i'm swooning.

I. think. this. apartment. is. incredible.

Not only is it set in an old factory building (love the exposed bricks and high ceilings), it is furnished with a gorgeous blend of clean, modern pieces and softer, more traditional pieces.



Check out that industrial looking metal ceiling juxtaposed with those girlie white lights. Doesn't it make your heart skip a beat?

Just a little one?

And those big windows looking out onto the sky...what a good way to circumvent looking at the buildings across the street while still letting the outside in!


I like how this space feels so polished - shiny metal appliances & counter tops, crisp paint colors, gorgeous hardwood floor, reflective ceilings - everything is so elegant.

And yet, doesn't it feel soft and lived in too? The wood floor is a luscious warm color, there are plenty of curvy shapes to break up all the linear patterns, awesome use of area rugs, plenty of plants everywhere, and of course art on those brick beauties.


How about these bedrooms? Pretty cool, huh?

Love the boyish charm in the kids room - totally rocking the bicycle and model boat.

I think I'd be happy with that for my master bedroom...provided there were some good drapes on those amazing windows. It just feel relaxing and calm in there.

And seriously - how awesome is the little walk out balcony for plants and outside time?


Finally, look at this little loft space. I feel more productive just looking at it.

It's so open and airy, yet so structured with those great built-in shelves. What balance and harmony...

Okay, that's it. I'm officially ready to move in. Anyone else coming?


*found at Desire to Inspire

finally...a use for these!

A clever French artist is doing absolutely incredible things with empty cardboard tp tubes.

(I knew there had to be an alternative use than always making "telescopes" with small children...)

I have no idea how she's doing it, but check out the larger image to see that she's created a whole school room scene inside this little tube.


Isn't it pretty with the soft backlight?

Here's another one - this time a market scene. (very French!)


And the last one - a cozy little household scene complete with domestic kitty!

It almost makes me feel sleepy just looking at it.



*seen at The Behance Network & found via Cup of Jo

Totally Random

This past weekend, as Twin and I were rushing through the grocery store, I felt an urgent need for beauty and impulsively bought 5 kinds of flowers. I'm pretty sure the woman at the checkout through either (a) someone had just had a baby, (b) someone had just died, or (c) I was some kind of a crazy, flower lady.

(Definitely option c, by the way.)

Anyway, I had a great time putting together these great bouquets - 2 for our apartment and 1 for our sweet landlady downstairs. And every single time I walk by them, I'm glad I did. The colors and textures are just stunning, and our house is much more cheerful because of them!



Also, look how cute those little pumpkins are...



Anyone remember my excited blathering about finding this book?

I finished it, and while I didn't love it as much as Flying Changes, it was good. Definitely a little more intense than its sequel, but still an enjoyable read.

You probably shouldn't read it if you're going through any significant life issues, since the entire book is about difficult life issues. Unless you like to feel better by seeing how other people's lives are worse than yours, it might push you over the edge.



So then I immediately picked up her other book, which was completely different in tone, subject matter, and character development. (So um, pretty much everything.)

The writing is a little tricky at the beginning and it took me a little while to get acclimated to what time period things were happening in (there is lots of switching between past & present) but overall I think it was enjoyable.

If you have a tender heart towards animals, this book makes you fiercely love some characters and really hate others...not to mention that you learn lots of pretty sketchy stuff about the old-school circus circuits.


Twin and I are starting to get creative in our food storage...aren't these little mason jars pretty with the dried beans and peas inside?

It very much makes me want to start making more warm and cozy cold-weather meals. Pea soup anyone?

(I'm impressed if you're still reading right now...although I did warn you that this post was totally random, in my defense.)


Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't tell you about how lovely Twin was all weekend. It was a super busy grading weekend for her (which you can see above) and yet she was endlessly sweet and patient with me.

I was fighting a nasty cold, trying to work on the message I was teaching at my church, and just generally tired and overwhelmed. She, despite being more than busy enough on her own, took lots of time away from her grading to make me food and listen to my many rough drafts.

Even though I'm sure someone would want to debate this, I would like to assert that I have the best friend out there. Plus she makes a mean cup of hot cocoa...so top that!