Curiosities

Antique bird cages are so cool! They add that cool bohemian charm to whatever room they're in. I've decided I'd really like to have one, although i'm not sure what exactly I'd do with it. I could leave it empty or maybe put plants in it. Some are so ornate, others are more simple, but I love these two at the bottom, painted teal. 

Oh, Hermione.

I am one of those huge dorks that obsesses over Harry Potter books and movies. Just went to see the latest installment of the films this weekend and it did not fail me. Such great movies and books! Hasn't Emma Watson turned into a beautiful woman right before our eyes? I love her as Hermione Granger, she perfectly plays the super smart and super cute witch that dorks like me idolize. 

Too Cool

Wishing that I could ever look so effortlessly cool. Here is some inspiration from The Satorialist. 

Speaking of Mary Poppins

While I was looking around the web for some info on Mary Poppins, I ran into this great website that forges weathervanes. Here is great one featuring Miss Poppins herself. check it out for lots of unique weathervanes! Black Forge Art.

Kid Movies

Some days you just need some comfort. Just like comfort foods, we all have comfort movies. Those flicks that restore our faith in the world. Most of mine are movies that I watched as a kid, like The Parent Trap. I used to watch this movie with my mom on lazy days around the house when were snowed in or sick. Now and Then came out when I was about twelve and it was so great, it really captured that little known undying friendship that you make when you're young and stays strong all your life.  A Little Princess was a magical movie for me. This little girl was so good no matter what life handed her, she was a blessing to every one around her, and never lost her imagination. And of course, Mary Poppins. Practically Perfect in Every Way. I hope to be Mary Poppins one day, complete with a carpet bag full of furniture and a magical umbrella.

Grant Wood

I love Iowa. So, I love Grant Wood. Grant Wood, along with Thomas Hart Benton and John Stewart Curry, showed the world the beauty of the Midwest. So often when people think of natural beauty its all about enormous snow capped mountains or the span of the Pacific Ocean, but the Midwest has its own enchanting beauty. Grant perfectly captures the overlooked beauty of Iowa's rolling hills with rows of corn, sunsets among groves of trees, and the brilliance of the changing seasons. 

From top to bottom: Fall Plowing, Young Corn, Near Sundown, January

Kansas City Knits

Knitting is one of my most favorite things to do when I have some free time. I find it so relaxing to curl up on the couch with a project, a glass or wine, and movie at the end of a long day. I love being able to make gifts for my friends and family for birthdays and holidays. Most of all I love shopping for new yarns, needles, and notions! I can lose my mind in a yarn shop, looking at all the different textures, soft and chunky, fine and fuzzy, and of course, warm and cozy. These are some of my favorite knitting shops around Kansas City. The Studio is located on West 47th street just off The Plaza. They have a great selection of all different yarns, on Tuesday mornings they have Coffee and Stitch, bring in your project, they provide coffee and muffins, and stitch your heart art with some cool people. Florilegium (it rhymes with foreign legion) is located in downtown Parkville, on the south side of the train tracks. I wish my house looked like the inside of the place. They have beautiful displays, really creative decor, and enough yarn, beads, threads, ribbons, and charms to make your head spin. They also provide any class you want for two or more, just purchase the materials and they'll show you how! Urban Arts and Crafts is not just a yarn store, its a yarn, fabric, jewelry, scrapbook, card, and book store. Its an awesome burst of color as soon as you walk in the door. They have a great selection of of yarns and some really great crafting books, they also have a wonderful calender of classes, I am always inspired as soon as I walk in the door. 

Lounge

Lounging days are so few and far between. This is one reason that I love holidays! Those days that are set aside for us to sleep in, eat, hang out around the house, and just relax. Colder weather means snuggling under blankets, drinking hot chocolate and tea, and putting on layers. I love these pieces from Anthropologie. Lounge pants and robes aplenty! I have what some may call a small collection of robes, I love them. I have four different cozy wraps and I just keep wanting more. 

Too Cute

I am a cat person. I've grown up with cats, they're easy, low maintenance, they sleep on your lap and cuddle up in blankets, you can even leave them alone for a couple days and they're fine. Dogs though, you have to walk them, board them when you're gone, they're kinda like having actual kids. I was randomly looking through Martha Stewart's pet website and found this adorable breed, the Boarder Terrier. Trained to hunt foxes, these guys are active, affectionate, and thrive on being obedient. They have wiry fur and long legs, and only get up to about 15 pounds. Once I have a house with a yard, I will seriously consider bringing one of these sweet little guys home.

Saja Dresses

It's been about six weeks since Chris and I got engaged and of course between writing papers, studying for midterms, choosing classes for my last semester, and working, I've been looking at wedding dresses. I just stumbled upon this great website, Saja. I love that these dresses are simple, pretty, and a bit casual. I really love this sweet little short dress, but I've always imagined myself in a floor length gown. This short number is super cute though, what do you think?