Outdoor Inspiration

If you've been reading my blog recently, you probably know that I've been prepping the soil and growing starters in anticipation for an awesome garden this summer. Paul and I have spent the last week digging, tilling, and planting. I will post those pics this weekend, but in the meantime, here's an inspiration board I created for my dream outdoor set up. Now granted, I'll never have the money to purchase this stuff, but I can still dream, right? (click on image to see a bigger version).


Everything is from CB2 and Crate & Barrel

Hopeful to win...

Go to MyDeco and enter your own mood board in the the "All I want for Christmas contest". You can win $100 to spend in their boutique! I created one last night - things that you might not find in my house, but things that inspire my decor...



We'll see what the judges say :) Fingers crossed!

Who loves Dottie Angel?

I melt when I see anything that Dottie Angel puts together. I wish I could make stuff like her, and I wish our house looked like hers. It's kind of an obsession. A few days ago I was sifting through some of her images and came upon this:


One day, this will be my backyard. Chickens running around, kitties lounging, forest and grass for all to frolic in, and pennants and flowers decorating the porch. A girl can dream, right?

Catalog Living

Have you ever been to Catalog Living? It is hands down one of the most hilarious mockery websites ever (Hipster Puppies is another). They post the most random quotes onto catalog photos - the rest speaks for itself:


"Gary and Elaine ran down to the water, giggling like children in anticipation of the first dresser of the season washing ashore."
These photos and quotes always brighten up my day, and remind me to not take all of the decor blogs I read too seriously....

Vintage pillows

I'm kinda in love with these pillows found on Tuuni:


Think I could make them myself? They are such a great idea (and a perfect way to reuse all of the doilies and lace I have around these parts...)

The Animal Print Shop

I found the cutest collection of animal prints by Sharon Montrose. I think these would look great in a baby's room, what do you think??

Kitchen inspiration

I want my kitchen to look like this!

from Design Sponge

P.S. it's almost summer, and that means it's time to change my template. I haven't found anything I'm totally in love with, but these fun owls will do for now...

Etsy love....

It's a dreary Tuesday afternoon, and I'm dreaming of all things Etsy (vintage):

Vintage Cast Iron Fan by seedwingwonder

Vintage Picture Frames by SavvyLovesChic

Small Skeleton keys by SteampunkSupply

Vintage casserole dish by SleepyOwlVintage

To Dry For

Such a clever name! To Dry For makes really cute kitchen tea towels. Here are a few of my favorites - these would be so great as a bridal shower gift! Those Brits make such creative things...

Lonny my love

The new issue of Lonny Magazine is out. I wish they made a print version because I would love to turn the glossy pages myself. These 3 pages were inspirational for me on this dreary, rainy, Monday morning:




In other news, the bridal shower I planned for my soon-to-be sister in law was GREAT! I will be posting pictures of my crafty goodness soon....

Operation Hide the Speakers

Check out this creative tutorial from Needlebook on how to hide ugly stereo speakers! I will definitely try this one out - at our house, there's a constant battle over where to put the speakers. I prefer them on the bottom of our bookshelf (they blend in better down there), while Paul likes them on the top ("they sound better that way"). I can't really stand the sight of them, even though they are black. Perhaps a trip to the fabric store for some stereo fabric is in order...

Living room inspiration

I've been telling myself *not* to start decorating our "almost" house in my head, but I just can't help it! Here's a little something I put together - unfortunately it looks kinda small on here, but if you click on the image, you'll see a bigger version. What do you think? I went with the subtle blues/grays/yellows - our "almost" living room has a lot of natural light, which I think would look great against soft, natural colors.

Wallpaper

I have very distinct memories of helping my parents hang wallpaper as a kid. We would help prep the walls, dip the paper in the goo, and slowly seal it onto the wall. Who cares that it was the 80's, that the goo was probably way toxic, and that the wallpaper was hideous? (sorry mom!) Anyway, it seems as though there's been a wallpaper revival, and I'm actually all for it! Here are some of the favorites I've been eyeballing. Let's hope I can afford enough for a wall or two in the "almost" house!

Ferm - Retro Leaves
Ferm - Tree Bomb Blue


Kreme - Sundials A

Romo - Mirabel Wasabi

To DU: New Duvet Cover

Spotted on Design Sponge Today:


I am SO inspired to make our own duvet cover - and this tutorial makes it look so easy! When I was growing up, my mom would make our own duvet covers with flat sheets. I know it's so easy, but I just haven't found any sheets that are inexpensive and cute enough for a huge duvet cover. After seeing so many inspiring (and cheap) bolts at my favorite fabric shop Stone Mountain & Daughter yesterday, I'm determined to make one soon!

I want this bedroom!

I love this bedroom by Kathryn Ireland Textiles and Design. It's so fun and funky!


Look at this fabric! So many possibilities! I bet it's super expensive, but I can dream...

Rant of the Week: Apartment Therapy

Damn you Apartment Therapy! I get your alluring emails every day. You tempt me with your great ideas on redecorating. You have me drooling over my computer with your "house tour" series. I am green with envy over everyone else's amazing places...


You can find this post here...

p.s. did I mention that we're putting an offer on a house?

Saturday Decor8 Round up

I get sooooo much inspiration from Decor8. Really, every time something new is posted I get all giddy. It's a sad thing, I know!

These 2 things caught my eye this week:

The Owls are Hunting

The Gilded Bee

Fresh ideas

I'm loving this living room designed by Summer Thornton Designs...the ornate chandelier, the mash up of colorful pillows, the covered coffee table, and the useful (but stylish) silver filing cabinet. If only I had hardwood floors about a couple thousand dollars....

More wall art

I'm trying out new templates for my blog. There are so many that I like, I just can't decide on one right now. So, I'm changing it up a bit. It's fun, though I wish I knew more html so I could change some of the elements. Oh well...

Here's what I'm liking on this dreary day...

from OliveVintage's etsy shop