Border Oak Inspirational Homes

Border Oak is a family owned and operated company in England that is dedicated to the revival of the art of green oak framing. They use traditional British techniques, and do international business! They are committed to building the finest sustainable homes for all.

 Border Oak has a Blog! Check it out.

If money ever fell in my lap...OH BOY! The vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, brick walls, giant gardens, fire places. I would slap some solar panels on that baby, and a rain catch! It would of course be in a secluded location. I am not into "showing off". I want a place nestled in the woods, with a open area where I grow all of my own ORGANIC food, with an attached green house. I want to be fully sustainable. Completely off the grid, but still living in a modern way of life. I am sick of the chemicals, and lies. I refuse to be a lab rat any longer. People are starting to wake up- realizing we consume too much. We are dependant on the system for almost everything in our lives. It isn't healthy. The system is set up exactly so everyone is dependant. We are throwing money into a select few people's pockets. The U.S. is so far in dept that every second the dept rate goes up $40,000. Every Second! If that doesn't scream, "Chaos is coming!" to you then I don't know what to say.. I am worried, and you should too. Sustainability is the future- That, or we don't have one.
That was my rant.. (sorry)
            Back to Border Oak Homes again. Aren't the photos beautiful?! Their website has hundreds of photo's. It is amazing! Their resume is impressive.

Cabanes Bartherotte & Freres

Today's inspiration is a french company called Cabanes Bartherotte & Freres. In French, the word 'cabane' means "little hut" and it is often made of wood. The design is inspired by fisherman huts. They are  eco-friendly, and beautiful! The website is in french- so I have not even the slightest clue what anything says. There is a video! The french language is beautiful by itself- So check out the site for a visual tour of their property.

I am ready to move in right now!!!

2011 July Desktop Calendar

This is a collaboration between Shanna Murray and Shari Altman. Click here for small and large sizes.

It was only posted today -so sorry for the delay. I will try to post them each month as they are released.

And More of Shanna Murray's Work-

Happy 4th of July!

I thought I would share this photo I took while on a walk with Wayne yesterday. The sun popped out as soon as I walked out the door at work. It was amazing. The butterfly is a Western Tiger Swallowtail.

Happy eating, and firecracker day!

Sunshine!

I hope all of you have been able to lounge in the sun in the last few days. I did twice! That is about how eventful my life is right now. I have been working hard every day. Portland is insane in the summer time.

I have just been craving the sun for so long.. Tomorrow will be beautiful too! I hope all of you have fun.

Photo By Chris Shipman

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

Go Crazy with Free Printable Downloads!
click each for the pdf file- Straw Flags, Bunting, Wrappers for Drinks or Candy, & Labels.

All holiday decorations can be put together in just a few minutes, and be remembered by all because of the personal touches you made to everything. Just think... Homemade lemonade, Fruit slices on a kabob, BBQ Corn on the cob, individual sparkler sets with each kid's name on it. You can re-label fun looking bottles with each kid's name on it too! Smore's kits! The ideas are endless. Above all be safe and have fun!

Printables were found on The Sweetest Occasion by Hank + Hunt.

Today's Inspiration is Anthropologie.com

All Photo's are from the April, May, and June Catalog's at Anthropologie.

Also all swimwear is on sale right now!

4th of July Freebie Printables

Today's inspiration is DIY 4th of July Instant Party Printables By Twig And Thistle.

See the full post here for the complete DIY holiday project and to download.

For personal use only.

Adorable Party Supply Store

Shop Sweet Lulu has THE most adorable party supplies. They have pretty packaging, treat bags, striped straws, glass bottles, huge balloons, candles, and sparklers. Tons of supplies to make your own personal treats and gifts for any occasion- A good way to save money! It is a must see shop. So beautiful.. It feels like cheating knowing about things like this before major holidays! I have time to plan!

Sugar and Charm Beach Photo Shoot

Sugar And Charm designed this beach proposal photo shoot. It is adorable, and looks like alot of fun! It looks like it could be a beach birthday party too! So simple and rather cheap to create. I would have the trunk full of supplies to start a fire, lots of blankets, smores kits, and foofy drinks! A great idea.. The invitation could be a hand drawn map to the party location. You could make little signs letting people know they are close. So many cute ideas to work with!

Inspirational Beach Color Pallette

Usually I would spend my days off at the beach.. But the weather hasn't been that great. It is not bad.. But it is not nice. It has been really overcast. I love everything about the beach, except the wind. The wind changes the surface of water into ripples and waves, as the waves grow in height the wind blows them faster and higher until they eventually break onto the shore. So without wind I wouldn't be able to hear the waves crashing. I can always enjoy the beach with a window cracked open, and bring the beauty of nature indoors!

The blue hue's of the sky and ocean, the beige of the sand, and greyness of a storm, the light driftwood browns, the soft pastel shells, the organic greens are all so calming. I could sit in any of these rooms and read a book, or take a nap. Couldn't you?



Photo Credit 1. Julia Hoersch 2. Real Simple 3. Julia Hoersch 4. Toast 5. Mark Lund 6. Mark Lund 7. left- Real Simple right- Simon Bevan

Father and Son Collaboration Inspiration

This poster is a father and son collaboration. Everything is hand drawn by Koen (age 6) with a Sharpie marker at the dining room table, then arranged digitally by his father and printed by Studio on Fire. They sell the print for $30 Here at Beast Pieces.

Imagine doing show and tell at school?!  He is going to be one popular kid. He fully understands how much power he has with his own hands now. I bet he is addicted to it- I bet he comes home after school and draws everything in hopes his dad will help him make more prints..

It is brilliant.

The Print is 14 x 20 Inches in size

Raw Cashew Cheesecake Recipe By My New Roots

Raw Cashew Dreamcake Recipe By My New Roots.
A cheesecake that is good for you! That is wonderful! See the recipe here.

"This cheesecake is raw, meaning that all the powerful vitamins, minerals, and enzymes present in the whole foods you use to make the cake remain in tact. Instead of an atom bomb of empty calories in your belly, you actually have a handful of fruit, nuts, and raw honey swimming around."

 

Martha Stewart DIY Project

DIY DIP-DYE MARKET BAGS AND BASKETS BY MARTHA STEWART

When dipped in paint, rustic baskets become thoroughly modern carryalls that look as if they came straight out of a design shop. If you don't have enough paint to dip large baskets, use a foam brush to apply the paint instead.

 Don't worry about creating precise lines when dipping in paint; irregularities are part of these baskets' appeal. If you still have paint left over after dipping the baskets, pour it back into its can to use for future projects.
Tools and Materials

• Stir stick
• Water-based latex paint
• Large plastic storage bin
• Basket: Vietnamese market bags $9, from Beads of Paradise (Currently Sold Out)
• Foam paintbrush

How-To
1. Stir paint thoroughly, and pour into plastic bin. Carefully dip basket into paint. Work slowly; as you dip, the paint will push up the sides of the basket. Once you've reached the desired line, slowly pull basket out of paint.

2. If you want a higher line than the dipped mark, use foam brush to paint a new line. Hang basket to dry completely.

Happy Summer Solstice!

Today is the longest day of the year. It is also the first day of summer. And you know.. I have never thought in depth about how the days are long here but not just as long somewhere else.(With an acception of Alaska) On the longest day of the year! For example:

Today- Portland, Oregon's sunrise is 5:21 a.m. and sunset 9:03 p.m.

Anchorage, Alaska's sunrise is at 4:20 a.m. and sets at 11:42 p.m.
Seattle, Washington's sunrise is at 5:11 a.m. and sunset at 9:10 p.m.
NYC, New York's sunrise is at 5:24 a.m. and sunset at 8:30 p.m.
Miami, Florida's sunrise is at 6:30 a.m. and sunset at 8:14 p.m.
Honolulu, Hawaii has a sunrise of 5:50 a.m. and sunset of 7:16 p.m.
London, United Kindom's sunrise is at 4:42 a.m. and sunset is at 9:20 p.m.
Tokyo, Japan's sunrise is at 4:25 a.m. and sets at 6:59 p.m.
Mexico City, Mexico's sunrise is 6:58 a.m. and sunset is at 8:16 p.m.
Reykjavik, Iceland lies at 64°9' North of the equator, just a few degrees south of the Arctic Circle (66°30'N) that experiences 24 hours of daylight on the summer solstice.

Amazing right?

Photos from Rue The Online Magazine

All information found at About.com

A Good Day

These are my favorite vintage photos. I have been hunting for old photos on etsy, and antique shops. And I couldn't be more in love with a photo than I am with these.

They look like they are having a good day.

found on americathebeautiful - Etsy Shop

Happy Father's Day!

I hope all of you let your dad's know- how thankful you are that they are so awesome. I gave my dad a handgun for home defence. It is something he has always wanted. I must embrace the manly man that he is!

I can't just make him a root beer float.. Not that kind of guy. But what a cute idea! Dad's Root Beer!

Photo from One Charming Party