Triumph in the form of a Turquoise door

Triumph is, perhaps, too strong a word, but never in my dreams did I imagine that given the choice, J would choose turquoise paint for the front door. He has an aversion to any turquoise or teal or aqua. Which of course, I love, resulting in the butting of heads from time to time. However, I presented him with 5 paint chips and this is the one he chose. (A few days later we were looking at a whole page of paint chips and he specifically said that he didn't like this color, which I pointed out to him that he had just chosen for the front door. Then he backpedaled. I think he just doesn't want to admit to liking it.)

I love it. So much so that I ran into the retaining wall that frames one side of our driveway because I was too busy admiring our front door (neither retaining wall nor vehicle were hurt). On the right side of the porch we have an old metal glider that is currently a gross dark green. I have enough of this paint leftover that I think I'll give that a lick this spring. Also, we have light pink and yellow tulips planted along the front walk which will look so pretty with the new door!

As for J not liking aqua, this poster showed up on our doorstep to add to our Pearl Jam Ames Bros. poster collection. That background looks awfully aqua to me...

L'Invitation au Voyage - Venice

Spectacular, wouldn't you agree?
 

Go ahead, watch it again...

Front Door Contest

So, once again we are having Will Johnson perform a concert in our living room. He will be here on the 20th and I always like to use that as an excuse to execute a long awaited project on the house. This time I'm thinking I should paint the front door. It's something we've talked about forever, but it just hasn't gotten done. But what color?? We have a bright green mailbox, so I've narrowed down colors that will coordinate with that. But I still can't decide. What do you think?

Here is our front door. In the spring obviously. It's too cold and dark out now to take a better one. But, you can see how dark the front door is. Gloomy. Here are our options. 

Classic cream. It's bright and matches the rest of the trim. 

Match the mailbox and go green. This is what we are leaning towards. 

Maybe it's because we are surrounded by a riot of fall leaves, but how about orange?

And, my favorite, a blue/teal. J's least favorite color in the world. Probably not going to happen, but I wanted to throw it in there anyway.

Let me know what you think!

Catch Up

So, it's been a while. Since May? Whoops, time does really fly. The time has come, however, for my self-induced blog vacation to cease, so as a quick catch up, here is what's been going on...

I went to Quilt Market in Portland with Indygo Junction, the pattern company where I now work.

I dabbled in gardening

Went to Nashville

Waited out a 2 hour rain delay to see Pearl Jam

Played on E's farm

Successfully talked my parents and sister into taking two kittens each!

Had a birthday and ate lots of cake. Which then led to the adoption of the Paleo diet and an agonizing sugar detox

And found myself at Quilt Market in Houston.

Thing should be a little more exciting around here now, so stick around. There has been talk of a blog re-design and all sorts of goings on! That all depends on J though and how quickly I can talk him into doing things, so we'll see.

What have you been up to this summer?

House for Sale!

Well, you all know that E is making the big move to the country this year. Now her midtown-KC house is for sale, and we are having an open house this Sunday from 1-3! The house is an adorable bungalow from 1905, and E and her husband have done a ton of work on it, including a brand new custom kitchen. See more about the house on the Reece and Nichols website, and if you are in the market, stop by and see us this Sunday, June 2nd.

Also, if you know anyone interested in buying, feel free to send them the info!

This adorable purple house is located at 3326 Bell Street, KC MO

The master bedroom has a lot of light and a huge closet!

 

The custom kitchen is gorgeous, with high-end appliances and finishing. E is sad to leave it!

The kitchen is also a nice big space that looks into the dining room, great for entertaining!

The living room and dining room share a curved passthrough with beautiful woodwork 

The house also has a really nice patio in the back and a huge garage that would be perfect for a studio or workshop. If you need any more information, please feel free to email!

Backstage at the Kansas City Ballet

A few weeks ago I got to take a tour of the new Kansas City Ballet facility, which, by the by, is gorgeous. We wandered all through the building, saw rehearsals, and met the Costume Manager. Then we got to go into the closet.

 Oh friends, I had to hold myself back. It turns out (to my crushing disappointment) that they don't let random people try on costumes. Even if they really, really want to. If you ever have a group that needs an outing, I highly recommend going to the ballet tour, they were really lovely to us, and took a lot of time making sure we enjoyed our tour.

You do know that I ran right home and put on my old pointe shoes, don't you? Tried a few moves, and immediately ripped them back off...those things hurt!!! I'll stick to tap shoes, thank you very much. (Oh, wait until you see my recital costume!)

Liberty @ J.Crew

Have you been to J. Crew lately? It is brimming with Liberty florals. Shirts, pants, jackets, shoes, belts...all in bloom! The best thing though, is that right now a lot of it is on Sale. I totally snagged a shirt and jacket and am considering going back for me. I'm seriously tempted by the pink jacket below. 

What else have you been up to this Spring? I've been a bit MIA, as I started a New Job (!) and have been busy with that. I am happy to say that I am working at Indygo Junction, a pattern/fabric design company who happens to be in Kansas City. It's been crazy as we are getting ready to go to quilt market next month, but I'm excited that I still get to work in the fabric/sewing world.

Anyway, back to J. Crew...

Selfridge window displays

I have a very romantic vision of department stores. Marshall Fields & Co., Liberty of London, Harrods, Bloomingdale's, the list goes on. I love the idea of a monument built for shopping. The variety of products, all bought to tempt and delight customers. The detail that went into customer service at the great department stores is amazing. Restaurants, dances, even all girl gun clubs. So, when I saw the trailer for Mr. Selfridge on PBS, I was SO EXCITED.

Selfridges is a great department store. In fact, they have been voted best department store in the world in both 2010 and 2011. Not too shabby. Anyway, when I think of Selfridges the first thing that pops in my mind is window displays. They are known for their innovative and artistic window displays, and I found some that I would like to share...

Women's wear from the 1920's

Delicious cheese from the 1930's

Swingin' 60's window 

David Hicks front and center

Selfridges centennial celebration window

 

Yayoi Kusama and Louis Vuitton window from Fall 2012

 

Vivienne Westwood window

See more Selfridge windows at Wallpaper, The Window Display Blog, & smudgetikka

Pink palace

I with I could tell you that I haven't been blogging because I've been sailing the high seas, or sewing a gown or learning to fly or something. That's not the case though, I've just been kind of busy, and kind of lazy. A deadly combination!

This weekend though I did make something useful, curtains! I bought this gorgeous pink stripe upholstery fabric at Home Fabric and Rugs for $5 (!!) a yard. That my friends, is a deal. I made 4 curtains for our bedroom to divide the huge room. 

Then I realized that this old Amy Butler fabric would look really nice with it. Currently it is in dress form, but since I never wear the dress, I think I can cut it up for throw pillows. 

 

The bedroom was never meant to be pink, and now it's looking like the pink palace. This all came about because our huge pink breakfront from the store landed as a bookcase in the bedroom. Then we saw the stripe fabric, and look how perfect they are together! 

Don't worry though, we will be diluting the color a little with some dark grey carpet, which is on order. (SO excited!) and a dark grey valance which is on order in E and I's head. Which means that we are going to make it. Hopefully soon. Has anyone ever made a 12 foot valance? I could use some advice...

Diaghilev and the Ballet Russes

Friends, I think it is time to make a visit to our nation's capitol. Not to see the monuments, or visit historical buildings, no, we must go to see the new exhibit Diaghilev and the Ballet Russes at the National Gallery. 

The Ballet Russes was the groundbreaking dance troupe that brought the art to new heights using collaborations with artists such as Picasso, Matisse and Chanel, among others. The costumes! The sets! The posters and inspiration! I can't even imagine how amazing this show will be. It is born of an exhibit shown at the V&A in 2010, but has new pieces previously unseen. 

I've already started nagging J about going to DC this summer. However, it may take some time to convince him, since we just booked a (very short) trip to Nashville. Really, I'm barking up the wrong tree on that one, what I should be asking is, E, do you want to go to DC with me? You will love it!

Glitter shoes

 Here is a question for you, have any of you glittered shoes before? I assume all you need is some spray glue, glitter and a dream, but I haven't done it, so who knows. What I do know is that I have an extra pair of tap shoes and a whole lot of glitter. My main tap shoes are a plain black heel pair, but I still have my patent flats from when I was in high school, and I think it's time to glitter them. Any advice would be welcome.

Also, what color should I glitter? It seems that silver, gold and red are already available. Do I go pink, green or even purple?? What would you do?