Naturally Blue

lonny

 With blue being such a cool color, it always looks so lovely paired with fellow cools in whites and soft greys. I know blue really shines when paired with oranges, reds and yellows, but sometimes, that may feel just too 'loud'. I really love seeing a gentle, subdued warmth infused in these blue accented rooms through soft amber and wood tones along with the crisp beauty of white. Each room has distinct natural and organic accessories, from sisal rugs, antlers, or flowering branches. Touches of the outdoors help to cozy up a space that may feel too stuffy or contrived. When a room just doesn't seen to click, remove one glassy/iron/electronic/fake thing add some type of an organic fiber... and allow the space to breathe.

get it girl style 

 

lonny

living

coco cozy

Homefront: Peacock Mantel Decorating

Here is the peacock embroidered art I won at a charity auction for $6. The woman who brought it, was probably in her 70's, and told me her great aunt had made it many years ago. She is also the one who also brought the red boots I won. We were kindred spirits, I suppose. What time period would you place this design?

One lady told me the art was hideous, and I must have bid on it just for the frame. I told her that I liked things that have a bit of character, and enjoy finding ways to use things that others find "ugly". So, it's fortunate that I was resolved to say my piece without offending, or being offended.

In any case, I think the peacock is adorable. It looks perfect in my home. I would rather have a home pieced together, one little find at a time, than one that was designed quickly by buying matching mass produced accessories on a store shelf in a single afternoon. (No hate to those who do that, just not my thing at this point~ though of course, I do have some new store bought items myself.)

 Building my collections over time is therapeutic, builds great memories, and lets our home evolve naturally as we do. It is also a lot better on our budget, the environment (b/c  reusing old items cuts down on production waste of new ones, and garbage on throwing away old things), and I don't have the guilt of supporting loose regulations on pay and working conditions of impoverished employees overseas.

Okay, back to decorating! Here, you can see how the mantle arranging evolved until I felt it was just right,( it took about 5 minutes of my life). Both nice and plain, but once again, going against my "remove one item" philosophy, I decided more is more, so that's what I did, and I have no regrets.

Do you have any decorating philosophies that drive you at all, or am I just insane? Before we move, I will have to change this mantle up one at least one more time. I'm going to miss not having it.

The Calm After the Storm

aqua blue and white balloon room - yvette inufio

Yesterday was an extremely stressful and trying day (though some yummy Indian food helped take the edge off), and the weekend was as well, since every single one of us got a nasty little 24 hour bug. But I decided to change my mindset and takes some deep breaths, think things through, made a gameplan and decided to remain calm.

We managed to pack up the Christmas decorations (though I never did take pictures of the upgrades I did to the mantle and tree and the garland I made for the window, oh well!)

I am enjoying having space back. It's amazing how wonderful Christmas is, and every year I get so excited decorating and I always think as I am pulling each ornament out of the box, how it is going to be so big in here once they are put back away.  I am never wrong 

white and blue interior - betsy burnham design

Right now, I am enjoying being clutter free. Nester has a great post today about having "accessories on parade". I try and live by that (as I imagine my husband who calls me a "hoarder" rolling his eyes at that statement), but it is easy to lose control!

my great grandmother's lamb modeling my necklace... so lovely

But, since I can't find my box of my little knick knacks (of which I believe my husband hid them from me in our move, though he strongly disagrees), staying clutter free is fairly easy right now. I would really like to find my little brass owls and my grandmother's lamb. Everywhere I look is white with little aqua accents, and black pillows and I love the simplicity... but still...

WHERE IS MY BOX!?

*** update... hubs found my box :) thanks, darling!

Reds and Frosty Hues

I thought I would showcase some of my favorite things for you all Christmas shoppers.

The sweet candy cane heart photographic art print above by zuppa artista is so... pretty! Though, I only like candy canes as decor, or as hot cocoa stirrers!! (try it, it's lovely and delish)

This little red elfin pixie hat from talk to the trees is so tempting, and a steal for only $18! (ps, she is super sweet and her wolf ears are awesome too!)

Love the ethereal feeling of this "time to dine" photographic art print by lola's room

Have you seen the gorgeous artwork by Candace Jean? Well, now you have!

Yes, stacking rings, I love them all, but this Dainty Parnassia set from Pearl Everlasting has a hint of sparkle.

These sweet little  Cottage Love earrings are made by me, Jeweled Ambrosia! I love the way the photograph turned out!

Oh Yellow or Orange, Will You Marry Me? -signed turquoise (your color lover)

farouche bright sunshiny day giclee print

A vast majority of my posts have featured some form of blue as of late. But really, is that so wrong? Better on my blog than all over my apartment, lest the children go hungry and bills unpaid! So, I thought I would enchant your eyes with aqua/turquoise and see what is the tastier pair, yellow or orange?


kitty rogers ttv remington no. 2 typewriter


aqua + orange anthropologie jacket


sfgirlbybay diptych fisher price vintage dolls + vintage chairs from abby hendrickson's home


ara133 photography willow


tollipop field trip


modish vintage pennsylvania dutch tin platter


jeweled ambrosia (me!) bead and rhinestone hoop earrings


kitty rogers delight tty print


mad about colour elfin baby hat


joojoo clay terrarium mushrooms


christine berrie retro kitchen mixer


bombus craft atlas numbers


mary beth's art bunny jewelery wall holder


little lovables (me again!) rocking horse felt brooch


aqua + orange + chain anthropologie layered necklace

So, what is the consensus? Everyone knows aqua is superior with red, but who is the runner up, yellow or orange... or do you have another suggestion?

Oh Blue, How My Heart Loves You

Turquoise, aqua, teal, sea blue, aquamarine...all wonderful names for a variety of a wonderful color blue. (If you want to read a bit about where names of color come from, check this out!) In continuation of the pink tour of my recent antique mall visit, the turquoise tour will now commence. Whether you are looking for a shabby beach cottage look, a 1950's party gown, some thing a little funky, creepy, retro or glamorous, something to tell the time, or go back in time, it can all be acquired in the land of this blue.




















For the Pink Antique Mall finds click here.
For the White Antique Mall finds click here.
So, farewell for the day, but first, because you deserve a free printable and a "thank you" for being such kind readers, I found a lovely blue thank you card from the lovely Cottage Industrialist. I found her site via How About Orange, so if you love craft projects and tutorials, check out their blogs and shops.