The only patchwork I’m used to seeing is on quilts. But after discovering these pieces from Design by Leftovers, I’m rethinking just how colorful and dynamic a room could be.
I love how they take the old, discarded, and forgotten and give the fabric pieces new life.
It would be even better if you collected the pieces from different people and times in your life. Every sofa would be a story.
What do you think?
{all images from Design by Leftovers website}
I’ve never liked rings much. I don’t wear any and I’ve even informed past boyfriends that I thought I might marry that I didn’t want an engagement ring.
Garnet Girl Designs has completely changed my mind.
I haven’t gotten one on my finger yet (that’s the real test), but I’m seriously swooning from afar.
And I’m having trouble choosing a favorite.
Is there one that sparkles more in your eyes?
{all images from Garnet Girl Designs, discovered via Little White Whale}
Mumford & Sons is my latest music obsession. Their album Sigh No More I can only describe as a caress*. It’s that intoxicating, precisely the thing you want on the radio when you’re driving late at night. You can’t help but turn up the radio, open the windows a bit, and marvel at the starlight and landscape before you.
I only wish I had known about Railroad Revival when tickets first went on sale. As is, I think I may take a trip to the British Isles just to see these handsome men play a concert. It’d be more appropriate anyways.
*I’m not sure what’s wrong with me lately. I’ve been describing things in terms of physical events: a caress, a kiss, a glance… Is this a sign of longing or psychological breakdown?
{first image from Mumford & Sons’ biography page, second image from their blog}
The moment finals week hits, I run to my comfort foods to get me through the grading and paper writing. Actually, I don’t save these foods just for finals week; any time I need to feel all warm inside, I usually reach for one of these four: mac and cheese…
fried mozzarella and sauce…
blueberries and vanilla yogurt…
bananas foster and french vanilla ice cream…
or nutella and, well, anything.
What are your favorite comfort foods?
(If you want to talk food some more, there’s my foodie blog pizzelles too.)
{first photograph from babble, second photograph from Pink Bites, third photograph from Niklas Soderquist, fourth photograph from Cooking Light, fifth photograph from Beyond the Plate}
My future has never been more uncertain than it is right now.
Have I told you that?
We’re starting a new quarter today, and there’s a lot that’s happening over the next eleven weeks.
But what’s really strange for me is that what happens after that time ends is a complete mystery for me. There will be a solo cross country trip, but where I land and call home in the end feels too open.
I have some plans but without anything etched in stone, my heart just feels like it’s broken free on the sky.
Right now, I’m trying to take advantage of the wilderness and events here in San Diego. There’s so much beauty to be found in places and friends and late nights sitting around a fire.
I need more trips to the desert (and if I could wear a dress and gloves I would do it). I need more nights under an unfiltered Milky Way. I need more moments that fill me so deeply it’s hard to leave.
Here’s to a mighty adventure. I hope you’ll come along with me.
{all photographs by Parker Fitzgerald, part of his Great Wilderness series}
This is what I’ve learned over the past few days:
You need to be obvious about what you want in life.
If you want that promotion or raise, say so. Prepare a list of reasons of why you deserve it, and walk in confidently.
If you like that guy (or girl), tell him (or her). It seems that when it comes to guys, subtle hints won’t do at all.
If you have a dream, share it. Make people hold you to it. Ask friends for help.
I think it’s time we all let our hope and dreams burst out of us and into the world.
Happy weekend, friends! I’ll be working on finding the perfect time to take my own advice.
{card from sycamore street press, “I like you” image from I Like You via The Finders Keepers, final image here}
A very special congratulations to Alicia from Eco-Friendly Homemaking who won the We Heart Paper giveaway. Alicia, I’ll be putting you and Janie in touch!
Janie has also recently opened a charming little shop called pretty little heart that you need to check out.
I have more good news: I finally updated the Sweet Reads section of my blog. I hope you like what you find there. It was an exhausting process and I’m sure I accidentally left some people off, so if you’d like to be up there and aren’t already, won’t you email me and say so?
One more bit of excitement (or maybe two, depending on how you count): I was fortunate enough to guest post on Be Merry, Kate (where I talk about grilled pizza) and Widespread (where I confess to all of my little luxuries) this week. Please go check out my posts on those wonderful blogs!
{And won’t someone say “cake” so we can have a party? If it’s not your birthday, we’ll have an un-birthday party then.}
I’ve been missing my stage lately…badly. It’s been almost ten years since I’ve been in a show and my desire to get back to it has boiled over.
The thing I loved about it most? I got to be everything I was. Not in the same role, obviously, but in different parts. I played a villain once, a seductress in a different play, a mousey secretary in another. The thing you learn when acting is that the range of human emotions and behaviors is all inside of you. I’ve certainly chosen to be who I am — a kind, hard-working person who likes to help others — but I miss those other me’s too.
Lately, a different part of me wants out — the part of me that wants to have a few shots of whiskey and flirt too much, the one that wants to grab a microphone and sing. Being on stage made me feel powerful.
But the chance to be everything I was is still what I miss most.
I also got to wear some stunning costumes. I never minded that.
Have you ever given up something you loved? Did you go back eventually?
{first photography by David Leventi, second photograph from The Like}
Dearest Emily,
This is notice that I will be hiring you to help me style my home.
I’m still in an apartment, so you have time to plan the most amazing rooms ever for me. From your portfolio, it’s clear that you are more than capable of turning lead into gold and other alchemical feats.
There are some things I will insist upon that I doubt you’ll have any argument with: a big blue desk chair, a wood farm table, a sofa that I can sigh into with a cup of tea…
I’ll do my best not to insist that ever room needs to be painted blue. As long as there’s a touch here and there.
And while I’m not into animal skins on my hardwood floors, I will let you wallpaper with shiny wallpaper.
Oh, I think you and I will get along fine.
{xoxo}
Brandi
{all images from Emily Henderson’s portfolio, photographed by Laure Joliet and Teri Lyn Fisher. and thanks to Elizabeth for introducing me to Emily’s work}
