Monday Musings: Things I love lately

The last two days here in Spokane have been gloriously, inexplicably warm and sunny. In fact, the sun is pouring through my window as I write this, and I'm tempted to whisper, ever so quietly and just to myself, that it feels like...shhhhh: it feels like spring.

But alas, I can't say such things in January. We all know better. Still...we'll take the sun any day it wants to be here.

In addition to the sunshine, here are a few little diversions / projects I've been enjoying lately:

>> Weekend walks and thrifting: Saturday was foggy all day--a dense, wet, lingering fog--but we took a long stroll through Manito Park, peaked at a few houses that are for rent (we're keeping our eyes peeled these days!), and then we hit up a few of our favorite thrift stores, where I found a super oldie vintage skirt that's now mid-face lift.

>> Super oldie skirt project: Currently learning how to do a blind hem, realizing that I may not have the right presser foot for the project, and while it drives me a little crazy, I'm glad for the opportunity to practice my sewing skills.

>> Transparent: One of the most honest, witty, well-cast shows I've seen in a long time. It snagged a Golden Globe a couple of weeks ago, putting it on our radar, and truth be told, we blew through all ten episodes in a week. Beautiful writing, complicated, challenging characters, hilarious family drama.

>> Rittenhouse Old Fashioned: Because Joe is an amazing bartender and I've recently discovered that sewing projects pair well with whiskey.

>> Sasquatch Hunter's Almanac: The newest novel by one of our beloved local writers, Sharma Shields, whose book launch is tomorrow night at Auntie's Bookstore, and I can't wait to hear her read.


>> Good, long talks with good, kind peeps: Yep. They're the best.


>> Sunday jogging: Running through sunny Riverfront Park while the sun sparkled --gorgeous.


>> And...the Internet: Seriously. Take a peak at these inspiring photos of tree and flower canopies all over the world!

I want to visit every single one...

What do you love lately? Would love to hear!

Cheers, xo


{Top photo: Charley Zheng; canopy images via Bored Panda--thank you}

Monday Musings: Wallflowers

When I was four years old, we moved out of our green house on Walnut Street, and into the house I grew up in. It's a big home full of rooms and wall space, an ample backyard, and many stairs to climb between each floor. Our move was in the mid-eighties and wallpaper was a BIG deal. In fact, the look of big was a big deal--big prints, big hair, big suits with even bigger shoulder pads--they were all the rage. Some of us remember the color palette too--bright, bold, neon, jewel tones, and lots of black and white as we moved into the early 90's.

My mother, being a woman who loves color and pattern, and who was ever attentive to the styles and design trends of the time, took it upon herself to select wallpaper for each room of our new home, and then did the hard work of cutting and laying the paper against the walls--all by herself. I still remember her perched on a ladder, five months pregnant, finishing the blue floral walls of the nursery.

My sister and I shared a room back then, and at our request (I think it was our idea) it was papered in pink. A bright, Crayola crayon sort of pink. The quintessential "It's a Girl" pink. It remains this color still. There are flowers scattered throughout the pattern too, but truth be told, they have little voice against that bright hue.

I'll walk into that room now, usually just to jog my memory, I'll squint a little at first, and then I quietly turn off the light and close the door. It's not that I didn't love the space as a young person (I did, mostly), but now, I find the experience a tad jarring. That paper is a presence. It defines the room, wielding a power that I can't compete with as an adult.

The room wins, and that's okay. I don't sleep there anymore.

So I suppose I had lukewarm feelings for a while there, but in the last few years especially, wallpaper has reclaimed a new, happy place in my heart, particularly when it's a print or pattern that soothes, tells a story, or invites a newcomer to spend a little time interacting with the space.

The prints and patterns at Grow House Grow, a Brooklyn-based company founded by illustrator Katie Deedy, do just that--they transport you. Deedy specializes in "narrative-inspired" wallpaper design, and her inspiration board is one of the most beautiful Tumblr sites I've stumbled upon in the last year.

Check out more here:

Katie Deedy's wallpaper is printed by hand, and what I love about her story, in addition to her passion for storytelling, is that she started her business right out of own her kitchen--proof that creative goals can take shape anywhere, and at any time, if they're nurtured.

Here are a few of her prints:

Mesmerizing. Read more about Katie Deedy here. She also has some good advice for any aspiring artist. Have hope, my friends, the dream is possible.  Happy Monday!

(top photo: "Sun, Moon & Stars" via the International Center of Photography)

Monday Musings: Winter Wishlist

Ah, how the warm and cozy Thanksgiving holiday still lingers in my bones. It was a lovely long weekend, and I do have some sweet musings and even a few photos of the festivities too, but for now, since the temperature recently dropped about thirty degrees, and because the pursuit of warmth is our main objective this time of year in the Northwest, I've compiled a list of a few winter staples.

Behold, the cold-weather wishlist:
                                                                                     
                                                                                               

                    

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

1. cuffed sweatpants
And yes, for some reason, the cuff at the bottom is essential. I love the look of a not-too-oversized pair of lounge pants that feels soft and breathable, but which one could also wear with big, wool socks and sneakers, should one need to make a quick dash to the market for a hot chocolate fix. I'm a long-legged gal, so I prefer pants that have the option of covering all of my leg, but should I want to wear them a little higher on the ankle, I could. This wishlist is all about having options.

2. sweater tights
Because sweaters aren't just for your arms--your legs like to feel the love too! These in particular have a nice heathered look, and the ribbing makes a leg look even longer (just a fun fact I've recently discovered). I don't have a pair of these specifically, but I've found the Hue brand wears well and cuts the chill...And this particular pair is on sale!

3. boatneck sweatshirt
It's hands-down one of my favorite necklines. How can one resist a canoe-shaped neck opening on any garment? I love how the shape accents the collarbone, and in sweatshirt form? A perfect layer for curling up with a book and hanging out by the fire. (Note: this too is on the wishlist--a fireplace is not currently an option in my living quarters.) The simplicity of a sweatshirt is always satisfying, and Everlane has an approach that I applaud: Radical Transparency--what it costs to make their products, and where they come from is all revealed to the consumer. That's pretty sweet, methinks.

4. comfy clog booties
I LOVE comfort shoes, and my feet no longer tolerate anything that falls short on support or ease of wear. Unfortunately, I dislike the look of most shoes and boots, due to my affinity for no-fussiness, no embellishments, and no added buckles or distressing, which makes footwear particularly challenging to find. I love the look of Swedish clogs, but I've read in a few places that making the foot work too hard to hold itself in the shoe is no bueno, and so it's only clogs with backs for me. These boots were a recent discovery. I adore the clean lines and what I'm sure is the trusty Dansko support system inside. I haven't tried this particular clog on, but I've had a pair since college that has honored and supported my feet through the years.

5. oversized wool infinity scarf
There are many options for hand-knitted wear on Etsy, and I love both the craftsmanship and the creative community that's evolved from this website. I'm not sure there's much explanation needed here: big, warm, neck wrap--who could quarrel with that? It looks beyond cozy, and it deserves a spot on the wishlist for this very reason.

6. woolen mittens with leather palms
When I was in 7th grade, I developed a problem with the cold--and not just a petty frustration with it, but an inability to actually inhabit it comfortably. It's a circulatory issue where the blood vessels freeze up when fingers or toes are exposed to extremely cold temperatures. Blood flow becomes restricted and extremities turn white. It's weird and uncomfortable, and while it's more inconvenient than anything to worry over, I still try my darndest to keep the blood flowing. With many a cold winter under my belt, I'm happy to say that I've learned the secret to warm hands: mittens. Fingers need to be near each other to keep each other warm, and the separation in a glove is sometimes working against your own body heat. An ah-ha moment indeed! These particular mittens are fantastic because you can grip a steering wheel with more ease and they look adorable with their fuzzy, please-take-me-seriously-I-also-have-leather attitude.

7. sweet dress to pair with all the above
Winters can be incredibly cold, wet, and dark, and at times, they will leave a soul feeling less than inspired, but all the more reason to indulge in happy prints and bright colors (when you can). This is not the brightest piece, but the print makes me smile, and it looks like the kind of dress that one could wear comfortably through the cold season with a little help from a pair of cozy tights and some comfy clogs.

Scanning this list, I realize there are a few essentials that didn't quite make an appearance. Specifically, lavender/chamomile tea and a stack of wishlist must-reads on a nearby coffee table are necessary accessories. And slippers. Very, very warm slippers are also a must.

I suppose it's a short list for now, but a fairly good start--especially considering that winter hasn't officially arrived. There's still time to meditate on this one. Happy Monday!

Monday Musings: Sleepytime

It's a gray-blue, chilly November morning, and though my wake-up time came and went hours ago and I've been plugging away at work, it's still the kind of morning that inspires daydreams of sleeping in, which, thanks to the holiday gods, is sure to happen in just a few short days.

As someone who struggles to fall asleep and stay asleep for a healthy number of hours, I've developed a particular interest in all things that connect back to the elusive, unconscious state: sheets, pillows, bed size, mattress consistency, extra blanket, objects on nightstand, pictures on walls, color of said walls, rug on bedroom floor, curtains, darkness, nightlight, on and on...

In a fit of sleep deprived curiosity, here are a few bedrooms that make me wonder: Could one find sleep here? (Fellow insomniacs, this one's for you!)

                                             (northernmoments.tumblr.com)

(ginandbird.tumblr.com)

(middlechildcomplex.tumblr.com)

(homedecorobsession.tumblr.com)

Maybe it's less about the bed sometimes...

(homedecoreobsession.tumbr.com)

                                                  (ollebosse.tumblr.com)

                                                         (lessalice.tumblr.com)

Happy Monday and sweet dreaming!