Shiver Me Timbers! Look At The Treasures I Found!

I am always on the lookout for great nautical decor: not necessarily for me, but for one particular friend.  I found this adorable pine bench at "Antiques at the Barn" and I am in love with it!  It is the sort of piece that adds personality to a room.  If she doesn't go get it, I will just because the price is too good to pass up and I know I can find a spot for it.  It is on the small size so it would be the perfect little accent bench used as a side table, book catchall, coffee table, or whatever.

It just needs a little cleaning and it would be perfectly fetching-- somewhere.

I think these ship shadowboxes are really fun.

This collection of vintage sailboat glasses just begs for an open shelf in a white cottage kitchen.  They just scream 'summer'!

I picked up this darling boutique dress for Gwenna at a second hand store.  I don't know if you can see but the fabric running down the middle is a nautical print of little boats, light houses and sailors.  I like the little daisy print too and I just love the style of the dress on her.

Outdoor Spaces

Rebecca has been helping me with my master bedroom, and next up she has already graciously agreed to help me update my formal living room.  After that it's the kitchen, and then maybe the master bath.  What I'd like to work on in between and during is my backyard.  This time of year always makes me want to focus on that outdoor space, and to make it as cozy as I can so that we can spend our evenings outside.

image via imagine cozy

I love this outdoor space.  I want to hang curtains from my back patio the way they have done here.
image via All Pretty Little Things

image via Imagine Cozy

The checkerboard grass is perfect.  I love that and all the lush greenery surrounding the outdoor fireplace.
image via I Do I Don't Design

I really want to have lemon trees on my patio.  They don't grow well here, but my local nursery guy said he would order me a Meyer lemon tree.  I plan on putting it in a pot with locking casters so that I can wheel it into the garage during the winter.    In this space, I love the curtain details, and how they are hung from a decorative rod even though the arches extend far above the curtains.  The space is designed by Mary McDonald.  The curtain rod is custom designed and the fabric on the couches and ottomans is Ralph Lauren.
image via House and Home

I love the potted flowers in the wire hanging basket-thingy.  Gorgeous!
image via Pretty Little Things

image via Beneath My Heart

Nevermind outside; I want these for my living room!
image via all good things are wild and free

It seems to me I've included this picture in another post, or maybe I've pinned it, but I don't mind because that is how much I adore this space.  I love it.
image via Interior Divine

I want to climb through this little opening and go spend the day in there.
It's like a little secret garden.  I love it!
image via pinterest

image via House and Home

I love just about any garden that looks a little overgrown and green, especially when it is through
a door or gate... very Secret Garden.

traditional landscape design by toronto interior designer ROOMS 'N BLOOMS Anne and Rick Vernon

Thrifted: Tea and Tennis

I found this rose colored, floral, strapless dress at the Goodwill a few months back.  I think it is perfect for a baby shower or lunch with girlfriends. I would say a tea party, but I haven't been invited to one...ever.  I wish Americans had high tea because I would be prepared!  

I like the dress with this blue and white cardigan because I think it makes it more wearable.  

Another thrift store find:  this blue and white number is the perfect summer staple.  Easy and comfortable.  The only thing that I don't like about it is the pockets in the seams; they give me a bit too much extra hip.  I am sure it can be fixed though.

via threads of my life

My blue and white stripe dress paired with straw and suede oxfords are reminiscent of Judy Garland's tennis outfit in Meet Me In St Louise.  I would NOT play tennis in this dress btw, but it reminds me of that wonderful movie.

Olympic Fashion

This summer's Olympics are set to be the most stylish ever.  Ralph Lauren is designing Olympic Village and Closing Ceremony looks for Team USA, Armani is designing outfits for Team Italy, and Stella McCartney will be designing for Team Great Britain.  Maybe they'll create a new category of medals for the 2012 Summer Olympics.  I wonder which designer would take home the gold?!

image via InStyle

Georgio Armani for Team Italy
He went with white and midnight blue rather than the traditional Italian colors
of red, white, and green.  I guess you can't blame Armani for shying away from
Christmas in July!
According to InStyle, each competing athlete will receive Armani luggage packed
with about 50 pieces created by the designer.
image via InStyle

Stella McCartney told the BBC that, "You shouldn't have to sacrifice style
for sport."  She has partnered with Adidas to create a modern take on the
British flag for the athletes.
image via InStyle

Ralph Lauren will ensure that our own athletes will look their best come game
time.  He kept the traditional colors of red, white, and blue, but in typical Ralph
Lauren style, he used navy blue.  You can purchase pieces from the collection at
Ralphlauren.com.
image via InStyle

~Lori

The Wind In The Willows

vintage cover

The Wind in the Willows was first published in 1908 by Kenneth Grahame, a retired banker.  He wrote these stories for his son. The plot goes something like this:  a group of animal friends, Rat, Mole, and Badger, attempt to help their out-of-control friend Toad to his senses and give up his wild indulgences.  Toad first has a pension for horse and carriage then he discovers motor cars ext. all while Toad Hall is in jeopardy and a band of weasels move in. Toad finally learns his lesson after everything is straightened out.  Rather moralistic, however, it is highly evocative of the English countryside and this is why I like it. What could be better than a toad living in a great manor house anyway? I don't know what made me think of these stories after all these years, but I might read the book to my son if he likes.

available on Amazon here

This claymation version of The Wind in the Willows is the movie I grew up watching.  I remember thinking that it was odd.  So odd I loved it.  There are many other versions as well, including a live action movie (1996) but I watched a few minutes of it and found it rather too strange and lacking in charm.

All these lovely images make me want to go on a picnic.  It is Spring after all. 

via the gardian

via the telegraph

via the culture concept circle

via cellar door books


via design diary

cherrycolored

via a brit in tennessee

Wind in the Willows hotel in Glossop, UK via 

As an English major I could write a good deal on the literary merits of the book, but I won't.  If you are interested, I found a site: here  It is a critique of an edition of The Wind in the Willows edited by Seth Lerer.  It is fully worth your while if you are into annotations.  I am!

Now How About That Picnic?

via pinterest

I am craving a picnic.   We have the wind here, not that it is required or even wanted, now we just need the lake and the willows!

Mary McDonald

While looking for pictures for another post, I kept finding beautifully decorated spaces by the same designer- Mary McDonald.  She is based out of Los Angeles, and her spaces are rich and classic with modern touches.

image via Mary McDonald

Mary McDonald Interiors
"A well-designed room should beckon you, make you feel welcome and wanting a little bit...more."
-Mary McDonald
available here

image via Chinoiserie Chic

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image via The Regency Furniture

image via Domino

This is a guest bedroom in McDonald's own house.
image via Finuca

image via Between the Boxwoods

This is the same guest bedroom as above, but you can see some slight changes that have been made.
It's kind of like playing "Spot the Difference."  I think it's fun to see how the space has evolved.
Plus, it is interesting to note the difference lighting makes in a space and for a picture.
image via House and Home

image via Let the Tide Bring Your Dreams Ashore

She has some beautifully decorated spaces, but I must admit that this last one is my favorite.  I would never go inside if I had an outdoor space like this; I would just live on this patio!  The colors pop and the placement of everything is perfection.  My current patio set is orange, which I love, but this makes me want to invest in some new furniture!

Just because it is so VERY pretty, here is a closer shot of that gorgeous patio.
image via The Pink Pagoda

~Lori