Unemployed, Again.

(via Pinterest)

So you're reading this post, huh?
The overwhelmingly bleak title didn't dissuade you from clicking through?

Today is my last day of work, again.

This feeling of "the great unknown" is becoming a regular feature in my life (after previously being unemployed from November 2011-May 2012) and I'm not one hundred percent sure I am equipped to deal with a second go-round of unemployment. For the purposes of clarity, I should note that the job I began in May at an education start-up was described as a summer job with the potential of continued employment after August.

Well, it didn't turn out that way. The money wasn't there.

Perhaps I should have braced myself.

Perhaps I should have done more.

Perhaps I shouldn't have taken the job at all.

Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.

Friends, family, those who have randomly stumbled upon this post: I feel lost, again.

In the past three months, I had seen my life transition back to what I knew to be normal: getting up and dressed in the morning, riding the bus to work, using my professional skill set, thinking critically and passionately about something again. I felt whole. I took pride in being 'Ashley' once more.

Having glimpsed employed life for the first time in nearly a year, I was starting to feel like my old self again.

Having that feeling revoked now, I feel like a failure, again.

I don't not entirely sure why I chose to write this, to share these intimate and vulnerable feelings with you all, especially when this blog is primarily focused on light-hearted topics like decor and DIY projects. 

Devoting time to write about my unemployment, though, somehow legitimizes my feelings. 

It gives me some comfort that 'again' doesn't necessarily mean 'forever'.

Ode to a Humble Bloom: The Carnation

There's nothing quite like a vase full of fresh flowers in any home to brighten it up, but if you're like me you can't always splurge on fancy flowers like peonies, tulips or hydrangeas. When I want to add a floral touch to my home regardless of season, I opt for a few bunches of carnations from the supermarket.

Sure, carnations don't have the same pedigree as roses, but these flowers still represent love. Until very recently, I associated carnations with Valentine's Day 'flower-grams' that my friends and I sent each other in high school for a dollar a piece. Talk about a cheap thrill!

Lately, I've been picking up bouquets of red carnations, grouping them in tight bunches throughout my home, and beaming when I see how great they look in a deep scarlet cluster.

But I'm not the only one who's smitten with these affordable flowers; carnations are popping up in the homes of some very talented folks as of late.

For one, Kevin Sharkey, the Senior Vice President of Martha Stewart Omnimedia, merged modern art with a lush arrangement of ombre carnations in his Manhattan home.

(via Martha Stewart)

Master of luxurious color Miles Redd incorporated red carnations in his chinoiserie tablescape.

(via House Beautiful)

Eddie Ross utilizes carnations for arrangements frequently, and in one use he transformed colorless flowers into a sculpture that is reminiscent of a winter snowball.

(via Eddie Ross)

When paired with kumquats in a Staffordshire tureen, deep pink carnations become anything but ordinary.

(via Apartment Therapy)

Jenny Komenda shared her love of single-color carnations in Better Homes and Gardens, also opting to use a soup tureen to hold the flowers in the spread below.

(via Little Green Notebook)

Still unsure how to elevate the look of these deli-sourced flowers?
On marthastewart.com, event planner Bronson Van Wyck shared his expert tips on how to select the perfect  varieties of carnations.

(via Martha Stewart)

So, what say you: are carnations worthy of your empty vase or are they just a blah bloom?

Brand New Art Options from Wayne Pate

Last week I checked my inbox and discovered an exciting email announcement from artist Wayne Pate: his website is now flush with new prints and original pieces from Bella Foster, Olimpia Zagnoli and Pate himself. You may recognize the name Wayne Pate because I have talked about him several times on the blog and have few pieces from his website hanging in my home.

Wayne Pate's print "Urns" has a special spot in my living room, paired with a Miro print.

My living room walls are adorned with yet another waynepate.com-sourced piece: Bella Foster's "Still Life with Flowers," which was a wedding gift from a cousin of mine. 

Want to check out the new artwork? 

I've highlighted some of my favorite pieces below.

("Vase Chinois", $1,000 / "Bloom in Sag Harbor", $600)

 ("Donna No. 3", $100 / "Monstera", $75)

 ("Bookshelf", $115 / "Olive Jug Blue", $65)

("Vase with Flowers", $400 / "Summer in the Afternoon", $400)

Do you have a bare space in your home for any of this lovely artwork? 

H&M Home Coming to America in 2013

This just in: H&M's home stores are invading the U.S.A. in the next year!

As reported across the interwebs (including WWD, Style Bistro, Refinery 29 and Casa Sugar), the Swedish fast-fashion chain is bringing its affordable, worldly designs for home to our country in 2013 so we can all rejoice for a new source of decor.

Until the stateside launch, let's sneak a peek of the H&M goodies that we'll add to our homes soon enough!

Do you think you'll give H&M Home a chance when it comes to the U.S. in 2013?
Does this mean Zara Home is next (I, for one, hope so!)?

Happy Birthday, Martha!

(via Martha Stewart)

Today is  a special day in the story of all things domestic and lovely: it's Martha Stewart's 71st birthday!

(side note: who do I have to kill to look that good at 71?)

I write about Martha often, and extensively cite projects and ideas from her many forms of media, on this blog because I'm continually inspired by her talent, her tenacity, her good taste and her business acumen. She has built a worldwide brand based exclusively on her vision of "the good life," though that life may be purely aspirational for many of us.

Without Martha Stewart and her creative teams, how would we ever know how to create our own...

...gingham folding screens?

...magpie-inspired necklaces?

...elaborately carved Halloween pumpkins?

...or too-pretty-to-eat buches de Noel?

(all via Martha Stewart)

Whether you love or hate her personality or aesthetic, her impact on the world of cooking, decorating, crafting and decorating cannot be denied.

Happy birthday, Martha Stewart. Without you, the world might be a little bit uglier, a little less organized, and a lot less crafty.

Meet Me in...Scandinavia?

At the end of August, my husband Adam and I are heading on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Norway, Sweden and Denmark for almost two weeks and I couldn't be more excited! Neither of us have been to Scandinavia before, so we wanted to explore a spot on the globe that was completely new and different for us.

We have ourselves a few travel books about the area, but there are certainly some attractions that we know we'll have to see in late summer. Specifically, we'll be staying in Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen and we're looking forward to exploring these cities and taking day trips to nearby spots.

Our accommodations in each country will be a mix of hotels and private apartments, and I'm particularly thrilled to stay in apartment in Copehagen that just screams modern Danish style:

Since my knowledge of the best places to visit in Scandinavia are somewhat limited, I turn to you all:

Have you ever been to Norway, Sweden or Denmark?

If so, what are some must-see places?

I know that there's much more to this area than built-it-yourself decor,

Hans Wegner chairs,

or meatballs.

so I really would be grateful for your recommendations and advice!

Where I've Been and What I've Been Up To

Hey! Remember me? 

I'm Ashley, in case you forgot. I wouldn't blame you if you did because I've been a less-than-consistent blogger this summer, and I can't promise a marked improvement on my posting just yet.

Work has certainly gotten the better of me and each time I sat down to begin a post, something like laundry or groceries or watching "West Side Story" on TCM snagged my attention. You must understand.

Oh, to be young and free and a terrific dance-fighter.

Okay, so it's not all Jets and Sharks this summer.

I've been occupied with all things education. No, not my own, but the younger generation.

In case you didn't know, I started working with a non-profit start up that aims to solve the troubling problem of summer learning loss that plagues children in under-resourced communities.

I'm responsible for data and operations, but in a start up everyone does everything. 

I feel like I'm really doing important work, and that feels great despite the frenetic pace of it all.

When not working, I've had some time to shop. Retail therapy always cures whatever ails. 

Here's what I've purchased lately:

suede whipstitch flats in fuschia

ticking stripe fabric for my new skirted table

a new phone (the Samsung Galaxy S III) after my phone fell down a storm drain (!)

Seriously, my phone dropped out of my hands while waiting for the bus, and promptly slid down into a storm drain. I figured that was the impossible-to-ignore sign that it was time to get a new phone.

My new phone now enables me to tweet and post to Instagram so easily. Why not take this opportunity to follow me in case I don't post here enough for your liking!

On Twitter: @MeetMeinPhilly

on Instagram: meetmeinphilly

Finally, I have some very, very exciting news to announce in early September. 

I hope you'll all be as excited as I will be for the revelation.

I'm one big tease, I know, but I can't help it...

I'm really looking forward to being a better blogger and blog reader very soon.