August Tuesday's Inspiration...

Friends... It has been very busy here these past few weeks... It's August and I feel like my summer is quickly passing me by... So... I've decided to make my blogging life a wee bit easier for the next few weeks... I love doing the blog, don't get me wrong... It's just become immensely time-consuming... For the rest of the month I'll be checking in with you daily (+ Monday's weekly giveaways) and sharing some of the things in my huge pile of inspiration! And perhaps, I'll share some pictures here and there of my lovely little girls! Enjoy!

1. love this table setting

2. turquoise ceramics
3. turquoise front door
4. 'be filled with joy'

Giveaway {Leah Duncan}

We were supposed to be away this week... But due to some antibiotic-requiring illness in the family, we are staying put... I wasn't planning on a giveaway for today as I like to be around to promote them (Would love it if you could all help me spread the word so I can keep the giveaways comin')... When our plans fell through on Saturday night, I sent a quick message to one of my newest favourite shops, 'Leah Duncan' asking her, on very short notice, if she'd like to participate in a giveaway this week... Lovely Leah (isn't that a great name!) graciously stepped in! She is offering the winner's choice of one tea towel AND one print from her stunning shop + shipping... All of Leah's designs are original pen and ink drawings that she then scans and colours digitally! My favourite: The Rooster Tea Towel (hands down... I love it!) Enjoy friends!

{Shop}
{Web-site}
{Blog}
{Twitter}

Leah has taken the time to answer a few questions:
What does a perfectly ordinary day in your life look like?
"On a perfectly ordinary day, I wake up and head downstairs to my studio where I answer emails and wrap my head around my schedule for the day. Then it's off to walk my pit mix Oslo down at the lake, through the park, or around my neighborhood. When we get back, I make a fresh cup of coffee, and get to work on whatever task may be on schedule first. Sometimes it's packaging etsy and wholesale orders, sometimes it's working on a commission, other times and more rarely than I hope for, it's working on something completely new for myself! I've found working for myself often makes my days much less routine. Sometimes I fit in a run or a trip to yoga class, other times I barely have time to shower and eat lunch. I stop working around 6 on quiet days and my husband generally makes dinner (I'm quite spoiled - he just started culinary school). After dinner we talk Oslo for his second walk for the day and then settle onto our sofa in the living room. Most nights including a Daily Show + Colbert Report duo."

What time of year most inspires you?
"Spring! I'm a southern girl and cold weather does not sit well with me. Spring is when everything starts to come alive, the world becomes more colorful, and most importantly I can change back into my cut off shorts and tank tops and start to prepare for the long hot summers we get here in Texas. I'm much more comfortable staving off sweat than shivering. Plus I really enjoy drawing flowers. : )"

What do you think of as comfort food?
"Shrimp and grits, although my favorite is to substitute the shrimp with scallops. Both of which can only trumped by my grandmother's southern cooking."

If you could hop on a plane, without giving one thought to your budget, where would you go? "Around the world! Although lately I've been longing for Chile or Spain - something quaint."

What are five things you would like to do in the next five years?
"Expand my wholesale line, license my surface patterns, hire my first employee, start a family, and eat lots of guacamole, because guacamole make me happy. : )"

This giveaway runs from August 2nd - 7nd at Noon (EST)

1. Visit 'Leah Duncan' and choose your favourite item(s) from the shop... Come back here and leave a comment along with your email address, mentioning your favourite item...

2. For an additional entry, link to this giveaway on your blog, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

3. For an additional entry, tweet about this giveaway on Twitter, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

4. For an additional entry, link to this giveaway on Facebook, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

5. For even more entries, POST again (Blog, Twitter, Facebook) at any time later in the week, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

* YOU MAY ENTER UP TO FIVE TIMES FOR FIVE CHANCES TO WIN (Entries beyond the fifth comment will not be published)!

The winner will be randomly chosen and posted HERE on the blog on Saturday... Please check the blog on Saturday to see if YOU are the winner! Enjoy... Please help spread the word and a dear thank you again to Leah of 'Leah Duncan'!

{Wanderlustings} Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Elaine of 'Clothed Much', this week's winner of $20 in shop credit for 'Wanderlustings'... And a HUGE thank you to Caitlin!

Weekend Project {Tin Can Vases}

I adore this project from 'Ruffled'... Pretty 'Tin Can Vases'... Enjoy friends!

Don't forget to enter this week's giveaway with 'Wanderlustings'!

Ranunculus...

Simply Bloom Photoshoot for Design*Sponge & Once Wed

1. Loose Ranunculus
2. Ranunculus Day Dreams Save the Date
3. Mustard Plate with Ranunculus
4. Five Nesting Ranunculus Rose Bowls
5. Large Cream Ranunculus Flower Headband
6. Sweet Romance 4x6
7. Terra-Cotta Pots Centerpiece

8. Bright Pink Bud

9. A Lovely Afternoon in the Cherry Orchard
10. Only Those Fine Art Print
11. Ranunculus Love Bouquet & Boutonniere
12. Cream in a Tea Cup
13. At a Beach Wedding
14. Pressed Between the Pages 8x10 Fine Art Photograph
15. In Burlap

Don't forget to enter this week's giveaway with 'Wanderlustings'!

Nine Months Old and Summer's Bounty...

We had a beautiful weekend here... Leah celebrated nine lovely months with us (Isn't she a peach?) and we spent some wonderful time with both my parents and Jay's parents... My parents showered us with peaches, raspberries, tomatoes, green beans and new potatoes from a road-side stand... I made my dad's favourite Raspberry Custard Pie with the fresh berries and we enjoyed the peaches in a Blueberry Peach Crisp that I spiked with Amaretto... Jay's parents brought zucchini from their garden, peach and strawberry jams, and jar of applesauce made with some early apples from the farm... There's something about fresh produce and jars of beautiful jam that I just can't resist...

Don't forget to enter this week's giveaway with 'Wanderlustings'!

Peaches & Cream...

1. Flowers

2. Vintage 1950's Pleated Floral Day Dress
3. Blush 8x8 Fine Art Print
4. Vintage Peach Seersucker Square Tablecloth
5. Peaches on Antique Books
6. Place Setting

Don't forget to enter this week's giveaway with 'Wanderlustings'!

Giveaway {Wanderlustings}

I'm so excited to introduce you to Caitlin of 'Wanderlustings'... I happened upon her undiscovered shop a few weeks ago and just knew I had to have her over for a giveaway! I adore everything in her sweet little shop... The photographs (taken by the talented Cari Wayman) and the stunning pieces... I'd be hard pressed to pick a favourite! Caitlin has generously offered $20 in shop credit for one fortunate winner this week!

{Shop}
{Web-site}
{Blog}

Caitlin has taken the time to answer a few questions:
What does a perfectly ordinary day in your life look like?
"A normal, ordinary day in my life is: I wake up around 6 am with my partner in crime, also known as Nick. We get up and let our three bunnies (Charlie, Lola and Alphonso) out of their cages to play. I leave for my day job (hey! a girl's got to eat!) where I am a Marketing & Events Planner in Chicago. I usually get home by 6 pm and have recently been taking my little, salvaged cruiser around the lakefront; it's heavenly and I get tons of inspiration while sitting by the beach. Then, I come home and play with the buns some more, follow up on wanderlustings emails, hopefully post on my inspiration blog: wanderlustingsmuse.blogspot.com, possibly create some new accessories and then whip up something for dinner. Nick comes home and we unwind with our funny, little family."

What time of year most inspires you?
"I am inspired by every season; more specifically, the beginning of each season. I love the excitement and anticipation of each changing! It's usually when I start designing and experimenting with a new collection. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it now!"

What do you think of as comfort food?
"Yummm! I live in Chicago, so Giordano's stuffed, cheese pizza is the ultimate comfort food for me - especially during a cold, winter snowstorm!"

If you could hop on a plane, without giving one thought to your budget, where would you go?
"I really need to get a passport! I would want to go visit the chateau in Provence from the movie "A Good Year" with Russell Crowe. I would never leave that place!"

What are five things you would like to do in the next five years?
"Five things that I would like to do in the next five years:
- To have wanderlustings be my full-time, profitable, day job
- Visit Europe (that last question has me thinking...)
- Convince Nick to turn our entire spare bedroom into my own office/craft space which would definitely be an upgrade from the closet that I currently reside in - it's overflowing!
- Get my Mom to open her own Etsy shop or convince her to work with me :)
- Get engaged - possibly married...one step at a time though (I am not good with change nor commitments- hehe!). My boyfriend is most likely breathing a sigh of relief as he reads this right now :)"

This giveaway runs from June 26th - July 31st at Noon (EST)

1. Visit 'Wanderlustings' and choose your favourite item(s) from the shop... Come back here and leave a comment along with your email address, mentioning your favourite item...

2. For an additional entry, link to this giveaway on your blog, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

3. For an additional entry, tweet about this giveaway on Twitter, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

4. For an additional entry, link to this giveaway on Facebook, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

5. For even more entries, POST again (Blog, Twitter, Facebook) at any time later in the week, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

* YOU MAY ENTER UP TO FIVE TIMES FOR FIVE CHANCES TO WIN (Entries beyond the fifth comment will not be published)!

The winner will be randomly chosen and posted HERE on the blog on Saturday... Please check the blog on Saturday to see if YOU are the winner! Enjoy... Please help spread the word and a dear thank you again to Caitlin of 'Wanderlustings'!

{Indo Bay Textiles} Giveaway Winner...

Sorry for the delay dear friends... It was a busy day, full of time with both of our families... So without further ado, the winner of this week's giveaway, $40 in shop credit for 'Indo Bay', are adam.and.e! Congrats to both of you!

A lovely new giveaway begins Monday at 12 am... So stay tuned!

Weekend Project {Summer Floral Gift Tags}

My friends, this weekend's project is simple... Simple and lovely! 'Summer Floral Gift Tags' from 'Eat Drink Chic'... Enjoy!

{Please take the time to enter this week's giveaway with 'Indo Bay'}

Take It Outside...

1. Flowers
2. Table
3. Hanging Lanterns
4. Poolside Table
5. Picnic Table

6. Outdoor Couch

7. Hanging Lanterns
8. Outdoor Pillows
9. Dessert Table
10. Yellow, Purple & Orange Table
11. Hanging Vases

{Please take the time to enter this week's giveaway with 'Indo Bay'}

Glimpses of Summer...

The first of our Hydrangea blooms

Leah, July 2010 (Nearly 9 Months Old)

Summer fruit

Brennah, July 2010 (2 and a half)

Caramel Corn... A favourite summer snack (Recipe)

{Please take the time to enter this week's giveaway with 'Indo Bay'}

Dusk & Blush...

1. Degas Necklace in Blush & Light Grey
2. Bouquet via 'I Do... Inspiration'
3. Antique Rose & Gray Ban.do
4. Grey Damask Room via 'Filed for Later'
5. 'One More Please' Fine Art Photograph
6. Easter Time @ the Shop
7. Flowers & Boots

{Please take the time to enter this week's giveaway with 'Indo Bay'}

Giveaway {Indo Bay Textiles}

Every once in a while I come across a kindred spirit in the on-line world... I met Tania a few months ago when we were both participating in an on-line exhibit... We fast became friends and she approached me about taking part in one of my giveaways... Tania's shop, "Indo Bay" is lovely in every way (Just like she is)! Her work is simple and modern... And in a word, beautiful! Tania has SO generously offered $40 in shop credit for one fortunate winner! I know you will enjoy Tania and her shop, from sunny Florida, as much as I do!

{Shop}
{Blog}
{Twitter}

Tania has graciously taken the time to answer some questions:
What does a perfectly ordinary day in your life look like?
"Always breakfast together with my family where we throw in a card game of "uno". Once my honey is off to the office & my little honey is off to school (or camp now)...watch out! I'm pushed full throttle ahead trying to somehow manage e-mails, orders, blog, product shots, photo editing, walking dogs, product designs, household chores, sewing, hand printing, promoting...I could go on and on. Hectic at times but I wouldn't change a thing! :)"

What time of year most inspires you?
"I can't say that one time of year inspires me more than another. I think what I love most is the anticipation & moods that different times of the year create. Spring & Summertime always inspire me with their hope of new beginnings, lovely vibrant colors, summertime get-aways, & stunning gardens. Living in Florida, the Fall & Winter is always welcomed with open arms bringing cooler temperatures, the anticipation of a new school year, warm colors, the magic of Halloween and the winter holidays! It's all just so lovely!"

If you could hop on a plane, without giving one thought to your budget, where would you go?
"This one was easy for me...the Greek island of Santorini! The architecture, the sun, the mountains, the people. It just oozes of beauty & screams, "take me there"!"

What do you think of as comfort food?
"Not very original but CHOCOLATE...yummy!"

What are five things you would like to do in the next five years?
"1. continue growing my biz authentically
2. go on a great family trip outside of the U.S.
3. watch my 8 year old son grow into his pre-teen years, hopefully graciously...yikes!
4. learn something new that I had been too afraid to try
5. continue to be grateful for all the blessings in my life & laugh A LOT! :D"

This giveaway runs from June 19th - July 24th at Noon (EST)

1. Visit 'Indo Bay Textiles' and choose your favourite item(s) from the shop... Come back here and leave a comment along with your email address, mentioning your favourite item...

2. For an additional entry, link to this giveaway on your blog, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

3. For an additional entry, tweet about this giveaway on Twitter, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

4. For an additional entry, link to this giveaway on Facebook, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

5. For even more entries, POST again (Blog, Twitter, Facebook) at any time later in the week, come back here and post an additional comment with the link and your email address...

* YOU MAY ENTER UP TO FIVE TIMES FOR FIVE CHANCES TO WIN (Entries beyond the fifth comment will not be published)!

The winner will be randomly chosen and posted HERE on the blog on Saturday... Please check the blog on Saturday to see if YOU are the winner! Enjoy... Please help spread the word and a dear thank you again to Tania of 'Indo Bay Textiles'!

{Jewel Me Pretty} Giveaway Winner...

This week's winners of a $20 in store credit for 'Jewel Me Pretty' are Melissa of 'O My Darling' AND Clare of 'A Teacup of Whimsy'! Congratulations ladies! And thank you Rin, for sharing you work with us!

Stay tuned for another lovely giveaway, beginning Monday at 12 am EST!

Weekend Project {Caramel Corn}

This has long been a family favourite... I ate it growing up... And I hope that my daughters will savour making it and eating it as they grow up! It's been treasured around many a campfire... And today, as you read this, we'll be enjoy it at yet another cottage with our dear friends Julian & Stacey... Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe...

{Caramel Corn}
2 bags of microwave popcorn, popped
1 cup of butter
2 cups of packed brown sugar
1/2 cup of corn syrup
1 teaspoon of salt

Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce to medium heat and let sit for 5 minutes, uncovered. The sugar and butter mixture will bubble nicely and form a lovely, golden caramel.

Carefully add:
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla

Stir. Pour over popped popcorn and still well. Put in 250 degree oven and bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on a flat surface. Store in air tight container. Enjoy my friends... And happy weekend!