Winterlunch

I wouldn't mind being invited to lunch on a chilly day with Lyn Mogensen.  Would you like to join me?

images from Living and More's Country Living, Jan./Feb. 2010 (click on photos to see them full-size)

Tomato tarts, mixed vintage tableware, a winter greens salad with citron dressing, beef and onion stew served in a le Creuset Dutch oven, good bread and wine, and dessert next to the fireplace with cocoa in aged silver cups:  my kind of afternoon!

Valentine's Day Garland

I won this adorable garland kit in a giveaway last year at Domestic Anarchy (sadly, it appears Maddie isn't blogging anymore).  I didn't get the garland put together until this year, though, because I wasn't home around Valentine's Day 2009--per usual, the kids and I were visiting family and friends in the States.  This year, The Husband and I will actually get to spend Valentine's Day together for the first time in who-knows-how-long--weird!  So, I felt inspired to get out the glue gun, scissors, pinking shears, and glitter glue so I could finally get my garland assembled and up.   

Very cute, I'm thinking!  You can print out your own Valentines and Bingo cards by going here:

Domestic Anarchy's Valentine garland

And have a look at these other wonderful Valentine's Day freebies: 

vintage Valentines to print, at Bella Dia

upcycled instant photo Valentine DIY at Thompson Family-Life

Japanesey card to print out for your honey, also from Thompson Family-Life

hanging heart fabric garland from Craftzine

Enjoy!

Fifteen English Homes

I picked up a tiny limited edition, numbered art book by John Dilnot at Liberty on Boxing Day, following a late Afternoon Tea with the fam.  I spotted this little treasure on a sale table and knew I had to have it.

Japanese Matchboxes

Randomly unearthed today while rummaging through a drawer for some crafting supplies:

my Japanese vintage-style matchboxes

I saved them, just because--and I'm glad I did.  

Sandra Suy Art Giveaway

Feast your eyes on these fine art prints by Barcelona artist Sandra Suy.  Dustjacket Attic is having a giveaway this week, allowing the lucky winner to choose one of Sandra's limited edition works, signed and numbered!  I think that Eve, and Grace, below, might be my favorites.

Bonne chance!  And do have a look around Dustjacket Attic for some sartorial inspiration and appreciation!

Fairytale Kitchen Fun

If you ever get a chance to visit a Pylones shop, you're sure to go into candy-coated color-shock right as you enter the door.  I went a bit nuts in the Spring Street shop in NYC a couple of years ago; I really was a bit manic.  I emerged in a daze after an hour or so, with a bagful of things I simply had to have--I tell you, they were calling to me!  Especially one of these little guys:

and one of these:

Here are a few things that didn't end up in my bag :

Call me crazy, but I think it must be significantly harder to have a truly bad day if one is surrounded by such items.  Honestly, how can you keep from smiling?

  

Snowy Sunday

and the snow is still falling...