Lovely Variety

I good blogger would prepare back-up posts, just in case something unpleasant like a stomach bug showed up.

So apparently, that good blogger is not me.

Sorry for the absence, but now that my tummy is somewhat back in order there is much catching up to do.  I would feel like quite the delinquent mama if I did not post some Easter pics, but half of them are still on Sister's camera, so perhaps tomorrow.

In the meantime...while convalescing I discovered some shoes....

 

made by the same company that made my happy green pair - Miz Moos.

And would you look at that!? They come in yellow! 

(I've always wanted yellow shoes...well, at least I've always wanted them for the last year or so)

Now, I found my happy greens at Nordstrom Rack, but I did discover that these shoes are currently on sale just a bit - not a Rack price...but Nordstoms does offer free shipping and returns on every purchase.  

And no, this is not a paid advertisement...just trying to pass on helpful information ; )

Brown is always so comfortable and cozy. 

And you better believe I'm having very dreamy thoughts about this blue.
 

Also one last helpful bit - (as if it were even possible that one could decide which color to get) this brand seems to run small.  I'm normally an 8.5 but got my happy greens in 9.5.  

I feel like I just got acquainted with cute/feminine shoes in the last year or so.  Since high school I've been a die-hard Birkenstock and Dansko girl.  Both brands I still and will likely always wear.  But I'm finding that some Variety is so nice.  : )

love,

cailan

Spring Green

I love the color green all year round, but it seems especially wonderful in the spring. 

Here's a collection of lovely Spring Green I have around.

Green Plants.

These boxwood finally made it home with me.  The first time at Lowes I bought them and then left them at the garden check-out counter with the intention of picking up them up after I walked my three kiddos back to the car.  Two days later I realized I never went back.   Anyway, they were worth the extra trip!  I happily discovered boxwood last spring.  For under $5 a plant they're a great value for a resilient indoor plant full of lovely character

Green Shoes.

It would be quite untrue if I denied that my heart skipped a beat when I spied these lovelies all by their lonesome on the rack in just my size - oh, happy day! My feet have never had so much fun.

Green Pillow.

On the same shopping trip I went back to Urban Outfitters and got another of these darling pillows.  

It packs about the cutest decorating punch possible for around $30.

Green Candle.

Actually just Green candle label :) I first saw this "Peaceful" candle recommended by sweet Alicia and was happy to find it at Target.  The Lavender & Eucalyptus smell would be refreshing and pleasant anytime of year, but I'm especially enjoying it for Spring.

Green Tea.

A cup of tea is so nice for drizzly spring days.  A few weeks ago my husband and I had our first Starbuck's date ever.  Shocking, yes.  But heretofore, he has been neither a coffee nor tea fan.  We both had some Tazo tea.  He "Refresh" and I "Zen", and he actually liked it.  Quite the exciting development.  Even after years of marriage, you just never know what you'll discover you have in common after all. 

Now we have a couple boxes at home.  I like that "Refresh" is bracing. : )

 

Green Shirt.

I'm spoiled to have a J.Crew Outlet nearby (though you can shop outlet online, too) This shirt was one of the treasures I found on the sale racks. It feels just right for spring...and St. Patrick's Day. ; )

Green Grass.

Sigh.  Spring is so lovely.

What spring green have you been enjoying?


love, cailan

a time to write

I do so love finding a friendly note in my mailbox {like the cute one above!}.  It always completely makes my day.   Recently the women of our church started a little note-writing project.  Every two months we each get a name or two of another lady in the church and were assigned to write to them at least once over the course of the next few weeks.

It's been a sweet way to connect more with other women in the church - often with ladies I don't know as well or chat with much.  I love it.

While I've always loved writing letters and for many years collected a nice little bit of stationery , in this busy season of life my faithfulness in writing ebbs and flows.  However, this little project has led me back to my writing desk and suddenly I find that it would really be so easy to drop a quick line to so-and-so...and a nice little thank you note would be just the thing for that thoughtful girl.

So out come the thank you notes. Love these birdy ones from Cavallini.

And aren't these Bonsai stamps from the Post Office so lovely?

And I have to share these with you. ; ) I had spied these sweet little mini-notes at Target months ago, but decided against them for $7.  This week I found them on clearance for $2!  Aren't they darling?  So perfect for a bitty note or gift card.

 Love the bicycle best.

Cute, obliging bird clip from here  ; )

So perhaps you will be prompted to crack open your own box of cards.  Wouldn't it be lovely if we could all be on our note-writing lists?   Happy weekend, friends!

love, cailan

I Found It! A Lovely Pillow

Isn't it beautiful?  It's a hand-drawn, silkscreen print by Jenna Rose.  I stumbled upon it over at the inspiring Birch & Bird site and was instantly smitten.  She's created such beautiful prints, but the ships are my favorite.  I love the movement of the waves.

Also love this bag in the same print ...but I think the pillow will be what makes it to my birthday wishlist. : )

 

Jenna also makes these lovely bucket hampers.  Wouldn't one of these be so fun in a little boy's room?  (imagining it in the ship pattern, of course, though this honeycomb would be lovely in the right setting, too)

Also taken with this anatomy of a bicycle print - would be such a fun gift.

Here's also a little bucket in her "tree house print".  Such a handy little bucket, especially useful for storing and toting your needlework.  Someday I will start crocheting again and then, I will most certainly need one of these.

You can find these and Jenna's other beautiful creations at her Etsy shop {HERE}.

Note: this is not a paid advertisement. 

Just had to share the talented Jenna Rose with you quick-quick.

Off to have a hopefully lovely, productive Monday morning - payroll tax reports are due and the laundry room is flooded....with laundry.

Good times : )

A Most Unexpected Surprise

Thanks to God who knows even the little "impossible" desires of our hearts.

Last Fall, I found an email in my inbox from House of Fifty e-magazine.   In a state of complete giddy shock, I managed to realize they were asking if they could include Everyday Lovely in their "Blogs We Love" feature.  Could. not. believe. it.   I compulsively ran downstairs to tell my sweetheart, deep in his dissertation work, and took a good fifteen minutes trying to make myself intelligible.   

Such a lovely boost, but at the same time so humbling - I am way out of my league in the midst of all this beautiful, polished talent. 

If you've never seen an issue of House of Fifty, you are in for a tremendous treat.  Miss Janell of Isabella & Max Rooms is the visionary behind this magazine - and every issue is packed full of such lovely inspiration for everyday living.

The Spring 2012 issue just came out today - click the link to view!

  

{p.s. I'll be back with the photography tips post tomorrow. promise.

Off now, to tackle and purge heap big mess in the playroom. yikes.}

Twins with Watercolors

Last week big brother was out with Daddy, 

so I set the twins up at the table with a paintbox of watercolors each.

We were very intent.

Quite diligent.

And kept a running commentary on our own as well as our sister's progress.

Of course, the water bowl was very popular. 

But quite possibly the nicest part of the event was getting to wear 

these cunning little aprons Sister made for each on their "1/2 Birthday". 

 You can see her most informative and inspirational tutorial {HERE}.

I Like Pink

 - very much indeed. 

So imagine how tickled I was to find that this favorite brand of hand soap now comes in pink "grapefruit" scent. 

Isn't the bottle so lovely?

I've written about this exceptionally prettily bottled soap before.  My Target sells the whole line and often there's $1 off coupons available, making it a sweet gift for a friend's or your own kitchen or bath for $3.  

It lasts a good while, smells so delish and looks lovely to boot.


{Note: this is not a paid advertisement ;)  }

Oh, and the Challenge Starts Today!  Quite exciting.

New "Dancing" Shoes

Found these last night on an unplanned visit to the Gap.  All their sale was 40% off.

Which made these minty darlings a grand $8.40.

Hurrah for cheap, cute, comfy! new shoes 
{that make you feel like dancing all through the day}

Lovely Somethings for the Kitchen

 A couple new things just arrived for my little kitchen.

 It all started with this.  My Anthropologie "membership" card. You need to sign up for one of these quick-quick.

 

Because on your birthday they will send you this: 15% off your total purchase.

{(which they still let me use even though my b-day was in Feb}

 

Then my sweetheart let me stop at the store on the end of our lovely anniversary getaway.

 {yes, I married a good man}

But they didn't have the dishcloth I was wishing for in stock,  so they shipped it to me for free.

And here she is.

This bottle of soap perfection, which I have be wishing for for over a year now came with her.

 

Funny how these two new things made me so eager and happy to make my kitchen nice and tidy today.

So there's a first peek at my kitchen.

You can see more of our little home {HERE}

And today's post is {HERE}

{Linking to Bowl Full of Lemons, Just a Girl, Tatertots & Jello & Lollipops}