Color of Love

For Labor Day Benjamin and I jumped on his motorcycle and bounded for the wonderful land of Olympia. Olympia is the home of the great Olympia beer and is also where Courtney Love (love her or loathe her) went to school. We had never really explored this area before so we decided to make a weekend of it. We spent our time running in and out of antique shops, eating, and visiting a local home that was built in 1860.  All in all, it was a lovely weekend.  This was one of only two photographs I have of that particular adventure. I simply adore the colors of the aged glass and think that this window contains the perfect palette for my autumn ensembles. Thanks for the good times Olympia!

Pianos, and trunks, and masks. Oh my!

Today I took a bus to Ballard to explore all of its little nooks and crannies. I came across this store and was thoroughly impressed by their window display. It was odd, old, simple and I adored it! Unfortunately the store was closed so I couldn't get a taste of what was inside.  If the display is any indication, I'm sure the store is fabulous.

Adventures in Pioneer Square

Today my lovely friend Kelly and I hopped on a bus with plans to explore the historic Pioneer Square. We met my fabulous husband Benjamin for lunch, who then gave us a tour of his new place of employment. We stumbled upon a wonderful shop that unfortunately was going out of business. The owner was so kind and charming, we were sad to see that his store was no longer going to be there. The up side to that was the fact that everything i the store was 70% off! We were lucky, little gals today. What fun!

I just had to take a picture of this gorgeous, ivy covered building. I wish that this building housed my boutique and sewing workshop. Leah's little altier!

Here Benjamin and I are posing for the camera. I'm doing something weird which doesn't really surprise me. It's my thing!

This is a photograph of what Benjamin's office looked like back in olden times. Those large, dark objects in the doorway are bear pelts.  

This is what Benjamin's office building looks like now. The stairs are so old and beautiful!  I was really impressed with what I saw. I wished I worked there!

I just loved everything about this structure. Arched windows, ivy, a giant smokestack! I just can't handle it!

I bought this lovely frame from the gentlemen whose store was going out of business. I later found this antique bird card at another boutique that fit just perfectly inside.

I just can't resist old matches so I simply had to have these to add to my collection. I'm going to give the one that says "Austin's" to my friend whose name is Austin. He can use them to light his pipe!

I've been wanting a scale for some time now and this one was just perfect! It was brought here all the way from India and I love it so much!

Georgetown Flea Market Fun Time!

Yesterday afternoon Benjamin and I took a motorcycle ride down to Georgetown to check out the weekly farmer's market. But wouldn't you know it, there was a flea market going on there as well! I was overflowing with happiness at the sight of old brick-a-brack strewn about here, there, and everywhere.

That last photo was taken at a nearby antique shop. I'm pretty sure that creepy hobo doll is haunted. I swear I heard him say "What'ya think you're doin' lady?!?!". I may or may not have made up that last part. Anyways, here are a few of the lovely little trinkets that I picked up at the market:  

This book dates back to 1902! I've already started reading it and it's just as sweet as can be. I want to be Dorothy Darling.

I have this thing for windmills. I think it's because of where windmills come from and are still used.  I've always been fascinated by Denmark and hope to visit there one day.

My mother used to walk around her garden with me and teach me the names of the various flowers. As an adult, I'm surprised by how much of that information I've retained but it never hurts to learn more. That's why I picked up this adorable book. Now I'll be able to identify every flower in the universe!  Well, at least in the country.

Newest Oldest Edition

A silly thing happened when riding the bus today;  I looked out the window and to my utter surprise I saw an old friend whom I haven't talked to in years.  I waved at him spastically and he motioned for me to get out of the bus.  I ran to him and when we met in the middle of the crosswalk, we both realized that we didn't know each other.  He thought I was an old flame from his past, and I thought he was an old friend from Bellingham.  We had a good laugh about the whole situation and because I got off at the wrong stop, I found the most enchanting store ever.  I forget the name but the store's owner is Marianne and she is a beautiful and wonderful soul.  Long live serendipity!  This was one of my purchases:

Marianne mentioned that she used that tray to serve many a drink at many a party.  I'm glad it's been so loved and now I get to look at it every morning when I wake up!

In the Warmth by Katelyn Demidow

I always get excited when I get positive feedback from an Etsy customer, but nothing could prepare me for the happiness that this little lady gave me. I was absolutely thrilled by the gorgeous photographs that Katelyn had taken of herself wearing a dress from my store. I encourage anyone who has purchased a garment from my store to take a picture of yourself strutting your stuff. I will gladly make a post of it on my blog.  Thanks Katelyn!

Easy on the Eyes

All pictures courtesy of Lula Magazine

Sidewalk Sale!

Today was absolutely gorgeous and perfect for a sidewalk sale.  I'm trying to sell as much of my Etsy store goodies before I start my rigorous Apparel Design program which will not allow me enough time to do much else but sew.  I had the pleasure of being accompanied by the amazing and wonderful Banjo the Dog.  Together we sold clothes, met new people and basked in the gloriousness of the day.  I still have plenty of wares left in my Etsy store so hop on over and take a look!

That's my super naughty cat Aloysius.

Here I am with my new best friend Banjo.

This is the DIY banner I made out of old scraps of fabric.

Love is in the air.

I just found out today that one of my very best friends in the whole, wide world is getting married! This exciting news made me so happy that I had to share a few beautiful pictures of wonderful and enchanting love. Enjoy!

My Etsy Purchases

Here are just a few of the many purchases I have made through Etsy.... 1. Vintage Labels- Russian Forest  2. Floral Tin- Moxie Thrift  3.  Pencil Case- Found Paper Co  4.  Insect Book- The Buck

Lemonade for sale.

While walking through my neighborhood on Sunday, I found this treasure sitting in the front yard of an old and slightly dilapidated house. I just love the colors and can you believe the prices!?!? Those were the days!

A night at the ballet.

On Friday night my handsome and amazing husband had a surprise for me. I knew nothing about where we were going or what we'd been doing but I was told to get all dolled up. This excited me to no end as getting dressed up is quite possibly one of my favorite things to do. When the cab asked "Where to?"  and Benjamin answered "Seattle Center." I immediately knew we were going to the ballet! The ballet being performed was Coppelia and it was as humorous as it was beautiful. What made it even more special for me was the fact that my Sewing Construction teacher from my school actually had a hand in creating the gorgeous costumes for the show. One day she actually brought a few pieces from the show to class and  we were able to view them up close and touch them! You would not believe the amount of work and detail that goes into the corsets, skirts, and head pieces. It is truly amazing to see. It was indeed a good night!

Where past meets present.

This morning I had some extra time on my hands so I wandered around the apartment taking random pictures with my Sepia setting on. I love Sepia! It makes everything look like the olden times and I do love the day of yesteryore. I also fooled around with the effects in iPhoto and found the ever so lovely "Vignette". It too gives a photograph the look of age. As old fashioned as I am, I do love technology!

A secret place.

I just found out about a gorgeous mansion on 5th Avenue in New York City that you can actually go inside and look around! It is home to the Ukranian Institute and was built in 1899. After looking at pictures of it's beautiful interiors, I came across this magical, little room.

This is the outside of the building and that beautiful wing to the left houses the most amazing room ever.

The original author of this post thinks that because of all of the drawers that this must have been a sewing room.  Being a seamstress myself, I couldn't imagine anything more wonderful than sitting in this room, looking out the windows and making something lovely.

All pictures courtesy of Scouting New York