Four Calling Birds...and a Kate Spade OObseessionnn

Today I just wanted to share with you some of my current favorite Kate Spade items. I adore the Kate Spade brand. It's all very girly and pretty and that frankly, is right up my alley! How could you look down at this IPhone case and not smile! It's called "Four Calling Birds"...LOVE. 








skinny mini long bow necklace

I have a little pair of bow earings that I wear constantly and at $78.00 this necklace may just end up on my Christmas list! So pretty and does not break the bank! Although.... both of these idiom pendants are completely charming and I could almost see them as a daily piece. 



paint the town red idiom pendant

Creme de la Creme Pendant

Maybe even wear both at the same time or at least 2 pendants on the chain.

on the dot ring

One the Dot ring...simple, cute, and chic, I could see it working with a bright summer dress or a warm navy winter outfit. Hmmm my winter coat is navy, can I get away without gloves this winter? 



Lucky #13

Halloween is just around the corner and I thought I would share with you some photos of the most spooky, creepy, cool car I've ever seen. OK maybe not the coolest car ever, that would no doubt be something James Bond drives... preferably by Daniel Craig and not a skeleton, but this is pretty good! If you're ever in Louisville Kentucky there is a great novelty/costume store called Caufields's that's open year round. This bad boy is parked out front!



Recipe Wednesday: Caprese Sandwich

The weather has been so amazing the last two days, I know all the leaves are changing and it's getting dark so fast but it feels like spring outside! I've moved my orange tree inside for the winter, but my tropical hibiscus is still soaking up some sun. It felt like a light lunch sort of day. This is a summer staple for me, a caprese sandwich. Once you start eating these you crave them! I buy whole grain sandwich rounds, toast them then brush with a little olive oil. Next layer on on a nice slice of fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced grape tomatoes, and basil. Top it off is sea salt, cracked black pepper, and maybe another swirl of olive oil. Easy and delicious! 

CTBB Tuesday: Peel & Stick Tiles

This week for Champagne Taste/Beer Budget Tuesday I've been looking for alternatives in tile. Specifically for the kitchen back splash. I love the look of subway tile and though it is relatively inexpensive, the whole idea of cutting tile with a SAW and grout just seems to be a little more than I think I can do. I understand everyone says how easy it is, but I feel like I would want to hire it out. If it involves more than a paint brush I really want the professionals to handle it! My sister over at The High Heeled Hippie used some in her bathroom and had great things to say. The reviews seem to be pretty good as well as long as your wall is in good condition. So while searching for alternatives I found there are some pretty convincing peel and stick tile options out there.





http://www.thesmarttiles.com/p-139-murano-cosmo.aspx







http://www.theredpin.com/blog/interior-design/innovative-backsplash-solution-self-adhesive-tiles/attachment/135_2_





http://clutterbug.me/2011/08/easy-bathroom-update.html



I am curious how they look in person...will it look like those puffy stickers we collected as kids? Will it really look like tile?




Monday Makeover: Little Miss Muffet Getting A Spooky Makeover!

Last year I did a painting of Little Miss Muffet and she hangs between the dining room and living room. I'm hear to inform everyone that Little Miss Muffet or as we call her "Muffy", will not be taking any guff off of that pesky spider this year. He'll have to exercise his intimidation tactics elsewhere. You see, Muffy will be sporting a spooky mask that's shaped like a bat. I got the idea from this photo on where else, Pinterest. I just loved the witches hat on this portrait, but wanted to give it my own twist!



Here is Muffy's before shot...

And now with her mask!



I used a glittery black card stock from Martha Stewart Crafts. I just put a piece of printer paper over Muffy's face and drew a shape that I thought would be good and work around her large eyes. A little low adhesive tape for the back and that's it. I'm thinking about doing a witch hat for her next year! What a fun way to put a little Halloween spirit in your home. I only wish I had more framed portraits to decorate, now that I'm thinking about it, this girl would look good with some bolts on her neck too! Oh boy, stop me before I get carried away!

Sucking On An Invisible Straw...

"Sucking On An Invisible Straw" is what a fellow artist friend of mine suggested I name this painting. I laughed at first but then thought "heeeeyyyyy". Haha oh well. Let me just say that painting is hard. Maybe not for some people, but for me it is. Why do I do it? I really enjoy it and I feel like I've accomplished something once I've completed a painting. The other really amazing thing that happens is that I see progress. I can't wait to do the next painting because I know it will be better than the last.     



No, her name is not Sucking on an invisible straw...it's "Cassandra".
 If you're interested, she is my most recent Etsy edition and can be found here.





Ira Glass really summed up the way I feel best...

"Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through."

Orla Kiely Wish List

I'm just going to say it, even though you're not supposed to say it. It's total garbage that I'm not rich! If you have great taste (like I think I do...wink) you should be rich to! It really bugs me that Honey Boo Boo and her belching clan are going to be rich. Listen people...they call a dumpster the "department store"! I'm not above a dumpster, as I did once fish out an amazing chair. But, I think....wait....I just lost my train of thought.... I'm not really making a good point am I? I also think I just gave away that I watch Honey Boo Boo. OK fine let them spend their money on ATV's and bulk toilet paper. It's my own fault I'm not willing to fart on TV. Alright, I'm getting off track and muddying up a beautiful post about Orla Kiely goods with Honey Boo Boo. Let me share some of this beauty...this is my "if I were rich I would buy this Orla Kiely stuff " post.

1. The Textured Vinyl Winter Wallflower Print Large Jeanie Bag for $350.00

2. This Flower Abacus Kitchen Apron for $68.00

3. The Berry Bubble Cardigan for $360.00

4. These awesomesauce Ditsy Clover Print Sunglasses in Black & Cream for $235.00

5. Something I actually did buy with a $1.00 off coupon from Target.

One day I'll get the bag, but for now this little bit of Orla is making me happy! Here are all the pretty patterns you can buy the Method soaps in...I may have to buy a few more...after all we do have 3 sinks in the house!