Titanic

today (is it technically today or tomorrow?) is the centennial of the sinking of the rms titanic. so, for no other reason than that, i present you with these:

on the left: a letter written from a survivor to his father about what that night was like. (the best part of the whole letter, though, is at the end when he comments on his wife's weight.)
on the right: overheard on the titanic is one of my favorite pieces from artist austin kleon's newspaper blackout poems.

Spool Candles

the curse of christmas shopping is that for every gift you buy, you find three things you want for yourself. the other day i was perusing anthropologie for some gifts and i came across this little beauty.

now never mind the fact that i could [not would] spend a small countries GDP on candles - and anthropologie has some of the best - but i found this candle that i'm crossing my fingers and toes that they will still have it after christmas. it's basically this hefty porcelain spool that is wrapped in gorgeous herringbone ribbon and then is filled with the cleanest, crispest smelling candle you've ever smelled. like laundry in a cool breeze. seriously. and then when it's all burned up it would look awesome on a bookshelf or on your dresser filled with treasures!

(p.s. i can't find them online. i guess they are only in stores right now, because they are on sale. and the turquoise ribbon is my favorite)

Hot Air Balloon Ornament

let me just say, that as much as i love christmas, i strictly adhere to the no celebrating until the day after thanksgiving. that includes music and/or movies. but it doesn't stop me from thinking about my decorations. and can i just say how much i love this hot air balloon ornament from anthropologie? bea-U-ti-ful.

New Sofa!

we finally got our very epic looking couch in! in almost 4 years of marriage, we have never had a new piece of significant furniture. we bought our bed when we first got married and that's about it. i just like to look at it, and i'm definitely ready for that "i've been packed in stinky plastic" smell to go away.

it's linen, so the side where david was sitting last night is all wrinkled now. i guess i will have to break in the other side today. i'm ready for it to be all broken in and super comfy.

now i'm on the hunt for pillow fabric. i'm deciding between these two for the pattern:

this

and this

any thoughts/suggestions?

Mercury Glass Lamp

i love lamp.

Courtney J. Garrett

courtney garrett is a friend from college - and hands down one of my favorite artists. she did a painting for me that i gave to david when we got married. i am dying to have one of her new pieces. she and her husband, beau, are a ridiculously talented couple. beau has published his first novel yoetna that is due out in february (but more on that in another post). i love it when people do what they truly love, not what is practical. i feel like that's one great thing about our generation.

anyway, courtney has such a great style and point of view. love it.

clockwise: "windmills #3," "and the little bird still sings," "drops of daylight"

"creation song III - receiving wings," "creation song IV - rest"

Currey & Co. Lighting

sorry for all the design posts but lately, i have been obsessed with lighting. i think all the remodel stuff is going to my soul. anyway, i can't help it that it's fun to look at pretty things. especially, illuminated ones. the main focus of my light lust has been currey & co. their ridiculously gorgeous pieces come with a nice price tag, but man, oh man, are they pretty. so, to share my obsession, here are a few of my favorites:

things i think would be cute in a kid's/baby's room:

1. the carousel lantern: i LOVE this red 

2. the zephyr chandelier: this is the one that started it all and sadly, currey has discontinued it and i can't find so much as an image of it online. sadness.

just down right good stuff:

1. the corfu lantern: rustic and simple
2. the corsica lantern: ummm, antiqued mirror. need i say more?

washed wood - the greatest trend of the past year:





1. the simplicity chandelier: we actually scored this one for the stairwell at mom's house. i could not be more proud of dear ol' mom...swoon. feel free to come over and admire. we can pop popcorn and just sit on the stairs and stare at it.
2. the benevolence chandelier: the greatest light fixture i've ever seen. period.


industrial:

1. the mainstay chandelier: it kind of looks like a spider. and i kind of like that.
2. the wexford chandelier: i just love the round bulbs


and if thousands of dollars is just pocket change to you, check out the amazing stuff lindsey adelman has going on. oh my. outrageously cool. but, if you're like me, you will just have to content yourself to look at the pictures.





but, just proving how cool she is, you could follow lindsey's instructions to make a light fixture that is similar in design to her more opulent hand blown and crafted fixtures.

Industrial Curtain Rod

i love to make things. i love it more when it's inexpensive and unique. this particular project wasn't necessarily cheap but considering what a nice 8.5 ft. curtain rod would cost it was drastically cheaper. i got this idea from my sister who did it for her den (so i guess it's not that unique).

here's what you need:

- metal pipe (measure your window and have the fine people at lowe's or home depot cut it down for you and rethread it)

- two (2) 90 degree elbow joints

- two (2) floor flanges

- some wall anchor screws (we got the kind that hold up to 50 lbs. - pipe is heavy and your adding curtain weight)

steps: (there may be better ways to do this, but this is how we do it)

1. have one end of the pipe assembled

2. measure the middle of your pipe and the middle of your window and align them

3. mark your holes in the flange and drill

4. screw in that side. slide on curtains.

5. assemble other end. make sure rod is level.

6. mark holes and drill other end.

7. screw in that side.

8. step back and admire.

(please ignore the hideous mini-blinds. the life of a renter...)

(i have a really nice camera...i don't know why i continue to use iphone pictures...)