Creole Wisdom

tea time

I've been thinking about what new photographs to hang in the new apartment come August. I haven't really decided on anything, but I think my happy roosters may need to be retired. I love what Jen did in her kitchen, see link here- I may do something similar.

When I was in Ireland I noticed that I loved to take photographs of my breakfast beverage, which let's face it: is almost always tea. Here are three favorites that I hand edited in Photoshop CS5 (love it!) I think they would look especially nice matted in off-white matte with a simple black frame.

Tea Time:

apartment hunting, the final chapter

I know you've all been dying for an update on my apartment search. Well, I signed a lease on Monday along with Becky and Kate. Here's the story:

We all initially thought that we wanted to be in uptown. There are a few natural patterns in Minnesota living step one: college & life in Dinkytown step two: Uptown step three: suburbs. I'm not kidding. So, we wanted to follow in the natural progression.

Then we started looking at properties. And we had little luck. One place would be in a good neighborhood, but it still had the original kitchen sink dating back to the turn of the century, another would have tons of space and be in a so–so part of uptown. It was no hit and a lot of miss. Early on we did look at a property near Lake Harriet, farther away from the center of uptown, but still close to things we liked: the lakes, stores/coffee shops nearby.

Three bedrooms, a pretty bead-board bathroom, fireplace... The only catch was, it was a bit out of what we wanted to spend. So I asked the landlord if he would go done, and he did! Despite getting another offer from another party for the amount he was asking for he gave it to us for less. How's that for luck?

On Monday we signed and took another peak at the apartment. I am so excited. A new place to live, a nicer one at that, for less money than what I am paying now and... lots of new space to decorate. This is going to be good.

I took a moment to walk around the neighborhood for a bit, which I know well since one of my favorite shops is there– there's a new yoga studio and this shop that sells flavored olive oils. I think I'm moving to the right area.

Move in time is end of August/early September. We are all looking forward to this, and what do you think my mind is consumed of these days?

Should I get a red couch, or do a brown one with pretty marimekko pillows sewn by me? A lone green tea colored wall in my bedroom, or the prettiest pale blue: violet light? Rooster + chicken photos by me in the kitchen or pretty plant photography instead? TV out, or tucked away in a painted thrifted armoir? ... you get the idea!

soul food dinner party

My two good friends have their out-of-county boyfriends visiting, so of course I thought it would be a grand idea to throw a soul food dinner party- just to showcase some of the stunning cuisine were have here in the states.

Dad and I planned out the menu, throwing in a bit of creole flavor: yellow rice, fried catfish, greens and cornbread– It was divine, everyone loved it!

Karen, Margaret and Becky: all sipping some good red wine (thanks Karen!)

Before we eat Dad and I spoke a little bit about what soul food is, what it means. It was a really special moment, I love my dad–

I'm so thankful he could make it happen.

apartment hunting chapter 1

Summer means a few thing: cabins, ribs on the grill, sunburned shoulders and of course: looking for a new place. I have moved every single summer for the past six years. I am twenty three, that's 26% of my life. It should not be this way, but college made it so–

Kate, Becky, and myself have embarked on a new "adventure" (or should I say: experience) of searching for the perfect place. A place so good that we will hopefully not feel like we need to move again next summer.

My favorite part of looking for housing on Craig's list during this renter's market is the way some of the advertisements are written and of course, the photos.

I would post images, but as you know, I do not like to litter my blog, so you'll have to just look up apartments in my fair city for yourself if you want to join in on the humor.

I especially love the spelling mistakes and made up words.

Open message to property owners: if you are trying to rent your apartment, put up photos of the interior and exterior, not of the surrounding area (we all know what the lakes look like, and also the poorly kept gas station down the road...)

We have had good luck with a few places. So far we have looked at three, and have found one possibility. And this landlord even told us he would bargain with us :) That is always good. Regardless, this is an adventure and I am trying to see it as that.

And every time I step out of my car to go to a showing I hear the House Hunters doorbell and Suzanne Wang's voice in my head-

new pillows

Recently I have been on the biggest home improvement/diy/decorating kick. I think it stems from the fact that I will be moving at the end of the summer, and for the first time, to non-student type housing. I am pretty joyful about that.

Anyway, I love my bedding, but my pillows were so blah. I decided to do a bit of sewing this weekend.

I cannot lie. I love the way they turned out. They were exactly what I was going for, and let's be real- how often does your mind's image match up with reality? Rarely.

I think they are the perfect touch in my bedroom. They were also so economical to make. I already had the actual pillows, and all I needed to purchase was the fabric (a grand total of $5.00)

When it comes to sewing I hate patterns, they just don't work for me- all that cutting and the ridiculous paper that rips... don't get me started, but I found all the information I needed from this blog and this blog. 

So, go and make yourself a ruffled pillow. You will smile.

xoxo

CW

crazy is as crazy does

So, I knew this project would be hard and time consuming, which is why I put it off for months. But it's spring now, and I simply cannot have any stones unturned any longer. Monday I decided that this would be completed by the middle of the week. Is it perfect? Nope, but I love it. I think it's beautiful, and I cannot wait to hang it.

These are really cool to do, and I think it would be fun to do a colored-theme or else b&w only version. The grids are very easy to find, but I would steer away from ebay/online and just look around at your neighborhood garage sales. That's where I found mine for around $15-20.

As I completed this around 11:30pm last night I fully realized that I am so crazy, and don't you doubt it- just wait until you see what I'm making this weekend (it involves me + the bernina, fun-frustrating!)

my canvas printing experience

In today's digital age, it's really hard to get photos on the wall. But, along with all that modern photography goodness came alternative ways to display photos. Canvas prints are a beautiful option.

When the good people at Canvas on Demand asked me to blog about my honest experience with them in turn for some free canvases I was excited. I've wanted canvas prints for a while. On Thursday, with excitement I opened up my prints-

The result? As you can see is lovely. The quality is fantastic. I am not just saying this because I got them for free- everyone who has seen them has literally remarked on how beautiful they are. They look like oil paintings.

 

My favorite part about these (besides how simple they were to hang) are the depth and visual appeal they provide. I am so glad I chose photo wrap for the sides (there are a variety of choices) - and doing two different sizes was something I was nervous about, but now love.

Details:

•The photos are: Karen + I looking out across the Northern Coast of Ireland & The Stone Arch Bridge right here in Minneapolis taken from the second floor of the Gutherie Theater

•Photo canvases from canvas printing

some old things I love

Today, after paying bills and balancing my check book, I thought I would peruse a little bit on craigs list... for good finds. Nothing struck my interest, but I realize now another reason I love spring: garage sales. Wow, I am just like my mom. Lord help me.

I used to give my mom a hard time about having so many antiques, why did she scour stores and talk to dealers when everyone else went to the big box warehouse for their stuff? She had taste! Despite only being twenty three I have acquired quite the collection, and you know I learned how to bargain the correct way from my beautiful mom- who loves to say, "is there a little wiggle room in the price?" Wiggle room!

Of my favorite finds, here are a few...

Okay, this was a gift, but still... a 1940s bathing suit. I love this thing. I'm so scared to wear it out because the fabric is really different (not like the material of suits today), but really- how cute is that? 

This cake stand was found at a garage sale- I have it on my desk now, but it works great for making desserts look even more heavenly. I think the purchase of this was around $10. I kid you not.

So this isn't mine, but I found it for dad. We were driving around St. Paul, and I spotted this. Basically I daughter-pressured him into purchasing it. You wouldn't believe the perfect condition it's in.
Antique Christmas bulbs from Hunt + Gather, my favorite antique store for finding small things- I love that place. For a package of about 15 bulbs cost was $8.

Some fool (well, maybe that was harsh) put this desk out for the garbage in my parent's neighborhood. Then I made two boys haul it up three flights of stairs. It seriously weighs a ton. I'm scared as to how I'll transport this bad boy when I move. It's from the 1940s and could use a pretty coat of paint, at some point. Until now, I'm enjoying the natural look of the wood! Cost was free (my favorite price).
The little gold "K" was found at my second favorite antique store next to Cupcake. I am seriously obsessed with that place and consider it a haven for whenever I need inspiration or a mood pick up. the owner is a kind hearted man with some excellent stories. I've already blogged about my green glass bottle with stopper from Ireland, it's a gem. The "K" I believe was $1.50 and the bottle was 8 euros (worth it!)

This pretty quilt was finished for me by some very talented Amish women as a gift from my Grandma. The original and fabrics are antique to my knowledge. Oh, and there's my headboard which I found in the basement of my apartment. Another view of the gorgeous chippy-ness of it:
I love, love, love it all. What I really am hoping to find sometime this summer...

Mary pendant for a necklace in gold

Recoverable sitting chair with to die for bones

More silver frames with elaborate edges

Pillows, hand towels, or throws.

the desk makeover.

My brand new little (not, more like weighed a ton and took two rural MN boys to lift it up two flights of stairs) desk. It was time for some deep cleaning up on the landing, and I took one look at the sad state of the above and decided it needed a change. So here we are, and now I can sit down and balance my checkbook in peace. 

Should I start posting before shots, too?

around home.

Christmastime is much more fun when you do not have finals to worry about. We all got into the spirit last week and decorated early. I love where I live, my roommates are hilarious and creative. The tree is up, the lights are out, and I'm excited for my first real "adult" Christmas :)

 

The larger bulbs are from my favorite, Hunt and Gather and are authentic, antique. The smaller bulbs are from home.
 

These pinecones are very, very easy to make. They just take a little bit of glue and glitter. I think this would be a fantastic project to do with kids, too. Very simple, and they pack a nice visual punch.

Don't you adore my little church? This is the second Christmas decoration I've purchased myself- it's very dear to me. I love the way it looks on Jackie's gold platter-

Because of Mr. Gibson, it was smart to do a tree just dripping in sparkly cones. That way no worries if he does (read did) bat them off. I like the organic look of it-