get it (for less)

Yes, I have a problem: I'm addicted to a good deal. If there's a sale, discount, or coupon, you can bet I know about it. Although sandal season is farther away then I'd like to think, I'm still craving a new fun sandal to kick off the warm weather (whenever it wants to arrive). The one I plan to purchase (this weekend?) are the Mossimo Palia Beaded flat sandal (below) from the beloved, Target. The  more expensive and therefore not for me version, are the Dolce Vita Nyle beaded sandal. The styles are different, but the beading is pretty much the same. In fact, I prefer the Target style.

 

Women's Mossimo® Palila Beaded Flat Sandal- $19.99

 

Dolce Vita Nyle Beaded Sandal- $59.00

Jonesing for a deal.

-L-

breakfasts with susie

If I were to title this period of my life from September 2010, when my unemployment began, until now, it would most likely be called "Breakfasts with Susie". We kicked off our period of living together with big breakfasts starting with Susie's birthday/my last day of work and have continued to create energizing fully blown fast-breaking meals since.

{co-breakfast chef!}

The breakfasts usually have at least 3 components and 2 beverages: Eggs, carbs, fruit, coffee and a thirst-quenching beverage (crystal light, orange juice, mocktails, or water). Some recent notable breakfasts include one I woke up to a few weekends ago after a late night out with friends. Susie had made eggs scrambled with brie, mushrooms, and garlic with bagels and cream cheese and bacon. Not. Too. Bad. Bacon is by far the best smell to wake up to. One morning when Susie was having a bad day, I attempted to remedy the situation with pancakes; three kinds to be exact: banana, chocolate chip, and plain with strawberries. Sure enough, it did the trick.

  {eggs with brie and spinach, oranges, english muffin and bacon}

Since Susie works 40 hours more than I do, our time to cook together is usually limited to the morning meal we so like to enjoy. We split the prep work and clean up, share our food, and best of all, conversation. What some might reserve for the weekend or find to be an arduous task, we do a few times during the week and love every minute of it, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I have a feeling this will become a tradition in our friendship, roommates or not.

{eggs with muenster and cheddar, mushrooms and onions, english muffins and strawberries and blueberries}

Guests are always welcome. Reservations are recommended.

-L-

I'd like to be, under the sea...

I'm not exactly sure why my eye is drawn to the image of an octopus; it's not exactly an attractive creature. Perhaps it is it's ancient and prehistoric imagery I associate with it or the mysterious nature of the animal. In a rendered form, they are beautiful however; the spiraling long lines and curves of the octopus form allow for an interesting artistic image. Recently, the creature has been popping up all over the design world. I wouldn't mind any of the following in my home.  Except for the first one. 

 {attractive?}

 

{thomas paul bath line}

{designsponge}

{anthropologie wallpaper}

{apartment therapy}

-L-

italia nostalgia

Pretty much since I departed the amazing country of Italy when I spent a semester abroad in Florence, I have missed it and longed for it daily. Life there was perfect. I learned, tasted, and observed amazing new things. Class was going to the Uffizi or walking the streets of Florence and observing the architecture. My shopping was at a minimum as my money was spent on weekend trips to Paris, Amsterdam, Praque, Barcelona, Munich, Rome and remote villages around Tuscany. Happiness was found just walking the cobbled streets of Florence people watching with a cappucino in hand. Fragrances of leather, espresso, pastries and the perfumes and colognes of the Italians were frequently infusing my senses. Getting dressed was fun; I could wear dresses and skirts and fancy things every day. To say that I ate well would be an understatement. Essentially, it was a dream and seems like it almost never happened. I hope one day to live this life again. Until then...

{the Duomo: my neighbor}

{a swim after a long hike in Cinque Terre}

{Cinque Terre: my favorite place in Italy}

{canals of Venice}

{our apartment door}

{at the Herculaneum ruins}

{Siena bell tower}

Ciao regazzi

-L-

acadian adventures

    {"Can you please turn around?"}

{beautifully decrepit abandoned home}

{fog along the coast of Maine}

{before the long sweaty hike}

{heading down the great trail along the stream under the carriage roads}

A great weekend was had by all at Acadia National Park. From the park itself, to the roadside antique stores, and visiting the cute town of Bar Harbor, everything was what I had imagined. If it were up to Susie and I, we would have stopped at every antique store or flea market on the road. It was probably a good thing we had some boys to keep us in line. If only I had a few more days up there... I will definitely return to Acadia.

-L-

off exploring

I'm Heading out tomorrow to go to Acadia National Park in Maine. I've wanted to go there for a few years now so I'm really excited to explore "America's Best Idea". The anticipation is killing me. Photos to come next week.

 From one adventurer to another
-L-

Publish Post

headstart on a headboard

As I am moving (again) sometime next month and I'm not too pleased with my current bed, I figured I'd take on another project upon moving into a new place. I'll have a big yard where I can work so I'm looking forward to that. I want to make my own upholstered headboard and hopefully keep the cost around $100. I've seen some inspirational pictures but I can't decide if I i want a solid fabric or a print. I could get sick of a print, but I can also always reupholster the piece to suit my current taste. Any ideas or suggestions or welcome! Here are some I enjoy.

{I like the neutrality and versatility of this piece}

{I really like the shape of these with the added trim and bright colors}

{nailhead trim adds a finished elegant look}

{love the boldness, but would have to be the focal point}

I have a slight obsession with animal prints and am considering a neutral leopard or zebra like the ones below:

 The only main thing I need to consider in choosing a fabric for the headboard is my red desk:

{bench seat to be reupholstered this fall}

What do you all think?

-L-

i've got my eye on industrialism

As a lover of all things old, rusty and covered in dust, I could no longer fight the urge to purchase an industrial cart. I first met this cart on a visit to David Ellison's farm table workshop in Pawtucket, RI. Gretchen was interested in purchasing a table so Susie and I joined her and went to his shop to check things out. The shop was filled mostly with hand crafted tables, however, there were a few other treasures just sitting in his shop. I spotted an old industrial cart, and inquired about whether it was for sale. He sort of laughed at me and said, "That? yeah, sure, I have a bunch of them. They're from a mining company." I did not end up purchasing the cart that day. This was about five months ago. Yesterday, the piece came to mind again so I emailed David. He said there was one left, so I jumped at the chance and purchased it. I won't pick it up until August or September when I move again, but I can't wait to incorporate it into my growing furniture collection. I haven't figured out just yet what I will do with it. So far, my only thought is a coffee table. If I had two, I could make an interesting day bed platform. Any other suggestions are welcome. I sure have gotten some good deals in Rhode Island...

Mine is a pretty minimalistic version, however there are many other beefier versions available. Restoration Hardware had a piece in their catalog.

{Restoration Hardware piece: MUCH more substantial. I wouldn't want to stub my toe on that. Also, they need a new prop stylist. }

{Ace Hotel suite in Palm Springs. Yes please.}

Over and out from the assembly line.
-L-

sunshine and sorbet

The sun is out and summer is almost officially here. With that in mind, I searched the web for sorbet-inspired imagery. Sorbet is just oh-so satisfying on a hot day. Although I had ice cream today instead of sorbet . Treat yourself to something sweet and fruity this weekend!

-L

movin on up

I've been busy with my move to my summer sublet in the Jewlery District and I'm finally getting settled in. I haven't quite unpacked everything but I'm getting there. Moving really makes you realize how much CRAP you have. I threw out 5 pairs of grimey shoes and donated some clothing to Salvation Army. So far, the only thing in my room that I'v perfected is my perfect red vanity. I'm hoping to get completely and unpacked this weekend. After I go to the beach...

Expect more posts
-L-

olive visits: martha's vineyard: wesleyan grove

Stumbling upon Wesleyan Grove is like entering another realm. I really have never seen anything like it and felt almost like time traveling. Wesleyan Grove is was orginally a Methodist "camp meeting" where they would hold sort of a convention for Methodists. Tents were the original form of habitat before the permanent structures were built, hence, "camp meeting." The community was designed in the early to mid 1800s by a professional planner and landscape architect which is evident in the layout of the village.

All of the cottages features ornate architectural details which was popular in the mid 1800s after the scroll saw was invented which made these forms possible. The cottages are dubbed "gingerbread cottages" as a result although they are vernacular versions of  the gothic revival and  stick-style.

The cottages surround a park with a "tabernacle" or place of worship, in the center. (above)

Today, the community still retains some of the original families who were involved in the camp meeting community but most of the cottages are rented out to various people through out the year.

back to reality.
-L-