Unveiling February 14th...

Something big from Anthro is coming...BHLDN, a wedding division!  If it is anything like their everyday and party offerings, or beautiful stores, it will be a feast of delicious ruffles, details, sparkle, and texture. 

Check out the pretty trailer they are using to create a buzz here, and then mark your calendars for the grand unveiling on Valentine's Day.
 

And...don't forget about the talented and dedicated artists making sparkly ruffles, swirly invitations, accessories with glorious patina on Etsy.  Amazing inspiration and gorgeous products are already available there!

Last chance to visit fairyland...

One of the (or maybe THE) most enchanting places in Seattle is soon closing it's doors.  Souvenir, a little dreamworld created by the talented Curtis Steiner, is being evicted so that an elevator shaft can be installed in the building it has inhabited for eleven years.  I tried to explain the beautiful intrigue of Souvenir to someone recently, but it is so difficult to put into words.  Besides the exquisite windows (two of which are shown below) that Mr. Steiner creates, the tiny store feels a little like Alice in Wonderland, a little like a fantastical jewelry box, and a little like sneaking into your crazy, eccentric Uncle's house to go through the nightstands.  But most of all, more than any other shop/store/gallery I've ever been in, it really feels more like an experience than a store.  A trip to Souvenir always felt a little like a spa day for the creative part of the brain...inspirational, replenishing.

Mr. Steiner (currently wearing black, accesorized with a black mourning armband) says that he will be reinventing rather reopening, and has a potential location chosen.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed it won't be too much of a reinvention, but I can't imagine him creating anything less than magical. 

 (Beautifully intricate masked animals of vintage paper by Patti Grazini)

Souvenir will be open until February 6, and currently has an excquisite funerary window dedicated to itself.  Treat yourself to a trip before it's gone.  And the huge wooden counter with a gazillion drawers is the nightstand part...they are meant to be opened!  I found the gorgeous vintage wallpaper I just installed in my bedroom there; the pictures of which will be posted soon.

Au revoir Souvenir!  I'll miss you dearly. (The full sad story is available here and  here.)

And...I'm back!

Good news!  The long hiatus (thanks to a Beta version of IE that went very, very wrong) is over.  I've been busy, with lots to share soon.  A new family member (Ruff!), and beautiful bedroom remodel (a little Bollywood, a little fairytale, a little brothel...a whole lot of awesome!).  Inspiration, and some shots of recent work.  Can't wait to share.

*Photo of Kansas City Arts Incubator, via 100 Layer Cake.

Loving lanterns

From Matthew Robbins Design (who I love even more than I love lanterns).

Inspiration for Shannon

A whole lot of turquoise and red today for a colorful bride...images from all over (bad blogger!).  Style Me Pretty, Snippet & Ink, MSL, Fiore Blossoms.  My handsome bro is hiding in here...

Windows

Beautiful windows have been springing up all over Seattle...and after today's snowstorm, it seems they might be the only spring we're going to get! Pardon the pathetic photography--worse than usual because snapped with my phone.

From my very favorite store in Seattle...Watson Kennedy Fine Living at First and Madison.

Bee hives under construction today at Anthropologie in University Village. Each little honey comb was made of scored cardboard with a yellow tissue paper backing. And most of them aren't even up in the window yet. I've always thought it would be so fun to be their display coordinator there, but maybe not...

And the always gorgeous Tiffany's...

I'm sad I didn't get a shot of the sweetest little tiny window of a little boutique in Ballard today. A single birch branch with little white doves and brown kraft paper flowers. I might recreate if for my dining room next week...

Proud sista...

My talented, kind, gorgeous, AMAZING sister Katie Gronewald just launched her handcrafted jewelry line Abilena Studio with her equally fabulous friend Kelly Towne. I've been the lucky owner of several of her pieces for quite a while, and they never cease to get lovely compliments and make me feel tres chic when I'm wearing them. Katie and Kelly have a studio in Birmingham, Alabama where they are putting their art degrees and talent towards making delicate, striking, feminine pieces.

I love how original their designs are, the handcrafted quality of the hammered metals, and the custom soldering work they do. They use very high quality copper, silver, and gold, and unique stones such as turquoise that is actually the palest shade of sage green. (I know...I don't get it either. But trust me...it's pretty!). The white amethyst in my most recent acquisition is crazy beautiful. I always think of my sister as having a very sophisticated bohemian look, and I think this really comes through in her jewelry line. And hold on to your britches...they have a line of BRIDAL jewelry that is truly unique and feminine. They will also do custom designs for brides as well.

Katie and Kelly were inspired by the children of Moi's Bridge, Kenya at the United Orphanage and Academy where they have done volunteer work during the summers (see...I told you they are amazing!). They have named each piece after a child that will benefit from their business--a portion of all of their sales are donated to the orphanage. It's a great way to support a small, community based business and make an impact on a global scale!

The week in review...June 08-14 edition

I haven't done this in a while, so figured it was time for a random little collection of ideas and beautiful things. (Ok, I'll be honest now. I'd just rather look at all this good stuff one more time than at the GIANT mound of paperwork, proposals, payments etc. that is piling up on my desk).

First of all, I made a new friend this week, and I'm totally amazed by her! Loving the blog I just found, Fifi Flowers Design Decor, AND Fifi is super nice to boot. I can tell already, after just a few quick e-mails. But back to her blog...she finds all kinds of beautiful stuff, paints a picture (yes, paints it! All by herself!), and posts both. So fun! (It doesn't hurt that she loves to paint flowers either). Look at this little pairing...

And then, fairy tale chandelier from Please Sir...

Rolls of beautiful ribbon from sfgirlbybay. I'm STILL working on my little studio remodel, and new ribbon racks made by my dad just went up. No pictures yet, but very similar to this--and it makes me happy. What could be better than a whole wall of silk in every color?


The Bride's Cafe was just full of beautiful decor and flowers this week. Janie always has beautiful things, but I was especially inspired this week.

I'm doing flowers for an event this weekend in blue and white, so more inspiration came from this board on Style Me Pretty. I tacked it up to my design wall to gaze upon as I play with flowers (ok, getting ready for a wedding is never as idyllic as this! To glance at once in a while during the madness is more like it).

Martha B. loves frogs. I especially love this one that she found from Etsy seller debivanzyl. Which led me to this octopus that I love even more.

A few great ideas for escort cards from {ritzy bee}. (And a definitive answer on escort cards vs. place cards. Escort cards tell--or escort--you to the correct table, place cards are placed at the place setting themselves to tell you exactly where you will be sitting).

And finally, check out this genius way to display art made over the years by your children. I'm going to start saving the little guys' masterpieces now and figure out a way to put this together.

Ok, I really must go deal with work and real life. The mound is sending me foul looks. Happy Friday to all!