today's the day.

They are finally coming home today! I can hardly focus. I have instructions to stand at least 20 feet from the car so that my youngest can run and jump into my arms....as if I'm doing her the favor. My extremely talented photographer sister-in-law took this while we were all in Minneapolis for the wedding. It pretty much sums it all up today.

the best part of morning.

I know I've said it before, but I feel like I would be doing you an injustice if I didn't say it again. This makes the best coffee E.V.E.R.!

available here

I'm nothing without my morning coffee....you?

frozen smile...

I've seen lots of ice cubes lately that deserved a second look......but these....these just might require a third look and a stare.

available here

cup or cone...

Need a hostess gift? These white porcelain ice cream cones would be just the thing to take a formal all white dinner party and loosen it up at dessert. Don't get me wrong....I generally gravitate to serving on all white....I just like the idea of shocking everyone with something so simple and innocent. There certainly wouldn't be any dripping out of the bottom of the cone. Are you a cup or a cone ice cream eater?

available here

this time luck worked for the rabbit...

Someone tucked a real four leaf clover into a wedding card for my nephew and his new wife. Clever idea wouldn't you say? I was wondering if they actually found it and how long they had it....it had definitely been pressed for awhile. I suppose that is typical of me to want to know the story behind everything. The whole idea of wishing someone luck with one of the traditional icons made me think of this pewter bunny I've been meaning to photograph. His over sized feet say lots of luck.

With any luck, I'll make it to the beach this weekend. With any luck, what will you be doing?

If anyone is interested in this lucky bunny, send me an email since we only have the one.

the gravitational pull.

Speaking of hearts...I really like the hidden meaning behind this piece. I'm not sure if it was the artist's intention or not to have a double meaning since she makes all her pieces of glass, but I appreciate the irony that a heart is easily broken. Choose the blue one and the obvious sentiment of being blue without you is implied.

I also sense the pull when I see shells. I know you've seen these rings by Mesi Jilly. Beautiful...something so simple and yet so intricate. With jeans and a white tank, the summery ocean is always on your mind.

If you want to see another long time favorite of mine from the artist, Natalia Brilli, you'll have to go here and then go to collections...then spring summer 2006. Look for the shell necklaces wrapped in leather. You can't miss them...they are stunning. Sorry I can't get the images to download, but believe me it is well worth the look if you haven't seen them. Okay, now I want to know besides for hearts, what other objects do you sense the pull from?

i'm back

After coming home from my nephew's wedding and catching up with the kids for the weekend, I feel like my heart is full. The only thing better than wearing it on my sleeve, would be to have it around my neck. It did break a bit again to come home without them. In my heart of heart, I know they are having a fantastic time and I love that.

Don't overlook mending a heart with a heart. This piece could certainly ease some ache. In fact, I don't know how a four inch hand carved wooden heart couldn't?

fly away...

The husband and I are flying up to Minneapolis extremely early tomorrow morning. We are headed to my nephew's wedding and to meet up with the kids...yea....for several days. It will be a whirlwind weekend filled with family. I'll be back to blogging on Wednesday. Be safe and talk to you soon.

intriguing image found here

is summer oil and water for you?

I really like how the oils in this photo look so sculptural. Which made me think grouping them would make a nice housewarming gift. Just write on the tag something like....

wanting your new home to work like a well-oiled machine.

the credit for this beautiful image belongs here

It seems to me that everyone is burning the midnight oil these days. Are you...or are you finding time to do all the things you wanted this summer?

iou...

an uplifting post. I have always liked iou cards. It's a clever way to make an idea tangible. This set would be cute to use tucked into a card, or on top of a package, or even as a whole set for a very lucky recipient. They were designed for kids, but I don't see one that I wouldn't like to receive. In fact, staying in my pyjamas all day sounds quite appealing. Which one would you like?



available here

quiet anguish

Tomorrow morning very early my kids leave on a road trip. They are going to be traveling across the country seeing all sorts of people and places. They are extremely excited so I am doing everything to keep my feelings to myself. I have never really been away from them and I'm getting quite a bit anxious about how quiet it will be without them around. The husband and I will be flying to their destination in a week to meet up with them and go to my nephew's wedding, but in the meantime...it is going to be a different house....one I am sure I will not like. I am going to hurry off today to get all their packing done as early as possible so I can spend some time with them. I hope your weekend is less full of emptiness.

image found here

p.s. thank you joyce! i'm so glad you loved the idea and that the girls have loved receiving them. i'm honored to have graced your pages.

treasure hunt gifts...

My nephew is getting married soon and I wanted to surprise Lily with a little bag to carry at the wedding. Since she was just a couple of years old, she has always loved purses. I found an adorable little metal bag that I took home to her. I didn't even wrap it....it wasn't that kind of little gift. It would be an understatement to say that she flipped for it. I decided I had better clean it up a little bit so she didn't get her dress dirty when she carried it. You ready....that's when I saw the silver stamp and the fact that it is signed and dated.....you ready....1918! I'm not telling you what I paid for it....I kind of prefer it that you like me. Tell me, have you ever found a little gift that turned into an amazing find...the kind you usually only hear others tell tales about?

good morning granola

I saw this tasty looking granola yesterday morning. My first thought after yum was that it would make a fun gift for any mom friends a few days before school starts up again to ease the craziness of the first week. For some presentation, just add a custom labels to the top with a ribbon all the way around. Go get the recipe here.

speaking of witty humor and design...

Something really pulls me to this photo.

It could be that its all white or the fact that it takes me back to my lifeguard days. Either way, it really appeals to me and I would love to have it framed large and hung in a bathroom. For that matter, I would even love to hang the life preserver in a bathroom. A bit witty and unexpected goes far with me.


I've had this image bookmarked for awhile. (and if anyone knows where I found it, please let me know so I can credit)
It's the blue sky and the fact that we have no idea how high up she is that intrigues me. I like to put something unexpected into design. I think someone in our house needs a life preserver. Too bad I didn't think of it for the anniversary....I could have easily come up with some really corny lines to go with it for the husband.....yes, you're thinking the same ones I am....I did say corny. I can make whatever sacrificies I need to in order to get that hanging right above the tub. Do you like design that has unexpected signs of humor in it?
life preserver image credit belongs here

i'm grinning...

I know the customary thing to do if you have been blogged about is to post a link and a thank you on your own blog. I am a little hesitant to link to the latest mention. You see g.'s post at ticklishfromadistance had me blushing so much that I wouldn't be surprised at all if your screens looked a little pinker this morning. She also stole my ability to use words....quite a feat if you know me at all. It really isn't playing fair if you steal some one's words when they are trying to say thank you. So here it is simply...thanks for the mention g. I really am thrilled that you love your bag that much! It means much more to me than I seem to be able to express. And I've decided this will be my philosophy today.





And while I'm saying thank you for the mentions, I have to thank Heidi over at faboolosity. You see, she won the sculptural pencil....how fitting for a graphic designer. The fact that she doesn't want to let it go is very touching.

I am quite behind on updating the thanks for the mention link on my sidebar....as well as, my blog links so if you would like to be included let me know......Have a great Monday everyone. Go check out these two blogs....that is if you like witty humor and good design.

image found here

celebrating independence??

Happy 4th of July! While you're celebrating your independence, the husband and I will be celebrating our lack of. Tomorrow is our 13th wedding anniversary. Hope your weekend is filled with love, fireworks, and picnics.

image found here

byob

I've been all about the picnic this week and I just can't move on without throwing in a thirst quenching beverage. Have you ever had beer with lemonade? You may also know it as a shandy. Pour some good beer over ice (or just be sure your beer is very cold) and add anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 of the glass with fresh lemonade.....refreshing. Tie it together in a picnic blanket or put them in a basket and you even have yourself a hostess gift that everyone enjoys......leave the blanket or basket for the hostess of course.

image found here

gift wrapped salads...

Since I am in the mood to share picnic recipes, you have to have this one. You could wrap this one in a box and tie it with a bow and they might think it was the best gift they ever received...it's that good.

Blue Cheese Coleslaw

2lbs. napa cabbage

1/2 lb. blue cheese (or gorgonzola)

3/4 c. cider vinegar

1/4 tsp. dry mustard

1 tsp. celery seeds

2 cloves garlic

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. white pepper

2 T sugar

1/4 c. minced white onion

3/4 c. vegetable oil

mix coleslaw and blue cheese and let sit for at least an hour or overnight (you want the flavors to mix) mix remaining for dressing. whisk. add just before serving....you don't always need all the dressing be careful not to get it too wet. serves 6-8

I don't have an image of this to post for you....you'll just have to trust me and try it for yourself, but here is a place I would go to the end of the universe for with my coleslaw and watermelon in my picnic basket.

image found here
Where would you love to go to picnic this weekend?