Creative Outlet

As some of you may know, one of my hobbies is knitting. Lately there have been a lot of things going on, a bit too many elements at play, and I haven't been able to bring myself to knit. I think when I had the time to just sit and knit, I needed to just sit, with my brain completely turned off, or focused in on some mundane sitcom, and completely veg out.

Well, last year, a group of knitter/blogger friends and I participated in a Mystery Knit-a-long (KAL) and I dyed the yarn for the little group of us. Yarn dyeing is another hobby-stemmed from the knitting-as a good creative outlet. What I love about dying the yarn is that it is a great creative outlet. It plays on my love of color, and my need to complete a project.

Yarn Blank prepped and ready for dyeing.

This year my mom suggested the group knit the Mystery KAL again, and that I dye the yarn again... and so I did.

Dyeing in process.

There are four of us, and if you follow my Instagram, you've already seen the finished project. For the four blanks to be dyed the process took about a day... then another day for drying, and then I wound them into what is known as a yarn cake, just so that I could package them neatly for the ladies.

Anyhow, it is a nice process, and it is something that gives me a sense of accomplishment. Not only that it is fun, but I love experimenting with the colors! What's even better? It got me knitting again, and I have finished two projects that were previously cast on and waiting! I think I found my knitting mojo again!

Clockwise from top left: Silver Fox, Bark, PANK, and Coral Sunset.

What is your creative outlet? Do you have one?

Happy Creativity!

Saturday Styles :: Cottage Chic

I hope you all have been enjoying the Saturday Styles thread and learning about the different trends and esthetics that people bring to the table. Today's Style is "Cottage Chic", I picture this as being a little beach front place with quaint details, a simple and soothing color palette and a cozy feel.

Here are some of the key details I see

Sun-bleached cedar shakes:

White-washed woods:

Decks with rockers or Adirondak Chairs:

Cool and casual color schemes of blues and greens:

And extra plush spaces, designed for getting cozy with a book:

So what do you think, are you cottage chic? Do you have any beach destinations calling your name this summer, or like me, are you longing to plan a getaway?

Check out the "Saturday Styles :: Cottage Chic" Pinterest board for more inspiration! If you have a suggestion or a style you would like to see further explored, let me know!

Happy Styling!

Some Blog Love

One of my friends nominated me for the Liebster award! I guess the point is to get the word out about unknown bloggers... I'm not sure I follow a ton of small bloggers, but I will nominate up to 11 just to spread the love!

Requirements:
- Name your nominator and provide a link to that persons blog.
- Post 11 facts about yourself.
- Answer 11 questions from your nominator.
- Nominate 11 other bloggers.

- Ask 11 questions for your chosen bloggers.

I was nominated by Hannah of xxkrustee.

11 Facts about me:

I love having fresh flowers in my apartment at all times... I almost can't walk out of Trader Joe's without buying a bouquet.

I love rainy, supposedly dreary, days. (It's the Seattle Girl in me.)

I was born in Montana, but raised in Washington, and have lived in CT for the past 6 years, and now we are prepping to move to NJ. Who knows where I will plant my roots.

I love all animals & nature, I hug trees and will stop to snap a picture of any baby animal.

I cry at weddings. 

I love sending people cards for no reason.

Road trips & camping are my idea of a perfect vacation. 

I have been to 34 states.

I love birthdays, I think they are such a great way to really celebrate the person they are for. 

I am a knitter, but in the past 6 months, I have lost my knitting juju...if you find it, let me know... I would love to get it back.

I love shopping, and especially finding a good bargain.. for me, for home stuff, for gifts.. it doesn't matter.

Hannah's 11 Questions to me:

1. Do you or did you play any instruments? I played trumpet, cello and piano in my youth.

2. Which animal best represents your personality? Probably a dog... they are kind and loving, but energetic and enthusiastic.

3. How do you like your coffee or tea? Coffee...(again the Seattle girl in me), with a splash of flavored creamer.

4. What is your ideal Sunday afternoon? Relaxing with P, taking a walk, and organizing the house.

5. What is the meaning behind your name? The spelling was my mom's pick... everyone compliments it's uniqueness.

6. Favorite dessert? Probably ice cream!

7. What type of organization is your favorite to donate time/money to? I will donate to disaster relief without a second thought. I would love to donated time to a food bank or an organization like habitat for humanity.

8. Favorite social media site? Professionally, Twitter; Personally, Facebook or Instagram.

9. You’ve just won a $5,000 dollar shopping spree to ONE store (clothing, furniture…), where are you going? Crate & Barrel 

10. Explain in detail your dream car. I drive a Hyundai Elantra Touring.. it is white with gray cloth interior.. it is simple, but has nice features, bluetooth & satelite radio, it has great trunk space and it gets amazing gas mileage. I LOVE it!

11. If you could choose the sex of your child, would you? Boy or girl? I would like to think that when I am ready I will feel blessed with either, but if I had to choose, I would choose a boy.

Okay now, I nominate:

1-gMarie Sews

2-The Brick House

3-xxKrustee

4-Kristen F Davis Designs

5-Oui We Girl

6-Chan Knits

7-A Global Affair

8-Hound Girl

9-Fostering Bella

10-Perfectly Posh Events

11 questions:

1. How did you get started blogging?

2. What is your favorite place to blog?

3. Where do you seek inspiration?

4. Vacation, the destination, or the journey?

5. Favorite Holiday?

6. City or Country?

7. Country or Rock & roll?

8. What meal are you known for?

9. Favorite Flower?

10. Are you afraid of color?

11. What's your guilty pleasure?

Happy Blog Reading, and Happy Memorial Day!

How important is the Thread Count?

I have to say, while working at the linen shop, one of the most common things we would discuss with customers was the thread count.

People want the best of the best. The cream of the crop.

When P & I bought our sheets, that was something our friends asked too--so, how high is the thread count.

But, the thread count is not the only thing that matters!

There is a lot that matters in your sheeting.

• The fiber content.
• The finish.
• The weight.
• And where they are made.

The fiber content is important, because that is what you feel. A cotton really is best for your sheets. It breathes, which is important, and it is a natural fiber. You can then specify that further...and Egyptian Cotton is going to give you a smoother fabric because it is a longer fiber, so you won't have as many connection points. You can also look for an organic cotton if you care about all things organic and good for the earth.

The finish of the sheeting is typically going to be either a sateen or a percale. The sateen will have a sheen to it, and more of a slick surface feeling, while the percale is a bit more structured and crisp. This is completely a personal preference--there is no right or wrong here. Some people cringe at sateen, and some people cringe at percale.

The weight, again, is a matter of personal preference. In the summer months, you might change to a lighter-weight sheet with your lighter-weight duvet, or you might choose a heavier sheet and just sleep with that on a hot summer's night.

Where it's made is important, because you want to make sure it is manufactured with quality and care. This is something that you can do by choosing a reputable brand. A lot of the companies that we work with at Fig, weave their sheets in Italy, and have the fabric cut and assembled here in the states. 

What do you look for in your sheets? Are you a sheeting snob? Do you believe thread count matters, or will you now start looking with these other important factors in mind?

Happy Dreaming!

April Showers Bring May Flowers!

Welcome to May! The flowers are in full bloom here, and I couldn't be happier! (Well except maybe if the sneezing would subside.)


But if you follow my blog, you know I love having fresh flowers around, and I try to keep them in the house at all times. I also thoroughly look forward to a time when I will have my own garden and can go right outside and create my own bouquets.

In the meantime, I will just enjoy the beauty that nature provides us with throughout the season.

Adding an outdoor space, like a patio or deck, can add great appeal to your home. It gives you a way to enjoy your garden, a place to chat with friends and get to know your neighbors. It will allow you to be the host of the family barbecue or the garden parties that benchmark our summer season (Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day).

So with Memorial Day right around the corner, and all this gorgeous weather flooding in, let's take advantage and spruce up our outdoor spaces! Get those flowers and veggies planted. Wheel those grills out. Get prepped to soak up the sun all season long. And don't forget to stop and smell the roses!

Happy May!

Dramatic Dining Room Details

As a follow up on how to set your table, I wanted to share some details that I love to see and spec in dining rooms.

Kelly Wearstler wallpaper with Mirrors from Crate & Barrel.

If you have a separate dining room, there are a number of ways to make it shine. Your dining room should have dramatic details that create a mood of romance and sophistication. Not to worry if that isn't what you are looking for, adjust the dimmer switch on your lighting, and it is perfect for hosting the family holiday dinner.

Benjamin Moore Black Raspberry (2072-20) and Art by Bernard Dunaux (untitled I) from One Kings Lane

Some of the dramatic details include wainscoting the lower portion of the wall and using a deep-muted paint color or a bold wallpaper for the upper portion of the wall.

Braxton Sideboard from Neiman Marcus

Find a painting that you love, something scenic or abstract with good colors, that you can draw from for other details. This is a good area to invest. Go to a gallery and find something that is original that you truly love!

Flatiron Dining Table from Restoration Hardware

Lighting is key! You will need a bold chandelier for your dining room, and if your table and room are large enough, you can pair twin fixtures over the table. Your lighting should be layered so you can include table lamps on your sideboard or sconces above it. Also be sure to properly light your painting.

Darla Area Rug in Sky from OKL

An area rug is also important. This will ground the space, literally and visually. You want to make sure it is large enough for your table and chairs to sit on but also for your chairs to be pulled out. There is nothing worse than getting your chair stuck on the rug when you are at a dinner party. Most likely, you will need a unique size, in which case you can seek out a rug warehouse that will  cut a rug for you to add a special binding or border, creating not only the right size, but a perfect and unique rug for your space.

Harlow Chandelier from Hinkley Lighting

Then the final detail is up to you and your cooking! Invite your friends over for dinner, and really let your space perfectly hold your event.

Vintage Brass Sconce from Robinson Lighting

Check here for more on the dramatic details I love in a dining room.

Happy Dining!

Perfectly Picked :: Table Linens

How do you pick the linens that will work just right?

This plate from Crate & Barrel... 

...works well with this table cloth from Anthropologie.

If you are my mother, you have so many sets of dishes that you don't need to worry about what matches because inevitably you have a set that will match!

Otherwise, you should decide where you want to make the statement: your linens or your dinnerware. I could go either way, but I think linens are more affordable to change up and make a bigger statement (even if the statement is small). Therefore, my dishes are neutrals... I have a white, grey, and a black-and-white-patterned set, and they all go with everything!

So I would pick my table linens based on the dinner party, event, or the season. For spring, or a holiday that falls in spring like Passover or Easter, I like something floral. It can be bright or pastels; then for your napkins you can choose something with a small print, maybe polka dots to coordinate, or a solid that pulls from the pattern.

Also from C&B this colorful plate works well with solid linens.

Like this spring time pop of orange, from Sferra's festival table linens.

Don't fret if your dishes don't coordinate with your tablescape, it certainly isn't the end of the world! Just make sure the elements of your table setting work together, and you will be fine!

This pretty plate from Pier 1 would be fun to mix patterns with.

Prints like this, another table cloth from Anthropologie.

For example you can always go with a solid pulled from the pattern in your dinnerware, or you can have fun with some pattern mixing! (And it really is fun!)

The bottom line is, pick things that feel right for your dinner, the season that it is in and the holiday that it is for! Try and coordinate your table cloth or runner with your napkins and have fun with it!

Happy Table Setting!