Why we love cafe's...

Morning Darlins,

Sipping my latte had me thinking of why we love Cafe's. 

Thoughts of a cafe seem to entice us. 

Perhaps we know it's a space that will be well designed & have delicious food. 

You know the kind, I'm sure!

Sometimes the ambiance is a bit quirky 
or
 just so creative we get distracted looking at every detail.
 Comfy with lots of vintage style. 
Those are always exciting to find.

The exterior alone is almost enough ....

Let's keep our hands off the window peeking in....stay with me!

 all Pinterest

These pretty much fit the bill.

Before you head out the door,you might want to leave your robe at home!

My Design tip: Take a Q from a cafe, translate that welcoming feeing into the place you call home.

A beautiful Saturday to you,

 Hop over to SECOND SHOUT OUT blog in a bit & shop.shop

xo,

me

Ceiling medallions

Morning Darlins,

A beautiful quiet morning here in SoCal....

Today on Saturday's "Designing with vintage" series,

 I want to share some love for ceiling medallions.

More than function, lights set the ambiance of a room. 

Looking up at a ceiling seeing a beautiful medallion enchances the fixture even more. 

Historical homes sometimes incorporated the medallions as part of the entire ceiling pattern. 

A special art we don't often see today.

  Architectural elements like these vintage medallions are treasures, 
so if you find any....

 don't think twice about buying it!

 I have a few beauties waiting to be incorporated into my projects.

*Beautiful as art*

All-Pinterest

My Design tip: Simple lighting can stand out with a ceiling medallion. Drawing the eye to the other other architectural features, moldings or a coffered ceiling.

Hop over to Seccond shout out blog & do some Spring shopping!

Wishing you a beautiful weekend.

xo,

me

A lemonly life - Handle it...

Happy Wednesday Darlins,
Sometimes blogging shares a story that connects us with others by 
a feeling or something they have experienced as well.

 Casual Loves Elegance has never been intended to solely show a pretty room, design idea or a roses from my garden. It was to share some depth of simple moments & lifes experiences that connect us all from time to time. I hope you visit my blog for a bit of everything, 
if so than your the best!!!
On to the post...tissue in hand, if I can keep my tears off the key board! 

Life gives lemons, I learned the sheer meaning, depth and truth of those words from a young child. 

I learned from those around me by watching and feeling the immense strength and courage it takes to HANDLE IT...

To this day I'm grateful for immeasurable  lessons, those moments that really can't be described but only felt by the pure of heart. 
Maybe that's why the lessons of a child are what shapes them into the adults they become. 
I know it's true of me...

I truly have empathy for those who have learned some lemony life lessons.

But, those who turn their back and pretend life is but a rose, don't find their place in my lemony life. 

People and animals aren't so different,

basically need the same thing, companionship. love. loyalty & respect.

For my family a pet is a companion, a loyal friend, a protector, a heart that gives unconditional love and in return we give our family friend everything we can to to maintain it's health and keep them happy and respect them for the gifts of joy they bring.

This is Mr. Lincoln, our Saint Bernard. 
Freshly bathed and cozy in our home. I couldn't resist a little photo shoot!

About 10 weeks old.  Adorable, snuggly and already a best friend...

Here is Lincoln about 3 months old with my son at puppy agility training.
We noticed he had a fear of going up onto some of the objects and walking across a elevated board.
The drill is for the dog to become agile and confident in all surroundings.
He was terrified, he was shaking and we held him as he tried to walk across and up the platforms.

Looking back (he is 2 years old now) we know it's because he didn't see well even at that time...

Two differnt specialists examined our concerns at 10 weeks old. They told us he had glaucoma in one eye and the other wasn't healthy either... begining onset of cataracts in the other eye.
We cried and searched for answers, recalling taking all the best measures in the first place. How did we choose this adorable purebread Saint from a well respected and impeccable breader and two weeks later hear the diagnosis our new puppy would be blind someday, 
sooner than we might be prepared for.
Nothing to do but cuddle him, love him and give him a home to feel secure at.
 &
for us...
HANDLE it...
Look for the good of the situation, feeling grateful we are the family who choose to love him unconditionally. 
Teach our children to do the right thing.

Fast forward he is 2 years old. His sight has declined, he doesn't track with his eyes.
 Though he runs around as if he had 20-20!
His hearing is failing too...
Last night I went to get a new collar for him, I'm standing at the pet store in tears {the young girl working there came over} when I was trying to think what to engrave on his new name tag...If he got out of the yard, I wanted anyone who would find him to know about him right away.
He's not going to find his way back home...
He's not going to hear us call his name from far away.

Soooo I just HANDLED it...
Done, engraved what needed to be known. 
I feel better putting it into words.

I have a set of these old Dog Show handlers towels from 1966, they seem to be fitting!

Mr. Lincoln is happy and the love of our family, we love our tibetian mastiff Miss Chole too.
Lincoln follows her like a shadow and she shows him the world from a dogs view.

A lemony life is....
 a test of courage and faith to see IF & how you HANDLE it!

Thanks for listening, I feel better...
xo,
me

Vintage spaces thrive on a budget.

A beautiful Saturday to you...

The spaces we live in are inspired by our basic individual tastes, surroundings and our climate.

&

One common old thorn in the side, the budget.

I see it as an advantage, here's why.....

The advantage of any budget is we can become quite clever with the  means we have. 

Personally, I live resourceful and all my projects thrive on a tight budget!

It's all about the squeeze to get things in, thats where the fun begins.

 Vintage living fits beautifully with that criteria.

 See if you can spot all the vintage elements in these spaces.

all Pinterest

My Design tip: Vintage items purchased at a fair value will not only retain their value but possibly appreciate over time. Be sure to care for them properly.

If you struggle with pulling your space together on a budget, contact me through email. 

I will be happy to assist you!

Enjoy this beautiful weekend,

xo,

me

Happy Easter

Happy Easter Darlins,

A little delightful isnpiration for your Spring decor.

 Have fun entertaining family and friends for Easter.

Pinterest

My Design tip: Lighten up spaces with fresh linens, removing anything that seems heavy.

Enjoy all that Spring will bring...

Happy Easter,

xo,

me

Stone work progress-Garden Folley

Happy Thursday Darlins,

Many have asked about the stone walls we are building..

I have a couple progress pictures thus far.

The longest stone wall is going to go to the garden folley and end on the other side.

I am making permanent stone planters in front too.

Here is the deconstructed mess!

These sofly arched planters will tie into the small 12 inch wall to the right.

The base of the folly is stone as well as the step.

The yard is distroyed, irrigation and electircal is everywhere...

Hope to get this finished by Saturday..

No easter hunt in the lawn this year!!!

More updates along the way!

Enjoy your lovely day...

xo,

me