craving simple things and being a prairie girl.

Maybe it is the beautiful spring weather in the air, maybe it is reading about Mildred Kalish's life on the farm during the depression in her book Little Heathens. Emily told me about this book, and it has been such a refreshing read...farm food and meals, chores, medicine, thrift..all done in a way so in touch with the world around us. What if all you had was the shoes on your feet, the dress on your back, and the land around you? We weren't designed to have anything more than that! Sigh...Can I be a prairie girl? and have a prairie boy to climb an apple tree with?
The clothes from above are from Cabbages and Roses, what any country girl would wear for the rest of her life. Beautiful things.
p.s. if you have not seen the PBS special, Pioneer House, put it in your Netflix Queue now...you will love it. i promise. Also, Calamity Jane, a cowgirl classic.

lovely design.

I found on my friend Van's blog, pictures and products from Lovely Design. There are so many talented moms and designers out there..ones that make you think, i hope i am that cool when i have kids, throwing amazing birthday parties, decorating lunch bags, making valentines, and just truly enjoying being with your kids. This is one of those moms. Besides her products being swoon worthy, like her address file, reading about her daughter Adelaide (a name i love love love) and their daily adventures are wonderful. See more of Lovely Design here.

miniature worlds.

ooo..just found another new toy..Tilt Shift Maker. It blurs your photos just right in order to create miniature-esque little worlds..you do need just the right photo for it..here is lettuce from the neighbors garden last summer.

yummy pictures.

...all from Design is Mine...

you're the ketchup to my french fries..

These were the valentines I sent out this year, each one completing this phrase "you're the ..... to my......" and since they are with my valentines now, I can post about them!

pattern girl paige!

I gush with pride quite often over my sweet and talented friends, and this is one of those moments! If I would have anyone design the prints for my life..clothes, home, everything..I could say with confidence that Paige would be my girl! She is working as a print designer at Lilly Pulitzer currently, and her drawing of the recent Lilly girls on the Martha Stewart Show (March 11) is featured on the front of LillyPulitzer.com! Pic 2 is of Paige(in the orange) in their studio and pic 3 is from our senior show in savannah last may. See more of Paige's adventures here! So proud of you!

#2: think happy thoughts.

thank you threadless for this amazingness!..."Playing in the Sprinkler" and "Complementary Colors"...i want both of these t shirts. See more here.

how to beat the winter blues...#1. sew (or just wear) spring clothes...

So, I have the winter blues. My next couple of posts will be dedicated to trying to solve them. In every state I have lived in, march has been a month of spring breaks and budding flowers, not snow storms and freak weather..Being mentally tough is key.
So this is your first task: Sew (or wear) summer clothes. Just say no and pull out one of your favorite bright bright dresses..of course, pair it with tights and a sweater, but give your winter pieces a break and give yourself a break. For myself, it is time to hit the sewing machine! I starting some sketching but decided to go with an old favorite..the apron dress from my state fair collection! Except now in top form...possibly available for sale soon..!

look what i came home with..

..treats from emily and haylie! A Doris Day top if I've ever seen one with little rhinestone buttons, crocheted little cup holders, a beautiful feather head piece on a lilac velvet ribbon and my very own cow creamer!

etsy?...seriously?

i can't believe there are treasures like this..on etsy! not that it doesn't come at a price...it is hard to resist scooping this right up!!

it is snowing...

..and in defiance, i will shop for bathing suits online.

hello again big city.

Whew! Back from New York..another great weekend that made me incredibly thankful for my dear friends. They make my life so cheery.
-Emily making our list of to-do's on Friday morning. I loved getting to explore the spots she has found..

first stop: bagels..duh.

cute girls and cute tights.

second stop: Fishs Eddy, a store that buys up plates, glasses, and miscellany from out of business restaurants. Picked up some new mugs, some county fair jar glasses, and special glass tupperwares..

third stop: mood! I had never been and it was a little bit of a rush to be in the throngs of fashionistas. Emily helped me pick out a great silk fabric..i am obssesed with that purply blue..


fourth stop: woven play. Got to see where Emily spends her days in the studio amidst tutu's and wooden swords. My favorites were the cloth navy and cream striped boy's swim shorts and of course, the ballet lace up tights.


fifth stop: lunch at Westville. A cozy spot where we ordered from a list of 20 fresh market veggies and shared a delicious chocolate shake.

Another favorite, seeing Paige! I hadn't seen her since graduation and needed to. I loved hearing tales from Lilly Pulitzer print design land on the subway in her j.crew bright orange and coral.

sixth stop: Fabulous Fanny's, a glasses store + Hogwarts combined, where you can open at your heart's content labeled wooden drawers full of vintage frames. I couldn't have picked my delicious pair without my expert stylist. A 1960's clear frame with specs of light pink and gold..i love them.


-Mary Poppins on Broadway! the picture above is us posing with our feet mary poppins style on the subway. Our outfits were well in the works before this night, of course each paying tribute to Mary (the fabric from my skirt is an Alexander Henry that I picked up at Crafty Planet, added the red velvet bow to my white top, and carried the carpet bag of course..). As girls devoted to this story and movie, this was a special night. We remain quite loyal to Julie Andrews and Dick van Dyke...and to rum punch.



More wonderful wonderful memories..sigh.

run abby run!

Last week, It was officially decided that I am running a 1/2 marathon! With the push and encouragement of 2 silly girls I know, I guess anyone can do it..and that is me! It's funny how all of a sudden a 3 mile run becomes not such a stretch mentally when you are thinking 13..13..13...in your head. This is the 3rd day of doing a 3 mile run without stopping. What gets me most excited is being fit like Olivia up there, and crossing that finish line..so exciting!
I'm posting this as the precursor to any posts in a couple of weeks entitled "dying inside" or "everyone can run..NOT."

springtime..please?

just found these 2 pictures on jcrew..missing warm and missing being able to walk outside in a cute top..and waiting till march when this one comes out. i love when they post their "inside the studio" inspirations..see more here.