View from living room.

Yes, this being our first spring in our apartment we realized that a pear tree outside means fruit in the fall, and blossoms in the spring! Of course! Why hadn’t I thought of that earlier? But I honestly enjoyed it more as a surprise. Sigh. I just keep falling deeper in love with this cottage.

Bingley enjoying the view.

View from upstairs bedroom.

La la la blossoms lalalaaaaa.

Woah! Who is that? Oh. That is me as a cherry blossom wood nymph. It was my midterm from my make up design course. Mhmm, that is wood grain make up.

Pretty portraits courtesy of boyfriend.

Photo of my ensemble as it was in class in the university’s costume shop.

Thank you for indulging my blossom day dreams. Lots of love.

Did you know one of my favorite magazines is Country Living, despite not living in the country or anywhere near it? Well it is. One of my favorite features is their real-estate round up, where they set a reasonable price and see what you can get for the money. The homes they chose are typically around the south and midwest, so just for fun I decided to do a nation wide scan. Also because I am addicted to real estate.

Here were my restrictions: $300,000 max price, architectural charm, no new builds, good neighborhood (as best I could tell), I actually liked it, within or near a larger urban area.

Huzzah! Six homes from around the nation to compare, covet and criticize. Please, please check out the rest of the homes’ photos, some of the interiors will surprise you and definitely sway your opinion. Happy house hunting!

Seattle, WA

Price- $289,900

Square ft- 1,070

Bed, bath- 2, 1

Year built- 1908

Features- Near Green Lake, porch, hardwood floors, recent kitchen remodel.

Minneapolis, MN

Price- $290,00

Square ft- 1,770

Bed, bath- 3, 1.5

Year built- 1950

Features- Super coveted Linden Hills neighborhood, near Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun, general interior charm, attached garage, large yard.

Lincolnton, NC

Price- $299,000

Square ft- 4,375

Bed, bath- 5, 3

Year built- 1890

Features- Historical, french doors and windows, gorgeous millwork everywhere, curving staircase in foyer,  wrap around porches.

Burlington, VT

Price- $300,000

Square ft- 1,602

Bed, bath- 4, 2

Year built- 1915

Features- Views of Lake Champlain, wraparound porch, stained glass, fireplace, hardwood floors.

Denver, CO

Price- $289,900

Square ft- 1,755

Bed, bath- 3, 2

Year built- 1890

Features- Historic neighborhood, artist studio, recent kitchen reno, spiral staircase.

Berkley, CA

Price- $299,900

Square ft- not listed?

Bed, bath- 3, 1

Year built- 1908

Features- Victorian detailing, recent kitchen renovation.

Which one would you chose? I am dying to know. Think you can find something better in your area? Let me know, I’d love to see.

And, ummm… the candles were nice? Our vintage apartment tub didn’t have drain stop so I improvised, the tub was a much too shallow for a good soak, Bingley wouldn’t stop staring at me in dismay and I accidentally dropped my towel in the suds. Oh well, it was a good effort.

I have not lost faith, however, that a candle lit soak in a well-appointed bathroom could do wonders for ones spirits. And was thus motivated to round up some lovely bubble bath worthy spaces.

All Via My Pinterest

I know it is supposed to be every woman’s dream to have an enormous royal bath room the size of my current house, but I am really not drawn to that particular extravagance. Ponies? Sure. Castle? You betcha. Ball gowns at breakfast? No doubt. Crazy bathroom? Not so much. I much prefer well laid out, fresh and friendly spaces. Mostly white and charcoal, traditional tile, classic lines and patterns, much millwork and plenty of natural light.

That’s not too much to ask for right? I hope not, otherwise I might never get a soothing soak as I envisioned it :-)

Ok, well not just any kids clothes, JCrew’s childrens line; CrewCuts. I can’t stand how adorable they are. So much color and fun while somehow remaining sophisticated enough to easily translate into a lovely full-grown lady outfit. Just look!

All Via JCrew

Now at this point you really don’t need anymore evidence to prove how awesome the Crewcuts styling is, and lets face it, you are sufficiently jealous of the fabulous wardrobes these cuties already have… but lets keep going, there is too much inspiration to stop now!

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Not going to lie, I would wear most of these looks without any changes. But since they don’t come in my size, I’m going to share the lessons learned from the whimsy of children’s fashion and translate it for us all into adult looks.

1. Classic patterns like polka dots, stripes, and checks are a must!

2. Ruffles, bows and buttons are nothing to be afraid of, if done with neutrals and simplicity.

3. Bright colors make basics better.

4. Mix causal with more dressy elements for an unexpected sophistication.

5. Fanciful feet please! Don’t forget to top of your toes with shoes that are bright, sparkly and fun!

Dress, Belt, Earrings, Sandals, Cardigan

Shirt, Skirt, Belt, Shoes, Hat

Shirt, Skirt, Necklace, Headband, Shoes

Sooo….what do ya think? I am pretty excited gotsta say. Ready to reawaken my inner child and stay stylish. Join me?

Thats what I said to myself rather loudly in the coffee line the other day. It was quite embarrassing but well worth it as I was exclaiming over a photo I had taken a month or so ago and had just rediscovered.

While exploring the island shops with my parents, we stumbled across this truly original and enchanting ottoman. It has a traditional shape and scale but instead of a woven fabric, it is upholstered in thick, nubby irresistible carpeting. I had never seen such a thing before and as it was so creative and endearing I took a picture to remind me to research the company later:

Flash forward to now. The group that makes these cuties is Company C. Looks like they sell rugs, upholstered furniture and textiles. Definitely cute stuff, especially the rugs, but this ottoman is by far the most charming thing.

Via

Doesn’t this bead spread look like the pattern Sarah Richardson has in her cottage?

Via Company C

Via Pinterest

And don’t forget these whimsical rugs, you know how I love a statement rug.

Via

I’m so glad I stumbled upon that photo. Not only did it bring back happy memories from my parent’s visit, it also got my design gears turning. I predict that a DIY version of just such a thing is right around the corner in the design world. What do you think, is the carpet ottoman a keeper or not so cute?

Well folks, today is a happy day because I found a rare few dresses that are just that! Look at these lovelies by Bernie Dexter. Not only are they adorable, but they are also made in the US, a reasonable price for the amount of length and detail you get, and popular with the trendsetting Glee.

All images via

Don’t they remind you of Anthropologie back in the good ole days? Don’t you see yourself strolling along the lake, ice cream in one hand and your love in the other? I do. In fact, I am so excited about that first dress I don’t know what to do with myself. Perhaps I shall splurge as a celebration of summer and my new job(s) when the days are finally warm enough to wear these confections.

Till then I will simply dream.

Amy Butler’s brand is a grand illustration of what I mean. It has twinkled at me for years now encouraging me to be bright and playful. Enjoy this breath of fresh spring air from the Midwest Modern queen.

All images via Amy Butler

Her fabrics just speak to me. In these designs I see sweetness, confidence and sun-washed summer dresses. I am flooded with feelings of home, of the midwest, of joyful summer cottages, of my mother, of my sister. To me, Amy Butler has created a brand that I can point to and say, “Yes, thats what style in the midwest is about, and I love it”. It may sound crazy to be able to identify what you love about your hometown and women in your family from a fabric pattern, but to me, thats exactly why I love design.

PS: Im dying to make this quilt, and snap up these bath towels. Go explore!

Olioboard is an online mood board maker, similar to Polyvore, but for interiors. And like Polyvore, it is a maddening yet satisfying time eater. Here is the game; you get a blank board and fill it with all the goodies you can fit on to it; furniture, wallpaper, fabric, flooring, accessories and even your own images. Then, using their sizing, layering and cropping tools you end up with a wondrous concept board that helpfully links to all the products. I had so so much fun testing it out, here was my first attempt;

Sounds pretty great right? Yeah, well it is when you have that kid in a candy shop attitude, feeling carefree in your inspiration or art making. The problem comes when you say, have a budget, specific items in mind, or wish to see items from more than a select 10 stores (no Ikea?!). And being adept at photoshop I struggle with the limited and non-specific tools Olio offers. Although there are many active users creating a bounty for creative and elaborate boards, I am not alone in being disinclined to use it as a consistent tool; seeing as Compete.com reports Olio only has 8.5k unique visitors a month.

Don’t get me wrong, I actually do love it. I am excited there is a site like Olioboard and I am confident it will only get better and I certainly will be watching. For now Olio is best for eye candy, playtime, quick and easy idea jotting or testing, communicating a style or idea, and general fun if you are nerdy like me. I used it for my Pinpointing Ourselves Post earlier this month, making a rough board and searching for items on Olio then taking them to photoshop to clean it up. And it was a glorious thing because I was simply exploring style elements and unrestricted by price or practicality. It allowed me to try new things because it was such a low risk of my time and I really appreciated that aspect.

Here are some lovely examples from more experienced users:

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via here

So, in conclusion I encourage you play and explore with Olioboard. Try new things, create jumping off points for fabulous, have fun and just leave your practical hat out of it.

Lets hug it out.

I have missed you desperately. You make me so happy, I promise. I was as upset by my absence just as much as you I’m sure. Anyways, Im so so sorry. Forgive me?

Thanks, now if you will allow me, I will catch you up.

At the end of January the show with my first ever set design went live and got swell reviews, I was pretty proud of all that I had learned and done. But I didn’t get to bask in its glow for very long because I was designing for the very next show at the theater! And so I had to strike one set and build another in the same week. That was very intense work. I have never needed to make so many crucial decisions or develop as many creative solutions as I have in the past few weeks. With a tight budget, a small team and big dreams it was pretty much all-consuming. Oh yeah, and then I had to go to classes.

I will admit, however that the toughest and most exhausting aspect of my work this past month was the disrespect and negativity being passed around the team. I was appalled sometimes at the way criticism and communication was handled. Too many snide remarks slipped out and too many disrespectful assumptions made. My mother always taught me to “front load” as she calls it. It means to give all you got at the beginning to avoid scrambling and stress at the end. I have found that to be the best way to describe my communication style. I sincerely try to present positivity and gratitude before criticism or change. This has served me well so far, but I hit an unresponsive wall with this project. Apparently not all have learned that you catch more flies with honey as I have. I struggled to stay excited but my friends, family and build team kept me going. I am more stubborn than ever to fight with kindness.

via here

And that is that. So you can see why when I found this image (on notetosarah.tumblr if you can believe it), I smiled and felt excited to take pride in my values and get back to blogging! Cause I really really missed you bloggy ole pal.

Love, your friend Sarah.

Images via Here, Here and Here

I love how these rich delicate patterns are matched with shimmering silks. I love mittens and satin brocade. I love pearl earrings and sashes as you cuddle sheep. I actually think that scenario expresses me pretty well. Fanciful in the fields.

Indeed all the goods are truly expensive, but I don’t hold it against them, they are gorgeous and so well made (yes I have seen them in real life). Not to mention they are good enough for Michelle Obama.

So lets curtsey to the lovely Oleana and make our own inspiried look as we wait for a nordic fairy to gift us the real deal.

Sweater, Scarf, Hat, Belt, Skirt, Socks

Oh such whimsy. Have a lovely winter day.