repurposed plant materials

April 20, 2018

Pieces of jewelry crafted from plant materials are a highlight of the Philadelphia Flower Show each year. For today’s Friday field trip, please enjoy some of my favorites from the 2018 show!

Although the lighting and display cases make it impossible to get great photos, I think you will still be able to grasp the unbelievable creativity in the designs of these pieces. They are truly works of art.Remember, these pieces are all crafted from plant materials! It is hard to believe, even when you see the photo of the items used!

If this type of art appeals to you, I encourage you to check out the work of botanical artist, Bridget Beth Collins. For a treat, follow her Instagram @flora.forager

This last one is a handbag!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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before and after bench redo

April 17, 2018

This bench was just crying out for a little loving, don’t you think?

I just couldn’t resist updating this bench with some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and some Spoonflower fabric!

First, I chose a library themed fabric from Spoonflower and put in my online order for one yard of a cotton canvas. If you haven’t checked out Spoonflower before, I highly recommend it. You know how you may have an idea for a fabric you want and when you go to the fabric store to find it, you are really disappointed when they don’t anything close to what you imagined? Well, with Spoonflower it is possible to find a fabric in most any theme you may imagine!

I prepped the bench by taking off the cushion and I prepped the fabric by washing, drying, and ironing it.

The original color of the paint on the bench was black. I chose to paint it with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in graphite. (I was a little bit tempted to choose a red paint, but if I bought a can in red, I knew I would never use the rest of the can!) Because I chose such a dark color paint, I had no worries about color showing through from the old finish. I simply painted the bench with two coats of graphite and waxed it with Annie Sloan clear wax. I let the first coat set and applied a second coat of clear wax.

I removed the old fabric from the top of the bench using a screwdriver and pliers. I was happy to find the padding in good shape since, beyond my labor, I really couldn’t spend more than the cost of the paint, wax, and fabric for this update. Using a staple gun, I carefully reupholstered the top of the bench in the super cool fabric I found at Spoonflower and reattached it to the bench.

The second coat of wax wasn’t totally dry when I took these photos. When it was, I buffed the piece with a soft cloth. Project complete!

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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just do it chandelier

April 3, 2018

I know my life runs in themes – either that or, my attention to detail just seems to make it easy to create themes in everyday life!

On a recent trip to Boston, I made a visit to the global headquarters and flagship store location of Converse (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nike, Inc.) It was of particular interest to me on this visit because I had just decided to start reading the book Shoe Dog – a memoir by Nike’s creator, Phil Knight -and I was completely immersed in all things Nike.

My favorite part of the headquarters décor, and what I want to share with you today, is the fabulous Chuck Taylor sneaker chandelier installation in the Converse lobby!

The creation is so amazing and so absolutely perfect for the headquarters!

This creativity gives just a tiny hint of the immense amount of creative talent housed inside the building!

I hope you enjoyed seeing this super cool chandelier!

Converse Blank Canvas is a unique customization experience only available at the flagship store location. With the help of a designer, visitors can customize and embellish sneakers they purchase at the store.

A view from inside the Converse global headquarters, located at Lovejoy Wharf, a historic waterfront area and part of Boston’s iconic Freedom Trail.

Check out my newest Chuck Taylor (Chuck 70s) purchase (I also got a coordinating sweatshirt!) from the Converse flagship store in Boston. I’m really loving the reverse terry fabric!:

See more views of my new kicks on my Instagram!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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egg-actly that time of year

February 20, 2018

Yes, you guessed it, I have begun dyeing eggs! With the start of Lent and an early Easter this year, I couldn’t resist starting some egg decorating! We had a few inches of snow this past weekend, so I prepared by stopping at the grocery store and buying a dozen white eggs. Then, while it was snowing, I watched the British Baking Show and emptied out the inside of 12 eggs to prepare them for decorating!

How do I empty them? I use a needle to gently place a hole in both sides of the egg – one hole a little larger than the other. Then, I blow into the smaller of the holes to empty the contents of the egg. The most important part of this procedure is to puncture the yolk of the egg! Otherwise, the inside of the egg just will not come out! How is this accomplished? Using a needle or any long, thin object, to push it into the larger hole several times. Piercing the yolk is what helps the contents to flow out when you start blowing!

I am careful not to get any of the raw egg in my mouth and I wash the outside of the eggs with soapy warm water and rinse thoroughly. I stand them back into the egg carton overnight to drain any water still left inside. Once decorated, with no insides to go bad, the eggs will last forever!

For the maiden voyage of egg decorating, I decided to paint a few with succulents. I know, succulents are so 2001, but I have been working on a terrarium community service project and I have succulents on the brain! I decided to use 3 eggs. I dyed them a taupe color using paste food coloring. For my dye, I use ½ cup boiling water, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, and some food coloring. This color will serve as the backdrop for my succulents.

I added very simplistic painted designs – since I applied the designs with cottons swabs and toothpicks – with acrylic paint. It is hard to get too detailed without a proper paint brush! I used the same few colors on all 3 eggs to give them a continuity. My first decorated eggs of the year are complete – a trio of succulents!

So, the egg games have begun! I hope I have inspired you to think about your egg designs this year!

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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beauty in the details

February 16, 2018

Beauty is in the details. If this is true, I must see an infinite amount of beauty! I can get really obsessed with details. This is especially true when I enter new surroundings.

For example, every time I visit a hotel, I get caught up in some aspect of its esthetic. At The Breakers in Palm Beach, it was the staff uniforms – I thought they were amazing – every employee wears a uniform and they are fabulous! The gals have beautiful Lilly Pulitzer outfits! I ended up spending my first visit to the Breakers doing an analysis of all the employee’s outfits!

For today’s Friday field trip, I am sharing my obsession at the Four Seasons in Orlando – lighting! I have already shared the most magnificent fixture on the property (click here to see), today I am sharing a little glimpse of the rest of the hotel lighting.

Light fixture in the entrance to the spa at the Four Seasons Orlando.

I hope you found these photos inspiring. Maybe they are motivating you to revamp some of your own fixtures? Replacing an old fixture can give your space an instant refresh!

Thanks for stopping by!

A chandelier in a restroom at the Four Seasons Orlando.

Have a fabulous weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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anna rifle’s flagship store!

February 9, 2018

If you follow this blog, you may already know that I have a real love for paper products! I still believe strongly in hand written thank you notes, as well as notes of condolence. Especially in this age of technology, with rushed emails and hurried texts – who doesn’t appreciate receiving a personal note in the mail? What better way is there to convey a heartfelt message?

Because of this love for hand written messages, I also have a love for great paper products. When I think of my favorite paper product artists, a couple instantly come to mind. On the top of this list is graphic designer Anna Rifle Bond.

Anna ‘taking a meeting’ at Rifle Paper Co. in Winter Park.

On today’s Friday field trip, I am thrilled to share photos from a recent visit to the place where Anna Rifle Bond and her husband Nathan started their company, Rifle Paper, in 2008. This spot in Winter Park, Florida is also home to their flagship store.

I developed an appreciation for Anna’s designs when she started her partnership with Anthropologie, early in her company’s 10-year career.

(To see more on Mast Chocolate, click here to see Friday field trip to Mast)

Feminine and colorful, with a little whimsy, Anna’s designs appear on a lot more than just paper! Beyond calendars and cards, some of the items that showcase Anna’s quaint designs include phone covers, candles, wallpaper, books, candy wrappers, and sneakers. Quite a repertoire from what began as designing posters for her husband’s band and wedding invites for her friends!

I hope you enjoyed today’s Friday field trip. Thanks for stopping by!

Have a fabulous weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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up all light

February 2, 2018

For today’s Friday field trip – a little something to brighten up your day!

These photos are all of the same light fixture…

located in the main staircase of the Four Season’s Hotel in Orlando.

Hope they add a little brilliance to your weekend! Have a great one!

And, remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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holiday 2017 at grace

December 15, 2017

For Friday field trip today, a visit to one more of my favorite stores for holiday shopping!

Have a little virtual shopping trip with a few photos from this holiday season at Grace in Niantic, Connecticut.

Enjoy!

Hope your holiday preparations are coming along! Thanks for stopping by!

Have a fabulous weekend, Jackie

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december giveaway

December 1, 2017

It is time to announce the December giveaway! This month, as a homage to getting organized for the new year, the giveaway is a planner and a notebook!

Start 2018 off in style with this adorable planner and Lilly Pulitzer notebook! What better way to get organized as a new year begins!

Just leave a comment and you are entered to win the giveaway. The winner will be chosen at random at the end of December.

Thank you to everyone who entered to win the November giveaway – the cute succulent calendar (click here to see more). The winner of the calendar is Cheryl. Congratulations to you Cheryl! Enjoy this adorable calendar!

Instagram users, please read on!

The challenge for December is to post your favorite holiday ornaments! Ornaments are the best, aren’t they? There are so many great ones and we would love for you to share your favorites! Use the hashtag #pleasuregram to share.

Happy December, my friends! Stop by on Tuesday to see my DIY Advent calendar for this year!

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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terrain holiday 2017

November 21, 2017

Typically, this is the week everyone starts thinking about holiday shopping.

I have definitely started thinking about it myself and I have visited a few of my favorite stores. Because I am such a visual person, I don’t really enjoy internet shopping. I like to see the merchandise and enjoy how it is styled and displayed. And, I certainly appreciate a beautifully and creatively wrapped purchase over a box left at my doorstep!

As a homage to brick and mortar stores, this week I am sharing a few photos from my favorites this holiday season.

Today, some photos from my favorite home and garden store – Terrain. For overall holiday décor, Terrain is hard to beat! A visit to the Westport store is a sure way to put your holiday spirit into overdrive as well as inspire your holiday décor!