{ friday focus - crazy for crochet }

I've had a fascination with crochet details for as long as I can remember.  Whenever I spy crochet of any kind, my heart fills with wonderful, warm and fuzzy memories of my grandmother. She was a talented seamstress, and the lady had the patience of a saint. And so when I was seven years old,  I asked if she would teach me to sew, and she very kindly agreed. I can remember spending hours practicing straight stitching in her little sewing corner, that was tucked away in her tiny kitchen.  On her wooden, ornate sewing machine table, there was a tremendous pile of mysterious and magical (at least, it seemed that way to me) sewing supplies. Scraps of pastel floral fabrics, spools of silky thread, but most intriguing to me was the gigantic stash of crochet trimmings, in every color of the rainbow. It was all so very beautiful! She also had a great number of intricately-made doilies, in every shape and size, that my sister and I enjoyed using at our many "tea parties".  She told me she would teach me to crochet once I mastered sewing, but I never got around to learning (although I hear that it's a snap to pick up).  I love crochet trimmings to this day, and I've been so excited to see so many crochet details popping up everywhere lately.  It's fun to see all the different ways creative people are using this charming, needlecraft art.

I want a linen closet bursting with a pile of these pillows!

*rosehip pillowcases

Completely smitten with these beautiful DIY pendant lamps.

*via pinterest

I just love how simply sewing a doily onto a solid pillow can result in this much cuteness.

*brandeye linen pillow

Or onto a clutch maybe?  Please and thank you :)

*toriska linen clutch

I've had a tearsheet of this DIY shower curtain (featured in Country Living) for years.  Isn't it gorgeous?

*country living

Oh, and I finally, FINALLY tracked down this little crochet-trimmed cardi that I've been stalking on ebay for almost a year.



*anthropologie boyer cardigan

 Do you crochet?  Does it give you fond memories of time spent learning with someone special like your mother or grandmother? 

{ real recipe - ooey gooey apple cake }

Can you feel that crispness in the air?  FALL is here!  It's such a glorious time of year, and my absolute favorite season.  So much to love about it: the colors, the clothes, the FOOD!  My family took a recent trip to a beautifully picturesque apple orchard, and we came back with a ton of delicious fruit. 

Needless to say, there have been a lot of apple recipes happening at our house.  Here's a recipe that tastes like the true essence of the first days of Autumn, in my opinion.  This dessert is very rich.  It's also not all that pretty sliced and plated, so I like to serve it spooned into cute little mason jars. 

 Somehow, that makes it tastes even better.  ;)

{ i spy a diy - fun flower bib }

First of all, let me say that I really dislike modeling things that I make.  Like a LOT.  So please excuse my totally dorky awkwardness here.  It's better than just photographing projects on a hanger, I suppose.

 I LOOOVE fabric flowers.  I have a list a mile long of projects to make with fabric flowers.  I think I could make one a week and never get bored :)  This little diddy is a 'bib' that can clip onto a tee's neckline.
 So easy.

 

Here are the supplies I used. 

fabric flowers, glue gun, jewelry craft clips, felt (that matches your flowers), sharp fabric scissors

Is anyone else's glue gun perpetually just kinda gross?  I've tried to clean it, but without much luck.  Any tips?

 I cut a sort of amorphous crescent shape out of felt.  I wanted the bib to be worn assymetrically on the tee's neckline, so I played around with the size and shape until it looked right. Then I glued on the flowers, a few at a time, until the entire piece of felt was covered.

Finally, I glued on the metal clips, which would allow me to attach it to my tee. 

I decided to use these clips instead of just sewing on the blooms permanently because I'd like to be able to mix it up, and wear it with different tops.  Like maybe this one...

* old navy chevron tee

And I think it'd be cute clipped onto this striped dress that was a celeb fave this summer.

Isn't it cool when an accessory can make a boring tee new and pretty?

(a pretty awkward out-stretched arm photo.... because I was too lazy to get the tripod out)

Hope your week is off to a great start!

{ real recipe - easy peasy crockpot chili }

Some days are so busy that you just need to take a few shortcuts to get dinner on the table.  This recipe is perfect for those kind of days.  It's an absolute snap to make, thanks to canned veggies and prepackaged seasonings. Take ten minutes to prep this in the morning, and you'll be pleased as punch with yourself come dinner time. ;)  All the men at my house like to munch this hearty chili with buttery cornbread.

h a p p y   w e e k e n d !

{ i am loving }

The adorable, feminine collection of frilly apron offerings at Anthropologie.  No need to take it off after cooking for that dinner party.  It's that pretty! ;)

I own a pretty darling, black and white Anthro apron that I received as a Christmas gift from awesome my sis-in-law.  I adore it, but I definitely sometimes fear getting a giant glob of marina sauce on it!

* all via anthropologie

Do you wear something this lovely for whipping up dinners?

{ mirror, mirror, on the (gallery) wall }

Who doesn't love a good gallery wall?  I'm just loving these three examples, each adorned with an eclectic mix of mirrors.

* in my own style



*style files

* anthropologie

 

Hmmm, I think I need to get thrifting, so that I can recreate this fabulous look!



{ friday focus - french doors }

What is it about french doors that makes them so universally appealing?  My husband jokes that if you put the word French in front of any word, people automatically go bonkers for it.  Maybe he's right.  Nevertheless, there's no denying the elegance and charm these doors lend to almost any space.

No matter if you prefer WHITE....

BLACK...

Or BRIGHT...

*all via pinterest

You really can't go wrong, in my opinion.

{ wednesday wish list }

Just a  few swell things I'm eyeing right now....

I am pretty psyched to have scored these Anthropologie
twisted-neckline tees for $9.95 each!
I couldn't decide which colorway I preferred, so I bought both.
$9.95, people! ;)



*anthropologie a-bit-unruly top

 I spied this sewing chair at Joann fabrics yesterday.  It's so funky and fun.   

*joann fabrics

These lovely, linen ruffley necklaces from etsy artist, pretty things by Meg, are so sweet and delicate.
I'll take one in every color please!

*pretty things by Meg

 What pretty things are on your wish list this week?

{ real recipe - beef & veggie stir fry }

We do love us some asian-inspired dishes around here ;)
This one was a real winner at our house over the weekend.

*recipe adapted from this one

{ remembering }

Like so many others, I am spending today remembering and reflecting on the terrible events that happened ten years ago today.  My heart is with those who experienced unspeakable loss and suffering on that day, and on so many days after.  I am ever grateful to the 3000 plus heroic men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we may live on.  Let's try to make the future better than the past,

and let's do it for them. 

A few beautiful quotes that are inspiring me today:

“Wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows."

-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall - think of it, always."

 -Mahatma Ghandi

"People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.

Forgive them anyway

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.

 Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.

 Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.

Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.

 Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.

 Give your best anyway.

In the end, it is between you and God.

It was never between you and them anyway."

-Mother Teresa

"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."

-Mahatma Ghandi

{ first day! }

I can't believe this day is actually here.
 My Happy Jack's first day of preschool has arrived! 
This boy was over-the-moon with excitement this morning.
 He could barely sit still to eat his oatmeal and banana at breakfast.

Happy first day of preschool, little guy! I feel honored and humbled to be here to witness as you grow in knowledge and faith in the coming year. I'm one proud mama here. And just a little bit teary. *sniff, sniff*

Somebody thought it would be hilarious to close his eyes in every photo taken at school.  Can you say class clown....already? ;)

{ school days! }

Did you like school as a kid?  I sure did.  In fact, I absolutely LOVED it.  I was one of those annoying kids that was always sad to see the school year come to an end, and I always felt positively giddy when it was time for a new school year to begin. 

Can you imagine how fun it would be be to kick off September with a fantastic back-to-school shindig like one of these? I ran out of time this year, but maybe next year. ;)

just call me martha

This faux dessert table is made up entirely of actual school supplies.

 So very clever!

one charming party

This vintage-inspired school party is my favorite.
  All those pastel details are positively delicious!

Here's a bunch more school-themed

cleverness that has me psyched for this time of year!

all via pinterest

Are you thrilled about back to school time too?