Little gems!

A simple search for a silhouette tote bag lead me right to a wonderful website that is chock full of antiquey looking finds that could have been easily found at a Paris street market. If you're a lover of all things French like me, you must check out their stock, but even if you aren't I bet you can find something you'd like to plop in your virtual cart and bring home. Here are some of my favorites, but make sure to check it out for yourself at www.mothology.com!

Love these antique toast holders and the idea of using them to hold mail or even old letters that your grandmother sent your grandfather back in the day.

Some of you will hate these, but the kitsch factor is so great and I actually can think of several places they would be fabulous. I'd hesitate to use them in an already heavily ornate space filled with antiques, but in a more contemporary and clean-lined space, these would be the statement piece I'd use. Really fun.

I love a good desk lamp and this articulating one is right up my alley. I see some great ones at thrift stores all the time, but this one is special with that amazing patina and the squaty nature of it. 

This hand carved candle holder from India is incredible. I can imagine a row of them on a mantle...my mantle, to be more exact. 

For only $14 a piece, these are super cute for the grocery store or just running errands. 

Since my brief but wondrous foray into the world of textiles and apparel years ago, I have been enamored with dress forms of all kinds. Wire ones like this are my favorite and would be great in a collection above an armoire in a dressing room.

Come on. He's adorable and hand carved! His little eyeballs just crack me up!

You can't go wrong with a leaning floor mirror and this one stands alone. The unfinished pine would suit any space and the lines are just gorgeous, don't you think?

Numbered anything makes me get all excited. These vintage inspired stacking boxes would be perfect for jewelery, but also great on an entry table for mail, keys and the like.

I love newsprint paper and so these little notebooks filled with blank newsprint with the vintagey looking Bingo covers are so darn cute. Perfect bedside notepads for all those brilliant ideas at 3am and can't remember by 7. 

It doesn't get much better than this key rack inspired by the old hotel ones. I really, REALLY love this.

One week til Christmas! Yikes! Happy shopping!

XOXO

I'm Nothing If Not Consistent!

Living in a 130 year old Victorian home certainly has it's benefits. You know what isn't one of them? A kitchen meant for Smurfs. That's right, if I were Smurfette, I could easily maneuver my minuscule kitchen and even have my Smurf friends over and we could all congregate around the center island. But because I am not a Smurf, I find it ever-so frustrating to work in what must be the world's smallest kitchen and to make matters worse, it is not only where people enter our home but also where an equally tiny half bath is located off of. Nothing like plunging the toilet mid-party in full view of someone helping themself to a bite of my delicious corn dip. (Which really is the bomb...yes, the bomb...for a casual event. Find the recipe HERE.)

 So, yes, I dream of a better kitchen...an amazing kitchen...and here's how I know after all these years I'm ready to build one...it's because all my favorite inspiration pics are nearly identical in style and color and finishes. A bit Parisian apartment, a bit farmhouse chic and a touch of professional kitchen. Someday...

Farmouse meet Fabulous. Fabulous, Farmhouse. 

Kitchen Showcase, 2009 

(Brandon Barre)

If you're a fan of my Jen of All Trades facebook page, you'll remember last night's Love it or Leave it where people were commenting on the mix and match chairs around the dining table and the wingbacks flanking the ends. I think you'll agree...or maybe not...that as you see here it can be a really beautiful and charming option especially with the back pillows for comfort. Makes you want to sit down for a spell, no?

I would rather have these double farmhouse style sinks than all the diamonds in the world.

The two above just kill me...I mean, they literally make my heart hurt because I love them sooooo much. So French. So lovely. So timeless. It simply doesn't get better to me than this and I can smell the espresso brewing and the quiche in the oven...it's burning, mind you, but it's in there.

(depotiers)

(candace olsen)

(david duncan livingston)

(decor pad)

Every rootin', tootin' part of this butler's pantry is perfection to me.

 Just gaze at it a moment and tell me what could be better! 

(decorno)

Sublime...and yes, I could keep the fridge organized enough to have glass fronts. 

(jennifer flanders)

(martensen jones)

(mick de guilio)

(sandy holland)

(sarah richardsen)

(something's gotta give set)

We'll end on this one...another one of my all-time favorites. Can you imagine? I can. 

AHHHH, PARIS! JE T'AIME.

For as long as I can remember I've had a love affair with all things French. After two trips to Paris I am only more smitten than ever...as a matter of fact, there are some days that I spend hours thinking of the city, the architecture, the people, the language and of course the food. I continue to be inspired by the images below and though my camera skills leave a lot to be desired, I hope you can appreciate the beauty that so often brings tears to my eyes and inspires so much of my personal design sensibilities.

Ugh, I hate that when I downloaded these the dates were on there! Anyone have an idea how to remove them without photo shopping?