Fine Art Friday - Christmas in the City

Finding some amazing new artists using the Etsy Taste Test - if you haven't tried it yet you should!  I also used the shop local function and searched for art by city - which inspired today's Fine Art Friday.

City Scape. . .no.2 by ImagineStudio

Broadgate tower via Hackney Road by olechkodotorg

A close model of the absolute process of fate by LuthienRising

Fine Art Friday is a movement started by artist Jessica Torrant that uses twitter, treasuries, blogging, flickr and facebook to find and discuss new artists and favorite works. Search the twitter hashtag #FineArtFriday to see what everyone is talking about and share your favorites!

Dress Yourself in Vintage - Rock in the New Year

For those of you planning much more exciting nights than I am ;)

Vintage Cherry Red Tote from GetReadySetGo, $79.95

Black Leather Star Reversible Cowl by piprobins, $25

80's Salvatore Ferragamo Knee High Boots from thegreedyseagull, $98

Fine Art Friday - Art All Year Long

I've been having such a hard time picking a calendar this year!  There are so many talented photographers and artists on Etsy that compile amazing calendars, it's so hard to choose!  Many are even customizable - luckily, I'll need a few for worktables, office area, and kitchen!

2011 Wall Calendar from FreyaArt

Two Calendars from 1canoe2

2011 Customizable Calendar from f2images

2011 Calendars Mini Gallery from dekanimal

Want to see more?  I made a calendar treasury for Fine Art Friday.

Fine Art Friday is a movement started by artist Jessica Torrant that uses twitter, treasuries, blogging, flickr and facebook to find and discuss new artists and favorite works. Search the twitter hashtag #FineArtFriday to see what everyone is talking about and share your favorites!

Fine Art Friday - Creatures in the Snow

My dog is head over heels happy about all this snow, but she doesn't have to shovel it. It's nice that someone enjoys it.

With Dog on the Hill by kikiandpolly

The Cutest Thief by ajawin

Polar Opposites by hisss

Fine Art Friday is a movement started by artist Jessica Torrant that uses twitter, treasuries, blogging, flickr and facebook to find and discuss new artists and favorite works. Search the twitter hashtag #FineArtFriday to see what everyone is talking about and share your favorites!

Dress Yourself in Handmade - Be Bold

Bright, bold color and modern design.

The Storm Cherry by yellowcake, $534
K2 Collection, Dancing Gemstone Petals Bracelet by ThePeachTree, $159
Big Leather Tote by Smadars, $139

Dress Yourself in Handmade - Winter Gray

Neutral grays, sophisticated and stunning - handmade and under $150, all available on Etsy.

Cotten Gray Dress - Little Girls Love Petals by ZoeChen $72
Lamina Antique Gold Necklace by edor $20
The Petals Wrislet by definitionofself $37

Fine Art Friday - Homecoming

Thanksgiving is almost here, which brings travel, long roads home, shared stories and toasty moments in the kitchen.  This time of year can make me feel a bit maudlin, the romantic notion of homecoming is often not reality, the family drama, stress of the holidays - instead I'll take a walk under an amber sky, filled with geese and crunch through the last leaves of fall scattered on the ground.

Under Windblown Skies by drobart

Pears in a Row by AmeliaKayPhotography

The Journey by linzyarnott

You can see the treasury in it's entirety here:

Fine Art Friday is a movement started by artist Jessica Torrant that uses twitter, treasuries, blogging, flickr and facebook to find and discuss new artists and favorite works. Search the twitter hashtag #FineArtFriday to see what everyone is talking about and share your favorites!

Fine Art Friday - Swarms and Circles

Watching a flock of birds dart and dash through the sky in some unspoken symphony - got me thinking about swarm behavior, migrations and the way geese fly at night to follow the stars. 

Claylight Sconce by lightexture

White Oragami Koi by Mabonaoragami

Polka Dot Mobile by kismetsunday

You can see the entire Fine Art Friday treasury here:

Fine Art Friday is a movement started by artist Jessica Torrant that uses twitter, treasuries, blogging, flickr and facebook to find and discuss new artists and favorite works. Search the twitter hashtag #FineArtFriday to see what everyone is talking about and share your favorites!

Dress Your Home in Vintage - Holiday Magic

I took advantage of this warm weather and put up the outdoor Christmas decorations this week, to the dismay of several of my neighbors I'm sure.  I've been eying the rest of the boxes of decorations, thinking about starting the season really early this year.  I'd love to include some vintage pieces - I love the flecked and speckled look of mercury glass ornaments, the history they hold,  infused with the magic of the season.

1. Nine Sparkly Mixed Vintage Glass Ornaments from RobertaGrove, $42

2. Pair of Vintage Mercury Glass Ornaments from 5gardenias, $12.50

3. Vintage West German Christmas Ornaments from susantique, $27

4. Gold Tinsel from AlicesLookingGlass, $6.50

5. Giant Muca Putz Church from bubblepie, $55

6. Striped Shiny Bright Ornaments from polkadotHOME, $86

Fine Art Friday - Winter Blues

It's getting chilly around here, with cold blue skies, heavy with snow.

Cold Blue by AmandaRaeK

A Murder (of crows) by 50littlebirds

Ice Cave by jeremymiranda

You can see the treasury in it's entirety here:

Fine Art Friday is a movement started by artist Jessica Torrant that uses twitter, treasuries, blogging, flickr and facebook to find and discuss new artists and favorite works. Search the twitter hashtag #FineArtFriday to see what everyone is talking about and share your favorites!

Dress Yourself in Vintage - Holiday Glitz

I'm ready to glam it up this holiday season - no shrinking violet for me. 

1940s Liquid Satin Cranberry Cocktail Dress from allencompanyinc, $225

1960s Black Accordion Pleated Clutch from OpheliaVintage, $18.45

Brandie Ribbon Bracelet by Twillypop, $16.50

1940s Dramatic Bow Sequin Heels from allencompanyinc, $158

Fine Art Friday - Turbulence

What a turbulent couple of weeks - this one is dedicated to my brother.

The Disappearing Boy by windylanestudio

Curriculum by barbraziemerphoto

I am going to find a happy place by teconlene

Fine Art Friday is a movement started by artist Jessica Torrant that uses twitter, treasuries, blogging and facebook to find and discuss new artists and favorite works. Search the twitter hashtag #FineArtFriday to see what everyone is talking about and share your favorites!

You can see the treasury in it's entirety here:

Fine Art Friday - Pink Whimsy

When I decorated my daughter's nursery I picked a lovely pale pistachio for her walls, with lavendar details and frog prince accents.  She's turning five this month and is questioning my taste.  Here's a recent conversation.

Daughter: When I was a baby, I couldn't talk?
Me: Right
Daughter: So, you couldn't ask me what color I wanted my room to be?
Me: Right
Daughter: So, you just painted it your favorite color?
Me: Right
Daughter: But, I can talk now.  My favorite color is pink.

I'm fine with pink, pink can be very pretty but I don't want her room to be PINK.  So I'm trying to put together a mood board to really wrap our heads around the new direction for her room.  Perhaps you underestimated the scale of this project? ;)

I found a beautiful hand sewn pink and white quilt at the flea market the other day and she's over the moon, snuggled under it every night since.  I've decided on two pale pink walls and two off white walls to make it a little less PINK.  This Fine Art Friday I'm looking for art to decorate her walls - hope you don't mind this little trip to the realm of whimsy!

And then we were three by SusannahTucker

Tea Party by amberalexander

Whimsical Bird Collage by Sascalia

Fine Art Friday is a movement started by artist Jessica Torrant that uses twitter, treasuries, blogging and facebook to find and discuss new artists and favorite works. Search the twitter hashtag #FineArtFriday to see what everyone is talking about and share your favorites!

See more from the treasury here:

Dress Yourself in Vintage - English Equestrian

Take a trip to the English countryside for fall - perfect for walking through crunchy leaves along a quaint road, under a gray October sky.

1. 1960s Vintage Country Tartan Wool Cape from CustardHeartVintage, $106
2. Vintage La Famille 1930s locket from JeanJeanVintage, $62
3. 1960s Equestrian Leather Boots from Thrush, $112
4. Vintage Hard-Sided Suitcase from TheFancyLamb, $92

Adding a little equestrian elegance:

 

1960s Bone Folder Cloche Hat from TheChurchofVintage, $28

Equestrian Prep Style Belt from laurelinsailor, $20.50

Vintage Gucci Wool Challis Shawl from mascarajones, $295

You can see the treasury in it's entirety here:

Baking Gift Guide - for the Vintage Home

I've been putting together treasuries as gift guides lately - I would love to finish my holiday shopping this month so I can focus on baking, cooking, decorating and crafting in November and December.  Here's one I put together for the baker in the family, who also has a love of vintage.

1. Antique Pumpkin Glaze Mixing Bowl from susantique, $39
2. Two Vintage Pestles from cottagefarm, $32
3. Linen Pinafore with Flowers by MyHappyHome, $35
4. Four Vintage Egg Cups from lapomme, $38
5. Old Muffin Tin from Fortsville, $5

Or, mix up a batch of muffins with your little one and while they're in the oven, read In the Night Kitchen together.

 You can see the entire gift guide here:

Dress Your Home in Vintage - Setting Your Holiday Table

Set your holiday table apart with vintage and handmade serving dishes and decor - makes your home feel cozy and loved.

Inspiration Silver Plate Set from sadieolive, $180

Set of Four Pretty Napkin Rings from AlicesLookingGlass, $14

Set of Five Diamond Etched Glasses from RedRubyRetro, $15

Silver Magnetic Chalkboard by HerMajestysPug, $12

 

Set of Six Yellow Glass Dessert Plates from OldCoot, $19.99

Full Linen Apron by pilosale, $60

Charming Varnished Gravy Boat from Garden22Vintage, $10

More entertaining and decorating ideas can be found in my Set Your Holiday Table treasury on Etsy:

Dress Yourself in Vintage - Military Chic

The trend in military styling is not new, but make it more unique with vintage picks!  Add a layer with a little brown cardigan or vest.

Vintage Utility Green Linen Shorts from allencompanyinc, $34
French Vanilla Ruffle Blouse from Thrush, $31
US Military Canvas Field Pack from ethanollie, $37
Lace Up Ankle Booties from sheHEARTSvintage, $48

Unisex Military-Style Army Green Button Up Shirt from lapoubellevintage, $22
WWII Russian Army Map Bag from Militaria, $65
Black Horn Rim Glasses from BibbysRocket, $84

Fine Art Friday - Blue Shadows

The sun is setting earlier and earlier, casting blue shadows on freshly tilled earth.

Small Doses by mutrux

Evidence of Piracy by andreamanard

Small Flowery Branch Tumbler by liveclay

Fine Art Friday is a movement started by artist Jessica Torrant that uses twitter, treasuries, blogging and facebook to find and discuss new artists and favorite works. Search the twitter hashtag #FineArtFriday to see what everyone is talking about and share your favorites!

Dress Your Home in Vintage - Instant Collection

Have an empty shelf, a dusty nook or cranny - in need of a little vintage collection? 

 

1. Westmoreland Milk Glass Covered Dish from BarkingSandsVintage, $30
2. Glass Dome and Wood Base from littlebyrdvintage, $18
3. Three Large Pieces of Vintage Wood from shavingkitsupplies, $25
4. Specimens in a Vintage Bell Jar from VintageScraps, $22
5. Vintage Scissors from enhabiten, $18
6. Vintage Wooden Spools in a Glass Jar from TheOldRedHen, $14
7. E Pluribus Unum Coaster Set from scoutHOME, $16