kayla is a california coast living, one-woman-show behind this beautiful shop, inkling papers. it’s apparent that she loves snail mail, and with these fun and whimsical supplies, how could you not?  she makes cards, notepads, packaging supplies (and so much more) to make your mailings and special occasions whimsical, lovely and unforgettable!

elsewhere :: {shop} {site} {blog} {facebook}

wrap up: {etsy} {handmade} {mail} {paper}

{pictured above :: scented soap cubes, invitation wraps, bath salts, cookie envelopes, signs for mini soaps}

are you ready for some eye candy?  if not, make sure to prepare yourself!  nonpareil magazine is the result of a beautiful collaboration between maddy hague of the inspired bride and kristen magee of paper crave. nonpareil is an online magazine focusing on weddings and special occasions, with a passion for projects and do it yourself tutorials. each magazine (there are three published already!) features page after page of beautiful inspirations.  these innovative ideas, clever projects and stunning tutorials will leave you inspired and your guests in awe.  most of their diy projects can be used for any number of occasions (not just for weddings)-and with a page dedicated to downloads, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy!

wrap up: {craft} {diy} {online magazine} {special occasions} {tutorials} {weddings}

lucile is a french artist who has just opened her inspiring little space on etsy- lucile’s kitchen. she’s been drawing and painting since she was a small child, and now finds herself living in her kitchen.  can’t we all relate?  the kitchen is my favorite room in the whole house.  i find myself getting inspired there as well, and lucile translates all those inspirations onto paper.  how beautiful!

elsewhere :: {shop} {site} {blog}

wrap up: {art} {cooking} {food} {kitchen} {print} {watercolor}

happy monday lovelies!  what a better way to kick start this week then with a giveaway?  the lovely laura from levan’s photography is offering one 10×8 or 8×8 photograph of your choice ($30 value)!  her photos are so beautiful, and she’ll be adding some news ones this week from her recent trip to paris that i’m sure you won’t want to miss!  the  giveaway will end on sunday, may 9th at midnight (est).

how to enter:

head over to levan’s photography and do a little window shopping.  once you’ve picked out your favorites, come back to this post and leave a comment telling us which one(s) is/are your favorite and why.  you may leave as many comments as you like, thus increasing your chances of winning.  a winner will be picked randomly (via random.org) on sunday at midnight (est) and will be announced on monday, may 10th.  the winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize.  good luck!

levan’s photography elsewhere :: {shop} {blog} {facebook}

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I went to the farmer’s market on Saturday with plans of picking up a few plants and all the ingredients for an impromptu lunch in the back yard.  What did I come home with?  A mulberry tree, thyme plant, some rhubarb and adjusted expectations of the season!  Other than that rhubarb there wasn’t much in the market yet.  Lots of plants, free range eggs and a few onion stored from last fall.  Hmm… and then it started to snow.  As much as it’s felt like summer lately with temperatures in the mid 20s (that’s the mid 70s for those south of here), the market and then the weather was letting me know I was getting ahead of myself!  But local rhubarb is still a reason to celebrate and I’ve been baking, jamming, and putting up jars of rhubarb syrup for the hot summer days ahead.

Rhubarb Soda

4 cups chopped rhubarb
1 cup water
3/4 cup sugar

Combine all the ingredients in a small pot.  Bring to a boil then reduce the heat and simmer until the rhubarb has broken down, about 15 minutes.  Strain then cool.  Refrigerate and use within a month.  If you’d like the syrup to last longer, freeze it or pour it into clean jam jars then process the jars of syrup in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.  I’d still suggest keeping processed jars in the fridge due to the low sugar content of the syrup.  Yields about 1 1/4 cups syrup.

For a rhubarb soda pour a can club soda or seltzer into a large glass.  Slowly pour in 1/3 cup of rhubarb syrup.

Don’t throw out the rhubarb pulp!  It may not look pretty but is delicious with yogurt.

Chelsea Rogers has been cooking and crafting… and not cleaning up for as long as she can remember.  When she’s not making a mess, you can find her on Pretty Lulu and An Abundance of Apricots.

wrap up: {handmade} {home} {recipe} {rhubarb}

wow, was this a quick, easy and oh-so-worth it way to spruce up my ol’ ironing board!!  i ordered this ironing board cover last week from city chic country mouse, and was so excited when it arrived.  it really did do wonders for my entire sewing room!  now i’ve got some projects to finish with coordinating fabrics, can’t wait to share them with you!

jamie and carmen are a mom and daughter team who own and run their etsy shop, blog and facebook page. mom (the country mouse) and daughter (the city chic) come together to make these lovely ironing board covers, towels, scissor holders, clothespin bags and more!  city chic country mouse makes it easy to brighten up your sewing space, what a beautiful way to collaborate together!

have a sunny weekend, and i’ll be looking forward to seeing you back here on monday! xo, bonnie

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a few years ago, i fell hard for the seemingly new theme of bringing the outdoors in.  it’s with chic elegance that you can now adorn your space with outdoor treasures without going country.  i’ve got little wooden shelves, a twig key holder and even some drift wood around my home as decor and every time i see a twig, something inside me always makes me want it.  there was no exception when i ran across wren woods, and all of their beautiful hooks and vases.  they are all handcrafted and made from real wood, sealed for protection.  they’re simple coversation peices that make a statment about your decor, and best of all they’re affordable!

wrap up: {decor} {home} {hooks} {twigs} {wood}

are you breathing better yet? maria kallin’s photography has such a way of calming me, it’s like taking a fresh deep breath of a beautiful warm breeze. she makes me yearn for every season she shoots, and i thought nothing could make me long for winter now!  sit back, relax, and take a vacation from right where you are, just soak in maria’s photos!

elsewhere :: {shop} {flickr}

wrap up: {flowers} {fresh} {photo} {photography} {season}