Green Spaces

I've decided not to bore you with recipes for Stout Floats or green dresses instead my ode to St. Patrick's Day this year will be green spaces that are calling my name.

Happy {early}St. Patrick's Day!

{all links can be found here}

Cheeky Stairs

These are FUN and in my favorite color. Thank you Jim Morrison for making stairs so cool.

{via Ideas to Steal}

Lunches and some eye candy

Morning peeps, Friday already?! What's going on this weekend, anything fabulous? Me not really, but that's ok because we're just getting ready for the last weekend before the kids go back to school. School supplies, uniforms, shoes, check. Now it's back to thinking about the dreaded lunch packing. You've heard me commiserate over what to pack these last two years and now I have two kids to pack for. 

Easy you say? Not really so much. I have one who's pretty easy it's my newest little kinder who is the challenging one. Like ultra-picky, sensitive to food texture and looks, we went to feeding therapy kind of  kid. He's broadened his horizons considerably over the summer but I'm getting scared for the lunches. I'll just stay positive, for now. So instead of thinking of ice packs and sandwiches I'll think of pretty homes and where I wish I could live.

{images via pinterest, Lonny, La Dolce Vita}

Hello flowers

Nothing like cheery flowerboxes or flowering vines to welcome you home. Now if only summers would look like this in Arizona.

{images via Pinterest, Blueprint Bliss, Sixx Design}

Secret spaces

Don't you just love outdoors spaces that seem like they're a secret?

{via Country Living}

Live like Sheryl Crow

Last summer when Elle featured Sheryl Crow's New York apartment we all swooned. It was warm, quirky and had life.

Now we all really want to be friends with her because her Hollywood home that was featured in Architectural Digest is equally inviting.

With teepees for the kids and outdoor tents complete with electricity doesn't that just scream for long conversations and jam sessions? Sheryl I'm your girl, I promise I'm fun!

Just a little hood stalk

Are you a home stalker? Do you slowly drive through neighborhoods with the type of home you long to live in? If so good, you're in good company because I do this often. Well not lately because of the time factor but I do enjoy a little home stalking tour.  Anyhow during my hood stalks I often wonder what people are thinking. Case in point, how could they turn a charming bungalow into this?!

And imagine my surprise when I realized that this house, one I've often been puzzled over is Dorie's house! Dorie is a local blogger (who I've never met but did share these pics) who decided this house needed some love.

Much better right? See more of her transformation here.

Good lookin' stairs

I live in a one-story house but having grown up in a two-story house I'm pretty impartial when it comes to which is better. But let's just say I did have stairs, I love the candy striped runner and the great mix of children's art, mementos and photos in these two images.

{images from Walking Around Where the Sidewalk Begins via Mary Ruffle and Style at Home}

I need a dip

I'm melting. Well not really but my makeup is for sure. It's hot and this pool looks like the perfect spot to cool off.

{image via Dress Design Decor}

Ellen Pompeo's House

I know this might make me seem slightly superficial but I think I like Ellen Pompeo more now because she has such a great house.

{photography by Tim Street-Porter, images from Elle Decor}

Go play!

Can you tell that Big's had the last 3 days off from school? Some sort of weird mini-break, I have no idea. Anyways since Spring is now kinda springing doesn't this make you want to play outside?

Or maybe just settle down outdoors for a glass of wine?

{from top Urban Nature design via Desire to Inspire, Sixx Design and

Helen Green Design via Desire to Inspire}

Wishful thinking

Dreaming of a tranquil beachy days because of Fulvia Farolfi's home in the Hamptons.

And she's wearing my hat...

{all images from The Selby}

Read It :: Downtown Chic

Merry Christmas to me! I've always wanted this book and someone was nice enough to send one my way. Yippee! I've seen the Novogratz's homes on various blogs but now getting to see them big and pretty in photos made it much more fun.

All this style and all those kids, wish I was as cool.

This house...to die.

Charming

It think it's the pefect word to describe this home photographed by Emily Followill.

Yup, charming. What do you think goes on inside this perfect abode?

I bet it's the kind of place where the cookies never burn and there is never a spec of dust to be found.

Chicago Type

It's been awhile since I've mentioned my fascination with old doors and architectural details but today I found some pretty eye candy at Chicago Type. My husband's cousin Luke is a very talented graphic designer in KC and he sent this my way via Twitter this morning.

Vintage signs and doors...what more could you ask for?

Small Spaces to Getaway

Who doesn't always dream about a small space to get away? When I was little I always dreamed about having my own little playhouse for my doll adventures. Is it too much to ask for a little getaway in the back yard now?Awhile back Erin from Villa Pacis blogged about vacationing in a gypsy caravan (so cute you must check it out), it got me to thinking about a book I had read as a child. Since I already had my romantic notions about what it would be like images like this make it even more exciting.
Not to mention the other day I was driving right beside a classic Airstream and I was smitten. So the whole way home I tried to figure out how to finagle one of those into my life.
What's your little getaway fantasy?

[images via Marie Claire Maison & Flickr]