tuesday's top 12: spring things

This break in the cold is getting me so excited for spring. I can hear it, smell it and tonight, I tasted it (yummy fresh asparagus.) Here's 12 things I'm looking forward to this season:

1) Spring wreaths. This one is $50.00, by SaffronFields.

2) Easter eggs. Image

3) Spring gardens. Image

4) Opening up the windows. This photograph is available for $8.00, PublicBookStore.

5) Birds chirping image. 8x10 print, $30, NatureMandalas.

6) Flowering branches. 8x12 print, $40, HeyZee.

7) Ranunculus, my favorite flower, is available at the grocery store for a song. 8x12 print, $40, HeyZee.

8) Longer days!! Good Day Sunshine Print, $15, Colorbee.

9) Being able to make a posey from my own back yard. Image: Katie Stephenson

10) Green grass. This is wheat grass though, which I also love in the spring..planting some tomorrow. Image: Katie Stephenson

11) Delicious fresh asparagus at the grocery. Image

12) I really do like spring cleaning. Image

tuesday's top 12: melon, my new fave color

This peachy-pink melony color has been on my radar for some time now. I was surprised when Pantone's top 10 colors didn't include my favorite for 2011...what do they know? Despite Pantone's snub, I've been spotting this color a lot recently, here's a list of my 12 favorite pops of this lovely hue:

1) Solid Cashmere Throw in Lantana, $198, WS Home

2) Punch Paint, $45.00, Serena and Lily

3) Black Bear Art Byron, $18.00, Amber Alexander

4) Capri 48x48" acrylic on canvas painting, $1400, Michelle Armas

5) Silk Organza Alannah Dress in Ornamental Pink, $250.00, JCrew

6) Library Card Notebook, $6.00, Crabappledesign

Background: Pink Orange Marble Fine Paper, $20, Paper Source

7) Set of 4 Walldeco Birds, $65.00, Hygge & West

8) Natural World Dessert Plates, $18 each, Anthropologie

9) Sarah's House, HGTV

10) "Cookie" Cabachons, $3.95/set, DelishBeads

11) Carnivale Print, $30.00, Laura Mae Dooris

12) Skycab No 2. 8x10 Metallic Print Edition of 50, $25.00, Roadside Photographs

Background: Cloud 9 Organic Fabric, $16.50/yd, Fabric Worm

my top 12 etsy purchases to date

I was looking through the "purchases" section of my Etsy this weekend and realized that so many of the purchases I had made over the past few years were still making me happy every day. It was really hard to narrow it down but here's a list of my very favorite 12:

1) Seeing these in the nursery every day is like having a may pole or a carosel in the room, how could they not make me happy? $36.00 MyFavouriteDress

2) This guy is just so cheery and cute. Whenever I find him in the toy basket I grab him out and stick him on a shelf or stool, he deserves a showcase, don't you think? $30.00 Buttercupbloom

3) I picked these as part of my top 12 simply because I had been searching for them for so long. The $20 price tag didn't hurt, either. I painted them turquoise and hung them in my kitchen. PattisPolkaDots.

4) $30 for a giant, hand-letterpressed perfect sentiment. I own this in grey and yellow. Hijirik

5) A larger scale Alicia Bock print, perfect for my porthole frame. $50 AliciaBock

6) I know I should stick this in my daughter's room, but I'm keeping it for myself for now. $46 Neawear.

7) This sweet little bird is on display in my girl's room. Her bonnet is made of tissue paper. $25, KidsHaus

8) Can you tell I love to decorate kids' rooms? This is also a great new-baby gift, from Emilie Friday, $32.00.

9) Michele Maule is definitely a favorite, I have her Seven Wishes Screenprint ($15) and ...

10)...original mixed-media painting ($125). They're both in my entryway art wall.

11) This is one of my most recent purchases. The colors of the screenprinted hearts on this napkin are so unusual and bright, and the linen is so pretty. I'm a little sad that it's sitting in a drawer, waiting to be used for a dinner roll basket. I may need to get the tea towel and put it out on display. $14 lineacarta

12) I own two very similar original paintings by this artist and have them hanging together. $75 JKirchgraber. It looks like I've been his only customer.

So, what have been your top 12 purchases to date?

top 12: things to make, buy or just look at for your v-day

Another late top 12 post. I've included things you can make yourself in this one (with links to tutorials.) Valentine's day is sooooo pretty.

1) Beautiful garland made by Dottie Angel

2) Krista Maurer made this garland following this tutorial.

3) This pretty necklace is for sale in MerriWeatherCouncil's shop, $32.00

4) Love this unusual color combination. Read all about it on Between the Lines.

5) A simple, perfect valentine card: KathrynWhyte, $3.00

6) Pretty citrine necklaces: TheVamoose, $34.00

7) Another unique garland: 42nd and Orange.

8) Perfect little dishes for keeping jewelry tidy: DarriellesClayArt, $8.00

9) A sweet image made with a Gocco: LilacMoonStudio, $4.00

10) The sweetest heart day surprise: ArtMind, $65.00

11) Sweet Pom Pom garland made by Star's Fault.

12) How can you compare this to a hallmark: custom hand embroidered note: $25.00 CornflowerBlueStudio.

tuesday's top twelve: my 2011 intentions (on a wednesday)

I don't like the word resolution, it connotes "things that you plan on doing but don't" so I think I'll use the word "intentions" instead this year.

1) Finish (and well, start) window treatments for my girl's room using this fabric I already ordered. Image

2) Answer my phone when it rings

3) Do weekly meal/menu plans, and stick to a weekly food budget instead of going to the grocery store with no list or plan. You can download this cool menu planner from futuregirl here, I just did!

4) Have a baby boy. Image

5) Finish all painting projects including:

the small amount of wood-toned trim left in my house

kids table and chairs

polly's doors

polly's rocking chair

polly's side table

polly's closet

boy's dresser

entryway (finish up)

basement (finish up)

Image

6) Track all spending on a weekly basis.

7) Try to get out and enjoy the winter (snow shoeing, cross-country skiing.) Image.

8) Listen to more music. Image.

9) Print out pictures from the last, oh 6 or so years and put them in photo box or album. Image.

10) Use what I already have. No more supplies! Also included is returning things when they don't work out, especially to the hardware store.

11) Continue learning about and working on my photography. I've got a long way to go but have also come a long way. Image.

12) Throw a fun party. Why not? Image

tuesday's top twelve: winter but not christmas decor

Hi there, how was your holiday? Can you believe it's over? I took down our tree yesterday, I usually leave it up until after the new year but it was losing so many needles...I felt the urge. I re-organized all of my ornaments and decorations into smaller boxes to fit in my kitchen benches. It freed up tons of room in my storage room which feels great. I usually leave a few things up until February or so: paper snowflakes, white feather trees and some other wintery things. Just because Christmas is over doesn't mean the season is over. Sadly, it has really just begun. Here's a little list of wintery (non-Christmas) decor items for the remainder of the season:

Clockwise from top left:

1) First Snow On Maple, $30, LucySnowePhotography

2) Ceramic Owls, $9-$16, West Elm

3) Tufted Titmouse No 5, $25.00, NatureMandalas

4) Antique Glass Finials, $4.75-$8.50, Wisteria

5) Black Glass Vase with White and Gold Flowers, $95, Jayson Home and Garden

6) Paper Garland Scalloped Triangles, $16.00, Gretchenmist

Clockwise from top left:

7) Pine Cone 72 Nature Photograph, $18.00, JenniferSquires

8) David Stark Sphere Topiary, $16.00, West Elm

9) Winter Trees Desert Plates, West Elm

10) Set of 10 White Pinecones, $10.00, Rusticblend

11) White Bloom Study, $15.00, Leefee

12) Hoop Art: Handsome Buck, $30.00, SewingSeed

tuesday's top 12: industrial

When I look at all of my favorite brick and mortar and online shops for home decor, they have one thing in common: lots of industrial items. I love that sleek look paired with glamorous: the right mix of masculine and feminine. Inspired by my current lust for vintage lab stools, here's my top 12 picks for industrial decor items:

1) Zinc Industrial Bin, $75.00, SadieOlive

2) Vintage Chair (Reproduction) $345.00, Restoration Hardware

3) Mid -Century Steelcase File Cabinet$540.00, Online: VandM, in Madison: Unearthed

4) Bakery Twine Spools, $3.50 Knot and Bow

5) Small Oval Keychains, $10.00 each, Jayson Home and Garden

6) Folding Rule Stick, $15.00, Sadieolive

7) Set of Lab Glass Bottles, $50.00, Satisfind

8) Felt Coasters, $14.00/set, InboundThread

9) 1938 Signal Motor Fan, $95.00, SadieOlive

10) Vintage Steel Locker Room Bench, $175.00 Online: VandM, in Madison: Unearthed

11) Small Antique French Key, $8.00, Jayson Home and Garden

12) Recycled Paper Monthly Calendar, $3.95, Muji

tuesday's top 12: blue crushes

So, I've been on a real blue kick lately. I'm not sure if it's the change in weather or the fact that this baby is making me want to nest away an change things up a bit. These blues are really inky and soulful. It's known to be a preppy color but I think it can also be really chic, what about you?

1) Agate Coasters, $50.00, Rain Collection

2) Clinton Sofa, $2895, Jayson Home and Garden

3) The Mouse, $42.50, Emersonmade

4) Whispy Cloud Rooftop, $15.00, Leefee

5) Paeonia Wallpaper, $148.00, Anthro

6) Zig Zag, Navy Fabric, Price on Request, Alan Campbell

7) Striped Tokyo Tote, $39.00, ribandhull

8) Ocean Silkscreen Print, $30.00, Brainstorm

9) Paper Garland 6, $17.00, Gretchenmist

10) The Calm Photographic Print, $15.00, Leefee

11) High Neck Vase, $36, Terrain

12) Jellybot Print, $20.00, Hamburgerpanda

top 12: checking in with fall activities

Remembering this top 12 post that I did a few weeks ago, I thought I'd go through and see how I'm doing on my to-do list so far, I've only got a few weeks left.

1) Schuster's Farm--Done. Loved every minute of it! We took a hay ride to pick out our pumpkins, walked unsuccessfully through a corn maze (ending up where we started,) saw the sweetest animals, took a family trampoline jump, and ate the yummiest carmel apple sundae ever.

2) Pumpkins carved.

3) Marshmallows roasted.

4) Umm, I think I'm skipping fall gardening this year (not done.)

5) Pretty trees seen.

6) Hot cider and hot chocolate sipped. I decided I don't like pumpkin lattes, blech.

7) I've eaten lots of yummy soups but made none (50% done.)

8) Rain walk? It hasn't rained! (not done.)

9) I only went to one tailgate/game this season but I think I picked the right one.

10) Fireplace booted-up and enjoyed.

11) Boots worn.

12) Sweaters donned.

tuesday's top 12: scallops

I took a little hiatus from posting Tuesday's top 12's over the last few weeks. This "bun" is really getting the best of my time these days. This week I'm focusing on the scallop motif, also known as scales, or a mermaid pattern. Here's my faves:

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12)

top 12: handmade pillows: part 2

Ahhhhnnnd, last but not least, the other "half" of my top 12 handmade pillows. Everything in this assortment and the one from earlier is under $100. So, without further ado:

7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12)

Which one is your favorite? It's hard to pick, no?

top 12: handmade pillows: part 1

So, as you might be able to tell, I'm having a bit of a hard time getting back in the swing of things after my mini-vacation. I was so relaxed, I haven't yet come down off my vacation high.

Here's part one of (yesterday's) top 12. I'm obsessed with pillows, in fact, my husband claims that if I wouldn't have spent so much money on couch cushions, we could have a brand new couch by now. He's probably right but that's okay, I'll take my pillows over a new sofa any day. Here's my first six, all under $100.

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6)

Stay tuned for part 2 coming later today.

tuesday's top 12: baby gifts

There seem to be a lot of babies entering my life right now. It seems every girl I know is either pregnant or has a new baby. I've collected some of my favorite baby gifts for newborns here today, enjoy.

1) Personalized Note Card Set, $20.00, InkspotWorkshop

2) Peekoo Doll, $34.00, BlaBla

3) Oversized Custom Silhouette, $30.00, SimplySilhouettes

4) Mustard Canvas Pleats Bag, $28.00, TippyThai

5) Airplane Baby Mobile, $45.00, CactusAndOlive

6) Set of 6 Thank You Cards, $9.50, InvitaPaperStudio

7) Buttercream Bunny with Cashmere Ears, $27.00, Buttercupbloom

8) Vintage Floral Burp Cloth Set, $11.50, Sparklepower

9) Echino Airplane Quilt, $120, Craftyblossom

10) Unframed ABC's, $30.00, PetitCollage

11) Nursing Cover in Polka Dots and Flowers, $25.00, LucyJaneKids

12) Scallop Bunting, $35.00, MyFavouriteDress

tuesday's top 12: paisleys

I know Labor Day doesn't officially mark the end of summer but it's always felt like it to me. The Paisley motif seems really fresh and summery to me so I thought I'd take this opportunity to put together a list of some things I've been eyeing while we're still in the appropriate season.

1) 4 Bar Letterpress Card Set, $12.50, Paper Source

2) Gold Paisley Filigree Leaf Earrings, $20.00, AlondraDesign

3) Paisley Hand-Screened Art Print, $19.00, Jen Skelley

4) Chiyogami Paisley Paper, $8.50, Paper Source

5) Embroidery Paisley Wall Art Set of 2, $26.00, Kaleidoscope Style

6) Pink Paisley Pillow, $95.00, Hable Construction

7) Oh What a Paisley It Was Scarf, $19.99, ModCloth

8) DoubleSided Gift Wrap, $5.00, Elizabeth and Homer

9) Lescar Paisley Wallpaper Chocolate, $119/roll, Ballard Designs

10) French Paisley Scarf, $35.00, Piperlime

11) Lakarria Curtain, $208.00, Anthropologie

12) Yeah, Baby Rug Set, $160/6-tile rug, Flor