fancying.

this lovely photo of a lovely photo.

there is just something about it

that really caught my eye.

perhaps it is the red twine holding it all together...

{from hearblack}

this delicious looking painting.

i want to hang it in my kitchen and

smile every time i walk by.

{from joel penkman via design sponge}

the most recent cover of milk magazine.

just look at that striped dress, 

the cute bottle with the paper straw, 

the plate of macaroons...

oh, and, of course, the magazine is 

full of all sorts of goodness, as well.

{from milk}

i absolutely love this idea.
i think one of the very best gifts you could
give someone is a stack of
handwritten mail.
perfect.
{from oh happy day}

the light strung above what i hope
is a bed. ok, just everything warm
and cozy about this pic
{from milenachka}

these amazing summer sandals.

i would wear you with everything.

{from mohawk general store via camp comfort}

what looks like bits of broken pallets

to hold photos, art, or handwritten papers.

so lovely.

{from the yellow door paperie}

this work space.

simple stunning and just the right 

pops of color.

{from design sponge}

swim caps

we thought it would be fun for the summer

to whip up our own little

"vintage swim caps"

for the girls to sport around the pool.

they certainly had a fun time with them... 

wear.make.do.

wear something sweet with a peter pan collar.  or, if you are feeling extra adventuresome, try adding a collar to an old boring dress to fancy it up a bit.

make this delicious looking cherry and cardamom custard.  i love cherry season!  

do go get some embroidery thread for making friendship bracelets.  you can sit out by the pool (or a lake if you're near one) and pretend to be at summer camp.  ah, summer, i am so excited for you to be here...

picnics

there are few things in life that make me 

as happy as picnics.

they are mighty fine, indeed.

a cozy blanket, delicious food, 

lovely weather...

i think i will start eating all my meals outdoors...

peach marmalade.

so there are an abundance of peaches on the trees here, 

as i noted previously. i did get around to making some 

peach marmalade so thought i'd share. 

quite tasty on whole grain toasty bread with salted butter

and a gob or two of this jam.

would be a great accompaniment to a cheese platter as well.

peach marmalade  

(adapted from the blue chair jam cookbook)

note: original amounts called for are in parentheses; i based my amounts off of what i had on hand.

15 ounces of seeded lemons, halved crosswise,

each half cut into quarters lengthwise and sliced med. thin (1 lb.)

2 lb. 8 oz. peeled peaches (3 1/2 lb.) 

2 lb. white cane sugar (3 1/2 lb.)

4 ounces lemon juice (6 ou.)

1/2 t. pure almond extract

day 1:

slice lemons as noted above. place in pot, cover with cold water. bring to boil. boil one minute, and drain. return slices to kettle and cover with 1 in. cold water. bring to boil, then decrease to simmer for about 30 minutes, until fruit is very tender.

while cooking; remove peach skin. make cross mark on bottom of peaches with sharp knife. blanch for a minute in boiling water, and remove; let cool and easily remove skins. chop peaches roughly and add to plastic container along with sugar, juices, lemons....all ingredients. mix well and cover with plastic touching fruit as well as a lid. refrigerate overnight.

day 2:

place mixture in non-reactive kettle or whatever pot you have and stir well to incorporate sugar.

bring mix to boil over high heat. cook at rapid boil until setting point is reached....about 30 min. 

mix will bubble gently for several minutes, then , it will begin to foam. do not stir at all until it starts to foam. stir gently every few minutes with heatproof spatula (or wooden spoon as i used). as it gets close to being done, stir slowly every minute or two to prevent burning.

marmalade is ready when its color darkens slightly and its bubbles become very tiny.

put in jars and cover with cute labels or material and twine. share it and be happy you did.

fancying.

this amazing little sweet shoppe.

just look at all those goodies in the window, 

not to mention the cloud and airplane decals

and the too-cute baker.

when are they opening one in my town?

{from a beautiful mess}

one of the cutest little parties 

i have seen in a long time.

the details are perfect.

go take a closer look and 

be sure to notice the invitations...

{from armelle}

this adorable t-shirt collection.

such sweet, simple designs.

i'll take one of each for

 all the little ones in my life.

{from two new york via simplesong}

the cutest little easter kids i've ever seen.

love the shirts.

love the suspenders.

love it all.

{from mer mag}

everything about this picture.

i want it all.

just reading the words

"meyer lemon creams"

makes my mouth water.

we will have to try this recipe soon...

{from tartelette}

this girl's getup.

mustard and black with check shoes.

she is so cool.

{from the street hearts}

vintage spools of thread.

{from flora mcflimsy}

 and just a little more spool + thread love.

{from my sweet and saucy}

art kits.

how sweet are these birthday gifts 

from the creative mind behind the new domestic.

it would be fun to do a grown up version, 

like a desk kit. 

who would'nt love this?

wear.make.do.

wear some suspenders with your pants and a splash of lavender. perfect transition into warm weather outfit.
make ice cream in a bag with the kids. tossing and giggling, followed up with homemade ice cream is an assured good time.
do some unnecessary but oh so necessary shopping for sweet fabric tapes. why is fancy tape so addicting?

la petite

another fabulous little online magazine

{and new to me, which is always fun}.

la petite

is, as the cover says, 

for the little ones.

do go check it out. 

and, if you aren't enticed already, 

at least go print the darling paper dolls

for any little ladies you might know.

paper dolls are one of the best ways

to spend those long summer days.

leftovers.

stunning photo after stunning photo 

tumbling along at oh my leftovers.

so inspiring to take beautiful photos.

{happened upon over at max wagner via cakies}

fancying.

this delicious sandwich.

mmm, yes please.

{from forty-sixth at grace}

the darling family photos

bleubird vintage always posts

of what her family wore.

creative and cute.  love it.

{from bleubird vintage}

this super detailed wallpaper.

i just want one little nook in my house

to cover in wallpaper.

is that too much to ask?

{from studio nommo via unstitched}

this amazing container house.

open space, lots of windows

and bright colors.

do yourself a favor and go look

at the kitchen in this house...

awesome.

{from web urbanist via wide open spaces}

this stunning photo.

those eyes.

and i'd love to have a go at shell crowns

this summer at the beach.

{from babiekinsmag}

this colorfully bright illustration.

fantastic really.

{by eline vandenbroeck via wit and delight}

any and all photos by wovenplay.

makes me wish i was a kid in a big

city like ny.

{from wovenplay}

this adorable little fox doll. 

how about that suitcase eh?

too much i tell you.

{from handmade charlotte}