TGIF, 4/30/10 Edition

This weekend we are heading to New York to visit friends and, I speak for Adam when I say, we are very excited. We don't get up to the city nearly as much as we'd like to, so this means that any visit is usually jam-packed with "to do's."

For one, we'll be heading to MOMA on Saturday. I can never get enough of that place.

I'm also hoping to scope out some finds at one of the various Housing Works stores throughout the city. If the online auctions are any indication, I'm thinking we will stumble upon some pretty great treasures. Here's some of what is currently being auctioned at Housing Works:

1. These INSANE chairs. I'm in love...head over heels:



2. These casually-worn in rugs. I'd take either:





3. This vibrant abstract piece:

(all images via Housing Works)

Happy weekend, readers! Hope that, wherever you are, you will be having as much fun as we will!

Detail Oriented

Our apartment is on the first floor of a busy street. When we moved in and realized that its uber-exposure just wouldn't do, we found a great temporary solution in several white cotton roman shades from the Christmas Tree Shop. For about $8 each, these shades are the perfect blank canvas that can offset more substantial curtain panels that flank the windows.

Roman shades are just so much chicer than mini-blinds, especially when the shades are trimmed out with ribbon. Here are some great examples of detailed shades:

(a lovely room by Amanda Nesbit)

(Katie Ridder's take on roman shades--notice the curved detail at each corner)

(featured in Domino)

I'm hoping to stop by M&J in New York this weekend during our visit to find some grass green ribbon trim for the shades in our guest bedroom. I'm thinking I'll try to recreate the shades in the room designed by Katie Ridder. Thoughts? Does anyone know how easy/hard this project may be?

"It's a Bit Too Busy All Together for Me"

Perusing the first round of blog postings this morning, I came upon this beautiful image, courtesy of Little Green Notebook, that I absolutely love.



This living room is layered, fun, warm, and quirky--all adjectives I'd like visitors to use when they arrive at our apartment. What's more, this space is made cozy by the use of varied prints and colors. This, my friends, is what I'd like to create.

However, when I shared this little gem with Adam, he responded, "I could see [how you'd like it]. It's a bit too busy all together for me, but I like most of the things in it." Ah, in addition to the challenge of recreating this look, I've also got to persuade Adam into loving this look as much as I do. Let's see how this one plays out...

TGIF, 4/23/10 Edition

As we speak, thousands of track and field competitors are ascending onto Franklin Field, the historic football field at the University of Pennsylvania for the Penn Relays, the "the oldest and largest track and field competition in the United States" (thanks, Wikipedia). They are all hoping to experience the thrill of victory and not the agony of defeat.

(photos via the University of Pennsylvania)

The street corners around Penn were crowded with track teams in their matching warm-up suits this morning. The local papers and the Penn community is abuzz, too, because Usain Bolt (world's fastest man) is coming to the Penn Relays tomorrow!

We will miss it though, as we are heading to Maine for a wedding. Wedding season is already upon us. If you're in the Philadelphia area, are you heading to the Penn Relays this weekend?

Because Sometimes It's Funny to Laugh at Others...

Because it's Thursday and not yet Friday, I figured we could all use a laugh. If you haven't already seen this website, please take 5 minutes out of your busy schedule to check out You Suck at Craigslist.

It's not nice to laugh at others, I know that. But this website had me in hysterics last night.

This is a personal fave. What exactly is a taco box, anyway?


(photo via You Suck at Craigslist)

Kids, it's critical that you learn your spelling and punctuation. Otherwise, you may just have jerks like me laughing at your Craigslist posting across the interweb.

Just My Imagination

In my imagination, I live in a beautiful center hall Colonial with a front and rear staircase, a library with built-in cabinetry, and wide plank floors. 

I have 3 children, all of whom are beyond brilliant and precocious (but not in an obnoxious kind of way). I'll have either two boys or two girls that are close enough in age to share a bedroom, a bedroom that I've lovingly furnished with decor that transitions with growing children. Here are some inspiration photos that I'll keep in mind for the future.

I love the x-benches and the blue lacquer campaign dresser here:

(via Elizabeth Dinkel Design Associates)

Another beautiful bedroom that features Alan Campbell "Cap Ferrat" fabric:

(via Meg Braff Interiors)

For my imaginary adolescent girls (who, naturally, have a very mature taste in decor):

(via Domino)

You can probably sense that these pretend bedrooms are filled with pretend children, whose names, colleges, and talents I've already determined. I'm excited already for the thought of a family and I'm still so far away.

Sometimes, it's just fun dreamin'.

Before and After: Salvation Army Ottoman

Last week, I alluded to an exciting before and after courtesy of my beloved mother. I have to thank my mother for any artistic talent I have; I should also thank her for my compulsion for a neat and tidy home...all beneficial qualities!

My mother is always willing to help me out with a project. When we moved in and needed curtains for our bedroom, my mother turned 2 rectangular Roberta Roller Rabbit curtains into 4 luxurious curtain panels, 2 pillow shams, and 2 throw pillows for our bed. The woman is a master, I tell you.

That's why I came to her with the following project. I found this hotel-grade stool at my super-secret Salvation Army near my parents' house during a winter visit. It was $3 and lacked pizazz, but I saw its potential.

Right off, it was clear that the hunter green fabric just wouldn't do. Not wanting to break the bank with my fabric choice, I knew just the place to look for inexpensive fabric: Marden's! I picked up the remainder of a cotton stripe print (about 3 yards) for $8 during a visit to my extended family in Maine. My revitalized ottoman was coming together!

Are you ready for my mom's handiwork?!?

She did such a great job! When I picked it up this weekend, I also managed to pick up a coordinating cherry blossom fabric (for $6) from Osgood's when Adam and I were there selecting linen for our loveseat project.

The ottoman will rest alongside the reupholstered loveseat with the new printed pillows.

A round of applause for Mom!

TGIF, 4/16/10 Edition

It's Friday afternoon and I'm excited for this weekend. As I write this, Penn undergraduates are outside of my office on campus preparing for their weekend of all-around debauchery, known as "Fling". My weekend is much more staid; we are Connecticut-bound!

I will be
1. Attending the bridal shower of a long-time friend
2. Spending some QT with family (especially my 2 year-old niece)
3. Purchasing fabric for that loveseat project here at a great discount
4. Thanking my mom for a wonderful reupholstery project she's done for me--I can't wait to share it!

That said, have a fantastic weekend and check back next week for updates on my loveseat and the reupholstery project courtesy of my mom!

Meet Diana F+, a kindred spirit

(photo via Google)

Isn't she lovely? I am determined to make this Diana my kindred spirit. She will push me to capture all of the beauty that is passing me each moment. I feel like, without photographic proof, the wonderful things I am experiencing at this moment are destined to be only memories.

I haven't started snapping, but I can't wait. I know Diana will make even the most mundane romantic and ethereal.

P.S. Did you love Anne of Green Gables as much as I did? If you did, you get the reference in the title.

For sale: Vintage Parsons Tables!

If you are reading this and are in the Philadelphia area, I'd like to share two vintage parsons tables I have for sale on Craigslist. They are sunny-yellow and will brighten any decor:

Large, square table ($75):

Smaller, rectangular table ($50):

If you are interested in either of these items, please contact me through the two Craigslist postings. More details (such as measurements) are available through the following links:

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/fuo/1689385727.html

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/fuo/1689387973.html

I'm only selling these because I don't have room in my guest bedroom for them! Any takers?

Start a Revolution

Have you all seen the new show from hot Brit chef Jamie Oliver? Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution airs on ABC on Fridays at 9PM. Adam and I have really taken to it, so much so that we have been sincerely reconsidering our processed food habits.

The premise of the show, for those who haven't seen it, is that Jamie arrives in "America's Unhealthiest City," Huntington, WV to start a "food revolution." He is allowed to begin in one elementary school and, after an initial survey, realizes that the children of Huntington are learning dangerous eating habits in school, as well as at home.

There is the requisite amount of drama, especially as Jamie begins to take over the food preparation for the elementary school. This doesn't sit well with the career lunch-ladies who, lead by tiger-lady Alice, don't really see the problem with feeding children pizza, fries, and chicken nuggets daily. Jamie also receives similar push-back from Rod, the local deejay, who condemns the Brit for coming in and thinking that "one person can change 50,000."

(all via Google)

In subsequent episodes, Jamie begins teaching the town healthier cooking habits and fosters a love for cooking in a core group of Huntington high school students.

Scripted and edited as it may be, I find Jamie Oliver and this endeavor appealing and powerful. When Adam and I watch, we find ourselves just a little less likely to snack.

Have you seen Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution? What do you think?

Weekend Report: Clover Market & Other Happenings

Adam and I spent a large part of this weekend driving around the lovely suburbs of Philadelphia. Saturday, we drove around aimlessly. We don't own a car, so when we can borrow one from his parents, it really feels like a treat.

On Sunday, however, we were much more focused. We headed to the suburbs once more for the opening day of Clover Market, held in the lovely Main Line town of Ardmore. All morning I got the sense that Adam was as excited about The Clover Market as I was. He kept saying to me, "I hope it's great." I do too, Adam. I do too.

We arrived at about noon, and apparently Philadelphia-native Patti LaBelle also made an appearance (sadly, we didn't see her). It was a treat to see so many people supporting a new idea like this. For more photos, check out the Clover Market blog.

Again, the weather agreed with us, and I found these lovelies:

The antique crock ($13) now sits proudly in our kitchen, holding our larger utensils while the planter ($10) will soon house a re-potted orchid. I also spoke with Molly Worth of Chairloom, and am hopeful to get moving on the loveseat reupholstery I wrote about here.

While in Ardmore, we drifted into the Junior League thrift store, where I scored a pastel plaid taffeta high-waisted full-length skirt ($10). A bit long for my 5'4" frame, I will likely chop this skirt to a flattering knee-length. It reminds me of sherbet and The Stepford Wives all rolled into one.

We made our way back to the city and rewarded ourselves with a little South Philadelphia present from Tony Luke ($8/each). All in all, a weekend full of Philly treasures (most of which cannot be found in your grocer's freezer).

People Only Die of Love in Movies

Last week I posted about the inspirational beauty of my favorite movie, The Royal Tenebaums. As far as a film goes, it's pretty much the tops in my mind...except for Jacques Demy's film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (or, Les Parapluies de Cherbourg).

This film stars the luminous Catherine Deneuve who is nothing short of breathtaking. But the reason I highlight this film is because, like Wes Anderson features, Demy creates an atmosphere that draws me from my reality into the technicolor other-world of a mid-century coastal France.

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is the story of two young lovers, faced with war and an unplanned pregnancy. Deneuve plays Genevieve, the only child of a single mother, who falls in love with Guy, an auto mechanic destined for military service. They are pulled apart and, just as he leaves, she discovers she is pregnant. They hope to marry and raise the child together, but time and space have other plans for these two. In their separation, the film gently reminds us that fate often intercedes in our best interest.

If you haven't seen this film, I highly recommend it. The lush colors and singing (yes, the dialogue is French and entirely sung) are an escape.

(all via Google)

Take Me Out...

It's only been Spring for a few weeks now, but already the boys of summer are here. For those of you who don't live with a Philadelphia sports fanatic, this doesn't mean just baseball has started. It means Phillies baseball has started.

Those of us from Connecticut have found ourselves always needing to make that critical choice: Red Sox or Yankees. When I met Adam he made it pretty clear that, if I wanted this relationship to go anywhere, I would need to convert to a Phillie fanatic. In actuality, it's quite fun sharing this with him. We have funny nicknames for all the guys, enjoy Dollar-Dog-Nights at Citizen's Bank Park, and celebrate when the Phillies return to the playoffs (just as they will for the fourth season in a row this year!).

Bring on the Philadelphia baseball and the boys of summer (minus those annoying Ryan Howard-Subway and Cole Hamels-Comcast commercials).

My Boyfriend's Back

Blog friends, I didn't share that my beloved Adam was away from me for nearly the entire time I have been blogging (since late February). He was on work assignment in Spain and, needless to say, I was thrilled when he came home to me on Thursday evening. On our first weekend together in awhile, we spent the morning eating homemade muffins and strawberries and perusing Adam's new book, dreaming of the cuisine we could create.

We spent Saturday afternoon walking around in the abundant sunshine flooding Philadelphia. We stopped by The Garces Trading Company, a new market/restaurant by Iron Chef Jose Garces. We picked up some cherry fig marmalade, cheese, jamon serrano, and some delightful raspberry lime macaroons (my choice!). I highly recommend any of the Garces restaurants for any fellow Philadelphians or those of you thinking of visiting--you won't be disappointed.

This was a perfect day spent with the perfect person in a great city.