gnomes

Growing up my dad read to us girls from a book about gnomes (which has since gone out of print), and thus set in motion a lifelong sentimental fascination in his children, with all things gnomey. I have, of course, previously introduced you to our resident garden gnome, Sir Ian McGnomey. I have purchased gnome soap and gnome magnets, and, if I had ninety dollars to spend on something totally unnecessary, I would consider buying this collection of tiny custom gnome figurines (found on Etsy, of course).

I've had this book of gnome crafts on my Amazon wishlist for a while. And, let's just go ahead and get this seed planted in my husband's head for some Halloween far down the road.

If, for some reason, I can't convince Kevin that dressing up as a gnome family would be great fun, at the very least I am sure I can convince him that we need a gnome baby. 

And then there's this - the life of a lonely city gnome, as recorded on Tumblr. 

Hmm.

a list of pretty things

I don't normally do "I want" posts on this blog, but, thanks to a late-February blizzard this past weekend, we now have twelve inches of fresh snow - bringing our snowfall total in the Metro to more than 70 inches so far this winter - and I just need to think about pretty, spring-like, things right now. My mental health depends on it. 

1. Clearly (CLEARLY!) this gorgeous necklace is a need. Anthropologie is killing me with their new bridal line, BHLDN. Everything is absolutely beautiful, and now I just need to find a way to convince Kevin that our fifth wedding anniversary this August = renewing our vows with a "simple" garden party and me in those crazy awesome petaled shoes. 

2. This amazing (and super clever) centerpiece from A.Heirloom is also a need (right?). And, oh hey, it would fit right in with the vision I have for our vow renewal garden brunch (I just decided it should be a brunch)! Man, do I love Etsy.

3. I really need to start saving up for a Michele Armas (an artist I learned about by reading the blog Frolic) painting because her work speaks to me in a deep and meaningful way, and her Jenny painting would be lovely in our dining room. 

4. HOLY MOLY, this necklace could get me through the rest of winter with a giant smile on my face.

Actually, practically everything from Emerson Made is on my current wish list. They SO understand my need for soft stripey tees and big flower pins --- they really get me. 

5. What, I ask you, could be sunnier than a pair of perfect yellow flats? I love the look of Swedish Hasbeens shoes!

Here are some other lovelies from their collections.

6. I've got rugs on the brain lately, as I've been looking for a good indoor-outdoor rug in a cool geometric pattern for our dining room, and something bright and cheery for our hallway (between the guest room and the back bedroom). I am loving the bright colors in these striped runners by Dash & Albert (and I noticed they also have some awesome indoor-outdoor options in diamond patterns). 

7. In the past month I've purchased a whole batch of new house plants and succulents, in a desperate attempt to give my eyes something green and growing to feast on (too much white in the landscape these days). I've also made a few trips to Half Price Books to stock up on the used nature books to which I seem to be addicted. Now I just need to find some lovely vintage botanical (and bird - I love birds!) prints to frame and put up around the house. 

I found the above image here, on the Miss Modish blog, which led me to the amazing Etsy vintage store, Trampoline. So many neat vintage finds in this shop! Some favorites: a 1950's metal display rack, vintage display domes, a gorgeous Swedish textile, vintage candles in vintage wooden spools, an antique botanical engraving (!), vintage wingnuts as display stands, and a beautiful old wood rocking horse. Oh, Etsy. 

8. I love the stamp sets from Yellow Owl Workshop. I could do a lot with these.

9. Ah, and finally, I think it would be very nice to crawl into bed at night and fall asleep beneath a quilt covered in this naturey organic duvet cover from West Elm (on sale - restraint necessary!). 

With that, I am off to bed. Tomorrow, I think I'll start looking for a part-time job so that I can save up for some of the pretty things on my list. Or, you know, my birthday is in a mere ten months. Shameless, I know.