myself fantasizing (key word!) about a very large piece of land with all sorts of diverse "mini gardens/nooks" hidden throughout.

scanned via Garden Design Mag

Cheaper than therapy:

Lie down and see what the clouds tell you.

Katy McColl - O At Home

Roche Bobois

I am so glad to have been introduced to Roche Bubois.

If I'm going to have appealing books I might as well have appealing bookshelves!

via ill seen, ill said

Don't waste time karate-chopping pillows. If your cushions look perfect, you're probably not taking enough naps.

-Katy McColl - O At Home mag

Finally . . .

Chesapeake Hanging Lounger

I want every future porch of mine to have one of these . . .

Something to try

Figure out how long you'd spend on something if you were doing it at the last minute. Then give yourself only that amount of time (try setting an alarm), but do it right away instead of putting it off.

-Excerpt from Julie Morgenstern's When Organizing Isn't Enough

I might need to read this book. This is great advice.

"Making the decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body."

-Elizabeth Stone

Paper Cakes

To make a long story short, there was an attempt at making a paper box cake with individual wedding favors for our guests to take home after our wedding dinner. It didn't work out so well. When I saw the paper cakes from this Etsy company, Daisy and Dots, I knew I had to remember it in case I ever felt a need to improve upon the previous attempt. (By that I mean simply purchase one of these.)

Aren't they fantastic?

Kravet Furniture

Palmetto Benches.

Bar Harbor Bench. Absolutely delightful.

Eames Postage

Charles and Ray Eames Postage Stamps available in June.

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.

-Mother Teresa

My Princess

I love her free spirit and adoration of all things unconventional.

This will change when she is a teenager . . .

Kitchen Must Haves

scanned via Renovation Style?

I am trying to keep track of a couple random "must haves" for any future kitchens I might have a say in. Nothing special, and I know I will add to this list as I remember things and come up with ideas

Cabinets that go to the ceiling are a must, but they have to be broken up somehow. I do like the look of frosted glass.

Cookbook Shelves. I like how this kitchen breaks up cabinets with shelving.

Ample natural lighting. No more turning on a light for breakfast. Use shelves on window idea if storage space will be sacrificed. Pay attention to the direction the house is facing and how this affects each room!

image via black eiffel

Convenient and ample organized storage for spices is a must. Either a horizontal pull out drawer like this, or a narrow vertical slide out cupboard/drawer.

Sakul Intakul

I am amazed by the talent and originality of Sakul Intakul, and think I need to browse through this book (Tropical Colors) soon.

Another scan via May '08 Garden Design Mag