Tamar Mogendorff

I LOVE this wall of birdhouses! I'm thinking about re-creating this in a child's bedroom. So sweet.

via decor8

bedroom ideas

I really like how this room feels. I love the mustard-y floral pillow against the super bright white bedding, and that nickel lamp is pretty kickin'.

via desire to inspire

This makes me happy.



via Jordan

Resisting The Day

I'm extending my weekend...

See you soon.

xoxo


photo via flickr

Today I bring to you a book that has absolutely changed how I shop, prepare, and consume food. Barabara Kingsolver is an amazing author, as I'm sure many of you know from the epic novel Poisonwood Bible and many of her other novels and essays. This book is no exception. I cried, laughed out loud, cheered, and was incredibly moved by her family's journey. I was left inspired and uplifted by her example and sweet story, instead of defeated and helpless as I usually feel when I read other books that tackle topics such as factory farming, oil, subsidized farming and agribusiness.

You will fall in love with Lily's Lovely Layers and feel the heartbreak of organic tomato farmers. You might actually pee your pants when you learn everything you'll ever need to know about turkey sex.
This is a lovely, lovely book and I hope that you have the opportunity to enjoy it as much as I have!

Barbara and her family also have a website that has every single delicious family recipe plus photos of their farm during the different seasons. It also has links to finding local farms for those of us that are lacking a yard and garden plot.

Denyse Schmidt Quilts

These quilts come in really great, warm colors.

I am a sucker for ruffles

Ooo-la-la!

Loolo Textiles

I am loving the frillies today! I think these pillows are really pretty, I think I might attempt to make one of these for my bed.

Hey, are you sticking around?

It looks like spring. It smells like spring. It feels like spring....but I've been fooled before. I have garden fever and I'm anxious to get started, but I'm plagued with the possibility of a late freeze.
I'm thinking of holding off a little while longer and hope that the tulips get a fair chance this year. In the mean time, I'll be enjoying these beautiful gardens.




photos from Cottage Living

Chocolate Frosting: The Breakfast of Champions

I have discovered the best and easiest chocolate buttercream frosting recipe. The best part about it is that you can either make it light chocolate or really rich and dark(my fave).

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
1/2 cup butter , softened
2 2/3 cups confectioners' sugar
1/3 cup half-and-half cream or milk (can use unwhipped whipping cream in place of half and half)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder , sifted (for light)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder , sifted (for medium)
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder , sifted (for dark rich)
Directions
1. Cream the butter in a small bowl.
2.Blend in the cocoa powder (the amount desired for a light, medium or dark flavor), vanilla, confectioners sugar, alternately with the cream.
3. Beat with an electric mixer, until the desired texture is achieved.
**NOTE** because of the additional cocoa powder more cream may have to be added in to reach desired consistency.

Image from Martha.

Home Sweet Home

Wow. The Anthro home magazine has me seeing stars. I love the children's room, the new textiles, and these dishes, not to mention the always gorgeous and genius styling.

Nick Spitzer from American Routes and American RadioWorks team up for this really awesome program marking the second anniversary of Katrina. My favorite is the Afro-Caribbean Indians.....really great.

a little blog love affair

This Easter reading list has uncovered some really great blogs, I am all pumped up for a complete home makeover! Ok, so that won't happen for awhile, but when it does I'll be in good hands with ideas and resources that This Young House has provided. The writing is great, their house is great, and they seem like really great people, too.
Go show them some love!



Before
After

Vases

This is a fantastic price for these beauties. Gee, I hope my parents read my blog :)

via This Young House

A Thank You and a Warm Welcome

The biggest thank you to Desire to Inspire(one of my favorite design blogs) for including me in their Easter reading guide. I am beyond flattered! Gracias, my talented friends!



Also, I would love to welcome any new bloggers/viewers to my little blog, I am so happy you're here! Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you like what you see!

xoxo.

Rachel

A Happy Birthday Preview

Here are some photos my mom took for Sela's first birthday. Isn't she just wonderful?

I'm Officially Obsessed With Barn Houses

I can't help myself. I am obsessed with the idea of finding an old, forgotten barn(with tons of land) and creating a beautiful space for my family. And Cassandra Naylor did it, not only did she restore this 100-year old family barn, but she did her best to make it sustainable.

Before
After.





photos from Cottage Living

Maybe I'll send Marnie back....

While I was doing research for Hippie Friday I stumbled across these French pretties...







These are the most beautiful tea towels I have ever seen, the colors are AMAZING!

Let's talk about reusable bags...
-Each year, an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide. That comes out to over one million per minute. Billions end up as litter each year.
-According to the EPA, over 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps are consumed in the U.S. each year.
-According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. goes through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually. (Estimated cost to retailers is $4 billion)
-According to the industry publication Modern Plastics, Taiwan consumes 20 billion bags a year—900 per person.
-According to Australia’s Department of Environment, Australians consume 6.9 billion plastic bags each year—326 per person. An estimated .7% or 49,600,000 end up as litter each year.

This is something that is so easy to do and it seems the hardest part is actually investing in reusable bags and remembering to bring them with you wherever you go. Here are a few options that I have noticed out and about lately...


My personal favorite: French Market Basket Brian got this for me as a Christmas gift and I love it! It's so easy to remember because it is gorgeous!

Minus bags via Design Mom

Don't forget about produce bags!

Scoop.
I couldn't find a source for this one, but I like that it gets right to the point. Maybe a little snobby, but at least it (hopefully) makes people think about reusable bags.
Another favorite: Chico Bags
Baggu


There are TONS of different options on etsy as well, and if sewing is your thing they make for a quick and easy project. It doesn't matter what you use or even if you use them consistently, I think the point is to become more aware for your own consumption habits and recognize ways to make positive changes.

More info on reusable bags here.

resurface

Cool.