the whole world on a wall

Totally no recollection where I snagged this picture, but I love it.  Great idea for a wall in a play room or a children's bed room.  Ummmm...even a living room.  I rather fancy this a lot.  Maps are so exciting...they get me dreaming and scheming about adventures in far off places. 

We still have a blank white wall in our baby's nursery... still no real plan on what the heck to do.  As you have never been in my home, you would know that I have something against plain white walls....every wall in my home is covered.  I've tried to do the minimalist thing...I fail every time.  I love being surrounded by visual "pretties."

My heart it still so in love with this whimsical ( yet super pricey and significantly smaller!) world map by Julie Mercier.  I think it would look smashing in our baby's room. 

brilliant new york

One of the biggest reasons I was psyched about moving to upstate New York was being within a couple hours of New York City...as I LOVE New York City.  Who doesn't?  I love the museums.  The pizza.  The architecture.  The lights.  The parks.  I could go on infinitely.  Too bad residency has kept me busy almost every single weekend of the last 10 months...only made it into the city once...which is actually quite a tragedy.

One year I traveled into the city  over a dozen times...which is a lot for a girl who lived in Arizona (though I was living in Rhode Island at the time!).  I think this is a fun print by Julie Mercier; certainly not the most sophisticated portrayal of NYC, yet it is a fun and bright and lively interpretation.  I am a fan of Miss Mercier...remember here?

wood wall

I think this is wonderful.  Not sure if I'd love it in a home with small children (hello splinters??) but I think it adds such a quirky fun element to a room...warms it up.  Woodgrain is so beautiful. via Poppytalk

missing arizona

here

I will go days and days without really thinking about life in Arizona...probably one of the perks of being super busy.   Yet, then there are days like today, where it's extra cold outside, a fresh layer of snow is sitting on my car, Tommy is working and I'm home alone.  In these quiet moments, I miss Arizona.

The horizon just doesn't stretch out forever like it does back home.  The sunsets aren't quite as wild here either. And I crave REAL tortillas like crazy (you literally cannot buy decent tortillas here...believe me...I've searched and searched.)  Umm...or Mexican food at all. 

I am getting along just fine in our new place, yet whenever I see an image of the Grand Canyon, or a tumbleweed, or the desert, my heart strings tug because that was once my home.  And a little piece of my heart is always going to be there I suppose.

I think I need a pet cactus.  

best of both

Huge thanks to Laura for bringing this little beauty into my life.  Gorgeous stairs....gorgeous bookcase...in one.  Gotta love that!  From apartment therapy.

discovery street giveaway

I want this I want this I want this.  In fact - I would argue that I need this. 

To carry our baby around...looks so convenient.  I would still have my hands available...for washing dishes, or reading books, or blogging with the baby.  Or for taking in a walk at the park, a quick trip to the grocery store or for an outing to the library.  Possibilities are endless.

Discovery Street is having a give-away for $40 towards something rad....this carrier is what I'd get if I win!

staircase

here

I'm thinking my fascination with staircases and bookshelves stems from the fact that I grew up in a house that didn't have any stairs.  Most people in my hometown live in ranch style homes...one level...no stairs.  I always wanted stairs...to slide down the banister...to twirl evergreens around it at Christmas and to line the wall with interesting visual stimulation.

The bookshelf obsession I have is clearly because...well...bookshelves are so gorgeous. 

Someday.

help feed my soul

I just found this fab site, Feed Your Soul, that has free downloadable prints from indie artists.  This might be the answer to my little prayers as I've been trying to find something lovely to hang on a patch of white wall in our nursery.  Our budget is maxed out - so I was going to have to get uber creative (which, unfortunately, I just don't have the time for) or print a photo we've taken...but we aren't photogs here.

Help me pick one of these three...I'm leaning towards the print on the top...whatdoyathink?  Go find your own free inspiration at Feed Your Soul!

pretty pretty steps

via Exquisite Banana

Such cheerful designs.  In the best color.  *Sigh*  Another "someday" thing to keep in my back pocket.

floating boats

As much of a fan of bright colors I proclaim myself to be, I find softer pastel hues rather divine.  Though, I have nothing in my own home to suggest that sentiment.  These floating boats, by the ever talented Ann Wood, are so dreamy and so captivating I'm having twitching impulses to scrap our current nursery decor and instead play with the whispering colors of the softest blues and grays and creams.  Wouldn't these be delicious over a crib?  Or reading nook? 

These ships make me think of Peter Pan's adventures, and pirates and mermaids and lost treasure and fireworks over the ocean.  Anything that reminds me of Peter Pan is gold in my book. I hope our baby loves those tales of adventure too.