Cathy Michaels Design by Cathy Bluteau

Things I'm liking these days

I saw this book in a bookstore and then purchased it online from amazon.  The book is called summers in france and I bought it to remind myself of one of my dreams/goals/intentions for the future.

It is filled with wonderful pictures of the nest Kathryn M. Ireland built for her family and friends:

How would you like to stay here for a few months this summer?

maybe have dinner out here on a warm summer night...

fresh herbs and flowers ... all the time

As I said, the book is available at amazon and I have it in visible sight on my bookshelf to remind myself to go there one day.

 

I also made another purchase that I have been waiting to make for a while.  There is this wonderful little shop on etsy called MessieJessie and the artist makes these wonderful dresses

Just looking at this dress makes me happy ...

Go check out all the items in the store - I want to purchase more of these since they do in fact make mne very happy.

 

Have a happy creative Monday all,

 

Friday Favs - blog hopping

 I know I love it when I happen on a blog that lists lots of great sites to check out - so I wanted to do the same for you

Happy weekend checking these out - really diverse mix this time.

BTW - starting some free videos so stay tuned.

Beautiful illustrations by Catherine
http://deepcoveflowers.blogspot.com/

Great site on design AND she mentions the new Anthropologie opening here in MONTREAL  yipeeeee
http://designlump.blogspot.com/

Beautiful Journals
http://earlymorningthoughts.typepad.com/

Great blog and check out her etsy shop as well (especially if you are getting married!)
http://mel-designs.typepad.com/my-blog/

Beautiful painter and journaler
http://lepetitstudio-woolf.blogspot.com/

I mentioned Julie Nutting before but go on over and have a look for yourself
http://julienuttingdesigns.blogspot.com/

Been finding a lot of great stationary stores online lately - if you love stationary and washi tapes
http://washimatta.ocnk.biz/

Check out the collage work on this site  Margie are you there? check out the bird collages!
http://maryemmahawthorne.com/

 Another beautiful design site
http://bloesem.blogs.com/bloesem/

 

 

Things I'm Likin' these days

Lots of things have been buzzing around my head that I wanted to tell you about.  Just random things that I am really likin' these days and I thought I would tell you about them:

Favorite latest reads:

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
You don't have to be a techie to love this book - written like a novel and really good insights into the kind of brain that can found companies like Apple

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
I loved this book - it is a fiction book loosely based on the life of Ernest Hemingway and his relationship with one of his 4 wives.  I loved this book.  Similarly written like Loving Frank - the semi autobiography of Frank Loyd Wright the architects life. 

Amazing to see the minds of these great great people and how ego  was so key in making them successful.  More on my theory on that in another post

 

Favorite Latest Magazines:

Uppercase Magazine
I just bought issue 13 and have bought several of the back issues.  Great reading and photos.  I always seem to learn something new when I read one of their issues.  It is in uppercase that I first heard about Sabrina Ward Harrison (and then bought all her books) and in issue 13 they have a great spread about washi tapes.  You'll see now in the upper right hand corner of my blog that I am now an affilitate member because I really believe in supporting this Canadian based magazine.  You can buy it through my blog by clicking on the badge.

 

Favorite Ideas:

I came across this idea of a Life List on Jeanne Oliver's blog - go check it out.  I am coming up with my own Life List (which I will put on my blog) but I am also making a journal to include my list with pictures and color and fun - will show you that too!

 

Favorite Inspirations these days:

Check out my boards on pinterest

 

Favorite Life Moments:

My son calling me "mommy" again!

 

Have a great, creative Wednesday finding your own favorite things (or just use mine)