[ birch branch diy ]

MY ENTRANCE has been crying out for something to fill the corner next to the door and because it doesn't get any sunlight or rain, using flowers hasn't been an option. Being in the woods, I decided to go on a hunt for fallen birch branches to create an easy display.

Any woods nearby? Here are some other ideas I came across using birch branches. Happy hunting!

lisa

Congratulations to Christina Moreno, the winner of my giveaway hosted at City of Dionne blog! Thanks to everyone who entered! : )

[ charming china ]

YARD SALE time is just around the corner and I can't wait to hunt around for vintage plates and china. I love going thrifting too but am having a harder time finding good pieces - likely because there are a lot of other people out there scouring through the stores for the same things I am! Aren't these pretty displays? The soft colours and little florals are so charming.

lisa

[1,2 better homes and gardens, mikkel vang photography]

[ winging it ]

WING CHAIRS are such a classic and are really one of the most comfortable chair styles around. I love how versatile they are - they can work in a sitting room, a bedroom or at a dining table.

I've had this turquoise one since 1993 - the last time turquoise was a hot colour. A couple of years ago I had fallen out of love with it but now I guess everything old is new again!

lisa

[1 grant white design] [2,3,5 house beautiful] [4,7,8 lonny mag] [6 house&home]

[ hello deer ]

I WAS CHECKING my mailbox at the road this morning and thought I heard some crackling in the woods. When I looked up, the most beautiful deer was gracefully making its way across the road. I've always thought of them as such gentle creatures and tend to see them off and on around our place. It's one of the things I love most about living in the woods. I found some cute deer items on Etsy today too!

lisa

[1 SewEnglish] [2 neawear]

[3 PaperPumpkin ][4 Larkspurstudio] 

[5 chocolateandsteel] [6 bittersugar]

[7 rabbitsmoon] [8 utilitarianfranchise]

[deer: getty]

[ bike love ]

SO I'VE GOT a great new bike and I must say I've never owned anything cuter! It's a Townie by Electra Bicycle Co. and it's designed with flat foot technology so that you sit more comfortably with your feet touching flat on the ground when you're stopped. I spotted it before we had even parked in the bike shop parking lot and I was already in love. They've got all kinds of fun accessories from funky bike seats to fenders to baskets and bells. I picked up a Schwinn bike trainer too so no more cooped up rainy days! So exciting!

lisa

[ doilies! ]

KARI at Ucreate blog has an awesome post about doilies with many tutorials on how to use them to create chic decor. I've got quite a few of my grandmother's doilies and haven't really known how to use them but these ideas are a great way to bring them out of storage and show them off!

lisa


ps: last chance to enter the giveaway at City of Dionne to win one of my Emma wristlets or Jo iPhone/iPod cases!

[ statement lighting ]

LIGHTING HAS taken on a whole new focus in interiors with oversize fixtures taking centre stage. The impact of lighting is often forgotten in a space and a fantastic statement fixture can really step things up a notch and add that special designer detail.

We recently replaced our ugly ceiling fan with this beauty centered over our seating area which really pulled the room together. I love that it's big and the polished nickel finish gives the room some sparkle. I find it makes the pine ceiling look much more chic. 

And a new oversize pendant gives our dining area a bit of an industrial edge and keeps the pale colour scheme from looking too sweet.

lisa

[1,2 better homes and gardens] [wickerandstitch blog] 

[brabournefarm blog] [house beautiful]

[ feeling girly ]

I WOULD LOVE to have this settee or chair somewhere in my home - the curvy lines and distressed robin's egg finish are so pretty. Just a girly corner somewhere is all I need. Well, the puppies are pretty cute too.

lisa

[better homes and gardens]

[ my first blog giveaway! ]

DIONNE at her blog, City of Dionne, has written up a lovely feature about my Etsy shop! If you haven't been to her beautiful blog filled with her gorgeous illustrations, be sure to check it out and enter to win your choice of an Emma wristlet or Jo iPhone/iPod case from my shop! Good luck everyone!

lisa

[ jug-ling act ]

A BEAUTIFUL collection of jugs adds a warm, nostalgic feeling to any home. Keeping them in shades of white means they look great in a traditional space, an urban country space or are equally at home in a contemporary space.

lisa

[John Gruen Photography] [Better Homes & Gardens] [brabournefarm][Anthea Williamson] 

[ happy weekend! ]

LILACS HAVE always been one of my favourite flowers and I've always wanted a lilac tree in my yard. I remember as a child, walking home from school past a vacant lot that had the most amazing lilac trees and I would bring huge bouquets home to my mom. I can't wait to see the lilacs blooming!

lisa

[midwest living]

[ pretty blooms diy ]

WITH MOTHER'S DAY just around the corner, if you are planning a brunch or tea in honour of the special event and are looking for a fun way to decorate a table, this row of paper flowers running along the centre of the table is a fun, inexpensive alternative to fresh flowers and a fun diy craft project. [pic: elements of style]

There are a variety of great paper flower instructions on Martha Stewart's website if you want to give this a try.

lisa

[ fancy a spot of tea? ]

TEACUPS have such a nostalgic feel to them and I am blessed to have some of my grandmother's lovely old teacups. Here are some fun teacup finds I came across on Etsy.

lisa

[1 SepiaSmiles] [2 alicebgardens]

[3 rubyvictoria] [4 whitesquare]

[5 KnitStorm] [6 caperleetpapote]

[7 1000beautifulthings] [8 Fluffington]

[ have a seat ]

IF YOU LOVE chairs as much as I do, you'll love these gorgeous prints by Anne Harwell. I love their ornate yet quirky quality and they'd look great in a bedroom, dining room, living room or even a powder room. Check out her Etsy shop here.

lisa