Summer arrives tomorrow (yay) and I say bring it on. It has me thinking of what I love about the summer and how I used to spend it as a kid. There's a lot to love about summer now, but as a kid you're footloose and fancy free with time to do whatever you please.
Here are some favorite finds from etsy that remind me of summers past.
1. Peonies by Lees Whimsy: Peonies may herald Spring in full force, but they're still hanging on and still blooming. My mother has had peonies as long as I can remember. They lined the low brick wall in our side yard as well as the side of the house. My best friend Tina and I often plunked our blanket down there to laze the day away, talk until our tongues were tired and smell that heavenly scent of the peony.
2. 1950s Necklace via Eva Elena: This this necklace with all it's red, white and pink reminds me of Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream bars from our Ice Cream man, Jolly Jingles. I'd love to tell you I haven't had one in years, but that would be an outright lie. There is an ice cream truck that prowls our hood and we've been known to flag him down for a Strawberry Shortcake, a Chocolate Eclair or an Italian Ice.
4. Maxi Skirt via Haus Of Mirth: Well, if a floral, bohemian maxi skirt doesn't bring you right back 70s summers, I don't know what will. Now, where are my Dr. Scholls?
5. Beach Umbrellas by Finding Focus: I'm sure I've told you my parents owned a hardware store at our beach. We rented beach umbrellas. Our beach was and is always dotted with the most colorful array of beach umbrellas. I love that sight on a hot summer day.
6. ‘Undertow’ via Tastes Orangey: I'm a water baby. A fish in water. A girl who gets in, and doesn't get out for hours. I spent a lot of time in the ocean as a kid. This summer I'd like to do that more often because it really made me happy to take a dip when I played hooky a couple of weeks ago. There is nothing like salt water on your lips and in your hair and sand in your toes.
7. Nancy Drew via Love Muffin Vintage: I admit it. I was a voracious reader of Nancy Drew. In fact, my mother had a bunch of vintage Nancy Drew books that got me hooked. I'd lay on a blanket in the backyard, not even notice whether the sun was shining or not, and read straight through a Nancy Drew book until I was done.
Do any of these favorite finds remind you of your summers past? What are some of your favorite memories of childhood summers?
Let's say goodbye to spring and HELLO summer!
Had a great day yesterday. Very busy day for Bates Mercantile Co. Sure made me happy. Here's to today being more of the same.
Make it a good one. Get out and enjoy the last day of Spring.
I'm sure I've told you this, but I'm here to tell you again. I love neutrals. You know, those beautiful white on white interiors of Scandinavian design. The problem is, I also love color. What with all the flowers and plants in my garden and elsewhere beckoning summer to begin this very minute, a kaleidoscope of colors is swirling around my head.
The use of color in interior design is inspiring me today. It's inspiring me to incorporate new colors into our home, as well as inspiring me to use it it a new illustration of logo design.
Pops of color, to me at least, are joyous, happy, and sublime.
I am drooling over those three paintings and the wallpaper. I need the paintings and I need a wall to wallpaper. At least I know G would be on board. The man isn't afraid of color. Good thing, because neither am I.
What's inspiring you today? I'd love to know. And feel free to include a link in the comments, or pop over to our facebook page and join in the inspiration there.
It's sunny here today which is simply wonderful after all the rain we've had. I think that's part of why color is inspiring me today. Bright sun and blue sky reflecting off green grass, happy flowers blooming, a soft breeze...............ahhhhh.
I snapped some shots of the blue birds and orioles at my sister in law's last week. She goes the extra mile for the blue birds and gives them mealy worms.
The orioles were all about the treats too.
They like her pine tree too.
Here's the Mrs.
And the oriole again.
I don't have to lure blue birds with mealy worms because we always seem to be fighting grubs in the lawn and they love them. They love 'em so much they didn't even care that it was raining.
They needed a break to talk things over.
What's happening in your world today? Ours? Some painting more than likely and yard work.
Beyond that, you will find me here:
I'm going to take my tea outside and finish my book before I get stuck into something else.
This is the second in the In Residence series, which features creative people telling us more about themselves and what they do.
I really enjoy learning more about creative people and their process.
Up today, Bev Feldman of Linkouture. If I remember correctly, I met Bev through the etsy team I captained for two years. She has a lovely spririt and a great sense of humor, and creates really wonderful chainmaille jewelry.
Meet Bev.
MM: What is the first thing you remember creating?
Bev: One of the first things I remember creating was when I was in preschool. We made candlesticks out of some foam and covered them in tinfoil. I thought they were the coolest things. My mother held on to them for many years, and kept them in a cabinet among her fancier silver ones.
MM: Where did you grow up and do you think it has an impact on your current designs. If so, how?
Bev: I grew up in New Jersey, in the suburbs of New York City. I don’t know that this had any impact on my designs, but I think perhaps our summer family trips to Cape Cod (and a love of traveling) might have had an influence on some of my jewelry. I love collecting beach items: stones, shells, sea glass. I have a newer line of necklaces and bracelets that incorporate beach stones that I have collected in my travels and set myself. They remind me both of my travels and where I have been, as well of course the beach (which is one of my favorite places to be).
MM: Was your creativity nurtured as a child?
Bev: Yes, very much so! I always had art materials at my fingertips. Our family’s basement was like my own private studio, especially since it was only partially finished for so many years. I was constantly making things and trying new mediums and doing pretend play down there. I also remember one day in fourth grade when I was home sick I decided I wanted to learn right then and there to knit, so my mom went out to buy me my first skein of yarn and knitting needles and taught me how to get started. My parents also enrolled me in several art classes at our local community arts center, which I loved! Although academics were very important to my family, they definitely nurtured my creative side as well.
MM: How do you nurture your own creativity now?
Bev: I nurture my own creativity through multiple channels. In addition to making chainmaille jewelry, I take a jewelry metalsmithing class once a week, where I have the opportunity to make things I do not have the equipment to do at home, and to learn new skills under a very talented jewelry metalsmither, Laurie Savage. I blog regularly at www.linkouture.com. For my 30th birthday last year, I received my first DSLR camera from my parents and husband. I love experimenting with photography and playing around with editing. And periodically I will take a break and try a new craft, either to enhance my jewelry or as something to do just for the sake of trying something new.
MM: What’s your favorite thing to listen to while you work?
Bev: I often have the television on in the background while I’m making jewelry, but when I’m writing I usually put on the radio or Pandora. For some reason I work really well with music that makes me want to dance. Periodically when I’m making jewelry I will listen to a podcast, either story slams from The Moth or the latest Freakonomics podcast. Although now I am also starting to enhance my Russian (my husband is originally from Russia), so I’ve been listening to the Pimsleur Russian CD’s.
MM: How did you come to be a jewelry designer/maker?
Bev: I have always dabbled in jewelry making, but it wasn’t that I discovered chainmaille about three years ago that I really started getting into it. I started with the Byzantine weave, moved onto the mobius weave, and then decided to experiment with different size rings and incorporating different weaves and other jewelry-making techniques that I had learned into my chianmaille. I just fell in love with the look of chainmaille and the process of making it.
MM: What tool can’t you live without?
Bev: I absolutely cannot live without my flat nose pliers; they are essential for making chainmaille. They have soft, cushioned handles (and it doesn’t hurt that the handles are my favorite color, purple) and make the process of opening and closing hundred of tiny rings so fluid and easy. I had been using a different pair of pliers for awhile before I got these, and I was constantly nicking the metal.
MM: What’s your favorite thing about creating?
Bev: I really enjoy watching the transformation process. Since my jewelry often starts with a pile of rings, it is amazing to see them go from just that to something that you can wear.
MM: Is there something people would be surprised to learn about you?
Bev: I think people tend to be surprised to learn that I backpacked around South America for 5 months with my husband at the beginning of 2012. I know my friends were surprised to learn I would be quitting my job to do that! Until that point, I think it was something completely out of character for me, but it has opened the doors for me to try things I wouldn’t have otherwise (including being a self-employed creative business owner!)
MM: Messy or organized?
Bev: Oh man, I am so ridiculously messy. But it’s a organized messy--organized chaos, if you will. I usually know where things are. Periodically I get to a point where I going on a cleaning binge, but usually the fruits of that labor are short-lived.
MM: Just for fun.......favorite movie genre?
Bev: I’m such a sucker for romantic comedies. I consider myself a pretty cheesy person, and many romcoms are pretty cheesy. They tend to be so predictable, but sometimes you’re just in the mood for a happy ending!
MM: Favorite place?
Bev: Right now, my favorite place is my front porch on a beautiful, sunny day. I love to have my morning cup of coffee and read out there as my day as getting started, and to do work on my computer out there. Even though I live right off of a major street, it is surprisingly calm and peaceful, especially early in the day.
MM: Can you share two pieces of advice with other creators? Yes two.
Bev:
1. Connect with other creators. The advice and support I have received from others in the handmade community has been invaluable.
2. Do what you love! If at some level you’re not creating for yourself, it is going to make the process so much more tedious and take the joy out of creating.
Since Bev is a sucker for romantic comedies, a clip from one of my handsdown favorites. I don't know why, perhaps because I love Goldie, but I could watch Overboard again and again and again. OK, I have watched Overboard again and again and again. I laugh just as hard everytime. Even Gar loves it. If you don't know the premise, Goldie plays a very rich, insufferable, horribly mannered woman who falls overboard from her yacht and ends up with amnesia. Kurt Russel plays the carpenter she jipped, and he's the only one who shows up to claim her. He brings her home in hopes that he'll at least get his money back by having her act as the 'Mom' and clean the house. It's a classic Gary Marshall flick complete with Roddy McDowell as Goldie's butler. There are just little comments throughout this film that bust my gut. Click here if you're reading by email or if you're reading on the Muse (the embedding was disabled).
And to get things going on this Friday, here's a song that just makes me feel good. For some odd reason it reminds me of the 80s. I really have no idea why. Go figure. [click here if you're reading by email].
What's hot for the weekend? It's bascially rainy and miserable and supposed to stay that way through tomorrow. Who knows, maybe we'll throw a tarp up by the campfire before the Bruins game tonight. You just never know with us. Hoping we can pull out the last win we need to cinch the series tonight. No real plans other than watching the Bs. A bonus video because the Bruins Bear makes me laugh. He does an excellent robot.
The sun is shining for now. There is supposed to be some rain coming in for the next couple of days.
A walk around the flower gardens seemed in order.
Come along, won't you?
The blue birds have been busy eating grubs. Go bluebirds! I know you see one, but can you find the second bluebird?
If I had to pick a favorite today, it would have to be that big beautiful lush peony. Did you know that ants love peonies? Apparently, they love the waxy sweetness of the buds and don't harm the blooms. Live and let live.
Have a great day in your corner of the world and I'll do the same in mine.
Ciao for now,
PS- if you heard me screaming all the way from here, it's only because were in the midst of the Stanley Cup Playoff hockey and my Bruins are rockin' it. Though last night was a nail biter against the Burgh. We won in double overtime. It was way past bedtime. Sorry to the Pittsburghians out there.
The survivors of the Boston Marathon bombings are what is inspiring me today.
Depending on where you live you may not be getting as much news about them at they move forward in their recoveries, but being just North of Boston we are hearing and seeing their stories. I'm also following several of the survivors on facebook. They're strength and tenacity never cease to amaze me.
I'm happy to report that, in the end, my Grow Love drive to benefit Jeff Bauman, one of the survivors and his fund Bucks For Bauman raised $225. Yay! And thanks to all who bought the print and helped me raise the money. So awesome.
To illustrate the strength I'm talking about, here's a clip of Celeste Corcoran who, like Jeff, lost both of her legs. Celeste got fitted for her legs this week and nothing is going to stop her now. She walked down the hall on her first try with her new legs.
It had been awhile since I took a day off and got away from my desk. In fact, it had been too long. I was feeling it......you know- overloaded, stressed out, in a fog, like my hand was now attached to a mouse and keyboard with my gaze fixed to the computer screen. It was time to take action into my own hands, or at least say yes, when my sister-in-law invited me to spend the day at the beach.
Ah yes, time at the beach. Just what the doctor ordered to wash away the 'day in, day out of every day'.
Step 1: Take a day off. Spend time away from your desk, preferably out in nature.
Step 2: Take in your surroundings. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the feel of the place.
Step 3: Sit for awhile and do nothing. Absolutely nothing. Stick your feet in the sand (and your head......no checking your phone for emails, updates, etc.).
Step 4: Actively enjoy your surroundings. Take a swim or a walk. Do some beachcombing. You won't believe the treasures you'll find, if you just look.
Step 5: Allow your soul to re-energize. Breathe in. Breathe out.
Step 6: Fully immerse yourself in the time away from your usual routine.
Step 7: Be grateful. Take it all in one last time.
Now, I may have had a beach day, but your day of restoration doesn't have to be by the sea. Go to a park. Visit a new town. Take a hike. Head to a museum. We're all so busy working on our computers, running errands, keeping house, paying bills, marketing our businesses, networking on social media, taking care of our yards, completing projects, doing laundry, grocery shopping, meeting deadlines, cooking dinner....OK, you get the idea, the list goes on. The point is, we forget to make time for ourselves.
It is a fact of life that we need downtime to recharge. To gain new perspective. To clear the cobwebs out.
How do you feed your soul and recharge?
I thoroughly enjoyed my day away on Friday and plan on incorporating more Feed Your Soul days into my Summer.
It was a night with the gals last night. We enjoyed the warm weather and beautiful night sky out on Pearl's back deck.
As indicated by the title, we did have Champagne. We don't call ourselves the Champagne Ladies for nothing.
We also had homemade lamb meatbals ala Soy Goddess, an olive tray and I made a squash and homemade ricotta terrine.
So pretty.
Even prettier?
Pearl made lobster salad. I didn't even close to finishing mine. I mean, look at all that lobster!
Oh man.
Could it get better?
Well let's put it this way, I didn't get a picture but Martha made the most divine rhubarb crumble complete with crystalized ginger in the topping.
It was all heavenly.
Freeform Friday
My parent's sent over an early (a month early) 25th anniversary present yesterday. Tickets to see my men, Billy Idol and Steven Stevens on Sunday night. Nothing I like better than Billy singing and Steve whaling on the guitar. Thanks Mom and Dad, you ROCK! We are psyched. Here's on of their more mellow tunes. Love this one. Many memories. Click here if you're reading by email.
It rained last night, with thunder and lighting. The air became quite heavy. You could feel it rolling in. We woke to fog. Then the sun started to let itself be known.
I crept into our neighbors Jay and Lauren's yard. Their bleeding hearts, rhubarb were calling.
The perennial geraniums and strawberries are Jay and Lauren's too. Nice to have such a pretty view right next door.
I wore my wellies, but should have tucked my pants in better. They were soaked by the time I came back in.
Everything was covered in droplets.
This sight ended my walk on a happy note.
Our Seckel pears are growing. If only they didn't take so long to mature.
Have you been noticing things are starting to bloom and grow? I love this time of year. Each time you go outside, there is something new to discover.
Apparently Summer is supposed to roll in today. A change from most of last week and this past weekend which saw many of us with our heat on. I'm not kidding. It snowed in parts of NH this weekend. Today, it may hit 90 and it is already quite humid. Too bad the pool isn't even close to ready. We better get on that.
Busy day today, so it was nice to start it out with a very early, quiet walk-about. I'll be ending my day with the Bookclub/Champagne Ladies. Payoff for a hard day's work.
