{color} Betsy Burnham

Sometimes I really miss Western Interiors & Design. I was looking through my August/September 2008 issue last night and was reminded that there were some spreads in the "small house luxury" issue that I still find inspiring. I do appreciate all of the saturated tones in the above home by Betsy Burnham but it's kind of funny how it contradicts all of the the saved images on my desktop right now.

More recently, Burnham's office space was featured in the latest Lonny as seen below:

I think it is safe to say Burnahm is fearless when it comes to the color department....and it pays off.

Also, I had fun going through Burnham's portfolio for her instant space service. If you are wondering what her instant space entails then go here.











{above images via Elements of Style, Apartment Therapy, Lonny & instant space}

red & yellow go good together..

I thought long and hard about posting a snippet of life today because I wouldn't want anybody to feel bad that we have gorgeous weather and can wear bathing suits. Alas it doesn't last forever and I'm sure there could be few people that live in Oregon who could send me summertime pictures that would throw me over the edge come July. I can't believe that we actually slowed down enough to sit outside for an hour while that boys napped. It was so nice and I need to make a note to self to do it more often. S L O W DOWN little Nellie.

Today we visited the big Domestic Bliss sale. I spotted a few fun treasures. Just a thought but perhaps you should shimmy on downtown because the sale goes until tomorrow. ("Downtown" used to be a teenage code word for "my parents are in the room" and I can't say what I was just about to say...but then it turned into saying "pineapple" just in case Mom was onto something. Now eating pineapple downtown sounds really good...not that it was ever bad, "MOM".

We also went to the Farmer's Market and bought a few culinary treasures. Nothing better than sunshine, cheese curd, the above heirloom tomatoes & these new to me rosemary & garlic flax crackers. They are made by a local company called Raging Raw Organics and can I say that they are so scrumptious..that is if you are into flax and such. They pair quite nicely with the fresh cheese that Mom B brought from Utah.

I have so much love in my heart right now for my little red & yellow. And you know when you have that much love for your children you have to get on and ride that train because tomorrow is another day, if you know what I mean.

personal space

{images not in order via CC Interiors, Pure Style Home, High-Heeled Foot in the Door, Desire to Inspire, Domino, Elle Decor}

I need my own personal space. A desk would be nice but for now a lock on the bathroom

would be better.

Have a great weekend!

{birthday}

Did you know that it takes on average 75 years before the saguaro cactus grows an arm?

I'm glad that when I was born on this very day that I already came equipped with 2 arms.

I hope I have many more years to put those arms to work.

Speaking of putting my arms to work, not too many birthdays ago I remember thinking it would be a pure miracle if I would ever be able to bear children in this life. Hmmm...that's kind of funny...what a waste of time wondering.

Today I am especially grateful to be able to experience the beauty of everything that was created for and in this world.

I'm also glad that I have the very satisfying opportunity to create things.

I took a drive with the kids (I frequently do that) and had to pull off the road to capture some of the beauty that is unique to where I live....The Sonoran Desert. It gave me time to reflect and to think about what I want to accomplish until the next birthday. I really did keep the list very short...perhaps a little hike (ok fine maybe an extreme hike) through the Grand Canyon.

My husband asked what I wanted for my birthday and since he can't sew I asked for some really good conditioner....I don't spend very much money on cosmetics but I am a sucker for the below conditioner.

clean and bright

About this time of year I crave a bright, clean and non-cluttered house. I think Lee Kleinhelter did a fine job of exhibiting the before said. I've been a long time fan of Lee's store, Pieces.

All photos via Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle.

{flush mounts}

I need a few flush mounts or a fixture that doesn't hang down very low. I'm thinking that the above fixtures from Schoolhouse Electric Co. just may work. Pretty good price point too (one of the key factors).

Pottery Barn is really good about jumping on the trend bandwagon..as seen below with a fixture that is raw and industrial with just the exposed bulb and wires. How do you feel about that look?

I just had to add this one in because it is so pretty.

In the market for Edison light bulbs then check out Schoolhouse Electric Co. for those as well. Haven't done the research on them yet but this I can tell you, SEC sells their bulbs for a few dollars cheaper than Anthro.

{above lightbulb via Anthropologie}

{party blowers}

How fun would it be to make your own party blowers. Think of all of the possibilities.

Found here.

Funny thing today....when we entered the fabric store, the manager said that she wanted to take our picture. I thought, "Well that is kind of funny but why not because I happen to have my camera right here in my purse so I 'll just go with it." When I handed it to her she kind of had a funny look on her face. After she was done she handed me a card to her photography business that she does on the side. "Oh now I see what you meant when you said you wanted to take out picture", I said. Here I thought she was the weirdo when actually she thought that I was the weirdo (I wonder how often that happens in life).

The real funnyness happened when I saw the above picture. Apparently I dress the part of somebody who was on a fabric safari seeking out some "roar, roar" fabric..I swear I didn't plan that one. It all seemed to work because 2 ladies in the back of the store said that anybody who would bring 5 kids into the store must have a bit of a "roar, roar" personality. Perhaps I am a little guilty as charged.

Anyway, here are a few swatches. Sometimes I think I want to do orange accents and then I want red but then I want just grey, camel, rust, black & white or was that olive and mustard. See not easy with so many options.

I am liking the below rugs from Overstock.

UPDATE****Everybody can thank Iman for letting me know that the bottom left rug is a no go. She ordered it and said it looked country and the colors are not what they look like online.

And I am really enjoying this boy's bedroom courtesy of Elle Decor.

weekend scene

Wow what a weekend. What is it about a white flag? Doesn't that mean when you wave one that you are surrendering? If that is the case then there are days I feel like waving a white flag. Usually it's not over something big but a bunch of little things that have piled up.

A few things:

*The Olympics were inspiring.

*It's time to take a moment to post on the family blog. I feel like I have so much to say about this Motherhood thing.

*There's a new gourmet pie place that just opened up, down the road. It is operated by 2 local women who clearly have a passion for making pies. I hope it is good because I love finding a new small business to support.

*Needed to use up my sour cream so I made the above pancakes. Didn't know I needed honey butter with cinnamon and toasted pecans as a topping until I came across this recipe.

*Sometimes I fly by the seat of my pants.

*I'm good @ finding distractions & project (refer below @ the latest vintage faux bamboo tables that I bought this weekend)

*I also am really good @ starting projects but not finishing them.(Blame it on the part ADD in me)

Speaking of projects...

This weekend, I just purchased the exact same vintage faux bamboo tables as pictured above. Husband said I needed more faux bamboo tables like a hole in the head. I say a few holes in the head never hurt..especially if I could re-create them to look like the below side tables from 1stDibs.