Retro Easter Love

peeps bunting tutorial by dana made it

Even though I've decorated this year in more of the robin's egg and muted natural colors, I have a soft spot for these colorful pastels, plastics and porcelains that evoke memories of my great grandmother's treasures in her curio cabinet and some of the little pieces I have stored away somewhere.

retro kitsch easter spring  mantle by boopsie daisy

What are some of your earliest Easter memories? Do you associate a certain food, smell, color, decorating style or activity with your childhood Easter beginnings. Do you keep old traditions, or do you have any new ones you would like to share?

 retro deer cake by sweety darling

 Vintage Egg Hinged Box from Retro Dame

Stay tuned for my next post of my favorite childhood Easter tradition... and how it works on my boys for the first time.

Pops of Muted Color

pickles... how to make it here

I thought I would be in spring time color mode by now, but given we just had several inches of snow fall (in Texas) no less, I'm still not feelin' it.  Easter pastels, (I can't believe I'm saying this) let's wait a few more days.  But, pops of colors in muted, unforced tones are an excellent transition for me.

I love the above wreath, covered in wool felted balls. You can make your own from a kit, or purchase premade balls or learn how to do it from pickle's instructions (and while your at it, make that wonderful curtain as well!). The sewn mini colorful garland decorating the moose skull is also lovely.

johnny & stacie sfgirlbybay

The home of johnny and stacie, is a bit of perfection to me. It's open, not overly cluttered but a distinct sense of creativity and wonder resides here. Which is no wonder given that it is located in an artistic warehouse turned residential space. The backdrop of the neutral colors, beams and bones of the home and furniture allow for chamleon growth in both color and decor choices over the natural course of living in the space. We can create similar vibes with our homes if we so choose.

this pink dinosaur painting speaks to me.

Besides, how could a home with a swing in the living room not be wonderful?

Living in such a naturally colorful space would perhaps make one dress in similar muted colors, as though the fashion osmosis has seeped in to your mind by simply walking through the door.

curry necklace by urban legend

What a lovely necklace. The combination of it's elegant drape and muted colors work perfectly with the black and white printed blouse and lovely ruffle edged muted lime green shrug! And that's saying a lot from a fellow jewelry designer who primarily wears grey (and who also, loves Indian curry).

Throwin a Party

I am so happy Halloween is over! Of course, the struggle of toddlers demanding copious amount of candy throughout the course if the day is not over, but the decorating, the idea searching overload, the MESS of making my sons costumes is OVER (I will be uploading pics soon)! I'm so happy, I could throw a party! And if I did, it would be filled with balloons, and flower garlands!

Of course, since we are moving next month, all of my decorating goodies will be given to Goodwill or packed, *sad face* so it will be good for us to live simply (ha!) for a little while.

So, while we are on a new adventure of stressing out (while being super happy and feeling blessed at the same time, of course),  and the inner turmoil of not unpacking hardly any decor while we are in transition for the next year, what to get rid of... it also feels kind of nice to purge. (A theme discussed on this blog every now and then, but now I have to get serious!) Though, we have gotten rid of several pieces of furniture on Craigslist, we can't have a garage sale for the little things since we are apartment dwellers. I also found Fly Lady and UnClutterer, two sites that are inspiring for those wishing to simplify.

I will be giving boxes of craft supplies and such to goodwill. If you want it (for the cost of shipping) contact me and I'll send you a box :)  I'd love to hear your purging success stories, it would make me feel more like this is possible.