Wednesday, August 26, 2015

...birthday wishes in the Lemon Grove

Sweet day to you,

I woke up early, quickly baked cinnamin rolls and packed one for school, it's my sons second day back!

This morning there was a little fog lingering about,
  I thought it would be fun to make my 

 






This antique light base sits in the isle between the trees.


The slice of trunk is from a old tree here & a few roses I cut from the garden.


A few favorite vintage things to set the day...



This little tradition I've continued evolved from my mom, I miss her... especially today...
A few quiet moments to reflect on the year that's past & set my direction for the new year ahead.
A moment for me...

A beautiful day is ahead, the sun is clearing the fog!

If it's your Birthday today
 or this Month 
HAPPiest of BIRTHDAY wishes to you too!!!
xo,
me



Saturday, August 22, 2015

Palest pinks tour at my home.

Happy Saturday Darlins,

Summers longest days are here, it's coming to the close of August my favorite month of year.
It holds special memories and it's the month of celabrating! 

At my home I try to keep the use of my favorite color, pale pink-minimal.
Flowers from our garden
 & 
mostly a few favorite vintage pieces and accessorries, my boys and husband appreciate that I'm sure...
Today I'm sharing a few photographs I've taken here and there to give you an idea how I use those touches of pale pink in and around my home.

I hope this inspires that you can have your cake and eat it too..so to speak!!!


Let's Start outdoors up by the firepit,
 a curved wood bench has european duvets stuffed with a cushion, pink hydrangeas.


Climbing roses from my garden.


I love the lemony fragerance of this rose, the palest of pinks fading into sugary whites.


A European campaign bed set up in our vintage garden folly.
 A down filled cushion inset in a european duvet, 
vintage flowery latte bowl & plates. 


A pale pink heart candle my son gave me for Valentines day many many years ago. 
Every year I bring it out for Valentines, I always wonder if it will light!


Inside...
touches of pale pink too.

My favorite vintage tea cups, Bavarian, I have two. 



In the kitchen this euopean pale pink Sucre {sugar} tin holds a potted mint. 
I love having it close by to use fresh mint in waters & on deserts.


Other heirloom roses from the garden..


This was last years B-day...
In the dining room, nestled up to the table is my favorite pink metal stool,
 It's one of my coolest finds, I have a white one too! 

I have my own little traditon....
Each year on my birthday I set up a little celebration just for me.

My mom did something special for me growing up, using pink too, 
I was the only girl in my family.
 Now that she's gone I missed that so much. 
I loved it so that I thought... I will keep it going for myself.

I get up early, it's quiet and I have time to myself to reflect upon the year that has passed
 & 
dream of what the year ahead may look like. 
I light my own little candle & make my first wish of the new birthday year.


 I covet this sentimental little bakelite vintage clock. 
I wished for it, for many years!
You see, it was a special gift from my Grandpa to my Grandmother McCleod when they were first married.

When I was a little girl and visited her my favorite thing to do was have her show me her pretty things she kept on shelves.
 This clock was so precious, she told me maybe one day it would be mine....

Many years later my mother,
after my grandmother passed away
 wrapped it up for one of my birthdays....with tears streaming down her face...
she said "Happy Birthday from Grandma", she always said she promised this to you.
As soon as I saw this little pink clock I felt my grandmother right there with me.

Such a little thing is attached to the the biggest moments.


A delicate varitey of hydrangea on my table with a 100 wishes...
What would you wish?
I know I would use them all for one special wish
 &
 I know what it would be!!!!


The pales of pink, was what I was dreaming of when I designed my own wedding gown,
it 
came 
true!

Tommoro is our wedding anniversary, it seems like yesterday!

My Design tip: If your favorite color is a bit much for your decor, bring it in for your favorite occasion. Bring each family members favorite color in on their occasion, they will love you for it!


I hope your weekend is a beautiful one,
xo,
me


Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Sea lions basking in the bay & fresh Basil

Hi!
Happy tuesday...
Over the weekend it was really warm here, Sunday we took the boat out on Mission bay,
 as we were leaving the boat dock OMGoodness, we saw this mommie SEA LION and her baby sunning on their sides.


Do you see the baby SEA LION leaning back on the mommie! I have never been this close to one!
What a  precious moment. They didn't move as boats were passing by!



It's been too hot for my basil outside, it was wilting! so I brought it inside.



L*O*V*E*
Basil

 a fresh fragrant herb, smells delicious when I walk in the kitchen.



Tonight I am making a watermelon salad
...with Basil!

A beautiful evening Darlins,
xo,
me


Saturday, August 15, 2015

Storage ideas for Silverware

Hi Darlins,

I hope this summer you've had at least a few
scoops of ice cream or gelato! 


The only thing better than ice cream is....enjoing it from a beautiful silver spoon!!

What if using silver more often was actuallly beneficial in maintaining it's elegant polish.?
Gently hand wash and dry using a soft cloth it's a must, 
it helps to eliminate the amount of harsh chemicals needed to keep them polished.
Tarnish occurs when silver is exposed to air for long periods and non use.

I like to store a few pieces close by in this white wood box in our kitchen.


I believe these beautiful pieces are meant to be used.


My larger sets are in silver cloth.
This box gets alot of attention!

Guests ask, what's in the white box? 


A Perfect fit in the repurposed glass cabinet.



More.... on this post at OMERO home. Saturday's "Desiging with Vintage"

My Design tip: Look for something vintage with character to store your silverware in. 
Line with felt or something soft.  

A beautiful Summer weekend to you, enjoy a scoop of icecream with a silver spoon!

xo,
me

All Photos: Gail Smith-Peterson

Thursday, August 13, 2015

August my favorite month & Front door LOVE

Hi Darlins,
i declare August to be my favorite month...

I L*O*V*E  these things about it!

A U G U S T
1 2 3 4 5 6

* It has 6 letters. 
My favorite No. is 6

* It has oodles of sunny days.

*Everyone is happy. 

* School's out.

*It's the month I was born.

*It's the month I married.

It's all around a special month for me.

Do you have a favorite month?
Or have you ever thought of declaring one a favorite?

Let me know if your a August baby too!!

All month I will share some my favorite's!

Here's my favorite thing about the exterior of houses.

 FRONT DOORS!


This front door & entry will be my all time favorite...
 This home was my first design and renovation project, it was our home, the stakes were high!!!

This front entry portico was complicated, several factors were involved, the other roof lines were a challenge! 
I  wanted the under side to be curved, 
Easy peasy right! Not.....
I heard a lot of words I can't repeat while trying to fit those boards into the curve. 
Hours and hours on a ladder, the boards were snapping, the beams had to be engineered etc. 

We had the door custom made, we loved it.
I LOVE the way everything turned out after it was all finished and painted White.



I was in Newport Beach, Ca a couple weeks ago and I drove by this house just being finished. 

Pretty & Fresh isn't it?
It's going in my Front door LOVE file!
A modern take on a classic front door entry.

I'll be sharing more fave's, come on by.

Enjoy this beautiful August summer day.
xo,
me











Thursday, August 6, 2015

Tiny Beach huts

Hi Darlins,

How's your week going?
Tiny little huts to change your swim suit.... how practical & vintage chic!
I wish we could peak inside...

I imagine them to be charming inside with a bench & cool hooks for suits and towels.
Weathered wood doors that creak from the salty air, 
a sound you will recall every time you see a tiny hut.









All Pinterest

With our last few weeks of summer upon us,

I hope you find the perfect place to

 play

make S'mores
&
share fantastic stories while the sun goes down.

My Design tip: Add some weatherd painted wood to your garden shed, hang hooks or cleats for towels & suits.

A beautiful week to you,
xo,
me

Second Shout Out has a name change, 
"OMERO Home"

Hop over to Omero home blog for my Saturday's "Designing with vintage" series.
Shop Casual Loves Elegance at Omero home.




Saturday, August 1, 2015

Summer blues

Happy AUGUST Darlins,
Just about every activity we enjoy in summer connects us with water.
The color of water is ever-changing, it's beauty appears in many shades of blue.
Bringing those familar colors into our interiors and exteriors adds a relaxing effect.



The many shades of blue are gorgeous and limitless... as seen in the sea.




Blues make us feel welcome.


Depending on the light, blues fade into subtle shades.


Darker blues on exteriors are classic & elegant.

My Design tip: Blues are timeless all year long. Find your perfect shade & soon you'll be drawn to objects with that shade you love.

SECOND SHOUT OUT has a new name..OMERO


So hop over to the OMERO blog today for Saturday's "Designing with vintage".

Photo source today: Pinterest

A beautiful summer weekend to you,

xo,
me