Happy Halloween!

This Halloween, we are feeling bright, happy colors and this amazing DIY ombre pumpkin tutorial from Funkytime. Check it out and have a crafty holiday!

XOXO,

Jillian and Mindy

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Funky Ombre Pumpkins via Funkytime

Marimekko Dinnerware

I've posted before about Marimekko's great patterns (see here and here) but I just came across some Marimekko dinnerware that is equally as lovely. Check out this pretty serving pot.

Other watercolor beauties...

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Marimekko dinnerware

Speaking of Nesting...

Last year, I posted a collection of images inspired by the idea of decorating with little bird's nests. I love the idea so much and am still determined to work this concept into my own scheme. While at Terrain last weekend, I saw a different twist on the nesting idea. See the ceiling fixture below?

It's a great big nest! 

Pretty and whimsical. Perfect at Terrain...and maybe in your outdoor space?

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images by The Pink Chalkboard

Autumn Inspiration from Terrain

This past Sunday, I spent the afternoon wandering around Terrain at Styer's, soaking up tons of beauty and inspiration. This place...oh my! It has the amazing ability to transport me to another world. Here's why...

I left feeling totally refreshed and excited to decorate for the Fall. 

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all images by The Pink Chalkboard

Personalized Pillows

I'm a fan of Red Envelope's personalized pillows. Just one in a room adds such personality!

The clean and simple graphics are nice as is but some pillows give you an opportunity for a more personal message. Take the Sophia pillow above – underneath Sophia it says "likes to color outside the lines". How cute is that? The Love pillow is shown with a couple's name underneath but why not change it to say "THE SMITH FAMILY" or go more generic and just write "LOVE YOU ALWAYS".

Looking for a special housewarming gift or a unique present for a new baby? Then these pillows are for you.

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photos via Red Envelope

October Blooms

Have you ever heard of a butterfly bush? It's a really pretty shrub, with beautiful blossoms, that attracts butterflies! 

My mom planted a butterfly bush in her backyard a couple of years ago and this past summer, we really got to enjoy it. I can't even begin to describe how magical it is to sit outside on a warm summer day, and watch butterflies and (hummingbirds!) dance around the bush. 

Unfortunately all of the pretty little ivory blooms died in early September before I could get a photo to share with you. 

But then we got a nice little surprise a few weeks ago, when her lovely butterfly bush started blooming again!

I don't know if it was because of the string of warm days we had, or if it is typical with this kind of plant, but it was such a delightful surprise to see unexpected blooms. I love a little dose of Spring in the Fall!

Interested in adding a butterfly bush to your garden? Here is some helpful information…and don't forget to send us your photos!

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images by The Pink Chalkboard

Boden Ads as Art

Remember this post about using magazine ads as art? Boden's latest catalog had some beautiful pages that made me think of that.

Aren't the patterns pretty? They would look great with a photo cut out and placed over the text. Then simply frame the ad/photo and you'll have a unique, beautiful piece to add to your gallery wall!

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ads by Boden

Downton Abbey

A few months ago, I became obsessed with Downton Abbey. I started watching it one day and was instantly hooked. It's an amazing show filled with talented actors, interesting and unexpected plots, and a gorgeous castle. When I went to London last month, I was lucky enough to get a tour of Downton Abbey (officially known as Highclere Castle) on the last day of tours there this year!

All above ground scenes like the library, parlor, entryway, bedrooms, etc., are filmed here. (Scenes with the kitchen and house staff are filmed off site.) The amazing thing is that this castle is still someone's home. Lord and Lady Carnarvon and their boys live here part of the year and live in it exactly as we see it on tv. The only difference is that when the tv cameras are gone, the framed family photos come out. There are hundreds of framed photos throughout the house, literally on every surface. So interesting to see a couch that Lady Mary has sat on hundreds of times right next to family photos of the Carnarvon boys at the beach!

Photos of the inside weren't permitted but I took took a bunch of the exterior and the grounds

A short walk from the castle is a lovely garden and beyond that, through a gate in the garden wall, is what they call the Secret Garden. I recognized a bunch of flowers there from the landscaping outside my house. Kind of a neat detail, too, since a photo of an English garden was the inspiration for the look of my front yard!

What a treat it was to walk through the castle, have some tea and a scone there, and then stroll the gardens. Now I just need to sit back and wait patiently for the next season of Downton Abbey to start. January can't come soon enough!

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photos by The Pink Chalkboard

The Type Collective

For all of you type lovers out there, boy have I got a treat for you. These type explorations turned art from The Type Collective.

There is so much design goodness here! Here is just a sampling...

You can view the entire project here. 

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all images via The Type Collective

Show Poster and Lettering by Alex Beltechi
Amazing Ideas by Koma Sinistro
Luck by Andrei Ograda
Nothing is truly simple by Alex Beltechi
No Sleep Till Brooklyn by TaseDan
Anno 1988 by Alex Beltechi
Don't Grow by Alex Beltechi

Hot Air Balloons

A few years back, I travelled to New Mexico for a vacation with friends to visit Santa Fe and to go to the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival.

Have you heard of it? Hundreds of balloons take off early in the morning (what they call the Mass Ascension) and fill the sky with colorful goodness.

It was certainly something to see. Memories of that came back to me recently while I was in a children's store and saw these hot air balloons hanging from the ceiling.

Wouldn't that be fun to make at home and hang in a kid's room? Just cut out two hot air balloon shapes and then make a cut halfway down (from top to middle) on one and a cut halfway up (from bottom to middle) on the other. Slide one balloon shape into the other and you have instant 3D art. I imagine doing this with pretty papers with metallic details or even mounting punchy fabrics onto posterboard and using that. So many possibilities. All would be beautiful!

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photos by The Pink Chalkboard
hot air balloons found in store found at Carters

A Gallery Wall from Schoolhouse Electric

Have you seen the Fall 2013 catalog from Schoolhouse Electric?

It is so, so pretty! I just want to live in the world they have created. (You can check it out for yourself, here!)

Anyway, this spread in the catalog caught my attention because I am always looking to see how stylists create gallery walls. The options are endless and I like to see the things that other people choose to display together, and this one here works so well. 

I particularly love the "Let it Go" wall banner in the center. I have been eyeing this piece for awhile and love how it fits in here. 

Isn't it so simple and sweet? Check out these other wall banners from artist Ashley Brown Durand. 

I think these could be the perfect addition to a beautifully-styled gallery. 

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top three images via Schoolhouse Electric (featuring the Let it Go wall banner)

bottom three images from Secret Holiday Co. via Etsy 

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