ikat ikat ikat

Lately I've been obsessed with ikat fabrics [pronounced ee-cot, not eye-cat] created in Uzbekistan and various other countries. They use a certain way of weaving and dying of the fabric to give it that distinct design. Ikat means "tie" in the Malay language, therefore, I've decided this is a middle-eastern form of tie dying...only a LOT more beautiful. Needless to say, it took everything that I had in my body not to purchase every bolt at Calico corners the other day [also the fact that I couldn't afford it helped]. I'm driving Lynny crazy with this obsession because I offer no help at the fabric store. I already own a pillow that I purchased from World Market...what will be next?

i almost forgot...i'd live here.

emmy awards

I usually don't like awards shows that much because most of the time, they're extremely boring to me. This past year, I've made it a point to actually watch them and maybe I've found that they aren't as bad as I've always thought. I loved Jimmy Fallon as a host and thought the opening number and the goodbye songs to the Law & Order, 24, and LOST were amazing. They're really doing a great job of making this stuff more entertaining. As for the dresses. I've already read enough blogs about this to make my head spin so I'll be quick...

1) Contrary to most people, I loved Anna Paquin's dress. I'm a McQueen girl and think she looked fantastic. Who enjoys the frilly pink, strapless crap all the time? Not me.


2) Most of the dresses I did enjoy were from random people - although I didn't have many dresses from this awards show that REALLY stood out to me. I did not hate January Jones's dress - who hates Atelier Versace? Seriously?


3) My favorites were: Kelly Osbourne, Anna Paquin, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Julie Bowen, and Jennifer Carpenter. Can you tell I like black? Claire Danes also looked lovely...but I think I just really liked her hair and the sparkles [I'm sick of the strapless stuff].

probably my favorite

currently loving...

eighties chick flick: can't buy me love

I love any geek-gets-the girl film...

especially with a nerdier version of McDreamy.

flea market frenzy

Each Saturday my friend, Rachel and I get up early and go to estate & yard sales. I find things for my booth and...and a lot more for my home. I like to re-do furniture but also love old dishes, books, lamps, etc. Rachel likes all these things as well but has also taken up collecting older binoculars. This weekend, instead of going to sales, we went to the flea market - which happens every fourth weekend of the month at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in Berry Hill. This is something I do every month if I'm in town and usually go on Saturdays with my mother. She has been bringing me since I was young and has vendors that she loves [quilt ladies]. This month, I went every. single. day. Friday. Saturday. Sunday. Friday with Lynny, Saturday with Rachel and Reagan, and Sunday, again, with my mother. Here are some lovely snapshots of a few items we purchased. Just a few.

bell and old webster dictionary

I've been wanting to train OUR dogs to ring a bell when they need to be let outside so I was in search of an older-looking bell as opposed to going to Home Depot or somewhere to get one. I found this one on the last day. It has dogs and other animals on it and says: "VOCEM-MEAM-A OVIME-TANGIT" which means "Whoever touches me will hear my voice" in Latin. SOLD.

vintage bread rack

camelback trunk

old iron bed

vintage nautical pendant flag

children-y things i loved

happy weekend - looking forward to fall

marni pre-fall 2010

tights.

this bookstore was around the corner from my NYC apartment

those darlins

I styled my first photoshoot in about two years last night and it went rather well. It was for Those Darlin's new Halloween single "Night Jogger" that will be featured in October's issue of Nashville Lifestyles. The theme was zombies...and I'm just glad I got to use a red tutu. These are my amateur attempts at capturing the night, but check out the magazine for the professional stuff.

a pleasant surprise...

I found this on my porch today...

i THINK it's from my favorite english teacher...

I THINK...

["Thought you might like to add this Alice in Wonderland to your collection. I bought it in Krakow, Poland in 1994 in a used bookshop. Also - the journal is for your children's books ideas - images, titles, storylines. The ideas sometimes come AND GO fast so you gotta write them down."]

THANK YOU.

mason jars

When I purchased this house five years ago, I was left little clues that let me into the lives of the previous owners.  I've gathered from tiny details that Mrs. Mary Chester was quite short. In the bathroom she had her own soap dish...a few feet below his. On the front door, there is one peep hole for him to look through, and one for her...about a foot below his. On my back porch, there is a pulley system where they would pull their groceries up the stairs so she wouldn't have to carry them. How cute is that? I'm absolutely fascinated by this little old man and his innovative way to make his wife more comfortable.

After they passed away, their children sold their home to me but left a few things in the attic: vintage Christmas decorations - which I happily use every year, and TONS of mason jars. I had always thought they were cool, but never really went through them to see if there were any pretty ones. It's not like they were going anywhere. Yesterday, I decided to finally take a peek and as it turns out - they were LOVELY. I took a few over to my booth yesterday to sell and kept a bunch of the gorgeous ones for myself. Funnily enough, I found THIS post by The Pioneer Woman after climbing down from the attic. I'll let her explain the beauty of a mason jar - she does a better job! Enjoy.

i'd live here - kid version

I've been sitting on this post for a while because I keep coming across more and more children's rooms that really catch my eye. How cool would it have been to have a ferris wheel...IN your room? Also, I'm not sure if it is because I have more and more boys in my home each day or maybe it's my sheer need to always be accommodating, but I have always enjoyed a good bunk bed. At our family farm, we have a bunk room that can sleep up to eight people. Anything that is a space-saver and efficient is okay by me. Anyway...I would live here 15 years ago...and maybe even now...

...and another kid room + a yellow nursery that I enjoy...

...and who doesn't love camping in the library?