beaucoup bouquets

The word bouquet is defined as "flowers picked and fastened together in a bunch." But as we You've Got Mail fans know, bouquets can consist of other gathered items such as "newly sharpened pencils." This notion had me snapping photos of other possible non-traditional "bouquets" around the house.



A bouquet of flatware



A bouquet of desk supplies



A bouquet of craft paint (Martha Stewart's new line at Michaels!)



A bouquet of note paper and cards



A bouquet of business cards



Do you have any bouquets of somethings around your home?

Well, off to do a bouquet of laundry ... ;)

xo
elyse

gather ye berries ...

Berry season is beginning to wind-down and I'm trying to make the best of the last of the season. As you may have guessed, it's not just the produce I enjoy.



I have always liked the simple containers commonly found at farm stands. Sweet as-is in their no-nonsense functionality, I decided it might be fun to print-out words on patterned paper and adhere them to the containers. I even gave one basket a coat of pink paint.



A quick stroke of glue stick to affix the paper to the basket followed by a coat of decoupage medium as a sealant was all it took to take these containers from the cart ...



to the table as holders of muffins and napkins.



What better way to celebrate the beginning of the end of summer ...

To make these muffins:
Corn muffin mix + fresh blueberries and raspberries

xo
elyse

thanksgiving in august

Waiting for Irene cupcakes

Thank you to everyone for your wishes of safety during Hurricane Irene. The storm was full of sideways rain, heavy wind gusts and a power outage that lasted a day and a half for us. We are very thankful that the only "damage" we had was to perishable foods.



There was lots of unplugged time together drawing and playing Scrabble by candlelight, but let me tell you we all jumped for joy when the power came back on!



Thanks also to everyone who entered the subscription giveaway and for your AWESOME comments about my kitchen and dining room project. I have so enjoyed reading everyone's own words of style, experiences and plans!

Using random.org the winner is Trish! Congratulations {and Trish: Please contact me via email}! Cottages & Bungalows has become one of my favorite magazines and it truly gets prettier and more useful each month. Enjoy!



And thank you to everyone who visits my blog. I never could have guessed the immeasurable treasures a click of the bright orange Start a Blog button would bring to my life.

xo
elyse

cottages & bungalows & blogthday & giveaway

Phew! As I've mentioned, this summer has been kind of a crazy whirlwind for me and I'm looking forward to schedules resuming and temperatures dropping (slightly). So, receiving the October issue of Cottages & Bungalows in August is just fine with me -- especially since I wrote and photographed an article about my own kitchen and dining room low-cost re-do project!



This photo didn't make the cut but as you can see from the other images, paint and hardware can go a loooong way in DIY-land. Read all about it!



I originally pitched this idea quite a while ago and am so thankful to Editor and SuperCoolSweetie, Jickie Torres for giving it the green light and more.



As most bloggers can relate, I love(d) running out to buy flowers and fruit, styling and creating vignettes, taking photos, writing and sharing.



Jickie mentioned that the magazine loves to receive feedback so that if any of my blogging friends would like to send a Letter to the Editor about my article, it would be so appreciated. You can even email it to editorial@cottagesandbungalowsmag.com.
{Warmest thank yous, if you're able to take the time}



In just a few days it will be my 3rd Blogthday! To celebrate I am holding a giveaway of a subscription to Cottages & Bungalows, compliments of the magazine. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post. I plan to randomly select and announce a winner on August 28* -- the day of my very first post.

Off to gather up flashlights and batteries!

xo
elyse

Note: Due to hurricane preparations, my computer will most likely be unplugged on 8/28. If this is the case, the giveaway will be extended until I'm back online. :)

flag day

This summer has been many things but it has not been crafty. So when I decided to quickly assemble some sandcastle flags for a trip to the beach, I was compelled to capture this short but blissful moment of creativity.



Simple as can be and splash-ready these colorful pennants are simple triangular snips from the sides of a shopping bag ...



that are glued from inside the fold to wooden toothpicks.



Because any castle no matter what size ...



becomes much more regal when festooned with a flag!

xo
elyse

winner of the beautiful painting

the beautiful painting

Thank you so much to everyone for participating in the beautiful painting giveaway! The glowing comments about Margaret's art were wonderful to read and I know made the artist herself very happy!

{Using trusty Random.org, lucky Violet was selected as the winner!}

Thanks again to everyone!


dunes painting

The week ahead will be a combo of savoring the last days of summer vacation with the boys and getting everything ready for back to school (including early wake-up practice)! Hope to be back in blogging mode soon, my friends!



"Five more minutes, Mom?"

xo
elyse

beautiful painting giveaway!

To me, one of the coolest things about blogging is the access it offers to creative people all over the world!



How especially nice when you discover that some of that energy isn't across the sea or even across the country but just a few towns away. Through blogging I have connected with artist, mom, teacher and blogger Margaret Owen.



Margaret sells selected work at her online shop Permanent Magenta. She also teaches classes (that include snack time!) from her home studio and other places.


Grape Arbor = GASP!

Through online conversations, Margaret and I decided that I would host a giveaway and the prize would be a new still life painting of flowers. {Sigh ...} The other day Margaret called to let me know that the painting was ready and we met for the first time at a cafe. Very fun!



And here it is! A Margaret Owen original oil on canvas (8 x 10"). To enter the giveaway please leave a comment on this post.

For additional entries:
~ Please visit Margaret's Etsy shop and look around; then return and comment about what subject of Margaret's is your favorite (people, flowers, fruit, birds, landscapes, etc.).
~ Spread the news about this giveaway and leave separate entry comments of how you have shared (ex: Facebook, your own blog, email to friends, Twitter).
~ Add Permanent Magenta to your Favorites on Etsy
~ Visit Margaret's blog Daily Painting and say hello in a comment.
~ Subscribe to the Daily Painting blog feed.

Since summer is so busy, I will set the entry deadline for Saturday, August 20th at midnight EST. You do not need a blog to enter, simply leave your email address.

{Thanks for all the get well wishes! I'm feeling much better and ready for some fun in the sun!}

xo
elyse

tinterest

This summer has been kind of go-then-slow for me. I go-go-go and then my body tells me to slow-down in the form of a cold or bronchitis. Today I have been resting but a simple click over to Cath Kidston has my pulse racing over these little pin tins!


Each little tin has the perfect, classic, fairy tale cover.


They're a bit pricey although I think my favorite is the green and at $10. could be rationalized into happening at some point.

Which one is your favorite?

xo
elyse

ps
Catching up on blog-visits and hope to pop-over soon!