want to take a virtual trip to anthropologie with us?

Amid the chaos of getting ready for ICP, we took an evening break and went with some inspiring friends to Anthropologie in Charlotte, NC.  

We had the best time and felt re-charged to get back to work.

Wouldn't all of those colours there be perfect for a set of paintings?

Happy Monday!

Enjoy!

xoxo

Love,

~don+dee

little pleasures of my week...

a drive through our downtown...

open mike night with fun friends at NoDa's, "The Evening Muse"

these beautiful local flowers from my love...

another feathery new piece in mid progress...

 and this fabulous blog.
There are so many good things in this week that it is bursting at the seams.

How was your week, friends?

Enjoy your weekend!!

xoxo

love, 

~dee

creative funk....

I am finding my creativity stunted as of late when I am really needing it to be in full gear as I am getting ready for ICP in Greenville, SC.  

However, it seems my mistakes end up causing me to get in a more creative head-space, like these guys for instance.  I had completed the two of these as block prints of hand carved feathers done in acrylic and accented with ink. I kept staring at the empty simplicity and it wasn't making me happy, so I decided this week to add some collage work to them and some more paint and ink.  I really like the pop art feel that they give off now.  I chose the colour palette I am using by accident as well.  I was staring at a vintage globe I have in our living room and decided that all of its lovely colours blended so perfectly with the few new pieces I had completed, that it would be a great idea to carry it throughout this entire set.  I am continuing on with my mountain dream thoughts and theme for this as well.

So mostly mistakes and random thoughts are carrying my creative brain for this group.  Hopefully I will get a ton of energy and creativity before this show.  For right now I am feeling a tinge overwhelmed and concerned that it won't all come together in time.

Any ideas to stimulate creativity right now would be so appreciated.

Feel free to share!

Happy Thursday, friends!

xoxo

Love,

~dee

amelie's....a french bakery....

Saturday morning after we enjoyed the farmers' market in Matthews, we headed for Charlotte's arts district to this little gem of a French bakery, Amelie's. It may not be the Patisserie Bordeaux from home, but it is full of playful beauty, with a fun, creative ambiance.

I enjoyed a pain au chocolat and a raspberry truffle with a delicious brewed coffee.

(the raspberry truffle was heavenly)

We snuggled on a pretty little sofa with a side table of vintage luggage.

There is so much to look at and be entertained by.

A little taste of fun in our Saturday morning.

A definite must stop by if you are in the area.

Enjoy your Tuesday!

au revoir!

xoxo

avec l'amour,

~dee

farmers market....

The farmers' market foods Don is eating in the photo above are sun-dried tomato chips with homemade chevrette cheese and they are so delicious, you have no idea.  Well worth the pricey cost of the chips (8 USD for a small bag...aack) but I will have to make them myself to keep within our budget.  

What a great tasty and healthy snack.  YUM!

Farmers' markets inspire me and make me feel like I am somewhat back home and hanging out in Granville Island with my sister and niece again.

Yay for things that feel like home.

Don even bought me a cheery bouquet of lovely flowers!

(He's a keeper.)

Lucky me!!

Happy Monday!

I hope your weekend was beautiful and that your week ahead is even better.

xoxo

Love, 

~dee

little pleasures of my week...

the smell and prettiness of these little pink sticks of Asian incense...

cute caramel coloured boots my love bought for me...

cupcakes that the kids made....

and cute little faces drawn on little hands.

What made you happy this week?

Happy Weekend!!

xoxo

Love,

~dee

loved this....

Its funny how I normally am not into poetry readings, yet I have filled notebooks with my own poetry.
It is also funny how I used to feel being alone was scary.
I find myself longing for alone moments now.
So when I found this here, I had to post.
Enjoy!
:)

way to start my day.....

 For the past little while, I have been dieting and trying to find time for exercise a lot more.

I have gone from a size 11/12 to a size 7 in jeans and I am feeling pretty good about that....my goal is to be in a size 5 and  to be able to go mountain climbing once again. 

This is the easiest diet I have ever been on and I really love it!

I am always surprised when I come across a recipe that tastes incredibly delicious and it is on my diet plan.

Something about the words healthy, low-fat and sugar free don't usually make you think of the words: indulgent, decadent or delicious.

This morning's breakfast  was one of those surprises that really did intertwine all of those words, well except for it did have some natural sugar, which was fine by me.

	Low-fat Maple Granola RECIPE
	Ingredients 2 cups old-fashioned oats 1/4 cup wheat germ 1/4 cup whole almonds 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds 1/4 cup flaked coconut (unprocessed) 1/3 cup maple syrup 1/4 cup apple juice concentrate  (I didn't use this but instead I added a bit more maple syrup) 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup dried fruit  (dried apricots) Nutritional Info Fat: 8.4g Carbohydrates: 59.9g Calories:352.4 Protein: 11.9g 1. Preheat oven to 300 F. 2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except the dried fruit and toss well. Spread on large cookie sheet and bake 35-45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Stir in dried fruit.		H

Happy Wednesday, friends!

Hope yours is off to a good start too!

xo

love,

~dee