gathering spriggs

Things I Love Thursdays

 

 

 

Omg! I died and went to photo heaven. I am absolutely in LOVE with this Flickr Group, Things I Love Thursdays. How fun! Isn't that first collage a beautiful dream vacation in your mind and the third image is a collection from Decor8's March Interior Styling group. (So I must confess, can anyone help me figure out how to make collages like this on Flick??) I wanted to make my own ,but can't figure it out. :( Waaah! 

For individual photo credits, please see links below. 

images: 1.Photo Puddle 2.Corin Jones 3. Latinka311

Wanderlust : the Mediterranean at Sunset

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you ever fantasize about places which you have never been?? Well, I have long been dreaming of visiting a beach in Portugal ,but its been especially recent after seeing this. And the colors of the sea have been whispering in my ears as I stroll on nature walks and feel the sunshine at my back : Orchid and Persimmon-  sea and sky meeting at dusk. So what about you? Are you dreaming of exotic locales or planning your summer vacation?  Can you feel the sand between your toes yet??  (For more of this color scheme that I did not include here, visit my Orchid and Persimmon gallery)

images: 1. Miguel valle de Figueiredo 2. Ureshii 3. Flower Belt & Cannelle-Vanille 4. Gap Interiors 5. Collage: Fleur Fatale, Miguel valle de Figueiredo, Sarsmis 6. Trek Nature  

Blog of the week: Found, Now Home

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Friday!! Can you believe it! Another week has passed and its already mid -March! Oh,my! I have been super busy the past couple of weeks and it is such a refreshment for me to come here and sip my tea with you in the mornings. Today, I would love to share with you, dear friends, a blog that I came across recently that is the handiwork of Leigh. She travels a lot all over the US and abroad. She takes photographs and documents her travels, the shops she enjoys and her own crafts. She recently moved to London so keep checking Found, Now Home for beautiful documentation of the city!  I probably spent two hours last night just perusing through her posts on shops, located in the sidebar. If you are planning to a trip to London, San Francisco or Atlanta, Leigh has THE BEST recommendations. And of course, to my delight many of them are antiques, vintage or even flea markets. Hope you enjoy this feast for the eyes.!

images: Leigh of Found, now home

    

Pom Pom Interiors

 

 

 

 

Ahhh, What a way to wake the soul and the senses this morning with the beautiful images from Pom Pom Interiors. This California coastal antiques and home decor center has me longing for a trip to the cool breezes and sunny beaches of the West coast. It sounds like a wonderful place (or places - they have 3 locations) to lose oneself in. I could go for getting lost in some beauty today after a long week at work and then a meeting with my tax professional! Ick, taxes , the unfun, unglamorous side of business. Anyway, I think these images have me dreaming again. California dreaming that is! 

What are you dreaming of these days?? A warmer climate? Your summer vacation? 

Always,

Blogging On The Road: First stop, Louisville! (The Makery)

If you have not already heard of this famed handmade goods shop (via Domino magazine)in the heart of Louisville, KY, then allow me to introduce you.  Meet The Makery! -the creative brainchild of Melissa Liptrap. 

Melissa has nurtured this two and half year old store from its meager beginnings of only 30 artists represented to its now 120+ . I had the pleasure of meeting Melissa this week on our sojourn from Nashville to Chicago and she is passionate about her work at the Makery.  An artist herself, Melissa is the sole force working endlessly to maintain, promote and merchandise her indie handgoods store. (She creates her own line of products under the name Dearest Inez)

The artists represented range from famed Kathleen Lolley and Pinecone+Chickadee to up and coming artists from the surrounding area.  The Makery features a broad spectrum of handmade products including stationary, body care, t shirts, a children's section, jewelry, original art, and altered vintage clothing. And Melissa can tell you something about everyone of them! 

So if you are ever in Louisville,KY , I highly recommend a stop in to say hi to Melissa at the Makery. But even if you can't see her in person, check The Makery website which will also take you to the represented artists etsy shops or homepage.

Next stop, Chi-town!

Windows in Chicago

This weekend my husband and I took a quick excursion up to Chicago. Our favorite home away from home. I started at a compelling exhibit "Across the Divide:Reconsidering the Other" at Illinois State Museum Chicago Gallery.

 

A beautiful fiber/performance collaboration piece by

 Michelle Feder-Nadoff and Kanaan Kanaan.

The duo created this work by weaving the threads back and forth to each other -standing on opposite sides of the fabric. The performance was recorded during the opening and this is the remains.  The above link offers wonderful images of the piece in action. (Titled:"Passing")

Honey/Bee themed window at Anthropologie on Southport.

9 to 5 theme window at same store.

English Cottage- A new antique store in Andersonville on Clark St.

Although the weather was not so pleasant, Chicago still brought inspiration and Spring to my heart.

Louisville/Bardstown, KY

Fall is the loveliest time to visit northern Kentucky, and it is our favorite.  Ever since our first visit together as a couple, back in 2002, Robert and I have returned in the fall to rekindle memories of young love, and as a respite from a hectic schedule.  And for those of you Texans, here is some fall to enjoy vicariously, now all you need to do is imagine a perfectly crisp breeze, cool enough for long sleeves, but warm and sunny enough to enjoy pleasantly strolling.  Change is in the air.

Our B&B - Rosemark Haven Inn -Bardstown,Ky

I don't know what this brilliant red leafed tree is, but the photo does not do it justice.

(Side view of the Inn)

The entire time of our stay at Rosemark Haven, I thought of Carrie McGavock and Carton plantation, the heroine in the historical fiction book I'm reading, " Widow of the South" by Robert Hicks. (Oddly enough set here in Franklin,TN-only about 20 minutes from where I live.) Another cool place to visit if you ever come see me!

But back to Kentucky. From Bardstown (a small burg with a town square/main street -smaller than Fredericksburg,TX)  we drive down Bardstown road about 40mins. to downtown Louisville for some walking and of course shopping. You know my husband, the record store junkie. He has some favs along Bardstown Road. And in the time he spends in one or two stores, I am able to hit every boutique, vintage clothing store, antiques and art galleries in the area.

On this trip, I discovered an exciting new addition to add to our list of Bardstown favs.  But due to the length of this blog post...... to be continued. 

Look for Part II -Louisville later this week.

Top 5 Chicago

Top 5 Inspirations from most recent Chi-town trip
1.Eskell Boutique-talking to the owner about her recent trip to India, asking about her dog(pictured) and showing her pics of mine. check out their fabulous clothing line. i purchased two amazing vintage pieces that I will feature later.

2. Barney's Window Display on State and Rush

3. Seeing Rick Bayless at Fronterra Grill- of Top Chef fame eating his lunch, too shy to ask for picture.

aftermath of our devastatingly delectable meal. sorry too hungry for before shot.

4. Walking Barefoot on Oak Street Beach.

5. Margarita Inn Urns/Foliage

Top 5 reads in Chicago
1. Wallpaper: In Interior Design by Gill Saunders
2. Textiles in the Art Institute of Chicago by Christa C. Mayer Thurman
3. Ornate Wallpapers-Victoria and Albert Colour Books
4. Textiles and Ornament of India- The Museum of Modern Art
5. Australia Vogue Living

Texas Wild Flowers

Another great weekend in Texas with friends. Although I've been back since Tuesday, I feel as though I am just catching my breath from this week. It was a circuitous route to Burleson, TX via Kansas City( home of my sister Beth) to Bella Vista, AR (to pick up our friend Ginny) and then on the road again for the 6 hour drive to the suburb town south of Ft. Worth. This was our second annual Girls Weekend. What began out of traveling to each others houses for baby showers became a tradition to spoil ourselves with a whole weekend of girl time. Each year one of the 5 of us (childhood friends from Fredericksburg, TX) hosts the weekend at her home, and the others fly in from their different locales in the country. Last year, Beth kicked the tradition off in Kansas City.

Here we are last year-Beth, Ginger, Christy, Ginny, Heather

This year at Ginger's home in Burleson, we witnessed her creativity and imagination which comes with her great experience in party planning.. As most of us girls who like suprise and intrigue, it was laced with personal touches and surprises around every corner.
After receiving little gifts and personalized placemats on our designated beds, we awoke to a lovely breakfast table covered in jewels and diamonds. (Theme: Diamonds are a girls best friend)

After breakfast we were pampered by a day at the spa--nails, massage, facials and lunch.

Here we are in matching T-shirst I designed for the occasion.

Then that evening we were wisked away in our private limo to our dinner location, downtown Ft. Worth.

After dinner it was to the Ft. Worth water gardens - an evening stroll through the park.

For more great pics, go to Ginger's Myspace Photo Album
-and you can see some of the other great parties and events she has designed!!
I feel so blessed to have such creative and talented friends and sisters!
Love you all, girls.

Texas Sunshine

Back in Nashville from a weekend stay in Dallas, Texas. I find I always become a bit nostalgic when returning to my home, the Lone Star State. Now, there is a little thing called Texas pride where I come from and one of the best examples lies in the hearts and home of my dear college friends, Holly and Justin Noble. Here's a little peek:

This is part of the Texas themed bathroom-truly a shower curtain as the Texas flag!

Map of the Republic of Texas- Can you believe there are other states even featured on such a map?!!

While in Texas I helped celebrate Holly's 30th birthday, but the best part (other than seeing her family and eating true Texas barbacue-my one vegetarian vice), was meeting Eli Noble. He is Justin and Holly's 6 month old newborn! So adorable. For her birthday present I immortalized him in a portrait. Im trying my hand at baby portraits.

You were my piece of Texas sunshine. Thanks Holly and Justin for a funfilled weekend to help me remember a little sliver of my past!