butterflies gathered around..

butterflies gathered around to protect them from the night

when i first saw this painting

i have to admit to you

that it brought tears to my eyes

with it's beauty

and it's hope..

nigel and lily embrace at sunrise

my emotions are often stirred though, with amanda blake's work.

she creates a seemingly endless stream of vignettes and stories

nigel and lily embrace at sunset

often visiting the characters over and again

so over time we get to know them

and wonder about them

caroline carefully arranges everything she holds dear

and love them.

butterflies gathered around to protect them from the night

rich in color and depth

they have the power to simultaneously

make you feel calm and still spark the imagination

lead you into a dream

or take you on a journey for a moment

(a journey that is sometimes surprising but somehow always seems familar..)

this one though...with the angel butterflies..

i just want to climb in to

and stay for a while.

i think we could all use butterflies surrounding us

sometimes.

don't you?

enjoy more of her incredible paintings here, here and here.

happy wednesday.

xo

*ps. tomorrow (thursday) my photo store is being featured on one of my favorite blogs

where they're giving away two of my prints!

more info and a link tomorrow..

i really do

*alyssaduhe

how perfectly sweet is this image?

and how lovely it feels to read (or hear!) this sentiment

a sweet and simple thought..

but with deep and happy effects.

looking at this makes me smile from the inside out.

take a second to stare at it

does it do the same for you?

i hope so

and i hope you have a refreshing weekend

full of even

more smiles too.

xox

see you next week

with sneak peeks of....

owls!

(there's a whole flock of em coming to my shop in early october)

xo

*you can find more fresh playful work from alyssa here and here

speaking of things french...

***

in between ballet lessons

playing the piano

and drinking tea

in her 200 year old house

***

lovely julia of rennes-le-chateau

has been creating beautifully poetic

new clothing and handbags

for fall

each piece is romantic and modern

and

although she lives in boston

i swear each time i look at her work

i feel like i'm in paris

(it's happening a lot these days..)

you can find her sweet new items

in her etsy shop

rennes le chateau

ohh la la

how i love you so.

*all photos via rennes le chateau

memories of eating truffles in paris..

***

we stepped out of the chocolaterie
onto the cobblestone street
just below montmartre
just as the rain started falling

***

laughing and looking up to see the dark clouds
old iron work from the old metro
curved and gorgeous
caught my eye
between trees hanging low with drops of rain

***

windows boxes filled with soft flowers
just beyond
and stone walls filled with time
smiled down at me with their stories
of life and love

***

maybe it's because it's been almost 4 years to the day

that i was last in paris

(much too long if you ask me..)

..or maybe it's because i have a serious case of wanderlust

but

lately i've been dreaming remembering and fantasizing

about paris (a lot)

and

have been making jewelry and plotting photographs

inspired by these *dreams*

it's just an indulgence i happily allow myself..

going there in your mind (and heart)

is *almost* as good as being there..

n'est-ce pas?

***one of the little creations inspired by memories of beautiful old

historic dreamy paris

in my jewelry shop

hope you have a happy and inspiring monday!

xo

fffffff friday

'f' is for...

{jenyuson}

...freedom...

{bomobob}

{kristybee}

...flowers...

{bomobob}

...following...

{katrina}

{shootingnouns}

...finding...

{ajawin}

{barbaragordon}

...it's for friendship...

{gnomeoftheeast}

...fun...

{bomobob}

and best of all

...'f' is for friday...

wishing you a fabulous weekend!

xo

happy friday kids!

{jessjamesjake}

there have been

lots of parties and gatherings this summer

and they have me thinking of themes for one that i'd like to throw

(besides my 'game day' for which i am gathering the likes of

bocce ball, badminton and croquet..but more about that another time..)

{calloohcallay}

{beautifulliving}

{verhext}

something old fashioned..retro..with vintage hats..

maybe with piles of them at the front door

for guests to choose from..

{littlegreensquirrel}

with good old fashioned refreshments..

singapore slings, gin fizzes, mint julips,

(and maybe a few shirley temples)

out in the garden

{postroadvintage}

under strings of paper lanterns

{ameliasretrovogue}

with lots of ella and louie playing

{goodeye}

which hat would you pick to wear?

{yestreen}

it's summertime

it's friday

here's to doing something festive..

and wishing you a happy happy weekend!

xo

hadley hutton...so much gorgeousness

airy sweet light rich imaginative

dreamlike

fluttery feminine

fairytale-ish

modern vintage

are a few words that come to mind

when i look at hadley hutton's work

gorgeously inspiring these make me so happy

and i want all of them

are a few other words i can think of too.

for all you (luckies) in portland oregon..

you can see her monoprints in person at tilde august 7th

(reason #4579 i want to move to portland)

and

for the rest of us..

we can always find her beautiful pieces here and here.

hope you have a fabulous weekend

full of things that make you happy.

xo

a quiet post

***

clean

***

simple

***

handmade

***

vintage

***

and

all from etsy

today

some of my favorite things

on a quiet wednesday

wishing you a happy one

xo