This year’s autumn house and home collection from Toast UK certainly doesn’t disappoint! I just love the colors and textures. So incredibly cozy!
All images via Toast UK.
You might also like to read my other Toast UK round-ups:
Category: Inspiration
“The disciple living by grace…”
“The disciple living by grace rather than law has undergone a decisive conversion–a turning from mistrust to trust. The foremost characteristic of living by grace is to trust in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.
To believe deeply, as Jesus did, that God is alive and present and at work in human life is to understand that I am a beloved child of this Father, and hence, free to trust. That makes a profound difference in the way I relate to myself and others; it makes an enormous difference in the way I live. To trust Abba, both in prayer and life, is to stand in childlike openness before a mystery of gracious love and acceptance. […]
To be alive is to be broken. And to be broken is to stand in need of grace…There is a beautiful transparency to honest disciples who never wear a false face and do not pretend to be anything but who they are.
When a man or woman is truly honest (not just working at it), it is virtually impossible to insult them personally. There is nothing to insult. Those who were truly ready for the kingdom were just such people. Their inner poverty of spirit and rigorous honesty had set them free. They had nothing to be proud of.”
-Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel
Monday’s Pretty Things :: Sunshine Yellow Edition
Let’s Go Anywhere via Emily O Photography on Flickr
It’s our motto.
Wherever We Are via vol.25
I love this. Have you seen vol.25’s other prints? Such fun illustrations!
Wooden Yellow House via MerrittHyde on Etsy
I seem to have a theme going on this week. I love how that happens without me even realizing it or planning it out ahead of time.
Felted Acorns via Fairyfolk on Etsy
I miss acorns. Florida is severely lacking in the towering oak department.
House facade at Old Kastro village in Sifnos island, Western Cyclades, Greece via Gargaro on Flickr
This Mediterranean house is so very bright and sunshine-y!
Citrus Baby Blanket via The Purl Bee
I really like the fun, bold stripes on this baby blanket. There are other great striped color combos over at The Purl Bee.
Alright, back to Monday chores! The house looks like it’s enjoyed the weekend a little too much…
Meanwhile, while I’m cleaning up, you might like to read Monday’s Pretty Things from previous weeks.
‘Little Reader Vintage’ – cute baby clothes on Etsy
You guys. Seriously. Little Reader Vintage is my favorite Etsy store for little people’s vintage clothes. How amazing is this for just $7? All you mamas need to check out her shop; almost all the items are under $10.
Vintage White Pleated Dress $7 – view listing here
And this tiny little shirt? Oh my. Too cute.
Vintage Red Floral Calico $6 – view listing here
You should also follow Whitney on Twitter @littlereader. Because I said so. ;-)
Monday’s Pretty Things :: The Bright & Cheery Edition
It’s been a while since I’ve popped into say hello. It’s been cah-razy around here! On Thursday, Josiah came home from work all feverish and sick. He’s been home ever since. Meanwhile, Aveline decided it was time for a second tooth.
I am plumb.tuckered.out.
Iparralde – the French Basque Countryside via Cannelle et Vanille
Isn’t this so gorgeous? Cannelle et Vanille is one of the most beautiful blogs you’ll ever read.
Japanese-inspired Canarian Tote via Artemis Adornments (Crochet how-to here)
I think I’m going to make these. Apparently, it’s just a crocheted rectangle that’s then folded and stitched into place!
Wooden Rainbow Stacking Bowls via Apple N Amos on Etsy
Such fun wooden toys in this shop! The less plastic around the house, the better, says I.
Giraffe Print via The Paper Nut on Etsy
This cheery print makes me want to go to the zoo.
Or maybe I belong in the zoo. You don’t want to know it took me nearly two hours to compile this post. I checked on my sick husband. Changed Aveline. Fed her. Opened the windows for some fresh air and a cross-draft. Set her down near me in a comfy little nest of blankets and toys. Started uploading photos. Started writing. Then Aveline made a mess. Required a bath. Necessitated a load of laundry. Demanded food. Gave herself an oatmeal facial. Nearly required another bath. Fell asleep face down on my lap.
Will you believe me if I tell you I looked like this girl the entire time? ;-)
Shoshanna Gruss photographed by Rachel McGinn for Matchbook Mag Issue 5
You might also like to read Monday’s Pretty Things from previous weeks.
Monday’s Pretty Things :: On a Tuesday
Bosnian Coffee in Sarajevo, via RamblinCat on DeviantArt
It’s only right that we top off the end of the the long three-day weekend with COFFFEEEEEE. That delicious caramel-colored coffee goes perfectly with the rustic-looking ceramics, don’t you think? I liked the photo even more when I read that it was taken in Sarajevo!
Fog Linen via Old Faithful on {frolic!}
I love the classic look of this striped towel. Although this one uses Japanese fabric, it’s modeled after the Turkish linen towels which were first hand-loomed near the Aegean and Black Seas centuries ago.
Farrin Stripe Chemise via Toast UK
This striped tunic featured in Toast UK’s newest Autumn 2011 Women’s catalogue was definitely inspired by Turkish linens!
Pink toile wallpaper via decorsupplies.co.uk
I don’t usually go too crazy for pink, but this pink twist on toile really caught my eye. Or maybe it’s just the super-clean, clutter-free space that’s appealing to me ;-)
Red Ombre Ruffle Pillow via That Funky Boutique on Etsy
I’d just love to cuddle up here amongst all those knit pillows with that cup of Sarajevan coffee.
Cable Knit Throw via Mi Casa Revista as seen on Inspirations Deco
I’m a huge fan of cable knit, especially when it’s done in off-white and earthy tones. Check out the rest of the photos from this pretty Spanish house — there are more cable knit throws and pillows throughout the home.
Cable Knit via Closet Visit
Alright, one last dose of cable knit for good measure. If Autumn has arrived where you live, you can use this to keep warm. Me, I’ll just keep dreaming while the AC is humming away…
You might also like to read Monday’s Pretty Things from previous weeks
Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop :: [Baby] Vintage
Today is my first time linking up with the weekly Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop. Gussy Sews is hugely inspirational to me — she’s a Michigan girl living in the Twin Cities, who, after teaching herself to sew just three years ago, now runs a very successful handmade business! Each week she chooses a theme for the Inspiration Workshop, and bloggers everywhere participate by sharing their interpretation of that theme. Gussy says,
This week’s prompt is vintage. Do you have a favorite vintage piece of clothing or accessory? How about a favorite vintage shop? Or is there an old car you admire? The possibilities are endless…
Alrighty, then! Let’s get started. No big surprise that I’m interpreting vintage with a baby flair, right?
Reproduction of Vintage 1930s Girl’s White Cotton Dress
I’m especially drawn to the simple designs from the early 1900’s — the ’10s, ’20s, and ’30s. In fact, a very talented friend handmade Aveline a gorgeous little garment fashioned after a 1930’s dress.
Isn’t it lovely? It won’t fit her until she’s a little older, so until then it’s displayed on the wall in her room.
Vintage 1910s, 1920s, and 1930s Baby Dresses and Rompers
I just love old baby clothes. Have you ever browsed the Belle Heir website? It’s so easy to get lost amongst all the pretty vintage baby things. This 1935 number even has the same kind of pintucks as Aveline’s dress!
Here’s a linen romper from 1910 — such delicate embroidery! (That blue section you see around the goose is cross-stitched.)
Don’t you just love the black stitching on this 1930s peach gauze dress?
I like the subtle addition of color with the striped placket on this 1930s linen dress.
Another 1910-era cotton romper.
Vintage 1930s Knitting Patterns
It’s fun to imagine the little people who wore these outfits. The photographs on vintage patterns, like these 1930s Bairns-Wear Knitting Wools pieces from the Vintage Knitting Lady, give a little peek into what the wee girls and boys might have looked like. I gotta admit the recurring appearance of nuns made me giggle.
Now I’m completely and totally inspired to make Aveline a dress like I mentioned in my creative goals for the remainder of 2011. Off to look through my stack of fabric!
Monday’s Pretty Things :: Burlap
Happy Monday, dear readers! This week’s edition of Pretty Things is all about burlap.
Defined Lines Scarf via Anthropologie
I’ve really been drawn to these colors lately. Well, I’ve always been drawn to coral and orange, but recently I’ve begun to love mustard yellow, as well. And it’s no secret that I have a weakness for pashminas and scarves! The threads in the warp and weave pattern on this scarf remind me of a softer, more feminine version of burlap.
Roman Shade out of a Burlap Sack via Better Homes & Gardens as seen on Red Door Home
The natural look & the rustic texture of burlap really appeals to me. I also love the fact that printed grain sacks (or coffee bags!) often have the names of other countries printed on them.
Italian Cottage via Cote Maison as seen on Style Files
In keeping with the mustard yellow and burlap theme, here’s a strikingly beautiful corner of an Italian cottage. This space as the potential to appear cold since it has stone walls and a tile floor, but so much life is brought to the space through textiles. I like the mix of fabrics on the pillows, but it’s the row of baskets which really caught my eye here.
Circle Patchwork Rug via VivaTerra
This crocheted wool rug (no longer available from VivaTerra) makes me want to make my own! The color combination here is perfect, I think. In theory I like how the circles are all different sizes, but in practice I’d find it very hard to refrain from making them all uniform!
Burlap and Twine-Wrapped Bouquet via Style Me Pretty
This is so simple and yet so striking. White blooms against the natural burlap and twine — just lovely! I really like it.
Burlap Headboard via My Home Ideas as seen on Re-Nest
I don’t think it gets much better than this last photo. Guatemalan coffee burlap headboard? Curtains reminiscent of a gypsy caravan? Red and yellow pillows? SIGN.ME.UP.
You might also like to read other editions of Monday’s Pretty Things.
The Oaxacaborn Blog 