The Smell of Summer.

{Pacifica Malibu Lemon Blossom}

I purchased the perfume shown above, some aged cheddar cheese, & dog food last night at Whole Foods. I was driving home and decided to spray the perfume once or twice and I thought to myself...darn if that doesn't smell familiar. Well folks, that's because it is the smell of summer. Not just any summer, but all of the summers in between 1989 and 1995. Why those years? Because the lemon scent is so strong it closely resembles that of Sun-In. Now to decide whether to spray it on my neck or all over my hair....Sigh.

Lucite Crib?

For all my baby-mamma friends out there, check this out.  Nurseryworks has created a lucite crib:

{Layla Grace}

Love it or leave it? My initial thoughts:

1) Hefty price tag.

2) Hefty price tag for all the Windex-ing that will need to take place on a daily basis.

3) Is Windex safe for a baby?

4) I love lucite tables and chairs...but this reminds me of those pet store containers that they keep ferrets
    in...............

Walnut + Marble + Ikea Cabinets = Lovely.

Check out this real-life renovation and the renovator's "best and worst decisions" on the project.

What do I think was the worst decision? The pendants. I am not a fan. BUT oh how I love, love, love the walnut & marble counter tops. Also, way to go on the mix & match Ikea cabinetry. The overall look is quite modern, but I think the homeowners will be happy with this look for awhile. The classic, muted color scheme will stand the test of time.

Flavor Paper is Delicious.

{Iris in "Dusk"}

Flavor Paper, a Brooklyn based wall covering boutique, offers up a lot of eye wall candy. 

{Iris in "Gentle Violet" installed in a commercial restroom}

They have some pretty contemporary patterns influenced from the 60s and 70s, plus some large scale photographic prints, but there also patterns available that you or I might love to see donning the walls of our powder rooms and such. The first image, Iris in "Dusk", is my favorite. I would love to see it on an accent wall in a bedroom with this bed in front of it. The linens would be white and this armoire would add turquoise into the mix...I digress...

{Monaco} 

I also love this print for it's flair. I look at it and I can feel summertime. This next print is for all you lovers of Mad Men out there:

{Tres Chic}

It was developed using fashion design drawings of Hilda Glasgow. I think it's fun, don't you?!

If you ever needed another reason to visit New York, find Flavor Paper so that you can watch the printing process from the street.  They have the printing tables set up in the front just for that purpose! Is it sad that I would rather go to New York to do stuff like that rather than see the Statue of Liberty or Empire State Building. No, really...

Less is More.

I have the most amazing couch.  A friend let me have it for a STEAL when I helped her pick out fabric selections for her new living room furniture. It is huge and can still be purchased new at the store it is from.  My sister's couch on the other hand, is falling apart...it is circa 1990. She has a growing family and a bigger dog than mine and well, after lots of shopping around for furniture she just could not find a big sectional in her price range. We considered the fact that I do not watch t.v. often plus my love of re-decorating and have decided that I will acquire my sister's old settee, and enough $$ to purchase fabric and have it recovered. She will take my amazing couch away but as a result I get to make old furniture look new again. I will also have the two slipper chairs I have had FOREVER recovered.

All that to say, I want to have FUN with the fabric I choose for the settee because it has such a cute, classic shape.

Here are my initial choices and an image of a similarly shaped settee.  Which do you like the best? Your opinion counts!

1. Zig Zag from BuyFabrics.com
2. Khandar Jewel from BuyFabrics.com

3. Dots by Dwell Studio for Calico Corners

4. Vintage Blossoms by Dwell Studio for Calico Corners

5. Magnificat Avocado Ikat from Calico Corners

Let me know what you are leaning towards. Oh and the settee will be by this rug.

Fashion, Family, Entertainment & Art:...A Summary of Early May.

Hello again, friends! It has been awhile, but this post should get everyone up to speed on the craziness that is my world. Firstly, I hosted a big dinner for family (people both moved here from out of town and some were visiting) and friends at my apartment...the day before my final project was due in class! AGH! I was gluing fabric to my presentation board and checking on the oven and filling coolers with ice all at once. It was a big success though and while I don't have any pictures of the event, take my word that it was great. The highlight of the evening was a debate over what killed the ant in Honey I Shrunk the Kids...correct answer: the scorpion...wrong answer: a "bad" ant.  p.s.: I got an A on the project. whoot.

Next up {and pictured above} I also hosted a succulent-tacular Mother's Day brunch. Biggest props go to my sister for getting through 5 months of being a mommy to the best nephew in the entire world.

Third on the list is this nonsense:

I say nonsense but what I really mean is fabulousness. I hate to admit it but I really did Google the crap out of this event and watched every video I could find online of it. Why? Because it was a great way to procrastinate and also because, let's face it: they are just lovely people.

My mother recently delivered this beauty to my place. It is from a thrift store and she spruced it up with a coat of paint. Perfect for my living room! Thanks mom:)

I got the frame shown above at a thrift store as well and spruced it up with a coat of gray paint. Then I took shells...and...well, you see the result. 

My art, including paintings and prints {see below} will be featured at The Green Room in Orange Park after I get it to them this weekend. Go check it out and get your hair done at the same time!

And last, but not least, I have to touch on fashion since I mentioned it in the title.

I found the perfect black summer heels thanks to this post by Kendi Everyday. Love her!

I am working on curtains made out of the fabric to the left of my foot (promise I wasn't stepping on it!) for my client...I'll show you them when they are installed! xoxo peeps.