Friday 28 September 2012

FALLing back into Fall-Day 5

In the final challenge of Falling back into Fall, we are asked to link up a post we wrote on this day (September 28th) from a previous year. If you didn’t publish something on the 28th,you link up a post from that week.


I rarely look back on my posts, so that was a bittersweet challenge. Here we go:

In 2008 I posted two of my most popular posts ever, Cath Kidston in Vogue

In 2009 I wrote about quilts and the creative process 
and some incredible Etsy jewellery.



In 2010 I was showing off my Fall decoration for the shop,
 spilling the beans about a 25 % off sale at Cath Kidston, and I was getting inspired by Etsy.

In 2011 I was doing another Fall challenge. This time last year I wrote about Vintage
my favorite fall fashions from one of my favorite shops (and a little story from work), 


So that's challenge number 5 and I am linking to



 If I get in the mood I might do the other 3 parts of the Falling back into Fall challenge. 
I want to say that it is sooo fun! Thank you ladies at SITS!


love, Irene 





Wednesday 26 September 2012

FALLing back into blogging

Hello dear friends,

Autumn is everywhere on the web.

Bless you all who live in areas of our beautiful planet that are turning red and yellow and gold.

As for me, I am in sunny and hot Athens, which I know many of you would find very enjoyable.
One of the the things that life has tought me in recent times is to stay focused on the now. This sometimes makes me feel like I have no tomorrow, but hey, I cannot complain.



So, while there is autumn all over the net, I am going to show you a picture that has beautiful autumnal colours. I bought it on Etsy a few years ago, and it is one of the items of choice I took from our house up North.


It sits on my desk at home next to a lovely IKEA SKURAR plant container with a faux phalaenopsis and a metal Eiffel Tower I bought in Paris in Spring 2010. Picture edited thanks to PicMonkey.

I want to share with you a post about Autumn in onee of my daily go-to-and-feel-good blogs



  • Baking using cinnamon and nutmeg
  • Watching any period drama – Pride & Prejudice (Colin Firth version), Merchant Ivory films, Downton Abbey will be on TV starting this coming Thursday ;) etc..
  • Watching any one of these (or all three)….. (My favorite {You Got Mail})
  • I make fires
  • I wear sweaters and big socks
  • I drink much more tea

  • 
    • And make sure that the blankets are on hand in case it gets chilly
  • I light a lot of candles
  • I start planning Christmas gifts and making lists
  • I keep the kitchen calender up to date as it gets busy
  • And I try to enjoy every single moment

  • Her list/ My list from Cherry Menlove, read for more goodness here.
     
    Linking to
     
     
    Care to join? Let’s celebrate the beauty of fall. Show us a picture of what fall looks like in your neck of the woods.Or show us a picture that means ‘fall’ to you.

    See you soon,

      love, Irene

    Wednesday 19 September 2012

    Music I loved today



    Listened to Cat Power's  Sun in the morning. Eldest likes it. Mom bliss.
    Hope your day was sunny,

    love, Irene

    Monday 17 September 2012

    Secrets to a long and happy life



    My friend Maia from julia warr on Vimeo.

    {Found here, via here, and here}


    "my secret for a long life is simplicity and work and enjoyment" ~ Maia Helles

    Do you have a photo, a video, a sound you want to share, that brings peace to you and makes you breath deeper?




    love, Irene

    Monday 3 September 2012

    Guest Post: Salvaging Sentiment: Finding New Life for Old Family Keepsakes

    Hello, dear friends,
    Today I welcome on Happy Turtle,
    designer Jessica Phan, who writes about repurposing family keepsakes and antiques.
    Thank you, Jessica!
     
    *If you want to guest post for Happy Turtle while we are going through a major change in our lives, please contact me at happyturtledeco {at} gmail {dot} com. *
     
    Enjoy!
     
    The unique charm of antiques and family heirlooms will always be their history. Anything handed down from previous generations is a precious object that no monetary value can match. Each piece has a story to tell which makes it valuable because it gives you an insight on how your ancestors lived.
    This is why many people find it impossible to dispose them, no matter how useless others think they are.
    With creativity and ingenuity, however, any heirloom can be repurposed. Doing so not only preserves the family history but also adds points of interests for the home’s design.
    Here are some ways you can repurpose family heirlooms and turn them into functional objects.  

    Old Piano



    Pianos have lifespans and when they don’t sound as crisp and in-tune as before, there’s really nothing left to do. Some homes keep the old piano around for the sentiment and although it may still work, it won’t be able to produce good sound. Instead of turning the old piano into a repository of framed family photos, transform it into useful furniture. Remove the insides such as the steel wires, hammers, and other parts. Add a shelf and turn the covered piano into a computer table. You’ll even have more space left for CDs, DVDs, and books.

      Grandma’s Old Sewing Machine


    Your grandmother’s sewing machine is a great find as it has the charm of the old world. If it’s unusable, it would be hard to keep it clean especially if it ends up in the attic. Just add a few drawers beneath the table and you’ll have an instant work desk!  

    Vintage Mirror

    Old mirrors framed with ornate borders are worth keeping. If the mirror is broken or has stains, take out the glass completely, but keep the frame. Have a cork board sized to fit the mount and you’ll have an elegant bulletin board for the bedroom wall or home office. Tack your favorite photos, as well as your daily reminders and schedules.  

    Bird Cages


    Bird cages can be turned into a lamp or light fixture. First, paint the cage anew. Then place a light bulb inside. If you want another approach, put some Christmas lights around the cage. Putting the lights inside is also great for casting dramatic shadows.  

    Grandfather’s Clock

    Contained in tall, cabinet-like furniture, the Grandfather’s clock is one of the most popular family mementos. To make it more useful, keep the clock and turn the bottom part into a bookshelf.  


    Antique Lamp


    Old lamps are always useful but if you want to have another use for it, turn it into a coin bank. The clear glass will help you keep track of your savings. Moreover, keeping coins inside the lamp will give the item an aesthetic boost. Use it as a table centerpiece and let the light shine on the coins to make them sparkle. There are many ways to incorporate family heirlooms into everyday life. By doing this, you’re keeping the family history alive and never forgotten. Let your imagination flow to turn any memento into an interesting piece of home decor.

     Jessica Phan is a designer for Balsamhill.com a purveyor of high-end artificial Christmas Trees. Living in the San Francisco Bay Area is perfect for her because she has a wide range of interests, including Art & Design, Fashion, Photography, Painting and Thrift Store Shopping .




    love, Irene

    Best buys