Urban Pumpkin Picking

 We got our first pumpkins of the season today...8 tiny ones that are now awaiting some sort of decorating process (#6 on the to do list).

 And we've still got plans for the full out pumpkin patch/hayride/apple cider experience (#3 on my to do list)

We've been getting crafty around here and getting out to take lots of walks and bike rides in the beautiful fall weather.

If you make your own To Do list please post a link in the comment section! I'd love to check them out!

Arian : )

10 for 10

(click to enlarge)

So here it is--- my October To-Do list. In no particular order I plan to:

1. Make (and eat) a pumpkin pie.
2. Crochet something cozy (something rectangular because that's all I know how to do)
3. Pick a pumpkin. I've got several farms circled in the local newspaper. Just need to see which ones also offer hayrides and apple cider.
4. Watch a chick flick...wine and pants with elastic waistband required.
5. Do a new painting!
6. Make a Fall-themed centerpiece. I've been browsing Martha Stewart magazines for inspiration.
7. MORE DEEP BREATHS. I will (try to) face adversity with deep breaths and a positive attitude.  I've got a growing arsenal of yoga videos, favorite Psalms, and worship music to help me out.
8. A pumpkin spice latte. (check and check)
9. Go to bed early (this one will be the hardest of them all for this long-time night owl)
and 10. CELEBRATE MY BIRTHDAY ALL MONTH LONG!! It's my party, I'll make it last as long as I want to.

What are YOUR goals this month??

Arian : )

ps-- just realized I've been sitting here the the computer for the last 30 minutes with my bike helmet still on....not cool and not one of my goals for this month

Anthro Love

 Here's a little Anthropologie eye candy for you from the brief trip I made there with my sister.

 I'm always inspired by, not only what they sell, buy how they display it.

 And how they use cheap, common materials to do amazing things...like these tied strips of colored fabric above the headboard...

 ...assorted light bulbs in these vintage-y glass display cases...

...and paperback books creating cool designs in this sweet wardrobe.

 

And how cute are these crocheted paper clips?! Nothing helps a girl get organized better than beautiful office supplies : )

A fussy 2-year-old with a sudden ear ache cut our shopping trip short but any amount of time spent in Anthropologie is time well spent : )

Where are some of your favorite places to find inspiration?

Arian

Secret Painting

 I got to do some fun painting as a secret surprise for one of our friends. She loves giraffes and all things child-like so her landlord (another friend of ours) had me come in and paint her walls while she was away.

 I didn't get to be there for the big reveal. But according to witnesses, there was screaming and a few happy tears.  I'd call that a success!

It was a lot of fun to paint! Since I took a break from the theatrical set design world, it's been awhile since I've had such a big canvas to work with. I can't wait til we have a place of our own someday (or a more laid-back landlord) so I can do some painting on our walls!

Happy Monday!
Arian : )

No Carve Pumpkins

Tomorrow is the first day of October, the day when I can officially buy pumpkins. I admire the passion of my neighbors who have had their hay bales, scarecrows and jack-o-lanterns up since late August but I try to hold out til 10/1.

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I'm sure we'll carve our fair share of jack-o-lanterns but here are some "knife-free" pumpkin decorating ideas. (Due to the apple-cutting/hand-stabbing incident of '93, the wood staple puncture of '90, the x-acto blade debacle of '95 and the more recent "call 911, Arian has pneumatically stapled her fingers shut" catastrophe of '06,  my family thinks it best to keep me away from sharp objects). True story.

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So I'm ready to get out my paint brushes and my glue gun (forgetting about the time I accidentally glued my underware to my pants) and start decorating some pumpkins!!

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Aren't these amazing!?

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Yay! I'm feeling inspired and looking forward to tomorrow!

Arian : )

Party!

Yesterday's bridal shower was in one of the coolest spaces around--The Speckled Bird. Unfortunately, it's currently not open to the public, it's just available for special events. But it's such a creative treasure of a place full of amazing art, vintage pieces, and great lattes. I want to live there.

I love how the artist who decorated the space used a lot of up-cycled materials

like soda bottle caps

and wine bottle corks

and mirror glass

And I love all the great vintage pieces through out

like this amazing lamp.

and these chairs

and this mirror.

It's across the street from this beautiful church building (maybe you recognize it from this post or this one).

So it was pretty much the best situation a girl could ask for. A wonderfully artsy and vintage space, endless lattes...

my grandma's vintage dress,

lovely friends,

piles of markers for coloring with,

and more desserts then a girl should be exposed to.

THAT's a party : )

Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

Arian : )

Salvaged

We don't quite have enough storage in our apartment so this corner of the kitchen had become home to a random assortment of homeless...stuff. Daniel's gardening tools, a giant bag of potting soil, bike accessories, some tools, a giant box of my paintings I need to put up for sale soon...

Don't worry, all that stuff is still there, just cleverly hidden under the hand-me-down table and retro shower curtain turned table cloth that I salvaged from the giveaway pile in my grandparents garage a couple weeks ago.

Now all you see is the sweet milk glass pitcher with matching cream and sugar cups (also from Granny) and the metal shelf I found on the side of the road that now houses produce and bread and such. Much better.


(Good morning, Jude)

Also salvaged -- a set of vintage green glass tea cups and saucers. Perfect for a little banana bread and milk.

And THIS is where I got them---crazy, right?! It's the basement kitchen of an old church in Over The Rhine that hasn't been used in years. They must have left it right in the middle of a church potluck. Probably got in a argument over who would wash and who would dry and then abandoned their faith altogether. Who knows. : )

My friend let me in before they tore the building down and I grabbed the green glass tea set and a bunch of these glasses. Nothing some bleach and a sanitizing boiling water bath can't save : )


Thanks, by the way, for your encouraging comments on the last post. I hope you were encouraged too!

Time for a coffee shop date with Hudson : )

Arian

New Low Prices!

Hey!! Hope you're excited about the weekend you have lined up. I'm hoping to spend a lot of time relaxing and enjoying the cooler temperatures! I need to catch up on my sleep (and laundry)!

Just wanted to let you know that I cut the prices in my shop waaaay back. I really want my art to be available to anyone who wants it so I'm going to try these new lower prices out for awhile and see if I can swing it! Take advantage of them while you can!

I spent the day thrifting and Ikea shopping with my sister for furnishings for an interior design project she's working on. I show you pics soon! Til then I'll leave you with one of my favorite color combos from around my house-- yellow and brown!






Happy Friday!



Arian : )