{try it tuesday: simple spring centerpieces }

I love these simple {and budget friendly} Spring centerpiece ideas found via Country Living.

Gather a mix of some inexpensive blooms from the grocery store or your local Farmer's Market

Repurpose vintage bottles, jars, and ceramics to create mini bouquets

Recycle soup and coffee cans. Then, paint them with leftover paint or sample cans from the hardware store to create a casual and cheerful centerpiece

I did something very similar to this by using flower patterned tumblers I purchased on sale at Anthropologie to create small arrangements for each guest' place setting {very inexpensively}. 

What is your favorite Spring flower? Do you have a unique way you like to display flowers in your home? I'd love to to hear about it!

All images via Country Living.

{ la la lovely...}

I've been admiring the amazing talent of Laurie Cinotto {aka La La Laurie} since recently discovering her weekly DIY series on Once Wed. I couldn't believe it when I opened Flutter's latest email announcing their trunk show coming up this weekend, featuring none other than La La Laurie. Her fanciful Spring collection of boutonnieres, corsages, and bouquets will be showcased and available for purchase.

Hand crafted using imported ribbons and papers, buttons, and vintage notions, the corsages and boutonnieres are designed for everyday wear and the bouquets are perfect to adorn a special spot in your home. Aren't they incredible? If you're lucky enough to live close to Portland, contact the fabulous ladies of Flutter for more details on this weekend's trunk show.

Quick Links:

Laurie Cinotto art + craft blog 

La La Laurie etsy shop

Flutter 

Welcome back on this lovely Monday morning. I hope you're all feeling rested and rejuvenated from the weekend.

{ the little moments...}

This morning...

Little One {gazing out the window}: Mama?

Me: Yes?

Little One: Do you think there's an adventure waiting outside for me?

Me {melting}: Absolutely!

Little One: Hmmmm....it's just not coming to me yet.

Do you blame me for loving her just a little bit more today?

What unexpected  adventures await you this weekend? May they all be happy ones!

{image by those lovely photo girls at Whitebox Kids}

{ thursday thoughts...}

The Kissing Checklist limited edition letterpress print

{ psst...}

Hey lovelies...Barb invited me to hang out out over at Knack today. I'd love for you to stop by and take a look at the little DIY project she inspired.

( a few of my favorite {spring} things... }

{inspired by your comments on this post}

Sources:

01. Apple Blossoms ~ Wren and Chickadee  .02 Vintage pleated purse ~ hello me

03. Hello Spring ~ Cathy Nichols  .04 Old Town ~ Alicia Bock

05. Cherry Blossom Girl headband ~ lou and lee  .06 Tuileres linen dress ~ Tortilla Girl

.07 Ring around the posy necklace ~ Blue Moss  .08 little birdie ~ emilie friday

{ giveaway winner! }

It's time to announce the winner of The Flourish Collection's Springtime Mix of Labels...

Congratulations Melanie! I will contact you shortly to gather your address information. Thank you again to everyone who participated--I loved reading your responses. xo ~suzanne

{ makeover monday: diy love }

I'm all about DIY makeovers these days. Frankly, it's the only type of makeover that currently fits the budget and I find it oh-so rewarding to tackle and complete a project on my own, which is why I was instantly smitten with Kasey's recent DIY project. Her approach to this piece was so fun & clever, I couldn't resist sharing it with you on Makeover Monday.

The original piece was given to her by a friend. It was not painted and the two side doors were in poor condition. Kasey started by repainting the piece in a swedish gray. 

 

She then replaced the knobs with some from her shop and found two colorful kitchen towels from Anthropologie, which she used to create no-sew curtains that replaced the two worn doors--such a clever and creative girl!

The result? Wow!

Full details and more photos of the makeover are available on Kasey's lovely blog, Lola B's.

Did you all have a lovely first weekend of Spring? Hope so! 

P.S. Last week's giveaway winner will be announced later this afternoon.

{ i want to ride my bicycle }

Yay...it's Friday and the first weekend of Spring! What could be better? One of the things I most look forward to about Spring is ditching my car and instead, riding my bike. Last night, one of my twitter friends tipped me off to this amazing site and I instantly fell head over in heels in love.  It's been described as the Sartorialist on two wheels.

I'm inspired to find my inner cycle chic, aren't you? Our city just approved Sac City Streets--an event scheduled the first Sunday of each month--that allows for the soft closure of some downtown streets {to cars} to make it more bike and pedestrian friendly. Do any of you have a similar program where you live? I'm anxious to see it in action.

I'm off now to enjoy the beautiful Spring weather that has already arrived here. I hope each of you can experience a bit of Spring in your little corner of the world this weekend. Thank you to all who commented and participated in yesterday's giveaway post--I loved reading your responses about Spring and am thrilled to have *met* some lovely new efriends. If you haven't yet participated, it's not too late! The giveaway is open through Saturday, 3/21. Don't be shy... we're friendly around here--I promise-- and I'd love to hear about your favorite Spring pleasures.

Happy, happy Friday!

Quick links:

all images courtesy of  Copenhagen Style Chic

{ thursday thoughts...}

For many, it's been a downer of a winter--especially with the dismal economic news that continues to bombard us daily. I'm ready to move on, aren't you? I spotted this cheerful print via Chelsea and thought it was perfect for today's Thursday Thoughts. 

Onward & Upward...the perfect way to kick off Spring in a couple of days.

Print available via SeeSaw Designs.

image via Chelsea

{ come out and play: it's Giveaway Time! }

You might remember this post in which I featured some adorable label picks, including a few styles from The Flourish Collection. Well, after the post ran, lovely Kristine from The Flourish Collection contacted me and after chatting back and forth for a bit, we thought it would be fun to do a reader giveaway to celebrate the start of Spring and the launch of their new product, The Springtime Label Mix. I've had a sneak peek and the labels are fabulous! The ribbon wrapped tin includes a mix of 40 rectangular labels in various colors and styles {see below} and is perfect to give as a hostess, birthday, or Mother's Day gift {or a treat to yourself}.

Here's how to enter for your chance to win the Springtime Label Mix:

01. Leave a comment and tell me your favorite thing about Spring, OR 

      include a link to your favorite place to go to for inspiration.

02. Include your first name AND last initial and a way for me to contact you 

      {a link to your email, or your email address}

The contest will close at midnight on Saturday, March 21st. I'll be selecting a winner at random and on Monday {3/23}, I will announce it here. Thanks for playing and a huge thanks to The Flourish Collection for their generosity.

Good Luck!

Psst: 

Be sure to check out The Flourish Collection's online boutique. All orders placed in March 

will receive free shipping.

{ i love you too Makool }

I've always been a sucker for well designed packaging. This is nothing revolutionary--I'm certain many of you can relate. It almost doesn't matter what the actual product is, if packaged well, I'm sold. As I do more and more of my shopping online, I realize that beautiful, well styled photography is the new packaging. I'm like a junkie...the first photo lures me in and before I know it, I can't stop myself from clicking away. 

Online boutique, Makool Loves You, had me the second I saw those handle bars and the bike basket. All of a sudden I don't want to ride my bike again unless I'm wearing their irresistibly stylish barquentine skirt. 

And now I find myself fantasizing about dashing to the Farmer's Market with my eco friendly, and uber stylish shopping bag. A bit chilly? Sweatshirts will not longer do. No, no, no...I must wrap myself in Makool's perfect Ketchup coat.

With a name like Fairweather and an irresistible cowl neck detail and oversized buttons and pockets, how can one not be smitten with this shirt? I can't figure out what that darling little box is behind the model, I just know I love it!

There's no doubt...Makool is beyond cool and I want to live the Makool Loves You lifestyle. The fact that this small clothing label was started by a talented, newly married couple based in Portland Oregon only adds to the allure. 

Check out their well edited shop for yourself and be sure to pop over to their lovely blog, which I found to be just as tantalizing. 

Good News for all of you Portlanders...Makool Loves You is in the midst of construction on their new retail location in Southeast Portland. They're targeting an early Summer opening. { Just one more reason for the rest of us to be envious that we don't live in your fair city. }

Quick links:

Makool Loves You shop

Makool Loves You blog 

found via SeeSaw Designs

Coming up Thursday on S.HOPtalk: Thursday Thoughts and a fun reader giveaway--

don't miss it! 

{ tempting me today... }

Talented artist Fiona Richards, has extended her knack for creating beautifully intricate cards to design these fabulous, environmentally friendly notebooks.  Part of her Cartolina line of paper goods, they're perfect for note taking, doodling, jotting down your to-do list or your recording your deepest secrets...and so much prettier than the back of a crumpled up receipt.

Quick Links:
Shop

Cartolina Blog

{ dreaming of a makeover monday }

Last night, while visiting Shannon's lovely site, I clicked on the Modern Country link in her side bar and soon found myself immersed in a sea of white.  There's something about the clean simplicity of white that I find quite soothing and relaxing. It also doesn't hurt that these talented ladies know how to do white right...

These charming wreaths popped up frequently in my virtual travels. Does anyone know the story behind these?

What a dreamy hint of blue

images above via biskopsgarden

There's that blue again--

natural elements, touches of greenery, & weathered metals add texture and interest

{3 images above via min lilla veranda}

image above via biskopsgarden

Is it any wonder why I want to snag a few buckets of white paint and makeover my entire house this morning? *sigh*

Happy Monday everyone. It's great to be back here starting a fresh week with all of you. I hope you had a relaxing and rejuvenating weekend. I look forward to sharing the week ahead with you, which will include S.HOPtalk's first ever reader giveaway. Stay tuned...

{ friday finds: amy olsen handcrafted jewelry

I've had Amy Olsen's stunning, handcrafted jewelry line bookmarked for sometime now. I love the mix of elements she uses in her pieces--delicate gemstones, vintage notions, and precious metals--and her product photography and styling is incredible. When I stopped by her shop last night, I noticed she had just released her new Spring collection.

Isn't it dreamy? To celebrate the new collection and the start of Spring, Amy is offering 10% off anything that is not already featured in her sale section. {There are some amazing pieces in the sale section, so be sure to check that out as well}.

Quick links:

Amy's shop

Amy's flickr

{ time out }

I could definitely...

...get used to...

...spending more time...

...outside

Pretty blossoms discovered during my new Wednesday walk ritual. Images preserved  here.

{ thursday thoughts...}

{Amen!}

Spotted on PaperSchmaper; available here

{ spring forward }

It was beautiful outside yesterday afternoon, so beautiful that I took a little rendezvous to the backyard and started some early Spring cleaning. Before I knew it, pulling a few weeds turned into two hours of laborious yard work. With my flower beds all ready for new pretties to arrive, I find myself daydreaming of outdoor Spring gatherings...oh, and fresh accoutrements for our patio. These favorites from VivaTerra would be perfect!

Details:

flowered enamel picnicware 

   {the cups would look adorable filled with your favorite blooms}

organic meyer lemon tree

pedestal beverage dispenser

garden message 

   {crafted of repurposed soda & soup can metal...& saved from going to landfills}

What are you most looking forward to about Spring?

{ a few things... }

recently spotted and saved to my faves...

Sources:

blue & pink pouch ~ DrikaB

petit bird print ~ aliette

house rules ~ oh-so-clever Marichelle {you have to check out each of the house rules}

vintage hair pins ~ ohhellofriend {a perfect adornment to add a touch of Spring to your outfit}

Have you spotted a new favorite this week? I'd love to see it...leave me a link.

{ monday morning blues... }

It's Monday and I'm feeling blue { in the best kind of way }...

the always lovely lobster & swan

flickr fave tiny muffins

better homes & gardens

spring blossoms ~ abby try again

Joules {via lobster & swan}

as seen on design is mine

Etsabild AB/Pernilla Hed

Even the skies were blue when I awoke this morning...don't you love  it when your day starts like that? What did you do this weekend? Our days were a mix of planned events and chill time. We also added a new member to the family--a winter white hamster. I wouldn't have believed that a 1 x 2" ball of fur could elicit so much joy, but little one is seriously over the moon about this little critter...her smiles and hugs of appreciation have me over the moon. I hope the start of your week is every bit as blissful.