Gathering Inspiration.

Red + Black + White + Wood

Photo copyright Lindsay Brackeen.

Hand-painted portraits.

I'm loving the old hand-painted portraits in the interiors above. I think they add instant warmth to the space. It would be fantastic if they were portraits of great-great grandmothers and grandfathers, but I also think it could be fun if they were total strangers. You could dream up stories about them, or create your own wall of misfits, a la sfgirlbybay.

Images via Skona Hem.

Spectacles.

I'm so bad about having my eye exams on time. When I do get one, I buy a bunch of contacts at once and forget to toss them when I should. This year I'm thinking about getting contacts and glasses. I've avoided glasses in the past because I assume I'll lose them , or the kids will accidently break them, you know, because I'll leave them in the floor, or something careless like that. Do you have a favorite pair of frames? I'd love to know where you got them!

Photo via dirtylaundry.

Another Sneak Peak.

Another work in progress. Thinking about offering the print in 2 colorways.

Photo Copyright Lindsay Brackeen.

It's that time of year again, when I start thinking of my semi-annual haircut. My last official visit with ms. scissorhands was in April. Since then, I've been hacking away at my bangs with craft scissors, and letting the rest grow. I always intend to go shorter, and natural (really wavy/borderline curly, i.e. second photo), but then it starts to look really poofy, and I reach for the straightening iron to tame the mess. I guess if my hair is only thing I have to worry about, it's a pretty good day, no?

Photos via Garance (she could make a mullet look desireable) and Ruche.

Sewing this.

Projects in progress.

I've caught the sewing bug lately. I'm hoping these girls inspire a new set of paintings too. The one good thing about taking a long break from creating is that it allows me to jump into something totally different. I'm so ready for something different.

Photos copyright Lindsay Brackeen.

Jennifer Muskopf.

I did some sewing over the weekend, little embroidered girls, no creatures, yet. I found these by Jennifer Muskopf. Isn't their sense of movement amazing? It reminds me of being little and watching National Geographic on Sunday mornings. In full awe of the wild animals, yet hoping no one would be eaten at the end of the chase. Jennifer also paints. You can see more of her work here.

On Paper. And...

Ink + Paper + Watercolor

Not so cool. This is not my shop, but it's my artwork.

Art Wall. Part II.

Shortly after writing my last post, Carly emailed to let me know her newly decorated nursery was featured on Spearmint Baby. Carly used my alphabet letters to spell her daughter's name, Avery. In this case I also worked on a custom letter, as she wanted "R" as in Rainbow, as opposed to Rocket. Click here to see the rest of Avery's chic nursery!

Image via Spearmint Baby.

Art Wall.

I was browsing Cookie Magazine's Nesting Blog yesterday, (I'm a sucker for home tours!) when I stumbled upon Stephanie's room makeover. She spruced up her daughter's bedroom, creating an art wall from Etsy prints and refurbished Goodwill frames. I spied one of my prints amongst the gallery! This is a real treat for me, as I rarely see how my artwork is displayed in collectors' homes. I think she did a swell job pulling all the different styles together. What a lucky little girl! See more of the tour here.

Photo via Nesting Blog.

Truffles.

The Chocolate Garden.

This place has the best. truffles. ever.

Chocolatier Tina Buck, walked away from her career as an advertising executive, at the age of 36, to devote her time to making truffles. (What a brave woman!) My family and I stumbled across her tasty little boutique while strolling the countryside in Coloma, looking for cherry orchards and wineries. We left with a small, sweetly wrapped box, and proceeded to devour its' contents. (They were soooo good, we had to hide the box from ourselves.) My favorite flavors were the Darkest Dark Chocolate and the Lago Rasso. Fellow chocolate lovers take note!

Shopping the Catalog. Or Not.

I cancelled all my catalog requests a long time ago. They clog up my mailbox and they're a waste of paper when I can just go online. I'm not a big consumer, and when I do need something I try to buy vintage or repurpose an object I already have. Shopping from "big box" stores can be tricky for some people, especially when you're looking to find your style and not their style. I checked in with a few mass retailers last night to see what they're offering. I see lots of inspiration for DIY projects in these items. I can see my husband making the Pottery Barn coffee table with some salvaged wood and supplies from Home Depot, and for a fraction of the price! A second hand mirror with a lick of gold paint...a discarded feed sack, stencilled and sewn into a pillow cover, easy peasy. How often do you buy from stores like this? And do you make alot of things for your own home?

West Elm

Zig Zag Rug

Globe Pendant

Braided Storage Basket

Crate & Barrel

Coffee Mug

Marimekko Fokus Umbrella

Lyle Side Chair

Ikea

Snoa Rander Duvet Cover & Pillowcases

PS Stoff Throw

Levanger

Pottery Barn

Equestrian Horse Hook

Wheel Coffee Table

Photographer's Lamp

Cafe Pillow Cover

Black Walls.

Light and cloud-like or dark cozy den, how do like your bedroom? I always gravitate toward darker colors when the temperature drops, but I think our space is much too small to pull off anything near black. Nonetheless, I love it in the photos above, especially combined with white + gold. Have you ever painted a room a really dark or dramatic color? Do you love it or grow tired of it easily?

Images via Living Etc.

Tastes Like Autumn.

Pumpkin Creme Brulee

Doesn't pumpkin creme brulee sound dreamy? I can't wait to try it. Another favorite autumn recipe here.

Photo via Sherri Foxman.

Inspiration 2.

Gold stars and lilac via Deerlings.

In The Closet.

Vintage Leather Trench Coat via Bleubird Vintage.

Ugh...if only my arms were not soooo long.

Inspiration.

Jen Stark

Just found Jen's work through a Frankie forum. Can you believe the paper sculpture, made from a stack of cardstock! Her supersize pen and marker drawings are spectacular as well.

Gone Weekending.

Feeling a bit under the weather today. Getting some rest and will be back soon!

Have a great weekend!

xo,

Lindsay

With the Little People.

I'm volunteering at my daughter's school today. I wonder if I'll have to wash the chalkboard?
Looking quite forward to meeting her classmates...and recess.

Photo via liz d.

Down to Earth.

kimhas6cats + happymeat

reya. + bridgman pottery + simple tess

love stitching red + amandasmith

Winter is just around the corner and the big blooms of summer are gone. I would love to stop in at the market once a week and pick up fresh flowers, but my wallet will not be thanking me. So I turn to the backyard and remember to keep an open eye while taking a stroll or riding my bike. Bare branches, or those adorned with tiny leaves, blossoms, or berries make for an easy bouquet. Gather a bunch of stones or an assortment of pine cones, and toss them in a jar. (I always save the big lidded jars after my candles burn down, perfect for projects like this.)

Nature is full free goodies, so get creative with what it has to offer. My dad lives in Tennessee and spends a lot of time in the forest. This year for Christmas I want him roll me a wreath or two, and pick up shed antlers, feathers, and anything else he mind find while stomping about the woodland. I can't think of anything more perfect, something to display that reminds me of my childhood home and my dad. Those are the best gifts.

What do you borrow from nature to use in your decor? Nests, shells, driftwood? Do tell.

Before. After.

Here's a little peek at the dresser I found in the trash last week. It had an extremely thick goopey layer of dark stain on it, and apparently it also had a coat of light blue paint before that. I removed most of the stain/paint, except for the strip between the top two drawers, a goof on my part. (Will do later.) Some of the pores in the wood were quite open, so I could not remove all traces. I gave it a light sanding, and brought it inside. I'm not sure about painting it yet. I sort of like all the scratches and dings showing. It shows the furniture has a past, and I like that. I can also see this in my kitchen someday, holding linens and silverware, so I don't want to commit to a color just yet. What do you think?

Photos copyright Lindsay Brackeen.

Pot o' Soup.

I like to make a pot of soup mid-week.  When the weather turns cold I always crave chili.  No special recipe.   Just throw in some beans, tomato sauce, and whatever else I have on hand.  This time it was corn, onion, green and red peppers, halved cherry tomatoes, and a bit of ground turkey. (Just as tasty without meat though.)  Season with garlic, chili powder, cumin, Worcestershire, oregano, dash of cayenne, bit of sugar, salt and pepper.  Serve with grilled cheese sandwiches.  

Photo © Lindsay Brackeen.

Small Spaces.

Found Lillian Day while browsing Flickr.  Her smallish (645 sq.ft) home is unpretenious, cozy, and perfect.  Lots of grey, white, and wood, accented with lots of sweet details.  Her garden is lovely too.

Art Supplies.

New art supplies are my favorite. Last week I sharpened all my coloring pencils and neatly placed them in a cup...only to find my 3 yr. old moments later, breaking off the tips to use them as sprinkles on her playdough cupcake. I thought it was quite creative of her, so I let it slide. Find sweet, unbroken pencils at Olive Juice.

Pumpkins.

My husband picked up pumpkins today. 3 orange + 1 white. I'm loving this idea from Country Living. The kids always want to paint them, I always want to carve them. Now we can both have our way. More ideas here.

New Print.

I finally got around to combining the alphabet set. Find it here.

Wood.

Our kitchen/dining area has white floor tiles (never again), white cabinets, white back splash, white appliances...you get the idea. I like the use of wood in the spaces above. It really seems to warm up the room. Also, note the accents made of natural materials... the nest, logs, wheat, and plants. Bringing in a little of the outside goes a long way, don't you think?

Images via Bolig, Living Etc., Skona Hem, and Avotakka.

Gone weekending.

Hope your weekend brings everything you wish for.

xo,

Lindsay

Photo by Nino Modugno.

Thank goodness.

A cool gal,

featured on the Sartorialist,

with no cigarette or cellphone.

We love this right?

I do.

Homemade.

Made Banana Cranberry Muffins last night. Recipe here. Just add 1c. cranberries and extra dash of cinnamon. Perfecto!

Photo © Lindsay Brackeen.

In the Closet.

The Messenger in Provincial Blue by moop.

Vintage Equestrian Boots at xix19.

Rosemont Sweater by Little Houses.

Homemade Halloween.

Looking for easy homemade Halloween costumes this year. Any ideas?

Wee Ghost by Flowerhead.

Curbside Find.

I found an antique dresser curbside on trash day. I've been looking for something different to store our clothes in, so this is good. It's curvy, solid, made from birdseye maple, with skeleton key locks on each drawer. It's sooo what I had in mind. I like the look of a painted body with bare or stained top. What do you think? Is it a shame to paint antique wood?

Also working on.

Digital dress up. One size fits all.