seaside {subtly} chic

Summer is officially here and it is time for people to venture off to there seaside summer retreats. This also means that beach homes are popping in almost every shelter magazine I open. I used to love the classic blue, red and nautical touches in these seasonal homes but am now drawn to a more sophisticated look, one that subtly draws on the colors and textures of a beach setting--just like these...

(via homes and gardens, scanned from veranda and nuevo estilo)

A Few December Anthro Pics

My local Anthropologie store used a very green approach to their window displays this December.

Not my favorite but always interesting and thought provoking!

This industrial looking radiator chair is certainly very cool to look at but not one I would choose to curl up in with a book

 especially on this cold and winterly day!

But...it is a piece of art for sure!

Love the clock cases and the pallet treatment on the wall...

...not as fond of the paint cans but they certainly provide

 pops of vivid color!

There's that lace doily headboard in the background again...

... always so much inspiration to be found here.

The after Christmas sales must be amazing now

 but I imagine the snow storm is keeping everyone away. 

It certainly is keeping me inside!

All this green sort of works for the New Year... 

new beginnings...new growth...

...new chances to try again at whatever we are reaching for!

I'm a list maker.
I think it helps me to put things down on paper.

I'm formulating my resolutions,
 my "to do" list and my 

"needs versus wants" list for the New Year.


I have been adding to my "gratitude" list all year long.
That's my most important list of all.

Did you start yours yet?
:)

Breathe Deep, Talk Slow

Breathe deep,

Talk slow...



Give big,

Take less...



Don't count,

Just guess...



Touch kind,

Act fair...



Plan bold,

Try prayer...



Do peace,

Dream far...



Feel loved,

You are!



My friend Pat sent me a sweet note and this little poem was included...
...thought I would share it with you!

Thank you Pat!

I hope you are having a good weekend!
:)

Browsing about early this Sunday I came across Tracey's Words to Live By post on her blog Notes from a Cottage Industry. Click on over to see what others are sharing!

Summer Color

Ah...the weekend is here!
Do you have any exciting plans?



It's so hot and summery here...
...time for cookouts and cold salads...



I found these vintage glasses on the top shelf of the pantry...
...haven't seem them in years.
Time to use them!

Don't you just love the summery colors?

I made an orzo salad this afternoon with cucumbers and tomatoes...
Gee, I love summer!

:)

event inspiration {lime+biscotti}

I know that most party hosts love throwing an unique event full of personal and unexpected elements--which can be quite the task. I think it also tends to make people ignore classic color combinations, such as lime green and creamy biscotti, but they can still create an amazing and fresh look when textures are carefully chosen and details are not ignored.

(via green wedding shoes, indigo bunting, a hana designs, once wed, elizabeth messina and sunday suppers)
After all there are a reason that these colors are classics!

Over Active Imagination

This pair of gold leaf bookends was found at the thrift store this week for $2.50....they are marked Made in Italy on the bottom....
As I looked over my flea market finds and collections this weekend....my imagination got caught up in the eerie and uncomfortable season of late October and Halloween...



Unusual objects came together to tell their own haunting story...















I think I am scaring myself.