saying yes to holes

for some reason, i find things that are perforated so particularly nice. one of my favorite little home objects is a perforated metal votive holder, which creates a spotted effect as it splays light on the walls. for that reason, creating tin can luminaries seems a fine idea (maybe this could be a use for the coffee cans mitchell insists on saving...don't ask).

along similar but less amish lines, i love this awesome pendant light from crate and barrel:

it's now discontinued which makes me very sad since i've had it bookmarked for my new apartment, whenever that happens.

and my heart bursts for this pierced wood train station bench. i think if i could choose one item to possess today, this would be it. how lovely would it be in an entryway, a mudroom, a shaded front porch...it would even transform a lonely hallway.

in the accessory space, i love the recent-ish rash of perforated leather bags all over. i wasn't sure at first, but now i'm very, very sure indeed.

there's the gorgeous pink one above and this one...

this one...

and this one...

oh, and a big YES on the perforated leather shoes too.

i love when a certain concept like "perforation" can come into your life in so many ways in the form of light, furniture, personal style and more. such a yes.

woven light

there's something really lovely about light coming through woven materials. i love the burlap/linen types as well as the wider, woodier thatched styles and i've been contemplating their use a lot recently. i think they're a really earthy alternative to a chandelier, but the earthiness itself can be a certain kind of elegance.

 

i especially enjoy when the woven material is juxtaposed with a luxe one, like this high-shine silver base or this mercury glass one. similarly, i'd love to see a woven piece like this in an otherwise modern space...it would ground it and soften the edges, don't you think?

this one is my favorite one of all, though. wouldn't a nicely-spaced row of them look amazing in so many settings?

images from here, here, here, and linked sites

retro innocence in three pieces

 

i love how retro and innocent this childrens' place setting is. it makes me smile when things for kids look like they could have been around when we were kids and in this case, the print was designed in 1975, so it's the real deal. thanks to marimekko at crate and barrel for keeping it going.  

i think this is a great gift for a brand new baby, don't you?

for the birds

there's something utterly charming about birds, isn't there? a few weeks ago, the arrival of the sounds of birds - with their curious chirping and foraging - was a real pick-me-up. i'm starting to form my birdfeeding plan (remember my last attempt?)...definitely included is an abundant supply of birdseed in my standing feeder, or maybe this one which i still think about.

oh, and a hummingbird feeder. i had the pleasure of seeing real hummingbirds for the first time last summer at my parents' house and they are truly amazing looking, aren't they? my mom put red food coloring in the water which seemed to attract them like crazy, moreso than just the red tip of the feeder.


i love all these bird figures for little spots inside and outside the home, don't you? of course as easter approaches we see everything adorned with birds and their nests - cake plates, pillows, serving bowls - but to me, the ones that are most appealing are like those pictured here, made of natural, organic looking materials, because it's in these cases that they actually look like real, live birds. i don't need bird salt and pepper shakers or candle holders, birds pretending to be something else. to me, that erodes at their natural charm. they're perfect, and enough, just as they are - simply as flying, walking, chirping little creatures.

i love their still, quiet serenity here and the sense of privilege i feel looking at these...it's a frozen close-up look at the likeness of birds which never stay still long enough to admire.




i'm also obsessing about the idea of framed bird print like this one or these to lean on a nightable like this one or this one, perhaps on a low stack of books.

yet another reason to be happy spring is on the horizon.

top image, image 2, images 3,4, images 5,6, image 7, images 8,9, image 10, image 11

wednesday thoughts and links

isn't this set of outdoor furniture beautiful? i love it, especially with the cushions in this intoxicating color. i SO want to go to there. there was a time where this style would have felt stuffy and old-fashioned to me, but now it feels perfectly lovely.

all the discussion of espadrilles makes me smile, because i remember clearly when they were very popular when i was a kid. i DIED for espadrilles for some reason.

urban outfitters never stops having fun things, like this doormat or this vintage pop shop shelf.

people are over imperial trellis. are you? i'm on the fence.

look at these images of designer meg braff's west palm beach home. so colorful and fresh. it embodies why i love florida.



and on weddings...

have you seen glimpses of kate spade's new bridal collection at nordtsrom? BRIDEfinds has a first look, and although the aim of the dresses ($355-$525) is for the shower, sendoff brunch, etc., i could see a very glam city hall situation for a certain kind of wedding, can't you?and i die for this necklace.

check out this great invitation suite template on the wedding chicks that allows you to customize in all kinds of color and see a digital proof that instant. it's so fun playing around with the colors...my favorite combo of today is grass green and tiffany blue. loving that preppy color combo this minute.

are you SO ready for spring? i can't help but smile every time i see a little green poking through the dirt, and bwed brings us a guide to march flowers.

lauren from every last detail discusses myths about wedding costs. i always like her pointers.

and take a few minutes to read the broke-ass bride's wedding week thoughts...mainly about the difference between a marriage and a wedding -- how the wedding is the frosting. the wisdom can be applied to so many aspects of life.

that's entertainment

are you entertaining this holiday season? so much of our celebrating involves family traditions we revisit year after year, which is such a comfort. for my family, rum-spiked hot cider is it on thanksgiving, and perfectly fried potato pancakes with apple sauce and sour cream on channukah. but it never hurts to infuse some innovation and fresh ideas into the festivities either. here are some ideas that have caught my attention this year.

first of all, anyone having any kind of party at any point in the future, you MUST bookmark this article in which cocktail experts greg and shelley lingren school us on the well-stocked bar. they offer useful tips like which liquors to splurge on (scotch, since people drink it straight), which to go cheaper on (vodka since it's rarely consumed straight and bourbon since it's made according to strict regulations and has to be of a certain quality to even make it to shelves), and they even single out brands in all price ranges. seriously, this is an amazing resource.
i'm always a huge fan of crate and barrel's multicolor napkin sets, but these cotton napkins on a roll are worth a mention too. and given my whole tartan thing at ikea this year, it can't be a surprise that i'm drawn to their paper plaid napkins, or crate and barrel's cotton red and green holiday plaid ones either.

when it comes to sips and bites, there's just something so charming and festive about things in miniature, isn't there? we've all probably been treated to catered parties which use mini spoons and dishes for special treats, but there's no reason we can't do it at home too.

especially with the help of pier 1's tasting party collection, which includes mini tasting spoons, ramekins, martini glasses, cordial glasses, trifle bowls and more. even just looking at the spreads they've put together is inspiring, but with the individual pieces and the twelve-piece sets being so well-priced, it's a done deal, making whatever you put out look so impressive. put a little dip in the base of a mini-trifle bowl and stick some celery and carrot sticks in there, and people have their own portable dip situation. a few swedish meatbals in a ramekin with your sweet or savory sauce heaped on top, and it's balls to the wall...and the couch and the piano, and anywhere else your guests want to hang out.

and as much as people love mini, they love big too; towering, especially. so for thanksgiving, i used root vegetables and nuts and fresh cranberries to create this tower which, all in, cost under $30 (including the tiered stand which was $20 at homegoods).

even the simplest food and drink is elevated to a higher level when you take care in the way it's presented, and the mood is festive and light.

if you're at a loss for what to serve, go with some tried and true favorites like nuts, mixed olives and fresh vegetables (go for all veggies in the same color for the sharpest presentation) and then pepper your selection with some special treats like these.

i always remember one of my favorite barefoot contessa episodes where she recommends buying three apps and making three for a cocktail party. she buys marcona almonds (well-priced at trader joe's, by the way), mixed olives and hothouse cucumber rounds topped with salami rounds. and then she makes ham and cheese in puff pastry, roasted shrimp cocktail with amped up cocktail sauce and blue cheese and walnut shortbread crackers. as ina always says, your friends don't have more fun if you slave in the kitchen to make everything.

check out more honey living posts on entertaining, and of course the honey gift files for everyone on your holiday lists.