ella doran

Loving the unique work of Ella Doran. Everything in her UK shop is based off of her photography and incorporated into her designs. Some of my favorites...

images via EllaDoran

hello bright colored tights!

All of the blog posts out there about Kate Spade's new collection got me thinking about taking the plunge and going for bright tights this fall. My sister in-law Kir sent me this sweet site that has them in a bazillion different fun colors. I think I'll go with Kelly Green, Orchid Pink, and Red... anyone else loving these for fall?

images via kate spade and here

serene ...

Below are two photos from this week that I adore. Enjoy your summer weekend!



photos via Pink Peony; Balancing Act

dear summer:

collage via my Flick faves

Please don't leave just yet. We haven't taken enough evening walks to the corner store for Jones Sodas, or trips down the street by the fountain for ice cream. And I haven't gone on enough bike rides yet, gotten that golden tan I wanted, or gone to any of the free concerts in the park like planned. I still want to go to the drive-in theater and swim in someone's pool and drink lemonade, because I love to do those things. So please Summer, just stick around a little bit longer.
Thanks,
from someone who hates the cold.

preview: hooray shop

Exciting news! I'm starting up a shop, and next week I hope to have everything listed. Since I do creative design and we offer clients custom work (invites, favors, etc.), I thought it would be fun to put my ideas together into a shop and sell extra supplies. My little dream of having a downtown bricks & mortar shop has to get its start somewhere. :)
hooray DESIGN SHOP

tumblr notebook

Some of my latest blog 'clippings' I've posted to my Tumblr Notebook.

cart tray

Anyone remember this cart tray photo from Domino? I've had it saved in one of my folders for so long. I still want one of these. Would be perfect around Christmastime to serve holiday drinks and have cheery parties.

photo from Domino

salmon recipe

My husband loves salmon and usually orders it when we go to nicer restaurants. I used to make it for dinner often, until I ran out of new ideas for preparing it and tired of having it. But while camping a few weeks ago, our friends brought salmon and we ended up throwing together this delicious combination that has me inspired again...

I cooked the salmon on a skillet, added half the toppings in the skillet near the end, and then mixed the other half on top before serving. The combination of lemon juice with the sweetness of the tomatoes is delicious.
Salmon fillets
Butter (for skillet)
Topping:
Chopped tomato
Lemon juice
Fetta Cheese
Serve with rice

french lifestyle website

I just discovered this French website (from an interior book I'm reading) and it's definitely worth a visit. There is upbeat music that repeats itself (you might find yourself singing along "hey! frere jacques"), but there are lots of great images to scroll through. Some of my favorites...

images via Maison de Vacances website

notting hill home

The home of Anita Kaushal (author of The Family at Home) is truly breathtaking. It is so light-filled and simple (and also in Notting Hill, how dreamy!).

photos via Anita Kaushal blog

oyuna cashmere

A bit of luxury and comfort for the home from Oyuna. I would love one of these cashmere throws for this fall/winter.



images via Oyuna

adorable lunches

I love these little lunch makeovers by Paul from Sweet Paul. See more at Country Living.



photos by Karl Juengel via Sweet Paul

sailing...

...on my dad's vintage Hobie Cat, Over Easy.

blt sandwich

What is better in August than a BLT sandwich? Growing up, we always enjoyed eating these sandwiches when the tomatoes from the garden were fresh. My job would usually be to toast and butter the bread, and meanwhile the bacon would be frying in the skillet, filling the kitchen with a smell you could taste. Then we would gather at the table, a plate of stacked tomato slices, lettuce, mayo handy, and everyone would dig in. Here's what our BLT's looked like last week while camping. Every bit as delicious as I remembered growing up.

kissing robins

I still have camping on the brain (I'm actually staying here a few extra days, but I can access internet at the lodge), and I've been browsing the Anorak website. Love all of their cute outdoor and camping accessories - especially their line of kissing robins goods.

(photo: Anorak)

gone campin'

Heading up north to go camping! This year my dad is bringing his vintage Hobie Cat so we'll be doing some sailing out on the lake. Other activities include: tennis, relaxing at the beach, kayaking, swimming at night, campfires with s'mores, star gazing in the field, and reading (lots of reading). Have a lovely weekend!

(photo: Donna Hay)

cheyenne ellis

While browsing the Lorick website (featured yesterday on this lovely blog), I came across the work of photographer Cheyenne Ellis. It's so inspiring to look through the portfolio books on her site...




photos via Cheyenne Ellis

korean balloon card

This adorable "card" from O-Check would make any recipient smile.



photos via O-Check

summer comforts

My family has gone camping every summer since I can remember. We used to go all throughout the summer, but these days only fit in one big trip. The place we go, though, is the best place to camp in northern Michigan. We're actually leaving to go there tomorrow, so here is a mood board that is partly inspired by camping, and completely inspired by the wonderful comforts of summer.

1, 2 + 4 shirt, shoes, hat: Toast; 3 pinecone necklace: june designs; 5 Diana camera: The Curiosity Shoppe; 6 mini planner: Bubbo; 7 earl grey sandwich cookies: Whimsy & Spice; 8 jeans: AE; 9 vintage dress: Anthropologie; Hairpin: Oh, Hello Friend.

pink + green

Some beautiful items from my etsy wishlist.



Messenger bag: A Kir Thing; Iced with Petals Postcard: Concrete & Honey; Pink Ring: Plum Adore; Dead Sea Bath Salts: Mooka Soap.

fun guestbooks

I love these unique ideas for guestbooks. Wouldn't they be fun to sign if you were a guest? I say yes.

photos via Lovely Design and Martha Stewart

current inspiration

When we first moved into our house, I did some rushed decorating and arranging just to make things feel settled, but now I am starting to look around and wonder what our next project should be. We probably won't start a new one for awhile yet, but meanwhile I am collecting a lot of images for inspiration. Here are some of my recent finds...


photo 1 Paperleaf; 2 design is mine; 3 Gathering Spriggs; 4 Darling Dexter