{frolic!}

grace's 100th!

I've showed you Grace's birthday parties the last couple years so I thought I better show you her 100th! My Aunt Linda threw the party and it was adorable. Their family has a gorgeous country house in a woodland setting. My cousin, Julianne is a super talented floral designer and filled the tables with old jars of garden flowers and old family photos. It was a lovely day and my Granny looked cute as ever. Isn't she gorgeous? I am so inspired by her!

happy weekend!

Sorry for the lack of posts the last couple of days. I've been sick and at the same time trying to finish some freelance deadlines. All is looking up though and I am headed out of town to celebrate my granny's 100th!

Hope you have a dreamy summer weekend!

xo Chelsea

Photos from my Flickr.

seaside bunting

Nautical flags perfect for a seaside soiree!

Via the fabulous Nick Olsen.

summer snack

This recipe for Vegetable Crudites and Minted Pea Yogurt Dip looks so yummy! How adorable would this be for a picnic in the park?

From Jamie Oliver.

sink skirt

I am currently loving these striped sink skirts.

From Skona Hem (via Absolutely Beautiful Things) and Tom Scheerer.

let's go ride a bike

I recently came across Let's Go Ride a Bike. This darling blog empowers women to ride their bikes in the city (with style!). Check it out for great tips and lots of bicycle eye candy!

decorating with small prints

I  love the idea of using itsy bitsy prints to decorate. It's so fresh and homey at the same time. I think I'd use a Liberty (surprise, surprise!) or a Provencal pattern.

Photos originally from Domino Magazine. 

suno

I am pretty crazy for all the gorgeous textiles and designs from Suno.

Via Words, A Blog.

new sponsor: the dancing cat

If you are a regular reader, you've probably caught on that Jaime Shelman is one of my favorite artists. I am a big fan of her stripe and fruit paintings as well as the whimsical cat drawings she sells. Her art is always a bright spot in my day.

Etsy Shop

Blog

Website

ak vintage

Last week Lisa and I photographed a ton of darling girls for the Urban Weeds blog. I swear over half of them were wearing AK Vintage. I am now a big fan and I don't even normally wear jewelry!

summer plaid

This darling dress is just waiting to be taken out for a summer picnic!

Via my new Portland blog crush, Gracious Leigh. Seriously. Check out her 30th Birthday Party!

bella foster

I'd love to hop into one of the watercolor illustrations of Bella Foster. The colors, whimsy, and haphazardness are right up my alley.

Via Jaime Shelman.

new sponsor: yellowgoat

Yellowgoat is a super talented designer and blogger. I always love checking out her latest creations and reading the artist interviews on her blog . Go have a looksie.

Yellowgoat Blog

Yellowgoat Etsy Shop

over the hill

This video from the charming British band, Alessi's Ark is super duper clever and has adorable styling.

Via Emma Cassi.

weekend!

I apologize for the light posting this week. Hopefully things will be back to normal on Monday. Yesterday I decided to be irresponsible and drop everything to spend the day at the coast. It was super lovely. The ocean is something near and dear to me but I don't often make the time to go. I am signing off for the 4th of July weekend. Hope you have a fantastic one!

-Chelsea

Polaroid by me.

tissue decorations

 

I loved the mass of tissue decorations that Martha Stewart Weddings used for their Pop-Up Wedding event. I've been wanting to do something similar for a while. It's such a fun way to decorate on a budget.

growing gardens update + survey

Back in January, I started donating 5% of the Frolic! sponsor fees to Growing Gardens, a non-profit that fights hunger by teaching people organic vegetable gardening. So far, I've been able to donate a little over $400. It may not seem like a large amount, but I am thrilled this blog could raise a little something for those in need. It couldn't have happened without any of you (readers + sponsors), so thank you!

P.S. I am closing the survey today so please take it if you haven't already. I've loved the nice comments and insightful feedback.

Photo from Randi Brookman-Harris.

pietopia 2009

Attention Portlanders! The brilliant Tricia Martin is hosting Pietopia 2009. Read details here on what it's all about and how you can enter your pie recipe. The deadline is July 15th!

project wedding: flower favors

Here's a quick and simple favor (or gift, party or centerpiece) idea I created for Project Wedding. I've recently become interested in stamping. It doesn't require much in the way of tools or skills and it's fast and easy! I am also a big fan of wrapping plants in Kraft or newspaper. It's something I used to do at my flower shop a lot. See full story and instructions here.

float away

I love these floaty, summery images from Swedish Elle Interiors.

street style: cute mom

I am truly enjoying meeting so many Portlanders for the street style blog. It's so fun to hear a stranger's story. A few weeks ago we met this darling mom. More details on Urban Weeds.

Photo by Lisa Warninger.

kalkstenstorp

 

I've been doting on this Gotland cottage for months now. It's just the sort of place I'd love to live. And, I am not talking about a vacation home. I'd fill it with some hand me down furniture, add a bit of coziness, and keep it lively with plants and fresh flowers. I love the idea of starting with something simple and pretty and making the most of it. No need to go overboard with curtains and fancy furniture, this cottage has all I need (including a century-old lilac).

 

frolic! reader survey

I've created a 2009 reader survey for Frolic! and I'd be so grateful if you'd fill it out. There are just 14 questions. Thanks a bundle! I adore you.

2009 Frolic! Reader Survey

Polaroid by Nicole Hill Gerulat. Styling by Me.

new sponsor: nest pretty things

Please welcome my new sponsor, Nest Pretty Things! Tamar is a former stylist who creates the most delightful Liberty hair accessories, jewelry, pouches and more. I've seen her work in real life and was astounded with the quality and attention to detail. Check out her Etsy Shop to be inspired!

Etsy Shop

Blog

Would you like to be a Frolic! Sponsor? Click here for details.

missed connections

 

I find the Missed Connections on Craigslist highly entertaining which is why I was super happy to discover the illustrated versions by Sophie Blackall. Just lovely.

Via Joanna Goddard.

ginny + ed

 

I've been following Ginny Branch's blog for a while now and think she's one of the coolest girls. No surprise, her wedding was the most creative and gorgeous I've ever seen. I love how the clothes were so fancy and pretty and the decorations simple and sweet.

  

I really want to go buy a sparkly vintage dress now!

Photos by Josh Goleman. More on Once Wed.

weekend!

 Just a few links before I sign off:

-Thank you so much for the support of Urban Weeds. We are thrilled with the response! If you'd like to, you can become a fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. Can't wait to share all the great photos we have stored up!

-Frances May has a summer sale starting today. Check it out!

-Loved this article on Michael Jackson from NPR. I hope he has peace. Anyone else been having lots of 80's/90's flashbacks since yesterday? I think I'll be listening to his music all weekend.

Have a lovely one!

Photo from Roland Bello.

beckel canvas tents

 

Ooooh! Look at these pretty, pretty tents from Portland's own Beckel Canvas Products. Perfect for my plan of living in a tent someday.

Via Alisha Henson (love her blog!!)

jill bent

I just realized I've been missing out on an enchanting New England blog, 36 Shea. I think I am totally late to the game but thought I'd share it anyways! Love these bags Jill makes, too!

summer dress

A sweet and chic ensemble from La Garconne. Dress is by A.P.C. Madras.

Via Million Dollar Swim.