Dear Dad

Happy Father's Day. I love you. 

{my dad and me with Tahlia on the day she came home from the hospital}

Lazy Saturday

Michael, the kids and I spent the day wandering around the farmer's market and playing at the park. I love lazy Saturdays... why does it feel like they are so hard to come by these days? I hope you are enjoying yours!

...Oh, and I had lot of fun playing with my newly downloaded instagram app on my iPhone

{beefsteak tomatoes at the farmer's market, above}

{walking to the park, below}

Some British Birds

Elli Pop's collaboration with Indie musician and artist, Edwyn Collins, has resulted in a darling line of bone china and wallpaper. The simplicity and delicacy of these British birds has me spellbound. Isn't that little Barn Owl the sweetest?

Blueprints

The one thing I was secretly hoping we'd find during the demolition phase of our construction project was the original blueprints. I would have had those framed in a second and found a place of honor to display them once our renovation is complete. But, alas, nothing quite so exciting was found behind the walls of our new/old home.

I may consider framing blow ups of our renovation plans though. Is it just me and my own personal excitement for this project, or is there something artistically beautiful about the architect's drawings?

March 22, 1919

The demo has begun on the 1905 English Cottage that we are renovating and we have already found a little treasure. On the original plaster wall in the master bedroom was this signature from Jimmie dated March 22, 1919. Can anyone make out what his last name is? It looks like Bettre or something like that... Help me out if you can decipher it, please.

I'm just starting to do research on the history of the home and its prior owners. I can't wait to learn more about Jimmie and his family! I will let you know what else I uncover.

Peony Garden

Tahlia and I have been having a chill girls weekend while Michael and Alex are visiting his parents for the weekend. Kind of last minute, I decided that the perfect girly post afternoon nap activity would be to check out the Peony Garden at the Nichols Arboretum. I keep hearing such amazing things and yes, I do adore peonies but I was not prepared for such incredible beauty...

It turns out that this arboretum is home to one of the largest collections of peonies in North America, and has over 230 different types of peony blooms. It was honestly so spectacular.

Tahlia thought so too!

She loved running about all of the flowers. She kept giggling and saying "smell it" then she would mischievously try to eat bloom after bloom. You know that stage where they put everything in their mouths, right?! I feel like this was one of those afternoons that I'll remember so fondly when she's all grown up. I'm glad we took the time to stop and smell the...peonies.

Kindred Spirits

I'm still reveling in the memories of my BlogFest2011 experience in New York a couple of weeks ago. One of the things I enjoyed most was being surrounded by like-minded, creative bloggers...my kindred spirits. 

{Sara Kate Huff of Sara Kate Studios & Erika Johnson of Radiant Republic}

{Elise Jones & Mae Hacking of Here in this House}

Unfortunately, I was so busy snapping photos of fabrics and such that I didn't get picts of all of the lovely ladies that I enjoyed meeting so much. Please visit their blogs and get acquainted with each of them. You will be so glad that you did.

Michelle Carangi of Holly & Gill

Julieann Covino of Create Girl

Suysel dePedro Cunningham & Anne Maxwell Foster of Tilton Fenwick

Beth Dotolo of Hello, Splendor

Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo of ABCD Design

Raina Kattelson of A Stylists Life

Stacy Kunstel of Dunes & Duchess

Carrie Leskowitz of Carrie Leskowitz Design

Shelly Van Rozeboom of Van Rozeboom Interiors

Chanee Vijay of {me}longings

Kimberly Ward of Pink Eggshell

Ellen Wigginton of Nouveau Stitch