Monday, December 29, 2014

In Stitches...

Well hello strangers!

If you would have said the word "embroidery" to me ever in my life, I would have pictured an old lady in a rocking chair doing something strange with a hoop or a loop or whatever.

Well, that was then! Now, I'm obsessed.

I want to learn how to do it. I have absolutely zero idea how to do it but that doesn't mean I can't learn. I almost bought a book on it today but figured I would youtube it first to make sure it's actually feasible. It really doesn't look all that hard. I'm crafty. I'm artistic. I think I can... I think I can...

So this is going to be my new hobby. Teaching myself how to embroider. I am particularly drawn to the little woodland animals. As I was thumbing through this book today, it gave so many ideas of things to embroider. I had no idea!

So far I'm loving the idea of embroidering linen tea towels with little woodland creatures: foxes, bunnies and owls, oh my! But the possibilities are endless. My husband gets his good work shirts embroidered with his initials on the cuffs. {Trust me, I had the same reaction. Like: well isn't he a Mr. Fancy Pants?! But it looks really nice and truth be told... he has more clothes than me!}

I am even thinking of doing a few as gifts to my sister-in-law who is preggers. It makes an adorable nursery gift... just ask pinterest!


Look at this sweet little doe. So darn cute!



Adorable linen tea towel.




 
 
Linen stocking with bunny? I'll take two please!
 
 
 


 
 
 
And a curious little bird...
 




Love, love, love this flag garland with the sweet little quote!





And last but not least, a girl and her horse! So fun, right?



I love finding new hobbies and artistic interests. It keeps me creative and on my toes.

I'm hoping to get started this week on a project. Did I mention that I'm on vacation this week? Well, I am and I have lots to do... like embroidering! And horseback riding and yoga and reading and napping. Phew, it's gonna be a busy week!

P.S. I rode Bob yesterday and we had a great ride! We are finally getting it together! Yay for the small things in life!!

xo

Pics via: pinterest {I should have done a better job finding each website that these pretty pics came from. Most were from Etsy... But I did find them all on pinterest.}

Saturday, December 20, 2014

A Weekend Of Play...

Hi there.

Last night was quite funny. My brothers and I were on a group text sending old pictures and making fun of ourselves and each other for over an hour. We were all crying laughing so hard at one point or another. Do other siblings do this or is it just us? We definitely crack each other up and all have the same strange sense of humor. Maybe it's just a sibling thing. But it was pretty darn funny last night.

Anyway, EARLY this morning I dragged my mom with me to buy a fab vintage dresser I found on Craig's List. We drove for about 40 minutes to get this girl, but she was worth it. I love it. It will look perfect in our spare bedroom which is almost finished with the redo. I can't decide if I'm going to paint it or leave it as is. I know I will change out the knobs for sure. Here is the picture that was posted on Craig's List:



Can you blame me? Keyholes and those curved feet! I'm thinking of painting it blue or green or white. Or leaving it... The guy said he had about 20 calls for it.

Here is the best part... The price! 50 bucks! I didn't even bother haggling because it was such a steal. I would have paid much more for it.

Then I took my mom out to breakfast and then off to the outlets we went for a little Christmas shopping. It was a deliciously fun day!

Tomorrow night is a special winter solstice two hour yoga class by candlelight with live drumming. OMG, I can't wait!

Cheers!

xo

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Knockers...

Get your mind out of the gutter!

Front door knockers!

I want to find a vintage horse knocker for my front door. All of the sudden, it's all I can think about. We have an okay knocker. It was a gift from a friend. I'm not over the moon in love with it, but it's what we have been using on our front door for years. We have a side door that goes into our family room that I can put that one on.

The front door needs a horse head. Yes, it needs it. It will add to my transformation of my New England Colonial into my New England Wannabe Farmhouse.

For some reason I am picky about this knocker though. I mean really... aren't there other things to think about? Not as I browse through pinterest, ebay and etsy this afternoon.

Here are some of what I came across:


I almost bought this one off Etsy. I still might. I can't decide if it needs to be a horse head or just equestrian themed to make me swoon.





This is cute but not exactly what i'm looking for. Too Texas or something.





I love this one. I don't know if the head will stick out too much for the glass storm door though. But I want the ring through the mouth. That's what I mean by I'm being picky.





I love how old and rusty this one looks.


 
 
 
I always somehow seem to find what I'm looking for while I'm out antiquing. I just have to be patient. Which is NOT my virtue by the way...

Okay, one more thing. I know this is not going to fly with the husband though. Our front door is red. You would think I would be in Heaven with a red front door because it's oh so farm girl chic, right?

Well I'm not. I want it to be robin's egg blue. I know that sounds less farmhouse and more cottage on the beach. But this girl just wants a happy blue front door with a horse head knocker. That's not too much to ask for, right? Every day when I walk through that front door, it will bring a smile to my face. And life is about the little things that make you happy. Not a big mansion, not a yacht, but a blue front door with maybe an old rusty stirrup as a knocker.


Here is a blue door that would make me swoon...





Happy Saturday to you.

xo

pics via: pinterest, etsy, ebay


Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Positivity...

Good morning my lovely cherubs!

So I guess I have a little bit of a theme going for this week. Positivity!

Going off of my last post, Joel's advice is coming in handy. Surround yourself with positivity. Nix any negativity! Being with a negative person or in a negative environment is surely to rub off on your state of being. So notice in your life if you have this happening and find ways to detach.

I have this picture in my house that was given to me by someone who no longer likes me {I know! Imagine that?! Haha.} But I feel like it's bad juju to keep this picture hanging in my home. Even before Joel and I had this talk. So now I'm going to do something about it. I am determined to replace it with something positive. I will most likely order something off Etsy since I love supporting artists and the stuff is usually one of a kind.

I saw this little sign and thought it might be the perfect message of positivity for the spot.


 
 
 
 
 
But then I saw this and literally laughed out loud. I almost spit my coffee out. Not exactly a message of positivity, but so funny nonetheless. And probably true too.
 
 




I will keep searching Etsy for the perfect thing to hang, though the sign above is more than a little tempting...

xo

Pics via: pinterest

Monday, December 8, 2014

Grab Hold Of Some Inspiration...

Hi to all of my 2 little readers.

I am not the most religious person in the world. I am spiritual though. I believe in God. I pray. But I never go to church. I was not "forced" as a child to accept religion into my life, for which I am grateful for now as an adult. I would have most likely rebelled against it if it was forced upon me. I can now enter it at my own pace and willingness.

Lately I have been searching for more inspiration on a deeper level. I am seeking a  higher power. God. The Universe. Buddha. All things good.

The other day I bought a book by Joel Osteen called You Can You Will. I've seen him on television before but never watched more than 5 minutes of him. I picked up this book and just put it in my cart. I knew it would be good for me. And it has been. I'm only up to chapter 3 but feel completely recharged, rejuvenated and inspired. Yes, all that from a little old book! It's amazing what positive words can do for the mind and soul.

He says to dream big. He says if you have met all your dreams and goals, then you're not dreaming big enough. He says to run your own race and don't try to please everyone else. He says to serve the Lord. He says keep physical reminders of your dreams around you so that on an unconscious level they take root within you. You will walk by that reminder a million times, but unbeknownst to you, it has planted a seed in you. I just love that! I actually have several reminders in my home of my dream.

Now I just have to know that those physical reminders are growing roots deep within me and getting ready to bloom. He says to expect good things to happen to you every day. He says to be excited like a child awaiting all the goodness that will unfold for you. Maybe your dream is for a healthy body, a family, a new home... whatever it is, surround yourself with it. I just love the positive message he sends.

At first when I thought about my dream I couldn't exactly figure out how to make it happen. But as it swirled around in my brain for a few days, it hit me how I could do it! I feel like I'm on the 5 year plan to a big dream that I can fulfill. It is exhilarating to think about it like that.


Here is the book:




 This little book really has been a game changer for me.

~Namaste~

xo

pic via: pinterest

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Sold Out... Really?!

So this year for Christmas, I picked out the perfect pair of snow boots {hoping to get them as a Christmas gift.} It's really the only thing on the list.

I kinda fell in love the moment I saw them. It's cold and slushy in Connecticut during the winter months and these looked perfect! Cutest boots on the block. Love the pink too. And the fleece lining would keep toes toasty warm. AND they are waterproof. Who could ask for a better boot?!

BUT...

They are sold out.

EVERYWHERE...

Not one single pair to be found.

UGH. I guess I'm not the only one who thinks they're cute!





 
 
So what's a girl to do but move on to Plan B...
 
A little different; no fleece lining, red instead of pink, but still about a 9 on the cuteness radar. 
 
 
 


See... she likes them too.


BUT...

These are all sold out too.

I mean really, they're not that cute, are they?!

Now, on to Plan C, whatever that is...

xo

pics via: pinterest, J.Crew, Sperry Top Sider.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Salvage Cool...

Rabbit!

Happy December 1st. Happy Monday.

One of the things I love to do in decorating is to repurpose an old salvage find into something cool. It changes the entire look of the room because it's unexpected. Sometimes those salvage finds can cost next to nothing... Someone is usually selling it cheap or throwing it out because it's rusty, weathered or old... And those things make it perfect! It adds texture and visual interest, it's unique and definitely one of a kind.

I was out antiquing with my mom this weekend and I came across an old door from a chicken coop. I didn't have my SUV to put it in so I didn't buy it. But I want to go back for it... I think it would look really cool hung horizontally above my couch. It was old, worn and distressed. Just how I like em.

Here are some inspiring pictures of using salvage goods as really cool decor:




















 
 
I hope to get my chicken coop door before someone else snaps it up {but I highly doubt that will happen...} I'm still working on turning my home into a sweet little farmhouse. I painted the spare bedroom yesterday and will post pics when it's finished!
 
Happy decorating.
 
 
xo
 
 
pics via: pinterest/fixer upper HGTV

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

A Little This... A Little That...

It's Thanksgiving Eve...

It snowed today! Not a lot but enough to close schools. I didn't work today because I was afraid the roads would be icy. So now I really have a nice, long weekend ahead of me!

I worked out yesterday and today and for some reason I'm really sore. Like I can hardly walk kind of sore. So tonight, we stay in... Not that we would have hit the town otherwise. We are homebodies.

Tomorrow morning: yoga class. There is just one morning class each year on Thanksgiving and it is such a warm, cozy, good vibe kind of class. I adore going to it.

Tomorrow night: Out to dinner with my family.

Friday night: My brother's house for another dinner with family.

Saturday: Decorate the house for Christmas. We usually do it the day after Thanksgiving. This year we decided to decorate very simply and minimally. My hubs works A LOT and it's just too hard this year to decorate the outside of the house like we normally do. But I will do a few pretty touches around.

This is how I envision Christmas in my head. Like I'm in the Swiss Alps with reindeer on leashes, wearing a cool Nordic sweater and my hair is tied in the perfect halo braid. Then I snap out of my delusion, realize I am not living on an Anthropologie catalog cover, and reality hits me over the head. I'm at home in Connecticut, my hair is in desperate need of a trim and instead of reindeer on leashes, I have my crazy dogs dragging me along in pursuit of a squirrel or any other critter that has caught their attention. But a girl can dream, no?




So as far as keeping my decor simple, there will be no living reindeer in my yard but rather two tall urns filled with logs, greens and white lights. And maybe if I can find a pinecone or two in my woods, I will put a dash of them in the urn as well. Pretty. Simple. {My urn is much prettier than that pot shown in the pic.}




One of my favorite decorations is my antique sled that my brother bought me for Christmas a few years ago. I hang greens off it and an old pair of my ice skates that have not seen ice in over a decade. They hurt my feet... But it makes for a delicious decoration on the porch! Simple. Pretty.




I'm sure I'll have more things to say and do regarding Xmas decor, but this is my start.

Enjoy time spent with your loved ones tomorrow.

Remember loved ones no longer with us.

May peace and love envelop you, my friends.

xo

Pictures via: Anthropologie, pinterest

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Oh, Deer...

It came! It finally came!

I've been waiting patiently for my newest DIY project.

A FAUX {never real!} deer head {made of resin.}

I was a DIY crazy woman this weekend. Doing projects left and right.

This deer bust has been on my list of things to do since last year. I could have bought one off Etsy for much, much more than I paid to do it myself. So why not do it myself?

And if you don't think I'm crazy for wanting a faux deer head on my wall, and you are interested in hearing about the process, here goes:

I bought the deer head off Amazon. When it arrived, I was so excited to open it to finally see what it looked like. Even Miss Sassy Kitty had to see what all the rumpus was about!


 
 
 
 
 
OMG, just as I expected! Sweet little face... Typical deer colors. But change was soon to come!

 
 




Now... what color to choose? I thought about white, yellow or grey. Then I finally settled on black. Matte black. 2 cans of spray paint later... He looked cool, funky and whimsical. A piece of his antler broke off, but a little crazy glue solved that in an instant.





Next, I decided I wanted to frame him. I just needed to find the perfect frame. I wanted antique, not new. I went on the hunt and came across this chippy paint green antique frame at a local antiques shop. Only $7.00! Score!!




But something was missing. I bought these colorful felt balls to make a fun garland to string through his antlers. Why? I have no idea. I just thought he needed to look more festive. It was so easy to make. Some of the felt balls already had holes in them. I used a large needle and twine and strung them all together. I knotted and looped each end. Done. {And remember... girls who ride horses can't have nice nails and manicures... they don't last. Just sayin'.}




Voila! Finished product! I adore how he looks. Especially decked out in his frame and garland. What an easy DIY project that adds so much punch! I don't care if people think it's weird. I love it!





 
I know his attire will change with the seasons. I'll get bored and out will come a scarf in the winter, a flower in the summer, fun felt balls for the fall. Whatever it takes...

DIY and save some serious cash! It's easy and fun.


xo

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

A Festive Family Favorite...

Hi y'all.

You might think we are a weird family for doing this, but we LOVE going out to dinner for Thanksgiving!

The reason I'm telling you this is because I just made the reservations for our fabulous Thanksgiving dinner at a great restaurant with my brothers and spouses.

And before you judge us... here is why we love it:

These are not in order of importance either...

#1: It's a really festive atmosphere. The restaurant is usually decorated to the nines for the holidays.

#2: The people are super friendly and extra nice on Thanksgiving because they are acting all thankful and not in their typical New England moods. I can say that because I'm a New Englander... We can act moody sometimes. But not on Thanksgiving!

#3: {secretly my # 1} We don't have to cook! Not a thing. Not one thing. Not even a single green bean!

#4: You know the old expression {usually reserved for Christmas} Eat, Drink and Be Merry? Well that is us! We eat some really great food that we didn't have to cook. We drink some really great wine and get a little happier. And we are very merry because we don't have to clean up anything. Not even a fork!

#5: We get to sit together and enjoy each other's company. The whole time! It's all about family togetherness.

I know it's not for everyone. But it is most definitely for us!


So... no matter where you are:




xo

pic via: pinterest

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Find Your Spunk...

Many years ago I thought I broke my toe after jamming it really hard. It was black and blue and I couldn't bend it. It was over the summer and I had each toe nail painted a different pastel color. I remember the doctor saying to me: "Your toes look so cute. It shows you have some spunk." {Obviously it was a female doctor. Ha, picture a male doctor saying that!}

Cut to my life now... This fall I've been wearing a lot of leggings. A lot. Tall boots, leggings, long thin sweater. My staple look for fall. It's a cute and comfy look {in my opinion.} Thus far, I have many pairs of black and grey leggings.

So here are the looks I wear and love:

I mean come on... super cute, right?

 
 
 
 
And even super chic.

 
 
 
 
I have been looking for other colors that are neutral, but then I saw these from White Plum and my eyes popped out. Sooooo fun! 

 
 
 
Colorful and whimsical. And maybe a little spunky, right? Just fun! Life doesn't have to be so serious all the time.



Find your spunk and show it off to the world.

Wear it.
Own it.
Rock it.

xo

pics via: pinterest

Monday, November 10, 2014

Monday...

Good morning and Happy Monday!

No doubt, Mondays can be hard. A fun weekend gone... the work week knocking at your door.

I have discovered a little trick to make my Mondays a little happier.

I know I am lucky that I have a flexible schedule to be able to do this... but I have rearranged my schedule to go horseback riding on Monday morning. It starts my week out on a really positive note.

I know most people can't do that, but I also know plenty of people who get up early to meditate, go to a spin class, sit quietly for a half hour with their coffee, knit for a little while... it doesn't matter what it is. Just as long as you create a routine that you look forward to on a Monday morning.

It takes the edge off of the Monday blues just a little bit.

So for now, I actually look forward to Mondays. Who would have thought?!



Oh yeah, and keeping a little bit of this quote in mind never hurts either!




Happy Monday!

xo

Pic via: livelifehappy.com

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

He Humbles Me...

You know how I love my Isabel, right? Well there is a new sheriff in town and his name is Bob.

Bob and I are in the midst of trying to bond. We don't know each other's quirks yet. I know Isabel backward, forward, inside out, upside down... and she knows me.

But Bob, oh Bob... We aren't in sync yet. I have been riding him lately instead of my sweet Isabel. It's good to switch it up sometimes because it makes you a better rider.

So Bob doesn't canter all that easily. You have to ask him just right. So far, I haven't been asking him just right. Yesterday I used spurs {gulp} while riding for the first time ever. I was nervous using them. Like... what if Bob thinks: "um, excuse me? What are you poking into my side?" See... we don't know each other well enough yet.

So after about 10 tries, I finally asked him "just right" and off we went. It was liberating! But let me tell you something... He seriously humbles me. Just when I think I have this riding thing all figured out, along comes Bob to tell me "slow your roll sister. You have a lot of learning to go."

He teaches me patience. Perseverance. Tenacity. To listen. To feel. To ask just right. And so many other things.

I really can't tell if he likes me yet.

He's big and beautiful. He is bold. He has such a presence.

He is nothing at all like riding my Isabel.

But I think it's a good thing to feel humble. I know I can look forward to that feeling at least once a week now until Bob and I can get it together. {Come on Bob... I'm rooting for you here...}


Here he is in his blankie munching on some hay before our ride. Easy to ride? No. Not even close. But a sweet boy he definitely is...


xo

Saturday, November 1, 2014

The Fire Within...

Just when I think I have it all figured out...

feeling all dope inside...

boom... it hits me...

what am I doing?

not today, not right now...

but what am i DOING?

what fuels me?

what ignites that fire within?

what tells me this feels right?

what sets the spark so bright it burns my eyes?

today I am trying hard to figure that out.

usually I know, but today is a mystery...

xo

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

A Quote For Your Day...

Hi friends.

My mom said this little gem to me the other day and I wanted to share it with you.

"What if you woke up today and only had what you were grateful for yesterday?"

Pretty profound sentence, huh.

Let it swirl around in your thoughts today.

I am grateful for so many things in my life.


Including little miss sassy kitty...

 
 
 
xo


Monday, October 27, 2014

Flea Market Foraging...

Good morning and Happy Monday!

It was a lovely weekend in CT.

Yesterday was a little chilly, but still nice enough to go to a fantastic flea market called the Elephant's Trunk. It was about an hour from my house, but a lot of fun.

I went with my mom and brother. It is late in the season for really good flea markets. But it was still a fun day spent together. I bought one thing... another blue seltzer bottle. I can't help myself. I adore them. Did I need it? No. But it's the blue ones that I covet. Usually they are clear. So now I have two.


 I put it near my collection of light blue apothecary bottles and dried lavender.



The other thing I did was refinish a table and chairs. I wanted to have it for sale by today, but it didn't exactly work out that way. It was so much more work than I thought it would be. It took me all day on Saturday just to do the chairs. I painted the table last night. I have to distress and wax the entire thing still. So it's not quite for sale yet, but it is almost finished. That is definitely progress considering I haven't refinished a piece in for-ev-er.

I have a sweet vintage farm table waiting in the hopper and a paw foot pedestal table and chairs as well. Those are next on the agenda. Then I have a great trestle table and a few smaller pieces to refinish. I don't want to buy more pieces until I finish the ones that are filling my studio. But I have made the leap back into the biz and I couldn't be happier!

xo



Thursday, October 23, 2014

The Itch Is Back...

So... I have not refinished any furniture pieces in quite some time. There isn't some grand reason; I just haven't.

But lately it's been on my mind... And this morning I woke up with an itch to get back to it.

Sometimes you just need a little break to miss something that you truly love.

I have lots of pieces still... They are just waiting to be refinished and loved again in someone's home.

My plan is to start a piece on Saturday. Finish it by Sunday. Have it for sale by Monday. Boom.

I'm getting excited just thinking about it. I hope it doesn't rain this weekend or my plans might be put on hold... Paint brushes crossed it's nice weather!

P.S. here is one of my vintage windows that I hung in my dining room. I added a preserved boxwood wreath and made a burlap bow. Love the way it looks!



Happy Thursday!

xo

Monday, October 13, 2014

Sunday Funday...

Good morning my loves.

Happy Monday!

I woke up really early yesterday and got a burning desire to go to yoga. It became a necessity. I haven't been for some time, and I felt deeply in my bones that I had to go.

It was the most amazing class, and I had no idea how much I needed it. It was so nice to be the one to sit and listen. To not talk. To enjoy the inner silence. The stillness. It was beautiful actually.






After that my friend and I went for a 4 mile walk with her crazy dog. We talked and laughed the whole time. It was a beautiful fall day. Warm and sunny. We were both tired and didn't want to go... but we forced ourselves and were so glad we did. Fun for the soul, good for the butt.

Okay so we weren't walking on a trail in dresses with a bucket of apples... But we did walk. And instead of apples we had her dog...




Then I cooked a really healthy dinner from my favorite cookbook called "Oh She Glows." Super easy and yummy recipes.







After doing a few last minute chores to get caught up for the week, it was off to bed early. I got to cuddle with my furry girly girl that loves to snuggle up under the covers on chilly nights.



 
 
xo

pics via: pinterest

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Vintage Windows...

Yep, I'm blogging on a Saturday...

It's raining and you know how I love the rain.

So the other day my landlord at work gave me some really cool vintage chippy paint windows. At first I was like, huh? What should I do with these things? But I knew I definitely wanted them for some reason. My husband thinks I'm turning into a hoarder lately. But I have a hard time throwing things into the landfill that I know can be reused, recycled and rehabbed into something cool.

So as I browsed through pinterest looking for some inspiration, I came across these ideas... Love.









 
 
 



xo

pics via: pinterest