Carnation Mobile

The days are drawing closer to my late May wedding, and I feel like with every turn I have some new idea for how I'd like our "big day" styled.

Our ceremony and reception will be held completely outside, surrounded by a lovely suburban historical park, which means that I'll have the benefit of not having to work too hard to make it look springy, casual, and natural.

While I have a lot of the details already worked out, I came across the idea for a carnation mobile centerpiece that I just adore. By who?  None other than Martha Stewart, of course.

Check it out:

How pretty!

Who wouldn't want a cascade of rich blooms greeting your party guests?

Having the floral centerpiece hanging, rather than on the table, leaves open room for all the delicious food that will be served.

Thinking of trying your hand at this? 

All you'll need are the inexpensive supplies below.

(both via Martha Stewart)

I'm even tempted to recreate this with more permanent options (i.e., dried straw flowers or even vintage millinery flowers, which I'm obsessed with lately.)

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Um, Okay, Fedex...

A funny thing happened to me on Sunday. 

I've been expecting an item that I ordered from The Foundary for awhile, but haven't been home to its accept delivery. While trying to request it be held at a nearby Fedex location, I was told by the anonymous operator that my package could not be delivered to the Fedex pick-up location because it contained...ready for this?

...Hazardous materials.

What, you ask, did I buy?

Guns?

A car battery? 

Opium?

Aerosol cans?

No, this:

(via Dash and Albert)

Looks pretty dangerous, huh?

Fedex, I'm convinced you are dumb, as is the person who mis-labeled the rug while prepping it for shipment.

I want my rug, people! 

Some New Additions to the Apartment

There's been a few additions to my apartment recently that I've been very anxious to share with you all, and here they are!

I picked up a throw pillow from Chairloom this weekend, made from Katie Ridder's "Seaweed" print in cobalt.  My den loveseat has been desperate for another print to break up the solid charcoal linen of it and the abundant Premier Prints "Togo" dots:

Up close:

I'm completely in love with the throw pillow. It's gorgeous and ties things together nicely.

Also on my apartment's lower level: our kitchen. Last fall, I shared with you the start of my collection of cream planters that will have an important role in my wedding reception. I combined about twenty and put them proudly on display in two deep-set basement windows in our kitchen. 

Here's a glimpse of the collection above my kitchen sink:

A few weeks back, I also mentioned that I dropped off a pair of marble lamps (snagged on Ebay!) to be rewired. Well, they are back now. I'm pretty sure they are happy with their new home on the reworked sideboard. 

I love the romantic light they give off. 

Traveling upstairs to the main level of my apartment, we head to the living room.  We finally got around to hanging our Joan Miro lithograph (combined with my Wayne Pate "Urns" print for effect).

Isn't it funny how small changes, often with things lying around, can make such a large impact?

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

TGIF, 3/4/11 Edition

 It's Friday, friends! 

It's time to recharge my batteries and I can't wait. The few bunches of sunny daffodils from the supermarket already revived me, making me terribly excited that spring is really, actually, truly coming!

What's on tap for us this weekend? Aside from an annual bowling event that benefits a charity started in Adam's cousin's memory, I'll be dropping off two pieces of furniture for the fabulous Molly of Chairloom to work her magic on.

For one, my Golden Girls-esque x-bench will be reimagined in crisp blue canvas:

The second piece she'll revive is my den side chair, with legs still-to-be-amputated (for more, see here).

Speaking of Molly Andrews and Chairloom, have you checked out her feature in Whole Living? Here are just a few fun photos, but be sure to check out the article for more about Molly and her thoughtful take on renewing once-tired antique upholstered pieces.

Congratulations to Molly for all the well-deserved attention!

(via Whole Living)

Happy weekend, blog readers!

The Ones That Got Away

(via Ebay)

I'm such an idiot. 

I add items to my Ebay "Watch List" with the intention of bidding at the last minute and getting something fab for a steal. Between you, me and the blogosphere, it usually works, too.

Except for last night, when I managed to miss out on this set of 4 vintage Vera melamine trays.

As if missing them wasn't enough, they sold for only $13.49. 

Salt on the wound.

Hey, person out there who won these: 

I'm sure you're awesome and super-cool, but I want these trays more than you do.

Gone Country

(via Country Living)

This room and the whole house tour, which appear in the latest issue of Country Living have me questioning my stance that the magazine is only ho-hum. Lately, I've been thoroughly impressed with their editorial content.

I mean, what's not to like?

We've got a collection of silhouettes, a beautiful architectural detail like a transom, a graphic rug...I could go on. Turns out, the magazine's title is a bit of a misnomer. It's style resonates with city-living gals like me--go figure. I'm even contemplating a subscription. Talk about commitment!

What's your take on Country Living? Are you a convert?

Somewhere Out There...

Does anyone else get incredibly frustrated when you discover some wonderful piece of furniture or some other item that would be a great addition to your home, only to find out it's either sold out or discontinued? 

Well, welcome to my nightmare...

I stumbled upon Gump's Dynasty Chairs, shown above, last week after Caitlin Creer shared this awesome fretwork chair from Gump's:

(via Gump's)

As awesome as this red [still available] chair is, I was beyond awestruck with the Dynasty Chairs when I saw them. 

But, alas, it was not meant to be. 

The kindly Gump's representative informed me that the chairs are no longer available. Despite the bad news, I remain hopeful that someday our paths will cross again.