Quilted Pretty Things

This week I did some much needed spring cleaning.  Floors were mopped, old magazines sorted through, windows wiped.  I had been putting it off like most of us do but felt ten times better when it was all finished.  I also made a few small changes around the apartment.  The organic Pottery Barn coverlet that I've been snuggling with through the cold months came off to be replaced by one of my mother's quilts.  It's not an overly stuffed one so it's perfect for the summer months.  She has quilted for as long as I can remember and does beautiful work.  Here are some other images I've found that showcase some gorgeous quilts (and cool rooms and ideas too.)

I would like to wake up and have breakfast here every morning, wouldn't you?

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Very Jonathan Adler-esque with all of the white and bold punch of color.

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Quilts thrown over hay bales make for cozy seating at a farm wedding.

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Makes a lovely and soft tablecloth.

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So so sweet.

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Winona Ryder finds her Wedding Quilt in "How to Make an American Quilt,"  one of my favorite movies.

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Perfectly quirky and fun.  Imagine all of the creative thoughts and ideas that happen in this child's room.  And those windows, OMG!

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This framed quilt is truly a work of art.

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A couple's engagement session turns vintage.

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:) I want to be here.

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Or here, seriously great for napping.

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You can get away with lots of color in a mostly white room.

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A welcoming attic space.  FYI, my attics never looked like this growing up!

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Some brave soul put together this wallpaper/quilt room and pulled it off perfectly!

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A quilted chuppah, so romantic.

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Skeptical...

Would you eat this?

I love chocolate and I really love bacon but I'm not so sure about this.  Here's the description from their website:

Bacon + Chocolate ?! Two equally obsessive over foods come together to create an unbelievable taste combination of sweet, smoky and savory. Applewood smoked bacon pieces with alderwood smoked salt, and 45% creamy milk, or 62% deep dark chocolate.

Maybe the Easter bunny will leave some in my basket and I'll be "forced" to try it.  Stay tuned for results...

Homes on Film

Earlier this week, I fell in love with the attractive and creative couple behind Emersonmade.  If you haven't heard of them, please check them out.  But warning, you will be jealous...

Originally I wanted to write more about them. I would express my desire to follow in their path and move out of the city into an old farmhouse and create a "simple" life.  I realized as I wrote, that this certainly is not a foreign concept.  One of my all-time favorite movies, Baby Boom is almost the same story.  Except instead of a young couple moving to the country, it's Diane Keaton who takes responsibility for her sister's child after her death, quickly realizes that the NY corporate world is not the place for her new family, moves them to an old house in Vermont in their classic Jeep Wagoneer, starts making applesauce, meets a handsome veterinarian, starts selling her applesauce to all the top chains, and lives happily ever after with the veterinarian (oops, I think I should have said spoiler alert, my bad.)

Anyway, the Vermont house is adorable and while looking for images, I stumpled upon Hooked on Houses.  Um, for real?  Favorite new site, hands down.  Here's why:

1) Baby Boom house in Hadleyville, VT and an image of the town.  Check out that Wagoneer!

2) Family Stone house in Greenwich, CT

3) Father of the Bride house in Pasadena, CA, also who can forget that nursery

4) Ferris Bueller's Day Off shot in Long Beach, CA as a Chicago home.

5) Home Alone house in Winnetka, IL.

6) Stepmom house exteriors shot in Nyack, NY.  I'll take that Land Rover too please.

7) Marley and Me house in PA.  You can keep the Subaru.

8) Practical Magic house shot on San Juan Island, WA as a home in New England.  Awesome kitchen and perfect pergola.

 

Easter Brunch

Although this year, we're planning a brunch at a fun NYC spot for Easter, the planner in me is kind of wishing I could host something a little more cozy at home.  As noted before, my apartment is probably too small for entertaining but I wonder if it could be pulled off...

Can you picture it?

Malted eggs for guests to take home.

Pastel candles of all shapes and sizes.

Beautiful alabaster eggs to display in glass containers.

Colorful straws to brighten the table.

Macaroons

mmm...pineapple glazed ham

Images: my own sketch,1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Mom, you Rock!

Recently my mom submitted a painting for a poster contest that the Northwest Florida Arts Association held to advertise their upcoming 2010 Spring Festival of the Arts.  Her design won and they have her winning crab painting, bio, and cute picture front and center on their home page!  What an honor and go mom!!!

Is this shirt too small for me?

Me? A trendsetter?

My mom sent me a few old photos yesterday and I've been laughing ever since.  I don't think I took these white go-go boots off for a whole year. 

Hot Stuff

Looks like I was a little ahead of my time...

Do Your Ears Hang Low?

It's no secret that Pioneer Woman's blog is one of my favorites.  One reason is her adorable bassett hound, Charlie.  She confesses things about Charlie that many pet owners might be too embarassed to share.  For instance, his paws smell like Fritos.  As soon as I read this, I knew exactly what she meant.  Years ago, my parents bought a lakehouse just outside of Nashville.  We acquired a stray basset hound while out there one weekend and he immediately became a part of our already dog-filled house.  We named him Cowboy and he was beautiful, a real looker as you'll see below.  His paws smelled like Cheerios, it's a bassett hound thing I guess.  And it is truly a wonderful thing.  Get yourself a bassett hound and tell me their big, beautiful, puffy paws don't smell.  I dare you.

Cowboy, surely gazing into the sun considerring the theory of relativity.  Or maybe tracking a squirrel.

Ice Ice Baby

For a clever addition to your next get together, pick up these cute diamond shaped ice trays from Sur la Table.  They'll add a little dazzle to your screwdriver, bling to your bourbon, shimmer to your sangria, etc.  How fun!

Although my desk is lovely...

I would much rather be:

Here

Sheeps Meadow in NYC is a great place to waste a sunny afternoon (minus the dude in checkered board shorts.)

Drinking

In plastic cups of course and don't forget the wine opener, have unfortunately done that many times.

Bring this too

With a great blanket to fall asleep on.

Wearing this

I never dress this fancy for the park, but one can dream...

Items in this set:

Antoine Jumpsuit, $135 Calypso

Christian Louboutin Espadrille Wedge with Ribbon Ties

Highlighter stripe stevie, $295 Kate Spade

Floral Scarf, $150 Calypso
*Necklace is KEP Design

Wave Goodbye to Winter

How pretty is it in NYC today??!!  I was so excited I wore a skirt with no tights (I know, so bold of me.)

Since I typically don't blog on the weekends and tomorrow is officially the first day of spring, today seems like a good day for na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, good bye!!! To winter that is, peace out snowy season.  (Again, I will forever apologize for my failed attempts at humor before noon.)

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I love cherry blossoms.  There are so many in TN and around my old highschool campus.  To see a row of them like the picture above is so sweet, like cotton candy.

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This azalea trail is so enchanting.  They bloom year round in lower Alabama where I went to college and also where my mother's family is from.  They have such a bright, cheery disposition and carry lots of memories of my days at Auburn, as well as my many visits to Mobile to see my grandmother, Momo.  Azaleas make me think of Momo mostly.

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And of course, hydrangeas.  Couldn't leave my favorite flower out of the mix.  The first time I went out to the Hamptons and saw them at EVERY adorable gray shingled house, I thought this must be what heaven is like.  I love them in each color but the blueish-purple will always be a fave.  Hydrangea, you can do no wrong. 

Happy Friday!