I just finished up this quick summer time project using some of the vintage goodies I have been collecting. This sweet little seed box can be displayed closed and propped on a shelf, or open displaying some of the lovely card packs I've found!

While I was home over the weekend I was scoping out my mom's new studio. She has it jam packed with amazing treasures, and I love to poke around and see what I can find. Among her French Sentiments jewelry treasures I found this old compact case that we picked up in Paris. Its sterling silver, and the lid has been embossed with mistletoe, a motif that is found in tons of French jewelry, and can actually be seen growing in the trees outside of Paris. Since I loved the compact so much, my mom turned it into a beautiful necklace for me on the spot. The main focal point is the mistletoe compact which dangles from and old mother of pearl rosary chain. Every time I look at it I'm reminded of our amazing trip, thanks mom- it's perfect!
While I was at home, we also hit up a few antique stores. As always, I had quite a haul and I thought I'd post some of the goodies I picked up.

It seems there is a new tenant living in my favorite home right outside the studio window. I have a hunch this sweet little lady might be sitting on some new eggs. She NEVER moves, and Im hoping I'll have a new family of birds to watch soon :)

I have a minor obsession with Peonies. I think they are one of the most beautiful, French, vintage, romantic flowers around. I have enjoyed seeing them in many peoples blog photos, magazines, and front yards over the last few weeks. I know they have a relatively short bloom time, so when I found my local Wegmans selling a five stem bouquet, I knew they had to be mine. A wonderful pale pink shade with hundreds of beautiful petals unfolding everyday. Its such a treat to have such lovely flowers in the house.

I start to miss the markets when Ive been away from them too long. Cant you see why..

A family of robins had built a sweet little nest right outside my studio window and I've been watching them for weeks. I check on them everyday, take their photos, and tell my mom all about them :) After attending a bridal shower this afternoon I went out on my balcony to see if I could catch a glimpse of their ugly little baby bird heads popping up, see the mamma bird feeding them, or at least get squalked at by the parents (who are sure im a treat to their babies!).

But when I stepped outside, there was no flutter, no warning chirps, no robin sitting gaurd in the tree. All was calm, and I realized that my baby birds flew the nest today. I feel like a proud parent, but i miss them already...

When I got home tonight I ignored the fact that I have laundry to do, a dining room table I can't find under all of my piles, and no food in the house. Instead, I took time to do the stuff I really wanted to do. What is that exactly??? Why its watching last nights episode of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, and working in my studio of course! YAY!!!!

This is what my studio looks like when im working in it. It's reality. I have to have TONS of stuff out at once all sparking my creativity, and showing me what directions I want to go in next. Im OK with it, it's positive chaos. While I was crafting, one of the many things I pulled out was my PaperSource vellum. (Do you know about Paper Source? AMAZING!)
While looking at the vellum and trying to think of the perfect way to use it, I noticed the Paper Source slogan- "do something creative everyday".
I like it. I think I'm going to do it. Something creative everyday. Doesnt that sound like fun?? I love to create, why wouldnt I do it everyday??  And one of the best parts is that I can document my creativity and share it with you everyday too :)  Wish me luck!

As for tonights creativity-
There is no end product yet, but I sure am enjoying the process. I have broken out my ledger paper, rubber stamps form Paris, more old ephemera, and a vintage book cover. I'm calling it a night now though since I'm totally wiped out, but Im already looking forward to doing something tomorrow. Maybe I will have finished photos to share...

This is what a day at the antique stores and flea markets looks like for me. It was such a fun day, with lots of treasures to be found :) I look forward to days like this all week long. The three things on my list for today were; vintage seed pack, and old fan, and tall/skinny clay pots. Two out of three isnt bad!

Reasons I need to move to a house or townhouse:

1. Id really LOVE a dog. Ive been waiting years and years, and I still cant have one.
2. More potted plants and shrubbery. Aside from being a joy to the eye, they also make great photo props. Which leads me to...
3. Different backgrounds for photos. Concrete balcony with brown railing = not visusally satisfying.
4. Im a girl with A LOT of stuff, and I would love some more rooms to spread out in.
5. Not to mention decorating those other rooms.
6. Guests would be more happy to visit and stay over night if I had a guest room.
7. I could play my music as load as I want. Which is loud. And i could dance around freely as opposed to driving my downstairs neighbor nuts.
8. "House" sounds more grown up than "apartment"

What do you think?

Here's a fact about me: I need a lot of sleep.  I normally get about 8-9 hours of sleep a night and it still never feels like enough. I've tried getting less sleep over the years and it just doesnt work for me. I just need a lot of sleep. seriously. Looking back over the years I was always the first one to fall asleep at slumber parties, the first person to say "im tired", and the one with the worst circles under my eyes. In college I hardly ever pulled all-nighters, and when i did it was because of a great party, not a great big test.
One of my favorite memories of being up all night was right after college when I visited my best friend Jess in NYC. We had a great night out in the city and didnt get back home until 5 am. Great night!

And last week I had been staying up way late for jess again. Only this time I was making decorations for her wedding, and programs for all her guests. :) She's my first really good friend to have a really big, traditional wedding, and I am so happy for her. She and Jeremiah got married over the weekend in Annapolis. Her wedding was simply georgous, and a night full of memories I'll never forget. Congratulations Jessica and Jeremiah!