Psst — I started a teaching blog over here: provocationsandplay.wordpress.com
I’d love if you could check it out :)
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falling in love: bows and layers
I fell in love twice at Anthropologie today — the first with this fabulous bow dress, and the second with four layers of fabulous in this necklace. While I’m waiting for Anthro to have a sale, I styled my imaginary new dress — with Forever 21 peep-toe flats and Gap’s two-tone canvas clutch.
I’ve wanted a striped dress since this post, and the bows are TDF on this one.
to picnic
My fabulous friend Katie, inspired by this Cup of Jo post, started a summer picnic club around the DC area. How fabulous would this Chambray tote be to bring along with a bottle of Sarah’s Patio Red?
[tote via]
heart-broken
My heart is broken for Boston today, but I am trying to focus on the first responders. I always think of the Mr. Rogers’ quote after disasters:
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.” — Mr. Rogers
[watercolor print from a greeting card by Peter Spataro]
halfway to happy
Happy Wednesday! I’d love to share a couple of things I’m loving today:
NASHVILLE! I watched every single episode last week on spring break before I went to Nashville on Friday. Scarlett and Gunnar are my favorites.
This $18 Forever 21 peplum tank is to die for.
to plot (a garden)
Last year I was lucky enough to score a garden plot from my condo association behind our building. While I would die for a real farm with backyard chickens and maybe even a goat, I figure my own garden plot comes in a close second, especially given my current location. I have to imagine my D.C. condo association has rules against goats.
Now, let’s get serious. Yesterday, I noticed a new neighbor weeding his plot next to mine. Last year, I was pretty much the only one who weeded my garden, nevermind plant anything, so there was no competition. But NOW. And with something as public as a garden plot. Bring it on.
I had unknowingly prepared for this, and the spring bulbs I planted last fall bloomed on Easter. So, without even lifting a finger to weed, I figure my spring blooms kept me on par with him. But today I forced myself to spend a vacation afternoon weeding and planting some seeds (that have been sitting on my kitchen counter for over a month). It’s amazing how competition fuels me (even when it’s made up in my head).
(shout out to the hyacinths and daffodils for saving my butt)
Then, with the help of some OCD, I sat down with a sheet of graph paper and mapped out my plot for the year (aka the game plan). So far, I planted the seeds, and moved the left over strawberry plants from last year. I got a little overzealous with the pea seeds… still working on that self-regulation.
I thought a lot about companion planting, and I plan to move the tomatoes next to the path so I don’t have to trudge through the whole plot to get to them like last year (2013: the year common sense is on my side).
Um PS, according to MS’ calendar in Living, Martha herself also tilled her garden today. That must mean the gardening gods are on my team, no?
to protect and serve (a Flokati)
Hi, friends.
I apologize for my incredibly long blogging hiatus. Essentially I have been feeling a little like this, and mostly like this.
Enter, Flokati. A couple of months ago, I bought this fabulous Flokati rug on ridiculous sale from Rugs USA. It is soft and glorious to walk on. Except. Teddy Roosevelt will not stop peeing on the thing. I think he is jealous of its hair, and the fact that the rug is never subjected to nightly combing. Regardless, Craig has washed the darn thing, in the bath tub, four times (with detergent and pet odor remover), and I’m pretty sure the next time he’s just going to throw it out the window. I mean, if I woke up earlier than him and was the one who saw it first, I might throw it out the window.
So, since I’m on spring break, and since I cannot sit still, and since I’m not exactly known for sitting around without a project, I decided to rearrange some things. I have some grandiose plans for our itsy bitsy dining space, but for now, enter the Flokati. I’m hoping by shoving the thing under our table, it will distract Teddy. Also, he’s pretty good about leaving that area alone. The proportions aren’t exactly right, but my plan is to get rid of two of the chairs, and use a bench in the back (that will double as storage, since those chairs are used way more for piles of things than actual guests), a la:
[source]
Except I think I’m going to do it with DIY les touches chairs like this:
[source]
