Bathroom Update

The curtain that I had made for our bathroom just wasn't cutting it anymore...  So I found some fun fabric at Jo-Ann and made a new valance.  (I also installed a roller shade - my dad would be so proud.)  To complete the new look, I got these towels from World Market.  People tend to spend a lot of time in their bathrooms, so I think it's nice to change things up.  What do you think?

Homesick

Today is my dad's birthday.  He passed away in March, and while I was home I heard this song.  "Homesick" by Mercy Me really touched me at the time.  "In Christ there are no goodbyes..."

May Big Bundle

Remember when I got the Isabella Script font from Creative Market?  Well they just had a "May Big Bundle" special with over 90 products for $39.  I got over 20 fonts (like Storyland, below) and multiple graphics files (like these lovely flowers).  I'm excited to start getting creative!

Jane Austen at Anthropologie

Check out these beautiful hardcover Jane Austen novels at Anthropologie.  I have a copy of Pride and Prejudice that was my great-great grandmother's, and I have a nice paperback edition of Sense and Sensibility that I picked up in Winchester - but I would love to round out my collection with one of these lovely books.

Wonder

My nephew always gives great book recommendations.  The latest one that I read was Wonder by R.J. Palacio.  It's a lovely book about a special 5th-grader.  Have you read it?  Do you have any recommendations for summer reading?

Smoky Quartz Earrings

All of the earrings at World Market were on sale for Mother's Day.  I had a coupon, too, so I got this lovely pair for less than $5!  (The bottoms hook at the back.)

The Ardabil Carpet

We visited the Victoria and Albert Museum last May, and we were fascinated by the diverse collection.  We were not impressed by their lack of guidebooks, though.  (It is understandable considering the vastness of their collection, though...)  Anyway, my husband recently found a book at the library that's a pretty good overview of the V&A - from the '70s.  It reminded me of the amazing things that we saw there.  One incredible piece is the Ardabil Carpet.  It was woven in the 1530s as one of a pair.  They were sold in the late 19th century, and one was used to patch the other.  William Morris viewed the more complete carpet in 1892 and urged the museum to purchase it.  It is gigantic - and fragile.  It is only lit for 10 minutes at a time on the hour and half-hour.

Flow Magazine

My husband and I visited a Barnes & Noble this weekend.  I was looking for the latest issue of Mollie Makes, but they didn't have it.  I did make a great discovery, though.  Flow Magazine from the Netherlands is an incredible source for creativity.  They also put out a book for paper lovers filled with paper goodies and stickers.  I didn't pick up the magazine or the book, but I should have!  The Flow web site is full of ideas for places to visit, things to make, and quotes that they love.  There's even a downloads section where you can find quotes, maps, wrapping paper, and writing paper.  I think I'll be spending a lot of time on their site...

V-E Day

Today is my mom's 70th birthday.  It also happens to be the 70th anniversary of V-E Day.  Yes - she was born on the day that World War II ended.  I can't even imagine what that day must have been like.  In Britain, street parties (like the one pictured below) sprang up everywhere.  I love how they string festive flag bunting all along homes and businesses.  When we've been in England we've seen bunting crossing high above streets, and I love it.  I hope today will be a festive day for my mom!

Quilted Zipper Pouches

If your mom is like mine, she will want something handmade for Mother's Day.  I can't get enough of zipper pouches in all of their varieties.  Here's a fun quilted version from the Purl Bee.

The Bouqs

Are you ready for Mother's Day?  I have a bit of a double whammy...  My mom's birthday is Friday and then Mother's Day on Sunday.  And my mom will be 70 this year, so it's a big one!  I had wanted to send flowers for one of the occasions, but - wow - were they expensive.  Today I saw an ad for The Bouqs - a site with beautiful flowers.  They ship straight from the grower, and shipping is included in the cost.  That seems like a good idea...  I love the florist that my mom uses, so maybe I'll just pick up flowers for her the next time I'm in town.  (Or cut some from her lovely garden!)  Have you ever ordered flowers online?  Was it a good experience?