Local Event Reminder! Support Love146!

This is incredibly last minute, but if you're in the Denver area tonight and want to enjoy a night of great music and support a most worthy cause, come join us for Let Kids Be Kids, a benefit concert to support the work of Love146.

Love146 is a non-profit organization that works to combat child sex trafficking around the world. The cost is $10 at the door. Bring a friend and join us! 

Fern & Flora Wednesday: Packages to Post

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I have to admit, sales have been a tad slow in my little shop as of late. It's hard to not feel discouraged sometimes, you know? Just when I feel like throwing in the towel (which I won't really do) there's a little flurry of activity. Yesterday I wrapped up and mailed a custom bridal piece for a sweet bride in Iowa and then shipped off two international orders - one to Ireland and one to Australia. For some reason, international sales always give me a thrill and that extra boost to keep on keeping on.

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Hopefully, Fern & Flora will grow and flourish to the point where my car looks like this when I have to make a trip to the post office. (isn't this photo fabulous?)

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Getting little packages in the mail is one of the simplest pleasures in life, I think.

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"Brown paper packages, tied up with string, these are a few of my favorite things."

Have a lovely Wednesday.

Signs of spring from my corner of the world

I've got quite a list of things to be done today and not much time to do them, so I thought I'd give you a quick little peek at a few springy thingys popping up at my abode.

I'm still on the fence about the wreath I put together last week for the front door but thought I'd share it none the less. Too girly? The mister doesn't seem to mind it that much. It's too small for the door but you can't tell from the picture I posted. And how do we feel about using felt materials for spring and summer decor? Too wintry? Too warm and woolly visually? Thoughts welcome.

What are you doing to welcome spring at your home?

Spaces to Inspire: White, Light, Bright

This is the perfect post from me today because it matches the color scheme I work up to this morning: whites and neutrals. That's right - it was snowing earlier this morning. Of course yesterday would have been the day that I planted some pots of little pansies on the front step. It's been nice and warm lately, but the minute I set out some delicate living thing, it starts to snow. Oh well. That's spring for you. (the pansies seemed to enjoy it actually and are looking quite well)

Anyway, I found the photos of this open and airy space in San Fransisco so inspiring. The place almost looks like a boutique - but in a good way. I like how interesting and textural a space can still be even without lots of color.

Using vintage suitcases as a way of storing legos and toys - brilliant!

Now I want to start a white collection of my own.

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Friday Finds: It's the Little Things

Imagine my surprise while at JoAnn Fabric, when I came across these completely lovely, 50% off eggs near the check-out counter. The colors seemed too good to be true. I'm used to those neon shades of shiny plastic everywhere, but these were so nice and soft and they came in earthy little paper mache cartons. For $2.50 a carton, I'm thinking I should go back and get a few more.

Which reminds me, have you heard of the "Easter Egger" chicken? They actually lay pastel colored eggs. I know! Once I get my "bit of earth" (see Wednesday post below) perhaps I will have to look into getting an Easter Egger or two!

Etsy Love: David Lloyd Gallery

First, I just have to share this treasury with you because yellow and gray are pretty much the most fabulous color combo ever and the curator of this image board did a splendid job in choosing and editing, don't you think? LOVE that giant banana yellow cocktail ring on the third row...

And now for some more Etsy love....

The art work of David Lloyd, an artist and illustrator based in Houston, is currently a favorite of mine.

I'm particularly fond of the sketches he does of interiors and his use of color to create a mood.

grays, camels, greens...

The piece reminds of something out of a Merchant/Ivory film like The Remains of the Day.

The best part is that his small renderings are incredibly affordable.

Prices range for $5 - $55 and he has note cards available as well - which would make a lovely gift or an interesting grouping when framed all together.

Check out more of David Lloyd's work right here.

Fern & Flora Wednesday

Just a few new pieces from yours truly.

To view all the fresh goodies from my shop, take a looksie right here.

Garden-y Goodness

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Remember when little Mary Lennox, the orphaned child in "The Secret Garden", asks her care taker and mysterious uncle "Please sir, may I have a bit of earth?" Well, that's how I feel these days. I haven't a bit of earth - just a little deck on the south side of our condo. That's not to say that I couldn't do (and have done) some containers of flowers and veggies. That's perfectly well and good but not the same as a little backyard where I can dig around and plant and prune. The mister and I have been talking regularly about the possibility of buying a little place in the near future and so there's still hope that this wanna-be gardener will have a bit of earth for myself.

Praying for Japan...



... and taking a little blogging break tomorrow.

Please join me in remembering those who lost their lives, those who are looking for loved ones and those beginning to again.
If you'd like to donate to the relief effort, please go to For Japan with Love.



The Sweetest Thank -You Ever

I had to share this incredibly lovely little thank-you memento that I received yesterday when I dropped off dinner (see yesterday's post) for some friends who just had a baby girl. The couple had worked together on creating these sweet little boxes as tokens of gratitude for those helping out when their baby arrived.

The baby's name and meaning was printed on the outside of the box...

... and when I opened it up, there was a thank-you message, a tiny clay pot, a little package of soil and forget-me-not seeds all on a bed of moss. Could there be anything sweeter?! I mean, come on!

The detail put into this adorable package is classic of my friend and new mother. She has a brilliant eye and anything she touches comes out beautifully. Kudos to the mister and new papa who chipped in on the project too. I'm going have to tuck this idea away for when it's my turn to hand out baby thank-yous.

Tasty Tuesday: Mexican Chicken Salad

Our friends Shellie and Kimel just had a sweet baby girl last week so tonight I'm whipping up a little dinner for them - this fresh and crunchy Mexican Chicken Salad with tomato and black bean salsa (via Nigella Lawson). It's light and tasty and although it's a bit on the summery side, it's in the 60s here today, so I thought - what the heck. I love the creamy avocado lime dressing and the sweet and crunchy jicama.

Check out the recipe right here.

(p.s. Nigella's website has a nifty conversion chart at the bottom so you don't have to try and figure out how to convert the British measurements over to ours in the states, fyi!)

Spaces to Inspire: A Home in Germany

I'm feeling inspired today by the fresh and interesting interiors from this home near Hamburg, Germany recently featured on Etsy's Get the Look Decor blog segment.

The art walls are especially lovely and encourage me to evolve my own wall decor.

Check out the home owner's Etsy shop right here.

I'm Grateful

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Today I'm thankful to God that all our friends in Japan are safe, especially my friend Lexie who hadn't been heard from (to my knowledge) until today. I'm so glad she's alright.

I'm also grateful for the safe and healthy arrival of my friend Shellie's sweet baby girl Tori yesterday and that my husband came home to me happy and healthy from a work trip. My life is full of so many good things.

 Please pray for those in the Pacific in need and those who have lost someone they loved.

Good Things

This treasury via the lovely Sabrine (a fellow Etsy shop owner in the South of France) is indeed a good thing this Friday morning. She was kind to include my vintage bridal flower and has such a strong eye for creating gorgeous image boards. Thank you Sabine!

Another good thing is my upcoming meeting this morning with a local bride and her sister who are in need of hair accessories for an upcoming wedding. Hooray for meetings with brides!

Lastly, and most importantly is that my sweet mister flies home from a business trip tonight. It's only been 4 days, but the house is too quiet and I miss our talks and laughs (in person) and I'm tired of falling asleep in a cold bed and so are my cold feet! Warm hubby = good thing.

Etsy Love: Lirola

I'm crazy about the soft, elegant and comfy-looking styles from Etsy shop Lirola.

I'm pretty sure I could live in anything from her offerings. The color palette is right on the money too. Plus, you could slip on sandals in the summer and go and layer up her pieces with jackets and boots in the winter.

Fern & Flora Wednesday: A Custom Piece

The latest custom piece from Fern & Flora for a new and dear friend who is getting married in a couple of weeks....

She is one of those woman who is truly lovely inside and out and will make an utterly breath taking bride. Hopefully I will be fortunate enough to snag some "after" photos so we can all oogle over her gown, golden tresses and green eyes! Congrats K & A! So glad to be able contribute to your happy day

(albeit in a small way.)

These breath taking bouquets from Saipua, a boutique in Brooklyn, couldn't be more perfect for a little gray, cold Monday inspiration. Their bold use of color and texture as well as their incredibly romantic design sensibility equals a lush and unusual final result that makes a florist like myself swoon with envy and admiration.

Sharing these images today seems appropriate in another way too. Over the weekend, we took a trip home to be with family for my husband's aunt's funeral. Aunt Glenda was a hard working business woman and floral designer who had a successful wedding business. She managed to travel, work and help care for her grand kids as well as plan large scale bridal shows and events all the while fighting cancer. She was quite a lady and we will miss her.

Fern & Flora Wednesday: Bridal Bliss

Here's a peek at a few of the new bridal pieces one will find in my Etsy shop these days. 

I've been having a heyday putting these accessories together. Each flower is one-of-a-kind and includes multiple layers of tea-stained petals, tulle, silk, satin, vintage buttons, beads and brooches. Amour! Amour! 

As always, I'm happy to create custom pieces so if you or someone you know needs something lovely for a wedding or special event, give a holler!