framing memories

November 3, 2015November 3, 2015 | circadee

November always puts me into nesting mode. It brings my attention back to my home after a busy summer & fall season in the shop. This year is no different. In fact, I got a head start about a week ago when I began moving furniture around late one night. My living room has been bugging me for a while. It has never felt finished or quite as inviting as I’d like. There was one specific corner that was always dark and the massive brown sectional wasn’t helping to lighten it up. I started by scooting my linen arm-chair into that corner and it instantly feels brighter! I’ve also finally pulled the trigger on ordering the sofa I’ve been lusting over. I can’t wait for it to arrive just in time for the holidays.

In the meantime, CanvasPop offered me a print to review and GIVEAWAY! I’m over the moon with the quality of this product. The 16 x 20 art print is framed with a 2.5 inch mat. It has certainly helped to elevate this corner in our living room. We had this photo taken a couple of years ago during our “Mess the Dress” session after our wedding. We worked with wonderful photographers during that time in our life and, to be honest, we haven’t done much with the professional photos yet. It can be so overwhelming.

CanvasPop was exactly what I needed to get this memory professionally framed and matted. They made the process so quick & easy! My art print arrived neatly packaged in just 10 days. I love the content of the photo too and how it plays into this evolving space. Although this was a professional photo, CanvasPop can work with photos of any resolution and you can even import them from Facebook and Instagram. How is that for convenient?

Now it is your turn to win a CanvasPop 16 x 20 framed photo paper print with the 2.5″ white mat + free shipping. The winner will have until November 30, 2016 to order their free print.

Click the CanvasPop banner below to enter and leave a comment here letting me know what you plan to frame if you win! Contest ends November 10, 2015 at 11:59PM PT. The winner will be contacted by email.

Ready to order now? CanvasPop is offering a 35% discount to Circa Dee readers through the end of November. Simply use the code CIRCADEE35 on your order at www.canvaspop.com

favorite finds for the home

January 15, 2015January 15, 2015 | circadee

I’ve never properly shared my newest vintage obsession in my home. That bright orange industrial school locker nestled between vintage French country toile curtains and an amateur ship captain oil painting. None of it makes any sense but it doesn’t have to, does it?

And would you believe my number 1 picker and brother found that flaming orange locker on a curb? No shame in his game. Or mine since I paid him for his haul. Destined for a landfill no more, my friends. It now houses all of the wood stove accoutrements.

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room, shall we? The wood stove is a brand new addition this winter. It is serving us well as our primary source of heat. Ryan installed the slate tile hearth and I must say that he did a bang up job bringing the rustic vibe I was seeking. We picked up the iron log holder on our last trip to Brimfield. I love this cozy corner in our home which is an eclectic mash up of so many vintage styles. It has set the tone for the direction of the rest of our house.

And do I need to mention the vintage walnut & mohair chairs again? Because I will. American furniture designer Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates circa 1970. They go for about three grand on 1st dibs. Unbelievable. Let’s just say I paid less than 1% of that and didn’t have an idea of their value until I researched the label. Neither did the seller obviously. My most prized find to date! It certainly pays to buy (or trash pick) what catches your eye. Always trust your gut when shopping for vintage.

handmade inspiration

March 19, 2013March 19, 2013 | circadee

I just want to create things with my hands all day long. Everyday pretty much. I want to paint furniture, pick out fabric and turn it into chair seats, select wall paint (although not personally paint the walls), cut ribbon & cardstock to turn into pretty invitations, pretend to be a good baker, plant gardens to admire and eat.

You get the idea.

And if you’ve been following this blog for awhile now, you know that I really, truly love locally handmade as well as vintage.

We were honored to have a glorious bridal shower thrown in our honor over the weekend. There were so many details made just for Ryan and I, from vintage gifts, to locally purchased and handmade ones. And of course the registry ones too. Here we are walking in…

I’m here to share with you a few of the creative, handmade gifts and details from the event.

A group of friends took the time to individually bake cookies for the shower. They iced, they stamped, they rolled & cut, they bedazzled a ton of delicate cookies to all be combined onto darling trays to be passed around to munch on after lunch while I opened gifts. I mean who doesn’t love a homemade cookie, really? Especially ones emblazoned with our wedding date and cute aqua gingerbread men!

Oh the gifts!

Here’s just a sampling of the handmade ones…

From our engagement session, our “trunk shot” is forever engrained on this wood slab. This is a perfect addition to our rustic style.

And I seriously think our friend who made this needs to open an etsy shop stat, don’t you?

A for awesomeness! A gift basket full of special occasions alcohol commemorating firsts in our married lives complete with poems. Here’s a an excerpt…When your first year of marriage is done, drink this champagne in honor of anniversaries to come! So clever!

Check out the oil painting version of Ryan and I! This is an image of us headed down to the beach just moments before Ryan proposed. Wilson is right by our side. And my pink paint pants are forever documented! Such a masterpiece. (If you missed the pink paint pant proposal, click here and scroll down.)

We also received some locally handmade applique dish, hand & tea towels. Note the aqua colors. Holler!

And can you believe the state of New Jersey is on a cutting board with a little heart highlighting Cape May where we’ll be married along with our initials and date? No, either can I!

By the way, I received an unbelievable amount of beautiful cutting boards. My newest collection/obsession. I love them all in a totally bizarre way. Like I want to hug them. Hopefully, they will help increase my kitchen productivity and cooking prowess. At the very least, they will look pretty photographed in future vignettes.

Let me tell you about the favor…stop. No words can describe.

Yes, that is a life size blue ball jar. Labor of love is an understatement thanks to my Sis-in-law. SIL turned out like 60 of these and they taste wonderful too! (I should know, I ate like 3 of them.) Amaze-ball! Get it? Ball? Jar?

Seriously, I can’t thank my family & friends enough for their thoughtfulness and generosity. Ryan and I are so lucky! Plus, they all have our style totally pegged which is just icing on the cake…oh the cake! I can’t wait to share more details of the shower ASAP, just as soon as I seriously process it all.

Excuse me while I go eat another cookie…

Circa Dee

vintage inspiration for a modern lifestyle

wall art

framing memories

favorite finds for the home

handmade inspiration