QUOTE: Pattern, right or wrong

"A pattern is either right or wrong... it is no stronger than its weakest point."
~William Morris

designer: Ellen Hamilton **
image: Traditional Home
quote

DIY: chandeliers for the garden

image: Traditional Home

photos: John Granen & Peter Krumhardt

How amazing is this easy lighting DYI! pretty right!!  purchase chandeliers from thrift shops and spray paint! these were painted hot pink! HOT, I say and daring.  use drip less candles {trust me on this!! lesson learned!}  Trader Joe's has a great drip less candle or purchase here.
I hope to be making some soon, will post when I do.

What DIY's have you done this summer?
xx
callie

LITTLE PLEASURES: tea, sweet storage

HOT or ON ICE

Even the Keno brothers as smitten with pretty little boxes that hold tea! They prefer their tea black with no milk. But me, milk first {just a dribble} then hot tea poured into a pretty tea cup.  It must be china, no coffee mugs for me!! I am snobby like that, what can I say.

This box is resembles shagreen (sharkskin) but is rolled-paper.  Such a pretty box with filigree details.  I drink tea quite often and would love to have my tea stored in tea caddy.  I need to add to my list of must finds for the house.
I do have to say during the summer months, iced tea is much preferred. Especially, when the heat is up there to a sweltering 97 degrees and high humidity.  I need ice tea!!
I don't like my tea sweet, but in the summer sometimes a bit of sweetener is a must! Southern Sweet tea, champagne of the south served in a mason jar!

Boil 2 cups water and place 3 family sized tea bags and let steep.  Pour tea into a pitcher add 1 cup sugar stirring to dissolve. Fill remaining pitcher with cold water. Serve over ice!

I sometimes add fresh mint muddled or fresh lemon slices. (I know, not so southern but hey I am from California where the Arnold Palmer was concocted!!)

enjoy!!

xx
callie

ps
I adore this ice tea jug by Bodum:

DESIGN: workshop

KATIE BROWN! **
I love Katie Brown.  She is always making something, and then showing you how to do it! In a simple and easy way. I remember when she came on the scene years ago and enjoyed watching her create great spaces, yummy food while being spunky and "keep it simple" philosophy keeps me a huge fan!

Her new project: KB workshop
has podcast and episodes for Nest, Cook and Grow. She is partnering with Meijer and sharing more goodness!
She even has a new book that needs to be in my kitchen!!  Katie Brown Celebrates
Wishing you all a happy day!
xx
callie

WOW! Summer going, going .......

Below Redwall [sans buckarooken]
Originally uploaded by The 10 cent designer

soon to be gone!

this shot is beautiful, majestic and completely awe inspiring!!

I just realized summer is dwindling away, I am up and the sun is barely rising!! Oh no!!
I need to start doing more summer fun from my list!
I am happy it is the weekend; gardening, playing with the pups before Luna goes to her new home, eating tomatoes and having wine with friends.
What are you doing this weekend?
xx
callie

ps
and I have to get my trip organized, eeee I haven't even started!!

QUOTE: Small articles

"The personal touch...is shown, or should be, in the smaller articles in the room, which by their choice and placement indicate the character of the occupant."
~Frank A. Parsons

Creative and playful!

displaying heirlooms in a fun way.

image: Livingetc
quote

ARTIST: Music, Koudlam

I am always in search of musicians to listen to while running!
Keeps my pace up and makes me happy to be out in sweltering heat getting a run in at 5:30 am!! I found this new artist {to me!} Koudlam
Take a listen and let me know what you think!
xx
callie



purchase music: Koudlam, Goodbye
Koudlam, youtube, see you all
Koudlam, myspace
Koudlam, Facebook

JONESING: Tomatoes!

TOMATOES, TOMATOES, TOMATOES!!

What can I say, I love them!
Since planting tomatoes this summer, I can't wait until they are ripe and ready to eat.  I have over a hundred of them, green and almost ready to turn red!!
So, since I am about to have many tomatoes on my hands I began looking for recipes!
Love Smitten Kitchen so that was my first stop! click on link for recipe!
Scalloped tomatoes with croutons, mmmmmmmmmm

both images: Smitten Kitchen flickr

then another fav!

Donna Hay, great site

I so can't wait to make this salad!! tomatoes wrapped in prosciutto with mozzarella and basil. mmmm

I am going to try making this on the BBQ so my kitchen doesn't get any hotter!

RECIPE:

4 vine-ripened tomatoes

4 slices prosciutto

sea salt and cracked black pepper

extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

2 x 125g buffalo mozzarella, torn

1 cup  basil leaves

1 Tablespoon white wine vinegar

2 tablespoons extra virgin  olive oil

Preheat oven to 390 degree F. Wrap tomatoes in prosciutto and place on lined baking tray. sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle with oil. Roast for 10-15 minutes or until prosciutto is crisp. Serve with mozzarella and basil drizzled with vinegar and extra oil. Serves 4

EEEEEE! I have 4 tomatoes on my plant that are ready for picking!!

xx

callie

DESIGN CRUSH: Orange!

This little jewel box of a guest quarters is just perfectly sweet and worldly! {can you believe it was a garage renovation!!}
Well, I close my eyes and open them.....this space makes me think so some far off place far far away from Chicago.  I CRUSH those orange velvet chairs!
This whole space is fantastic! designed by Marshall Watson and Jeffery Kilmer, view more here!!
xx
callie

ps here are a few images from Marshall Watsons site

Weekend update, Miss Luna!

This weekend went by way to fast. It was hot! Sweltering HOT!  I went to buy a window unit it was so hot!  I didn't do much this weekend since it was so hot, laid about reading magazines to research for upcoming posts.  My stack of mags has dwindled significantly! {it was pretty big!}

The pups were laying about too! Not fun to play in the heat.  Besides, Little Miss Luna is getting over pneumonia.  Took her to the vet for a slight cough, and {cough, cost me over 400 bucks!, dog medicine is way expensive!!}  She is much better today with no runny nose or funky cough..... I really hope Miss Sass doesn't get the nasty thing! Keep your fingers cross, if she does I will have to cancel my trip and my parents will have to go without me.  I can't board her if she is, since it is contagious! so fingers crossed!!

Anyway, update on Miss Luna!
Her training is going well.  She is eating everything I give her! She is on the Magic Meatball diet which she loves!! Should be packing on the pounds now!!
She is almost house broken! yeah! She now knows her name. She is learning commands of stopping on each corner, wait, sit, down, no and trade.  She is comfortable with me putting my hand in her mouth to give meddy snacks (medicine) and removing sticks that she is not supposed to eat.  and she knows "Luna, get off Sassy!" She seams to love humping Miss Sassy!

 She is so very sweet and is extremely quiet.  She adores Miss Sassy! She copies Sassy just like a little annoying sister! drives Sassy crazy at times, but they seam to love each other. It is very cute!

I believe we have a home for her, Yippy! just need to get her spayed which will happen after she is not sick!  I had to postpone the procedure until she is well.  She is so loving and cuddly the new owners will be very happy with her, I just know it!!

Her is a photo of her laying about!  Hope your weekend was amazing! xx callie

Niagara Falls

postcard from the edge
Originally uploaded by S Alex Maier

I am very excited!
I will be planning a road trip to Niagara Falls! I leave in a few weeks and I haven't even started to plan yet!
This weekend, I will be viewing maps and laying out my plans! I don't always follow the plans but at least I have one just in case.

My parents will be going with me, they are a lot of fun. But I never thought I would be going to Niagara Falls with my parents. It's a place I have always thought of as romantic..... a place to honeymoon. I wish R was going but I don't even know what is going on with us and my heart aches. uuuugg. anyway, let's stay happy!

My mum reminded me to purchase lots of wine for the trip!! Happy! So it will be fun, nothing better than sitting on the balcony over looking the falls with a huge glass of vino in the hand!

Have a wonderful weekend, let me know what you have planned!
I am over at Vana's on Friday, please come visit!!
xx
callie

ps Luna the puppy update this weekend!

Silent Post

For Beautiful Marija 

you will be missed.

words from her loving husband 

image: flickr candy rose

ETSY: Lovely bags on the run!

my favorite, love that green button on the neutral burlap!

Etsy shop: Sacs Bio Ira Grant

All materials are natural fibers, organic fabrics and she recycles upcycles leathers.

These bags are awesome! and well priced! 

Found via: Rachel at Lovely Clusters: Lovely Featured Sellers post

and so happy I did, I am in need of a bag for the train to and from work

and these lovelies will have all the girls on the train jealous!

xx

callie

LITTLE PLEASURES: pretty & sweet colour

cotton candy pink, crystallised violets, peach taffy, red hots, 

bubble gum pink, lemon drops

The house of Candace Brushnell in Elledecor this past month has little touches of sweet colour.   From the books in the built in bookshelves to the poof ottomans in front of the fireplace to the sweet details of fresh flowers is lovely Moroccan tea glasses, touched with gold details. Not too sweet to make your teeth ache, just enough to make you happy!

Her home she shares with her husband is just gorgeous. The architectural details and the cosiness of the rooms are thoughtfully placed, making a lovely home.

I am looking for wheat sheaf sconces like the ones she has over her fireplace mantel, or a table base with glass top!!  any idea's on where I can find them?

What sweet colours are you loving today?  view here to see entire house

xx

callie

DESIGN: Robert Brown

After a few decades in the fashion industry, Robert Brown switched over to interior design. So, happy he did! I just adore his clean lines, brilliant colour schemes and cosy but sophisticated interiors!

Just take a look!

xx

callie

 

all images: Robert Brown Site

HAPPY WEEKEND: Little structures

Image: Ideal home

Happy weekend. Love this little structure for enjoyment!  What do you have planned for the weekend?
xx
callie

Puppy!!

Tonight has been exhausting! I went by the Chicago city pound to see if the rumors were true! and sure enough they were...... My friend volunteers there on the weekends walking dogs. Well, yesterday she told be she saw a weirmaraner there. Sure enough, tonight I went by and Luna (by the way, she smelled like chocolate so I would have called her Coco and  she is so sweet!!) Luna, the sweet pup was skinny and scared!!
Well, since I have dog I have to go back with my dog to meet her before they would let me take her home {I should have lied, but that is hard for me to do!!! not good at it!} and to be honest, I am adopting her so I can find her a loving home!! I wish I could keep her, but I am not sure if my place is big enough for 2 weirmars! well, see.  Anyway, I do have a person at work that was on a list to get a new puppy weimar but they only had 6 in the litter so there are to many people for the pups. I emailed her and she is interested enough to have me photographer her and get more information on her.

I do hope to find her a loving home soon!! xxcallie

Luna, the Blue Weimaraner!

Look how skinny she is, makes me sad the owners didn't feed her!!

QUOTE: Reflectance shattered

"A mirror makes a fabulous backdrop for art. I love to
prop a painting in front, or hang it right on top"
    ~Robert Brown~

Sex Pistols poster: God Save the Queen

I want this poster for my living room!!  I am trying to locate this exact one, and not having to much luck!

Have a wonderful day!

xx

callie

Image: Livingetc, 2008

PHOTOGRAPHY: Only 16!

Caiti Anne age 16

Amazing eye; capturer of beauty! 

Her work is beautiful, raw, emotional and completely honest.

see more of her work

found her via art-pixie

this image is my favorite, just look at that capture! 

{the reflection of the drapery folds in the water is just utterly mind blowing!} 

I would love to have this one blown up huge for over my sofa!! xx callie

LITTLE PLEASURES: a wee snippet of gingham

gingham: distinguished by its checkered pattern.

bedroom of Harriet Maxwell MacDonald, orignal posting Domino Magazine

small dose peeking out from under the bedcovers

info on wine here

I have not tried this wine, just saw the lovely sweet packaging and just love the simplicity!

If you have tried this wine and it's good, please let me know.

via frolic via APC Madras

This sweet suit! Chelsea always find such sweetness that makes my heart sing

via Cup of Jo, guest post via stevenalan

and as she mentions they would be perfect with a white tank top to sleep in!

adorably sexy, I say!!

Now go over to Anne of City Sage and she her post on this lovely pattern!!

image board, City Sage

Gingham is popping up everywhere.  It is such a summer pattern to me...... reminds me of picnics and bbq's and road trips!   What reminds you of summer?

xx

callie