Oh my Stars!! {a star projector}

{above star projector found here}

I love lights which also includes twinkling stars. My girls recently had a birthday and I purchased the DIY Romantic Star Projector. We have yet to receive it but when we do I may have to snag it for a few nights in my bedroom. Doesn't it look so magical?

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{Having a Mondrian Moment}

Sometimes I get on these little design kicks. Lately I keep having geometric shapes and primary color tones flashing through my head which then easily translates to the designs of Piet Mondrian.

What is flashing through your brain...hopefully something funny...and something you would like to share.

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Simplicity, New Year, Casa Olivi & scenes from the weekend

{credit to above photos to Hannes Henz and Gaelle le Boulicaut}

When I came across the Casa Olivi I instantly was attracted to it because it looked like a destination that would prove relaxing in part due to its simplicity...I mean just look at that pool. Again and again when I think of traveling somewhere I often dream of a place that is both warm and modern. Also Casa Olivi is located in Italy and is limited to housing no more than 21..what a quiet getaway for a family...probably a family with lots of dollars in their wallet I am thinking. To see more about Casa Olivi then go here.

As each New Year seems to pass by and the older I get I really seem to crave simplicity. Which means I don't want as much stuff around because for me I have figured out that a) "stuff" owns you & clutters your mind AND b) when aquiring things that it should be a matter of quality over quantity (I've learned this one by experience..bless my early 20's). Don't get me wrong I still like stuff but I am just learning to be better at editing. Overall simplifying makes quality of life so much better when managing a home and family. Things really just don't matter as much as all of life's experiences...and stuff sometimes just gets in the way..ya know?? You know, stuff and things....

Along with simplifying, there are ongoing goals that always seem to make the list every year as well as a few more. This year my list is not long but it did include a few goals that might seem not very noteworthy...such as switching out all of the plastic containers in my pantry for glass storage containers. I also got a head start on another small goal of having more plants around the house and patio by bringing a Meyer lemon tree home. It's funny how something so small can bring so much joy. After church on Sunday we took a few photos that included my new tree...oh and a sequin skirt that I decided to wear..it was a hard decision but I went with it being that it was New Year's Day. I usually would not sport heavy sequinage to church. We also made it to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, had a family New Year's Eve party, and a craft extravaganza out of pipe cleaners. Those pipe cleaners kept the girls busy for hours. They also felt it would be a great idea to peddle their new creations to friends and neighbors. One of my girls even thought it a good idea to price one of her pieces at $78 even though the sale sign said .05 or $2. I'm so glad she thinks her crafts are awesome...she'll be set if she still thinks the same way at 22.

So there you have it. Life is good. Here's to a very happy happy New Year to all. I double dip flip heart all of you for your kindness last year.

Loves.

glitter dipped leather New Year's Eve celebration necklace

So I have a love hate relationship with glitter but with all of the New Years celebrations knocking at our door I couldn't help but bust out a little sparkly stuff. You can't tell but the necklaces really do glisten and sparkle in real life.

Anyway I've had some leather scraps for a while that I picked up here at a local discount fabric shop (for those who are local..SAS Fabrics) . Originally I picked the scraps up to make a gift for my husband but that didn't pan out so I decided to put the leather to work by making a statement necklace. As I was making them I had in mind making something that would jazz up a plain shirt for New Year's eve..you know just in case I was the only one who wouldn't be wearing a sequin jumpsuit or something..ha. Speaking of, have you noticed sequin craze 2011 is still going strong..sheesh they are EVERYWHERE???

Anyway I think the project was efficient enough to share just in case someone out there is looking to add a little sparkle to their life.

This is what you will need:

*heavy duty craft glue (Quick Grip is my favorite..throw away that stinky E6000 stuff ASAP)

*scissors

*leather scraps

*glitter (if you aren't into glitter then I would suggest dipping the ends of the leather with a little liquid gold leaf)

*gel glue (I like Martha Stewart)

*wire necklace (I picked mine up at Michaels)

First cut strips of leather to desired length. Next take the heavy duty glue and cover half of the strip then fold the other half over the wire and press. Once you get all of the leather strips all secured then trim the pieces to desired lengths. Next dip the ends in either liquid gold leaf paint or take a nice gel glue and cover the area you would like the glitter to be. Let it dry and then shake of the excess. Lastly wear your new necklace some place that you are bound to have fun.

Speaking of fun...what is this New Year going to hold for each and every one of us? I can't wait to find out. 2011 was a tricky year for me so I am all for a new one. Not that I am wishing it away I am just ready to press forward. And you?

the match game

When I saw the above space with the yellow faceted mirror I really wanted to find a faceted mirror of my own. The room was recently features in Veranda Magazine and was designed by Kirsten Kelli. After I pinned it I immediately came across the picture with the girl in the yellow shirt and thought...hmmm that's a great match. I had so much fun with it that I made a game and found as many as I could within a few minutes from my desktop that I felt were a good match. I know if somebody made a real life tangible match card game out of fashion and interiors I'd be first in line to purchase it;-)

Also I am very attracted to similar silhouettes in fashion apparently....sleeves and higher necklines.

{Images} 1- Veranda Magazine scanned by me, 2 - Extra Petite, 3 - here, 4 - zara , 5 - Eddie Ross, 6 - Pinterest, 7 - here , 8 - ASOS, 9- here, 10- here, 11- here, 12-here, 13 - here

a few scenes from around the home {testing a new camera lens}

I have quite a few corners in my home that do not get very much light..so it was to my delight to get a new lens for my camera that would allow me to take better photos in lower light situations. YIPEE! The best part about it is that the lens is pretty darn inexpensive (when talking lenses) and is nick named the nifty fifty. The only bad thing is that that it is a fixed lens which isn't conducive for trying to capture a whole room in a small square footage scenario. Oh well at least I can get good shots of the kids indoors now.

Now off to pick a paint color to go behind that shell mirror. I promised myself to get my bedroom painted before the new year. I will let you know how it turns out.

scenes from Christmas Eve

{photos taken with my phone}

Christmas Eve has to be one of my favorite days of the year because my family has a tradition of having a simple dinner by fireside. This year my Dad actually made a bonfire in the backyard where we talked about what Christmas means to our family while we enjoyed cheese, crackers, flatbread, hummus, fruit, roasted vegetables mixed with pear (yum). All of the baskets lined up in the top picture housed all of the food. Then after we were done eating we went inside for the annual Christmas story read to the kids by my Momma as seen in the bottom picture. To top it off we loaded up in my my Dad's trailer where we drove around the neighborhood observing streets lined with luminaries. I loved how there were other families out as well..it wasn't uncommon to hear bandwagons busting out in song. My brother said that people busting out in Christmas carols makes him feel awkward...mostly the kind when people come to the front door and you are the only one at the door with people singing to you. I could appreciate his statement since we weren't raised as a serious song and dance kind of family (most of us). We usually only reserve busting out our song and dance for a laugh. In fact I thought about the time my date took me on a gondola ride and the the guide busted out in song..I laughed when I wasn't supposed to have laughed..then I laughed more because I was embarrassed. I may have a problem with laughing when I am not supposed to. At least I have been cured of not laughing during a prayer..that was the worst.

Hope you had a fun filled Christmas weekend.

tis the season.....

Hi there all you holiday celebrators. Usually when there is silence around the blog it means that it is opposite day on the other side of my computer. Yesterday I was in charge of coordinating the girls school party and I gave myself the job of doing a take home craft with the kids. After purchasing a bunch of nickel plated platters from the Dollar store I decided to give em a coat of chalkboard paint. Being that the platters were already magnetic I brought supplies for the kids to make their very own magnets. I was a sweaty mess after leaving the classroom. Glad to have it done. Glad to have most all of my holiday business done in fact. Glad to spend more time with family. Glad to go on a couple of hikes. Glad for lots of things actually. I intend on playing blog post catch up soon but for now I just wanted to pop in and say hello.

What is shaking with all of you folks out there?

P.S. - For some reason those little mini sequin star magnets are making me giddy.

{Colors}

The branding and the colors of the above packaging from Fogal, a Swiss legwear and kniwtare company is really doing it for me today. Yes those colors are inspiring me on many different fronts but especially for a certain room in my home.

{above photos via here}