more for mama

More ideas for your mama...

Madison Belle - Inspiration for your Home

Like the flea market goods, hint, hint!

Although, I might have already placed an order with Ms. Kidston.

(If I did, I'm not admitting it.)

We're busy with Miss Margaret Mary Anne's Confirmation tomorrow.

She is very excited.

I found the perfect dresses for the four girls.

Luckily, they like them too...

Have you made your May Day baskets yet?

lark

Love, love, love Mother's Day cards by Lisa Jones.

Found at Lark.

felt dahlia pin

Love the felt dahlia flower brooch (with a surprise) that Not Martha created for Mother's day!

lemon verbena

I'm really enjoying the various Mrs. Meyer's Lemon Verbena kitchen products. 

I recently picked up the Mrs. Meyer's Lavender laundry soap, the Lavender oxygen bleach, and the Lavender dryer sheets. I have a need to match scents, I don't know why that is... The laundry looks and smells wonderful (plus it's phosphate free).

Now, if I only could figure out what to do, with the real lemon verbena growing outside...

book it

Finished The Crimson Rooms, by Katharine McMahon this week, I really enjoyed it. It's a really strong historical novel that captures the spirt of England in the 1920's. It reminds me of Jacqueline Winspear's wonderful Maisie Dobbs series.

'Still haunted by the death of her brother James, in the Great War, Evelyn Gifford is completely unprepared when a young nurse named Meredith and her six year old appear on the Giffords' doorstep one night. The grief-stricken Giffords welcome the child, who is the spitting image of James. But Evelyn, a struggling attorney, must now support her entire family on her salary- at at time when work for women lawyers is almost non-existent. Suddenly, a new case falls into Evelyn's lap...'

I wished the ending was better. It disappointed me.

I'm reading Wolf Hall, by Hilary Mantel now. Apparently it won the Man Booker Prize. It tells you all you ever wanted to know (and then some) about Thomas Cromwell. I'm enjoying it.

retro lawn chair

Have you seen the retro line at Lowes?

Very comfortable, and seems to be well made.

Reviews mention the assembly instructions leave a bit to be desired, especially with the glider.

tablecloth love

Like many of you, I collect vintage tablecloths. I started when I was still in school. I have piles of them. Here is one stack in a mostly blue, pink and red vibe from the forties. I use them all of the time. I don't mind washing and ironing linens, because they 'clean up' so nicely.

A few weeks ago, I read a post on Meadowbrook Farm's blog about some pillows she had Amy at Into Vintage make for her. I decided to play follow the leader. Amy made it so easy. Much easier than attempting to sew myself. I'm very pleased with the results. Amy does beautiful work!

Thank you Amy!

spring birthdays

Our Frances Rose is turning three this spring. I'm thinking this adorable Princess and the Pea set from Olive Juice might be in order. The whole site is off the charts adorable.

Love this wicker doll pram! Picture it filled with a couple of new picture books and tied with a ribbon.

The older girls also have birthdays this spring. I love this sleeping bag and travel case.

pansies

On my porch, I have a vintage etagere. I change the plants out with the seasons. In a few weeks the surrounding hydrangeas, viburnums, butterfly maples, and crabapples will leaf out.

A vintage rabbit planter I found on the side of the road

with a 'free to a good home' sign.

I was delighted to oblige.

why not?

Tamar, at Nest Decorating, A Journal, decided to use

vintage wallpaper remnants to paper her closet door.

Very pretty and practical. I love projects where you can

use materials you already have on hand.

Her shop, Nest - Pretty Things, has some sweet pieces for spring.

I'm partial to anything with flowers.

Market Necklace

magpie chandelier

Oh, Anthro you've done it again.

But, $4,800, really?

a locker looker

Love this colorful set of lockers!

I've been looking for vintage lockers for a while.

This might inspire a fun refurbishment.

Wouldn't our garage look pretty?

Find it at Pedlars.

spotted via Lulu Carter

pretty pinwheels

Loving all the colorful pinwheels at Kate Spade this spring. A girlfriend of mine passed a team of KS reps handing out pinwheels in New York. Who wouldn't want a free pinwheel?

kayce love

Kayce Hughes (Pears and Bears) has a fun special right now.

A free $10 gift card with any jewelry purchase.

Oh, and her house was featured in this month's Country Living.

She designs very sweet, classic clothes.

I especially like the gingham Ellen blouse.

basket love

Loving the polywoven baskets and trays at Target this spring.

I bought two of the picnic baskets for storage under my desk.

Click on the link to buy them online.

sisters

One of our favorite day trips over break was to The Art Institute. The girls loved Renoir's Two Sisters (on the terrace). The picture isn't the best, as they don't allow flash photography near the paintings.

And, of course, they especially loved the gift shop!

four bitty chicks

Happy Easter from my four little chicks to you!

nostalgia

I'm loving the vintage imagery and spring-like vibe at Elea Lutz' Nostalgia - Joyful Living Blog. I especially like the first picture with the pretty ribbon, vintage strawberries, and bluebirds.

It makes her soap look good enough to eat.