Studio Update

This is where I've spent most of my time lately. I figured while I was in there I might as well take some new pictures for you guys. Of course it's always changing. It's already different!

It's so hard to tear myself away, which was kind of nice while Sweet Hubby was out of town this week. Now he's home and he'll expect some attention and maybe even dinner so I guess I'll have to drag myself out of there. He's so demanding.

Would you believe I go in my studio first thing every morning and last thing every evening?

It's like I have to say good morning and good night.

It is the place in my house where I feel the happiest.

I'm more me here and so happy surrounded by all my pretty things.

I think it's time to start expanding into the rest of the house and adding more personality there as well. My whole family loves spending time in this room as much as I do so I'm sure they would love to feel the studio magic spread all around them.

It was 3 years ago tomorrow that Sweet Hubby bought me that green work table pictured above and a studio was born. I will be forever grateful.

I have a lot of things to share in the next week: Christmas decorations, estate finds, surprise gifts, my Christmas wish list and best of all... a surprise interview and giveaway that will make 5 of you very happy!

Finding Your Joy

Recently Emma started horse back riding lessons. My youngest is a lot of things: sweet, brilliant, loving, funny, but here's what she's not, a follower or a joiner. We've tried to get her involved in activities and sports before and she's never really taken to any of it. She's a homebody and a Mama's girl and is usually content to be left to her own devices, but since she loves animals and nature we thought this might be a good fit. It was.

We took her last night for her 2nd lesson just to prove it wasn't a fluke. She's a natural. Her instructor says we're in trouble. Em is so relaxed that she hums the whole time she is out there, she is in her own little world  but she listens to everything she is told and processes it and explains it back to the teacher. It's amazing to watch my daughter doing something she was meant to be doing and that clearly gives her such joy. And that little smile? It never leaves her face.

In the Closet

Want to know what I've been up to lately? This is one of the things that has consumed my budget, energy and passion. I'm so lucky to have a Sweet Hubby that is willing to help me make my visions a reality. I'm thrilled with how it came out. Now I have room for friends in my studio and my first playdate is already scheduled.

Here's the part of the post where I bore you with details. I love lots of pictures and details so I'm just going to pretend that you do too.

Antique table from my favorite antique store less that $200, flea market chair $5, garage sale find vintage record console $10 and wire heart $5.

Fun storage includes vintage picnic baskets, ironstone tureens without lids, old tool box and colorful boxes from HomeGoods.

Organization is so important to me. Basket for current inspiration from Mothology, thrifted basket and glass vase and pretty bowl made by Maddie in art class a few years ago. It's one of my most precious possessions.

I love to keep bowls full of pretties at my workspace to inspire me.

Wire stand from HomeGoods with various vintage jars and containers.

This is a silverware holder I recently found at HomeGoods ($5) that is just perfect for holding some of my supplies.

I hope you enjoyed the tour. Anytime you want to come play in my closet, just let me know.

Dog Days of Summer

This is Millie. Millie is demonstrating how we spent our summer. No projects, not much house cleaning and much less cooking than we usually do.

However, there was lots of time spent playing with our special friends and cuddling.

We made sure to find time for relaxing and naps

and we had no problem finding time for fun and games.

Our summer is winding down and as the girls go off to school next Wednesday Millie and I will be left with quiet & the memories of our dog days of summer.

Fit for a Queen

Recently I found this picture and realized I had never shared these crown jars with you. It may be a little hard to see in the picture but they are so cute in person. They remind me daily that I am the Queen. Of my studio, anyway.

Happy Place

I have a confession. This is my linen closet. It's one of my happy places. Sure I wish I had real shelves and that all of my linens were color coordinated like Martha Stewart's linen closet. It gives me something to strive for. In the meantime, I love to open the door and just look at it. I love how I can find just what I'm looking for. It may be the single, most orderly space in my home.

I love the neat piles of pretty quilts and the vintage napkins. I'm not quite sure why they make me happy but sometimes when I'm feeling a little crazed, I will just open the door and look. And take a deep breath. And then I can soldier on. Please don't leave me comments telling me how weird I am. I already know.

You know what else? You are all my happy place too. Thanks for all the caring comments and heart felt emails you sent me. They help. They really do. Sometimes I find it easier to focus on the little happy places in life. Here's hoping your days are filled with many of them.