Friday Finds: Green and Blue

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My sister-in-law and her family are currently experiencing the excitement and exhaustion of owning their first home. Captivated with vision they are quickly transforming it from the 1980s to the present. This transformation has demanded a lot of toil and sweat and thinking outside the box. After pouring over paint colors, swatchs, and samples she was finally able to select the colors that represent her and her family (a very exciting prospect for someone who had to live in rentals up until now).

I must admit that I am an earthtones girl. I devoured the pottery barn catalogs with delight when they were selecting warm beiges, earth greens, and mustard yellows. Then the first of the new season arrived screaming bright colors of red, blues and all the cool tones they could muster and I quickly discarded it without a second glance. Is the trend really going toward bright colors??!! How could this happen?

My limited color pallette has definitely been broadening though and I took delight in painting my sister-in-laws rooms with Lafonda Mirage (a very nice blue) and refreshing green.

She has vision and I have been delighted to see it all come together.

My friday finds is dedicated to complimenting or reflecting these two colors.

Going Green

Starbursts by Urbanwalls

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Reversible Fabric Organizer by baffin bags

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Circle Monogram Decal by Circleline Studio

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Dandelions in Lime Green by Pillowmio

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Feeling Blue

Bird bath silhouette by EL Woodworks

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Doily Clock by and furthermore

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Jolie Switchplate by funky chicken design

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Nautical Star by Monkey and Squirrel

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Robin's Egg Picture Frame by Berry Island

Missing but not gone

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I'm sorry to say that I missed yet another Friday finds. So maybe I should change it to every other Friday.

My days have been surrounded by boxes and all my worldly possessions are scattered around in chaos. We are somewhat frantically trying to move out of our current situation into a more flexible one so that one of these days or months we can actually become homeowners again. So yes, we are moving twice in theory but once right now. Ben calls it our summer vacation because we are moving to a house on a horse ranch out in the country. We both are city people for the most part (I relish the idea, sounds and feeling of the country but LOVE being in town to walk wherever I want to go). The boys are beside themselves with dreams of the tree house, exploring, walks in the woods and by the creek, horses, and so many other wonders that this new home will bring to their door.

So we are moving quickly. I started packing Thursday afternoon and we hope to be mostly settled in tonight. I have already found myself frustrated with the in between. Being two places at once. All my things divided and stacks of boxes here and there. Soon it will be behind us once again but for now my computer is going to rest in its box and I'm going to plow ahead and pray the rain takes a short hiatus while we load the trucks tonight....

Dreams and Reality

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It is easy to confuse the images that fill my mind with reality. I have learned that on many levels. I have and am learning that when it comes to the dream of a house that was really not meant to be and the reality of staying 12 more months in an apartment with a not so lovely landlord.

I absorb this reality on a much smaller scale as well. Last week when I was feeling particularly motivated and desirous of a nature retreat my son, Warren, came up with the brilliant idea of packing a lunch and going for a walk/picnic. I have a hard time keeping myself indoors on even the dreariest of days and this day was lovely. So, we packed a lunch, picked up some books at the library and headed out on our journey. Three small boys settled in on the picnic bench, PB&J in hand and me reading to them about all the disgusting foods people used to eat. Then lawnmower man shows up eager to tame some of the savage nature that surrounds us. My youngest son starts panicking (at this point he has a paralyzing fear of machinery), nats start swarming in our eyes, around our food, in our mouths...rocks find their way into our shoes as I drag my littlest terror stricken boy on our walk and soon the idealic scene turns into a quick retreat to the van.

And I sigh...another chance for reality to show itself.

Friday Finds: 1940

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Much more time has passed than I intended and so soon into my project I have already missed one "Friday Finds" post. I will try desperately not to let that happen again. I have many excuses for the missed post. First and foremost though we found a house that I am absolutely in love with.

My husband and I and 3 boys have been jammed into a comfy apartment going on 2 1/2 years now. I have been so very thankful for the provision we have had and have tried hard not to take it for granted; however, the extreme lack of storage gets to me and I have to fight the overwhelming urge to throw all of our possessions away in an attempt to have some openness with which to roam freely. Our deadline is closing in upon us and tomorrow we have to commit to another 6 months in order to continue to enjoy shelter from the elements. So in one final attempt we looked at a house last week and it was truly love at first sight.

Built in the 1940s, this house screams of character. The one drawback is that in the 40s they must not have had as many clothes as I do now (and I really don't think I have that many) and it also seems that they didn't enjoy the spacious comforts of a Queen size bed. Needless to say had we acquired this house the space would have been tight but I really would have given anything to squeeze into something so wonderful. Alas, it seems that it was not meant to be for several reasons but in honor of that dream this weeks Friday Finds is dedicated to the 40s.

Classic 1940s sage green gabardine ladies' jacket by Tottie

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Metal Workman's Lunchbox by Sarah Anntiques

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1940s Tea Set by Jolly Time One

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Vintage Amber Ring by Dog Day Afternoons

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1940's Midnight Blue Gown by Margaret Pearl Vintage

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Vintage 1940s Swing Dance Shoes by Bohemian Bisoux Vintage

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40s Blue Suitcase by pinguim

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Vintage Royal 1940s Typewriter by Traci Nicole

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Vintage Japan Cameo Phone by Flossy's Treasures

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1940s necklace by My Lovely Jewels

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1940s Retractable Clothesline by Kitty Kitty Bow Wow

Friday Finds: Wearing Out

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Ashamedly I admit that my free time in college was spent mostly by sipping coffee and pouring over magazines at B&N or adding to my wardrobe.

Needless to say once I joined the married world I brought with me a love for lattes and a lot of clothes (unfortunately not a lot of savings to my frugal husband's chagrin).

Since those glorious days I have not had much of a chance to go shopping. Pre-children, I convinced myself that I wouldn't be one of those moms that couldn't keep up with the styles. The moms that seem to wear pretty much the same thing all the time. Unfortunately, all those naive aspirations have been overtaken by practicality. In desperation I have in the past toted my two small boys and infant into a dressing room only to remain there for a diaper change and nursing session. I think the sales clerks were eager and relieved to see me leave!

Most of my shopping these days is done with mouse in hand. Thus, this weeks "Friday Finds" is dedicated to the world of online fashion.

NOTE: Most of my picks will revolve around dresses/skirts. Because I have a slight obsession with Donna Reed (meets bohemian), because I pride myself in being somewhat counter-cultural, but mostly because my husband prefers me in skirts/dresses (not for any moral reason, but mostly because pants seriously do not flatter my figure). All that said it takes a bit more work to be stylish, trendy, and just plain me in skirts and dresses (but since I'm part hippie it works out just fine).

Idea 2 Lifestyle

Red Pocket Skirt

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The Shabby Apple

This company has amazing dresses. Read their story about how they came to develop their company.

Carnival

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Kalila Love

Raw Silk Flow Ruffle Jacket

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Fashion 2 Idea

My figure probably requires something a bit more fitted than this but I find myself constantly drawn to the clothes that have several flowing layers.

Free and unconstrained

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Another one from Idea 2 Lifestyle

Blue Lotus

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ergrthrth

Classic Embroidery Dress

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Makool

This one is way out of my price range and I'm not sure where I would ever wear this but I still love it non-the-less.

Late for Tea Dress

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Finally, Christa-Taylor

I've been wanting this dress since my sister-in-law sent me the link oh-so-long ago! They have some wonderful designs.

Blue Best Friend Dress

Scavenging

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Up until this moment I have never heard of an online scavenger hunt. The ones I have been familiar with in the past require a van (usually a vanload of over hyper teenagers), a list of things to find, and laws being broken as vehicles race to each location infiltrating the scenery with their furious scavenging.

I can guarentee you it is much less stressful and a lot more peaceful to conduct one of these online. You can even do it while listening to music or sipping a hot cup of tea.

The Soapers at Etsy (of whom I am a part) have been working to create this amazing basket of spa treasures. Many of us participated in the donation process and now there is a huge basket which is valued over $125 and it can be yours for free. Yes, I know, you're thinking, "So what's the catch?" Well, read about it for yourself on our team blog. Etsy Safe Team

So why would we do this and give it away for free? It comes down to marketing. It gets our names out there and you or your dear mother (if you choose to give this basket away) will be able to try out all these soaps, body butters, perfumes, etc. and see if there might be a chance you would actually want to buy from our shops in the future.

So start scavenging!!!

Friday Finds

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I meant to start this last week but alas, time ran out on me and I was stranded without a hope of completing my desire in time. So here I am trying again with the hope that I will be able to remain consistent.

April is a time of birthdays for my family. My birthday, my dad's, my father-in-law, my niece and my sister-in-law all enjoy and share the sunny/rainy month of April. When I was growing up I thought of April 30th as my day. I knew of no one else who enjoyed balloons, cake and presents on that day and kind of considered myself to be unique. The day was special to me and no one else. When I met Ben I soon discovered that his sister was also born on April 30th. As much as I thought the odds of that were slim, I consented that at least one more person in the world would have probably been born on that day. Why not have it be my sister-in-law? However, that was not quite enough. Apparently there was more for me to discover because almost 3 years ago a little girl joined our family and decided to make an appearance on MY day. Shock!

So not only is April a busy month but the very last day of April, the day when April says goodbye and gives way to May flowers, boasts 3 birthdays in my family alone.

Thus begins the succession of my "Friday Finds" posts. I will try very hard to discover all things wonderful for you to see and find for yourself. Most of it will come from Etsy because Etsy is a world of undiscovered and talented artists but hopefully there will be treasures from other places as well.

Today I am focusing on Art. Mostly because I just indulged in a drawing book of my own. I am eager to fine-tune my drawing skills and much more able to appreciate the skill in others. Also, because I LONG for a wonderful SLR camera to capture my small world in and therefore stand in awe of those who capture it so well.

My first pick comes from the studio of Erin Tyner. This one is entitled "Rose".

"Rose"

Fine Point Studio is a bit above my price range but the art is exquisite:

"Sea Level"

The House of Six Cats brings art to another level. It is not just something to hang on the wall but beauty that can be worn and used every day.

"Tranquilitiy"

Squidart Photography

"Books"

Matt Allen Photography

"London Square"

Because I only have boys I have a new appreciation for cowboys.

This is a pencil drawing from M. Nelson

"Hobbled"

There are so many more amazing and talented artists and I am so incapable of representing all the amazing things I find on etsy alone but this is a beginning.

Thus, "Friday Finds" is officially launched.