Book Recommendation

I've been meaning to share this book recommendation with you all, and when it was featured in House Beautiful, it reminded me again what a great one it is. 

I received The Life of a Bowerbird as a birthday present, and immediately fell in love with the images of collections and ways to make your own little collections a part of your home. The giver obviously knows me well. :)

Bower birds are:

: any of a family of passerine birds of Australia and New Guinea in which the male builds a chamber or passage arched over with twigs and grasses, often adorned with bright-colored objects, and used especially to attract the female.

The book is filled with photos of any and every kind of collection. I particularly love this egg photo.

When I would ask my mom in the aisles of an antique mall "do I need another plate?", she's responded several times with "baby, we come from a family of collectors". So, the plate was taken to the counter. :) Obviously, it doesn't take much to convince me.

 Much like the bowerbird, I too love my little collections of objects gathered along the way. My grandmothers and mother all had/have collections of beautiful things picked up along the way or passed down over the years. Whether its nature or nurture, there was no escaping that trait with this girl. 

The first thing that comes to mind is china. China, plates, dishes. Of all kinds. Old, new, fine, inexpensive. Blue and white, creamware, silver, silver plate, majolica, blanc de chine, pewter, wood, or modern stoneware. Plain, fancy, detailed, simple. While walking around my house, my love is evident - there is a plate display in every room of my home. 

The other collection that came to mind for me was my love/obsession with any and all books on design. Modern design, classic style, or transitional. I love them all. Really, I just love books. And again, they're piled on many surfaces in our home. 

Other objects I've got en masse are boxes. I love a pretty box. They don't have to be fancy or fine, but just a nice rectangular or square box looks lovely to me, and they hide a multitude of things - remotes, matches, coasters, nails, and my many note pads and pens I've got hidden all over the place.

And lastly, my mother in law started me a small collection of antique brushes and mirrors. She found them along the way when she spotted a unique piece with an M. I love these displayed on a chest in our bedroom. 

What collections to you have in your home? 

Book Recommendation

I've been meaning to share this book recommendation with you all, and when it was featured in House Beautiful, it reminded me again what a great one it is. 

I received The Life of a Bowerbird as a birthday present, and immediately fell in love with the images of collections and ways to make your own little collections a part of your home. The giver obviously knows me well. :)

Bower birds are:

: any of a family of passerine birds of Australia and New Guinea in which the male builds a chamber or passage arched over with twigs and grasses, often adorned with bright-colored objects, and used especially to attract the female.

The book is filled with photos of any and every kind of collection. I particularly love this egg photo.

When I would ask my mom in the aisles of an antique mall "do I need another plate?", she's responded several times with "baby, we come from a family of collectors". So, the plate was taken to the counter. :) Obviously, it doesn't take much to convince me.

 Much like the bowerbird, I too love my little collections of objects gathered along the way. My grandmothers and mother all had/have collections of beautiful things picked up along the way or passed down over the years. Whether its nature or nurture, there was no escaping that trait with this girl. 

The first thing that comes to mind is china. China, plates, dishes. Of all kinds. Old, new, fine, inexpensive. Blue and white, creamware, silver, silver plate, majolica, blanc de chine, pewter, wood, or modern stoneware. Plain, fancy, detailed, simple. While walking around my house, my love is evident - there is a plate display in every room of my home. 

The other collection that came to mind for me was my love/obsession with any and all books on design. Modern design, classic style, or transitional. I love them all. Really, I just love books. And again, they're piled on many surfaces in our home. 

Other objects I've got en masse are boxes. I love a pretty box. They don't have to be fancy or fine, but just a nice rectangular or square box looks lovely to me, and they hide a multitude of things - remotes, matches, coasters, nails, and my many note pads and pens I've got hidden all over the place.

And lastly, my mother in law started me a small collection of antique brushes and mirrors. She found them along the way when she spotted a unique piece with an M. I love these displayed on a chest in our bedroom. 

What collections to you have in your home? 

An Engagement Party

Recently, my grandfather and aunt hosted my brother and his fiance's engagement party. It was held at my grandparent's home, and everything really was lovely. The food was fantastic, the fellowship between families was wonderful, and yours truly did the flowers - which I think were pretty fun! 

When my husband and I were engaged, we celebrated our engagement with our families here too. Can't believe that's been over 4 years ago! 

I used red roses, trailing amaranths, white lilies, eucalyptus, and green orchid to accentuate my grandparents' beautiful home. In addition to the flowers, I added cheeses, grapes, and breads to a few vignettes as well.

Here are a few snaps around the par-tay

A small chest in the sun room - the celadon urns looked fabo holding those gorgeous red roses!

The front door and main entrance - the lilies smelled divine!

The main dining table where the food would be displayed as well

Loved the green and white foliage with the blue and white vases!

Nothing's sweeter than a mint julep with a few rose buds tucked inside

At the end of the back hallway, green orchid, red roses, and amaranth spilled from a double happiness jar

The breakfast table displayed more blue and white vases with lilies and eucalyptus

Smaller arrangements graced the coffee table and side table in the keeping room

The burled chest in the entry had a gorgeous arrangement of orchid, lily, and greens - oh, the scent!

The "key table" in the back hallway saw a little love with red and green inside more blue and white

The main mantel in the living room needed something extra special. I piled plenty of open lilies and eucalyptus with green orchids in these gorge urns.

The bar held a small vignette of flowers and cheeses

The sun room had another green and red arrangement

This small chest held more lilies in the entry

I loved this display! St. Francis sits atop rustic cake stands spilling with lilies, cheeses, grapes, spreads, and breads

The living room coffee table held a spray of flowers

And the piano had a small display of foods and flowers as well

When the food was displayed, the dining table truly became a feast for the eyes {and our tummies!}

There were quiche, beef wellington, roast beef biscuits,  and curried chicken skewers

And my fave - tomato basil ravioli!

The crab cakes were divine too!

And a few more lovelies to leave you with on this cold Monday:

Oh, I can't forget the desserts!!! I will admit, this mommy-to-be indulged in quite a few! 

There were fruit tarts that were amazing; delicious biscotti; amazing tiramisu; and my fave - the chocolate mousse with raspberry and mint. 

Our party favors were pear-shaped soaps that happily boasted on the box, The Perfect Pair. 

Yes, Laura Lyn and Brince are the perfect pair indeed!

Here is a snap of me with my three siblings:

Abbye, Brince, and Asa

And here's me and my hot date!

And the gorgeous couple we were all happy to celebrate