Love: America

This weekend we celebrate America's birthday!

The 4th was once one of my very favorite holidays. I say "was" because when I taught 2nd grade, I had to explain Independence Day to a classroom full of Native American students.

It went a little something like this:

Student: So what is the 4th of July?
Me: Great question! We celebrate the 4th of July because that is when we became independent of Britain.
Student: ...
Me: So, the Americans were living here, in America, before it was the United States of America...and, uh, well I guess so were the Native Americans....Yep, the Native Americans were living there, actually before the colonists got there. Anyway, the colonists didn't like the British telling them what to do. Wow. And, so....hmm...but, uh. Huh. Sooooooo, yes, the Native Americans were definitely here. But, uh, the British colonists moved here and uh, well....huh. Freedom?

Fin.

This was nothing compared to the Columbus Day Discussion or, my personal favorite, The Thanksgiving Story! Hooray!

Anyway, America. AMERICA. Bald Eagles! Fireworks! Walmart! Pushing uncomfortable truths about our country deep deep deep into our  collective psyches so we never need to speak or think of them again! Missiles! GDP! Swimming Pools!

I mean, who am I kidding? The Fourth of July is fantastic. It means, sun, water, sand, grilled meats, fireworks and family. I also think of fresh fruit for some reason. Also, my older brother, younger sister and I trying to drown each other?

OK, we're back. Let's talk about some good ol' Red, White, and Blue inspiration!

The patriotic displays seen this weekend can also be used throughout the house. It'll always looks like summer. 

Look at these whimsical paper things!

 Tablecloth.

I think I love everything about this room. So crisp. So clean. 

Primary colors without looking like a box of crayons.

This is perfectly Red, White, and Blue without looking like you were too lazy to take down

your Independence Day decorations. Cheers!

 

 Alright, you guys, let's ignore that this is a kid's room. 

The rug. Old Glory. The white sunburst mirror. Red couch. Bordered crisp linens (do I spy a monogram?)

 Everything about this is pretty terrible, except for the little America banner. How droll!

But, seriously, the other stuff?

I look at this and see a bunch of wooden geese with handkerchiefs around their little necks being sold

at a county fair. Thank you, no.

I don't know what the hell is going on with the backboard there. 

Also, I hate monkeys. 

BUT, what I do see is some crisp red, white, and blue action. Also, Boston University?

Everything I found below, I found on etsy. 

I searched in "Vintage" and just typed in "American Flag."

Framed Vintage Finds:

Old Flag print + Vintage War Poster

48 Stars. Perfect for rental walls you cannot paint. 

 

Coffee table. Side table. Table. 

 

Look at this great vintage book, and the pages therein!
I'm imagining choosing maybe the title page and 3 others and FRAMING them, guys. Framing them.

Together? Or maybe just choosing your favorite. And framing them separately.

Happy 4th!

Love: Ikat

Ikat is the word.

It is a tradition woven material, often silk. I'm into it. Some of the best come from Uzbekistan these days. You can buy it direct by the yard (if you are crafty. I am not) or in the form of things like pillow cases.

Speaking of pillow cases, I really dig this idea. You. Frame. The. Pillow. Cases.

Just delightful. 

It is also pretty baller on furniture. 

Check out these slipper chairs.

I like these next two. The frames say "Tradtional," but the fabric says "Party." 

Am I right or am I right? 

I like the framing idea. For a couple of reasons. 1) It seems easy. 2) It's cheaper than recovering or  reupholstering, and adds a major pop of color without having to purchase another piece of furniture. 

Reading Nook

So, in the living room, I wanted a place to be able to lounge and read where the TV wasn't the focus. The living room itself is super small, so I thought it would be nice to have to separate areas, each with a different feel (the other side, I'll post soon!)

I got a really gorgeous and comfy plush beige rug and put two thrift store chairs on either side of the window. I had the bookshelf from when I lived in Boston and piled in as many books as possible. (Along with, my FAVORITE, photo boxes to store stationary and other tchotchkes in an aesthetically pleasing way.) Add some Ralph Lauren woven pillows and we've got a little something going on here I think.

I'm thinking about putting a large overstuffed chair or maybe a loveseat between the chairs. I really want to put some floor cushions down, but I'm afraid my dog, Henry, would immediately fur them. Either way, it needs more color.

bookshelf - ikea, chairs & candle holder - thrift, rug - target, dog, pillows - ralph lauren

Planners + Notebooks

Sometimes working room to room is a little overwhelming. Little things are a lot more manageable.

Using my outlook calendar for appointments is helpful for work, but not for the rest of life. For that, I have all of this (see below):


The Before:

Mini and small moleskine notebooks (each with a different purpose) and my new 18 months planner (from Gallery Leather - Maine. I am obsessed) + lots of post-it notes for organization.








The After:

I got card stock paper at Michaels and used the teal glitter and a red with raised dots.








The After:

For the little notebooks, I used Martha Stewart sticker labels, letters, and gems.

Here we go - Before Pictures

Here are some before pictures of the cottage. The landlord had some of her furniture in the kitchen and the living room (it isn't mine!), but all of that was gone by the time I move in.

Let's take a little tour, shall we?

Here is the living room, with not my furniture.

The bathroom, with not my shower curtain.
I love the sink/mirror, no?

Et here we have the kitchen cabinets! Cute, huh?

The kitchen (again, none of my stuff), view from the living room.
These curtains aren't my style, but she kept them up. I haven't been able to replace them yet.
Ideas?
Bedrooms (they all look pretty much alike!)

There is a LOT of work to be done, but I'm excited to get started.

New Home for a Year

The longest I have ever lived in a one place (besides my own childhood home) has been two years. Max. I never realize how much of a gypsy I have become until it is time to move again. I lived in about 4 different places in Boston, then Turkey, then Boston again, a New Mexico reservation, and a small farming town in Alabama. It's time to move again! This time, about 45 miles north to Tuscaloosa, home of the University of Alabama (Roll Tide??).

It has been a little over 3 years since I've lived anywhere with a movie theater or more than 4 places to eat or anywhere to buy clothing, so I am beyond excited with this move.

The tornadoes in Tuscaloosa happened only a few weeks ago, but already the city is rebuilding. My little house is in an area that suffered a ton of damage. I'll try to post pictures of some of it soon. I had to move for work, and was lucky to find this place! It is a very old home, but has a lot of charm.

Over the past few years, I have tried to perfect the art of making somewhere I'm going to stay for only a short time into something that feels like home. With significantly less room than where I've lived previously, this house is a challenge, but I'm going to document the changes as I make them. Hopefully I will come up with something quite livable for a year.

Here it is!