inspired: this Swedish interior

seen: Anna Malin's home [via decor8]

I heard something new this week: keep a specific running list of things you want for your home or wardrobe (like you would for groceries).  Then, search for those specific things and eventually make your way through that list.  Pretty common sense, right?  Mine should now include blue, white, black and orange.  Isn't it just great!  

list: february 27th

knit a big red bobbi bear

seen: big red bobbi bear

the purl bee:  Happy weekend!  There's nothing like starting a new weekend wishing you could knit a giant bobbi bear.  Doesn't it look so cuddly and vintage and homemade?  I love it.  For those with the skills, instructions here.  (Pattern only $5.50!)

Perhaps I should find a class like this in my area.  Because I've owned a set of knitting needles and the coolest ball of apple green yarn for 4 years now and I haven't gotten anywhere.  

brainstorming a mario wii birthday

seen: super mario cupcakes

Cole is turning four at the end of March and we're brainstorming ideas.  The most obvious: Super Mario, Wii edition.  [He sleeps with a Mario doll and playing Wii is a special treat.  He may be the biggest/youngest fan.]  The party will likely be small (family), but that won't deter us from cool cupcakes and an equally cool boxed lunch to take to the zoo or park (if weather permits), to then come home a game of Mario and Sonic and the Olympic Winter Games (a highly requested birthday gift).  A celebration with some of his favorite things. 

Ideas/inspiration:

seen: game controller cookies

[also see super mario first birthday party theme here]

seen: super mario brothers nintendo cupcakes

seen: nintendo wii remote birthday cake

seen: diy paper mock-up of wii remote

seen: Wii KLICK-ON candy dispensers

Turns out, when you're searching for a Mario + Wii theme, the ideas in the blogosphere aren't lacking.  Could be perfect and playful for a new four year old, right!  

made by hank

Dear Made By Hank,

It's far-fetched to pick a favorite.  Your style is perfection and your details, stirring.  I'm eager for a shop update.  Then, I'll be a best fan.

Truly,

Kelli

diy terrariums

seen: Sheena's plant little terrariums photo tutorial

the little red house: I've been dreaming about terrariums this winter and loved this easy tutorial.  Real people making them with real supplies.  So simple + clever.  

elly oak

seen: hand screen printed linen tea towels (twin set), $27

elly oak: I've tried to clean my hands of boring design lately.  It's a process, but a good place to start: kitchen towels.  Gracias, Elly Oak.  

inspired: vintage plus modern

[via sfgirlbybay.  found here.]

frenchie and flea

seen: felt poofs gifting kit, $10

frenchie & flea: to give your present presence.  A convenient kit simply lacking the gift.  (Kit includes set of 2 poofs + tags.)

diy oscar party

seen: DIY oscar party

twig & thistle: Kathleen does it again (you're on my list of people to meet, Kathleen): not only gives us the greatest idea, but all the tools to pull it off on our own.  ("Just print, cut and enjoy.")  The tin foil confetti may be my favorite part.  

Now dreaming about the days when I throw parties...

make shortbread buttons

seen: shortbread buttons tutorial

forty-sixth at grace: Have you seen these yet?  Button shortbread cookies sound so fantastical.  And because that's what we're going for sometimes, a recipe and photo tutorial to make your very own.

seesaw. letterpress

seen: you're neat handprinted letterpress cards, $7 (set of 3)

seesaw. letterpress: The blogesses of many talents.  It's neat.  

p.s. searching for a shaklee distributor

I'm ready to try own Shaklee's Fresh Laundry.  I've used my mom's for the last week and a half and wow!  I feel and smell the clean.  Any distributors out there?  (Or any fans?)

enjoy cupcakes

seen: enjoy cupcakes 

[photos via style me pretty]

I know they've become a standing trend, but I love this refreshed vision for cupcakes.  Mobile cupcakery.  Being "inspired by local produce, flavors, wines and respect for food," I'm sure these promise a delightful treat.  Next time we drive south, I'm a sure visitor!

for the urban gardener

seen: white clay pot, $12

GRDN: I came home from my mini vacation refreshed.  It's exactly what I was hoping for.  And best of all, instead of just wanting changes, I've been making changes (all week).  I started with buying a meyer lemon tree, a dwarf grapefruit tree and 4 pots of sprouting herbs.  Green can change a home.  (Are you feeling that gardening tug?)

These pots are gorgeous (& remind me of Holland).  I wish they were lining my counter, filled with basil, cilantro, parsley and rosemary.  Because white and green are the prettiest combination.  

diy pinwheel

seen: diy pinwheel

style me pretty [via simple blueprint]:  Pinwheels seem like the perfect representation of February, my new favorite month: they're magical (and so is celebrating love.. and my marriage), they generate energy (February is early enough to still be motivated my new resolves) and they feel like Spring (brought in by February.  Kind of.  [late March]).  A stretch?  Maybe.  But I like them.  I like them for a children's craft and party favor the same.  And that makes them a happy diy, yes?  Enjoy.  

anne-claire petit dachshund

seen: Anne-Claire Petit Dachshund (best online price)

My Finn is really in love with the idea of dogs.  He goes silly over the stuffed variety and I just knew it would make the perfect declaration of our love for him for Valentine's Day.  If I found these in time for an online order, he would be the excited owner of a plush dachshund.  (Instead he sleeps with his instant favorite Weimaraner puppy.)  Bless Anne-Claire Petit.  It's the best in kids plush.

inspired: calling cards

seen: customized calling cards by Mint

framed: sassa art photography

Cassandra Allred

Sassa Art Photography

Philadelphia

Right now my world is full of unknown certainty: Certainty of a new life, a move to a new state, and a new job for my husband. Yet the unknown is what tomorrow has in store for me. I catch myself longing for the finish line and living in my future plans and dreams, a series of  “when we… then I’ll”. I forget to live and enjoy the moment and to enjoy the journey that will someday take me there.  I’m reminded of this, each day, as I watch my son grow before my eyes. Days, weeks, months… where does the time go? Although my life is somewhat of a blur, my focus is where it should be: on the eyes of my son and family.  

*****

[see previous "framed" features here.]

miniature rhino custom heart sampler

seen: miniature custom heart sampler

I don't really have a place to call home.  My childhood was all over the map (New Orleans, Houston, England, The Netherlands) and our marriage has followed suit (Utah, Boston, California).  The nice thing about being a "wanderer" is your chance to learn to love more.  I love our spot in California, and now, after a couple of days of fresh, soft snow and spotting moose families, I love these Utah mountains again.  Like I'm not tied to anything enough to overlook what else I could be loving.  Of course being gone from "home" makes me miss and love Brad who stayed to work.  Miss our grocery stores.  (Although I'm not missing the lack of space, the damp garage and the testy and old appliances..)  So I'm feeling it: a lot of LOVE. 

I also love miniature Rhino and really want this on my bedroom wall.  Above my nightstand.  Next to one of these.  To always remind me what I should love most- regardless of where on earth this crazy life takes us. 

Happy approaching love day. 

[p.s. Don't particularly love my mom's ancient computer.  Forgive any spelling errors.  Can't find the spell check on this thing.]

I'm off.

[photo via Oh, hello friend.]

I'm flying to Utah today with my two boys for a good dose of mountain air, snow, king sized beds, family, game nights and just having a little break.  

I'm sure I'll be back, inspired and posting in a couple of weeks (if I don't get to the computer while I'm away).

See you then.

framed: sheena jibson photography

Sheena Jibson

sheena jibson photography

The Little Red House

SLC, Utah

Some people's lives are measured in grand events. A promotion at work. A cross-country move. A fabulous vacation to a foreign land. My life is measured in the teeniest of tiny events....sometimes so small, they might go missed if I wasn't always on the lookout. Like how messy she can get from licking just ONE spoon. A homemade Valentine from a very proud little 4 (and 1/2!) year old boy. An extra tight squeeze from my favorite person when he comes home from work at night. My days are full of these little moments--they're not worth any money, and they won't make me famous....but they make up my world, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

*****

[See previous "framed" features here.]

oeuf garlands

seen: garlands: circles and hearts

oeuf: Oh, yes!  More happy "goodies" from Oeuf.  (The garlands range from 7 1/2 to 10 feet.)  

message in a capsule

seen: capsule letters by Poketo!, $3.25

freshly blended: I used to write love notes.  Capsule letters for my works-in-a-hospital husband?  Inspired!

just some weekend thoughts:

Since Delightful serves as my 'inspiration journal', I typically save my thoughts (+ personal) for the family blog.  The kind that probably only interest my family and the friends that like me enough.

But when it's 9pm on a Friday and we just had one of those really long winter days, the husband isn't home and the kids are finally sleeping, I'm left with these randoms:

seen: je t'adore by jordclarke, $20

[via daydream lily]

I would love this on my new inspiration board.  Not because it's the kind of print I would typically buy (although I really like it. It's peculiar..), but because I want my marriage to fit the "I adore you" declaration.  

"The term “Je t’adore” (I adore you) has a stronger meaning in French than the English “I love you”. I like the idea that there’s something you can say that represents that rare depth of feeling, affection, respect and admiration."

seen: diy lace tealight by Oh, Hello Friend

I didn't do anything creative this week.  That always seems to feel like failure.  But these?  They're the perfect fit.  What a clever, friendly gift.  And how about pulling out some of these votive holders next time there's a blackout!  

seen: japanese linen cotton blended fabric circles

I know I'm so behind, but add this to my wish list: a sewing machine.  I know we would get along perfectly.  Stefaniexu has some really great fabrics for less.  

seen: the local paper

[via Paper Crave]

I was just saying that I need some more adult appropriate wrapping paper on hand.  This new eco-friendly paper shop debuted with perfect timing.  

seen: Nate Berkus free downloadable twitter backgrounds

[via design mom]

Do you twitter?  I only kind of do with a handful of followers.  But maybe this will motivate me.

seen: Story-Of

Just found Story-Of.  It's beautiful!

seen: spaghetti with mascarpone and sage meatballs

I'm really interested to try some of these recipes by {frolic!}'s foodie sister, Elizabeth.  

This one too!

seen: "Woody" by Choka

[can't remember where I first saw Choka??]

I'm really tempted to find and go somewhere warm and dry.  (Thoughts?) Turns out, I'm headed to the cold + snow (Utah) on Wednesday and I'm still really excited.

p.s.  One of the first things I remember learning about my husband Brad is his mini VW Bus collection and his love for Woody Wagoneers.  

Have a happy weekend!  

olivelse, le shop

seen: coussin-doudou ukulele

olivelse: I saw one of these ukuleles a couple of years ago and it made me feel soft.  I really love them.  Ever since, I've been following this blog and had to mention her new line.  Gorgeous, right!  And fun and youthful and inspiring.  

heart warmer hot water bottle

seen: heart warmer hot water bottle, $14.95

The Spoon Sisters [via Happy Lady Eats]:  because to me, Happy Valentine's Day means "I'll keep you warm."  

inspired: perfect bathrooms

seen: photo from seesaw

I have a folder dedicated to magazine pages that feature perfect bathrooms.  I love my nightly bath, so I value a good bathroom.  I think they're a tricky room to get right.  To decorate.  To make comfortable.

I'm choked up about this one.

LOVE recycled felt pillow

seen: LOVE recycled felt pillow

alexandra ferguson (via creature comforts): I love subtle seasonal home decor.  I love remembering to celebrate love.  I love this pillow.  

diy leather necklace

seen: DIY (Helmut Lang directed) leather necklace 

P.S. I made this (via Well Worn): Soft leathers with denim and knits, they say, will be among the new looks this spring.  And although I don't tend to race with the trends, I love (love) this necklace craze.  For  a really nice do-it-yourself look, see here.