Happy New Year!

 

Happy New Year! Here’s a lovely little quote from one of my favorite authors. Such a bright thought to kick off the new year, no?

Look for more posts from me soon. Until then, I hope you are enjoying a restful New Year’s Day!

Lately…

It is the last week of October. The last week!

Let’s just let that sink in for a minute.

I don’t know about you, but I feel like October went by at lightening speed. It’s my favorite month of the year, and this year certainly did not disappoint.

Settle in for a little catch up…

The biggest event of this past month was definitely the marriage of my little brother! Michael and Leslie (remember the bridal shower?) tied the knot, and it couldn’t have been more special. This is the reception site, a renovated barn at Heartwood Hall in Piperton, Tennessee.

Reclaimed wood beams, tealight candles in the trees, floor to ceiling stone fireplace – this place is breathtaking. And, what did I do? I danced. I danced and danced and did not take one photograph (save this one). I’m a bad blogger. I’ll leave the question as to whether I’m a bad dancer up to any impending video coverage (which I can guarantee won’t make the blog).

Of course, with the wedding came a weekend of hanging out with family, including this guy. Jack may be getting a little white in the beard (do dogs have beards?) but don’t let that fool you. Jack (Jackson, if you’re feeling formal, Jackie if you’re feeling cuddly) will get tired of running after a ball long after you get tired of throwing it. Jack is the son of our beloved Ginger, who passed away last year, and I stand by my claim that between the two of them, we have lived with two best dogs ever. Period.

I’ve done some sprucing to my bedroom lately, and this may be my favorite addition. It’s a bit more whimsical than I usually go, but I just couldn’t resist. It fits in perfectly on my nightstand and it makes me smile.

I also fixed up a little jewelry station on my dresser. It’s perfect for getting ready in the morning and let’s me see all my jewelry at once. Love it.

This weekend, the River Arts Festival took place downtown, in the South Main area. It’s one of my favorite Memphis neighborhoods, and its old storefronts and warehouses provide the perfect backdrop for artists selling their wares and demonstrating everything from pottery throwing to glass blowing.

I picked up this beautiful mug from local potter David Johnson and I swear it made my coffee taste a little better this morning. Love local, usable art (complete with a Jack photo bomb).

How’s your world been lately?

PS. October 20th was the 1 year anniversary of this little blog! Thank you so much to all of you have followed and participated over this year. I have learned so much this year, and I’ve enjoyed it immensely. I hope to get back to a regular schedule soon. I hope you’ll continue to have some pretty little fun with me!

The Night Circus

Have you read The Night Circus? I finished it this week and I miss it. I really do. I was one of those books that sucked me in to a completely surreal world. It’s magical.

Of course, it got me thinking about fabric. The colors and textures described throughout the book are so rich, yet so simple – shades of black and white, with a pop of crimson. The gold stars in the sky provide the only other pop of color at the circus.

Click the image to enlarge the fabrics and learn about sourcing.

Wouldn’t these fabrics make a cozy movie room or reading nook? I am especially fond of the black and white dots. The one in the upper-right is Michael Miller Atomic Dot ($8.98/yard Fabric.com) and the one below that is Mesh Polka Dot White/Black ($3.98/yard! Fabric.com).

Another cozy idea for these non-traditional fabrics would be a non-traditional room, like these lovely attic converts.

These rooms are like little bits of fairy tales. Love.

Would you use whimsical colors and patterns in your home? Or would you rather leave them for a set decorator (what an amazing job that would be for this story!)

First Weekend of Fall

This weekend, it finally felt like fall!

The air was crisp enough to pull out an extra quilt for the bed, break out a scarf and swing by Starbucks for an oh-so-delicious hot apple cider.

I also had a few lazy mornings of magazine reading over breakfast.

The first of the holiday catalogs arrived!

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal – yummy and makes the house smell amazing!

Friday night after a great dinner with a dear friend, I returned home to a power outage. A freak storm had brought crazy winds and rain to the area, and it took our power along with it. The result? Candle burning, blankets and reading by flashlight…I can’t say I was so disappointed…

I did get out and about Saturday though, and cherished the opportunity to wear some of my fall clothes (I had to restrain myself from piling on too many layers in excitement).

I hit up one of my favorite antique stores, South Front Antiques, and almost squealed (ok, so I kind of did) when I found myself all alone in a room – a whole room! – of antique shutters.

I didn’t take a picture of this wonderful room because of the previously mentioned squealing, but here’s a picture of the almost-as-cool elevator shaft from the third floor. This building is itself an antique and so fun to explore.

Just one of the cool things at South Front Antiques

Back to the shutters…after a while of perusing, and talking to the owner about the origins of several, I settled upon two very different styles that caught my eye when I first entered the room.

Here’s one…it’s from the 1890s, probably from a house on either Pontiac or Vance in downtown Memphis. The old wood has aged beautifully.

I’ll share this week how I’m going to incorporate both shutters in at home. And yes, staring at them smiling is part of how they will be incorporated.

How was your weekend? What did you do that felt like fall?

Let’s Go Read a Book

Happy October! This is my favorite month of the year – the anticipation of fall, pumpkins and the holidays – love it!

October makes me want to curl up with a thick blanket and a good book. Where is your favorite place to read? Wouldn’t you like to curl up in one of these cozy nooks?

Source: desiretoinspire.net via Katie on Pinterest

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Source: dagmarbleasdale.com via Katie on Pinterest

Happy Monday!

Kitchen Dancing

What is it about the kitchen that begs for some dancing? When I’m cooking or doing dishes, I’ve got to have some upbeat tunes playing. It gets me thinking…what’s the soundtrack for your home?

For me, Sunday mornings are for Otis Redding, Al Green, The Temptations and a host of other soulsy singers. Something about those old songs makes doing the dishes a little more fun, and it’s the perfect background music for brewing some coffee and whipping up a lazy Sunday breakfast.

When I’m getting ready to go out, girly pop is where it’s at. Madonna, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears…oh yes. Nothing says “gettin’ pretty” like applying lip gloss to a little Vogue. Don’t judge.

Lately, the all-around soundtrack of Casa Katie has been the new album from the Avett Brothers. It’s brilliant from start to finish, like their other albums. It’s available tomorrow; check it out if you’re in need of some great fall music!

What’s the soundtrack of your home?