Are you in need of a moment to just relax with a cup of tea and a slice of cake and feast your eyes on something dreamily pretty? If so, I have just the thing! So prop your feet up on that little overstuffed floral ottoman over there, pour yourself a fresh cuppa, and sit back with these inspiring images from the online portfolio of photographer Debi Treloar…

Debi Treloar’s body of work is filled with such charm and grace, her aesthetic sense really comes across in all of the varied projects she has been a part of – from working with magazines such as Elle Decor, the BBC, and on a number of books including two personal favorites of mine, Flea Market Style and Bazaar Style. When I was browsing through her website, I came across a list of books she has worked on, and now I am tempted to add them all to my wish list, because even sight unseen I feel sure that I would love them!

Cool silver and refreshing white, organza petticoats and vintage dresses, what treasures! I would love to step into any one of these photographs and make myself right at home. Couldn’t you?
You can see much more of Debi Treloar’s work in her online portfolio.
{images: Debi Treloar}
Aloha! We are coming to our last days in Maui, so I thought I would prepare today’s post with a bit of a tropical vibe, sound good? Our room has no internet or phone access (oh poor us, I know!), so I apologize if you’ve had any trouble with your comments showing up this week. I will be back in the San Francisco bay area on Monday, so I will be checking in with all of you then! For now, let me leave you with an assortment of fun places to click around this weekend…

1. Danielle of The Style Files may be out of these intricately crocheted bedspreads, but this bedroom continues to inspire me nonetheless! Isn’t that big star lantern the perfect touch? I love how it accentuates the pitched ceiling, and I am coveting those little silver slippers tucked in at the foot of the bed!

2. I spied this adorable handmade tea set on Sparkling Ink, and now I can’t get it out of my mind! I love the organic shapes, and that shade of pale aqua blue is my favorite :)

3. Luscious, richly colored vintage silk is used to wrap wooden beads in this necklace from Viva Terra. I am completely smitten.

4. Wouldn’t it be cute to pin a few small, old photos to the cork shade of this lamp? I love the texture of the cork against the recycled glass base – it’s so beachy!

5. Oh, I don’t know how I would ever choose a design from Pink Loves Brown, because I love them all! Here are two of my favorites (but seriously, I do love them all!): Overlap (on the left) and Myrtle Topiary.

6. The new Torch Ginger bedding from Anthropologie is so over-the-top tropical and fun, I would love to put it on my bed this summer!

7. And finally, a drop-dead-gorgeous outdoor living room, spotted on Coco + Kelley – mm, if only all of our backyards could look like this!
That is all for today, friends! I hope your week went well, and that you have something fun planned over the weekend! I will see you back here on Monday, okay?

{images: linked to individual sources above}
It’s that time again – time to share seven sweet things from my wanderings around the web this week :) There is a gorgeous inspiration board, an artist’s creative home, a brand-new blog, some delightful weekend reading, along with a few other treats. So let’s go get ourselves something yummy to drink and take a little inspiration break, shall we?

1. First up, we have a dreamy inspiration board created by Bonnie of Going Home to Roost, a new-to-me blog that I am really getting into. Aren’t the colors and textures in Bonnie’s inspiration board just luscious? Spotted on Design Delights.

2. I have been a fan of Pigeon Toe Ceramics for some time now, but I am feeling especially drawn to their smooth, organic forms lately – the slick little pots and dishes seem just right for the delicate blooms and baby plants of early spring, which is right around the corner, thank goodness!

3. Did you catch this post on decor8? Oh. My. As soon as I laid eyes on the work and homes of creative duo Sidsel Gaustadnes and Line Juhl Hansen, I think I died and went to decor heaven. That’s Line’s home in Denmark pictured above, but you must go read the rest of the post to see more!

4. This cheeky trompe l’oeil tote from Anthropologie would be the perfect accessory for a rainy-day walk, accompanied by a chic trench, snazzy umbrella and possibly a little dog, n’est-ce pas?

5. Have you seen Carrying On? It is a brand-new blog from Ez of Creature Comforts, where she will be sharing things in a more personal, journal-like way. So if you are interested in a bit of behind-the-scenes Ez, I recommend you check it out – I know I will be following her there!

6. And for your weekend reading: the new issue of Lonny is out, and it is as smart and stylish as I have come to expect from this talented team. I only wish I could have a print copy, as it would be hands-down my first choice of reading materials to tuck into my bag and carry on the plane this evening! Which brings me to…

7. This cheerful San Francisco letterpress print from Lab Partners, which I had to include as the last item today because I am heading to the SF Bay Area tonight and I couldn’t be happier! I can not wait to visit my friends and family, favorite shops, taquerias, museums, restaurants, all of those places that I have been missing so dearly since my last visit over a year ago! And then on Monday it is off to Hawaii with my sweetie to enjoy our babymoon :)
So I am signing off, but I do have lots of posts stored up for you to enjoy over the next two weeks while I am away, and I will still be checking in and moderating comments – so I don’t think you will miss me too much! I hope you have an excellent weekend, my friends!!

{images: linked to individual sources above}
I thought I would kick off the week here with some gorgeous photography from the very talented Lucas Allen – perhaps you have seen his work before? These shots from Allen’s online portfolio were getting my creative juices flowing this morning, and I hope you enjoy them too!

Orange marmalade and fresh toast on a little vintage china dish, sunlight streaming in, ah… Now if that doesn’t make you want to sit down to a proper breakfast in the morning, I don’t know what will!

This is making me want to grab my own camera and begin snapping away, collecting little details in my home and beyond, what about you? Hm, maybe I will try and take a little photography walk in my neighborhood this afternoon! I think we should all try to fit in a fun, creative break on Mondays – who’s with me? What could you do today that would make your Monday a bit more fun?
Oh, and do go see more of Lucas Allen’s work on his website – there is so much more to see!
{images: Lucas Allen}
Oh happy, happy weekend everyone! I hope you’ve had a pleasant week, and I apologize for being so absent – bad blogger! Bad blogger! Aside from the baby-related appointments and tasks, I’ve been suffering from a bit of information/inspiration overload. I am in the middle of this class, and it always takes me some time to allow new ideas to percolate before I can begin working with them – can you relate? But – hooray! – I woke up this morning feeling so super energized and inspired that I literally just rolled over and grabbed my notebook and pen and began jotting down ideas for new posts and features! Ah, but enough blathering on! Here are my seven sweet obsessions this week; all things I am feeling excited and inspired by, and I hope that you will, too…

1. I love this idea for a simple inspiration/message board DIY – it looks like this would be very inexpensive and relatively easy to make; would you try it? Found on Martha Stewart.

2. Hm, and if you are looking for a sweet new print to hang above your desk, may I suggest something from Rosie Music? Many of her designs have an indie romance vibe that is just too cute.

3. How do you feel about hankies? Hehe. I would never have thought of buying hankies, but the dandelion print vintage hankies from Pi’lo have such a lovely, organic design that I am tempted! Oh, you know what I just though of? What about giving them to your little one to use as “napkins” at pretend tea parties? They would probably be just the right size for that ;)

4. I always enjoy checking in on Something’s Hiding In Here to see what’s new in their shop, and today I am taken with these little chalkboard calendars, perfect for propping up on a shelf above your desk.

5. If I close my eyes and click my heels three times while chanting “Spring, Spring, Spring!” do you think it will get here any faster? Hm, perhaps not. But nevertheless, I am looking forward to those first sunny days when a fresh bag from Drika.B is just the ticket. At the moment, I have my eye on this one.

6. Have you seen these cool, modern genealogy charts from My Tree and Me? The bold designs are such a refreshing antidote to fusty old family trees, and would make such a thoughtful gift. My favorites are the Super Mod Tree (pictured above) and the Birds of a Feather…but I would take any one!

7. And finally, a bit of luscious bedroom inspiration from Skona Hem, spied on the brand-new German design blog Harmonie Design. I am still trying to decide what color to paint my bedroom, and seeing this room is making me seriously consider going with white walls, perked up with warm & spicy colored textiles.
So, that will do it for today! This is my last post before the weekend, but I will be around this afternoon building out ideas for next week, so you can find me here in the comments if you want to say “hi” I hope you each have a lovely, inspired weekend :)

{images: linked to individual sources above}
It’s that time again! Time to shut down the computer and unplug for the weekend. This weekend I will be working on a few little creative projects that I will hopefully have finished & ready to show you next week – an inspiration board assignment for my e-course, and a floor plan for my own living/dining room. Also, Benny & I have a list of vintage shops to check out in our area, and we spotted a very promising Swedish style dining table and bench on Craigslist, so I have my fingers crossed that it is as nice in person as in the photos!! But before I go, I have a collection of 7 things that have caught my eye and inspired me this week, so you still have some fun clicking around to do!

1. I actually just purchased this Orla Kiely address book, but close in the running was a gorgeous desktop version in a walnut file box and filled with recycled papers, from Lovely Design as spied on the Duet Letterpress blog.

2. This collection of pink Paris photos from little brown pen would be right at home on a February inspiration board.

3. If you are looking for some creative DIY valentine ideas, why don’t you check out this guest post on Design*Sponge for inspiration – I especially love the sewn card in the top picture!

4. These rooms shot by Danish photographer Anitta Behrendt feel very creative and inspiring, don’t you agree? I love the little handmade details and eclectic bohemian color set against a clean white backdrop.

5. It may not be time to plant a garden in the backyard yet, but I could certainly use these little ceramic plant markers in pots of herbs in my kitchen window! By pigeon toe ceramics.

6. I love everything about this outfit from Kate Spade – the dark cuffed jeans, bright bag and peep-toe flats, hot pink piping on the little jacket, fun bracelets, and even the sunglasses on her head!

7. And finally, how about a crisp red apple for your desk? This one comes pre-sliced and ready to jot down notes and phone numbers. From Lemontree.
I hope you have a lovely weekend, friends!!

{images: linked to individual sources above}
I am taking a little pause today since I have a long appointment to go to, and a bit of fun coursework to catch up on in Holly Becker’s Blogging Your Way e-class. But before I do go, I would love to check in with you a bit – how is your week going? How about your intentions (or goals or resolutions) for the new year? Are you still flying high on that new year energy rush or are you feeling your spirits flag a bit after a strong start? Whatever your goals and intentions may be this year, why don’t you take your own little pause today, perhaps during a short break from work or right after you get home, and take a moment to do something just for you, to appreciate yourself.

Maybe on your way home you could pick up a small bouquet of flowers or a potted plant to bring a bit of life into your winter home? Clear a little space, light a candle, fix a favorite bevvie, and breathe deeply while focusing on the small place of beauty around you. Fresh flowers in the winter can make such a big difference in our mood! I have been purchasing a small bouquet at the grocery store each week, like the tulips above, and they make me smile each time I see them. Or take this time to sit down with your calendar and schedule a few positive, enriching, or creative events in the upcoming month that you have been meaning to try. For instance, I am in a big rush for Spring to arrive and I am looking for landscaping/gardening ideas, so I have just marked down the dates for a Spring Flower & Garden Show on my calendar! What can you do today?
{image: Laura Gaskill}