An Apple Lane Birthday Party.

This is my grandmother, she's like a mother to me. The name Apple Lane has a special meaning for me, and she's the reason why. These photos are from her birthday party this past summer.

She is beautiful. She is strong. She is accomplished. She is wise.

Apples from their tree.

This was our picture booth. Supplied with hats, scarves, old costume jewelry and lots of feather boas.

Pretty flowers in teapots for every table.

Grandma Flora. Absolutely cherished by her great-granddaughter.

Grandpa's at the very top of her list too.

Many, many years married. Always standing side by side.

Photos of my grandmother. My grandfather placed the apple right in the middle, she is the apple of his eye.

Alana wrote her a poem and framed it.

And then there's my Dylan. Doing what little boys do best, playing with old bricks and cars.

The little things.

When life gives you lemons, put them in a fantastic champagne bucket.


I've been searching like crazy for a slipcover for my old green overstuffed chair. No luck. So I gave up and used what I had to make my own. Sheets, safety pins and a throw blanket.

Shells, driftwood, glass bowels..perfect.


Mason jars, 50 cents each. Good for anything and everything (like flowers from your really sweet husband.)

A small collection of white pitchers. I spotted the two in the back at a cute little second hand shop here in town. I've been giving them the side-eye for a month now. FINALLY, they went on sale. $3 each.

Weekend with my mom.

This weekend we took a quick three day trip to see my mom on the coast. Friday we went to work with her and stopped by the Salvation Army in San Jose, because as my mom explained: THIS Salvation Army is the Rodeo Drive of them all. She knows these things.

Lines of people at the front entrance, back entrance, people with running shoes on. People with crazy looks in their eyes. As soon as the doors open they charged in.

And then I saw it.

The sign.

50 % off the entire store.

I found a big, lovely, old framed oil ocean painting, a 16 gallon shop vac, a set of six gorgeous Henredon cane-back chairs. Plus a few other things, a silver perfectly tarnished champagne bucket and a silver leaf barrette made in France. I walked out paying less than fifty for EVERYTHING.

After our thrift high we washed our hands and headed over to Santana Row to look for a dress for the teenagers middle school graduation.

We stopped at Anthropologie, she tried on a few things but everything there was a bit too informal or they didn't have her size.

Peeked in Z Gallerie.

This couch was amazing. The perfect soft shade of pastel.


I need this. Well maybe not but it would be really nice to have.

The Vintage Wine bar, right in the middle of the street. It would of been fantastic to stop but it was only noon and I don't start my drinking until one. Next time.

We stopped at Borders and I found five hardbound gorgeous books to use as decor (for a dollar each!) My mom commented that they are so large, it would be appropriate to charge them rent.

Lunched at a Mexican restaurant (teenager was very upset that we went into the only Mexican restaurant that did not serve burritos) and headed over to the mall across the street. I think we went into every store; Macy's, Nordstrom, Forever 21, BCBG, Betsey Johnson, White house black market on and on...and on. But we found her dress! And her first pair of electric blue/turquoise, suede, round toed, two inch pumps.

Dads

My husband surprised us and came home from work early. He took off his tie, threw his gym shorts on and came outside to see what we were up to.

He saw one of our daughters upset after some friends excluded her in a game. Without a pause he grabbed Dylans scooter and took off down the street, peddling as fast as his house slippers would let him. The kids eyes opened wide, they laughed and chased him around the corner.

Spirits lifted.

For that I love him.

(Kiana took the picture.)

Drum roll please!

I have a follower!

My very first!

Hi mom.

In other news:

It was gorgeous outside today, so I opened up the garage and worked on a chair I picked up a couple of weeks ago. Wood, 70's, yellow cushion..eww. I'll post an update when it's completed. Please note, the mess in the garage is completely out of the ordinary (I'm lying.)

Not even close to being done.

Burlap covered cushion, my first time!

The kids played in the sun.

Mia had some time outdoors as well.

A few photos from around my house:

I love white, woods, metals..natural, simple, serene.

Valentines Day

Flowers from my husband.


Pink cupcakes my girls made.

He made dinner (salmon) and I sat back and read.

Us.