4.30.2011

Designing a Jewelry Nook...

I finally prettied up my jewelry space in the bedroom.  You may remember how I had it in my last house.  I knew I still wanted to use this old wooden piece that came out of a piano.  I took off the backing I had on it before to make it more simple and earthy.  I also used an old shutter that I reclaimed from my parents house.  My dad had them in the burn pile and I snagged them up.  I remember them being on the house since I was little and new they had some life in them still.  I also used some of my mom's special antique bowls to keep my headbands and things in.  Since I have so much jewelry, I decided just to hang up my favorite and most special pieces.  I originally wanted to hang up my vintage purse collection, but Im not sure Ill have the room.  I may have to squeeze some on another wall.

This amazing vintage dresser was in my mom's bedroom.  She loved this piece, and I am so honored to now have it in my own bedroom.  And Ive had so much fun adding my square photo wood squares all over the house!  They add such a nice little touch.

So as you can see, you dont need alot 'jewelry' hangers to keep your pretties.  You can use so many different found objects, bowls or anything to create a special place for your favorite things. 

I am having so much fun with the freedom to do what I want with my own walls!  Love it!  Im sure overtime it will change.  Im loving the process.

PEACE,
Laura

4.29.2011

More New Spring Pretties...

I feel like the jewelry I have created over the past month or so, has been some of the prettiest yet.  And oh so me.  Spring has greatly inspired me this season with my color palettes.  You can find all of these pretties below in my shop.







The last few days have been spent cleaning and moving.  We have through today to get completely finished at our old house.  There is still cleaning, moving and yard work to be done!  We will both be so happy to be completely done with that part and say our final goodbye to the old house.  I am no longer attatched to it in any way.  After being here in the new house, I have realized just how dark that place was.  And in moving, I have realized, that even after our huge garage sale... I still have way too much stuff.  I will be weeding out once again and letting go of 'things'.  If I have too much stuff for this big house, then I have a problem, ha!  I must learn to let go of some things.

Here's to one LAST long day of cleaning and moving!  It's like the final step of really moving on...

PEACE,
Laura

4.28.2011

Handmade Weddings...

I was delighted to receive the cutest wedding invitation ever for Elsie & Jeremy's upcoming wedding.  Are they not the cutest???  Little mini vinyl shaped cards and a hand carved stamp of them!  In Love.  Pretty bummed we wont be able to attend b/c of finances of buying a new home.  But I'll be sending lots of love from a distance.  You can read here where she got her customs designs created.


Weddings are such a fun time.  I loved designing all of the handmade details for my own wedding.  And the best part, is that I have so many things that I get to keep throughout the years from it.  For instance, the handmade napkins my Nanna made, and the patchwork table cloths that I now use for curtains.

I just got done creating these adorable little brooches for a sweet girls wedding.  I love that she is using handmade artisan touches in her wedding!

Cheers to springtime and love!

PEACE,
Laura

4.26.2011

Not Our Day...

Ugghhh... Today was just about the worst day in the whole moving experience.  I posted this photo b/c I should probably just keep it to myself, but... this is real life.  Woke up with a headache.  Then we went to the city today to pick up our table to find out that it was a mistake, and it really wont be here until June.  Total bummer.  But its okay.  Just a big waste of time for all we had to do today.  The worst part of the day was just our general attitude.  James and I were both tired and frustrated and totally did not make a good team today.  We did lots of heaving lifting and cleaning and its super hard to get in there and be motivated when your mood is sour.  Totally not a good day.  Im so tired I could sleep for a week I think.

But, we are all good now.  Came home and made a nice dinner, took a long shower and now Im ready to go lay me down to sleep.  Some days are just like this.  Pretty much not a smile through the day.  How do you relax when you find your self uber stressed and about to explode?  I know we all get that way!  And inevitably when I have days like these, I find myself missing my mother so badly.

PEACE,
Laura

4.25.2011

The Velvet Chair...

Today we went to visit our friend Shauna of Poor Pitiful Pearl to pick up this rad chair.  Ive loved this chair from the moment I saw it lurking in her product photos, and was so stoked to find that she was selling it!  Funny, as we were leaving I was telling her that Bella would probably take over it, and yep!  The moment I put it in the house, she was all over it, and is still laying in it now, she LOVES it!  I think we are going to have to fight for it...

It was great to see Shauna and catch up, and say one last goodbye to her house.  James played with McCoy, which was pretty adorable... and I got to hold little miss Italia, which melts my heart.


We stopped by 2Tarts bakery to see if I could meet an online friend who works there, but she was not there... but, we couldnt resist trying a few goodies, yummy!


Great day, super tired, ready for bed.  Tomorrow is the day we get the remaining stuff from our old house and clean clean clean.  Quite honestly, not looking forward to it.  But good news, our dining room table came in, so we get to go pick it up tomorrow!!!  Ive never had a dining room table, so Im pretty excited!  The only piece of furniture we have had to buy so far.  (expect for this rad chair above and soon, a sewing table)... Then we will have to save our pennies to get some chairs for it, ha ha!  I think an Ikea trip is definitely in order.

PEACE,
Laura

4.24.2011

Bits of Home...

here are some little snaps around the new house.  there is still so much to do, but im doing it a little at a time and not stressing about getting it all done.  i opened my shop back up yesterday and added lots of new goodies, and more to come today!  some really cute stuff.  and i already have new packages to get ready for shipping tomorrow.  feels so good to be back in business.  i really need to be, since now we have a bigger mortgage payment, eeek!  good for you guys b/c ill be constantly busting out some cute new Violet Bella!!!  i need to get a sewing table still.  i set it up on one of those fold up heavy duty card tables, but the whole thing shakes when i sew, so that is not going to fly!  now im on the hunt for a great sewing table.

many of these spaces shown have already been changed or elaborated on.  for a while, i have a feeling things will continue to change until i get it just right.  such fun!!!  i love decorating so much.  oh, and yesterday i even laid out on my back deck for a bit and soaked up some much needed vitamin D.  love it!  although i was a bit timid b/c earlier that morning i had found two scorpions on the deck!  oh my, they are my LEAST favorite bug!  im not feeling as free to be barefoot in my backyard as i had envisioned, but its still beautiful.


I hope you all enjoy your easter.  I plan on just being here in my house, decorating, working & enjoying!

PEACE,
Laura

4.22.2011

Peices of My Mother All Around...

Yay!  I have my internet this morning until I go to get James today!  So, I get to share my first outfit post in the new house.  I am enamored with the natural light in this house.  I will be able to do all of my jewelry photography right here by this window without even leaving the house!  So excited.  No more waiting for the right weather or time of day to do it on the porch.

I wore:
my mother's handmade dress
gray leggings
my mother's sandals
beaded feather hair clip

This is one of my favorite spots in the house.  This desk was my mother's and Im so happy it finally has a place to be shown off.  One of my favorite things.  My aunt (my mom's sister) told me while moving that it used to be in their bedroom when they were little girls, and my nanna had painted it hot pink!  And they hated it, ha ha!  My dad stripped it and refinished it, and my mom added the amber glass handles and now its one of the prettiest things ever.

Now, I am really off for a few days!  See you later little blog.

PEACE,
Laura

4.21.2011

Hello, Ive Missed You...

Hello blog, how I have missed you so.

We are having major internet problems here in our new house, so I havent been able to get online much.  And after tonite, Ill be completely without for another few days as we switch over to another device.  Our house is in a spot that does not get good reception and it is running soooooooooooo slow.  Makes dial up seem amazing about now!  So, until then, bare with me.  Especially my lovely sponsors!  I did not forsee this happening.  I have so many feature posts to do for this month, I think I may call off sponsors for next month, and just extend their welcome for that month just to give myself enough time to get them all in.  So not to worry girls, it will happen one way or another!

Around the new house... ( I have decorated SO much, but I think Id like to do an actual home detour when its complete, so I may not reveal many details just yet.  Its still very much in the works, and Ive thoroughly enjoyed adding a bit more everyday.  Since I cannot open my shop back up b/c of our internet situation, its giving me lots of time to play house.  Ive done about 12 loads of laundry and I LOVE IT!!!  I even ran our dishwasher just to see how it works, ive never used one!

I bought the prettiest little roses as a little house warming gift to myself.  They have made the loveliest little addition.  I think I will be hanging them upside down tomorrow to dry.

Bella and Violet are both so very happy.  After the shock of the first day (they were not so happy), they both relaxed and really living it up now.  They love the porch and the yard.


Bella has found many spots around the house she loves to lay.  She laid next to her Grammy's picture for a while before we got it hung up on the wall.  I drew this picture of my mom in high school, and she always wanted to frame it.  I finally framed it for our house.  I think she would love it!

We got to babysit two of my favorite kids in the world for the very first time.  It was lots of fun and it made my heart so happy to have them here.
 

Another one of Bella's new favorite spots.  She has really been enjoying the couch.

We grilled our first pizza with some friends.  Great night!

I did my first outfit shoot... (just a sneak peak)

James has been doing lots of little house details needed, and I bought some tomatoes and basil for the yard.

And we have these walking sticks everywhere!  Totally creepy.  I spotted four of them as I was pulling out of the driveway today just on the front of the house.  One bug neither of us are fond of, at all!
 

I have so much to post and feel so incredibly behind with everyone here online.  I miss the interaction.   Soon enough Ill be back to work though!  Cant wait to design in my new craft rooms!  It may not be until Tuesday that Ill be back on, but Id love to come back to lots of fun interaction from all my peeps out there!  Its been so fun sharing this with you.

Just know, that I am happy as can be.  Tired, but super happy and content.  I danced around the house today when I was home alone for a bit, it was so liberating to break it in with my goofy dancing.

Have a wonderful week!

PEACE,
Laura