Kitchen floor.

I got this photo from Design*Sponge a long time ago, (in fact, I can't remember if I've posted it here before or not), and really love the black and white floor. I would love to tear out the horrible and peeling floor in our bathroom and replace it with something like this. Is having stripes on one of our bedroom walls and on the bathroom floor too much? The two rooms are separated by a long hall and two other rooms, so it might not be.

Don't mind if I do.

I cleaned out my gmail inbox today (went from 776 e-mails down to 24, thank you very much!) and this was in an e-mail that Rudy forwarded to me when we were dating. I felt like I couldn't delete the thing without sharing it first. I love the way the cats are both on their hind legs. If I was a farmer, I would totally do this.

Christmas with the Perkins.

After getting home from the festivities with my family here in Columbus, I decided we should take some pictures of our little family so we could remember Christmas 09 forever. Or just for fun.

Here is our tree with all the presents that my family sent from California (thanks everyone!!) on Christmas Eve. I don't want to take the tree down anytime soon...it feels like it just got here!

I'm picking out a thermos for you...

This is for Sierra.

Photo fromA beautiful mess over at Dos Family.

Wishing you a beautiful Christmas.

While I know that these photos are not "Christmas-y" in the traditional sense, they give me such a cozy good feeling when I look at them. And that my friend is very fitting for this holiday.

They are from the free online magazine Lonny.

Rudy and I just got home from a wonderful Christmas Eve service at our church. While we were singing, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the feeling that we are exactly where we need to be, and have been led here by God...to Columbus, to this church, to my job and to our home.

So even though there are presents under the tree and we'll be spending tomorrow with family, I want to remember now what Christmas is all about. I'm so thankful for Christ and His love and many blessings.

Poem and two pictures friday.

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

-emily dickinson

photos from mypolaroidblog.

A beautifully designed Christmas.

Oh Sanna Annukka, come to my house for Christmas!

Just wanted to say hello.

Alicia Bock

Today has been crazy. I'm very grateful for the hot water I'm about to stand under, and the Belgian waffle I just ate.

This photo of balloons makes me very happy.

I need to start applying to Interior Design school. AHH!!!

Rudy and Gatsby are taking a nap on the sofa with the light from the Christmas tree twinkling, and the cold outside.

I love the way the ice crystals look over everything in the morning. Glitter everywhere.

Wood and blue.

Just got a peek at this funky fresh home in Chicago via ApartmentTherapy. I really love the kitchen's shelving units and the way the wood looks with the blue in the living room!

I also really love these shelves. They remind me a bit of some at my grandparent's home here in Columbus, (my grandma was an interior designer years ago, and has excellent taste).

PS. Sorry for my blogging absence lately, I've been working like crazy between the coffee shop and babysitting! Hopefully this weekend I will get a chance to snap some pictures of our Christmas tree and share them here.

Poem and picture friday.

On the Road
Originally uploaded by Cody James

downwards he throws the spinning pressure and picks it back up in pieces and particles and glues them together with his smile and wit and makes it look ok for now but what about then.

my center is off balance like a tilting expectation that leads me down the path of warm disappointment and getting the picture and seeing it clearly are very different things when one is lying on their bed unharmed as he is out in the world cold and seemingly surrounded by friends.

photo by cody.
writing by me from many years ago (and does not reflect my current disposition!).

For my flat in Paris.

See the rest of Tamsin de Roemer's home here.

These lovelies are from Domino (RIP)

Images found on Moodboard, (maybe my new favorite inspiration source).

Pink sheep skin rug?

Yes please.

See the rest of the home on MoodBoard over here.

Pretty in the kitchen.

Gah...I love all the dishes on these shelves. I feel like this color scheme should be in my kitchen.

Photo from Smile and Wave.

Dear fake Christmas trees...

...some of the time I really love you.

I just don't think that Rudy would approve of a pink one. White maybe.

Photo found on Making it Lovely.

Gatsby on Desire to Inspire!

I have written about Pets on Furniture before, and have been a fan for some time. I decided last week that I would submit a photo of Gatsby from his 2nd birthday portrait session, then forgot I had done it until today, so I checked.

To my surprise, the little guy was on there!! I don't know if this is really something to get this excited about...

Check him out here. My favorite photo of the bunch is the one of the baby chihuahua asleep on the computer, (after the one of Gatsby of course).

Garland light.

I've had a major thing for Tord Boontje's garland light for quite some time now. It is the perfect amount of whimsy and pretty. And! It is suprisingly inexpensive!

I also love the rest of his work, so I recommend that you follow the link above and check it out.

Modern Poverty has a great selection of Tord Boontje products here.

Bed Alcove.

This photo from LoftLife has me ready to move our bed back into the little sleeping nook. Would you look at that lighting fixture and puddling drapery?? Yowzaa!

Poem and picture friday.

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

-ee cummings

-picture from this lovely place

Cute Nativities.

Rudy and I don't have a nativity set. I feel like that should change!
A reasonably priced set fromGoosegrease. It would also be fun to get their do it yourself kit and make your own.

And a not so reasonably priced set, designed by Alexander Girard over at House Industries.

This set would be fun to use as inspiration for painting my own scene. I don't think I could ever shell out the $410 for the set, no matter how amazing it is.

Lately.

I've started working this week at Crimson Cup Coffee.

Rudy's wonderful mom and step-dad will be here this weekend!

Gatsby and I have started up our walks at Whetstone park again after our two week break, while the little guy was healing after being neutered.

Today when I went to the store I decided not to put Gatsby in his crate like usual and left him sleeping on the couch. When I got home he was still sleeping! Anyone who has had a dog with separation anxiety will know how unbelievably happy this made me. God is a miracle worker.

I start teaching K-3 Sunday school at our church this Sunday!

The picture above is from 3191 Miles Apart.

I'm about to make blueberry muffins.

Can someone turn this room into a dress?

First of all, I'm in love with this bedroom from House to Home.
Secondly, I would love to have a spring dress with the flower print on the top and a flowy bottom from the window treatments.

Holiday style.

If I ever have a fantastically fancy holiday cocktail party to attend in my life-time, this is what I will wear:

A little black dress (a la Breakfast at Tiffany's).

This chunky number of a necklace.

A small Skeleton Key ring, and some simple ballet flats.

Add champagne et voila!

Life lists.

I love reading these little peeks into other people's life lists over at Mighty Girl. I'm more than a little bit jealous that Intel sponsored Maggie's Life List, and I have been following her progress on the blog. She's traveled, tried new foods and even organized a massive whipped cream fight.

So, in response, here are a few things on my life list:

Write and illustrate a children's book and get it published.
Take a ride in a hot air balloon.
Be there when two of my best friends have their first babies this summer.

Viewfinder pictures around the house.

Friday afternoon I decided to take some pictures through my twin lense camera around the house. Here are some of the results.

On Thanksgiving, I came across this assortment of threads in one of my grandma Tissy's drawers. She doesn't sew as much as she used to, and said I could have them! They look so pretty, I almost feel bad using them.

Christmas decorating.

{Our mantle}
Now that Thanksgiving is over, I've started some Christmas decorating!

Thanksgiving pictures.

This was a very special Thanksgiving for me. It was my very first time celebrating the holiday with my mom's side of the family! We had a great time, ate too much, and watched the video of my grandpa bungi jumping when he was 81*!

My grandma whipped up this centerpiece. She is so very talented.

Here are my cousins wearing my grandpa's air force jackets.

Last but not least, Rudy shaved off his beard and I gave him a hair cut! He told my grandpa that he would shave a few months ago and made good on the promise for the day. Bunky was very pleased, and even called the day after to thank Rudy for thinking of him.

*Rudy will be putting the video up on youtube shortly, and I will post it here when that happens.

Safari chairs.

{One of our safari chairs}

A couple of weeks ago, I was telling my grandma my plans for our living room, and that I would like to get two chairs to flank the fireplace. She said she had some old ones that were too low for her to get out of, and she brought them over.

Well it turns out these chairs she gave us are pretty important pieces! They are safari chairs designed by mid-century Swedish designer Arne Norell. I feel very design savvy having a pair of these beauties.

Soon after getting the chairs, I noticed them at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs, (pictured below), and in this loft I posted about earlier.

Next time I'm in Palm Springs, I know where I'm staying!

Snow.

The snow came this morning. It was every bit as magical as I imagined it. I sat on the porch with my tea and a blanket and watched it float peacefully and silently down.

It didn't stay long, just stuck to the grass for a while and then was gone. Such a beautiful morning for getting beautiful news from my best friend...

-photo by alicia bock

Poster poster where are you?

I have decided that I need this poster for our guest room.
Can I have some help with that Santa?

Poem and picture friday.

With a severed hand and light in my eyes
I'll sink into this feeling of safety.
Am I letting go
Or am I holding on?
Deep down I know what I want.
Everything in me screams rebellion against feeling soft.
It's amazing how fast the heart goes from stone to flesh,
And back again.
Not yet.
So much further to go.
Move away
Turns my stomach
Stings my fingers.

-me

-photo by anna wolf

Dreamy Japan.

This post over at sfgirlbybay of Rob Spicer's dreamy polaroids of Japan has me wishing I could get on a plane right now.