two things...a day late

So it appears I've been quite behind on my blogging and reading! My Google Reader shows 1000+ unread - yikes! A very busy last week and family in town has somewhat prevented me from being on top of the extraneous tasks in my life, but the upcoming 3-day weekend is all I need to get back in the groove!

Lately, I've been joining in Kassi's Two Things Tuesdays and decided that I'd stay on that...even if its a day late!

Right now, I'm absolutely loving having these peonies around the house. They are so huge and have a very faint sweet smell that I find intoxicating. They are literally about the size of dinner plates - just gorgeous!

Consider a strange thing to be loving, but I am so thrilled about this mortar and pestle I picked up yesterday. Carl and I have been discussing how badly we need one and I happened upon one at Sur La Table yesterday and couldn't help wrapping it up and bringing home to my sweetie. We've been pretty geeked out on cooking and kitchen gadgets, so this is the perfect thing to add to our almost perfectly outfitted kitchen.

Hope you are all having a wonderful week so far! 

What are you loving? 

Leave it in my comments, or grab the McLinky and link up!

XO,

Chelsea

back to reality with two things time

Getting back to the swing of things after vacation has definitely been a challenge for me! Just keeping my eyelids open past 9 proved to be quite difficult. My amazing weekend and Mother's Day breathed new life into me though and I'm happy to be back on schedule.

And I'm super excited to join in Kassi's two things Tuesday, yet again. If you haven't joined up - you definitely should. Kassi's blog is super cute and seeing everyone's two things always makes my day! Besides, its always good to show the things around your home a little love. Consider it their moment in the spotlight, their 15 minutes.

Things getting the star treatment today at my home:

Another awesome item that my super-stylish, late Uncle had. I think my dad has held onto this for quite a while, but somehow it made it to my house. I'm pretty sure he threatened to repo it last time he came over, so I better get all the lovin' of this one in pronto!

This super cool tea box has great handmade details that I love. I am especially enthralled with the antique key and mother of pearl adornments. The papered interior of each tea box is particularly cool also.

Also feeling some love today, my Andy Warhol Marilyn glasses. I have always been a huge Marilyn Monroe fan and I absolutely love pop art. Put the two together and I'm pretty smitten. Can't afford fancy, expensive Pop Art? Get the glasses.

I bought these babes when I had my first "real" place back in Santa Barbara. They've seen their fair share of libations and I never get tired of the colorful addition they provide. We keep them in a glass cabinet in the living room. They're just too fun to put away in a dark cabinet!

What two things are you loving today? Leave me a comment of link up below! Can't wait to check out what you are lovin' today. 

XO,

Chelsea

feeling the love - two things around my home

Do you find it hard to sleep when you are super excited about something? I am one of those people that gets so amped up about doing something that I have a hard time sitting still, sleeping or even having focused conversations! I squealed with glee last night as we climbed in bed after spending the evening packing. I am counting the hours until vacation time and I'm having a hard time even typing because I am so anxious!

The countdown clock on my toolbar says 18 hours 27 minutes and 50 seconds until I am on a plane to relaxation and fun with my honey!

I'm hoping to stay away from the computer and guessing that I probably won't have any access to the Internetz anyway, so I promise to take lots of pics and go post-happy upon my return!

Today, I'm once again joining Kassi in her lovin' of two things around the home. She has been settling into her awesome new house and its so fun to once again see what she's loving around her place! That candle of hers looks just as gorgeous as it smells! I have yet to buy any nice candles since we've moved, but I love the way that scents can transport you to somewhere else. Thanks for sharing Kassi!

Right now I am totally in love with my light-up globe.

I'd been wanting a globe for quite a while and when I found this one that lights up at one of my local thrifts, I was beyond thrilled! I hemmed and hawed about actually buying it because I wasn't sure I wanted to pay what they were asking. After setting it down and picking it up about 5 times, I finally just dropped the dough and brought it home. I'm glad I did because it is in really perfect condition and everyone has just loved it around the house so far. 

I'm in love with the glow it gives off. 

Its right outside our bedroom and serves as a sort of nightlight.

It makes me dream of exotic destinations yet to discover...

I'm also totally loving my old, weathered adirondacks.

The longer, warmer days have been giving us lots of excuses to linger outside. I can't wait for more bbq's, more gardening, more evenings watching the sun set on the American Riviera. A cushy, exotic-print pillow, a good book and a glass of wine - I'm set for lounging. 

What are you loving around your home today? 

Please share in the comments or link up to Kassi's blog and leave me a comment letting me know so I can check it out!

XO,

Chelsea

time for two things

Happy Tuesday to everyone!

The sun is shining after a bit of rain on Sunday and yesterday. I don't mind the rain too much and I love the way everything looks so fresh and green afterwards. Harper always says the rain washes the sky, and I think she's absolutely right. We saw a beautiful rainbow on our way home yesterday and it made us all smile.

I'm super excited about Kassi's Two Things Tuesday this week. I get to share two great recent thrift finds. If you haven't checked out Kassi's blog, hop on over now to check it out. Its a daily read for me! She's got great personal style, a beautiful family, and major crafty-girl skills.

I mentioned a little while ago that I had found this great chair for my little Harper. I had seen a very similar one on another blog that was painted a vibrant, juicy orange. I immediately made mental note to look for one on my thrifting/antiquing adventures but never thought I would actually come across one that same week at a thrift store for $4! I've debated painting it a bright, shiny color but Carl seems to love the white and I like the juxtaposition of the chippy paint against our mid-century modern Drexel dining set.

Seeing this chair everyday just makes me so happy. Harper seems pretty pleased with it as well. She feels like like quite the little lady having this special chair all to herself.

Same favorite thrift store, a few weeks later, I also found this adorable ceramic camera. This was one of those a-ha! thrifting days where you feel like you scored some seriously awesome treasures.

The drink menu in the background I swiped from the Saint Cecelia Hotel during our trip to Austin. That hotel is so incredibly cool, I wanted to live there!

I love the wonky shape and hand-painted details on the camera. It looks like it could be someone's ceramics class cast-off. Lucky for me!

The camera made its new home in one of my favorite nooks in the house

I'd love to see the two things you are loving today!

Tell me about your two things in my comments

Or create your own post and head on over to Kassi's blog to Mister Linky!

XO,

Chelsea

Techie Tuesday - it makes me wicked smaaht

Living with a guy who has a Masters in Electrical Engineering  has some major benefits - "honey, the screen went blue again!" and also some pitfalls - as in sometimes I don't have a clue what he's talking about. Being with Carl has definitely upped my techie status and we both get pretty geeked out over new devices, software or home projects where he can "hack" anything. I've actually even written a Hello World in 3 (or 4) programming languages. My old boss used to tell me that he knew I was secretly a major nerd - now it appears all his suspicions are true!

This got me thinking about a fun new blog series - Techie Tuesdays. I'll alternate Techie Tuesdays with participating in Kassi's Two Things. I plan to have Carl join in the fun by writing reviews of new cool stuff out there - stuff you actually want or want to know about. We'll also have some fun DIY projects as well. Please tell me if there is anything you want to know about and we can do a feature on that also.

For the first Techie Tuesday - lets talk about the iPad. We are getting one, not necessarily by choice, but that's a pretty long story. Regardless, we are coming by one for free and I'm really interested to hear what other people think about it. As with all Apple products, there's tons of marketing and buzz out there. But there also seems to be a lot of haters on the interwebs.

It seems that anyone who considers themselves an IT or techie type doesn't really feel like the iPad is worth all the credit its been getting.

We plan to use ours for video watching, as a cookbook in the kitchen or for just reading on the go.

And we also want it - because it makes us feel "wicked smaht"

Check out the video below - a hilarious video about the iPad using Good Will Hunting:

Because we held out for the version with WiFi and 3G and a bit more memory, we won't be seeing it until the end of this month. When we get it, we'll be sure to review it and discuss!

How about you? Anybody want this? Have it? Have another tablet that is awesome? We wanna know!!

XO,

Chelsea

two things Tuesday

Happy Tuesday to all!

Kassi over at BacWoods Fern is back with her two things lovin' link up so I decided to play along again. Moving has definitely made me re-appreciate some of my beautiful and cherished things that had been stored away for some time. Since last week was a break from the two things, this week there is sure to be lots of McKlinky's. Check out Kassi and all the fun links to see what everyone's loving around their homes!!

This week my first thing is actually a collection of things. I love my collection of pottery and glass - a good deal of it is midcentury and some of it is new. Its all handmade items, some by friends and family, and in yummy shades of green, blue and pink.

and I absolutely love Mr. Fish.

I've found that people either love him or hate him.

Its taken Carl some time to warm up to him, but he's beginning to see why I love Mr. Fish so much. 
My friend Trent Watanabe painted the fish many years ago and I have treasured him ever since! He's hung in the living room of my past four homes. I've debated on framing him several times, but I think I like him just the way he is for now.

check out some of Trent's other artwork. I love his crisp, graphic paintings.

Mr. Fish likes the light of the discoball reflecting upon him...

 

Speaking of home lovin', I have promised to post some house pics and have since failed on all accounts. 

But yesterday was such a gorgeous evening that I just had to get outside with the rascals and enjoy the sunshine and air. 

And snap a few...

one of my favorite places

herbs awaiting a new home...

i love our camellia bushes

and I love our view (sorry its framed by antenna wires)

This week is already whirling by pretty quickly. I'm enjoying the extra hour of daylight. Not enjoying that its still dark at 7 am. Its been a beautiful 75 degrees the past few days, the rest of the country is eating their heart out right now!

I'm also looking forward to lots of celebrating this week! More time with Axel and Inga, celebrating a very special man's birthday, a house warming shindig and enjoying a show by my friend Rusty Lindsey. If you have a moment, check him out. His voice is soulful and amazing. And he's a pretty cool guy too.

What are your plans for the week??

XO,

Chelsea

two things lovin'

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! It wasn't quite as long as last weekend, but it was still a nice break to allow me some home time!

I skipped out on joining the "two things" fun over at BacWoods Fern last week - since most of my "things" were still in boxes (or piles on the floor)! This week though, I'm feeling a lot more like our sweet little house is a home.

We spent the weekend putting some finishing touches on the living room - hanging pictures, arranging accessories and lots of wiring and electronic "stuff" (Carl's department). Its starting to come together! Seeing all our goodies out and about in the living room made it so easy to spot my "two things" for this week!!

Scottish plant stand

The story behind this (according to my dad), is that my grandparents bought it in Scotland and had it shipped back here. Its supposedly from the 1800s. One of the legs is a bit cattywompus but I still love it! I love the bronze flowers on the bottom and all the filigree detailing. Its very ornate which is a nice contrast to the stark white bookcase next door.



my dad made me this surfboard several years ago. It was intended to be a table, but I kind of like it propped up on the wall. We originally had it screwed into a base fashioned from another coffee table, but it was sort of top heavy and tipped over too much for my liking. Its been in hiding for several years and now I thought would be the perfect time to proudly display its cool-factor. I love the look of the different wood grains and I love that my dad made it for me!!

Head on over to BacWoods Fern today to see what Kassi's loving and join in the MckLinky fun to see what else people are appreciating in their homes today.

XO,

Chelsea