Favorite Thing: Mercury Glass

Sorry, no freaky find Fiday today.  In some ways that's a good thing, right?  No atrocities for the time being (even though I'm sure I could have found something had I looked hard enough).

Instead, here is something pretty for a change...

Don't you just love mercury glass?!  I sure do.  It is so beautiful with its silvery exterior warmed by a gold glow from within.  Mercury glass is the term for "silvered glass" which was commonly manufactured in the US between 1852-80.  True mercury glass has a double wall between which the silvering solution was applied (which contained silver nitrate and grape sugar). source.

Today we have reproduction mercury glass.  You can tell the difference because it doesn't have a double layer of glass.  It doesn't really matter, though.  The reproduction pieces are really pretty.  

Everything from ornaments, to light fixtures and lamps to candles and cake stands.  There is a wide range of gorgeous items on the market right now in mercury glass.  Pottery Barn, Ballard Design, World Market, and Anthropologie are some main sources that I used here.

Take a look at this mercury glass chandelier! here

 

I would love to get these mercury glass knobs for...something...anything! here

There is even a process using spray paint to create your own look alike mercury glass!  I might want to try that with the frame of a mirror or picture frame.  I think I feel a DIY post coming on...

Day 30  I am thankful for the gift that is my life.  There is hope, joy and love every day.  That    

                  is truly something to be thankful for.

Favorite Things: Sabrina

I stumbled across this movie poster for Audrey Hepburn's 1954 film Sabrina, and I instantly fell in love with it.  I had never seen this poster before.

image via Hemingway & Hepburn

I searched around a little more, and found more movie posters for the film, all of which prominently featured Audrey Hepburn.

image via

Of course, Hepburn wasn't the only star in the film; just look at who received top billing on all three posters I've included.

image via Bombshell Photography

I love this film.  I love this picture of the three main characters; it represents the story rather nicely, don't you think?  

Rebecca and I had a small discussion one time, about Sabrina, and I remember her mentioning that it wasn't her favorite Hepburn film; Bogart's character, Linus, just seemed too old for Sabrina.  Rebecca mentioned that she liked the 1995 version, starring Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond, better.

image via Natalie Stendall

I like them both.  I really do love the original, but I also really do love the Harrison Ford version (namely because of Harrison Ford!!).  I like Bogart as Linus, but I love Indiana Jones' take on the character too.

image via

image via

Rebecca thought Greg Kinnear was a little too goofy as David Larrabee, but I liked him in the role.

Both are great movies, and although I don't think I favor one over the other, I definitely wouldn't mind curling up on the couch right now and watching Han Solo quietly woo his brother's girl.

Day 29~  I am thankful that I have the ability to keep growing, changing, and learning new things, and I am really, really thankful for my smart, kind, funny, beautiful little girl who helps me grow, change, and learn each day.

~Lori

Inspiration: Understated Christmas Decorating

habituallychic

I think understated and simple Christmas decor appeals to me more than any other.  Why?  Because it seems to symbolize Christmas better than any other style:  nature provides the best and most beautiful atmosphere.  Luxury doesn't make Christmas special.  Look around and see what can be done with the least amount of money but ultimate impact.  Candles, greenery, flowers and just a bit of sparkle are all you need to convey warmth.  Just like the best gifts, the best rooms are creative and thoughtful.

ppebble

hiphostess


splendidsass
This is a more "wow" space than most of the others I have included but the individual seasonal elements are natural, like the pine cones in the tree and fresh green wreath and centerpiece.  It's all very easy to duplicate.

roomtoinspire


homeinteriors


stockholm-vitt

These pictures of the interior of a farmhouse in Red Hook NY, from an old Country Living
magazine article, are some of my  favorite examples of rustic simplicity with a French
country vibe.  I think it is lovely.

None of these spaces look very "decorated" but just like a fabulous outfit, they leave a strong impression of style.  Use what you have and create something special yourself.  If your home is pretty to begin with, why not just play it up in a subtle way?  

Day 28  I am so thankful that my friends want to include me when they are planning their own special events.  Today I get to go to the site that will be the center of celebration for a 1st birthday party!  I am honored that my opinion matters to those I care about.

Wish List: Orla Kiely

1/  2/  3/  4/

5/  6/  7/  8/  

I love Orla Kiely dresses.  If I had a ton of expendable cash, I would buy every single dress pictured here and a lot of the coats they have too.  Look at all those collars and sweet cuts!

Day 27~ I am thankful that my students are such great little kiddos and that we had a pretty fantastic first day back.

~Lori

Favorite Find: Corbel Sconces...After

Here is the before and after!  What do you think?  Did I make the right call?  I ended up dry brushing the  corbels but allowing the blue-green to show through.  I just wanted to lighten them up enough to make each read as one piece.  That is, the back-plate of the sconce and the corbel are meant to be together.  Awww, what a love story.  

Talk about a love story....I am in love.  I LOVE these sconces!

Day 26  I am thankful that I can continue to learn and grow intellectually because obtaining reliable information on the internet has become so quick and easy.  I still love the library, but when I want to know something right now, I can find it.  Technology really can be a wonderful thing.

Sweet Spot Sunday

This Sunday, I thought I would bring you some ideas for some sweet treats that would make perfect gifts this holiday season.

I really wish we had a Godiva store nearby, because this year they brought back the creme brulee truffle- one of the most delicious pieces of chocolate I have ever had.  I like them even better than Nordstrom's champagne truffles, and that is saying a lot.

Godiva Truffle Box

I adore a good Harry & David pear, and I don't really even like pears.  But these- they melt in your mouth.  Delicious.

Harry & David Holiday Tower of Treats

One of my old grad school teachers would periodically bring us taffies from Dewar's (a little sugar to soften the inevitable blow we'd get when she'd pass back our papers).  I was never really a big taffy person until I had these- they are so. damn. good.  The peanut butter ones are my favorite, but the peppermint are good too.

Dewar's Taffy- Try the peanut butter.
(You can thank me later.)

I had a sample of some of these preserves at a farmer's market over the summer, and as a surprise, my brother bought me a jar of the cherry lime.  The packaging is pretty, and the flavors are fun and unique.

Rare Bird Preserves
The cherry lime is delicious.

Day 25~  I am thankful that we now live in such a small world that we can stay connected with friends and family, no matter how far away they are.

~Lori

Favorite Find: Corbel Sconces...before

I spotted these odd lamps at a local antique/junk shop about a month ago.  They are actually old corbel that had been turned into sconces.  I think they are one of those things that could be really cool and unique in the right space and I am hoping that my living room is that space.  At $43 for the pair, how can I go wrong?

Here they are mounted with shades, but I know that they are not quite finished yet.

I need to decide if only the back plate and cord get a few coats of spray paint (cream) or if I should paint the entire thing white.  What do you think?

Isn't the detail on the corbel pretty?  I even like the blue mottled finish on them, but the back plates are horrible and splattered with paint.  I can't wait to tackle this and show you the end result!  

Day 24 I am thankful that the people I care most about are willing to see past my shortcomings               

                   and love me for who I really am.  

Freaky Find Friday

Hello, all.  I hope everyone (who celebrates) had a fantastic Thanksgiving.  So, how many of you take advantage and brave the crazy crowds for Black Friday?  I have to be honest- I have never been a huge Black Friday type gal.  I prefer to wait for the after Christmas sales.  Especially the one at Dillard's.  That's my favorite, though I always almost miss it somehow.   But anyway.  I digress.  Some people can get a little crazy during the Black Friday sales, so I would rather stay home, sleep in, and snatch up some deals via cyberspace.

My freaky find for this Friday comes from Anthropologie.  Now, don't get me wrong; I love me some Anthropologie (as evidenced here, here, and here).  I just can't get behind these boots.

If you see something I don't, you can get them here.

I just...  I don't know.  I can't get on board with these.  They freak me out.  They remind me of socks with sandals.  So what do you think?  Avant-garde or avant-gross?  Either way, have a great weekend!

Day 23~   I am thankful that I got to spend some time with my Grandfather on Thanksgiving, and that I have the whole weekend to start decorating the house for Christmas.

~Lori

Favorite Thing: Vintage Hudson Bay Co. Blanket

torantolife

Since today is Thanksgiving I thought I would focus on something warm and cozy.  What could be cozier than a blanket?  Especially a vintage Hudson Bay blanket.  I have always loved them.  I recently bought one for $25.  It doesn't have the signature primary color bands so that is probably why it was so cheap.  It is mint green and cream so it works better in my living room anyway.  How great are these?!

houzz.com
Here it is, in all it's classic perfection.
These blankets are just as at home in a very contemporary space as they are in a rustic one.


via

Check out this vintage photo of their window display.

houzz.com

Why not upholster something (anything) in one?

weheartit
If you find one in ill repair why not make a pillow with the pretty portion?

furcoatcoknickers
An elegant weekend-in-the-country bag.


thecabinologist

Strolling down to the lake on a chilly morning...

etsy.com

They are wonderful in other colors as well.  Like this grey one.

marcusdesign

where
LOVE.

redglasses


razmataz

houzz
Aren't these great for a boy's bedroom?  

As if you needed the arrows right?  But I just learned how to do them so, whatever!

  
Day 21:  I am thankful for the cozy things in life: candlelight, down comforters, wood burning fires, coffee, and hot baths.  I am grateful for the warmth of home and love.  I wish everyone the same today!

Lori and I wish each of you a very happy Thanksgiving!