Everyday Beauty

My Girl

We were getting ready to head out and run some errands today, and I quickly snapped some pictures of Sofia. (some are blurry!) Sometimes it's these little moments that make life sweet.

More Hanging Hearts

Hello! I wanted to show you the pretty hearts I received in the exchange last week. The neutral colors couldn't have been softer or lovlier. It's always interesting how each person creates her version of the same type of thing so uniquely. This one (above) was made by Kerry Lynn Yearly , and each bugle bead was sewn on by hand. Isn't it beautiful? The one below, made by Michele Witchell, has some hand beadwork as well. Love the old pearls spelling out beloved, and that pretty cotton flower!



And this darling puffy eyelet one was completely hand stitched by Letty Worley. Though I don't know any of these women, I am happy to have one of their creations!

Hanging Hearts

Remember the hearts I was making a few posts back? Here they are all finished and hanging in the back yard for a little photo shoot. (What my new neighbors must think of me in a hat and scarf taking pictures of hearts on a tree in the middle of winter!)

I made three for the exchange, plus one as a gift for the hostess. And I received three lovely hearts in return. I'll show you later this week how pretty they are!

Happy (belated) Valentine's Day!

Heart Mail

I found this pretty scrapbook paper at my local craft shop, and I'm loving the colors and prints. I used it, along with some lace-printed wrapping paper, to wrap up this small gift for a Valentine. It was mailed yesterday; I hope it makes it there in time. February is nearly half over, which is amazing! A simple cut heart on the back of the package and into the mailbox it goes! Don't you just love Valentine's Day with all it's hearts and pink and love?

Blue Sky

I thought I'd follow up the Pink Sky post with this one about Blue Sky Soda. Do you know about this yummy beverage? I am not a soda drinker, but I do like the occassional fizz in my drink. Usually we've got a few bottles of Pellegrino Limonata or Aranciata chilling, but this is a tasty alternative too. And look how pretty the cans are! None of the bad stuff is in here (high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, preservatives), it's just white tea, carbonated filtered water, sugar and natural flavors. And did I mention how pretty the cans are? How cute these would be in a tub of ice at a summer party. Just thought I'd share!

Pink Sky

Oh my goodness, I missed a few days, didn't I!  Lots going on at Villa Singarella, and I figured I'd wait 'til I had a pretty picture to show you. This pink sunrise greeted me the other morning. I sipped coffee and relaxed while I watched the sky. Just for a moment, until the rest of the house woke up. Then it was: pack lunches, make breakfast, dispense vitamins, comb crazy chicken hair, get them all dressed, bundle in coats and hats, and out the door we go! But this one little peaceful moment of quietness was a nice way to start a fresh new day.

Soup Love

The beginning of vegetable soup this afternoon. I found the heart-shaped wooden spoon in Target's dollar section. A reminder to cook with love!

Tea and PBS

Sometimes all you need is a cup of hot tea and PBS. Tonight, Sense and Sensibility is on. Tomorrow it's a new episode of Downton Abbey. I finally just broke down and ordered seasons 1 and 2 from Amazon.

So, it's off to the sofa I go, tea in hand, flannel jammies on, hair in a messy bun, glasses on, cozy. My husband will pretend to watch it with me for 5 minutes, then he'll go grab the hockey magazine he just bought at the grocery store tonight. :-)

Hope you have a cozy evening!

Inspiration: Taffy

Just had to share the pretty palette of this taffy with you. Why I love pastel candies so much, I'll never know. But I do. It's a bit of an obsession actually.

There's inspiration in these soft colors, and suddenly I want to go scrounge through my craft room and make something in these tones. Another fabric heart maybe? A wreath for the front door? A hair clip for Sofia (or me!)? Maybe even a little watercolor play? I'm not sure just yet, but something must be done!

A Mother's Love Necklace

A dear friend of mine has spent the past several weeks taking care of her very ill daughters. As mothers, we often tend to put ourselves last, most especially when our children are sick. Being so far away, I thought endlessly about what I could do to reach out to her and offer support. I ordered a few meals to be delivered to the house, but I really wanted to make her something as well. This Mother's Love Necklace sort of came together one evening, and it seemed like a gift she would enjoy. The two letters are the initials of her daughters' nicknames, and the silver locket keeps their pretty faces close at heart. Happily, the girls are doing much better now, which is the greatest gift of all.