Current Obsession #5

I am currently obsessed with the online design magazine Covet Garden.  

I have gone through each issue multiple times because the photos are so crisp and AWESOME, the people they showcase are entertaining and their homes are always envy-inducing.  

My favorite part is that they include playlists and current reads of the people whose homes they feature.
Obsessed! 

In storage

A couple of weeks ago, I was flying back to New York from Nashville, sitting in the gate area at the airport, flipping through the September issue of Country Living Magazine.  When I turned page 93 to see these rooms below with the old Dick & Jane posters, I threw down the magazine & picked up the phone to call my mom.  

When I was growing up, we had a few of these posters and even then they were "my precious antiques."  I remember just staring at them for the longest time when I was little.  

They always made me feel safe and happy.  

As the phone was ringing, I just knew that these would have been among the things that Mom would have thrown away over the years (like, ahem...her wedding dress), but I had a glimmer of hope, thinking that maybe she remembered how much I loved those.  I was so surprised when she told me within seconds of me asking, that she knew exactly where they were and they were safely tucked away.

Reason number 5,235 for a country house - to have the room to display these AWESOME bits of educational history.

My un-scientific research

My camera has died.  It's been a good one and it will be greatly missed, but of course the excitement of a new camera has me jumping with happiness.  

As I started researching which new camera I should buy, I decided to go about this aesthetically.   I have decided that I will peruse Flickr, clicking on all the great photos that catch my eye & make a list of the cameras used in said photos.  Of course, right now the Canon EOS 5D Mark II is winning...but considering the $3,000 + price tag attached to it, it will most likely not win the race.  However, I wanted to share some of the eye candy I've been coming across during my "research."  

And if anyone has a suggestion on the best camera to get (that won't require the harvesting of a kidney), I would be appreciative of the advise. 

Hong Kong Victoria Harbour, a photo by Bo-Chi Workshop on Flickr.

6 am glow, a photo by mstudiofoto on Flickr.

Look up and smile[Explored], a photo by Norbert Löv on Flickr.

Chaumont sur Loire -view from river, a photo by Dyrk.Wyst on Flickr.

Vía Láctea, a photo by inaxiotejerina on Flickr.

short sighted..., a photo by ~ geisha ~ on Flickr.

Aphrodites Rocks, Cyprus, a photo by John J Buckley on Flickr.

To stay or to go

Family has called and urged me to leave the city before Irene makes her way up.  I don't know if it's the nonchalance of those around me, or simply stupidity, but it looks like I'm sticking around.  During my contemplation, I created an etsy treasury....because...well, just because. 

Current Obsession #4

I yearn for a house in the country...I do.  Don't get me wrong - I L-O-V-E living in the city...love it, but I would enjoy being able to split my time between a spacious country house and my tiny, but vibrant city studio.  

I associate the openness and slow pace of the country with creativity.  I have not been as creative as I would like to be in the city, but inspiration still hits, so while I have limited space, I take really great notes to inspire me when I do have that front porch on which I can paint.  Until then, I will be satisfied looking at these dreamy photos and appreciate not having a lawn to mow.

Grange (2) - Barn (2), a photo by francois.dion on Flickr.

Honey!!! I need 1 more gallon of paint !, a photo by francois.dion on Flickr.

Sinclair ~ All Dressed Up, a photo by Suzette ~ desertskyblue on Flickr

nest, a photo by catcad on Flickr.

Lazy Daisies, a photo by francois.dion on Flickr.

Barn series, a photo by francois.dion on Flickr.

Current Obsession #3

This summer, I have been obsessed with watermelons and peaches; 

I can't seem to get enough of them.  

Watermelons!, a photo by Mobeen_Ansari on Flickr.

Peaches, a photo by keanalee* on Flickr.

Watermelons !, a photo by elaaaine nguyen on Flickr.

peaches, a photo by rageforst on Flickr.

Big Dipper

Big Dipper, a photo by ColourPixie on Flickr.

"Mailing" Birthday love

Last year, when a close friend of mine got excited about the mail art that I was receiving, I decided to put together a "mail-art starter-kit" for him for his birthday.  

Of course the primary gift was the Good Mail Day book, but there were also envelopes, glue sticks, paper, stickers, labels, ephemera and sooo many more goodies.  

It was a no-brainer on how to wrap these gifts.  I wanted to make them look like they had arrived by mail, even though I would be delivering them in person.  So, I got out my kraft paper, old stamps, linen twine and my postmark stamp to include his birth date and time of the party. 

As you can see this was almost exactly a year ago that I delivered these packages.  Now tomorrow, we are off to celebrate him again...with unlimited mimosas at this dreamy little restaurant that we have come to love; Mari Vanna's.

Erin & Clayton

My cousin Clayton married his sweetheart Erin this past weekend outside of Nashville, TN.  It was the sweetest and most unique wedding.  The rain went around us making the outdoor celebration perfect.  

 Each table had a little mise-en-scene using family heirlooms and found antiques that they had collected.

 This was one of my favorite tables; it held our great-grandfather's horn. 

 All of the family brought flowers from their gardens to color the tables.

 And this was my favorite part of all - over 20 individual cakes were baked by friends and family, and then wedding photos from both sides of the families adorned them, creating an awesome scene.  

This is only one cake table of three.

 Erin's creative side was apparent in every tiny detail - she's so cool.

 

And how openhanded of them to allow us to peek into a few of their love letters.

I love you Clay & Erin & wish you SO much happiness and love!

Champagne and Accordions

Since I read The Book Thief, I can't quit thinking about the title of one of the chapters; 

Champagne and Accordions

accordian, a photo by Queen of the Universe on Flickr.

Champagne !, a photo by Geeno on Flickr.

Accordian, a photo by kbass941 on Flickr.

Champagne bottle top, a photo by shutterant on Flickr.

Piano Accordian: Made in Italy, a photo by StephenMitchell on Flickr.

Current Obsession #2

8 weeks ago from tomorrow, I was given a Kindle for my birthday by a dear friend.  At first, I wasn't sure about it.  There is something delicious about turning the pages of a book, and placing it on your shelf after finishing.  But, I wanted to be grateful and give it a go, so I downloaded my first book; Bossypants, by Tina Fey.  I was surprised when I finished it in less than 24 hours (not sure if that says more about the book or the Kindle...but anyway...).  While I have not been reading books that will change the world (some might even promote brain-mush), I have to tell you that I have been reading more than ever with this nifty little friend.  I am in the process of finishing my 8th book on the kindle...and yes, for you math fanatics out there, that means I'm reading a book a week now.  

Here are the completed books on my Kindle:

The Book Thief

The Help

Bossypants

Room

Friend Request

Something Borrowed

State of Wonder
Miranda's Big Mistake

Any suggestions on what I should read next?

A weekend in the country

 Waking to the sound of raindrops jumping from leaf to leaf and birds singing their "good mornings" is a really great way to start a Sunday.  

Heirloom tomatoes and fresh-from-the-farm-corn make me think of summer dinners at Grandma's.  

While I love sunsets in the city, the quiet surrounding a country sunset makes the experience more than just pretty sight.

Happy Friday!

Have a great weekend!

Colors in the skyline

Every once in a while there are days that make me fall in love with the city even more.  Accidentally getting to see the sun setting over the Brooklyn Bridge just made me smile.

Feeling the grass between my toes