A Touch of Nautical

About this time of year, the stripes start to send signals...

...that spring is coming!

I love a touch of nautical in my wardrobe, but I've always been a bit of sucker for it in my home too.  Remember this post?

Last fall, I went to the Brimfield Antique Show with my friend Cheri, and I fell in love with this guy...

Cheri didn't get my crush on him, and frankly, I couldn't explain it.  I just knew I had to have him.  It's not like I come from a family of sea captains, or grew up in Gloucester, or particularly like Salty Dogs, but I loved the idea of looking at his grumpy eyes every day.  So now he lives in my downstairs bathroom, freaking the crap out of people when they walk down the hall.

A touch of nautical?  It makes my captain feel right at home.

Image credits: J.Crew; EmersonMade.; Tea Accessories; Oh Captain, My Captain and his close up taken by Paige Lewin's iPhone; Dash & Albert; Uncommon Goods; L.L. Bean; Wisteria; Anthropologie

Hello, Gorgeous.

Sorry for the lack of post today, but because of unexpected roof issues at my son's school, I was home with my big guy all day.  Yes, here in New England, it doesn't even have to be snowing for school to be cancelled...the sheer amount of snow has become a problem in and of itself. Anyway, in an effort to keep us busy and out of the house, I decided that today was the day I was going to use up the gift certificates and birthday money I've been saving and finally get myself this beauty.

Why hello, Gorgeous.

It seems that all the Apple stores are equally fantastic, however if you're close enough to New Hampshire, I highly recommend going to see Bianca at the shop in Salem.  She's been working at Apple for quite a while, first at the corporate office in the UK and now in the shop, and she knows her stuff (and is totally kind and wonderful to kiddos).  Anyway, she rocks.  Go see her and tell her Paige (and Weston) sent you.

 

Currently Coveting

I know it's a sin, but I'm just not that religious.  Here's what I'm coveting for my home this month...how about you?

 

Casually elegant stemware that can serve up milk or mimosas equally well,

 

fishy rugs,

 

simply beautiful turned wood lamps,

 

the Hans Wegner classic,

 

Michael A. Palmer's view of the world,

 

and perfect flatware for parties, picnics or pasta.

 

Image credits: Hartland Stemware, Simon Pearce; Fish Design Rug, Landry & Arcari, White Turned Table Lamp, Hudson; ch24 Wishbone Chair, Hive Modern; Boat House by Michael A. Palmer, Van Ward Gallery; Seaborne Flatware, Anthropologie

Weekend Plans

So, what are you up to this weekend?

Among the many things on my list -- including a project that's hopefully worthy enough to end up here and going out for a very belated holiday celebration with a gaggle of girlfriends I haven't seen in months -- I'm heading to the book launch of friend, mom and artist Abigail Patner Glassenberg.  I met Abby just after she landed her book deal, so it's pretty exciting to celebrate her success now that she's published!

If you missed my previous piece on Abby, you can read all about her here.  A teacher-turned-artist, Abby found her bliss at the sewing machine creating soft sculpture animals.  Her new book, The Artful Bird, celebrates her amazing flying creatures and helps us non-artists learn how to make our very own.  If you're in the Boston area and want to see her amazing sculptures up close, visit Essentia in Wellesley from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday.  Hope to see you there!

Image credits: Abigail Patner Glassenberg

Punxsutawney Phil and Bucks County Frames

In case you hadn't heard, Phil predicted an early spring.

Yeah, right. {she says, staring at three feet of snow outside her bedroom window}   

Anyway, Phil isn't the only good thing coming out of the great state of Pennsylvania these days.  On a recent trip to the land of Etsy, one of my pals showed me a piece she picked up for her living room.  She had been staring at a giant empty space above her fireplace for a couple of years and finally knew she had to do something about it when her six-year old son took note .

"We need some color in here, Mom.  It's totally boring."

So she searched Etsy, the place to find fantastic, one-of-a-kind art pieces (among other handmade delights).  She wanted something whimsical and colorful and LARGE...all for a good price.

And she found it.

Whimsical, colorful, large and an amazing value...Bucks County Frames totally delivers. 

I love this one...makes me want to get on my Gary Fisher, pronto.

And this one? It conjures Vermont in July, watching the parade go down Bristol's Main Street. 

I'm so ready for the beach.

 

I've never been a huge fan of fine art photography for my home, although I think it's a perfect fit for plenty of others. 

It's nice to know that my mind can always be changed.  {Thanks for introducing me  to Bucks County Frames, Michelle!}

Image credit: all images the work of Carl Christensen, Bucks County Frames and can be found here.  Also, click each image above to find it in the shop.  Support independent artists!