Five for Friday {October 2, 2009}

...A chilly wind unfelt for many a month rattles the windows and screen doors, inside sweaters are slipped on, long simmered meals are prepared and thoughts turn to the upcoming (Canadian) Thanksgiving holiday on the 12th. Indoor festive shades of burnt umber, haystack gold, and mossy green come out to play in autumnal decorations, outside the sky is as grey as a tarnished mirror. A sense of comforted happiness weaves itself through the upcoming weekend as conversations are shared over steaming beverages sipped against toasted peach hued sunsets...


♥ ♥ ♥


{To add a sense of elegant whimsy to the everyday}


{A juxtaposition of glamour and salt-of-the-earth practicality merge in this sublimely light image, that suddenly makes me long to wear vintage both satin heels and classic wellies. Photo by Philip Newton.}


{To capture the natural beauty of a summer garden forever}


{The brilliance behind this gorgeous, handcrafted necklace is the fact that its floral pendant is actually a real copper hued rose entombed in poly resin. Such an utterly wonderful – deeply creative – idea! Rose, carnellian and turquoise sterling silver necklace, $59.00 (US) from etsy seller Island Girl Designs.}


{To keep your stomach warm and your scenes delighted all weekend long}


{A time-honoured classic gets a decidedly autumnal update in this scrumptious version of bread pudding which adds pumpkin into the mix. Photo via, and recipe on, epicurious.com.}


{To keep your lips gorgeously supple no matter how fierce the whipping autumn wind becomes}


{I’m not sure which one I’m more in love with, the flavours and scents that this etsy artesian imparts in her products or the sublimely moody, elegantly pretty photos she takes of her goods. Either way I’ve fallen hard for her handmade products such as this silvery tin of all natural rosewood flavour lip balm, which is $6.00 (US) from etsy seller For Strange Women.}


{To add a splash of sweetly macabre decor and light to your home}


{Discovered via the splendidly festive pages of the blog A Nostalgic Halloween, these monotone, slightly eerie, entirely endearing candles would be the perfect decoration to keep out all season long. Paraffin wax crow candles, $10.00 (US) each from Pottery Barn.}


May you each have a serene and cozy first weekend of October, my dear friends!

Five For Friday {August 21, 2009}

...Summer romances are the often the stuff of legends. Young love, old flames, new trysts and lifelong passions can all begin, end, be rekindled or continue burning brightly during this sultry season. Likewise summer brings with it all different kinds of love, too. Take for example an adoration of the sun’s toasty rays, well-deserved vacations, breezy vintage sundresses, nights spent under the twinkling stars, or just the simple pleasure of not having to shovel snow for a few months. This weekend make a point to celebrate the summer loves past and present that make your heart smile with joy...

♥ ♥ ♥


{To spend a leisurely afternoon in a wildflower filled meadow or on the shores of a pristinely lovely beach with}


{Discovered via a recent post on Simply Colette’s wonderful blog, this exceedingly sweet heart shaped bamboo and rattan picnic basket would truly be the perfect thing in which to pack an intimate outdoor feast for two. $74.95 (US) from Lets Go Picnic.}


{To cuddle around you on evenings when the breeze picks up, but not nearly enough to warrant a jacket...yet}


{A pair of exceedinly adorable vintage looking kittens adorn this lovely lightweight, pale blue cardigan, which would work fabulously as a transition piece straight on into autumn. $58.65 (US) from Plasticland.}


{To embrace the beauty of romance any time you please}


{No need to wear your heart on your sleeve, when you can just as easily pin it to your blouse, coat or sweater. Vintage gold toned rhinestone brooch, $8.00 (US) from etsy seller Vintage Fabulous.}


{To sooth and illuminate summery-weary souls at the end of a hard week}


{Perfumed with gardenia, pomegranate and Egyptian balsam, this luxurious candle from Tocca instantly calls to minds thought of a holiday escape to Morocco, dusks spent under a thousand fragrant blossoms. Feu de Touch candle, $36.00 (US) from Candle Delirium.}


{To add to your “daydream” folder of 1940s influenced home decor images}


{In a soothing neutral pallet accented with elegant metal pieces such as an ornate pair of candelabra, this bedroom would provide instant – and very beautiful – respite to anyone fortunate enough to lay their head there. Photo from Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles.}


Summer would not be the same without elements of romance and time-honored adorations of all sorts. They add a storybook quality to the hottest months of the year, no matter how the tale ends. What, my dearest readers, are some things about - or that live in your memories of - this sizzling season that always invoke feelings of love from you?