Fall-ish.

How very much I love this season, and everything that comes with it. The wondrous, brisk air that beckons cozy scarves and knee-high boots; warm nights in front of the crackling fire with a cup of frothy cocoa in hand; hand-in-hand walks through our historic, tree-lined neighborhood, tripping over one another's feet because we are unable to divert our eyes from God's magnificent display of colors in the treetops; pumpkin carving and chili feasting around the fire pit, in the backyard, with all the ones we love. Dearest fall, I simply adore you.

warm, rustic dining.

and the accompaniment of best friends.

boots. oh, boots.

and oh, that distressed wood.

Our pumpkins. *

hay bails.

farmland.

menswear.

and books.

thoughts of Our wedding.

yellow leaves.

firewood.

fireplaces.

fires.

rain.

cold, dark, cozy rain.

again, fireplaces.

deep, dark paint colors.

* is my own photo.

furthermore, each of the above photos is linked to its original owner.

So there you have it. My utmost adoration for fall. Enjoy your night, as I am nestled in next to the fire, awaiting my hubby to join me for a delicious bite of pot roast.

Alas....

toast
Originally uploaded by C.Mariani

I know what you're thinking. Or, have been thinking. Some blogger I am. Or was...for that matter. The truth, though, lies in a little implicaton called my "real job," and, "the real world." Yes, I've been busy. So busy that I had to give up (for a short while) this silly little thing I like to call my creative outlet. So, alas, I return. Here's to daydreaming, and sharing those daydreams with you. Here's to maple and shade. Lovely to see you again :)

On the road again...

And oh how I wish it was on the road to a vacation in Paris. Maybe someday. As for now, I'm back on duty in Louisville...working hard to restore the paramount flood damage to the University of Louisville's campus. It's amazing what Servpro (the company I market for) is capable of. So, I must say goodbye for now. Hope to see you trusty readers again in a few days. Enjoy your week!

Ella Mint on Etsy.

So, our shop is up and running, and to top off the excitement, we've shipped a few items to amazing customers (who obviously have amazing taste) who were seeking to add a few new
"ellamints" of fresh & happy to their homes. In the market to do the same? Well...shop away. We have a few select items at the moment, but keep your eye out. Amazing new inventory (very cool pieces of furniture) arriving soon. Time to make room in your house? I think so ;)

So sorry...

I know what you may be thinking...and no, the fact is I haven't abandoned my blog. I'm so sorry that it seems that way. I'm actually a Marketing Rep for Servpro of Lexington...a company that does all sorts of restoration & mitigation in buildings...and, if you haven't heard, Louisville, Kentucky got hit extremely hard with flooding this past Tuesday. So, I've been on site at U of L (basically since Tuesday) helping our amazing crew coordinate the campus cleanup. And, I will be heading back to Louisville bright and early tomorrow morning to return Thursday night at the earliest. So, the blogging hiatus will have to resume. So, for now you will just have to enjoy these wonderfully clever clothes-pin dolls that I discovered through my ever-reliable flickr. See them here.

Can't wait to be back in blog-mode! But for now, I must do my job :)

Fallen quite hard...

For Katie Daisy. I stumbled upon her flickr page, then her etsy shop...and furthermore, her website. I mean truly, she may be the most talented artist I've seen yet. I must, must and...can't wait to purchase some of her prints. She even makes pillows. I'm telling you, I've fallen hard, and may never be able to walk away from her etsy store.






Like I said...adore her work. I mean really, have you ever seen anything like it? If I could...I definitely would buy each and every Katie Daisy offering.

Ella Mint...minty fresh :)

So, friends...Ella Mint (my little design venture with my friend Annie), has been granted the amazing opportunity to design an entire loft with a Retro Mix design scheme for a non-profit design showcase here in Lexington. Thought I'd give you an inside look to the color palette we've chosen and are oh-so-excited about, as well as a link to a more thorough description of the event.

click here for more info.

Have a lovely, lovely day. C and I are actually sitting for the 3 kiddos I sit for...for 6 days...5 nights...while the parents are taking some much needed relaxation time in the Mexican sun. We, on the other hand, are having so much fun...anticipating parenthood. Hmm...maybe in 3-5 years instead of 5-7. :)

What do you think of the color palette? Unexpected retro? I'm so anxious to hear!!

Shutter bugged.

I'm not much of a photographer...but I love to pretend anyway. I'm constantly rearranging trinkets within my home in order to make for a good photo (and therefore driving C quite mad). I love the creativity fix that comes from staging furniture and accessories to be captured by the wonderment of film (so, not to go off the deep end...but have you ever thought about film and how it's able to capture and reproduce a moment of our lives? mind-boggling). So I was taking a peek at my photo inventory tonight, and thought I'd post some of my favorite results. Hope they make you swoon the way they do me. :)










Each photo with the exception of one is of the beloved trinkets that comprise my home. The second photo from the top is of my friend & business partner's home...Annie. I'd love to hear your comments! And, if you happen to have any photos of your favorite collectibles, please feel free to send them my way. I'd love to feature some!

Have a wonderful night. I know I am :) Delicious tuna pita for dinner (okay, okay...and cheesy poofs. Okay...lots of them)...and mint brownies for dessert. I'm celebrating, and can't wait to post why!

Sometimes white is right.

I can't even believe that it's Monday...and that I haven't posted since the previous Monday. I've been spending my evenings ironing out lots of details for ella mint, and unfortunately maple & shade took the brunt of it. But no more! I've happily resumed posting...and dreaming...of airy white spaces filled with bliss.

each photo linked to its origin.

I love the thrill of color, but I always seem to drift back to a desire for white. It's so serene, and paints the perfect backdrop for a display of furniture and unique finds. I feel as if it really allows for one to combine an eclectic mixture of styles...the simplicity and neutrality keep a space from really becoming too busy or overdone. Today's post makes me want to drop everything and curl up on a cozy couch with a steamy cup of joe in hand. The power...or shall I say, the peace...of white.

Monday love.

And this Monday it's doilies.

all photos via flickr. each is linked to its original owner.

Their beauty, I think, lies in their delicacy and their ability to add a lovely hint of detail in an understated way. Hmm...I want to put them everywhere.