Category: Everything Else

#AtoZChallenge | Cleaning kits with a little extra heart

35 Comments

At the start of the year, I put together my goals around supporting local which is a cause close to my heart and has taken on even more importance due to the immense impact COVID-19 has had on our communities. One of my goals was to make kits for Maine Needs a local non-profit that launched amidst the pandemic. They are focused on helping Mainers meet basic needs.

Among the many ways you can donate, their Maine needs kits are an option that align well with both my need to help my fellow Mainers and my love of finding the perfect gift. While originally I planned to start with their “Minute for Mom Kits”, after reading a post on their Instagram feed I saw that they were running short on the “Cleaning & Toiletry Kits” so I opted to make some of the Cleaning kits first. Continue reading →

#AtoZChallenge | Book folding to add some Christmas tree love to Bedford Falls

68 Comments

My favorite movie is It’s A Wonderful Life. I have a wall dedicated to memorabilia from the movie. Vintage pictures from magazines and behind the scenes photographs of Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed hung together are a visual love letter to this Frank Capra classic.

While those pictures are on display all the time, I also have some decorations related to the movie that I only put out at Christmas. Each December, I relocate the pictures that line the top of the bookcase along the landing of my stair case and turn it into a miniature Bedford Falls. I put down a white fuzzy blanket and line up my Cape Craftsman village pieces along with a snow globe depicting the final scene from the movie. Porcelain ornaments hang from a garland that drapes down in front of the shelves full of more memories from my favorite movie. Continue reading →

#AtoZChallenge | Applique Pennants: Rah-Rah, Let’s go Maine!

51 Comments

There is something so fun and collegiate about a felt pennant displayed on your wall. The sense of connection, of belonging to something and showing you’re love for your tribe, is a powerful pull. Plus, pennants are a great decorating accent.

While I’ve never had the urge to display any from my actual alma maters, I came across one that aligned well with my love of all things Maine. I picked up this Maine themed pennant from one of my favorite local Portland shops Pinecone and Chickadee. They have a fun, eclectic mix of home goods and personal accessories. Continue reading →

#AtoZChallenge | A Creative Theme Reveal

60 Comments

When we renovated our house, our architect asked us to pull together pictures from magazines and books that would provide him with ideas for what we wanted from our new house. It was unnecessary advice. I already had an extensive stash of clippings that I had been saving since before I was even a homeowner. I was always planning and dreaming for what my home would be someday. I already knew what I wanted although the reality of building on a budget meant many of those perfectly preserved images never made it out of their page protectors.

But, there were a few ideas that did make it into the blueprints. One was simple but has had a great impact. We added a built in bookcase to the landing where our u-shaped staircase turns. We painted it colonial blue and it adds a fun pop of color against the knotty pine that spans the length of the wall behind it. The pine panels were salvaged from our original cottage. They’re a nice nod to the house that came before. I’m a memory keeper at heart.

Continue reading →

Photo Challenge for March | Breathe

2 Comments

I am not someone who is easily bored and lately I’ve been in creative overdrive. It’s helping to balance out the monotony of life under COVID-19 restrictions. I have a few projects that are taking up most of my time this month. I’m preparing for the April A to Z blogging challenge and will have my theme reveal post for that project on March 8th. I am also currently spending weekends fixing up a family beach house as we get ready to transition it into a rental property. We’re still in the fixing the broken stuff phase but I did paint some sample colors on the walls this past weekend so the fun stuff is getting closer. 

And, as I do every month, I’m working on my One Little Word® prompts. My vision board came together quickly for February and this month we’re focusing on developing a monthly practice. Last year I actually did two monthly practices – meditation and working on my blog. They both went well and I enjoyed them but this year I want to do something a little different. I loved the approach of the guest instructor Victoria Calvin which was to focus on tackling something light, creative and easy. I really want this prompt to have more of a creative connection to my word Breathe and not add stress to my life. Continue reading →