Friday Featured Art: Pardon in Brittany

Another painting that I noticed the last time that we were at the Art Institute was Pardon in Brittany by Gaston La Touche. I have no idea what it's about, but I found it very ethereal and beautiful.

Thursday Tunes: Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own

I heard this song on the radio the other day, and it reminded me of how much I like it.

Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don't have to go it alone

More Sewing

I do a lot of sewing in straight (sort of straight...) lines. I made this long pillow for our bed using the fabric that I cut off the curtains when I hemmed them. It's ivory (you can't really tell), and it's that snagged faux silk fabric. The smaller one is made of a little monogrammed guest towel from Gardner Village that I folded in half. I like how it turned out. They dress things up a bit.

Chicago Bungalows

We've decided that one of the next things that we need to do is to go explore some of the bungalow neighborhoods in Chicago. Luckily, the Historic Chicago Bungalow Initiative has a great web site that will give us all of the information that we need. I'll let you know how it goes!

Sewing

I've been spending some time sewing, and it has been fun. I hemmed a couple of things, and I'm making some decorative pillows. I just finished this makeup bag using some cute Amy Butler fabric I've had for a while. I made the smaller one (bottom) a couple of years ago, and it's just too small. So now I have two!

Friday Featured Art: Window Overlooking the Woods

We went to the Art Institute last Saturday to see a documentary on William Morris, and then we wandered around a bit. You see something new every time you go. This time I noticed a really beautiful, huge landscape. This image does not do it justice. It is by Edouard Vuillard and is titled Landscape: Window Overlooking the Woods.

Thursday Tunes: True Companion

A year or so ago, we went to see Marc Cohn in concert. It was really great. I especially like the song True Companion. It was kind of funny at the concert because he told us that the song was written for his first wife, and he doesn't really like playing it now... But he did anyway. Listen to it here.

When the years have done irreparable harm
I can see us walking slowly arm in arm
Just like the couple on the corner do
'Cause girl I will always be in love with you
And when I look in your eyes
I'll still see that spark
Until the shadows fall
Until the room grows dark

Then when I leave this Earth
I'll be with the angels standin'
I'll be out there waiting for my true companion
Just for my true companion

Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years

The Costume Institute at the Met is fascinating to me. You can view images online of an exhibit that they did on Jacqueline Kennedy's White House years. I love her dresses that were designed by Oleg Cassini. I especially like how modest her inaugural gown was!

Oprah's Earrings

I was watching Oprah the other day and - again - noticed her diamond earrings. They are amazing. There was one pair with beautiful emerald-cut diamonds that hung down and really shimmered. This pair is similar to some of her famous pear-shaped diamonds. Fabulous.

Heritage Lace

When we went to Gardner Village over Christmas, we were sad to discover that one of our favorite shops was closing. However, it turned out to be great for us! We all found lovely things for 75% off. My mom picked up some beautiful new curtains by Heritage Lace. Heritage Lace is a company based out of Pella, Iowa, that makes curtains and other fine things for the home. I liked this little placemat with a bunny on it.

Friday Featured Art: Victory

As I was cleaning out boxes around the house the other day, I found my guide book for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I really like this work, called Victory, by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Beautiful.

Thursday Text: Emma

Shortly after we returned from Utah, I finished reading Jane Austen's Emma. It, of course, was very good. I love how all of her books have happy endings. While I read Emma, it made me think of Clueless, which was interesting because it was right when we heard about Brittany Murphy's death. I think I'll need to go watch Clueless and Emma now!

Country Living Chair

Also while we were in Utah, I read my mom's February issue of Country Living. This chair was on the cover. It is by Country Living for Kmart. I really love it. I was strongly considering buying it for our living room, but then I went to the thrift store and found a shield-back chair for $8 that I'm going to take on as a project. I'll keep you posted!

Moda Home

When we were in Utah, I went with my sisters and my mom to Gardner Village for lunch and some shopping. It was very fun. I found a bunch of cute little things, and one that I've already put to use is this great apron. It's by Moda Home, and it really helps with my dishwashing!

Better Homes House Facelift

A month or so ago, I was at the doctor's office. They had the September issue of Better Homes & Gardens that had a great home improvement article. The makeover was all on the exterior, and I think it shows what great potential even '80s houses have. Incredible.

Friday Featured Etsy Seller: Happy Go Licky

I'm back! I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season. It's hard to believe that it's over! We spent two weeks with our families in Utah, and it's good to be back home. Here's an Etsy seller that I just came across. Happy Go Licky has lots of wonderful monogrammed silver necklaces. I like this one that looks like a wax seal.