Nina's Pretty Dishes

Nina Invorm combines two of my favorite things—sweet, vintage dishes with lovely hand-drawn elements. Her addition of birds or bunting or hearts to the already delightful ceramics result in a charming piece of art I'd love to showcase. Luckily you can purchase her art at her Etsy shop.


Ugh. So stinkin cute it makes me scrunch up my face.
While I was looking at some of her other work on her Flickr page I happened across some photographs of her darling house. The interior matches her creations so perfectly.



I love the random dresses and high heels and the fact that she has her own artwork splashed throughout the space. Did you see the nursery? What a fun place to be a child!
Visit Nina's website, her Etsy and her Flickr there's tons more to see!

Recipe Storage

Coming off the heels of yesterdays illustrated recipes post, I thought I'd share some lovely recipe boxes and letterpressed recipe cards. If you can't draw out your recipes you can at least record them on beautiful cards and store them in something fun!

Sources: wood with utensils // flowers + stripes // favorite recipes // blue in clear // red metal // handwritten

Sources: yellow cupcakes // blue berries // lounging girl // timer // dividers // blue cupcake

Splash of Color

When I moved into my grandfathers house I was lucky enough to have a harvest gold fridge and matching stove. Unfortunately the fridge had to be replaced but the stove still adds it's 1970's character to my kitchen. A colored major appliance isn't for the faint of heart—a bright orange fridge says a lot about your personality and the personality of your home. It's definitely a commitment but if you love a bright yellow range, you'll probably always love a bright yellow range.


sources from top to bottom: Country Living // Laurence Pasquier // Design Desk // Manolo // Country Living // HGTV // CasaSugar

Not ready to commit to a pink refrigerator but still want a splash of color? Check out these bright kitchen electronics:

pink stove // green kitchenaid // orange blender // baby blue microwave // red coffee maker // navy food processor // sky blue + white fridge // magenta toaster

Chic Horses

Today is my mother's birthday and in honor of her I thought I'd focus on one of her favorite things: horses. She's been obsessed with horses since the first time she saw them I think. Luckily, she's never been a theme decorator—because there is some atrocious horse decor out there. Believe me, I've looked at it. They are so majestic and beautiful I don't know where the translation is lost when it comes to creating housewares inspired by horses. Although I suppose any sort of toilet paper holder is going to be a little cheesy - even if it is inspired by a gorgeous animal. These rooms are far from cheesy.

Sources from top right and clockwise: La Dolce Vita // Marie Burgos // Marie Burgos // Terramia // Marie Burgos
If you're looking for a gift for a horse-lover or are one yourself, or are just in the mood for something equestrian, here's a little something:

Horse Pillow // gold horse sunglasses (see it? it's small but completely charming) // T-shirt // pink barrette // horse printed top // wallpaper

Tea Towels

I love linens. I love screen printing. And I love anything cheeky. So these tea towels were pretty much made for me. Granted, some are cheekier than others, but they are all super fun and would make my dish drying much more enjoyable. (The first two towels are my favorite I think. They are from artist Donna Wilson and read "use my beehive to dry your dishes" and "use my beard to dry your dishes". So stinkin cute!)



And yes, that is a Mr. T tea towel. Hilarious! With the exception of the first two towels, the alphabet from illustrator Linzie Hunter and that lovely bike at the end, all of these are available at To Dry For. There are oodles more to look at as well. Such a fun shower or wedding gift don't you think?

Picnic Season

Memorial Day is the official (well, unofficial actually) start to Summer and what better way to celebrate the season than with a picnic? Get a group or your boyfriend/girlfriend or just get on your bike and head out to a shady area.

I love this vintage 1970s image from House and Garden magazine. It's so whimsical and lovely. I wish I could tell you where the images on the far right came from, but your guess is as good as mine. I'm pretty sure the darling couple came from Once Wed, but the charming young woman could be from anywhere. I'll let you know if I figure it out! (found her!)

Vintage picnic basket from Etsy seller plaidpony // fun and delicious sodas // eclectic tapestry from Urban Outfitters // melamine dishes from the Curiosity Shop // bud vase from Urban

We All Scream!

It has been unseasonably (and gloriously) hot here the past few days which has flung me into all things summer. And nothing says "summer days" better than ice cream. And what says "ice cream" better than vintage advertisements and retro ice cream trucks and parlours?

Isn't that Meadow Gold girl the sweetest? Her pigtails are to die for. And that cardigan! I bet Anthropologie has one for me. The Fudgi Frost ad is also darling with its happy family and "save bags for swell gifts". (aside: if you give me the bag, there darn well better be a fudgi frost in it or we're going to have words) Apparently my problem in the romance department has been that I don't make enough "seven-up floats". I think I'll set up a stand and see if these cuties find me. And, of course, Dairy Queen—I don't have to say anything about it because we all have fond memories. What's your favorite DQ treat?

If I saw that pink ice cream truck cruising down my street I'd be the first kid to drop my jump rope, strap on my roller skates and set off. I'd definitely be ordering a Good Humour strawberry shortcake ice cream bar. The interior of this famous Carvel parlour is so fun! Love those pink chairs. I'm crazy about chalkboard paint and it's especially great in a restaurant with talented kids creating a handwritten menu! The Lick-ity Split reminds me of a booth at a fair. And the googly eyes on their cone mascot is hilarious. This little lady in her silky blue top is just about the cutest thing ever. Don't you feel like her name is Betsy? She's for sure got some ice cream tales to tell. And a cigarette to share. Finally, the Snow Cap stand looks straight out of a movie doesn't it? Super charming.

Let's make our own ice cream parlour! Retro Milkshake Maker (01) // Wisconsin-made Hot Fudge topping (02) // Classic sundae glass (03) // lovely ice cream bowls (04) // charming ice cream cone apron (05) // my favorite! "yes pecan" obama limited edition ice cream (06) // because I prefer my ice cream in a mug: smarty polar bear in a bow tie cup (07) // heart-shaped float spoon (08)

Let's all pile into the station wagon and get some soft serve!