the evolution of a vignette

Our design team has an amazing knack for putting together the most charming and inspiring vignettes.  I love watching them work, seeing the process as they decide what does and doesn't work, and finally the finished product.  It never disappoints. 

another little happy.

Sometimes just adding one new little (or kind of big) item to your house makes the whole space feel new and fresh.  I just added this new kitchen light over our table and I am in love.  Every time I walk in the room it makes me smile.  I'm all for the little happy-makers!

a happy mother's day to me

This year I spent a lovely Mother's Day at the Flea Market.  They just can't keep me away from that place for long :) 

I hope all you moms did something you love for your big day!

flowers 101

I have had lots of people ask me about how to keep flowers in different containers.  When I told a couple of my daughters my secret, I was shocked they had never heard of it.  Simple as it seems, I guess unless you are told, you just might not think of it :)  So, I thought I would share in case you didn't already know...

The trick is putting your flowers in some sort of glass container before you put them in something that might now hold or take water as well.  Easy as that.  In this case, I took some simple Trader Joe's tulips and cut them down to fit in a small water glass...

  

Then, I put the glass in my little pot...

Sometimes, as is the case here, you can still see the glass inside the pot...

So, I put some moss in a dish...

Watered it...

Then added a little moss around the edges...

And there you have it...

Trader Joe's flowers and a few tricks and you'll never have to order flowers again :)

what i've been up to... {part two}

After our lovely girls' weekend in California, I flew out to High Point, North Carolina with Susan for a buying trip.  We have always wanted to go to the High Point Market and it did not disappoint.  We may have ended up with a bit of a dump hotel :) but we made the most of it, had fun and laughed the whole way.  Plus, we found lots and lots of new treasures to add to the shop!  Success!

So, a few high points from High Point (hehe... I am hilarious!)...

quick, it says no climbing!  susan, catch!

which patina do you want?

this beauty is coming home with me!

we decided against the peek-a-boo chairs :)

eat when and where (and what!) you can.  life at market :)

who said we had a dump hotel?  chocolates on the pillow?  oh, wait, that was my roomie ;)

what i've been up to...

Although it may have seemed like I spent the last month knitting...  (hehe).  I have actually just been super busy running here and there, coast to coast, spending time with family and shopping for the store.  In April, I took a little trip to the beach with just some of the girls.  Some of my little girls, that is.  I loaded up three granddaughters and headed for California.  Two of their moms and one more tiny person met us there and we had a great couple of days eating, shopping and relaxing at the beach.  

We decided to spend one day of our trip exploring, shopping and eating in LA, since we usually don't venture far from the beach and we were feeling a little adventurous.  First stop, donuts...

We came across this lovely and super helpful map on Design Sponge...

and decided to follow along to some of the recommendations.

First stop, Proof Bakery.  Ya, know, because it had been an hour since we had donuts...

Almond croissants and Croque Madames to die for.  It definitely did not disappoint.  We will certainly be planning a trip back.  Then we headed down a few doors and came across what was probably our favorite store of the entire day, Individual Medley.  We all wanted every single thing they had (and we bought a few, too).  And the owner was charming.  We spent so much time pouring over every little thing in this lovely shop.  Another plus on the list!

Next we headed over to the Broome Street General Store where, naturally, we bought more food.  We also bought gifts and baby clothes and other treasures.  Another lovely spot we were so pleased to discover.  

three generations :)

Then it was back in the car.  At this point we realized that hiring a driver would be the ideal way to see LA.  All the driving and parking was not our favorite...  oh, well.  We hit up Mohawk General Store, Bucks and Does, Reform School and quite a few other little shops we found along the way (after spending a bit too much time looking for a parking space...).  

The girls favorite was Clementine Floral Works.  A little florist that sells individual mini bouquets.  All one of a kind and absolutely darling.  They carried them with them for the rest of the day.  So sweet. 

Stopped in for some lunch at the Sunset Junction Coffee Shop...

A perfect crowd pleaser...

We found a record store for our record-loving little ladies...

Then we were back on the road to check out Poketo (which we loved)...

And our last stop, the Pie Hole.  Pie for dinner?  Yes, please.  I still have dreams about this place.  Take me back...

So, after an action-packed Los Angeles day, we spent the next day laying around at the beach...

In honor of Frozen, the girls built a sand/snow man :)

rinsing off after the beach.

That night we ate like we were on a boys' trip with the hugest order you can imagine from Crocker's, a new hot dog stand on the island.  It was amazing.  They will be getting lots of Burch orders this summer, I'm sure...

And, what do you do when you have leftover pie and you're on vacation?

Why, have it for breakfast, of course...

Come on, it's the same as eating a donut or a cinnamon roll, right?

And then our last lunch at Haute Cakes before getting back on the road to head home...

only in California - dogs out for coffee :)

The trip was too short, as always.  Until next time California!