Can I live here?

I mean seriously. This is EXACTLY what my dream room would look like. Funny thing is, I didn't quite know that until I saw it. But I'm in love. And if I ever move, or ever get enough ambition to redo my current house, it will look just like this.

Scratching the surface:
*The gold inside those lights above the table.
*The comfy yellow chair, which I imagine working in at that table all day in perfect happiness.
*The blue lamps. Swoon!
*The exposed beams and lots of plants.
*The giant mirror. I love mirrors. =)
And I could go on and on about the colors, the mix of wood and metal, and the pattern on that back wall (it reminds me of our hallway wallpaper. I wonder if it's paper or tile?)

Angie Hranowksy is the designer. Click on the image to see more of her work.

Made my first treasury...

Treasuries on Etsy always seemed a little mysterious to me. But Saturday night, when I heard over on Twitter, that the Treasury was opening in "mere minutes" I thought I'd go see what happens. Voila! I got a treasury! Having no plan I thought, I better get to it. It's filled with some of my all-time favorites and some of my good friends. And some of those titles overlap. ; )

I wish I could have fit everyone in it, so I'm letting you see the "alternates" as well! Please click and give these wonderful sellers some lovin'. =)

Oh! And p.s. Our postcards are up on TwoGirlsTwoPostcards. In all their yummy and chilly glory.

In lieu of a hood...

We've been planning to install a stainless steel range hood, but as home improvement projects go around here, it's been a year, and it's been put off and put off. Awwh, so it goes. ; ) Then I had a total *head slapping* moment of "Duh! I've blog about mirrors!" So, the temporary solution is now in place. It's Ikea. And I really really like it.

This spring I plan to paint the trim and all the cabinets white to match our shelves. Wonder how long I'll put THAT off? I mean, it is a skill set I know quite well, and there WILL be flowers to attend to in the garden...

{Styling Challenge}

{outtakes}
{final shot}
The awesome Holly started a new Flickr group for interior styling shots, and at first, even though I thought it sounded like a lot of fun, I just didn't think I had time to shoot more one thing. But the challenge she poses to the group every month sounded like the perfect opportunity for me to work on my styling. Do you have as much trouble as I do coming up with stylish merchandising shots? You'd think a photographer wouldn't have this trouble, but I find it so hard.

Here are Holly's instructions for the January challenge. They seemed so limiting, but the truth is, once I got going, I realized that I really needed those guidelines to get an arrangement that was pleasing and balanced. That sure says something, since I normally don't like following rules! =)

Favorite things:
Owl from Rabbitsmoon on Etsy.
Houseplants and found pine cones are always a personal fave.
Snowdrop perfume found here.
And a gorgeous smelling winter candle from Anthropologie, a present from my mother-in-law.

p.s. There's still plenty of time to join the group and take part in the January challenge. Especially if you like decorating or if you need a photography project to get you through the winter. See you there!

Sale Section

Because I accidentally overstocked a few photos, (customer faves at that!), I'd like to introduce you to a new SALE section in my shop. Supplies limited. Good stuff.

Globes & Postcards

Mmmm... Maggie Gyllenhaal. She always does it for me. Last year it took about 3 secs for this to grow on me, and now this year she makes me swoon again. I just love her style. Did you have any faves last night? Honestly, I didn't really watch much of it. I caught some peeks of the red carpet, and basically just check out the dresses online today. I'm such a cheater.

Did you know that Moa and I are in week 3 of our postcards project? It's a really cozy one this week. I hope you check it out.

Have a happy Monday and a happy MLK day.
=)

*sniff*

I had a goal for myself today, to shoot SOMETHING. Not a very detailed goal, no, but I need to set these simple goals sometimes. When I have these simple goals, it's best to come at them from the simplest place. So, I went in the kitchen, grabbed the first thing that caught my attention, and voila-- an onions photo! Then I noticed a little detail... all the hearts the bag makes! It reminded me of Moa's post. =)

Then the doorbell rang. I heard the UPS truck drive away. Hmmm... I didn't order anything, did I? So I scurried out to check. (By the way, UPS person, don't stick my packages in the little pile of snow by the door. That's seems unnecessary. Really.) It was a garden journal! A huge, gorgeous garden journal from two wonderful friends. You might think that's a crazy gift to give someone in the dead of winter, but I'm not joking, I was already sketching flowerbeds, and scouring the web for ideas just yesterday. It's stuff like this that gets me through the time after Christmas, until spring. So, this was the most thoughtful and sweet present. And yes, I'm a baby, it made me cry. =)

{Wednesday Offerings}

Happy Wednesday! That's all I've got. But I did bring some flowers and a bottle. Sort of a deconstructed centerpiece I suppose. =)