Mad about Orange

I'm absolutely mad about orange as an accent right now. Who knows when this interest started, but I guess I really caught on when I found a beautiful set of pillows at Pottery Barn with Rachael a few weeks ago.

The pattern: Tea Garden Toile. I loved them, but decided against purchasing them at the time because I was afraid M might think I was a little out of my mind. I could hear him thinking "Little dancing men with parasols?!?" I know, I know. It is a bit much, but I love love love them. So last Monday evening, after lots of thought, I did it. I ordered them online. They arrived on Friday, and I couldn't be happier. Now I just need... a new set of sheets, bedskirt, headboard, mattress, and beautitful duvet. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all...

While thinking about all this orange, I realized that many of the photos I adore have hints of orange. It seems to give that burst of energy that we all need right now!

House Beautiful

Unknown (if you know, please send me link and I'd be happy to give credit!)Unknown (sorry I don't have a link!)

Palmer Weiss

Williams Sonoma

Wisteria

Hable Construction

Watercolors

I've been watercoloring again. Its nice to relax every evening by working on a little sketch or two. I've seen this loose watercolor floral print style around a lot recently and I'm in love with it, so I attempted to give it some of my own personality tonight.

My Inspirations

J.Crew
Cardigan

Rubie Green
"Patsy"

My Watercolor

Green Garden
by L.Alden

Rainy Day Wear

I just checked the forcast for the next few days, and it looks like rain is coming. I love rainy days... no, I really do! I believe that they really help strengthen my creativity. And think of all the beautiful gardens that transform into mysterious spaces in rain and mist. Rainy days also give me another reason to check out some of my favorite fashionable foul weather gear wear online right now! See below for my choices. If I lived in foggy London (or Maine!), I'd own all of these by now.

I love it:



Confession: I bought this lightly waxed trench coat for my birthday. I picked it up at Old Navy when it was on sale, and am so glad I did. I haven't worn it yet because it has been too chilly, but I can't wait!

I need it:

This first bag is Orla Kiely's ETC bag. The fabric is coated in a vinyl or oilcloth, so its perfect for rainy days. Grab and Go style and very colorful! Definitely a consideration! Love it, but not sure if I want to commit to something that is so trendy. Or the price! Yikes!

Second in line (and I think I justified purchasing this as I wrote the review for the Orla Kiely bag), is Hable Construction's Espresso Bead No. 9 Tote. Its super cute and made of a durable canvas that will stand up to the wear and tear that I put totes through. Its not terribly big, but I think it could work for me! Plus the print is divine!


I've Got to Have It!

Hunter Boots! Oh la la! Classic Chic! I am certain, these are the rainboots for me though! Original green or bright pumpkin would be cute. I think I'd stick to the green though. Perfect for now and classic, so I could definitely wear through many future rain storms! A little british garden feel. Also ideal for gardening and quick trips to the farmers market. I must have them!



I think for now I'll just dream about these lovelies. I can't wait for tomorrow. Forecast: Rain!



PS - Rachael, I told you I'd post this week!

Calling all designers

I found this laundry/folding station on Restoration Hardware's website this morning. After studying it for a few minutes, I've come to realize that it wouldn't be too hard to make. Love the look of theirs, but come on, $300 on sale??? Thats a bit much for me. I think all you'd need is a table at a proper folding height with horizontal supports that are high enough to hold a series of laundry bags (with dowel rods loaded in the seams). The horizontal supports on the table should provide enough room for the casual toss of laundry into the bags. I'm loving the wheels on the legs. Thats a major plus! Just a little something to keep in mind for the next home. :)

January

January always reminds me that with patience comes beauty. The rush of the holidays is over, and there is nothing more to do but wait for good things to come. Winter is in full swing here. Chills blow through town and bring rosy cheeks and noses. The dreary days of winter make me think of things to come. Valentines Day and Spring are among the long awaited; however the I must remind myself that simplicity of January allows for personal renewal. Just as Spring's bulbs must wait patiently though weeks of cold and darkness before they will bloom, let us rest for a month... good things are bound to come.

In the "wait" for spring, I've been relying on a few things to keep me cheerfully inspired:

Relaxing Music for January:
Kate Spade's Album
Lee Ann Womack - "Greatest Hits"
Alison Krauss & Robert Plant - "Raising Sand"
Feist - "Let it Die"

Blogs:
Orangette - also look for her new book coming this spring!
Paper Pony
No.462
M.A.Belle
Pure Style

I've also been doing a little indoor gardening. I planted paperwhites a few weeks ago and they're blooming! My amaryllis has not had the happiest life though. This week I planted a hyacinth in an apothecary jar - essentially creating a terrarium!

Two Words

Two words my friends, two words... Felix Doolittle. I have found the perfect vendor for my wedding invitations and paper accessories. This line of stationary and paper goods is amazingly beautiful. I stumbled upon the website only thirty minutes ago, after looking through pages in my "Wedding Ideas" binder that I have been assembling. How did I not see this gorgeous paper sooner, you ask? I have no idea! I found it on a page of interesting wedding gifts from an old Real Simple magazine.

I have been back and forth between letterpress and the look of hand watercolored wedding invitations. The more I fall in love with letterpress, the more I think that few people will appreciate it the way I do. So... on a sad sad note, I think I may have given up the idea of letterpressed invitations and wedding accessories. I think that something handmade would be nice, but I don't want anything that is too crafty. The moment I realized this, I remembered my years and years of watercoloring presentations in Design School. I love watercolors. They are so me! They are small glimpses of what something could be... often with a lack of full clarity. Just enough to get the idea in your mind, but not enough to obstruct the goal. I made the decision at that point to use watercolored invitations. Felix Doolittle is everything I've wanted in a watercolored invitation and more. The designs are simple, yet have a great amount of emotion in them. Not to mention, watercolor lends itself more to my theme.

An afternoon/early evening English Countryside garden party. The juxtaposition between structured topiaries and aged concrete urns overflowing with garden flowers. Natural materials such as gravel paths, antique brick, grass, and moss below foot, with late spring's sky above. Glass bulb party lights and lanterns hanging from trees as the afternoon light fades to evening. Crickets chirping, the moonlight above, and the sacred smell of spring's freshly cut lawn.
Now I only need a location, a date, a dress, and all the other wonderful things. Oh, and a big budget for these cards; since I'm caught up in the moment of these beautiful illustrations, I'm going to look past the price. Those are my next goals. For now though, I am thankful to have such beautiful inspiration from Felix Doolittle's gorgeous wedding invitations.

New Reading Material

A few new books on my wishlist:


This book is incredible. I've looked at it a few times in B&N, but I haven't had the chance to purchase it yet. Its on my holiday wishlist though! And it comes with a free subscription to Domino! Woohoo!


I'm eager to read this while I sip my morning coffee.

I'm looking forward to trying some of Ina Garten's newest recipes! They look simply delicious!


And a new book to help me plan for the big day!