Friday, May 2, 2014

art love round-up



I fancy myself a bit of an amateur artist (emphasis on "bit" and "amateur"), and I'm always perusing Pinterest and Etsy for inspiration. I'd love to share a few of the things I've found recently, if you'd like to see...

In the Field of Summer by M.A. Wakeley
I'm crazy about the colors on this one. That blob of hot pink has my heart!

spring morning 2
This one would be super simple to recreate in your own home. And in any color combo.

Gold Abstract painting
The glassy texture on this piece makes it look so glam.

Thursday Evening By Claire Desjardins, @ anthropologie
I don't think about orange and purple together much, but it totally works!

single Large Canvas | Barrie Benson © Copyright Barrie Benson Interior Design. All rights reserved by Barrie Benson and/or the respective photographer.
There's just something about a big, ole piece of art, isn't there?

What defines art is definitely in the eye of the beholder. If you'd like to see more, please check out my Pinterest board.

From where do you take inspiration?

Have a creative weekend, darlings.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

wish list wednesday

What am I wishing for this Wednesday?
 photo black-claw-foot-tub.png
* Clean hair. And for me not to have to dry it myself.

* Jenny is making me want a claw foot tub. Don't you just love them?

* Nothing is more summery than a seersucker swimsuit!

* Obviously Grace Coddington cares little for frizz serum, but I can't live without mine.

* Prayers and love to all those injured or devastated by Monday's horrible weather!

What's your wish?

Friday, April 25, 2014

in her bag

So, do y'all remember Tuesday?

I don't really either, but I do remember my feature on The Lovely Bee about what's in my bag. Well, the Queen Bee herself has so kindly agreed to make an appearance here too.

Give her a warm welcome, darlings!

                                                                  *********************

Hey, Olive You Darling readers! How’s the week going? I’m honored to be here with y’all today. It’s been way too long! I’m not sure if you saw, but Mary Straton recently shared on my blog what all she totes around in her “pocketbook,” as her dad says! So today is my turn to share my “pocketbook” with her/you guys! I’m afraid my bag isn’t quiiiiite as interesting as hers is, but it’s different! So there’s that!

Before we get into what’s actually in my bag, allow me to introduce you to my bag itself. My bag. My wonderful, multi-purpose Mellie Bianco bag (or purse, or satchel, or whatever…) from Arco Avenue. Oh, I love this bag! I carry it everywhere… It’s a chameleon of a bag because it’s black with gold hardware. Classic, yet so now. AND, I can wear it as a cross body, messenger style, or I can use the handles and wear it as a shoulder bag. It’s big, but not too big. Just the right size to carry all of my necessities!

So you might be wondering what it is I carry around in this bestie of mine. (I say bestie because… I don’t know where I’d be without it! Where would all my stuff stay?)

It does change from week to week, depending on what I’ve got on the agenda at the time of course, but for the most part, I’ve always got most of what you see here in the ol’ carry on.

Step into my purse with me, won’t you?! :)

What’s in my bag:

1. My set of keys. It’s pretty hard to get around without my keys, considering that we live miles outside the city! Walking anywhere other than to the neighbor’s house is out of the question. To make my set of keys extra useful, I keep a mini tape measure on the keyring at all times. When you work in the interior design biz like I do (part-time), you quickly realize how important it is to have a tape measure available at all times! But it has also come in handy for reasons outside of the interior design realm. Like the one time my friend Anna wore a locket to a party that contained no pictures. In order to give her a picture of myself that would fit in the locket, I whipped out my tape measure to see what size I need to shrink my face down to! See? Very useful.

2. Hand lotion. Of various and sundry varieties. My hands are always in need of some moisturizin’. Plus, I love snagging an extra lotion or two whenever I pass a hotel housekeeping cart… I know I’m not alone, here…

3. Wine corks. For the collection. We keep a big jug in the living room and fill it with wine corks. About half of them have the occasion and date written on them so one day we’ll be able to use that jug like a scrapbook! A "scrapjug" if you will…

4. About 15 old grocery lists. Who has time to sort through random purse papers and throw away old ones? (My hand is not raised.)

5. Washi tape. What can I say? I’m obsessed with that stuff

6. My mini bag-o-tricks. I keep all my cosmetic assistants in a little pouch! A Sephora mirror, my lipsticks, a million bajillion bobby pins, a little Rockin Rio perfume, the Tide To Go pen… (This is mainly for my husband Price. Can we say messy eater?)

7. My wallet. To keep up with the monetary essentials, you know, as well as my drivers license, which waiters are asking for less and less these days… Am I really starting to look over 21?! This cannot be!!

8. Writing utensils. I’ve got that old fashioned pencil in there for nostalgic purposes

9. Gum. All green gum, at that… I’ve surprised myself! I though I liked blue gum best! Guess not…

10. A way late thank you note. Sorry Avery!

11. 15% off at Deep South Pout. Anybody want that?

12. Neenah paper samples. I got these at a local printer and they’re so pretty that I whip them out and look at them when I’m bored in a doctor’s office or something. Actually, I just haven't taken them out and put them in my office yet… 

Not Pictured: Lots of trash… Like, more mint wrappers than I can even count…

And that’s what makes the rounds on my shoulder with me all day every day! Such exciting stuff! (Only, not really… But thanks for reading anyway!)

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

wish list wednesday

What am I wishing for this Wednesday?
Pink Abstract Pillow-Celestial Pink Decorative Pillow, Cushion, Throw Pillow
* That I'd picked up that vintage tufted couch I saw yesterday on the side of the road.

* This petite crossbody is a perfect springy eye-catcher.

* Eleanor would love this pillow in her room!

* Who wants to paint my bedroom? I'll make you a tasty detox dinner!

* I haven't had a pedicure since before my wedding in 2006. Who thinks it's time for an encore?

What's your wish?

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

in the bag

Do please check out my post on The Lovely Bee this morning! This image makes an appearance:


Enjoy your Tuesday! And come back on Friday to see what's in the Lovely Laurel's bag, too!

Monday, April 21, 2014

detox - day one

Happy Monday! Christos Anesti!

How was your Easter? Our little family hosted some friends for lunch, and we all celebrated Resurrection Day by eating (too much) together and after that, taking naps in a clean, quiet house.

{image from here}
Down to business now. I've started the Arbonne 30-day detox program, and I'm really excited to clean my body of all the yuck building up since Eleanor was born. I never really committed to getting back into a healthy eating pattern, and the time has finally come. Yay!

The program lines out a lot of "avoid" foods, and that of course means you have to tweak a lot of recipes you currently use and look for new ones. So naturally, I started a Pinterest board of detox recipes. What else does a girl do in 2014?

I made this Quinoa Avocado Spinach Salad this weekend, and it's a keeper! Follow the recipe as-is, or sub lemon juice for the vinegar like I did.

Feel free to send strong, healthy vibes my way. I'll keep you updated on my progress and share recipes as I audition them.

Bon appetit, darlings!

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

wish list wednesday

What am I wishing for this Wednesday?

* That I painted more. I need to make time to try some pieces from my Pinterest art board!

* These shoes make me wonder if I could pull off an ankle strap.

* I'm loving kelly green bottoms these days, especially this skirt!

* Ice cream. Right now. At my desk.

* The happiest of Easters to you all! Over two thousand years ago this Sunday, Everything Changed.

What's your wish?

Monday, April 14, 2014

thrift store terrariums

I love succulents.

LOVE them. Maybe it's because they're petite, maybe it's because of their fat little leaves... Who am I kidding? It's because they're basically fool-proof.

You may recall my post on Friday about my trip to Goodwill, but my real reason for going was to find some objects that could be upcycled as teeny terrariums for those precious, teeny succulents. I think I succeeded!
I snatched up a cocktail glass, a round vase and a little white cup or something. Still not sure what that one is, but I think it might be my favorite!

Making these your own is simple: stuff the plants into their new homes, add a little potting soil, and you're done! I like them grouped together, but they are pretty on their own on a desk or end table as well. In fact, the hardest part was keeping these chubby little "helping" hands from yanking the leaves off...
Do you love succulents? How do you display yours?

Friday, April 11, 2014

long time, no post...

So...

You've probably been wondering where I've been these past four months or so. Really? You have? Aww, you're just saying that...

Anyway, I'm back! I've got a new job now, and a refreshed sense of creativity and drive. Don't you love it when that happens? I don't really know what's sparked it, but I'm just really excited to be back on the ole blog again. Sometimes, certain things just disappear off your plate, making room for the treats you really loved to begin with.

My new office is near Goodwill, and I decided to take a swing by there today in hopes to find a few items for a weekend project. And I scored!


It may look like junk now, but I have big plans for the $6.96 I spent today. I can't wait to share the completed versions next week!

Have a crafty weekend, darlings. See you soon (I promise!).