Ever since my experience at Magnolia’s in NYC this past winter, I’ve been waiting for a cupcake bakery in Boston.  Low and behold, we apparently already had one!  I was sitting in the worst traffic of my life (it apparently was a Red Sox “doublehitter” – being a non-sports fan, I knew nothing about it and proceeded to drive straight into the storm) and during the 2 hours I spent literally crawling in my car around the city, I drove past Sweet (I’m beginning to notice a bakery pattern here… finding them at whim while driving).

I have yet to visit, and as I don’t make it to the Back Bay area of Boston that much I am thrilled to hear that they’ve opened a store in Harvard Square, Cambridge as well.  Their website makes the cupcake experience look so appealing… I better start deciding now if I want The Sweet Cake, The Dark Chocolate, or maybe the Red Velvet…

{images shown belong to Sweet}

The spare room that I’ve been painting is just about done, with just the trim left to paint (thank goodness!).  I’ve started measuring the space to see what it can hold in terms of a desk and have started the search for a table or desk that my press can sit on.  I’d love for it to be long enough that I can put other things on the desktop as well, such as an area to mix paint or an area to cut and organize paper.  It would also be wonderful for the furniture to have drawers, shelving, or some sort of compartments for storing small accessories and supplies.  I visited Ikea this past weekend and took some notes on basic desks, but what I’d love to find is a sturdy, but economical, old desk.  It doesn’t have to look perfect, since it will most definitely get dirty, but I would love an old teachers desk or something similar to it.  Here’s a range of desks I came across online:

(from top left clockwise: Antique Teacher’s Desk via Apartment Therapy, Ikea’s Matteus desk, Olga Naiman’s desk via Design*Sponge, Ikea’s Linnarp desk in pine)

I’m not into antiquing, so the few stores I know of in the New England area are those that sell pieces that are more expensive since they’ll be gently used.  Could anyone recommend any shops or flea market that have reasonable prices for larger furniture?

{images shown belong to the owners listed above}

While visiting one of my favorite blogs, 100 Layer Cake (even though I’m already married), I saw this very cute invitation set for a bridal shower.  After not being able to have a “rustic barn wedding” it was decided to instead host a shower based on that theme.  And better yet, everything was handmade with a gocco for printing, paper from Paper Source, vintage wallpaper from Ebay, a Martha Stewart craft punch, and other simple finishing touches.

I am loving the wallpaper inserts and vintage stamps!  I’m also very excited to learn that there are more images and details to come on this bridal shower as it happens.

Definitely check out 100 Layer Cake for fabulous posts on real weddings and creative bridal ideas.

{images shown via 100 Layer Cake}

Noticing that occasionally I talk about people’s work from Flickr, I decided to create a new category and recurring post: Flickr Finds.  Today I’m being inspired by Perfectbound’s amazingly styled tabletop photographs.  I love the vivid colors and sharpness of their work (Perfectbound consists of the creative duo, Julie & Kathryn).  Flipping through their Flickr, it seems they’ve explored every color imaginable.  I also love the “props” that they use; china tea cups, vintage books, food, flowers…  these are my kind of photos!  I will definitely be using these photos as a guide for color and pattern for the next time I need to photograph my work.

(I’m noticing a tea cup pattern here in the photos I chose to show…  maybe this is my subconscious telling me to go have a cuppa?)

For more of their photographs, check out their Flickr or visit their fantastic blog.

{images shown belong to Perfectbound}

Mother’s Day weekend was so relaxing, with several wonderful experiences (to which three of them I was able to capture on camera):

Finding the perfect gift at Weston Nurseries:
This is my absolute favorite nursery.  It’s a bit of a drive for me, but a scenic one, so I enjoy every minute.  The staff here are so friendly and helpful, and they seem to have a never-ending and vast collection of plants and flowers… it’s a wonder I don’t go broke visiting here.  Just coming to walk around is enjoyable.  I left with two perennial daisies, one for my Mom (who’s been asking for one for some time now) and one for Renee, who loves these flowers.

Dinner and ice cream at Bubbling Brook:
When I think of summer, one of the first things that pops into my head is ice cream from Bubbling Brook.  I’ve been going here for as long as I can remember, and I have faint memories of being very little and seeing cows in the farm pasture next to the restaurant (sadly the cows aren’t still there, but the farm pasture is).  It’s something of a tradition in my family (four generations of us have visited).  We had our first dinner of the season here this past weekend and went all out (fried clams, scallops, and haddock).  The food is pretty basic for a New England summer take out place, but that’s not the point… there’s something nostalgic about it; how it never changes and is always how you remembered it, summer after summer (the decor, the food, the crowded dining room).  This place has the best ice cream hands down, and waiting in a long line for your cone (I always pick soft serve) is part of the welcomed tradition; just hanging out and chatting in line with your family and friends.  You’ll find people eating their ice cream outside on the picnic benches, as well as sitting on every car’s trunk in the parking lot.  It’s definitely the best place to visit on a summer evening (thank goodness they open in the spring!).

Mother’s Day Breakfast (at home):
After a relaxing Mother’s Day yoga class (*thanks, Renee!), my family cooked up a fantastic breakfast of challah french toast, scrambled eggs, and mixed berries.  We’ve gone out for Mother’s Day before, but there’s nothing like just staying at home and spending time with one another.  Thanks to Mom and Cathy for an delicious breakfast.  We got a lovely surprise after our feast with a visit from my grandparents, such a treat.

How did you spend your Mother’s Day weekend?  Hope it was as relaxing and enjoyable as mine!

{to view more of my photos, please visit my Flickr}

This summer will be jammed packed for us, with it seems every weekend already booked with events.  A few weddings, another nephew being born, many, many birthdays, my husband graduating grad school, our wedding anniversary, as well as the usual visiting family from out of town for the summer.  Two parties I’m specifically very excited for (both for personal reasons as well as nerdy designer reasons) are my husband’s graduation party and my sister’s baby shower.  I have been brainstorming, sketching, and planning and I cannot wait to see the finished results for both and share them with you here!  I definitely cannot spill the beans on my sister’s baby shower (she’ll be snooping and reading about it here) but I might share some details on my husband’s party once the invites are sent (and thus will become public knowledge).  For now, I am researching my fellow blogs for fabulous themed party ideas.

These party themes have nothing to do with the parties I’ll be planning, but I love how unique they all are.  There was some serious creativity going on when it came to planning these…

Young Einstein Party, via DesignMom
How cool is this?  For her daughter’s 10th birthday party, they hosted a science-filled day including science experiments and demonstrations, appropriate “scientist” wear & accessories, and brainy cupcakes.

Film Festival Birthday Party, via Oh Happy Day!
For a friend’s 30th birthday, a small theater was rented out to show short films made by her friends.  The night was completed with a red carpet, “cigarette girls,” and lots of popcorn and candy.

Superhero 1st Birthday Party, via Oh Happy Day!
A fantastic first birthday party for her son, given by the talented Jordan (definitely take a look at all her parties).  The theme was “superhero”, and super tacos and special superhero beverages were served.  To top it all off, everyone came dressed up in costume.

Aren’t those fabulous parties?  Do you have any special parties that you’re excited to plan for and throw this summer?

{images shown belong to their specified owners}

A few weeks ago, I paid a visit to John Barrett of Letterpress Things (an amazing place for all this letterpress and John is wonderful!) and took the plunge and put a deposit on my own press.  The rollers still needed to be replaced so he said it would be about six weeks or so till it’s ready to be picked up, so I’m currently preparing myself for when that call comes.  We have a spare room that I’ll be keeping my press in, and it needed a lot of tidying and organizing.  While in the space, I decided that if I was going to be working in there, then I needed to do something about the walls.  My apologizes go out to Cathy who chose the prior wall color, but I’m just not a yellow kind of girl… at least not that bold of a yellow.  I went through a “green” phase a few years ago where I painted every room pale green (which I still love), but this time I’ve been attracted to very pale pinks and apricots.  So pale that you hardly notice the color, almost like a blush of rose in a warm white.  Here’s an idea of my wall color inspiration:

So far I’ve only primed the entire room and moulding twice, but will be completing the paint job this weekend.  Geez, I cannot believe how sore I already am.  No wonder it’s been almost two years since I’ve painted, it is such hard work!  I have no idea how people can do this for a living.  I seriously hope it’s another two years before I have to paint again.  Although, even from the priming done, I can tell that it will be worth it.  I’m excited to see how it turns out, and to share with you the process of preparing my own little studio.

{images shown from top, left to right: mav, Federico Erra. 2nd row: perfectbound, lobster and swan. 3rd row: {manda}, Twigs and Honey.  4th row: Twigs and Honey, Peonies and Polaroids.}

I can hardly believe it’s May already, and was astonished to know that Mother’s Day is this weekend (*don’t worry Mom, I already know what I’m getting you!).  I know for many of us, it can be hard to find the perfect gift for someone special, especially when you’ve always used up all your “good gift ideas” that you have for them.  When I get stuck, I’ll try to think of what type of person they are; what hobbies they like and what types of things they do in their spare time.  Then if I really get stuck, I’ll ask for help and get suggestions.

Here’s a few Etsy gift suggestions for wonderful Mother’s Day gifts:

• Indigo striped bowl with assortment of succulents, from greenwaredesign 
(for the Mom who loves plants, but is afraid she might have a “black thumb”)

• Charcoal satin silk corsage flower brooch, from TheBroochBoutique
 (for the accessories-loving or business suit-wearing Mom, to add a simple touch to her outfit)

• Gray square tiles weekender, by DrikaB
 (a splurge for a Mom who loves to travel or has everything under the sun in her purse and still needs more room)

• Luxury Handmade Soap Trio Gift Box, from sweetpetula 
(for the Mom who loves to use luxurious bath products and knows how wonderful handmade soap is)

If all else fails, the best gift any Mom could want is some special time with you, so treat her to a day out: visit a museum together, go on a hike or picnic, or take her to lunch!

{images shown belong to the owners listed above}

My family is full of loyal tea drinkers.  Many of us drink several cups a day and one of our favorite outings is going for tea.  We often go out for tea down the Cape when we’re visiting, and luckily we’ve found a fantastic gem of a tea room closer to us, The Basically British Tea Room, in Warren, RI.  This past Sunday I spent a relaxing and mellow afternoon with my Mom and two sisters at this very place.  My sister and I discovered Basically British last year when she treated me to tea on my birthday.  We’ve since celebrated her birthday there as well, and have kidnapped several of our family members several times to show them how wonderful it is.

The tea room is located in what was the boiler room of an old mill, and much of the old history is still shown in it’s vaulted ceilings and exposed brick.  I can tell you that the small glassed-in room is a wonderful place to hold a small party, and the couch and chairs next to the Vermont cast iron fireplace is the place during the cold and wet New England winter.  The owner, Fab Goldberg (who is from England – a good sign of good tea room experience!) is also a collector of antiques and decorated the restaurant with much richness and character.  This level of thought and care also went into the planning the menu, with a nice range of sandwiches, soups, and entrees that I think are the perfect balance of “tea room fare” as well as wonderful, homemade food that you wish was served at most restaurants.  I can tell you that the weekend brunch is fabulous, with an amazing french toast, and every soup I’ve tried has been nothing but perfect.  Of course, the scones and desserts are so impeccably baked that in our family you have to share.  They also serve dinner with live jazz music on Fridays, which is something I’ll have to plan for this summer.

Besides having amazing food, there is much to look at around the space: lots of tea and British themed gifts, interesting art and homegoods, as well as a large open side room full of antiques.  And lastly, the one thing we notice every single time that we come is how friendly all of the staff are.  The service is exceptional and makes you feel as if you’re eating at a close friend’s home, and the owner always comes out and checks in on you to make sure you’re enjoying yourself.  We always love visiting and it’s nice to come back and have the staff remember you and also be glad that you returned.

If you are anywhere in the New England area, definitely do yourself a favor by visiting the Basically British Tea Room.  You will not be disappointed!

The Basically British Tea Room
16 Cutler Street, Warren, RI 02885
401.425.0072

{to view more of my outings & experiences photos, please visit my Flickr}

Guess how I spent my Saturday night?  Romantic dinner with the husband at a bistro?  No.  Girls night out at the movies?  No.  Snuggled up for a peaceful night at home… yes, sort of.  Snuggled up to my laptop and sporadically saying “ohh!” and “ahh!” to break up all the quiet.  Being the designer nerd that I am, I spent almost 3 hours (yes, three hours, people!) on Snippet & Ink rifling through Kathryn’s completely amazing inspiration boards.  I must be the last person on earth to have found this incredible treasure.

I’ve seen some of the inspiration board images before, but never have I sat down and gone through them at one time.  Even after three hours, I still hadn’t seen every single one (there are so many!).  I love creating an inspiration collage when I start a project, and every post I came across I couldn’t help but immediately start thinking of great ways to use her color schemes.  Envelope and ink colors, typefaces and textures, I was so excited by her images that I cannot wait to put my inspiration to good use.  I also loved how many times she would pair or group colors in unexpected ways, surprising me with their combinations, but looking so beautiful together.  Thank you Kathryn, for your incredible inspiration boards (perfect name for them) and for a fantastic Saturday night in!

{images shown belong to Snippet & Ink}