flickr photo of the day : an array of flowers.

Untitled by lifelovepaper.

two random things i am loving this evening...

This teatime print by Jamie Wieck (£119.99) and this buttercup dress by Makool Loves You ($229).

ten images of inspiration : once wed eye candy.

Whenever I am in the mood for a heavy dose of inspiration, I head on over to one of my favorite blogs: Once Wed. The weddings featured on there are always out of a dream and the galleries are the perfect things to flip through when looking for ideas for parties, photographs, decorating, food displays and of course, weddings. Be still my heart... can my husband and I get married all over again?

Weddings pictured above: Nathan + Anna, William + Penelope, Adam + Tess, Adam + Hallie, Chris + Kelly, Dustin + Whitney, John + Megan, Adam + Hallie, Yuli + Keith, and Mark + Allison (photo credits listed on each page)

illustration collection : bathing beauties.

Wouldn't you just love to go for a swim today?

1. Night Swim by Lisa Golightly ($20), 2. swimmer gocco print by Kate Pugsley ($20), 3. The Swimmer Print by Iris Schwarz ($20), 4. A Swimming Day for Us by Kate Endle ($175, currently out of stock), 5. Return by Nikki McClure ($9). 6. heather - original oil painting by Amanda Blake ($100), 7. The Comfort of Routine by Aimee Sicuro ($22), and 8. Floating Lessons Magenta and Chocolate by Sofia Arnold ($15)

thought of the day : playground.

"Play!" by Katie Daisy, available in her shop for $20. (You can also check out more of Katie's artwork on her photostream)

interior inspiration : studio spaces.

I really love seeing the spaces of other artists and designers. After visiting my friend Cori's stunning treasure-filled Sellwood studio yesterday (seen in the fourth photo above), I am now completely inspired to turn our garage into a studio of my own. Perhaps if I did it I would finally feeling motivated to start creating again. I think everyone needs a little place of their own to be able to get away from home and work in.

Sources (from top to bottom): Lovely Design, Alicia Paulson, Bird in the Hand, Cori Kindred, Design*Sponge: Hammerpress, Herzenart, Making it Lovely, Sandra Juto, Design*Sponge: Gilah Press, fine little day, Camilla Engman, and Geninne.

flickr photo of the day : from the carnival.

"dog days of summer" by perfectbound.

collections : little bits of nature.

1. White Flower Bugs Tiffany Dress (£325.01), 2. Thomas Paul Lighting Ovis Pendant Lamp - Trees ($590), 3. Cutout Leaves Necklace ($5.80), 4. mint n chip flower skirt ($29.99), 5. Caterpillar & Clover Blouse ($228), 6. Birds, Words and More ($27.95), 7. Medium Clear Nest Bowl ($120), and 8. leafy green harvest tunic ($26.99)

and i'm back...

from our trip to Connecticut and New York City. I had a great time, but am quite happy to be back home in Portland. Tell me, how has your week been?

an apology + some lovely links.

Good morning everyone! So, as you might have noticed, it has been a bit hard to get internet access while here in NYC. I've had to borrow a laptop and our hotel doesn't have free wireless access, so I haven't had the chance to sit down to get any blogging done. I will be back in Portland on Friday night, so posts will return around then.

As for now, I thought I would share some nice links that I quickly found among my Google Reader. Enjoy, and I'll be back this weekend!

• An amazing wedding idea with globes and vintage maps.
  
• The wonderful Jennifer Altman has a brand new shop that is absolutely breathtaking.
  
• Totally loving the new Style Me Pretty site.
  
• Ultra cute engagement photographs.
  
• Ez has some free goodies again, this time adorable printable recipe cards/labels.
  
• The summertime Kindred has launched!
  
• A creative and cute clock idea.
  
• Pretty, pretty interior styling
  
• Joy's new site is up and it's beautiful.
  
• Emma's Saturday Sweets are always a treat.
  
• Love the colors in these photos of Emma Watson.
  
• Another stunning wedding on a farm.
  
• Breathtaking flower photographs from Pia Jane Bijkerk.
  
• A first look into Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland.
  
• Yet another gorgeous wedding idea by Chelsea.
  
• A bit of Zooey love.
  
• Starting to see stripes and I love it.
  
• Some of the nicest wedding invitations I have seen.
  
• Betty always has amazing style. Really.
  
• Wouldn't you love a circus wedding?

thought of the day : i love new york.

"New York," by Kat Macleod- first appeared in The Cocktail, 2005 (Via Oh Joy!)

And so, I am off to Connecticut for a couple of days and then New York City for all of next week. I won't be blogging tomorrow, but I am going to try to keep it going regularly starting Monday. See you then- have a wonderful weekend!

flickr photo of the day : blue stripes.

Untitled by Elizabeth Taylor.

etsy finds of the week.

1. Keep Calm And Carry On Porcelain Tile - Coaster - Plaque - Pink from Raquel Masri ($24), 2. Sofi and the fish Print 6x8 from Holli ($10), and 3. Galapagos Pouch from LaTouchables ($29)



4. Soft French Lace Bag from Tortilla Girl ($58), 5. Red Orange Zinnia original watercolor painting 4x6 inches from Karen Faulkner ($15), and 6. The Brandenburg from Little Houses Clothing ($165)



7. Rainy Days - small city from Meyer-Lavigne ($34), 8. A Perfect Match - Matchbox Necklace Silver Edition from Yellowgoat ($175), and 9. My Favorite Things from Claudia Pearson ($20)

currently loving : paper straws.

After seeing these photographs produced/styled by the always-talented Paul Lowe of Sweet Paul, I knew that I had to get myself some old-fashioned striped paper straws. Luckily, they are available from Kikkerland for a mere $3 for a box of 50. Just perfect.

apparel & accessories collection : beachy.

Perhaps it is because I grew up on the beach, but come this time of year, I constantly think about days lounging at the sea. Luckily, I will be visiting a beach in Connecticut in just a couple of days, so my craving will be satisfied.

1. Brightness & Shadow Dress ($148), 2. Iris Frill Wrap, Liberty of London (£50), 3. chantham roslyn ($296), 4. Neon Sunfish Tee ($45), 5. La Province Pink Parasol ($65), 6. Simple Tubetop ($54.95), 7. Washed Ashore Necklace ($98), and 8. Three Color Stripe Romper ($219)

flickr photo of the day : yellow.

"after that and ever after" by NicaMom.

interior inspiration : the bathroom.

A room that often gets a bit forgotten...

Sources (from top to bottom): LivingEtc, Inspace, Anna Kern, emmas designblogg, Polly Wreford, Design*Sponge: Something's Hiding In Here, Wayne Vincent, LivingEtc, Ideal Home, Marie Claire Maison, and Design*Sponge: Jessica Lynch.