the little things

 As I was looking through my bedroom pictures from the previous post, I realized it's the little details that are the things that speak to my heart. 

Junking and collecting have always been things that make me so happy. Although I have not been out and about since February of 2020, I find it fun to look through some of my little treasures and reminisce about the

"good ole days".

My various collections don't have any rhyme nor reason. Things just speak to my heart. The cohesion comes from a monochromatic color scheme since the mix of items are all so eclectic.

Some things are still out from my Christmas decorations. I love them so much that they might just stay out until next Christmas!

When looking at my bedroom, it really is the "little things" that make my heart sing. It's not just the visual beauty that speaks to my heart but it is in the memories that they evoke. Before moving to Florida, my momma was by my side throughout all of my junking adventures. So as I look at these little cuties, I revisit wonderful fun times with my mum!

What are some of your favorite things to collect?

I hope you have someone special that shares your adventures with you!

Happy junkin!

 

2021

 It's almost hard to believe that 2020 is finally behind us. It feels surreal looking back over the past twelve months.

I lost my way, my joy and my creativity on many occasions. I stopped and tried to restart my creative journey several times. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't find a way to continue creating home and garden posts. My mind was filled with the dread that played over and over again on the daily news: racial unrest, hatred, Covid-19, growing death rates, a political mess and social isolation.

Well, I've had a change of heart. It's not a time to give up on my joy...it's time to find it and hold on with all my might. So I awaken to a new day in a new year, look outside my bedroom windows into a day filled with sunshine and thank God for all the blessings yet to come.

Sharing creativity is one small way I can put an ounce of positivity out into the universe.

So as sun sets on this day, I will reflect on the past year with a grateful heart. I will also try not to let negativity win. I don't know if this is a real "new year's resolution", but I do think I should be resolved to hold onto the things that bring me joy.

For all of you who have visited my blog from time to time, I thank you from the bottom of me heart. 

Are there things you struggled with over the past year? We were all experiencing the same storm, yet we were all in completely different boats. I would love to hear how you weathered the storm. There is much we can learn from one another.

Thank you for stopping by today!

Happy New Year...

cottagecore

 Have you heard of cottagecore?

It's a term that's actually been floating around the internet since 2014 but it has become more prominently used during this quarantine period. It's basically a nostalgic movement with a return to traditional homemaking skills like baking, gardening and crafting.

For some of us, this is just our way of life. But now a lot of people are looking to escape the stress of everyday life.

My cottagecore life is:

Appreciating the natural world.

Using vintage linens.

Cultivating seeds.

Gardening.

Having a feminine wardrobe.

Harvesting...

...and enjoying the fruits of my labor.

Flower arranging.

Cottagecore means different things to different people. It's an escape of the stress filled world, the pressures of real life trauma and the long sleepless nights. It's an alternative to "doom-scrolling" the endless negative news stories online, on television and in newspapers.

Strange how cottagecore has become a movement. This is truly no different than how I have lived my entire life.

It's a good idea to embrace...especially now.

Unplug and give it a try.

nature's summer bounty

 Summer flowers are happily blooming like there isn't a care in the world. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by beautiful gardens, birds and bees. 

I take inspiration from some of my favorite historical gardens like those at the Edison summer estates.

Incorporating those inspirations into my garden make me feel connected to the past.

It's a wonderful escape.

Having a place to quietly sit and reflect in my garden is really important. I can enjoy the hard work that goes into my garden, I can appreciate God's beauty and I can escape reality even if only for a short while.

Wishing you all peace, beauty and good health.

feeling patriotic

 Our world has changed so much.

This virus has altered the way many people live their everyday lives.

I'm such a private person, possibly a hermit, that in a lot of ways my life is very much the same.

The one big difference this year is being with friends and family

on the 4th of July.

Since that's not happening for most of us,why not focus on making your personal space a bit more festive?

Decorating with touches of red, white and blue.

Here's a little inspiration...

I hope you can find ways to lift your spirits and fill your heart with joy even if things are a little different right now.

independence day

 Happy 4th of July!

Have a beautiful and safe

Independence Day.

memorial day

As with everything else,

Memorial Day weekend

will be very different.

 

No big family gatherings,

no big parades,

no beach picnics.

 

But the saddest part is that we will have to quietly honor the veterans both past and present for their service to our country.

 

They deserve all

the banners flying,

applause,

cheers and thanks

that they so truly deserve.

 

So this memorial day weekend,

take a moment to send a note of gratitude to a soldier or a soldier's family member.

  

 

I hope you have a wonderful

 

Memorial Day weekend

 

with those you love.

 

And here's to the kick off of a

happy and healthy

summer season for all!

 

pretty in pink

The last post got me thinking.

 

I realized I have a real garden passion for

 

PINK.

 

I had shared that my home is all neutral.

 

But when I think about it,
it's not all neutral I guess...

 

 

All of my homes have had one space

reserved for touches of pink.

 

 

At my Pennsylvania, home my studio

was located in a shed

in the middle of my garden...

 

 

On Sanibel it is the entire top floor of the house.

I'm so fortunate to have had my studio featured

in Where Women Create magazine!

 

Lovingly I call it the loft...

 

In this "new" old house

my studio has not yet been built.

 

I can't wit for that project to begin!

 

I must find pink calming

yet inspiring.

 

Do you have a color

that sparks your creativity?