What Good Shall I Do This Day? (and Everyday)

Well, I guess I took a little blog break there, huh? 

It was mostly unintentional, I swear, but lots has transpired since my last post and I can't wait to fill you all in shortly. Here's some of what has happened:

-families were visited

-prime rib was consumed

-an auction was attended

-a snow fall was seen

-gifts were exchanged, including the Best Co. enamel sign above.

Isn't the sign a perfect reminder for today and everyday, for that matter? 

2013 is just around the bend, and while we usually greet a new year with renewed purpose and drive; but I wanted this little sign (taken from one of Ben Franklin's notebooks) to remind me on a daily basis to live with intention. We can all use those kinds of reminders, right?

On that note, I wish you a very Happy New Year, dear readers. 

'Til next year.

There Are No Words

(via Getty Images)

In light of Friday's tragic events in Newtown, it seems impossible to muster excitement for the impending holiday. Instead, my heart is heavy for the families now mourning the loss of their children, an absence that reminds the adults in our society that the youngest among us are owed more. Safety, innocence, education, happiness and peace--all of these should have been guaranteed for the children at Sandy Hook Elementary School but were not. 

Now more than ever, we are reminded that children are a treasure we as adults must protect, nurture, and be thankful for. We must decide to create a world with more peace, more good will, for all the children--especially those who died on Friday--who deserved more than this. 

Home for the Holidays {My Home in Pictures}

Something about Christmas puts me into fully nesting mode. I adore all of the bits and bobs that come with the season, including the lights, the evergreens, the ribbons and garlands. Rather than ramble on about my love affair with the holidays, why don't I just show you how I've brought a jolly spirit into our apartment? As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Christmas Craft #5: Birch Tree Food Banners

As a last minute craft, I whipped together a quick touch to add to the table at Saturday's holiday party--a set of birch tree food banners. I felt really drawn to traditional woodland-inspired themes this season, and these tiny little trees make me long even more for a white Christmas.

Christmas Craft #4: Washi Tape + Metallic Dot Garlands

For the better part of a year, prime real estate on my living room wall has been empty while I hunt for a great piece of art for the area. But, I couldn't allow the holiday season to roll by without addressing the blank space in a festive, seasonal way.

Christmas Craft #3: Glittered Apple & Pear Ornaments

Last week, when my husband and I were decorating our Christmas tree, Adam looked at these glittered fruit ornaments and asked me, "Where did you get these?" He thought I bought them! What a compliment.

Christmas Craft #2: Holiday Clip-Art Cocktail Napkins

My husband and I host an annual holiday celebration at our apartment and each year, I try to concoct new and special touches for the event. Today, I'll show how I created a set of cocktail napkins with a vintage festive feel that our guests can enjoy while we eat, drink and be merry!

Christmas Craft #1: Vintage Wooden Ornament Wreaths

Happy Monday, everyone! 

I'm so glad it's finally December. I love decorating for Christmas and will have lots of seasonal projects to share this month. Today, my first Christmas craft of the season!

During the summer, I found several bags of vintage wooden Christmas ornaments at a thrift store for $1. I'm probably the only person who thinks about the holidays in August, so I couldn't leave the store without them. What did the ornaments become? A trio of fun, cheery wreaths!

Let it Glow, Let it Glow, Let it Glow!

(via my Instagram)

This week I've been a little slow at breaking out the Christmas decorations, but I did add a small, but effective holiday touch to my home already. I wrapped a large Amish-made iron star that I have in a set of glowing lights. Just an accent, the beaming star put me right in the holiday spirit.
Now I'm ready to dive headfirst into decorating this weekend...Christmas tree and all. 

My lit-up star is a nod to this wreath, covered in multi-colored retro lights:

(via Real Simple)

When I plug in the lights on my star, I get a little song in my heart: 

"Let it glow, let it glow, let it glow."

Be sure to visit Meet Me in Philadelphia on Monday because I'm sharing my first Christmas craft of the season (and many more to follow!). Happy weekend, friends!

Festive Holiday Plants and Flowers

Though harvest time is over and outdoor plantings have started their long winter sleep, our homes can still show signs of nature deep into the season. Sure, we bring all sorts of coniferous plants inside during the month of December, but there are several types of flowering plants that add a punch of color to our homes during the holidays. 

Giving the Gift of Art (Florals & Landscapes)

We're now in the midst of holiday shopping season, aren't we? It's easy to pick up a gift card or another non-specific item, but when you want to give someone on your shopping list a really special gift, I suggest going with a piece of art. Of course, buying art for someone in your life requires some knowledge of their style and preferences...but that's why floral pieces with a floral or landscape subject work for most people. 

A Thanksgiving Jaunt to Maine

Last week was a quiet one here on Meet Me in Philadelphia because Adam and I headed out on Tuesday to make our way to Connecticut to meet up with my parents and then on to Maine to all spend Thanksgiving together with my extended family there. During our trek up north, we stopped in Kittery, Maine to enjoy our usual before-Thanksgiving feast at Bob's Clam Hut.

Sharing Our Blessings at Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving holiday is one day a year that we as a nation intentionally and consciously stop fretting over  the busyness at work or worrying about the newness of our smart phones and, instead, we count our blessings. One blessing that I admit to often overlooking is having access to enough nutritious food to sustain me; but this time of year it's more important than ever to remember that millions of Americans (1 in 6, in fact) do not have enough to eat.

Under-the-Stairs Built-in Storage Revealed!

Just in time for Thanksgiving, I'm happy to reveal our new under-the-staircase built-in storage!

If I Knew Then What I Know Now: Real Estate Edition

You'd have to be living under a rock over the last decade not to have seen the bevy of house-buying shows on HGTV. I, for one, started watching "House Hunters" when I was in high school and I remember at the time thinking, "Huh, these people are really particular" or "Can't they see the potential here? It's just the owner's furniture that they dislike" or "Why are they going with the house that's at the very top of their price range?" Many more shows have aired about the house-buying process, but the more I see the more I feel like it's all a bunch of noise. 

So, today I'm turning to you all:

Vintage Floral Painting...Now, New and Improved!

This week has gotten away from me but before it does, I wanted to share a picture of the newly spiffed-up vintage floral painting that I bought while I was in New Jersey a few weeks ago. The frame was pretty nicked, so I applied a generous coat of liquid gold leaf as an accent. The original matting was haggard and yellowed and the pretty acrylic painting deserved something better, so I sprung for a new white mat.

Old art like this, unearthed from an antique shop, makes me a little wistful. It makes me daydream about the person who painted it or the person who admired it long before it was my turn to do so. I bet he or she loved it as much as I will.

Boring Baskets Be Gone: My Basket Makeover

Yesterday, we chatted about the unique treatments that can enhance a plain and simple basket. I teased that I had completed my own basket transformation and, now, here it is!

My 50¢ thrift store basket, despite its humble origins, became an understated plaster cachepot that could have easily been purchased at an antique shop. I'm in love and that's all there is to it.

Banish the Boring Baskets

Let's all be honest for a minute, folks: 

Up until recently we all thought wicker and rattan baskets were a little granny, am I right? It turns out, there are a lot of fun ways to incorporate spiffed-up baskets in your home without the results screaming 'geriatric'.

Distracted

*Update*: My father's procedure on Thursday went well and he is resting at home, getting his energy back. Thank you all for your incredibly kind comments! I am so grateful.

(Dad in his Army days; if you've ever seen me, you'll recognize that we look a lot alike)

Hi friends. I don't have a "real" post for you all today because, honestly, I've been very distracted lately. My father has been experiencing a lot physical problems related to his diabetes for the better part of a month. For a man who has worked steadily every weekday and many, many weekends, he has been relegated to bed in the hospital and at home. Today my father is going back into the hospital for another procedure, and his health is occupying my thoughts today.

I reference my parents often on the blog because much--if not the majority--of who and what I am can be attributed to who they are, so I hope you can understand why I'm having a hard time focusing on projects and the like. 

Any positive thoughts, prayers and well-wishes you can spare lately would be so appreciated.

Give me some time and I'll be with you once my head is back in the right place.

If You Could Pick Any Style of House...

...what would it be?

Do you ever find yourself getting lost in thought over your dream house?

You can still love your present home but still get excited over the possibilities of a dream home.

I was just perusing This Old House and found myself down the rabbit hole of American house styles, wondering which style I'd declare to be my favorite.

A Home Fit For a Philadelphia Princess

Philadelphia is filled corner to corner with landmarks and, just recently, another was marked at this gracious home in the East Falls neighborhood of the city. Aside from its beautiful architecture, this home at 3901 Henry Avenue is better known for its connection to royalty as the childhood home of Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco.

My Week Thus Far

It may seem strange to title this post "my week thus far" since the week is nearly over; but all week I've been on assignment: taking care of my 4-year old niece near Fort Dix, New Jersey. Staying somewhere else, even if it is only an hour from Philadelphia, calls for some exploring, right?

A New Design Crush: Meg Lonergan of LeSueur Interiors

This weekend, I was flipping through the November issue of Better Homes and Gardens when I discovered a new-to-me interior designer that, if you don't already know, you should know: Meg Lonergan of LeSueur Interiors. A self-described believer in "floor to ceiling bookshelves, anything with a monogram, and tomato red, olive green, navy blue, turquoise, mustard yellow, and eggplant," this designer is a Southern lady with global tastes. Lonergan shares her inspiration on her blog, LeSueur Interiors Blog, and I've already pored over the older posts.

To Replace or Not to Replace? That is the Question

In the life of every renter, there comes a time when she asks herself that all-important question, "Do I replace this or live with it?" That time for me, my dear readers, is now.

Through the Waves

On the eve of another autumn weekend, readers, I wanted to thank you all for the overwhelmingly kind comments to my posts this week. I love reading your perspectives and, to new followers, welcome! But, I also wanted to take this opportunity to be honest, lay it out on the line, and reveal a bit more about me.

Quick Change: Painting the Stairs

 In the next few weeks, I plan on employing my husband and father-in-law (perhaps this is news to them!) on another permanent renovation to our rental apartment: installing built-in storage under the stairs in our apartment. Our landlord gave his permission for this project, and I know it will add a lot of value to our place.

Final Shots of My Guest Bedroom

Tomorrow I promise I'll talk about something besides my guest bedroom, but today I've got a few more shots of the room before I change subjects. I feel an odd sense of pride about the current state of this room because it has a lot of DIYs in it that work together to create a welcoming spot for family and other visitors.

My Guest Bedroom: Tortoise Bedside Tables

Today, I wanted to continue chatting about my guest bedroom, specifically a bit about the nightstands I found for it. But first, I wanted to thank everyone for your lovely comments on the new built-in shelving in the guest bedroom. You all know how to make a gal feel good!

Big Before & After: My Guest Bedroom

Over the summer, I shared my intention of making some permanent changes to our rental, all of which were permitted by our landlord. Today, I'm happy to report that my guest bedroom is happily redecorated, thanks in no small part to new shelves that my husband and I built!

Thursday's Treasure Hunting

Yesterday, I left the house bright and early to explore a consignment shop in a suburb north of the city to track down an item I saw on Craigslist. It turns out, I walked away with several things, including the large vintage trunk above (the piece I went to the shop for!). I'm so pleased with my findings that I had to share them before we all headed into the weekend.

New Textile Obsession: Gypsya

(1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5)

If you've been reading this blog for any time, you may recognize that I love all kinds of textiles...especially when they are printed and aren't ubiquitous. Yesterday, I stumbled upon Gypsya, a shop on Etsy that specializes in "handmade treasures" that are surprisingly affordable and one-of-a-kind.

Where Does Your Style Come From?

Have you ever wondered where your design preferences come from? I have.

I wonder: is style inherent to each person or is it nurtured over a lifetime? 

I've been thinking recently about how my style and design preferences have shifted over time, specifically from the sleek and clean lines of mid-century modern to, now, a more comfortable, mixture of patterns, eras,  and colors...but with an emphasis on imperfect finishes and patina.

A Pumpkin-filled Weekend

My husband Adam and I had a very productive weekend, which included everything from shelf building to socializing to pumpkin picking. On Saturday afternoon, we headed out of the city to Linvilla Orchards in a nearby suburb to enjoy a little bit of autumn and a lot of fall produce.

Pretty, Painted Tablecloth DIY

I felt inspired recently to create my own tablecloth for my kitchen table after I'd looked awhile for one that captured my eye. The project was quick and the supplies were quite affordable, so why not try one yourself?

A Collection of Pottery

Since last week, I have been a busy little bee deconstructing and now replacing built-in shelving in my guest bedroom. I'm really excited to share this project in a week or two, once the shelves are painted and styled. The shelves will display a collection of vintage cream vases and planters (many are McCoy) that I gathered for the tables at our wedding. This collection holds a special spot in my heart and, as such, it deserves a place of honor in our home.

Collections of anything, pottery or otherwise, are most impactful when they are grouped together rather than dispersed throughout a space. I found a number of beautiful images of pottery collections that got my wheels turning for my own display. 

(via Flickr)

Designer Camels

I spent four years at a small liberal arts college in New England. The stone dorms, extensive greenery, intelligent classmates, and top-notch education at Connecticut College made for a great place to grow and learn, even if our mascot was a silly camel (seriously). I majored in English and also received my certification to teach, all while taking advantage of a spectrum of classes that made up a quality liberal arts education.

As it turns out, Connecticut College also proved to be a perfect place to cultivate several talents in the world of design. Today, I'll highlight just a few, but there are many more out there and many more still to come, no doubt.

New Bright White Lamp

Last week, I stopped by Ikea while Mom was around. I was a woman on a mission while there, because I knew I couldn't leave without taking home the new Tisdag work lamp to add a bit more extra bright white feeling to the top of my entry chest.

I'm sinply crazy about it.

I've been very busy all week continuing projects for my guest bedroom (say goodbye to these ugly shelves!), so I'm looking forward to some time with my husband this weekend.

'Til Monday, dear readers.

My Cheapo Mirror Gets Gilded

My posts this week have been dedicated to projects accomplished during Mom's visit last week--all of which enhanced my guest bedroom. Today's project didn't happen while Mom was around, but if you ask me it does improve the guest room quite a bit!

I picked up the old rounded mirror (below) from the local Habitat for Humanity Restore for $2 sometime during 2011 for the desk in my guest bedroom. The shape and the worn silvering of the mirror really spoke to me. That kind of age you just can't find on a new piece.

Changing Up the Curtains in the Guest Room

In an effort to save myself an bucket of cash, I created a copycat version of the "Toorie" curtains from Anthropologie for our guest bedroom last year. Trimmed in cheery red pompoms, the panels felt very "me" but I had a revelation about my guest bedroom recently--I wanted to remove some of the red accents. 

Gasp! I know, I know. 

Who am I?

I consulted with Mom, who has a great eye, and together we agreed that the addition of 1/4" black bias trim would add a refined look to the simple linen curtains. I also swapped out the white roman shades that hung in the small windows for these bamboo shades from Overstock. The bamboo shades now work with the mottled colors in the large jute rug. 

Notice that large mirror on the desk?

Check back tomorrow to see how it's been gussied up!

A Pair of Tasseled Pillows

Ready for another sewing project from the "Week of Mom"?

She and I worked together to create 2 new accent pillows for the bed in my guest room, made from fabric I purchased while in Copenhagen.

After constructing 2 12" x 16" pillows from this fabric, Mom and I added a pair of black and olive yarn tassels to each corner of the pillows. The tassels brought some much-needed contrast to the bed while also tying in black and olive green accents from the Lulu DK fabric headboard.

Tassels are pretty simple to make but, first, here's what I needed to make them:

1) a skein of yarn (I used Lion's Brand acrylic yarn in black and olive)

2) scissors

Want to see how to make a tassel in 5 easy steps?

 Now that the tassels are complete, take the extra yarn at the top of the tassel and use a large embroidery needle to sew it through to the inside corner of the pillow. Knot the extra yarn several times inside the pillow.

And, like that, the project was complete!

The dash of color at each corner make the pillows feel extra special, don't they?

I like that the pattern reminds me of our trip to Denmark and the tassels reminds me of spending time creating things with Mom. Talk about a one-of-a-kind accent.