things I like this week

1.  Ballard Designs has striped sheets that are perfect for summer. I like the ties on the duvet.

2. The grey wallpaper stripes in this foyer paired with a white painted staircase and sharp black banister has a Hamptons feel.

greige

3. What a pretty spring rustic table with apple blossoms.

Kinfolk magazine

4. I would love to catch a glimpse of this curious looking shore bird with an upturned beak along the coast, it is an American Avocet. We have been enjoying bird watching in the Low Country.

Post & Courier

5.  We brought this sweet bouquet home from the farmer's market last weekend....scabiosa, coreopsis and sweet peas.

6.  A delicious twist on a margarita, add St Germain liqueur, recipe here. 

freutcake

7.  Stripes are always perfect on the floor of a coastal house, these are from Ballard Designs.

8. We want to add casual hooks in our foyer. The white walls, cute totes and vintage horse painting make this peg rack special.

Country Living

9. West Elm makes these striped sheets, add a monogram for a preppy touch.

Are you a fan of stripes like I am. Isn't everyone? They are perfect for warm weather living.

Thanks for visiting!

Cindy

my first giveaway

Hi everyone!

I am excited to offer my first giveaway.

I like to keep special little presents on hand for last minute gift giving. I recently let my stash dwindle as we were preparing to move so I need to replenish. Usually Etsy is my go-to source but One Kings Lane is now another good one. I spotted these fun striped canvas bags made in France by Les Toiles du Soleil and ordered a few.

 I am using one to store my small camera, its cord and charger. See it there on the table? We stopped for a drink after our bike ride yesterday. It is made of canvas and the colors are vibrant and fun.

OKL is offering them right now for $21 as well as several other beautiful Les Toiles items here. But if time runs out on the sale, they are always available on Les Toiles du Soleil's NYC store website for $26 here.

 To win this cute bag, please leave a comment to tell me if you love French things as much as I do by April 18th.  I will let husband blindly choose the winner or use one of those random drawing apps. Please only enter if you are a regular reader of the blog or the content of this blog is of interest to you i.e you enjoy reading about gardening, nature, travel, food, etc.

Bon chance everyone!

Thanks for visiting!

Cindy

things I like this week

1.  Simple kitchen beauty...image from Australia's "Martha Stewart" Donna Hay, visit her website here.

2. I want another Annie Sloan Chalk Paint project and have been searching the house for something I can paint. Would love to find a dresser at consignment or thrift similar to this one for one of our bedrooms and paint it in Louis Blue with a light coat of dark wax applied on top.

3. What a beautiful way to create separation on a patio. Drought tolerant ornamental grasses in glazed pots. Design by Mark English.

4. I love Meg Braff's rooms.... always fresh, traditional, and pretty!

5. The most elegant summer accessory.... Elizabeth Locke earrings.

 6. Gingham ribbon and embossed gift wrap, Carolyne Roehm used to sell both on her website but can copy the look for a little summer gift.

7. Linen lovers should spend a few minutes on Libeco's site or visit one of their stores when traveling in Europe. The ultimate in linen products. Shop here in the US. The gorgeous monogram on this Libeco pillow is done No. Four Eleven and can be purchased here.

8. I have copied this look this spring, but my skirt is about 3" longer! From Suburbly Chic tumbler.

9. The prettiest drink EVER! Ice cubes made with distilled water and edible flowers. Layer water in cube tray 1/3 up and freeze. Add flowers (or a raspberry or blueberry) and bit more water and freeze. One more layer on top. Here is the Martha how to.

What things are you liking this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Cindy

things I like this week

1. This was the view from the pretty hotel, La Valencia,  where we stayed when visiting La Jolla, CA a few years ago. You can't tell but there are thousands of gulls perched on bird poop covered cliffs below.

2. Aren't these beautiful birds? They are Nicobar Pigeons from the Nicobar Islands in Malaysia.

3.   A blueberry crostata

is one of the easiest desserts to make. I skip the pie crust step and buy the Pillsbury one from the grocery. Most fruits will make a delicious crostata, just add flour, sugar and lemon zest. Ina's version is the link above, she included butter in the filling but I never do that. The thing about many of Ina's recipes (since I have been using her recipes more than ever this year), they are fattening! Need to be wary and adjust.

4. I love the look of  Katrin Cargill's simple slipcovers and tablecloth on the lightweight metal patio furniture.

5. A beautiful watercolor by Luli Sanchez. Her work may be familiar as she has been commissioned by many retailers- Anthropologie, Ralph Lauren, Target, Kate Spade, Pottery Barn, West Elm, Crate and Barrel and others. 

6. Fun to see what clever designers are able to do with NYC's tiny kitchens. This one is by T. Keller Donovan (he does not seem to have a website), a fan of all things blue. He created a clever focal point wall of shelving that makes this kitchen completely charming. What a great shade of blue!

7. Scabiosa Japonica Blue Diamonds in a unique rectangular terracotta planter...LOVE!

8. Espadrille season is here! My favorite shoes everrrrr! Soludos and Drilley's have good ones.

9. This Matisse tile work hung on the wall of a patio in the home of an art collecting couple in Los Angeles. It now is part of the collection of Los Angeles County Museum of Art. I cannot imagine a better pairing of artwork and environment. So chic!

What are you liking this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Cindy

things I like this week

1. Such an easy appetizer for entertaining or a simple lunch for hubby and me paired with a salad. Just drizzle olive oil, finely chopped herbs and red peppers, salt and pepper over a log of goat or feta cheese and serve warm with crostini.

2. Isn't this place setting by Tom Sheerer with grass mats and  pink seersucker napkins pretty? Wicker vases for candles (bought some of these at Marshall's a few years ago), monogrammed plates (Gracious Style sells them) and unique footed glasses compliment.

3. Sandal weather is fast approaching. Joie is a company that is new to me, saw these on Piperlime. Love the color added to a traditional thong sandal. A fresh take on a classic.

4. Isn't this little furry peanut adorable? I think Andy would love him (or her)!

5. Chunky table lamps are my favorite, Circa Lighting sells this pierced celadon lamp by Ralph Lauren that would look great in our house.

6. Who doesn't love the courtyard gardens of Charleston and Savannah? We have visited in the spring in the past (always trying to be nonchalant as we peer into the private gated gardens on our strolls) and are looking forward to being there this fall for a week to get youngest son situated in school but we have never been on a garden tour for up close access. Have you? Savannah held their tour of homes a few weeks ago. The Garden Club of Charleston held their tour last weekend. Historic Charleston Foundation's House and Garden Tour and Antiques Show is still going on. Visiting all of these on the same trip is on my bucket list!

7. Saw this striped bedding in a simply decorated room by Tricia Foley on Boxwood Terrace blog. Love the wicker table and glass lamp. We found a similar striped duvet at Ikea for older son's apartment that was surprisingly soft after a wash and dry with non scented dryer sheets. West Elm and Garnet Hill sell striped sheets that look great too.

8. Cut spring flowering branches extra long for a dramatic tall accent in a high ceilinged living room. While you are at it, add two bright pillows and who doesn't need a gorgeous modern painting like this one by Robert Rea? This is his Georgetown living room that was featured in Veranda a few years ago.

9. I think the artistry and technique of chalk artist Dana Tanamachi is amazing! Her work is often seen in New York City and Brooklyn where she lives. I love this message, a print can be purchased for $60 here.

Thanks for visiting!

Cindy

candy cane interiors

source