I’ve quickly become obsessed with Pippi’s blog Scandinavian Retreat simply because she finds crisp and simple homes to post about every single day. And there are loads of nooks. I nearly fainted when I came across this beauty in her archives. No, your eyes do not deceive you, that really is a sleeping nook with built in bookcases. Happiness comes in all forms.

First, you catch the recipient’s attention with some pretty flourishes and nice type and then bam! you hit them with a special surprise in the mini envelope. Double boo to the yeah.

Once I have the space I want to own a large farmhouse table where my dinner guests can sit and eat fancy cheese and tarts. Or I could just have one permanently placed in a field for when the occasion arrived for al fresco dining. “Oh mom, I don’t want to have a Little House on the Prairie themed dinner again.” “Deal with it child.”

Ummm, have I told you lately that you’re awesome? I loved reading about your fave childhood movies. I had totally forgotten about Troop Beverly Hills and I’m relieved to know that the mannequin movie is entitled A Mom For Christmas. I’m now anxiously awaiting for Labyrinth to make it’s way to the library hold shelf.

Dear Ryan,

You know when we were falling asleep the other night and I realized it was exactly four months until my birthday and I told you all I wanted was to have brunch? I changed my mind, all I want is a room full of balloons.

XOXO,

Mel

PS Some resolutions I sort of kept!

Time for a random Monday post. This weekend we finally got around to watching Space Camp, a movie that Ryan references quite regularly and tells me it’s one of his top 30 movies of all time. While watching it I kept thinking, “Really Ryan? Really?” It’s just one of those movies you had to love as a kid to really love now. I guess you could compare this to my love of Mighty Ducks or the made for TV movie where the mannequin comes to life and becomes the girl’s step mom.

So what childhood movie do you prod your friends to watch? I’d love to fill my library queue.

I’m not so much an animal person. I’m sorry. I like to look at them, just not touch. And if they lick me, heaven forbid. But this blown up photo of a horse’s mane is really stunning. Such a nice statement piece for this manly bedroom of Franciso Costa.

* I can’t remember where I first saw this but when I googled “horse mane, bedroom” this post from Apartment Therapy popped up that was posted forever ago. I guess this will serve as a refresher for you cool, I so blogged about this two years ago gals.

Sparkles, originally uploaded by Laurence,

Before I post this list, let me just say I love indie people. I’m a quarter indie myself. Actually, that’s probably wishful thinking. I’m more like 1/10 indie, 1/2 prep, 1/8 nerd, 1/4 Target fan.

An indie girl’s resolutions for the new year:
- learn French
- only wear vintage dresses, throw away my jeans
- start a band with a recorder, accordion and tambourine
- become vegan
- discover at least one unknown band a month, deny liking them if they ever make it big
- go to yoga at least five days a week
- only use my bike for transportation
- be more mysterious
- ask yourself everyday, “What would Zooey Deschanel do?”
- quit my day job and just be awesome for a living

Clever.

all photos from Justin Lee’s Flickr