::nye::

Thanks for the good times, 2012. And thank you for following along this year.

CHEERS!

::shop update // rustic home decor::

There's lots of new vintage making it's way into the 6 petals shop.

If you want to be the first to know when new items hit the shop, follow 6 petals on Twitter and Facebook. 

::copy cat::

This is the look I'm going for in my new office/studio space. It helps that I have a lot of the same pieces too: tall metal locker, antlers, wooden shelves and compartments, rustic spools, old suitcases and beautiful typographic elements. I'm really excited to add a cool light fixture. I've been collecting a few pieces for just that.

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::for print::

With a wedding in just under 7 months, I suppose it's time to start planning. I've been turning to my typography board for a bit of inspiration for Save the Dates, a return address stamp, and all those other little details that make paper so pretty. It's hard to beat a beautiful cursive handwriting mixed with old school serifs. I'll need to practice getting the letters just right.

::transitions::

In a couple weeks Jay and I will be moving into our first home. A beautiful house with room(s) to grow and play. It also means that I'm pinning places & spaces like a mad man, getting tons of ideas for decorating and making it home sweet home.

Plus, 6 petals will have it's own space, which will kick start the shops back to life! finally...

::make time for these::

The plan is the make time to work on fun projects that have been sitting on the back burner. I have a few vintage "objects" that I'd like to turn into light fixtures, fabric scraps just begging to be braided into a market bag and some large vintage maps that should be displayed in that scroll-like fashion. There's a long list of ideas-- most of them hit me at midnight when I'm trying to sleep. Maybe I'll squeeze one in this weekend.

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::a special gift::

Last time I was home in Florida, I found an alligator skin carrying case filled with old slides tucked away in my grandma's closet. We got them developed and made digital, too.

I'd been waiting for the right time to use that vintage scrapbook. The result was a special birthday gift. Love you, Dad.

::trinkets::

If you're anything like me you have a few extra things laying around-- mostly vintage of course. They all add to the personality and uniqueness of your home. Some people (the man in the house) will never understand. 

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::vintage & modern::

I love how well this home mixes modern pieces with vintage decor. Little nooks and crannies of stuff to add pops of color and bring personality to a heavy-white space. And seriously, that couch! It's the kind you just want to jump on. Those Scandinavians have some wicked style.

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::things i like::

And, the more patina the better.

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::lab glass::

I  love the juxtaposition of these two pieces. A flower + laboratory glass. It's just perfect-- especially vintage flasks, test tubes and beakers.

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::gone huntin'::

Any weekend is a good weekend for treasure hunting. Happy Friday!


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::rustic interiors::

My heart goes pitter-patter when I see paint-chipped wood and rustic decor. I always wonder where the pieces have been and who used them long ago. How great is that old ladder turned shelf? Would be fairly easy to make with an old pallet. Add that one to the 'make it' list.

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::pretty clutter VS minimalism::

When it comes to decorating I usually fall into the "pretty clutter" category. As a collector, I can't help it! I come across such unique pieces in my treasure hunting that it's hard to pass up another cool item for my space. I decorate like I salt...I sprinkle it all over. Do I need it? Definitely not. This is what I'm trying to tame.

I'm also drawn to more minimalist and simple settings that let the architectural lines, nature of the materials and necessary furniture pieces speak for themselves. 

With everything, I guess it's all about finding that balance.

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::portsmouth market day::

Hey, Hampton Roads vintage vultures-- start your Cinco de Mayo with a little treasure hunting...

::while i was away::

Goodness! At least this week is almost over. I've been dreaming of new ideas for the 6 petals website, shop and incorporating some videos-- this class would be so much fun! For now, they're just ideas until I find some time to explore. I feel like I've neglected my little blog this week. Hopefully May will allow for more of my creative side to shine. I'm sure I'm not the only one, but I'm still trying to find that balance between work life and personal life. It's tricky!

This weekend we're headed to Harrisonburg to celebrate a graduation. It also happens to be a super location for treasure hunting. There are some awesome antique shops that I can't wait to visit. There's one shop that I found last time I visited with a sweet old lady who seems to have been collecting her whole life.

We have this huge shed in our backyard that's a perfect storage spot for all my vintage goods. Two of my old windows are gonna be making their way to California next week. Here's a peek at one of the window seating charts I'm working on for the West Coast couple. 

::it's the little things::

...that make life so sweet.

I'm not sure about you guys, but April totally snuck up on me. Although I love that Spring is here-- it felt so nice to pack away coats and beanies! I've taken on a few new projects and have high hopes to keep things up to date here. I have so much respect for all the one-woman shows out there who manage to keep a good balance on work life, personal life and all the overlap in between. I love having my hands on everything, which means it's sometimes hard to say no. For me, April means productivity and finding that balance.

So, how do you find balance in the whirlwind of work and play?

::foreshadowing::

Lots and lots of beautiful vintage to come...

Happy weekend!

::vintage style // dear golden::

My favorite places to shop online for vintage is Dear Golden. Hands down. Each pieces makes me want to drive straight up to Michigan and try on all the beautiful wears. The dresses, blouses and shoes are in great condition and most very wearable, not so much for this gypsy eye-candy.

There's so much to love about vintage clothing. Dresses that show off your waist, flirty lace details, the perfection of color palettes and so lady-like. I've been collecting some vintage dresses, shoes, bags and accessories for an extension to the 6 petals shop. This weekend I'll be photographing that collection. There's still some work to be done before the debut, but it's gonna be cool. Promise.

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::let us drink tea::

My friend, Kelsie, loves having little get-togethers at her quaint vintage shop in Norfolk. This time it was a tea party, fit with mixed-matched vintage tea cups, homemade cookies + treats, and of course her little boutique filled with vintage goodness. And music. There's always a bench for local singer/songwriters to play their heart out. 

The shop was bursting with spring colors. So many pretty details in her shop and no lack of florals. Fine by me.