Have a Sweet Weekend!

(fredflare)


(kangaroom)

The sweet treat to start off this weekend will be a little easier on the diet...less tempting than previous weeks! I don't think the cupcake pouches are very big, so I was thinking they might be cute for holding some small toys, or as a pajama holder. Do you have any other ideas? I don't even own a kitchen timer, so I always use the microwave. I am adding this to my wish list!

A Bit of Randomness

I know this is so random, but I just love this girl's hair. It would look so cute on a little kid!

Image: Little Brown Pen

You're Invited

(Robin Stubbert)


(Martha Stewart)


(Country Living)

I really wish that I could invite you all for tea this weekend! I haven't pulled my teacup collection out in a while, and I'm in the mood to entertain. Have you ever hosted or attended a tea party or shower? Did you come away with any fun ideas? Please share!

Plastic Flatware Deal

I know that I shared these with you a few weeks ago, but I just found another set at fredflare, and I believe this is a better deal. In this economy, I thought we would all appreciate saving a little - (If we choose to splurge on plastic flatware in the first place)!

Party Excuse

(Cookie)

(Design Is Mine)

I am looking for a good excuse to throw a little kids' party. I'm thinking maybe a "Bring in Spring" theme for my daughter and her friends... These photos inspired me to consider the possibility!

Craft Room Cuteness

The sun is actually shining today, and I think we'll have to hit the park! I could have used a room like this last week when it was so gloomy. I could definitely imagine spending a day in this bright and cheerful craft room or office. All of the color and cuteness would be so inspiring...and I might even find the motivation to create those little lanterns I mentioned the other day!

Image: Design Is Mine / Heather Bailey

Henna

One time, I had an amazing boss who threw an incredible Birthday party for her husband. She hired a (temporary) henna tattoo artist for the evening, and I had it done on my ankle. Doesn't that sound like a fun idea for a party?!

Image: Design Sponge

Back to Nice

We're going to have to go back to Nice, France today...Stacey added some more photos from her weekend, and I especially loved this one. It just looks so French! Oui?!

YOU make it - I'LL buy it!

I wish I had the time and patience to make these adorable lanterns. Tracy from Boboho made the ones in the photo, and said it took forever. If you're feeling a bit more ambitious than myself, she used ephemera, French sugar papers, and serviettes (napkins). Very clever!

Image: Boboho

Real Deal

If you're planning a Spring Wedding, I found the perfect bouquet! I wish I could just put this in a vase, and make it last forever. I am in no way endorsing fake flowers...I just want to preserve the real deal!

Image: Nancy Liu Chin

Blogcation

Since we have Spring fever, I thought we could take a little vacation on the blog...or a "blogcation"! (Just go with it)! Today we will stop in Prague, Barcelona, and Nice to enjoy some beautiful architecture. Some friends of ours are actually living in Nice, France for a while, and have given me permission to share some of their photos. It looks like a beautiful city, so this won't be the last time we "blogcation" in Nice!


(Nice - Image: Stacey)


(Prague - Image: Lolita)


(Barcelona - Image: Lilly Pulitzer)

When I Grow Up...

My little one always says she wants to drive a pink truck when she grows up. If you ever see one on the market, you'll have to let me know. Until then, I'm thinking this would be a great substitute. Can't you imagine taking this cute little thing for a spin on some tropical island? This is the car I want to drive when I grow up!

Image: Lilly Pulitzer

Spring Fever x 10

It seems that lately I have been posting rooms with a lot of white, light, and feminine details. I am always drawn to feminine decor, but I think that the "bright and sunny" part is a result of my really bad case of Spring fever. I can't figure out why, but this year I got it early, and bad. I am absolutely desperate for warm weather and sunshine. I believe I have seen this kitchen on several sites, and love it every time. Of course I do! - It's white, light, and feminine!



Image: Pink Wallpaper

Sweet Tweet

Here is your sweet tweet...I mean, treat - to kick off the weekend!

Image: Martha Stewart

Breakfast in Bed

Farmhouse...Springtime....First robin...Blue skies...Warm breeze...Opened windows...Wild flowers...Rolling hills...Breakfast in bed...Outdoor flea market...Sunday drive...Family picnic...Ice cream...

Isn't it interesting how a room can say so much about a lifestyle, mood, season, or personality, and can truly affect our outlook or feelings? Did you picture the same scenario as myself, or did your imagination take you elsewhere? I would love to know.

Image: Country Living

Sometimes...

Today, I found a blog called the rockstar diaries, and the author is so pickin' cute! I am going to borrow from her post "sometimes..." because I can totally relate. This is what she had to say:

sometimes i feel like i don't have any friends. but then i think about all the wonderful people i've met through this blog and i feel better.
sometimes i wonder why it's so wrong to eat brownies or ice cream sandwiches for breakfast.
sometimes i forget to shave my legs for many many days.
sometimes i am rightfully accused of never answering my phone.
sometimes it's the thought of a cupcake that gets me out of bed in the morning.
sometimes i am really shy. sometimes i can't shut up.
sometimes i have to stop myself from saying "i love you sooooooo much" for the 134th time in a day to husband. but sometimes i just can't help it.

I would have to agree with her ideas about breakfast, although I might change it from brownies and ice cream sandwiches, to cookies and cupcakes...I forget to shave my legs...sometimes I am shy, and sometimes I can't shut up! (I love that one.) As for the last one, it's more like 534th time, and I say it to my husband and daughter! I have to add that sometimes I can't stop kissing my daughter's little cheeks. What are your "sometimes..."?

Spring Break

Wouldn't it be fun to design an incredibly girly tea room or cupcake shop?! If you ever decide to open a place like that, you know who to call! Just for the record, I wouldn't mind designing a Bed & Breakfast either.

(Crown and Crumpet)

This month, Crown and Crumpet is on the cover of Romantic Homes, and it definitely caught my attention. Perhaps it's the feminine pink decor - or maybe it's the fact that I am passionate about teacups. Whatever the reason, I am ready to plan a trip to San Francisco for a spot of tea. I have been to several cities in California, and I have to say that this one was probably my favorite. There is an adorable Chinatown, of course the cable cars, and now this fabulous tea salon! If you ever go, be sure to eat at the Stinking Rose.

(San Francisco Chinatown)

I think I just unintentionally planned Spring Break!

(The Stinking Rose)

Another Blank Canvas

Just dreamin' about moving in. I'm not really sure what's going on with the fireplace, but with all the beautiful moulding details, I can definitely overlook the issues!

Image: Lolita

Madre's

I found these beautiful photos of Jennifer Lopez's restaurant, Madre's, and decided that it would be a great place for my upcoming anniversary dinner! Only two problems...One: it's in California. Two: I believe it closed down. Apparently it was designed by Rachel Ashwell - the queen of Shabby Chic. Can't say that I would have been correct in guessing JLo's design style, but isn't it beautiful?

Images: Daisy Pink Cupcake

Sleepin' on Vintage Pillowcases

I just love old pieces that have a history, and that may be passed on from generation to generation. My 89 year old grandmother received these pillowcases as a wedding present many years ago, and now she has passed them on to our family. It's always nice to have extra cases on hand for a quick change. There are millions of vintage pillowcases on Ebay, at antiques stores, and flea markets. It's a fairly inexpensive way to add a beautiful touch to your bedding, and to mix things up a bit. I hope to collect a few more myself!

(vintage case in young girl's room)

Image: Kids' Rooms - BHG

Weekend Treat

I noticed the last few Fridays, I have given you a treat to start off the weekend. I think I like this weekly tradition...so have some cupcakes, and a spectacular weekend!

Image: Mary Ruffle

My Teacup

I love when I see a photo in a magazine or online, and I actually own something displayed in the picture. It makes me feel special, because my piece is magazine-worthy, ya know?! It's almost like seeing your little tiny head in a crowd of people on the news...It's a little piece of you - and it's famous! Well, you know what I mean. So I just have to brag, and say that I own this teacup...and the set of dishes that coordinate. I would love this photo with - or without my teacup!

Image: Sarah Kaye - Polly Wreford

Art Gallery or Inspiration Board??

(Image: Sarah Kaye)

(ladybugs, butterflies, bird, bee, etc.) 4 yrs.

(Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat) 4 yrs.

We recently bought this display wire and clips at IKEA, and my daughter just loves having a place to showcase her artwork. This post may just be an excuse to show off some of her masterpieces, but seriously - these clips are a great idea! I could also see using this display in place of the typical bulletin board. It would be a great place for Designers to pin up pieces of inspiration, and it makes it easy to maintain a rotating gallery.

Bathing Beauty - Because I LIKE IT.

In Design school, we could never, EVER say, "because I like it"...but as the Dixie Chicks would say, "I been a long time gone", so I'm sharing this picture because I LIKE IT. So there. Whew, that felt good! I would love to see this hanging in a bathroom over the towels.

Image: Cig Harvey Photography / Pink Wallpaper

Sta-aaay...Just a Little Bit Longer!

I am still loving pink and orange together! I would love to find a way to incorporate the color scheme into my own home, but a part of me is afraid that it's just one of those trends that seems like a good idea for the moment...but several years from now, I will look back and wonder what the heck I was thinking! (Kind of like the funky green with oranges and yellows from the 70's). Design trends and colors do seem to cycle though, and tend to come back around. Do you think pink and orange will stay a while?!

Image: MMR Interiors

I Love Carousels

We just visited the Children's Museum over the weekend, and my daughter thinks the Carousel is incredible! I always find myself staring at it, just mesmerized by it's beauty and history I suppose. There is just something magical, and almost mysterious about old Carousels. I always wonder about the artists who must have spent hours painting all of the beautiful details on every inch of the ceiling, animals, and benches, and find myself picturing children riding the exact same horses over a hundred years ago. I am just fascinated by it all! I LOVE this particular Carousel in the middle of the garden at Plaza Athenee Hotel in Paris. It just looks so enchanting. Exquisite!

Image: Cookie - February 2008

Cuteness

We just needed to get back to some cuteness today! If we ever get around to celebrating Girls' Day in the States, you will find me in Texas at this super-girly cupcake shop called Sugarbaby's Cupcake Boutique. Care to join me?

Images: Design Is Mine

La Fenice Theatre

I happened to receive an e-mail today with a link to beautiful photos of carnivals from around the world. This theatre is gorgeous...is it not?

Image: The Boston Globe

Hina Matsuri

Guess what?!...It's Girls' Day in Japan! The Hina Matsuri (doll festival) takes place on the third of March every year, and the dolls represent the cultural requirements of womanhood. For mothers and daughters, this event also represents a wish for marriage. Special male and female "emperor and empress" dolls, along with warriors, musicians, and other figures are displayed in the homes of families with daughters. The displays go up around the middle of February, and supposedly, if they are displayed beyond the day of the festival, marriage will be delayed for the girls in the family. Good thing this isn't the case with Christmas trees! I have been told that the wealthier the family - the bigger and better the doll display. My daughter became friends with a little boy from Japan a few years ago, and his Grandmother sent this special set of dolls for her, as a gift.

China for the 20th

March just happens to be the month of my wedding anniversary. Well, I should say "our", since I couldn't have an anniversary without my husband! When I was rummaging through my magazines the other week, I found this list of years in gifts from the April 2002 issue of Victoria. Shhhh...don't tell my mom that "china" is supposed to be the 20th Anniversary (wink, wink). She has been giving us the final pieces of our set the last few years.

1 Paper 2 Cotton 3 Leather 4 Linen 5 Wood

6 Iron 7 Wool 8 Bronze 9 Pottery 10 Tin

11 Steel 12 Silk 13 Lace 14 Ivory 15 Crystal

20 China 25 Silver 30 Pearl 35 Coral 40 Ruby

45 Sapphire 50 Gold 55 Emerald 60 Diamond

Image: Victoria - April 2002

Mirror Makeover

(Before)

(After)

I have seen old mirrors in antique shops many times, and generally pass them up because they look so dirty, or just distort my face. I always think that it's such a shame, because the frames are usually beautiful. I will admit that I have even thought to myself several times, "who the heck would waste their money on that nasty old mirror?"...but after seeing this mirror makeover on Ohdeedoh, I will never again ask that question. I may even be the one to "waste my money"!

Images: Ohdeedoh