{ blog it forward: what inspires me? }

Today, I am thrilled to be participating in the Blog-it-Forward event. For those of you not already familiar with it, the lovely Victoria from SFGirl has coordinated over 300 bloggers to participate in a progressive blogging party of sorts in which we all share what inspires us personally. The idea is that readers will discover new and inspiring blogs along the way {I've already added many new favorites to my list}. So, without further adieu, I'd like to share but a few of the many things that inspire me...

Homes that tell a story

Family mementos, treasured collections and pieces with a past....my kind of dream home.

image via lola b

image via lola b

image via joanna goddard

image via from me to you

Creating Memories

Road trips, days at the beach, and new discoveries...if forced to choose, I'd pick shared experiences over things any day of the week.

Outdoor Cafes

Whiling away the hours at an outdoor cafe is about as good as it gets. Those I experienced in Paris are my favorites, but just about any one will do.

image via From Me To You

image via little brown pen

and of course...the thrill of the hunt

{ a few of my favorite finds }

Click here to follow the Blog It Forward schedule and be sure to check out the other nine bloggers also participating today:

~ nectar & light

~ angiegoboom
~ cafe cartolina
~ pois rouge
~ design fixation
~ her sunday dress
~ the baker's daughter
~ lilac & ivy
~ victoria klein

Psst...don't miss Shutterly Lovely's blog-it-forward post tomorrow.

image sources: all images were taken by me unless otherwise noted.

{ feeling blue...and white }

A few sunny, 70 degree days this week tricked me into thinking Spring had arrived. Alas, this morning's clouds + rain forecasted for the weekend snapped me right back to the reality that indeed, we have another month of winter. So, I decided to create my own sunshine with one of my favorite color combinations: blue + white....add a dash of polka dots, stripes, and checks for an early dose of Spring.

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Cheers to a great weekend!

{ something old, something new: save the date handkerchiefs }

I adore these hand-printed "Save the Date" handkerchiefs. What a wonderful keepsake!

Is it too early for me to start an inspiration file for Bella's wedding?

spotted on this super duper cool blog

{ happy, happy friday }

Are you as excited as I am that it's finally Friday? I thought I'd share some inspiration from Amy Butler's gorgeous portfolio of lifestyle photos that I just discovered today thanks to Victoria*. Amy's wonderful captures and cheerful prints + colors make me oh-so-happy--a great way to kick off the weekend. Wishing you all a restful and rejuvenating couple of days! xo

P.S. If you haven't already, you must go see sfgirlbybay's favorite things as featured today on craftzine.

{ interior inspiration: johnér }

Oodles and oodles of inspiration found on the Johnér site. 

I love the fresh, relaxed design approach captured in these images.

{ love at first sight: handmade felt wedding bouquets }

Last evening, a friend of mine sent me the sweetest email tip for a S.HOPtalk blog post. She alerted me to her friend's recent wedding and the incredible handmade details that went into it, including the wedding bouquets which were all handmade--by the bride--with felt, vintage buttons, broaches, and special family mementos. I literally got goose bumps upon seeing the photos and the detailing that went into each of these little masterpieces. They are currently being featured on the Martha Stewart Weddings website--here and here--as part of a DIY craft contest being hosted in partnership with Etsy. I couldn't resist adding my comments of support and 5 star rating--I invite you to do the same.

As you might imagine with such a talented, creative bride, no wedding detail went unnoticed. Tune in here tomorrow as I share more of her custom wedding details including, her delicious cupcake table, guest silhouettes, and bird cage floral centerpieces...not to be missed!

Thank you Lesley for the tip. All images courtesy of He & She Photography and Micah Dahlberg Photography

{ thursday thoughts }

twenty lovely things to do* by dazey chic

{ in case you were wondering... }

this is my idea of heaven on earth--

You simply must read the story behind this little lakeside gem, 

located {now} in Sugar Creek, Wisconsin.

P.S. Note the radio in the third photo. 

{found here}

{ cheers to journaling }

image via Tom Schopper Photography

Happy Monday friends. Did you all have a lovely weekend? Mine was the perfect combination of fun and catching up on some to-dos around the house. Saturday evening I went to a tapas party and had the most amazing peach Sangria. It's so refreshing on a warm Summer evening--I must recommend it if you're hosting a little soiree of your own this Summer. 

Today it's back to planning some fun, Summer kiddo activities. My daughter took quite a liking to the weekly journaling she did in class this school year so, I thought it might be fun for both of us to keep a journal and chronicle our adventures over the Summer. After seeing Pam Garrison's awe inspiring work, I am completely smitten with the idea.

Pam's blog led me to Geninne's journals...

You can see more of Geninne's art jouranls here.

Fun, right? I don't expect ours to be nearly as cool but, I love this free flow, coloring outside the lines approach to journaling and I think my little one will too { + it's a really good excuse to look for cool notions that we can incorporate into our books }. How about you...have you ever or do you currentlly keep a journal? 

{ try it: cupcake liner garlands }

image via Petunia

You have probably figured out that this week's "Try It Tuesday" was, in fact, delayed until today. I considered skipping it and saving it for next week, but I simply couldn't wait to share this clever DIY idea with you.

All you need to create these charming garlands--spotted here and here--are cupcake liners, thread, and a needle.

image via happy: blissful

shops like layer cake shop & bake it pretty

offer adorable liners & endless possibilities for your project

something fun to add to your summer celebrations!

{ delish }

I tried to resist, but I simply couldn't. I know it's been featured just about everywhere in blogland, but I am totally and completely obsessed with the new blog, Sunday Suppers and just had to share it in case ANYone has missed it. The photography in itself makes the site quite decadent--the fact it's coupled with shots of the most gorgeous, fresh flowers and scrumptious recipes to try at home makes it...irresistible. I can't wait to try this one in particular.

When you have a moment, get your taste buds over to Sunday Suppers and check it out. 

{spreading the mom love... }

I recently collaborated on this amazing project with the founders of Mom Faves for their Why Moms Matter project and am so, sooooo excited to share it with you today {finally!}.

In celebration of Mother's Day, we asked photographers to capture and share their interpretations of motherhood and the little everyday things moms do that ultimately have a strong presence in our life. The submissions were incredible--from those, we selected a couple dozen to create a brief video to honor and celebrate moms. Look closely and you'll see photos from some of our favorite e-friends. Thank you Nichole, Mrs. French, Cindy, and Helen...I truly appreciate you sharing your amazing photos and intimate thoughts on motherhood for the project.

Moms come in many forms...our own mothers, grandmothers, mothers-in-law, sisters, and friends. Is there a special mom in your life? Do you have a favorite mom memory? Spread the mom love...leave a comment and share your thoughts on Why Moms Matter. I'll be doing the same.

To read more about the Why Moms Matter project, click here.

To download and share the Mother's Day video with the moms in your life, click here.

Thank you Karey, for this. You know you're one of my favorite moms!

{ spring cleaning or spring break... }

Happy Friday everyone! What a week...I was quite busy working on some special projects--some of which I look forward to sharing with you soon. 

The Spring cleaning bug also kicked in and I couldn't resist digging into some long overdue home projects--nothing exciting...closet cleaning, sorting and purging, which seemed like such a good idea when I started. Then, however, it seemed like a much better idea to play and have some Spring break fun with my daughter, which sorta interrupted the actual completion of said projects. Does the starting, but not completing, ever happen to you? Rather than fretting about the mish mash of piles currently strewn about my house--and the fact that it looks messier then when I started--let's pretend I'm all finished and my rooms look something like this now...

Whew...I feel so much better, but boy do I have my work cut out for me this weekend. How about you...do you have Easter plans? We're looking forward to our annual family Easter egg hunt and celebrating a very special someone's birthday--can't wait. See you all next week...cheers!

All images found via Pat Bates & Associates  {thanks Anne for the intro}.