Sure Signs of Spring...

 

(all photos from summer 2010)

A couple of weeks ago, we had snowbanks almost as tall as me. And then, magically, it disappeared virtually overnight, revealing brownish-green grass and little deposits from my cats dotted about the lawn. The handyman hauled out his super-duper extending ladder:

 

~ the one we use to rescue cats and shoes off the roof ~

...and finally took down the holiday wreaths from the peaks of our home.

We were "that kind" of household this year. 

The kind you drive by and remark, "Those people should have taken down their wreaths by now!"

Yep; we broke many rules on the ladder to classiness.

And I could care less. I don't know what's gotten into me. 

But I have attempted a little spring cleaning. Living room slip covers got washed and I cleaned one shelf of my fridge. The downstairs slipcovers are so full of cat hair you could make an ugly sweater, and my onions are growing onion, but hey: I could care less. For now.

Because I know as the days get longer and the grass turns greener and my cats leave deposits in my flower beds instead of the snow, I will catch spring fever. And scrub my house from top to bottom and browse decorating magazines and all of your lovely blogs. And I have a LOT in my reader!

And then the handyman is in serious trouble.

Because then I start thinking of projects we can do.

Which means he can build and I can paint.

And I stumbled upon the photo of my patio makeover last spring (photo above) and it reminded me that sooner than later we will be eating breakfast outside and I will be hanging clothes on the line everyday. And the birds (or hornets) will return to my birdhouse atop my clothesline post. And I will begin receiving squirrel remains on my front step each day from my least admired cat. And we will put our porch swing and I will play hooky one day and spend the entire afternoon on that same swing and read a book almost cover to cover.

Because I can do that if I really like the book.

Can't you?

And I will wonder if every person who drives by will think I am incredibly lazy or just really smart.

Hurry up Spring!!

Shop With Me: Everything's Coming up Roses...

When I walked out of my apartment this morning, I was thrilled to be greeted with mild temperatures and the faint smell of fresh-cut grass. It reminded me of early spring, when most of the landscape is still muddy brown, there's frost on the ground at sunrise, and the very first pink and red flower buds begin to pop open. With that inspiration in mind, I decided to do a little digging to find some pretty, little items that would remind me of that feeling all year long -- delicate, feminine florals, vintage-inspired frocks, pale and shimmering neutrals and of course, roses everwhere.

Image via White Trash Beautiful

Left to right: 1. Kimchi Blue Floral 80s Strapless Dress (Urban Outfitters) 2. Tissue Sparkling Rose Tee (J.Crew) 3. and 4. Cabbage Rose Underpinnings (Anthropologie) 5. Slub Silk Daydream Floral Lorelai Dress (J.Crew) 6. Smith's Minted Rosebud Salve (Anthropologie) 7. 1928 french paperback book (French Blue & Company)

1. Abundant Callas Necklace (Anthropologie) 2. Rose Fight Knuckle Ring (Free People) 3. Tea Rose Necklace (Urban Outfitters) 4. Girl's Night Out Necklace (Bejewelled Bespoke) 5. Iced Rosette Clutch (Anthropologie) 6. and 7. Rosette Necklaces (Flora Bond)

1. The Warbler Embroidered Collage Pillow (La Pomme) 2. Filigree Gocco Print (Flower Press) 3. Moonflower Pillow Cover (MishMosh) 4. Vintage 1960s Flat Top Sheet (The Linen Lavoir) 5. One of a Kind Ceramic Plate (Anthropologie) 6. Garden Party Curtain Tie Back (Urban Outfitters)

1. Image via Wedding Whims 2. From O'Keeffe Necklace (Anthropologie) 3. Allamanda Necklace (Anthropologie) 4. Mute Blue Rosette Ring (Brydferth) 5. Olivia Flower Bib Necklace (Bebecha)

Easterly Winds Blowing Through...

After the stop/start of our spring this year, I have been less than inspired to decorate for spring this year. While the softer colours throughout my home supports the pastels of Easter, I have found myself to be quite resistant to bringing out my decorations when snow still carpets the landscape around me. In fact, it feels a bit silly to think flowers and chicks when nothing is there to support their survival...

Enter my eight year old daughter. She cares not about my seasonal reservations; in fact, she fairly insists on scattering eggs and displaying bunnies throughout the corners of our home. Who am I to argue? So, on Friday I half-heartedly decorated for Easter, and I must admit - a little Easter goes a long way to inspire feelings of spring. Now, let's hope it is enough good karma to keep the persistent snow at bay...!!!

What about you? Do you decorate for Easter??

Spring in my step...

Spring has arrived! While it was still a cold day, it seemed the sun shone brighter just to encourage us and give us hope that it would soon give winter its final kick in the rear with our name on it!

It was a great "first day", and I finally finished taking down all evidence of winter decor and organized a few cupboards. But what really made it great was this:

(If it's on the road, written in chalk, then it must be so!)

and them...

(secret hand shakes and feats of strength)

(personalized chalk outlines)

Colour Your World...

Spring is on its way.

I can say that with certainty as there have been a few solid signs supporting it. Easter chocolate and candy is firmly planted on store shelves, darkness no longer arrives as we are eating dinner, and all of the blogs and websites are being refreshed for spring. I am thankful for all of it.
With spring comes fresh, new colours to warm the palette of our days. I am not sorry to see the end of all things white, and instead welcome the softer hues associated with Easter and the cheery tones that hint at the flowers that will soon be peeking up from the ground. Nowhere did I see better examples of such colour than at Matthew Mead's new spring website. True to form, Matthew has put into pictures the images we dream of; and as soon as you arrive there, you will be welcomed by splashes of colour that can't help but usher in spring a little faster!
Head on over and see for yourself. Matthew has also created a beautiful flip book and collage which are free to be enjoyed by all his visitors and he also gives you a free code if you want to look further. His site is all about color, and your senses will thank you. Delicious recipes, Easter crafts (using surprisingly easy supplies), and a look ahead to which collectibles to be on the look our for once yard-sale season begins.

Indeed, inspiration abounds everywhere I go lately. I am more than ready to embrace the return of spring, and I know you are, too. I just might even break out the Easter decorations soon...!!

(all images, used with permission, courtesy: Matthew Mead)

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More door inspiration and questions answered next week!

Dare to Dream...

Don't these images just make you feel hopeful?

Hopeful that the snow will soon melt, the birds will return, pussy willows will bud, and picnics will be possible again?

As my boys head off for a day of skiing (yes, on a school day!) with their dad, and I ponder taking a walk through slush and ice, I will cling to these thoughts and know that sooner or later, spring will come and melt all of this blasted snow!!

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images: (top) decorative country living.com

(bottom) Ideal home.com

Decorating for free...!!

I think most of us, who share a love of making a house a home, love a good deal. In fact, the better the bargain, the happier I am. I have always loved achieving a great look for less, and it doesn't come any cheaper than using that which we already have! So, in that mindset, I decided to go poking through boxes in my basement and garage, and sifting though the stacks of linen in my linen closet. I discovered happily that I have a veritable treasure trove, albeit modest, already in my possession...just waiting to be pulled out of storage!

I have shown you my apron collection before, and lamented that I really don't have a proper spot to display them. Although I picked up a great wooden rake that is just calling out for me to hang them there, I don't have a great spot for the rake (which probably means I shouldn't have bought it, but it was such a good deal!!). So, my poor aprons have been languishing in my linen closet, and I longingly take them out and hold them up to admire from time to time...


Well, today I decided I would add some spring colour to my home, as the weather is so nice, and I am putting off raking the rest of my grass. I decided to wrap the aprons around the frame of my dining chairs for a cheap and easy slipcover of sorts! They look so pretty, but do clash a bit with the rest of the room...so I may only leave them there for a while. I will, however, start looking for gauzy white aprons that would look so much more fitting. ***by the way, if anyone knows where I can purchase some, please let me know...keeping in mind, I live in rural Nova Scotia, Canada!***

I also made a checker board and a few tic-tac-toe sets to share. I used a leftover floor tile for the checkerboard, made the grid using permanent marker and a crown stamp, and used some pretty blue rocks and miniature sand dollars I bought last week (in a bag of 100) for $10 as the pieces. I want the games for outside, as my kids love to play while they sit around the outdoor table. The XO'S game is played on another left-over tile, that I cut into four equal boards. The tiles were backed in mesh, so I simply used scissors to do the cutting.

Sometimes you can find things to decorate in the funniest of places. This glass jar of old marbles was hidden behind the cafe curtain in my bathroom. I think I stuck it there a while back, while cleaning, and I just rediscovered it while I was spring cleaning. The marbles became mine when they were left behind in the little old house we renovated a few years back.

Now for some incredible artwork!! This painting was done by my daughter. She painted it last year, and I found it inside the piano bench. When I showed it to her, she exclaimed, "My little robin bird!" Needless to say, I wrote that on the back of the painting and framed it using a cheap, but effective, plastic frame from Walmart. I perched it on the piano, and it makes me smile at the sweetness of it.

The top of this little armoire was very bare after I took away the Easter decorations. The other day, while walking with a friend, I picked these pussy willows and stuck them in a vase. Pussy willows always bring me back to my childhood, when I'd pick them alongside the road and rub the bud between my fingers, pretending it was a lucky rabbit's foot (which I'd never touch anyway!). Again, free and easy ...and readily available in ditches near you!

As promised, here are the tiles I bought from Joy. These frames I already had hanging in my bathroom. While they could be prettier, sticking to my motto, they were free and readily available for immediate use. I simply put a pretty scrapbook paper behind the glass, and mounted the tiles directly to the front of the glass using double-sided tape. That way, I can change the frames when I see some I like, and also remove the tiles when I find my "forever home" and then permanently attach them amongst some pretty tile in my kitchen or bathroom.

Now, aren't you inspired to go "shopping" in your own home??