First Tree

This year has been a (very) long time coming….the year of our first (adult) Christmas tree, and Lila’s first tree ever.  There has always been a reason not to get one, whether it was that we wouldn’t be home, our home was too small, or there was not enough time.  This year come heck or high water, we WILL have a tree.  And it’s Lila’s 1st Christmas (outside of my belly) so there is no reason good enough not to have a tree this year! 

Now is the fun part, what the tree will look like.  Every year I scour the catalogs, Pottery Barn, CB2, West Elm, Wisteria, etc. to dream of decorating our home at the holidays.  This year was no exception.  I scoured through the usual catalogs and fell head over heels in love with just one, making it an easy choice for my inspiration.  If you look at pages 12-13 in the virtual catalog at Wisteria you will see my Seaside inspiration tree that has my heart just a pitter pattering!  

We won’t be getting the tree until at best next weekend, so in the meantime, I’ve been collecting the trimmings so we’ll be all ready for it’s arrival.  I had gotten this starfish garland from At West End this past summer to use for a table decoration so I ordered another one so I’d have enough to go around the tree.

I picked up these gorgeous LED blue lights from Target (on sale this week!!).

And today I found these ornaments from Hobby Lobby at 50% off!!  I know, they are not really ‘seaside’ themed but they were too pretty to leave behind!

 

And I have my eye on these blue glass ornaments at Wisteria (for a further markdown) to pull it all together.I also want to have some icicles, a star(fish) for the top, some of my own ornaments (from the trees I had growing up) and a frayed white linen tree skirt (will make my own with some fabric I got at JoAnn Fabrics).

I can’t wait to show you the finished tree so you can be the judge of how close I got to my inspiration.  Until then, happy holidays to all! 

Jill xxxooo

Inspired Again…

It’s true what they say about good art, art that comes from the heart can’t be rushed.  It has to present itself at just the right time in just the right way.  I suppose that’s partially how the term starving artist came to be, it’s not like everyday an artist can clock in, sit down at a desk, produce beautiful art, clock out at 5 and then collect a pay check at week’s end.

I would like to classify myself as an artist, problem is I am passionate about many things, so it’s very difficult for me to sustain my focus into one or even a couple of things.  So I’ve surrendered to that and have decided to do the work when I feel most inspired. 

One thing I have dabbled in for quite a few years now is jewelry making.  I love it but have lacked the time and inspiration in the past few months. 

This is the last piece I made (Summer ‘09) (excuse the picture, this was taken with my phone!).  I called it ‘Lila’s Eyes’ because of the blue colored stones in it (which then became the idea for the name of Lila’s Eyes Blog…)..  It’s nothing like the new stuff below that is the cause for my revived inspiration, but it’s fun and modern with a mind of it’s own (kind of like Lila now that I think of it!!!)

 

So last Sunday I became energized again.  Remember when the flight attendant took Lila and walked her down the aisle to give me a break??  I took that time to sweep through the Nov. issue of  In Style Magazine (one of my favorite pastimes that I haven’t had the luxury to indulge in in a long time!) and was inspired by some amazing fresh jewelry by SID VINTAGE.  The thing I love most about this stuff is that there are no rules to it.  It’s daring and fun with a tough yet feminine edge to it.  It’s perfectly cluttered!  I cannot wait to get home and start designing my own ‘cluttered’ collection…stay tuned!  Hopefully I can find my craft table under the pile of dust and mail that has somehow found a home on it!!

My inspiration came from this In Style Nov. ‘09 issue:

Here is some other great SID VINTAGE stuff:

  

Have a great week!

Jill xxxooo

Renewed Faith in Human Kindness

So yesterday I embarked on an air travel adventure with Lila, now 10 1/2 month’s old.  I woke up with knots of anxiety in my stomach wondering how the day would unfold.  Would she be cooperative?  Would the people sitting around me be understanding  if she completely lost it?  Would I survive emotionally??  :))  It was not the first time I’ve flown with her, but this was my first flight alone with her and the first time where I knew she probably wouldn’t sleep the entire flight like she had the first time. 

I couldn’t have been more amazed at how the day ending up turning 0ut.  After an interesting trek to the gate I sat down to catch my breath and relax before we had to board.  I hadn’t been sitting even  5 minutes when the Delta rep. came over to me and asked me for my boarding pass.  When I handed it to him he said he would be right back with a smile on his face.  When he came back he said he had blocked the entire row off for me where my seat was so I would have room to put the arm rests up and relax more with Lila.  I was so happy, shocked and very appreciative. 

After a few more minutes, they started boarding the plane.  I decided since I had the entire row, I would just wait to board the plane at the very end because I knew I wouldn’t need to load anything in the overhead compartment.  So after the last person boarded, we headed down towards the plane and a man came up behind us and asked, “Do you have only 1 seat?”  I was not understanding why he would be asking and said “Yes, why do you ask?”  He then said again, “so you don’t have a seat for your baby?”  When I said, “No” he said, “Well I have a first-class seat, please take my seat so you have more room.  You will need it more than I will.”  Are you kidding me?  Who does that?  Who gives up a first-class seat to a complete stranger?  That’s when I started feeling like I was dreaming a little.  Although very appreciative of this man’s offer, I definitely couldn’t take it and kept my seat telling him that I thought I was going to have the entire row.  He said, “well if you are the least bit uncomfortable, please come and get me and we can trade seats.” 

Later in the flight the flight attendant came up to me and asked if I would like a break, that she wouldn’t mind holding Lila for me for a bit.  She took her up and down the aisle for about 2o minutes which was a very nice break for me. 

All these events really got me thinking, thinking how refreshing it was to see and feel the warmth of these people when all I was to them was a complete stranger.  It also made me realize how wrong I was with how people would treat the ‘person with the baby’ on a plane. 

Thank you to all those who renewed my faith in human kindness yesterday!!!  I can’t wait to ‘pass it on’ to others each and every day.  And what a great start to the upcoming holiday season!

jill  xxxooo

Amazing Shabby Pillows

So to my delight I opened the mailbox today and there was a large envelope with what I knew were going to be the pillow covers I had recently ordered from Sa-Sea Boutique.  Oh my gosh, I LOVE THEM!!!!!  They are even better than I had imagined.  I didn’t even want to take the time to press them before I showed you!  This is the second time I’ve ordered from Katie and the second time I have been more than impressed.  Don’t you just love the ruffles!?  Thanks Sa-Sea!!  Once I’m all moved in to our new place, and find a home for them, I’ll be sure to take more pics!  Until then, take a minute to drool with me….  :))

     

Jill xxxooo

Lovely Lady, Lovely Blog Award

Award designed for women who are beautiful and who have blogs that encourage, inspire, and uplift us in our daily lives. 

One of my oldest and dearest friends, Mo, at Mo's Marathon has given Lila’s Eyes Blog and myself the ‘Lovely Lady, Lovely Blog Award’!!!  I was reading her post the other day, and as I was reading down the names of women she was honoring for this award, I was so surprised and excited to see my name and blog!  It is truly an honor.  Mo, thank you!!  I haven’t been blogging long and feel truly honored to be grouped with this amazing set of women. 

Now here’s the second portion of it, I can now choose 5 more  lovely ladies to also honor for their blogs, women who have somehow influenced me.  Drum roll please…..

1) Holly at Life in the Fun Lane – I guess first and foremost I want to thank  Holly.  It was her blog that really introduced me to blogging and inspired me in so many ways.  It was just a typical  afternoon, not all that long ago, I had done a Google search on ‘turquoise and white Nursery inspiration’ and somehow landed at Life in the Fun Lane.   Since then I've taken a new path with revived creativity and inspiration.  Her blog and store are an inspiration and I look forward to more great stuff...

2) Katie at Sa-Sea Boutique - I found this blog and store through Life in the Fun Lane and am so glad I did because I love her pillow covers and blog so much!  I feel like she is someone I’ve known for years but yet it’s only been a few weeks…. Thanks for sharing your craft and your life!  Check out her store, Sa-Sea Boutique. 

3) Sharin at Sharin Ann Designs – I met her in the bathroom, of all places, on my first day of a new job.  She was like, “Are you Jill?” I said “Yes” and that was the start of what has become a beautiful friendship.  I've been lucky to be able to work and play with her.  She is one of the smartest people I've ever met and I love bouncing new ideas off of her.  She also makes the most amazing jewelry!  Check out her Etsy store, Sharin Ann Designs! 

4) Meg at  Meg Fish Couture  - I met Meg when I was about 7 month’s pregnant and she took the most amazing pictures of me and my little Lila still in my big belly! From the moment I met her I felt like I had known her for years.   She takes the most breathtaking pictures that seem to capture this perfect little moment in time, not to mention she has quite a beautiful soul herself!  Here is just a sampling…

 

And I’m not sure this is legal but I’m a new blogger so I’ll just play dumb…but I couldn’t end this without honoring the lovely lady who honored me with this award, MO!

5) Mo at Mo's Marathon – Out of all these amazing women, I’ve known Mo the longest, since grade school.  As people do, we went our own ways after school, but with the marvels of modern technology, here we are again today.  I feel like she is right next door when really she is across the globe.  She is a remarkable woman on a beautiful journey.  I feel blessed to call her friend and I look forward to more great stuff out of this lady!  Keep it coming Mo and thanks again for this lovely honor!!

(Ladies, click here to accept the award and pass it on…guidelines on Cassandra’s site.)

Happy Hump Day Everyone!

Jill xxxooo

Topiary Infatuation

In preparation for moving and decorating a new home, I’ve really been trying to listen to my ‘Inner Stylist’ so I can create a beautiful home, a place that is comfortable and inspiring, a vacation from the world outside of it’s gates, a place conducive for sipping a good glass of red wine! :)) Anyhow, in the midst of my travels I’ve noticed and fallen in love with the Topiary! Take a look at the great decor below…. And just a little history on the Topiary:

• Topiary is the art of creating sculptures in the medium of clipped trees, shrubs and sub-shrubs. The word derives from the Latin word for an ornamental landscape gardener, topiarius, creator of topia or "places", a Greek word that Romans applied also to fictive indoor landscapes executed in fresco.

Well Appointed House:

Napkin Holders (aren’t these great?!?)

Target

Ballard Designs

Expressionary.com

Have a great week!

Jill xxxooo

Shelly Shadowbox

So as I was starting to think about packing our stuff for the big move today, I pulled my shell shadowbox off the wall that I made just before the summer from an idea I got from Wisteria.  I just couldn’t help but share this fun shadowbox craft because, in my opinion, it turned out just as great for a fraction of the price..

So these are a couple of the ones you can get from Wisteria for $149 each!

And this is the one I made for a mere $15!!  The distressed black frame and shells are from Michaels Craft store. 

I have another fun shadowbox idea brewing in my head (remember the Robin's Egg Google search?)  As soon as I get around to making it, I’ll be sure to share…

           Jill

 

Add a Little Sparkle

So my mailbox is just getting jam packed with catalogs lately, I just can’t keep up!  The one that caught my eye today was, “Garnet Hill .. Winter Gift Ideas 2009.”  In case you are looking for some cute holiday ornaments for yourself or a special friend (cough, cough), check these out or go to Garnet Hill…

Snow Garland

Eiffel Tower Ornament

  Glitter Bird Ornament

Peace Sign Ornament

P.S. I’m almost finished refinishing and ready to debut the Lovely Tea Cart from below but I’m looking for a flat wine rack about 2.5 feet long to display on the center shelf.  Anyone know of where I can get one?? 

    Jill

Diamond in the Rough

Ever since Life in the Fun Lane’s blog posting last week, Smitten with a Sofa, I’ve been obsessed with finding a similar antique sofa that I can slipcover because, yes, I too, was  drooling over the beautiful inspiration sofa !  A month ago I probably wouldn’t have even given it a thought since I currently live in a Cracker Jack box.  But….in about a month we’re moving into a larger home and, I mean, I’ll need something to fill up all those rooms, right!?! 

• So here again is the slip covered inspiration sofa:

And this is the sofa I found on Craigslist and picked up today.  Now I just need to find a good seamstress!  Anyone?!?    

 

Happy November (can you believe it’s November already?!?!) !

      Jill