video conference

there are so many videos constantly being emailed around and so much tv to watch on every screen that we're all on overload from time to time, right? add to that the fact that i work in television and am married to a television lover, i am often on MEDIA OVERLOAD. but there are certain videos that i still watch from time to time just because they make me feel good, and i wanted to share them with you this morning. 

do you remember this awesome wedding entrance? i still get chills because it's just so fun and thinking about the amount of effort all their friends put in to learn it and step outside their comfort zone to actually do it. obsessed. plus it's a great song. 

then there's this michael buble video that i just find contagious. first of all, i just love him so much. the song is so catchy, the video is so kitchy, and the horns...love those horns. and all the paper confetti reminds me of the paper confetti moments at my own wedding and at my sister's. priceless.

and you've seen the honey badger video right? omg. if you haven't, you're going to need to go somewhere where curses are okay, and watch it immediately.

oh, and one other music video. have you heard of lenka? i love this song of hers and the video is cute and quirky too. this is totally one of those songs that just makes me smile and tap my feet in a way that reminds me of my grandpa and makes me smile even bigger.

as lenka says, just enjoy the show! see you tomorrow.

top image, my wedding image, my sister's wedding image

baby love

i stumbled into this lovely blog dear baby in one of those clicking frenzies where you don't remember where you started or how you got to the page you're on, but it doesn't matter because you're so glad you found it.

the pictures of the writer's perfect little children are so beautifully, softly taken and her words are the same. her sentiment really speaks to how lucky i feel to have such special siblings, because there truly is nothing like that in the world. here is what she says about watching her two babes together.

My kids are absolutely crazy about one another. Watching it unfold is one of those experiences that I knew would be special, but I couldn’t have fully grasped until it happened. Like when you’re pregnant and everyone says - “Just you wait until you have that baby is in your arms!” and you think you understand love until the moment happens and it knocks you down with such force that you can barely catch your breath. It feels like that.I love when they rouse from an afternoon nap and blink sleepy eyes in each others direction, recognition sets in and they stretch their small arms out to touch hands and faces. They belong to each other in a way no one else in the world does. There is so much tenderness, joy, and intrigue in their interactions. The beauty in what is growing between them leaves me dizzy sometimes.

shutter at the thought

isn't this a lovely idea? what i love most about it is that it requires zero skill in crafting, which makes it a great project for me. painting an old shutter in one solid color is something i could (probably) handle and that's all it takes to make this pretty tableau. you could even leave it with whatever state of worn-ness and color it comes to you. i love it for pictures and postcards as it's shown above, but it would also have a pretty functionality if you used it for messages (even at work!) or mail.

this has been a light writing week for me as i'm adjusting to a very busy new job and juggling many other things, but i promise to be back next week with more. let me know if you have any specific wishes for posts.

have a wonderful weekend.

image

mason jar meals

pursuant to our conversation about deconstructed salads, how completely cute is this idea? mason jar meals! it looks so charming this way, but a more commute-friendly way might be to use tupperware. it would be really cute to send kids off to school with this kind of healthy spread (or stack, as it were).

i'm tempted to make something like this for mine and mitchell's trip to see james taylor at tanglewood on sunday (!!!), but i'm having trouble picturing mitchell's response to this sort of visual presentation. kind of makes me laugh and want to try just for fun.

i could see using this idea for grilled chicken, feta, olives, tomatoes and maybe some tzatziki or hummus (much like this idea) or doing a taco one...spicy ground turkey, sour cream, scallions, some black beans...oooh now that's one mitchell might like!

what would you put in yours?

rolling along

how adorbs are these bikes from cb2? i love their punchy yellow color and the way this couple looks so sporty and fun. mitchell has been riding as a replacement for his beloved running since his knee needs some relief. he's trying to convince me that this summer we can dust off the english riding bike i had when i was 12 so i can join him (i can remember how excited i was for a 10-speed!!)

the look of these bikes are a mark in the "yes" column. we'll see...hope you have a free-wheeling kind of weekend.

measure up

wouldn't these be fun to have in your bag? i love when something so utilitarian takes the effort to be a little glam too. most of all, it makes me smile that there are enough people in the world (like me) that would get a thrill from owning a gold faux-leather measuring tape. so many, it seems, that they're sold out! but pier 1 has these crystal and animal print ones to fill in.

the great unknown

i love this photo from photographer lauren brooks. i feel like it really captures a sense of wonder and curiosity about what lies ahead. i remember a sad time in my life where my father did his best to convince me that one day i would see the uncertainty and not knowing of life to be the most exciting part, which seemed ridiculous and highly unlikely to me at the time. this year is really the first time i've ever believed that, at least as an adult, probably largely because of my decision to have weight loss surgery and all the changes and possibilities it brings with it.

do you feel excited by the unknown? scared? hopeful?

booking down the aisle

isn't this idea for a ring pillow sweet? it's from etsy seller thedaintywoods and i particularly love this set, because it could double as "something blue." i think it's the loveliest idea, especially if the couple is a literary pair, or if the books have special meaning. a pretty stack of old books could even be a different and charming centerpiece idea...maybe with a small floral arrangement on top, or not.

my ring pillow was made by my mother-in-law, out of the same fabric my dress was made from. i'd love to know...what did you use as a ring pillow, or what would you like to use?

a tree grows

on one of my very slow, very calm post-surgical walks around my neighborhood, i noticed this little house with the most charming tree on the front lawn. i pictured kids sitting under it playing, and a little girl peering out over the tree from her bedroom window above. for all i know, an 80 year old man lives in that room, but this is my fantasy, so it was a little girl who reminded me of me. obviously.

i couldn't figure out why i felt so drawn to it, and then i realized that growing up, there was a big old tree on my lawn, and i remember looking down over it from my bedroom window, jumping in leaf piles and building snowmen under it, even sitting under it trying to smoke a cigarette without applying pressure to my cheeks after my wisdom teeth came out. ah, memories.

that tree was removed a few years ago because it had died and had started to pose a threat to the house itself, and the cars in the driveway. though they left it bare at first, my parents filled the space with a pretty little cherry tree.

though it doesn't tower over the lawn the way the other one did, and it never will just based on its type, it will grow bigger and fuller, and i like thinking about a little girl peering out that second floor window, my old bedroom window, one day.

vintage HL: mum's the word

well, i guess it doesn't surprise you that i'm the crazy lady who drives around taking pictures of lawns and gated entrances. but really, can you blame me? some of them are so beautiful, especially in the fall! the one above, from a gated community in my area is my absolute favorite of all time. the amazing contrast between the purple cabbages (my new favorite fall plant) and the orange mums is just spectacular.

clearly, i wasn't kidding about snapping pictures while driving. AT RED LIGHTS! don't worry - no motion photography.

my favorite mums i've seen this season are the ones right outside my parents' front door! i love how each bud is a combination of the classic red mum color and the orange. it's like a mix and match score all in one plant!

hopefully our unpacking and settling will wind down this weekend or next so i can take myself on a fall artist's date, and maybe take mitchell too - driving with a pumpkin latte and siriusly sinatra and snapping some shots of the other beautiful fall displays i've been eyeing.

originally posted 11/4/09

rainy day drives

back in high school, my friend liza and i were the only ones without curfews, so we used to drive around aimlessly into the wee hours and talk, observe and of course smoke cigarettes (clearly that was before we wised up and quit). and we used to discover beautiful houses, new developments breaking ground and remnants of a historical village so different than what it had become. then we used to bring people back to our discoveries in the daylight hours. when i think about all the gas we used and the miles we clocked, it becomes clear that being green wasn't much of a thing on the east coast at the time.

so these days, i don't drive around aimlessly (as much as i'd like to) and with gas prices like ours, who could afford it? that's why i choose scenic routes through town when i'm in the car, and why i like to have my camera handy for when i happen to spot a house or a road or a little corner of land that makes me smile, so i can "bring people there" without actually bringing people there.


one of my favorite streets in port washington is litchfield road, specifically because the houses aren't too big for their lots (a common problem in suburban towns, i've found), and are sufficiently set back from the broad, tree-lined streets. and the trees are big and tall and old, not sad and tiny looking. the street looked so pretty a few weeks ago after a downpour that i just had to freeze the moment and bring you with me.

a simple evening glow

does this not look like a dream? if i could fashion a summer evening meal out of the corners of my imagination, this is what it would look like. i prefer this so much over the very produced, very "sexy" beach dinners you see on resort websites.

here, it's the natural world that comes along with the beach, and a few well-chosen human additions -- soothing, simple candlelight and the sound of the ocean and its breezes to accompany whatever farm-fresh dinner awaits. even the gauzy tablecloth blends perfectly with its surroundings.

i love the relaxed vibe i feel just looking at this - it's what summer evenings are made for, don't you think?

image from boum blog

fly me away

have you heard this totally adorable song? it's called the show and it's by lenka. i heard it as a lead-in to one of the shows i listen to on sirius and had to find it to share with you. the video is great too - i especially love the last 30 seconds - so cute!

and then, in a similar vein, annie little's fly me away, which you might recognize from the kindle commerical - another one i had to seek out and share. so happy sounding, especially the horns!

and the tone of these two songs is how i hope to feel over the next week when i'm away on fire island with my whole family. i hope you have a wonderful week, wherever you'll be.

while i'm gone, a "vintage" honey living post will publish each day to keep you busy, and i'll be back with all new posts on monday the 19th.

as the fire island edict says...live slow.

stars and stripes forever

do you have anything patriotic planned for the weekend? i know sometimes it can seem like a chore, but i've come across some truly easy ideas to celebrate our nation's independence with what you serve and how you decorate. and i really do mean easy.

sometmes, it's just about going simple instead of fussy, and choosing certain colors for things you already plan to use or serve to create an americana vibe and it adds so much to the visual experience, which i always think translates to the emotional experience. if possible, use white servewear and dishes so that you can punctuate with patriotic colors elsewhere and they're not competing with a busy mish-mosh of patterns and colors. if you're in the market for a basic white set, see this post for some ideas of where to buy.

and if red, white and blue feels too kitschy for your taste, go red and white or blue and white - they're both appealling and cheerful summer color stories and allow so much room for personal touches everywhere. to me, the trick is to limit the bold patterns to one or two items and go monochromatic (in your color scheme for the rest).

here are some thoughts.

one of my favorite bloggers jackie fo posted this stars and stripes cake among other great ideas here, and although above is a betty crocker recipe, it could be easily accomplished with a store-bought sheet cake and some berries. doesn't it pack a lot of visual punch considering how easy it is?

and there isn't much simpler than this berry and yogurt parfait (i think i'd sub in fat free whipped cream for the yogurt) - totally communicates a love of america sweetly, doesn't it?

this recipe for icebox cheesecake looks a little more...involved than i'd be game for, but i love the idea of topping a pre-made cheesecake with abundant red and blue berries. so pretty!

and the simplest of all summer desserts is the idea of basic angel food cake (either slices or individual shells)topped with berries and whipped cream.

the variation below looks more involved than it is...just cut an angel food cake into squares and toss in a clear bowl with berries and whipped cream. so easy!

for more crafty and delicious ideas, check out jackie's post - seriously, you'll thank me. she's awesome. now back to me...

i'm not normally a fan of bright red solo cups because i think you can do so much better for the same price with clear or craft colored paper goods, but for a festive 4th, or really any patriotic barbecue-type vibe, i'm a fan. and a red and white checked tablecloth, either a fabric one like the one below or a disposable one, can communicate lots of relaxed summer feeling in one punch.

if you're out and about, look for these good buys, or similar items at your local drugstores, big box stores, etc.

from pier 1, i think these rattan stars are really nice, and even when you're not going red and white blue, you can use each color separately to add interest to many tablescapes or room decors.


and i love these little pinwheel picks - perfect for appetizers and other finger foods, while their larger counterparts are perfect for sticking in the grass or arranging in a vase for a festive and different centerpiece. by choosing the red and blue versions, you automatically get some 4th of july patriotism into your decor.

if you'll be passing by crate and barrel, consider their sparkle picks and star plates and napkins.




if you'll be in the vicinity of target, their metal oval beverage tubs are on sale for $9 each and come in red, white and blue, among other colors.

and i adore these very classic, very americana velvet bows. don't they evoke such a feeling? place one on your front door, or one on each corner of a buffet table for maximum impact.


but of course, nothing evokes more of an americana, classic vibe than laughter and time well spent with people you love. have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend and i'll see you back here on tuesday.

top image from country living, all other images from linked sites

a white washed rest

isn't this just the most restful bedroom in the world? it's from one of my favorite blogs, house of turquoise.

i am so loving all the white-washed shades in the room - the mix of cream and white, the palest of pale blue pillows on the windowseat, the wonderfully bleached beams on the ceiling. and the view just beyond the window - the sea air waiting just outside for when your inside rest time is done.

take me there. you too?

some honey living you might have missed:
masterful use of white in design
beach houses to dream of
do you love afternoon naps?

the magic kingdom

have you heard this one? a few years ago, while searching for pictures for their wedding, an engaged couple discovered that their paths had crossed as children at disney world. in the foreground of this picture is donna and her brothers, and in the background is alex in a stroller being pushed by his dad.

at the time, alex's family lived in canada, and donna's in florida. they wouldn't meet until many years later when they found themselves falling in love at work.

it reminds me of this michael buble song i'm in love with that i posted a few months ago. it feels so good to watch this video, just go for it again. it makes me smile in a can't-stop-smiling way.

the universe works in funny ways - don't you just never stop being amazed?

photo from mouse info

i-kat believe it

i am so lucky to have learned so many lessons from my grandmother over the years and i often hear her famous one-liners in my head, on command in fitting situations. they include "let her mother worry about it" when i'm concerning myself with something i needn't, "you're a symphony in pink" and other color-relevant exclamations and "can't miss you" when taking in a particularly colorful ensemble - mine or someone else's.

but i have to say one of the most valuable lessons she's taught me is that you really don't know how you'll like something until you try it - in most cases, this thought was imparted when me or molly would lament having to try on a dress we thought was painfully ugly, only to be told "you never know until you try it," and she was often right. someone once it was on, that dress would look different, and it was true...we never would have known without trying. (poor us, having our grandmother drag us shopping to buy us things - the spoils of youth).

so i love it when my adult life reinforces childhood lessons like that, and it happened most recently last week when i was perusing the great eddie ross's blog, always a source of inspiration and amazement. what first caught my eye was that he seemed to have been inspired by the same beautiful quadrille ikat fabric featured in this month's house beautiful (albeit earlier) that i was.

eddie used several images, piece by piece, to show the components of a tablescape he was designing and as i scrolled down looking at each one, i wasn't hopeful about the end result. though i liked some of his inspiration photos, there were others i didn't like, and the way i imagined they'd look together wasn't good.





and then...




IN LOVE.

and funnily enough, up until about a month ago, i didn't get the whole ikat trend at all and rather disliked it. now i'm craving it everywhere.

so it's true...you just don't know, you CAN'T know, until you try.

some honey living you might have missed
-a great eddie ross idea
-pink and orange color story
-a life lesson best learned in the kitchen

all photos from eddie ross