Another Friday nearly slipped past us! But at the last minute we caught it by it's tail and it's feeling like we're gonna claim ownership of the weekend. Are you ever lucky enough to feel that way? It's a good feeling. For us it means that we know exactly what we're doing, we know exactly where we'll be, and we'll have all the proper tools to make it all happen correctly. This will be our Mise En Place Weekend.
And I feel like my lead-off Friday Favorite couldn't be more appropriate...because knowing exactly what you're doing, and exactly why and how you are doing it, is what Staying True is all about. As of the typing of this post let me inform you that I put my money where my mouth is and I quickly hopped over and placed an order for this awesome "Stay True" Affirmation banner! Seriously...couldn't wait a minute longer...took a typing break...shopped...and now I'm back to finish the post..ha!
I love the simplicity of this weighty statement. It's handcrafted by Ashley Brown Durand in Massachusetts. You may have seen her "It's OK" banner...which I adore as well.
I just adore these recycled canvas buckets from Chewing The Cud. I can think of a million ways to use 'em and display 'em. Of course my first instinct is to load 'em up with art supplies. The little tools that I like to keep close at hand...daubers, erasers, little sanding blocks...I can see these all lined up along the sunny edge of the worktable.
I'm Including this as a favorite...but it's not a favorite as per usual. As an artist, as a sensitive soul who needs to keep a clear head, who needs to keep positive in order to be of any use to the world of pretty things...I tend to not dwell on the dark and unfortunate things that inevitably must happen in this world of ours. Things like war. Like many of you, I take it very personally. I never fuss with politics or topics that are way way way outside of my expertise. So for me there is only one side of the conversation if the conversation is about war. I think only of the young soldiers...each one a very special individual. It's impossible for me to depersonalize the idea of war. I can never see the big picture...the purpose...the goal. My eyes only see the clear-as-day faces of each heroic young person involved. And my feelings are deeply rooted in the fact that my dad is a Vietnam Veteran.
So yes, this favorite just so happens to be very timely. I'm so moved by this photography collection by Claire Felicie. The collection is entitled "Marked"...and it consists of black and white triptychs of Marines before, during, and after their tour of duty in Afghanistan. The photographs speak for themselves.
I just started a new board on Pinterest...guess what the title is?...jam! If you been reading this blog for a while you know that we are big fans of food gifts. Aaron especially, he goes nuts for cheese. Present him with a selection of artisanal cheeses, and you've got a friend for life. Well I'm a sucker for food gifts that feature a variety of amazing stuff. Gourmet baskets chock full o' specialty goods...and make sure there's plenty of jam in the basket. Blackberry jam might be at the very top of the list. We've been wanting to give jam making a go. We just need to find time in the schedule! :) We were so thrilled to see the sweeties over at the Nerd Nest making blackberry jam. I feel like we're often right on the same page as Megan and Jake. We have some really fantastic vintage cookbooks with some great old school recipes. Jam making was way more common way back when...they knew how to live it up in the oldie days! We'll be trying this Sour Cherry Jam soon.
And lastly, yes...the weather is actually beginning to show slight signs of the approaching Autumn. So I've got scarves on the brain. And classic black and white check is a fave around here. I've been using it as a neutral forevs...and Aar always rocks the button downs in black and white check. Even in our decor we love it. We currently have a table cloth that looks exactly like this scarf. It works for all seasons, but in the Fall it's especially fantastic.
Ok, thanks for popping in again...jeez...Friday is almost over. But like I said...we're gonna OWN this weekend. And we'll gladly share ownership with all of you...take charge...make it YOURS!
xo, Jenny & Aaron