Little Reminder

Hello dearies. Just a wee reminder that my Greta in Green headband giveaway is still going on at Sweet as a Candy blog BUT ends tomorrow. So! If you'd like to enter your name into the drawing, the time is now!

Hope your weekend is going swimmingly!

Fevering for Spring

Congratulations friends. We've all made it to Friday. In addition, there are only 23 days left until the official start of spring - another worthy reason to celebrate. Have a lovely weekend!

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain

(Magnolia print by hadleyhutton via Etsy)

Creamy Lovliness

Much to my surprise, I was able to score an Etsy treasury last night with one minute left before the lists were full again. After finally figuing out how to snag one, getting the timing right has become the challenge.

There are so many gorgeous items from lovely sellers in Etsy land that making treasuries could easily become an addiction for me. Here's what I put together last night while watching the Olympics. Enjoy!

New in the etsy shop!

Lately, I've been working on making fabric flowers by hand for my ever evolving (albeit a slow evolution!) line of headband offerings. With spring around the corner, so comes the season of weddings and outdoor parties and more events that may call for a soft and pretty hair accessory. Here's one such piece I made a few days ago:

Wear 'em in the winter. Wear 'em in the summer. Wear 'em with jeans, dresses, skirts and leggings.

This isn't a current crush really. I began my love affair about three years ago while working for Anthropologie and I doubt it will ever end.

My favorite boot discovery thus far? Scoring a pair of caramel colored Frye boots at the Goodwill for $5. That ranks towards the top on my list of sucessful thrifting moments. I'm always on the prowl for more boots. More boots.

Do you thrift? What items do you continually prowl for regardless of season, style or color?
(photos: flickr, weheartit, urbanoutfitters, etsy)

Weekend Recap

Hello friends. It's become my Monday ritual to post a featured headband but since the lovely Federica of Sweet as a Candy is featuring my Greta in Green headband for her birthday giveaway this week, I thought I'd share a snippet of my weekend:

Friday Night:

A little wine and cheese event hosted by my friend and networking/idea guru Jocelyn on Friday night was a lovely way to meet new people and enjoy some brie and wine. I wasn't looking as sophisticated as Zooey Deschanel pictured above, but then again who would be?

Saturday Afternoon:

Most of the day was spent lounging with the hubby in robes and slippers, eating french toast and watching a rediculous amount of Olympic coverage. Do I really get a thrill from watching the German bobsled team win the gold? Not really. Does ice dancing fill my heart with joy? Nah. But who cares. It's the Olympics and it was Saturday and we NEEDED to be lazy.

Saturday Night:

Saturday night I made a very bridal-looking headband that I will soon be listing in my Etsy shop. I've gotten in a little hand-made flower groove that I'm finding rather enjoyable with potential for some feminine and spring-like headbands, so stay tuned.

I have no pictures of Sunday. If I did, it would just be of snow. It snowed light, pretty flakes for three solid days in my neck of the woods with especially fluffy and sparkling ones coming down all day yesterday. It would have been nice to stay in and make soup and read a book, but getting out to church and then to our little community group Sunday night proved to be (as it always does) good for the spirit.

How was your weekend?

(photos: weheartit.com, Getty Images)

Headband Giveaway!

Hello. It's a gray, snowy Friday in my neck of the woods. Is it cold and bleak where you are too?

Well, here's a little news that may cheer you up (no promises): I will be sponsoring a giveaway on the fabulous blog Sweet as a Candy starting on Sunday! The lovely Federica of Bologna, Italy (attorney by day, blogger/decorator extrodinare by night!) has kindly agreed to give away the Greta in Green headband in honor of her birthday on Monday. Pop over to her beautiful blog this weekend and enter your name in the mix. Grazie tanto!

Perfect Pooch

Recently, I blogged about Lexie Holeman a friend and artist whose work I'm loving more and more all the time. Lately, Lexie has been selling little paintings to fund a trip to Spain where she will be painting portraits of the locals there. Sounds fabulous, no? Well, when I came across this series of dog paintings that she's been working on, I thought it imperative to post the images and spread the word (as much as my little blog can) about Lexie and her work. Doesn't she capture their personalities so well?

If you know a dog lover/art lover/supporter of individuals trying to make their way to Spain, etc. please spread the word about Lexie and her brilliant work. I believe all of her 6x6 paintings are forsale on ebay for $20. Very accessible and reasonable! Click here to check them out.

Having a greenhouse is a perpetual desire of mine and one that I always think of more frequently as spring gets a little closer.

I start thinking about growing pots of flowers or vegetables or anything, really. How wonderful would it be on an early spring day to pull on a pair of boots and trod across my yard to my little greenhouse brimming with pots, soil, tools. I could dig and plant and shuffle around. Maybe in one corner there would be a comfy chair and a chandlier... maybe. Some greenhouses are made for sitting and contemplating, others are made for actual work. I'd like one of each.

Do you have a perpetual desire for a certain place? A reading nook? I big tree with a hammock? A studio?

(credits: Joyelbe, www.countryliving.com, www.judiebyrd.com)

A Jelly Jar of Posies

I thought it might be a nice Tuesday-pick-me-up if I posted a few images of some little flower arrangements I put together for a fundrasier on Valetines Day. If you're feeling a bit fatigued over valentine flowers, please bear with me. No red roses or babies breath were used in the making of these bouques.

The groupings were sweet and simple and  included sunny tulips, pale pink spray roses, hypericum berries  and some drapey greens. I wanted something lovely but not lovey-dovey.

That glossy candy pink of the berries is just such a happy color.

Instead of using traditional bud vases, I employed jelly jars which seem a little old fashioned and not too formal and just right for the occasion.

Featured Headband: Pearly May

Hello friends. It's Monday. How are you? How was your Valentine's Day? I hope it was sweet and lovely and not cliche or depressing. Mine was rather busy and then there was the staying up 'till 1:30 last night watching the replay of the Olympics couples figure skating short program. I need a nap somethin' terrible. Why did the hubby and I deprive ourselves of sleep for figure skating? I don't like it THAT much.

Anyway! On to the featured headband of the week! Here she is: Pearly May. I love the combination of coral, cream and taupe. The fabric is from a vintage scarf I discovered at an open air market and the beautiful pearly pieces are old shoe buckles from my husband's great aunt's collection of fabulous costume jewelry I was fortunate enough to peruse over the holidays.

To claim Pearly May for your own click here. Also, on a side note, I've been adding new items daily to my Etsy shop at all different price points, so keep checking back for the latest and greatest.

Flowers on my mind...

Well, hello! It's Friday and I need to make a dash to the floral warehouse this morning. I have to say, it's been a while and I'm a little jazzed about it. I'm going to make a bunch of small arrangments in little glass jars for a Valentine's fundraiser this weekend.

I wish I could buy up gobs of cherry blossoms for this project. I'm hoping to find something interesting on the cheap (yeah, right) to make the groupings look festive and textural without incorporating the usual tired repertoire of Valentine's Day flora.

Speaking of cherry blossoms, isn't this photo divine? I want giant vases of these propped around my house please. Keep your cliche Valentine's flowers!

(photo via wehearit)

Boutique Wrap Up!

Hello dearies. I'm sure you're all sick to death of the Valentine Boutique I've been talking, blogging and harrassing you about for the last couple of weeks. This shall be my LAST post about it, I promise.

It was a lovely evening and a lot of fun too. If you weren't able to come, here's a recap of the nights festivities:

My house was decked out in tissue flower poms, candles and hanging glass jars. Yes, it was girly. No, the hubby hasn't forced me take it all down... yet.

I made a fresh batch of headbands (you can see the new spring-like offerings on the top row) and some modge-podge vintage paper flowers for bobby pins attached to little cards with old recipes and funny articles from 1960s magazines.

Hair clips are always a less committed way to add some flair if a headband seems too much. I displayed the clips on an old thrift store frame and happily, most of them sold! My wreaths and vintage paper collages were clustered together around my friend Kara's fabulous shabby chic pale pink side table.

Kara of Kara Rosenberry Co. had her darling valentines, garlands, stickers, tags and postcards for sale. She used pink cupcakes boxes to display her goodies.

Kara's circus tent valentines are my favorite. Shoppers snapped up her pink dragonfly cards too. Look at that darling measuring tape ribbon she used to embellish her cards!

Lexie Holeman is an incredilby talented artist that I met through my church. She has a brilliant eye for color and uses it to create amazing combinations with whimsical and curious subject matter.

Aren't those sheep too much? And those ladby bugs? I scooped up a sweet winter scene by Lexie with little birds perched on a snow covered tree and I love it.

Currently, Lexie is raising support for an artists residency she'll be doing this spring in Spain by selling these little gems on ebay. If you'd like help her out (please do) click here for her ebay store and here for her blog to see her latest work.

My new friend Shellie from Love146 was kind enough to set up her darling display of little wool hearts that are being sold to support the work of Love146 in the fight agaist human trafficking around the world.

Devils food cupcakes with buttercream frosting and lemon shortbread cookies with a lemony glaze were there for the taking along with sparkling french sodas.

Each shopper got to take home a goodie bag with a groovy Valentine's cd mix and some festive candy. Who doesn't love a Cherry Mash?

So there you have it! It was a truly sweet evening and my thanks to all the ladies who came and supported local artists.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Lounging Day

Many thanks to the lovely women that braved the cold and snow and came to the Valentine Boutique last night. It was a great success, if I do say so myself. There was merriment and shopping and nibbling on cookies while chatting with old friends and making some new ones too.

Now, I'm tired. It's been a busy several days of crafting, cleaning, baking and such - all worth while of course. Apart from loading a few coffee mugs in the dishwasher, checking some email and making grilled cheese (because one has to eat) I'm not feeling like doing much of anything.

I'm looking forward to posting a full recap of the boutique in the next day or two but for now, I think I'll relax a little.

Final Boutique Plug!

Despite the snow, the boutique is a-go!

If you're in the Denver area, don't let the snow stop you from stopping by our handmade Valentine's Boutique tonight. The locally made goodies will be looking their best. The coffee will be hot. The fizzy fruit sodas will be cold. The lemon shortbread cookies will be calling your name. The Beatles will be singing I Want to Hold Your Hand.  It'll be great.

This concludes my final shameless boutique plug.
Thank you.

(p.s. leave a comment or shot me a quick email at fernandflora@gmail.com for details and directions)

Belle & Boo

I have always been a sucker for sweet, whimsical illustrations of children and frogs and umbrellas and all that sort of  Wind in the Willows meets Beatrix Potter meets Jessie Wilcox kind of lovliness. Just in time for Valentine's Day, I came across Belle & Boo. Of course it's an adorable little company based in London (naturally) that sells all sorts of products featuring the illustrations of Mandy Sutcliffe. Her wonderful illustrations took shape when she began drawing French children in the park while living in Paris. How nice.

Enjoy this dose of charm and have a happy Friday!

This book plate is not particulary for Valentine's Day, but I couldn't help myself.

Sweet Heart

Last fall I blogged about an organization called Love146 that is doing amazing work in the fight against human trafficking around the world. 27 million people are currently enslaved in an industry that generates 32 billion dollars a year.

The denver chapter of Love146 has organized a Valentine's Day fundraiser. Part of the event includes the sale of little wool felted heart ornaments that come with a little booklet of information about the work of Love146 and the issue of human trafficking.

For the past week, I've been learning the art (it's not hard - just takes a little time!) of wool felting these tiny hearts. This issue has been on my mind since I heard a presentation about trafficking at a church function last fall. These hearts will be for sale at the Valentine boutique I'm hosting this coming Monday night. They are only $7 and all of the proceeds will go to the work of Love146. Please leave a comment if you'd like info about my boutique or if you'd like to get involved. I'd love to sell gobs of these little hearts on Monday night!

Have you ever known someone who possesses both exquisite taste and exceptional artisitic ability? My rediculously talented friend Megan is one such person. By day is she a pastry chef  for her company Desuet Desserts and whips up all sorts of tasty delights (her gluten-free blackberry crumble with a hint of citrus made me swoon) and when she's not in her kitchen she's trying her hand at all sorts of other creative endeavors.

Her knitted baby booties made for a boutique last spring and her vintage bead bracelets were as sweet as pie. Her lastest creative ephipany are the gorgeous hand-dyed muslin flower pins pictured above. After the fabirc is dyed, she cuts the petals by hands and sews them all together. Oh yeah. She just whipped those up on a whim on day. No biggie.

They are the perfect pop of sass on a coat or jacket. I'm waiting for the right opportunity to wear my robin's egg blue flower (A Christmas gift - I'm so lucky!) with my strapless black dress (see above).

It seems to me that creative people create just because they love it. They can't help themselves. Even better than creating something is when someone else finds the creation irresistable and actual money can be made from doing something one loves (what a concept).  Megan has found herself in this happy place at a local shop called Tallulah Jones  here in Denver. Her fabulous flowers are for sale there now and this weekend she will be a featured artist at an open house. So, if you happen to be in the area and want to poke around a truly unique and visually pleasing shop, hop on by and met the girl behind the magic.

Here's the scoop:

Featured Headband: Greta in Green

Hello there! I meant to post this yesterday as featuring a headband every Monday has become my custom. However, yesterday I had to rage about my experience at the DMV, so here it is today.

I love the vibrant colors in peacock feathers. The headband really didn't need much else but just for good times I added a burnshed gold vintage button from my great grandma Clara's button box and there you have it.

In addition to the free shipping I'm offering, Greta in Green will be an extra 20% off this week in honor of being one month closer to spring! It's sort of a lame reason, I know, but I heard a spring bird chirping on my way to the mail box this morning and it got me all excited. You can take another peek or claim it for your own right here.

Cure for the DMV

Today was a true Monday. I had to go the DMV. And it's the first day of the month. Some level of chaos and mayhem are always to be expected, but today seemed more dreadful than usual. After circling around and around for parking then navigating my way through a pack of  smokers and loiterers outside the front door (why loiter at the DMV??), I walked into to a room packed with exasperated people all shouting at once to the clerks behind the counter. Apparently, the take-a-number-and-wait-for-it-to-be-called system was not in working order on this Monday. At one point a man started yelling about how his number had been skipped and when the security guard told him to chill out he yelled "i'm nobody's puppy!" Ah the DMV.

 I held on to my ticket, number A686 and stared at the glowing sign above that said A654. Thirty-two people get to go before I do. Lovely. That same number glared back at me for 30 minutes before it clicked to the next number. Oh dear. I waited... and waited... and waited.. for an hour and a half to pay $174.75 for a tiny red sticker. They could at least make them cuter. Don't you think? I'm not normally a weakling when it comes to the DMV but after today I need some help recovering:

Three of these.

A couple of hours right here with some chilled Pelligrino.

And a soak right here with some lavendar oil perhaps.


How was your Monday?


(photo credits here)