Oh My...

I just stumbled upon the website for the boutique Lealand Eve this afternoon while getting my daily Design*Sponge fix. These vases are fantastic! The silver one would be SO perfect for my brother's wedding table centerpieces, alas, the budget doesn't allow for it. I, on the other hand, have birthday and Christmas gifts to ask for!

The fish vase is awesome and a paltry $12! Consider it mine. I might have to get one for my cousin Myrna as well. We're updating her apartment and the look is sophisticated beach bum (more on that later).

www.lealandeve.com

Max's Room

This is Max's room. He's three now. I was originally planning to do a nautical sea captain theme, and make his room sort of like the captain's quarters, but then I found this wallpaper with the crowned monkeys flying in balloons and I had to have it! So the theme changed to flying monkey pirate captain, which, if you know Max, is much more fitting. In my head the monkeys roam the earth, exploring and studying other animals, hence the maps, suitcases and numerous animal pictures.

There's a lot going on in here, I guess that's just how I roll. Most of it I like a lot, but I may scale things back just a bit. I put in some things recently, like the red toy holder to the left of the bed, and some photos that Max took at my parent's house but looking at it through pictures now I think it's a little bit much. If I revise I'll definitely post those pictures.

I filled his room with a lot of personal things, like pictures of all his favorite people and pets, and even some artwork that Jake and I did when we were younger. It's a happy room--there's lots to look at and most of it is at Max's eye level. I defintely wanted the room to be a kid's room, and for him. I hate kid's rooms that are completely adult, and maybe if the kid is lucky, he or she will have one color coordinated toy on display. That's bullshit. Kid's rooms should be fun and cheerful and kinda stuffed with toys and cool stuff. Max seems to like it, and I love it.

Petite Shell Mirrors

Stunning and so affordable! $18 an $22 each! From shoestringhome.com.

One that Got Away

I made this necklace for myself but ended up giving it to Billy's Grandma when we visited Wisconsin. She has horrible arthritis so she can't do clasps, and this one just slips right over the head. It's copper bar chain and 4 cherry quartz tube beads.

Not the best pictures--I snapped them in a bedroom that wasn't particularly well lit really quickly,but you get the idea.

New Look

My Etsy shop's got a new look! Check it out:




I've been looking for a great banner since I opened my shop in May. I got one that was okay because I didn't want to leave it blank, but I was never really happy with it. Also, being a total cheapskate, I didn't want to spend more than $6. This one is PERFECT!! Seriously, if this designer was my best friend AND gave me a personality test AND took a tour of my house and closet she couldn't have come up with a design that's more me. It's almost freaky, actually.

I'm so pleased, in fact, I feel compelled to give the designer a shoutout: Her shop is Beevintage on Etsy. :)

Best Lampshades Ever

These are by Yoola on Etsy. She makes all kinds of gorgeous crocheted things, including the most amazing pod beads.

The lampshades are small, about 4" by 4" and $130 each, otherwise I'd have them already. They also come in silver, which would make a fantastic replacement for the Urban Outfitter chandeliers in my bedroom that I'm kind of over. Okay, totally over.


Sigh!

Home--Entryway and Side Yard

I'm finally getting these up! It's taken me ages because we're always working on something so things are always sort of a mess. I finally got things cleaned up a bit in the side yard one day and managed to snap a few pics! A few of Max's toys still make an appearance, but eh. They add character, and anyway, that's where they live. Here's the walk up from the entrance gate to the front door. I LOVE all the brickwork. I've just been filling this area up with plants. This area gets a lot of shade so I've been trying to find plants that do well in shady spots and are fairly low maintenance--so lots of coleus, lamb's ear, spider plants, some tropical plants that I don't know the name of and a couple of succulents tucked in for good measure because they're adorable and hardy no matter where you put them. I just want the house completely surrounded by plants! Is that weird?







And here is Billy's succulent/cactus/California Native plant garden. This came out great. We just keep tucking more and more succulents and cacti in over time.







We inherited that charming Native American woman pouring water fountain. It will be replaced one of these days but it's not super high on our list of priorities.

This is our tropical section with elephant ears, birds of paradise, papyrus, some lamb's ear, mint and moss. I know these last three are not tropical but they work here. In the past few weeks since I took these pictures the papyrus has grown completely out of control and this spot is pretty overrun and in need of a good pruning. At least the plants are doing well!




You can't even sit on that bench at the moment without getting a face full of papyrus. I love this spot--it was great for smoking. Sigh! Ah well, now it will be great for sitting and sipping tea while Max plays with his construction trucks nearby.