Retro Fabulous

First of all, I've been checking my blog stats...I have readers- yay!! Thanks for indulging me. If anything, I use this blog as a creative outlet but it makes it all the more worth while with loyal readers like you :)

Next I'd like to say that I have limited photography skills; however, I've always been quite the shutterfly. I am the reliable friend that documents every party, shower, wedding, etc. & has the pics posted online within 24 hours. Who doesn't love instant gratification, right? And can I just tell you how much I love smartphones' retro-inspired camera/photo apps?! Such a simple thing but the result is a photo filled with vintage-esque quality & delight. Here is a sampling of my faves (taken on a Motorola DROID with the "retroCamera" app):

People, Places & Things

Quintessential Pike's Market shot



Lake Josephine, Anderson Island

Poipu, Kauai

Please Play with Me

Content Corgi



High Alert

Happy Accident Shot

People Watching @ the Fremont Market


Self Portrait


Brad or Jake Ryan??


Natasha the Spy

That's all for today my friends. But you should know that I had a very successful shopping trip at the fabric store yesterday ;) Hope you are all enjoying the chilly weather!

♥lucy









Fireplace Fiasco

Ok, so it's not really a "fiasco" but that sounded better than "Fireplace Dilemma". I really want to paint this bad boy but am being a chicken about it. I can't get the rustic brick back if I hate it painted...

So I decided to consult my favorite design goddess, Genevieve Gorder. WWGD? Not only do I love the name "Genevieve" but she has been one of my design idols since her days of Trading Spaces.  Today she continues to wow me with her HGTV series "Dear Genevieve". Her recent episode of transforming a tiny NYC apartment just might be one of my favorites. The apartment owner's mom actually has a blog where she featured the transformation (& I might just have to try her Lava Cakes!). 

Here is my letter to Miss Genevieve:

Dear Genevieve,

              Our circa-1980’s living room is in need some serious Genevieve-goodness! We are overwhelmed by our bulky brick fireplace & limited furniture arrangement possibilities due to the cable hookup for our TV. We think your flair to make cramped spaces livable & lovely is exactly what we need!!

              Ultimately, we’d like to make the fireplace (focal point of the room) lighter & brighter. I would like to paint it but know this is not reversible so am looking for your expertise.  Some decorative storage ideas that are budget-friendly would also be ideal.

We look forward to hearing your ideas that will give this dated space a touch of modern whimsy & our fluffy corgi, Willis, a stylish new perch!

Sincerely,

Brad & Mara

(Willis too!)

Fingers crossed that Gen responds to my email!! I think the picture of Willis I attached might help our cause:

Willis daydreaming of a more stylish mantle...

♥lucy

p.s. taking reader suggestions for our fireplace revamp as well! comments welcome :)

Neutral Oasis

I've been busy!! This week I started commuting back to work but more importantly is what we got done this past weekend :)

I've been itching to change up things in our living room for quite some time. The first time I decorated with dark colors & a traditional tapestry rug. While it looked alright I felt like the space was too saturated with heavy colors. This made an already small space seem smaller. Our cramped space was desperately craving a touch of neutral whimsy. It started with finding this fun new accent chair from World Market. Then the rug search commenced...and dragged on...& on... Two weeks ago it finally ended when I discovered this gem on Overstock (yay $2.95 shipping!).

So here's the "Neutral Whimsy To Do List":

1. New Rug

2. Paint boring cream with sandstone-ish khaki

3. Tear out circa 1980 window molding & replace with white molding

4. Sew matching throw pillows

5. New curtains (to sew or not to sew...that much fabric ain't cheap!)

6. Update mantel (this will most likely be another post when we get to it)

7. Fireplace...new accent vases & should we paint it? or get a new insert? (I WISH!)

8. Start the search for a vintage bookshelf to refinish

As you can see we made some good progress this past weekend.

Before:

Progress:



A fresh coat of paint on the window wall & white around the window. Working on getting the hallway painted too.



New rug (adorned with Willis toys:)




Homemade pillows with Amy Butler fabric I found in the remnant bins!



Now if you excuse me I need to do some mad googling on how to build a new mantel shelf :)

toodles,
♥lucy

The Case for Fiesta

When the hubby & I got married we didn't register for fancy china. Guess what- I don't regret it one bit! When I put our dishes away I am greeted by the site of my ever-festive Fiestaware. Let's be honest, how can this explosion of color not make you happy?

Not to mention how beautiful daffodils & tulips (my favorites!) look in the vases & pitchers...

While I know this vibrant style isn't for everyone I would like to gush on why I ♥ Fiestaware:

1. Makes for lovely palettes during any season &/or tablescapes
2. There are over 60 different pieces to collect- you can ask for more Fiesta for years to come
3. It makes me happy = raises my serotonin levels... on second thought maybe that's not such a good thing while I eat but I digress...
4. It's sturdy for a "bull in a china shop" like myself (& the hubby)
5. It's made in the USA!

Now I just have to convince the other half that I need a "fiesta wall" in our kitchen:

♥lucy

p.s. This photo was previously included in a post from the blog I share with my sisters in which I diagnosed myself with C.A.D.D.



My Scrappy Side

Long story short: Girl (me) meets boy (Jace) in third grade. Girl thinks boy is strange at first but they end up becoming close friends...

Boy & girl attend the same college. Boy thinks girl's good friend (Ellen) is hot but protective friend is hesitant to facilitate the match. Eventually girl gives her friend his phone number to "carpool" home for the holidays. And now they're living happily ever after...

Photo cred: Brad

And last year they added another player. Enter little Leo!

Except Leo's not so little anymore. Yesterday he turned one! And I'm proud to report that I finally completed his mommy's baby shower gift prior to the big event. Don't judge, it was 99% done until now. As honorary "Auntie M" I wanted to make something fun for Ellen. What I put together was a Baby Book that will archive many of the main events during Leo's first year.
Here it is-- "Our Little":

The first few pages included photos of the expectant couple along with an excerpt from the blog they maintained until Leo was born.

The rest of the album has pages made especially for Leo- Visiting Grandparents, Trips to the Market, Making Music with Daddy & the many "firsts" he will have had before turning one. All mommy has to do is put pictures in the space provided. I'm hoping it will be a fun project for me to help her with!

 

Leo inspecting his book

No doubt about it, the relationship I have with Jace & Ellen is unique & special. I wanted their baby gift to be personalized & handmade with love. This album fit the bill.

♥lucy/Auntie M :)

to market, to market

This is probably a good time to let you (the awesome reader) know that I won't always be posting tutorials. Sometimes I am simply going to dish on fun ideas, general loveliness or feed you the resources to start your own project. And you can count on a few helpful hints on places where I got stuck :)

Ok, so with that being said...

It's February-- it's dark, it's depressing & it feels good to spice things up with color. Right now I'm taking an online HomeEc class & one of the projects is a marketbag. The crafter recommended using a pillowcase for the fabric- awesome idea! But I also wanted my bag to have a liner for extra support & to hide the raw edges. This prompted a lot of googling...the best tutorial I found is here .

These instructions are perfect until you get to step 5. As a newly self-taught sewer I settled for the easy route with corners: 

This project is quick & only involves sewing straight lines. I had this sucker whipped out in about one listen to my favorite She & Him album.

 

Now my baby sister has a festive tote to stash in her purse for trips to one of the many markets in Portlandia. And the best part is it cost $1 to make!



J workin' it with her new tote!

Now off to Goodwill you go to find cheap linens! And thank goodness the groundhog didn't see his shadow!

♥lucy