Coco before Chanel...

As my grandmother would say, "I just returned from the loveliest picture show." Her line is perfectly appropriate because I feel like I was in a movie that she could repect for her time. We had to drive to Salt Lake where it's playing in this old artsy theater that doesn't carry any Hollywood shows. I enjoy the old fashion syle movie and theater for a change. And my sweet husband was such a trooper to take me and fill me in on the subtitles when I couldn't read them fast enough (it's all in French). See the preview here.

I'm especially interested in the life of Coco. This summer when I was killing time in Barnes and Noble, I came across a great briography of her. She represents so much more than Chanel as we know it today. She is a pioneer for fashion. And a go getter at that.

When Andrew and I started dating, I was reading a book called "Women of Commitment." I'll never forget Andrew's tone when he asked if I was a women's activist. "Like a 'she-man'?" No, I'm not a she-man. But I admire women with a gumption to go and do and accomplish with limitless potentail.

Sweater Clock...

I just love these handspun clocks from the Shetland Islands. One would be perfect for a baby room one day. Meanwhile, it would look lovely in my room too.

Andrea Williamson is really talented. I emailed her intersted in some of the other things she has made and she was very prompt in getting back to me. See her here.

Can you guess which one I have?

I must say that they are even grander and more intricate than they look here. The knit is mounted on a wood base. I wasn't expecting it to work too--just takes a battery.

Payday #2

It's just nice to feel appreciated by your customers. 

I recently received some goodies in the mail from a customer in St. Louis. Last Christmas Andrew got me the new Cricut. I've experienced my fair share of growing pains there. But what an amazing machine. Ann took the time to teach and explain some neat things last time we were together. I'm limited though with only a few free cartridges. They're super pricey. Ann recently surprised me with all sorts of things--including a much needed cord that I had accidentally thrown away on top of the sweetheart cartridge and the Christmas cartridge. I look forward to creating a bit. I'm due...

I appreciate it so much. Thanks for thinking of me...

Modern Vintage...

Sprucing up some plain jane necessities with some color is a must. Bringing together 'modern functionality and vintage personality', the Big Chill fridge/stove is some serious eye candy. 

Maybe one day.

Pay Day...

is when your client surprises you and turns your appointment into a party while we all sit around talking about crafts and creativity eating M&M's. 

This particular appointment was in Rochester, MN.

Lag time...

Apologies for lack of posting efforts these past few days. I'm working in Minnesota all week freezing my tail off but loving the beauty all around. I've actually posted many times over in my mind. However, I left my laptop behind and and only have a blackberry that is keeping me in touch--with work mostly though.

I miss my lover like crazy. How do the wives do it whose husbands are in Iraq? I still haven't gotten my mind around that one.

But I'll be back soon, a bit more inspired, with afull SIM card, and heart ready to burst.

XO's

MM

Yee-haw...

That's the first title that came to mind when slapping this pic on in a hurry. It fit's.

Andrew and I went to the Ogden rodeo last night, cowboy boots and all. It was worth the 1.5 drive for sure. I love rodeos--always have and always will.

This is our friend Devin gunning it out of the gate. He is amazing and crazy at the same time. He was badly hurt on Thursday night but got back on last night. Devin is a true cowboy. He rides the broncos--thank goodness not the bulls.

Way to go Devin! Can't wait for the next.




It was neat to see the Cowboys in pink. From the NFL to the rodeo, it's breast cancer awareness. I appreciate how widely recognized it is.

The face of our fridge...

One of the first things I notice when I'm in someone's home/apartment is their fridge. What's on it? I'm always fascinated really--even when one chooses to leave it crisp and clean with nothing to show on it.

Our family fridge growing up always had many pictures. I looked at it constantly. & still do. 

I've gone back and forth one whether not to leave our fridge blank. But one pic after another, it's evolved. I turn it over often too. 

I'm partial to family photos, engagement pics, and photo booths. Can you tell?

Twenty Gauge...

furniture is "stainless steel from a fargone American era which has been restored to its former glory." My mom let me order these for my birthday. 2 months later, they're finally here! You can custom choose your color palate and specifications. For me, it's a vintage and retro mix that I love. And it's perfect for removing clutter out of the naked eye--storage space.

I actually feel in love with the look when I was in Oklahoma visiting with a customer. I would have had a hard time placing them otherwise. 

Visit Twenty Gauge site here.

Brain Drain...

My mind has been spinning with work, work, work. I could use a "change of scenery and change of pace" as my dad would suggest. There is many a way to do so. But I would sure enjoy fun treehouse weekend. I'm indifferent about camping. But accomodations in the outdoors suits me just fine. I assume in Oregon it's too cold for something like this right now though.

Learn about the Treehouse Resort here.

You like? I love...

This handmade felt necklace reminds me of Africa. I'm into the textile look right now. 

Would be worn with a simple white T and some jeans. But Elder Hales said it perfectly, "We can't afford it." 

Found on an Etsy shop here.

My husband...

at a soccer game is a sight to see. He is so passionate and just loves the game--especially Real. At the end of the game he always likes to hover the tunnel and either heckle the other team or cheer ours on.

(From left to right: Dave, Andrew, Mark, Paul, and Ben) Andrew found this pic on another blog. Sorry I can't site.

Beautiful Display...

Tight knit families are everything. & tight knit extended families just make it that much better. Having said that... I really enjoy breakfast at my Grandpa's brother's house--Aunt Eileen's.  She has such an adorable home that typifies 'home is where the heart is.' And she has some of the best antiques around--two old wooden high chairs in fact. 

Old wooden bench extending along the porch with an old basket weaved stroller displaying her plants. 

Style of the South...

Whether I live in the South or not, there is one thing I can sure hold on to reminding me and keeping me connected to my roots. My sister does it just right.  

If it's not a jon-jon monogrammed with initials, then it's smocked with the corresponding season or occasion.

And if it's not smocked, then it's a bubble suit 

And if it's not a bubble suit, then it has a peter pan collar. Maybe even with some knee high socks and saddle shoes. 

 

These were my Nephew's Easter outfits in Houston's blue bonnet fields. 

"If you don't like the way the game is played...

just change the rules." Along with this message I received this pic the other day.  My parents are big ridders back home. For the most part we stay on the levee that lines the river close to home and the barn. But sometimes, we would get off the beaten path and canter in the open spaces--the parks and edge of the public golf course. The local park, where we have left our tracks, came out with a sign about a year ago that showed 'no horses allowed.' It was targeted to my family 100%.  I laugh every time I drive by and see it.  

So when I saw that my dad was pushing the envelope recently, I couldn't help but smile. 

With winter approaching...

I could really use one of these. It's my neck that is often the coldest part of my body.

But I better be careful for what I wish for becuase last time I made a posting stating I like this gold swimsuit, my sister surprised me and ordered it. & i thought it was sold out. But she found an extra out there. Thanks sis.

You can get the Ireland High Neck Warmer here

Bridal Veil Falls...

never gets old to me. I enjoy seeing the seasonal changes it undergoes each year. In winter it completely freezes over. The leaves changing all around right now are stunning. I've been attending an event in Park City all week for work. So I've appreciated driving by and seeing this site with colorful leaves all around. 

Another great session of General Conference...

I find myself every 6 months  saying that conference was the best ever. But this time I mean it like never before. I have the fondest memories of watching conference with my family growing up. Watching was top priority in my home . As as result, I've cultivated a love for the leaders of our church and appreciation for their words that I highly revere. I always walk away from conference motivated and recommitted to do and become better. There is so much good all around us and so much hope in our tomorrows. 

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir always adds to the occasion. Their voices are truly angelic.  This song really touched me last weekend. If I had to sum of Conference in 1 word (which is really impossible to do because it's so broad) I would do so with the word "Love." This talk especially reminds me to embrace others differences and draw nearer to God because He is love. And the more we strive to be like Him, the more we can understand his pure and perfect love. Please take the time to listen to listen to that sweet song. 

My Mary Teeter's...

After this post, I realized I never showed you my pieces. I adore these so much.

I found another lady who had a similar experience with her 'Mary Teeter.' Read about it here. She has a great image showing how intricate they really are.

There are some really cute vintage buttons that are hard to see too. Sometime I just stare and find a new one I really love.

"Obviously we have plenty of buttons in our lives and are enjoying the absurdity of sewing them on fiber for a new purpose- to make people smile." ~Mary Teeter

Birthday Bash at the Beach House...

My Uncle Curt turned 50 and gave us all a reason to celebrate. So we headed to my grandparents beach house for a quick 2 day weekend to enjoy the fun.

Bonita Beach is more beauituful than you can imagine. It is far from touristic. This private beach is very well kept--without the high rises of people packed in like sardines. I took a two hour walk on Saturday morning just soaking up the sun and the calmness of the beach. I saw multiple turtle nests along my walk with little orange flags surrounding warning people to stay clear of harming it. And right before I got back to the house, I saw a manatee close by in the water. I couldn't get my tennis shoes off quick enough. I was in there.

It's common to see dolphins swimming along the beach. But they're always on the go in a straight line. You more just see their fin bobbing in and out as they pass along the shore line. Manatee are different. They don't have the fin to give you a warning that they are near. You see them when they are close--the blow hole scares the mess out of me cause its loud. But if you swim to them they relocate. If you're chilling on a raft, they come right up to you. I've touched one before at Bonita Beach. This time I was too aggressive with going towards them. However, when I was treading along talking to my uncle, one came oh so close (about 10 feet). I adore the manatee! My dream is to swim up close and personal with them. But that's a tangent...

I enjoyed being with t my mom's side of the family for the weekend. There was about 40 of us there. My uncle had friends from college and fellow employees come in from all over. I didn't know at age 50 you could have so many friends.

Sitting at the huge round table.
The original crew. It wasn't complete without Heber and Andrew but special to be with the fam for sure. My husband visited my brother in law for the weekend in Houston. They had their own fun.

My mom & dad and David. He played basketball with my uncle at Purdue. He lives in France now and came all this way to honor Curt. When I graduated from high school, he toured my parents and I around Southern France--Monaco and Cains area. The best travel there is, is seen with a local.

My grandparents have great taste. My grandmother has collected old booies that have washed up in her backyard and she strings them for decoration--so beautiful!

Thank you, Doloris Petunia...

I relayed my excitement about these fun statement necklaces here. & I wore the one you see with the big flower to the big Craft & Hobby Convention in Orlando. I got complements galore. I was among the perfect crowd for it really. Everyone is crafty in some sort of way or at least wants to be. I handed out more business cards with Courtney's name written on the back for others reference then I did hand out for my contact information.

So in preparation for a big event my company hosts in Park City once a year--where a lot of our top customers are flown out--I wanted a couple necklaces with some of our product on it to help promote it and to be able to say it was some of our things. Courtney was kind enough to make me two complementary. So I owe her a big thanks. I wasn't sure how the one on the top left could possibly work. But that is our flair that has an adhesive backing to a thematic type button (it is considered an embellishment from matching assortments of paper). But she made it super cute. And I just adore the one on the bottom left. It includes a lot of the jewel brads and pearl brads that we sell.

I thought I'd go ahead and post a pic of my collection. I just adore them...

Coat of Arms...

I've always been especially drawn to crest's. Maybe it had something to do with dreaminess of royalty when you're a little girl. A royal family always has their coat of arms that are highly revered. I started collecting patches of different coat of arms that I would find overseas--such as the Monaco Royal Family.  And when I saw the Royal Family of Great Britain's crest in the middle of their fine china, I thought I was going to die. 

& I'm drawn to Ralph Lauren--not so much for the Polo but for the Crest. That blazer with the crest I think is stunning. 

So I think Andrew and I need a Family Crest.  I could appreciate one of my own. I think Andrew and I are pretty special. We highly revere our heritage and are proud of our ancestors legacy. 

So how do I go about it? 

No, I wouldn't parade my coat of arms above my home but I did enjoy the looks of it at the Royal Palace.

We became quite familiar with this crest on our honeymoon. 

Our Relief Society crest that I cherish as well. A crest really says so much... 

One man's junk is another man's treasure...

I was working in Texas all week and had the luxury of spending two nights in Houston with my sister.  When I'm on work errand, it's all work no play. But rather than coming home to Utah on Friday night after some meetings, I stayed an extra night to have some time with my sis. By the end of the week, not only am I exhausted but I'm missing Andrew like mad. So my flight was to leave out mid Saturday afternoon.  

All week Helen and I talked about what we were going to do in the narrow bit of time we had together. We had a full days activities planned for just a few short hours--run, antique hop, go to a fine China shop, take the kids to a museum, go swim, and the list continues. 

Of course, we managed to do just 1 of them all. And oh was it a blast. A memory to hold on to and add to in the years to come. My sister admitted that ever since she's lived in Houston, she's noticed and even clipped out in the newspaper about the local estate sales that take place. She discovered a 'gold mine' and so we went.  

We casually arrived anxious to see some of the goodies spoken about here. As you can see this dear old lady had costume jewelry to no end. And old china, silver, and much more. But when we got there 15 minutes after the opening, there was a line headed out the driveway. We waited showing no promise of us getting in any time soon. So we walked up to the windows and hoovered peaking at what they had to offer. People in the inside of the house were just waving at us. We only wished we were them at that moment... 

Maybe it was best we didn't get in, the silver platted stems and the gold and yellow hand painted china was just too much to handle even from afar. 

So we continued on our way realizing we didn't have enough time to wait in that long line. We saw some treasures and that was just good enough. 

So we hopped on over to another "estate sale" which was an absolute bomb. Let me clarify for yall... estate sales are when professional come in to manage and display. The junk in the yard is a garage sale. barf!

Needless to say, I enjoyed being with me sister. It was special to have some time together. I look forward to out next hunt. I will come better prepared next time. 

My sister has the best taste for antiques. I follow her lead of this one... An old wooden high chair. I love it!  Meanwhile, I'm still hunting down a good card catalog furniture piece. 

Thanksgiving Point...

It's been 1.5 years since our reception there. So it was good to be back.

We rented/rode segways around the gardens for an hour. I had no idea there was so much to see and it was so beautiful. The rose garden, waterfall, and pond were just amazing.

Shoe Tree...

It's just that. I was driving down Dr. Valley Rd. in Park City--just a block off of Main St. and saw all these shoes out of the corner of my eye. I had to turn around and pull over to take another look.

Thought it was worth sharing...

Inspirational messages...

My church releases an inspirtaional message each week on You Tube. All you have to do is go here. They always find a way to my heart makeing the message perfectly applicable.

This weeks message honors the 9/11 victims and their famalies. I can hardly believe it's been 8 years. It's worth taking a moment to view it here.

Amazing huh?

Swiss Days...

Last Saturday we went to Swiss Days in Midway, UT. I've been wanting to go for years. We woke up early Saturday morning and were there by 8:00 to beat the foot traffic. We enjoyed browsing around all the vendors.

I'm convinced there are more crafty people in Utah then anywhere else. I say some really great stuff. It is amazing what people can do even just from home.

This lady makes some really neat soaps from home.

Polka Dot Pottery ~ Spencer makes the pottery and fires it and Ash paints it. I'm loving my new red polka dote vase in my kitchen.

Good ole Utah scones. When I moved to Utah for school, I have to admit that I had never heard of scones or fry sauce. I'm now quite aware of both I must say.

Embrace your birthday...

I've decided that September 6th is an extra special day to have a birthday. Let me explain...

When your young, it's especially nice because its at the start of ever school year and teachers are on top of all their plannings with the new school year. They always make the first month's birthdays special to set precedence for the new school year. And we all know that when December rolls around, they are are old. Teachers don't quite execute like they did at the start.

And when you get older is is nice to celebrate your birthday on a long Labor Day weekend while having an extra day off work.

The weather is nice in September.

Your birthday is in between holidays which breaks up things nicely.

Needless to say, I love my birthday. It was extra special this year. Andrew is always so thoughtful and generous. I appreciate all his efforts. I had the luxury of having my parents in town this past week as well as Andrew's parents this past weekend. My mother-in-law made my 'favorite dinner' following a rich chocolate cake. & my Mom was extremely generous too. One of these days I'll show you what she got me...

My good friend from home, who is now at school out here (whew!), picked me up from work with some flowers--so kind and thoughtful.

Mademoiselle CoCo Chanel...

"Fashion passes, style remains."

I found this pillow on Etsy--handpainted. I love it. I just don't have a place for it. But I might have to create one.