whenever the mood strikes, one of my favorite ways to refresh my house is to rearrange furniture! it is the best!! it makes everything new again. there are not many big changes i can make, but that doesn’t discourage me. the couch can only go here or there, but i’m still satisfied. smaller items make more of the impact. side tables, chairs, accessories all tweaked in some way. a perfect time for cleaning, vacuuming and dusting. new things are added from other parts of the house, others tucked away. home alone with music blaring is also required. sometimes if i’m feeling it i’ll make a new pillow or two which is just the icing on the cake. usually, my family doesn’t even notice. just one of the things they’ve learned to expect i guess. yes, it’s one of my small ways of living artfully.
coffee table books, cookbooks, decorating and diy, just a few of the book categories i swoon over. (and i'm always up for a good self-help book too) i reserve books at the library often and decide which ones i should buy for my collection. i'm also always getting good recommendations on social media or just by browsing book stores and amazon. weekends are always a little sweeter when i have tried a new recipe or project i read about.
these books are beautiful and inspiring. i like them out in stacks, sometimes opened up to a pretty page i can glimpse at as i walk by.
this weekend i was all excited about my new "the forest feast" gatherings cookbook. i bought it for my niece for a shower gift and fell in love, so.....now i have one too! (thanks to george)
baked garlic with brie,
crispy kale with paprika and truffle salt,
parmesan snap peas, sausage,
potato and white bean soup
those are the recipes we enjoyed this weekend and there are so many more good ones. in addition, pretty ideas for simple entertaining! let's just hope the weather gets warm enough one of these days.
bon apetite!
joyful individuals with bold ambitions!
the boden catalog is always something i get excited about when i spot it in my mailbox, almost as much as the anthropologie catalog. the clothes are colorful and fresh. and i just love it! but it's not just the merchandise....it's the copywriting too. i have torn out several pages, great one-liners, that i tape up in my studio...or right in the kitchen for all to enjoy. they are really good...and they just make me happy!
sometimes it's the little things.
i've wanted to jump back into my blog, but have struggled with where to begin again. it's been so long since my last post. and more than that, i just haven't been disciplined enough about my blog. i know consistency is key....and that is not what i have produced so far for sure. my problem is, i only feel compelled to post when i'm really "into" something. so a schedule does not always mesh well with inspiration.
so here i am, giving it another try, my focus....living an artful life!
living an artful life for me is a way at looking at whatever i'm doing with a more thoughtful eye. finding the beauty, having fun, making the ordinary a little more special.
so...a couple of recent moments over easter weekend that brought me joy:
driving past gramma minnie's old house in cleveland! so many memories here of family parties, aunts, uncles, cousins, annual visits to the feast and always a lot of really good food being made and eaten!
an easter diy i had to try, and much easier than i expected. nail polish and warm water is all it is. just swirl with tooth pick and drag eggs in. that's it! definitely the prettiest eggs i've ever created. and an easter tradition...pizzelles. the beauty of the pattern and the memories make me so happy!
more to come!
~karla
my absolute favorite magazine for inspiration....anthology! a celebration of makers, design and travel. i can't even crack it open without time to really enjoy it. this includes a comfy place to read, time to linger and sometimes take a nap, and a refreshing beverage. i don't have a subscription, not sure why, so it requires me to go to my local anthropologie for the latest copy. and i am never disappointed to make the trip!
artist anandamyi arnold
every page a feast of beauty and inspiration and recipes too. makes me want to re-decorate, make, cook and play. but usually I just savor every page and go back to my life as it is, happy to have visited.
just recently had my annual road trip to visit my college bff and explore the amazing landscape and peaceful settings of amish country in northeastern ohio.
it is just stunning to drive through the rolling hills.....so scenic it almost doesn't seem real.
the weather was perfection so that always makes everything more beautiful.
we pretty much covered the important "must do's" for our annual get together.
glamping
boating
fireside chit chat
eating
wine drinking
reading
shopping
lunching
vintage treasure hunting
more chit chat...
so nice to catch up and get out in new surrounding.
a couple of my favorite stops that should not be missed if you are going to the area...
modern farmhouse in millersburg - the perfect mix of really cool vintage finds, upholstery, home décor and accessories. the displays are fresh and it's just all around amazing! don't miss it. (check hours before making a special trip. it's one of those stores that sometimes is closed while they do their treasure hunting)
Rebecca's bistro the best!! never miss it on a trip!
farmers fresh picks!
such a beautiful place to enjoy another side of the ohio that i have been born and raised in and that gives me so many different perspectives.
ohio love!
i'm always feeling like i have a new obsession....and i actually love that!
i learn something new or discover something i had no idea about and that's it... i'm hooked!
i think it's a really good thing! i love people with passion!
and yes, sometimes it's a curse. i know my family would say i get a little too emotional about somethings.
but, this is who i am.
anyway, i can't even believe how much i am loving the new friends i have met while listening to different creative podcasts!
i didn't even know this whole world existed until 2 days ago!!
do you know about it!!
you can listen to anything...everything!!
it is sooooooo exciting!
and the few that i have been listening to are creative people that are successful and wonderful and they think about and talk about so many of the things i love.
so what are these podcasts!
who are these people!
these are the two new friends I have invited into the studio:
andy j miller....creative pep talk
he is the best!
i love how heartfelt his talks are!
sweet, inspiring and just good!
(i even got on i-tunes and gave him a comment and rating-5 stars!)
and the other one
elise interviews creative business owners and makers. it's like sitting and chatting with friends over coffee.
and they're talking about everything you love!
yes, i also feel a bit lame. they have so much going on in their creative businesses. new projects which include book deals, product launches, developing new apps and travel.... so far from where i am today, but something to dream about anyway.
so...if you k new nothing about this whole new world of podcasts...you heard it here!