The Studio

Upstairs, at the very end of the hallway, there is what I've donned as "the studio." You see, I've always dreamed of having a space for art. A room to sprawl out with a mess: paper, paints, pencils, fabric, glue, and all the goods that messes typically spill out as when I make them. So when we moved, and ended up with three bedrooms in addition to a basement, this room emerged as the space I've always wanted. One filled with natural light, a big wide desk, and room to sprawl out. 

An art room really needs materials right at your fingertips, am I right? That way no setting up really has to happen. Its all right there, whenever you need it. It's kind of funny to think that the over the toilet shelf that we built for our tiny place in Denver has now become the perfect set up for all of my art supplies. You wouldn't even know it if I told you that is was in a bathroom for the past two years. Between the shelf, the wire drawers from Ikea, and the closet; this room has such great storage.

Secretly, I chose this room not only because of the lighting, but because it feels like you are in a treehouse. The ash tree in the backyard nearly reaches into the window. Its so calming and pretty to work on a piece of calligraphy or paint up here.

Although the closet side of the room is basically art storage until they each find a home on walls throughout the house, I feel like this room is pretty well under way. Eventually I'd like to have a little lounger or a comfy retro loveseat that can go between the door and the closet. Wouldn't it be great to just curl up with a book in here with a view into the winding branches of the ash tree outside? I've been playing with color ideas, and want to stick with something that is bright and clean, and still allows the aquas and red that are in the collection of art above the desk to have that pop. I may stick with the neutral for awhile until maybe just going with white, but I've also been toying with the idea of a color blocked/two-tone wall. Like this, this, or this. Kind of bold, BUT lately I'm obsessed with this idea. I'm just so thrilled to have a home. And so thankful to have this studio and space to make messes. Trust me, this is the cleanest its looked since we moved here ;)

Pine Cone Decor!

It's Christmas Eve! And, boy am I ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Nothing better than a birthday bash, am I right? And what's not a party without some decorations. That's how I like to think of Christmas decor. All in preparation of the best birthday of the year. So, in case you are in need of some last minute decorations, this is a pretty simple project that I shared over at Thoughts by Natalie last week. Pretty metallic pine cone garland. You can see the tutorial in full--over here.

I sort of love the rustic touch these pine cones add to our room. They may be staying around for a bit, even after the birthday bash. Merry Christmas, friends!

The Acapulco Chair

For some people it is shoes. For other purses. For me, I tend to swoon over and collect too many chairs.  You might remember my last chair crush, wire chairs, and my amazing Craigslist find that soon turned into a chair revamp. And one time I found these bad jacksons at Goodwill. And in Breckenridge I couldn't help but want to take this yellow peely rusty chair home too. We have a thing, me and chairs. And this thing, I couldn't even shake it while in Mexico. I met the acapulco chair in person, at the flea market in Puerto Vallarta. And then, after seeing it in Puerto, I of course noticed these chairs all over Sayulita- on porches, patios, and rocking next to swaying hammocks. You guys, I think we found the ultimate chair for summer.

Cinque Terre | Samantha Elizabeth

Today I have a travel treat for you! Samantha Elizabeth, a lifestyle blogger and photographer, is exploring Italy this week and she is sharing a bit from her travels with us today. When Samantha shared her Getting Lost in Venice photographs, I wanted to vacate my current life and just hop all over Italy--she captures her adventures and the beautiful details of the towns so effortlessly. I hope you enjoy snippets from her travels, and her abroad fashion sense, as much as I have! (Ps. You should also see how diy savvy this girl is-- like this shutter mail holder, this head board, & these vintage magnets).

Along the north west coast of the Italian Riviera and nestled next to the Mediterranean Sea you will find five small villages called Cinque Terre, which include Rigimorre, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. My husband and I have chosen to stay in Manarola, the smaller of the five and more remote of the villages. One of the most fascinating things about these five villages is that they are nestled within 5 miles of jagged cliffs and vineyards.  The structure of the vineyards weaves their way from the bottom of the cliffs to the top; it is an unthinkable and amazing sight. The locals will tell you that the “The best grapes grow closest to the sea.”

Cinque Terre is one of those coastal villages where the options are endless for adventure. Enjoy a hike through vineyards and take in the amazing views of the Mediterranean’s rugged coastline, jump a 5-minute train to the next closest village and sip cappuccino in a cafe, grab a bite to eat and enjoy the “catch of the day” as Cinque Terre has some of the freshest seafood in the world, send your taste buds soaring and experience wine tasting and the world renown Sciacchetra one of Cinque Terre’s finest wines, take a less strenuous stroll along Via dell’Amore, a footpath cut out of sheer rock just a stones throw away from the sea. Cinque Terre’s charm is unlike any other in the world and exceptional in its beauty.

Swooning Over Swim & Sun Collections

Sunny days that warm to the core and make popsicles a food group, once again, have arrived. I am greeting them gladly with wide open arms. (Seriously, wide open, after that snowy Spring we had here in Colorado). I shared my sunny style a few weeks ago, and as I continue to get style inspiration for this beach side, pool side, vacation filled season, a few summer collections continue to catch me swooning.

J.Crew has it spot on. One piece swimsuits in playful prints and flattering cuts. The swim collection is bright and reminiscent of the past, with retro fits and attention to detail. These one pieces are oh-so feminine (my favorites are the sailboat print, green floral, rosebud, and striped). And how adorable would each of these looks be if paired with a high waisted skirt? 

Yes, Warby Parker. A company not only with "do-good" business mentality, but crazy good style. Their frames are inspired by mid-century bohemia and weekend-long house parties. Doesn't that just sing summer?  I actually do not own a single pair of WB sunglasses, but I like to pretend and swoon over the tortoise, marble, and other fun hues they've paired with retro-modern frames. 

You know how designer beach towels are ridiculously expensive? Its crazy, right? Thankfully, Nate Berkus was smart and designed a line for Target (see here, here, and here). At a price we can afford. A beach towel with the right print and perfect thickness and softness--mmm, you could fall asleep for hours pool and beachside.  I am also hoping this one at West Elm goes on sale eventually -- I'm in the market for some new ones!

Swimsuits that have a different back design than the norm--yes, please! This sailboat swimsuit from J.Crew is still classic, yet its print and back view make it a bit off beat, which I love. Also, a classic beach bag like this one from ASOS is a match to a swimsuit that is a bit more bold in the pattern department. 

And a few swim & sun favorites from around the inter webs:

>> Anne's weekend style with a bright and bold color palette. 

>> Some Darling summer reading and the must have in-your-beach-tote magazine.

>> Map your sunny summer travels like Oh Happy Day!

>> Because salads taste best this time of year... 

>> ...especially when picked right from your own (urban) garden.

>> The perfect summer do, including bobby pins and a top knot vibe (and a cute video to boot).

>> Design inspired by late night summer-star-gazing.

What is your inspiration with sunny days ahead?

One Year.

A year ago today, we were living in Burbank, California with the future ahead unknown and wide open. Soon we would be leaving towards the Rockies to deepen our roots in a new place we would call home. A year ago today, the first post to ever grace this little blog was written and published. Here are a few words of that very first post, "A blog for the reader who wants to feel lovely. Revisit soon for new posts on topics such as classic beauty, home design, artsy hobbies, riding bikes, picking daisies, simple cooking, thoughts on faith, music, fashion and accessorizing, and other tidbits related to the endless adventures being a girl."

It is amazing to see how God works. How He plants a seed in your heart and sees it to fruition. PPP has been a catalyst for my self discovery, a stepping block to my passion for writing, and an outlet for my love with design and aesthetic. Its growth reflects mine, in a sense. And I just love that. As far as writing on the endless adventures of being a girl, and for the reader who wants to feel lovely, I have been blessed to be a contributor for Darling Magazine. The opportunity to write alongside other women who live out true beauty--I couldn't have asked for anything more fulfilling. Who would have thought that when I wrote the very first post a year ago, that today I'd be sitting here today seeing that seed planted actualized in my life. And still ever blooming, with still so much growth ahead, how so excited I get thinking about that.

Anyways, happy birthday pearls poppies pinkies up--and so much love and thankfulness for the friends & readers of this little blog from the very beginning!

Leaping from pond to sea

What is it about change? What is it that excites us to the core yet makes us anxious and wanting to burry our entire being under our covers--both literally and metaphorically (oh wait, is that just me?) Change and risk never come to easy, but isn't it so true -- we cannot be afraid of change, because holding onto something that is good for you now, may be the very reason why you don't have something better.

Truth echoes, friends. Lately, I am consistently finding myself confronted with a need for change. A pulling on my heart strings. Do you feel that too? Are you listening, taking a leap out of your pond, or are you holding onto something that may be keeping you back from something better?

Since December I've felt this pulling. This constant knocking. On my heart, my mind, my creative self as a whole. I am excited to say that I have chosen to listen. I am leaping out into a new sea or ocean that I don't know about yet. At the end of this week I will be moving to part-time from my full-time job. Part-time so that I can venture into design, writing, and exploring what is innately me. 

If you have been reading along here at ppp for awhile (which, by the way, ppp is almost one year old!), you know that I am a Creative at heart. I tend to thrive most, and am happiest, when I can use my hands to make and write. Going part-time is a risk. Finacially, in a discipline sense, and it is completely outside of my comfort--my pond. But I have to know, what is that something better that is out there just waiting for me to find it?

photo & graphics by me.

Thoughts for Thursday: Bookstore Inspiration.

The Tattered Cover, Denver's Gem of a Bookstore.

If you take a book worm to Denver, she's going to want to find a bookstore. If you take her to a bookstore, she'll walk the aisles for hours until her feet are tired. And if her feet are tired, she's going to want to plop down into a comfy chair. Once she plops in her comfy chair, she'll notice the fabric, the worn in feel, the beauty. She'll be reminded of her love for old and vintage. And when reminded of this, she'll want to find a book filled with pages of things past. And when looking at book with antiques and pickers' treasures, she'll want to bring these into her home. And when she thinks of her home and design, she'll want to read Flea Market Chic. And as she reads this book, in her comfy chair, she'll feel inspired. And when she feels inspired, she feels the sky's the limit. And when the sky's the limit, anything is possible for this book worm girl in Denver.

What inspires you today?