{chair love}

{Chaise Sperlich via L'atelier(s)}

{the farm chicks}

I love when people take a passion and turn it into a unique and fun business.  The Farm Chicks did just that and in 2002 their business started and they hosted their First Annual Antique Show.  I've heard a bunch about these clever gals...being since they're from Spokane, WA {my old stomping grounds}, but unfortunately didn't know much about them.  After a quick conversation with a dear friend last weekend, my curiousty peaked.    Why do I admire these 'chicks'?   1) They wear aprons all the time!!! Just because they want to. {I love aprons.}   2) Their book has some awesome recipes which I can't wait to try.  3) They're just plain clever.  Oh...and they make some cute things! This 'cake' necklace is adorable {and so is the tractor}!    Read more about them here! And...if you're in the area - they have another Antique Show coming up the first weekend in June!   **If you're looking for a new cookbook - I'd suggest theirs.  It just was printed in April 2009. Puchase it here!

{antiques, cooking and a bit of creativity}

If you haven't heard of The Farm Chicks...you should check them out here! Originally from the Spokane WA area I have a bit of admiration for their talent. Their next Antique Show takes place the first weekend of June!

Happy Thursday!

{smart women}

Sometimes, working in a rather quiet and somewhat colorless finance office, my mind wanders. I've often thought about bringing in decor lamps, some fun fabrics and chic frames. After all - I spend hours after hours in this one little space. But, my 'decor' budget generally gets donated to our home. That being said, maybe if I got some of these things from Smart Women, it would help me focus a bit! Love the retro personality found in nearly every item. Check more out here!

{button delivery!}

I love buttons and all trims for that matter. But, buttons...they're my current obsession. And though, I've been scouring for perfectly colored vintage buttons - I couldn't resist when I saw this little pack to create-your-own. Make my own? Why, yes! They could be the perfect embellishment to my homemade pillows and other such delights.


{image via: Urban Outfitters. SimplyGrove also posted about these in her recent 3 Things to Love post. Check it out here!}

**P.S. If you live in the Seattle area, check out some info here...for May's Urban Eats!

{i wouldn't mind....}

...taking off work and being by the sea today. Well, maybe in my dreams at least!

What would you like to be doing on the mid-week day?

{image :: anthropologie}

{ta da!}

To my sweet surprise, I was blessed with another Glassybaby!!! The gift was so wonderful and unexpected and fits perfectly with my current collection.

I heart glassybabies and sweet friends.

Are you currently collecting anything you heart?

Saw this adorable handmade wooden toy on the Storque. Couldn't resist passing on the cuteness. For more from Santa Barbara Crafts click here!

I had several favorite childhood toys, but the top of my list belongs to a sweet doll. I took her {Mary} everywhere with me! Once after her head started ripping, my dear Grandpa took her to a 'doll hospital'...or so he told me. She was good as new!

What was your favorite childhood toy?

{crazy for navy and maybe a little red....}

...Either that, or I'm just plain crazy for Kate Spade. I love her designs cause they seem to come from a different era. More than that...I just LOVE navy right now. I'm craving it in nearly everything....from decor, to clothes, to yarn, to jewelry.

*Speaking of yarn. I picked up some scruptious navy yarn at one of my favourite shops yesterday. It will be perfect for a new little baby blanket I'm working on!

Are you craving navy right now?

{image :: kate spade}

{projects, projects and more projects}

Taking a survey of all my projects, overwhelmed me a bit. I therefore, spent some time working my hands at some of my favorite crafts. Seems like I barely made a dent, but I did have fun.

Happy Monday

**P.S. I started blogging again on Belle Chic Cuisine. Check it out for recipes and all things kitchen.

{image: kate sellers}

{bonjour !}

There's no way to really segue into blogging again after such a long break; however, it was time I returned to this dear blog.  What better way to come back, than to bring my two passions together: French and Cooking.   Pick up this fun little toast imprint at Independence Studios.  This would be fun to change up a morning routine or even to share when guests come by.

{quiche for mom}

I can't believe that Mother's Day is this weekend! Not that I'm a mother, myself...but, do I have an AMAZING mom! Flowers are sweet and would be perfect in the photo above, but what I think is even better...is a quiche. 1) I love making quiches (see here and here) and 2) my mom is always on the go and cooks the most amazing meals for everyone. So...what would I do if we lived near? I would bake a quiche, juice some oranges and set the table pretty for some one on one girl talk!

I sure love you mom!


{photo & recipe: martha}

{to spend the weekend in this kitchen...}

...would be a good weekend indeed!

Happy {spring} Friday! Enjoy this Mother's Day weekend lovelies!

{photo: JAS Design}

{sleep time?}

This is what I need right now....sleep! But, for some reason, my mind is racing {at 3am}. *sigh*

Here's to a 'strong coffee' morning!

HAPPY FRIDAY

{photo, square america}

{domino tag sale!}

If only, if only I lived in the area! Former Domino staffers are throwing a 'party'...or a tag sale, rather! Go for great prices (some even negotiable) and free advice. To read more, click here!

If you live near the area, check it out on Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 13 West Ninth Street (Fifth Avenue), garden apartment; cash only. {And do a bit of 'dreaming' for me!}

{Thanks, A Cup of Jo for the info!}
{Photo credit: Penelope Green}

{do I need this? no. do I want this? yes.}

This past weekend, after taking breakfast at a charming Crêperie...

Mister, Brother and my brother's GF all posied* around 23rd. I love visiting Portland. I do. We went in shop after shop, including Paper Source. Of course it's not a new shop to people, but it's a paper shop...and there's something completely wonderful about a paper shop. Be it big, or small I always delight in the little treasures that are cramped together in every little possible place imaginable.

I'm just going to say it: I've never been a big 'butterfly' person. {Well, except when it comes to the name in French. I sort of love, 'papillon'…} But, apparently I liked butterflies on Saturday. Every time I saw the reoccurring theme, my heart smiled. "Oh look at this, honey! Don't you think we need this?" ....and the rest is as you can imagine.
Do I need these? no. Do I want these? yes.




à la prochaine !

{*Yes, yes....posied may seem like a strange word to you, but I had no other way to describe the feeling of walking around. Perhaps I made up the word; I cannot be certain. All I know, is that it exists in my vocabulary...but, that's not saying much, since I apparantly make up words often.}

{lovely ceramics}

There's something so wonderful about simple pottery. Do you know what I mean? I'm referring to fresh colors, modern take yet classic functionality. Now that "I'm back" I've been perusing post after post and happened upon a mention of Pigeon Toe Ceramics by none other than Julia from the Red Otter. Julia always has a keen eye for lovely things, and this time was no exception. {Thanks for introducing me to a lovely shoppe!}

Happy Wednesday!

{new venture...}

I've started a new hobby: jewelry making. I've wanted to do this for so long. Why should I wait any longer?! I went down, picked up my tools and went to work. {Mind you, it has only been a week since I started, but I LOVE it!} Maybe I should take a class, but I usually prefer to learn on my own.
Here are some of my recent creations....

Please don't judge the work by the quality of the picture. :) Either way, it's been so much fun coming up with my own creations and working with the wire, etc. In the above creations I used swarovski crystals, frshwater pearls, repurposed beads from an old bracelet and vintage buttons. I've already decided my favorite materials and love that every day I have a new thought pop into my head.

What do you think?!

{may is here}

It's so strange to believe that it's already May! We had so much fun this past weekend, that I hope it's true of the entire month.

Friday night I got home from work and went straight to play tennis with Mister. Soon thereafter, he proposed we go to a Mariner's Game with our dear friends {Scott and Willow}. YAY! Of course I wanted to spend time with them. So...we rushed to get ready and headed down to the ball park. We had great seats. AND, Mister even caught a ball!!! He couldn't have been more thrilled! :)




On Saturday we packed up and went to Portland for the rest of the weekend before my bro moves. It was SO much fun seeing my "little brother" and his gf. We wish it could have been longer than just one night, but at least we had fun! Looking back it was quite "French", the weekend! We had fondue for dinner. Then woke up and went for some awesome crepes and coffee on 23rd. Yumm.


Boston is so far away, but will be sure fun to visit!

{april}

What a month! I finally get back into blogging and then our computer decides to get the "hickups". On top of that, we've been busy! Busy having fun....

For my birthday, I got some fun items!! Most people know my love for the ever beautiful glassybaby. To my surprise, I got two!! :) They are a perfect addition to my collection.


My mom also surprised me with some classic French films staring Catherine Deneuve. She's so lovely in her young films. And the French...! It's such a lovely language to fill our home! My 'maman' sent me: Les parapluies de Cherbourg and Les demoiselles de Rochefort

{ Catherine Denueve, Francoise Dorleac, and Jacques Demy on the set of Les Demoiselles de Rochefort (1967)}

My husband treated me to a spa and to my awe picked up some tennis rackets!

We've been wanting to start a hobby that got us outdoors. In the past week we've gone three times. My oh-so-athletic husband handles himself effortlessly. Me on the other hand....?! Well, let's just say that on my first day out there, I had a stranger come from the street to "give me some pointers". I think my sheer frantic stature when the tennis balls were coming my way, was just too much him to let pass by. Either way, I'm picking it up....

What a great month! Now here's to May...since it is already a few days in!