I ran across this gorgeous photograph* on sfgirlbybay (thank you, mrs. french!) and felt like it the perfect representation of how I feel after this great birthday week of mine.  I am four weeks away from the Institute and sometimes a bit overwhelmed, but I spent the last four or five days with some of the best people I know and the result is a grounded and happy me.   I am more than a lucky girl.

*the photograph is by Alana Davis – http://alanakdavis.com/past.html

I have a very tiny bathroom.  Tiny enough that when I sit on the toilet, my feet rest on the shower sill.  One might call it cozy, others claustrophobic.  Whatever the case, it is a room that I’ve pared down and added a root color (a rich taupe) to help make it feel less like the whole thing is one big shower stall.  I have been thinking that it could use a bit more love, though.

I stumbled upon this awesome idea on Design Sponge from Derek Fagerstrom and Lauren Smith’s  Wallpaper Paper Projects: 50 Craft and Design Ideas for Your Home, from Accents to Art. I think it might be the kind of small and subtle detail that could change but not overwhelm my lady room.

It is cold and beyond blustery here in Iowa City and I am craving a little sunshine.  With highs in the seventies and eighties predicted for later this week, that will come soon enough.  For now, I’ll take a little lemony sunshine courtesy of Lara Rossignol of piewacket.  Her etsy shop is full of of fun things.  Take a peek and feel a bit better until our own sunshine arrives.

Something to covet this morning.  I feel like Neko’s midwestern/Chicago spirit is all over Middle Cyclone and this is such a perfect visual representation for that.  Its the gorgeous work of My Associate Cornelius Check his other work out at http://www.myassociatecornelius.com/

I was trolling etsy for a photograph i’ve been looking for for a bit and stumbled upon these incredible recipe cards.  how charming are they?  and they were made by two lovely ladies right here in the midwest, Beth and Carrie of 1canoe2.  Check out their other wares.  Its worth a look.

After a friend’s recent purchase of two gorgeous red velvet vintage sofas for 200.00 a piece (!) reminded me of craig’s list, I went a’hunting and found a great, mint condition tweed armchair for 35.00.   It is the perfect addition to my bedroom, which was the weak link of the apartment before it’s presence forced me to rethink the space and get a bit more creative.  This is the bedroom pre-chair:

This is the post-chair arrangement.  It seems that the three of us never want to leave it now with all the comfy lounging potential and sunshine.

Thankfully it is spacious enough for all of us, a lap top and a precariously balanced cup of tea.  Here’s to a successful addition to the family!