{frolic!}

straw ornaments

 

Straw ornaments are right in line with my Christmas philosophy. They are simple, natural + very inexpensive. This darling set is available at Crate & Barrel. I'd love to find some handmade sources but a search on Etsy came up empty. Any ideas?

the scottish weaver

My mom ( and her Country Living magazine) clued me in on The Scottish Weaver, a website full of tartan products and fabrics. I love that they carry silk, wool, and cotton tartans and have a page of Canadian tartans (My family is from B.C., Alberta, + Nova Scotia but I also like the Yukon). 

P.S.  Happy December!

baker's rack

Nicole posted this shelf from Restoration Hardware and I wish it was in my budget. My plans change everyday but I think I've decided to stick around PDX for the next little while so I've been looking for a small work/live space. This shelf looks strong enough to hold props but pretty enough to sit in a living room.

my swedish cottage

 

Here are a few snapshots of the wee little house I've been staying at in Sweden. It's just under 400 square feet and pretty much has everything I need. I've totally fallen in love with the cottage life! It has all the coziness of a house without the hassle that a large space brings. 

                      

Oh dear. Next week I leave + return to reality!!

helena's home

 

I've met so many kind + lovely people here in Sweden. Today, I went to tea at a neighbor's home (I met her on the bus!:). Her name is Helena Molund and she's an amazing landscape designer. I was totally smitten with the interiors of her home. Turns out, it's been featured in a million magazines. It's in the current issue of Lantliv (a gorgeous Swedish home magazine!). 

 

These photos were taken by Mark Scott and are from here, where you can see more photos + details. Thanks for tea, Helena!

lulu & nat

   

I love these floral pillows by Lulu & Nat. Available at Liberty.

live on a country estate

I was reading through a Country Living UK magazine today (Sept.09 issue) and they had the coolest article about how you can live in a peasant cottage on an English estate like Chatsworth or Lanhydrock.  The cottages looked darling and some even had orchards and gardens. The prices sounded so reasonable (one was 575 Pounds a month with a one year lease.) Doesn't that sound dreamy?

Photo via ugardener on Flickr.

the great english outdoors

The lovely Hannah, blogged about The Great English Outdoors. I love every bit of their site. Miss Katy Elliot: I think you are going to go mad over the textile section (then again, you've probably already seen it!)

 

Via Han Picked.

lonny

 

Lonny Magazine is off to a good start. I am loving the feature articles.

mudroom

I love this mudroom from Margaret Roach's house. As seen on Apartment Therapy.