almost halloween

Pumpkin Man Portrait 2 courtesy of CuriousPortraits via etsy

After a couple of weeks of my entire household being exhausted by a certain 4-year-old's nightmares, I am kind of ready for this Halloween to be over......of course I'll probably be singing a different tune when my little trick-or treaters share their delicious loot.

A happy and safe Halloween to all!

end of end pages?

via The Ward-O-Matic

We recently got a Kindle which is quite awesome (well, as far as I can tell - the man has been hogging it pretty much since the day we got it, but at least it's good to know he can read), but with the Kindle it does seem as if quite a few things are lost with the gain and ease of this technology. One of the major losses for me is end pages. Yes, maybe that's an art form that's been on it's way out for a while, but let's celebrate where we can still find it, shall we? Especially in beautiful vintage children's books...

via Creature Comforts

via OnFoot4now

via Drawger.com

via saltycotton

via Drawger.com

via collecting children's books

via Creature Comforts

via Drawger.com

{And see Drawger.com for a huge round-up of beautiful end pages!}

words to marry by...

There are lots and lots of wedding stuff to post, but how about some words? Here are some quotes which reflect what I wish my wedding and love and marriage to look like...

via These are a Few of my Favorite Things...

"the irony of commitment is that it's deeply liberating -- in work, in play, in love. the act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around like rational hesitation. to commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life." 

~Anne Morris   

via naturally nina

via somerset

"i love you also means i love you more than anyone loves you, or has loved you, or will love you, & also, i love you in a way that no one loves you, or has loved you, or will love you, & also, i love you in a way that I love no one else, & never have loved anyone else, & never will love anyone else." 

~ J.S. Foer

via These are a few of my favourite things...

via it's mary ruffle

via saying images

via the devil and god...

this i the last paragraph from Jane Austen's "Emma" via Michael Fusco Design, but if you can't read it from this image, it says:
"The wedding was very much like other weddings, where the parties have no taste for finery or parade; and Mrs. Elton, from the particulars detailed by her husband, thought it all extremely shabby, and very inferior to her own. "Very little white satin, very few lace veils; a most pitiful business! Selina would stare when she heard of it." But, in spite of these deficiencies, the wishes, the hopes, the confidence, the predictions of the small band of true friends who witnessed the ceremony, were fully answered in the perfect happiness of the union."

Thursday, Amy Butler everything, and Etsy

Image courtesy of MaisyandAlice

It has been a while since we posted a Thursday and Etsy collection, so I figured it was about darn time. There have been many occasions, when I am in an Etsy trance and clicking through all of the handmade goodness, that I find myself drawn to Amy Butler designs- her patterns on fabric or paper are always eye-catching and beautiful. 

So, this Thursday post is all about Amy Butler and how she pops up in all sorts of Etsy shops. These are just a few ways you can incorporate her design in your world ....and make it that much more color filled and delightful.

For your home- some gorgeous accent pillows, a set of cheery table linens, or a truly unique laminated tablecloth.

Image courtesy of rubystella

Image courtesy of BellaBeeDesigns

Image courtesy of modernmyrtle

For gift giving- from birthdays to bridesmaid gifts, a clutch like this would be much appreciated...

Image courtesy of PoppyPunch

And a fun gift for the hostess....the perfect apron.

Image courtesy of sassyapron

For parties- a set of vibrant, coordinating hats, some sweet cupcake toppers, and potential garland or place cards can be found to brighten any celebration.

Image courtesy of gigglesapu

Image courtesy of ElizabethSt

Image courtesy of jaimemancilla

For the baby- a sassy bib/burpcloth duo, the ideal summer dress, booties that will be the talk of the town, and an outfit for your favorite little lady.

Image courtesy of LittlePigeonCrafts

Image courtesy of margeandrudy

Image courtesy of outofthebox

Image courtesy of mekokids

For you- one of those bags perfect for all of your busy days or a cozy and stylish lap quilt made just for those lazy nights.

Image courtesy of girldesvignes

Image courtesy of shancee

A little Amy Butler for everyone!

Hurricane Season

Image courtesy of hornes.org via google

A holiday table topped off with a decorative glass hurricane, or hurricanes, always looks so polished and festive. They are the perfect way to bring Autumn to the table. The glass capsules filled with seasonal items, candlelit, or wrapped, can fit into any decorative scheme - it just depends on how you use them.

I like the look of hurricanes filled with acorns, gourds, or berries- Fall's harvest right there.

Image courtesy nicegirlnotes.com via google

Although I have not tried this, I bet it would create lovely ambiance for an evening gathering with the light filtered through the warm shades of orange tissue.

Image courtesy of marthastewart.com

Candlelight flickering in these mercury hurricanes would be a beautiful centerpiece for the holiday table- wintry and elegant.

Image courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com

This pair is my favorite. Really, it is because they look like New England, like my parents' place during the Fall, and I am always up for a little bit of home, especially when the holidays roll around.

Image courtesy of yourdecoratinghotline.com

beyond the Boston Brahmin

Dear Boston,

You know how much I love you and your cobblestone streets and public gardens. I could wander all day on your city streets and never feel lost (as long as there's a Dunkin' Donuts within shouting distance and the accent of your people in the air - I know I am home). But, Boston, for so long - for so very long - you've had the rep of being old fashioned in the worst possible way. Yes, I am talking about your sense of style. 

You, old friend, are not known for being a trend setter in any way, shape, or fashion. And though you and I agree that plenty of fashionistas strut your streets, you still get called "frumpy" or "old-fashioned" or, despite your politics, "conservative" by those who don't know you intimately. But how great to hear that things are changing thanks to Beyond Boston Chic! As I'm sure you know, BBC is a blog that's been documenting some of your better dressed natives for some time now (though the blog is new to me) and sharing their style with the world.  And hasn't Beyond Boston Chic captured your fashion-forward residents beautifully? You must be so proud of her!

Anyway, missing you a little bit extra now that it's fall and you are in your prime. Promise to write back when you get a chance though, okay?

Love,

Vivi

All images via Beyond Boston Chic

ring for the sis

Okay, wedding, I'm getting a handle on you now that the invitations are finally out, the man has a suit, and the family crisis calls seem to have tapered off. Now it's all about the little details like what to get my gosh darn sister for being my maid of honor. The girl had mad fancy taste and loves the unique so I'm thinking about one of these very cool, very modern triple rings by beadycats.

The problem is that I cannot, for the life of me, decide which one to go with (this has become a problem throughout the wedding process - I'm become incredibly insecure about my instincts). So let me know what you think with the following bits of info about the rings:

ring #1:
This one totally embraces the major "color" of my wedding (purple), but part of me feels like I'm being such a lame-o for picking this ring for such a ridiculous reason. Do you agree? Or should I just go with it because I am clearly a bride-to-be who talks in terms of her wedding colors and should just embrace her dorkiness already.

ring #2:
The next ring has touch of purple, but also other colors which makes me feel like bride-y. And I like how it's kinda tough and cool too. And yet I can't tell if I want to give this one to my sister or get it for myself. (The pull between generosity and greediness is pretty hard to tell apart with this one).

ring #3:
This ring also has a nice medley of colors too, but is bit more lady-like and wedding modest in construction. Plus, I'll admit it, one can't deny the nice price on this one, but should that be a factor at all? Does looking at the price make me a horrible person - nevermind sister and bride??

See how I am thinking waaayyy too much about stuff like this and so can't make up my mind? I'm a mess so do tell me what my sister should wear on her finger and no one go off and buy any of these rings before I do, okay? (beadycats has enough beauties for all of us)

TANO

My sister does her best to keep me current fashion-wise....I confess I can often use the help. Sometimes her suggestions remain just that, but other times I definitely take her advice and that was the case with TANO.

TANO makes beautiful leather bags of the highest quality for a reasonable price (especially since the world of decent purses runs at insane price points!). The bags are incredibly durable and come in an amazing array of colors and styles. The only drawback is that they are sold in limited spots, but the site has a full list of vendors.

Here are just some of the purses from the TANO line.....

All images courtesy of TANO