through the viewfinder

Since I've rekindled my love for photography.

I guess it is only natural I start looking into different types of cameras.

Have you ever noticed how cute and sassy some of the names are?

Starlet...

Brownie...

Swinger...

Hawkeye...

Not to mention they have such a wonderful design appeal as well.

I foresee a small collection of vintage cameras in my future.

 

From top :  Vintage Blue Imperial Mark XII  (Back Pedal Vintage),

Kodak Duraflex (Falcon and Finch), Polariod Swinger (Hello Victory),

Pickwik Half Frame (Juniper Home), Brownie Flash (Canemah Studios),

Kodak Starlet (Falcon and Finch), Argus Super 75 (Canemah Studios),

Kodak Target (The Saturday Shoppe), Kodak Brownie (Heavy Hunter),

Polariod Land Camera Auto 100 (F Stop Blues), Kodak Hawkeye (The Fancy Lamb),

Encore (Canemah Studios)

"Look and think before opening the shutter. The heart and mind are the true lens of the camera."

~ Yousuf Karsh

515 E Mary Street

Would you like another dose of Cottage Cuteness?

I didn't personally get to tour this one, 

I'm still thinking about the previous house...

BUT, this one definitely has it's charm.

Welcome to 515 E Mary St.

Isn't she a looker?

I like the landscaping and the use of less grass.

I *heart* that front door and entry.

Enter the living room.

Ahhh the gorgeous wood floors!

Loving all the natural light.

Looks like a lot of original trim work and doors.

Quaint kitchen with original cabinets.

(wish the dishwasher fit better, but it IS a dishwasher... something I would know nothing about)

I don't believe there is a dining room in this house.

That space over to the right is where you would put your table.

Front bedroom and back bedroom seem to be identical.

Gorgeous floors and windows.

Bathroom is tiny.

Not sure how I feel about the placement of the sink and toilet.

Not really crazy about the sink either... or the small window above the tub.

But it is a quaint little room that has potential.

Speaking of potential.

Ahhhh laundry room.

Look how bright and cheery this room can be!

I'm thinking update the washer and dryer.

Change the washer to a front loading variety.

Create a whole built-in all the way down the room

 with a counter over the washer and dryer.

If you really fancy touring homes, check out the virtual tour here:

Virtual Tour

*all images courtesy of Austin Home Search and Elizabeth Brooks*

Have a lovely day!!

Good Morning Sunshine

Nothing better than being greeted in the morning by sunshine.

Happy Monday!!

daydreamer

Having a little case of "anywhere but here" syndrome.

Took this picture while in Sausalito, CA.

The fog was lifting over the bay looking out towards San Francisco.

It was such a gorgeous day.

Hope you have a lovely weekend!!

once upon a time...

I'm floating on clouds right now.

Practically bursting at my seams with happiness.

Giddy.

So I'm sure you are wondering why...

(photo courtesy Austin Home Search)

Remember my storybook gem?

Well I got to tour her!!!!!!!!

(Happy dance ensues)

Please grab a cup of goodness, sit back and relax.

Let's fantasize, shall we...

Love the arched doorway and little peep hole.  

All of the windows and moldings are original.

The floors are also original but had some cheap finishing job.

I'd definitely refinish all that dark nasty shine and make the floors look more natural.

The tile at the bottom of the hearth would be changed, 

I'm thinking some fun, shimmery seashell inspired tiny glass tiles.

My heart flutters every time I gaze upon that dreamy, storybook inspired window.

This angle is looking from the living room into the dining room.

There used to be french doors, if you look closely you can see where the hinges are on the molding.

Loving all the bright and cheery windows.

View from the dining into the living.

Sorry it is blurry... 

I was having a hard time containing myself.

I'm surprised this shot wasn't blurred.

My heart was doing somersaults over the original cabinets.

Sure the floor is a cheap vinyl of sorts...

but that is so easy to replace.

The counter is an awful ceramic tile.

Right now I'm leaning towards a white marble or creamy white quartz surface.... 

hmmm or maybe butcher block...

Change out the appliances to some stainless steel, energy efficient variety,

add a little more counter surface work space,

and even I could over look the fact that there is no dishwasher...

(I haven't had one in over two years... but who's counting)

A view of the other side of the kitchen into the screened-in laundry room.

I *heart* the ironing board cupboard, even though it doesn't have the actual ironing board in it.

I eventually braved the attic staircase and was so happy I did.

Plenty of head room up there for office space. 

Ohhhh the possibilities!!

View into the back bedroom via the hallway.

The back room is just right off of the kitchen.

Each room has two, huge picture windows.

They seemed to be identical in size.

A king bed would probably be pushing it.

(glad I own a queen)

Each had a little closet and ooohh...

do you see the glass door knobs!!

Actually the entire house has the glass knobs except for the two exterior doors!

*drooling*

Front bedroom has access from the living room also.

Oh I can picture the guest bedroom now...

Wouldn't you love to visit?!?!

Another look from the front bedroom towards the hall bath.

(say hi to the pretty glass doorknob)

*Squealing*

Original, refinished sink and tub, medicine cabinet, and laundry hamper/linen closet.

Tear out that cheap vinyl and get in some tiny white hexagon tiles stat!

Line those walls with white subway tiles.

Change out that horrid light fixture...

Plenty of room for a tiny wash stand to hold pretty toiletries and fresh flowers.

(are you dazzled by that glass door knob as much as I am?)

(photo courtesy Austin Home Search)

Just one more look...

This little gem really is quaint at only 996 sq. ft.

Built in 1931.

She definitely has some foundation issues...

(but that is minor right... ugh)

BUT look how dreamy she is!!

Plus she is in a gorgeous neighborhood and within 

easy walking distance to parks, food, and local shops.

If only I could get the husband on board...

Thanks so much for dreaming with me.

I had so much fun touring this precious home.

Elizabeth, the lovely real estate agent that showed me this home,

was so kind just to show it for fun.

She specializes in selling vintage homes and

 has her own beauty just down the road from this one.

If you ever want to check out her listings or

 need help finding a storybook charmer of your own,

venture on over to her site here:  Elizabeth Brooks

I can't thank her enough for letting me dream.

Happy Earth Day!!

brownies and lemonade

Wishing you a day filled with sweet sunshine.

Purrfect Pause

I took some time yesterday to pause.

To enjoy the cool front that blew in and made me bring out my slippers and scarf again.

To eat mint chocolate cookie ice cream during the cool front...

(for some reason I always crave ice cream on cold days)

I found some inspiration in rocks and the concept of just taking it slow.

I bought some flowers for the house.

I always try to have fresh flowers around the house for little doses of happiness throughout the day.

These were just the leftovers that had fallen from the bunch.

They were too pretty to just toss without capturing their beauty first.

Miss Kitty was looking so sweet among the flowers.

But...

 she did get tired of me taking her picture and demanded I make her dinner.

It was nice to take life a little slower.  

I feel ready to tackle my long 'to do' list now.

How do you make time for yourself to take a little pause?

Have a lovely day!

"Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy."

~ Guillaume Apollinaire

Plans

So the plans for today:

Take dog to doggie daycare.

So he can do this...

and this...

Giving me peace to clean as much as I can around the house and vacuum...

So that then I may get my chance to play...

 with a friend at the Botanical Gardens...

There is a big chance it will rain today.

If that is the case we have back-up plans.

Drink a margarita and eat queso if it keeps raining.

Drink a margarita and eat queso even if it doesn't rain.

Pick up a dirty dog from daycare.

Drink another rita...

 (while the dirty dog messes up the clean house with muddy paw prints...)

Yay!  It's Friday!!!

Have a lovely weekend!

Peekaboo

There is a challenge this week over at the 365 project to focus on self portraits.

This was my first attempt.

So this is me...

I like to hide. I'm not much of a center stage type person. I'm one of those people that has their sleeves pulled down over their hands like a security blanket most of the time. I love my husband and my dog... on most days I love my cat too. :) My family means the world to me and always knows how to make me laugh. I adore cupcakes and chocolate. I work at a small family owned dog boutique store and have a degree in Interior Design. I *heart* all things that sparkle yet gravitate towards anything vintage and rusty. My favorite two movies of all time are The Never Ending Story and Legend. Buffy the Vampire Slayer kicks butt. 

Just giving you a peek into my world. :)

Enjoy your Thursday!!

Snail Mail Love

Ahhh the handwritten note.

Sounds so old fashioned doesn't it?

I'll let you in on a little secret of mine.

I still get giddy with anticipation when I check the mail.

I can spend hours hunting for the perfect stationary set.

The word, letterpress, sets my heart fluttering.

I'll let you in on another little secret.

I practice my handwriting before I write a note....

just to make sure it looks worthy enough to adorn my stationary.

Enjoy my snail mail goodness.

You may just be inspired to write me a thank you.  

(just make sure your handwriting is pretty)  

From top:  So Much To Tell Postcard (Ragamuffin Press), Tricycle Notecard Set (Petite Marionette),

Dancing Bear Postcard Pack (The Black Apple), Hedgehog Birthday Letterpress Card (Lucky Bee Press),

Cupcake Letterpress Mini Card (Missive), Noir Thank You Gift Cards (Ave 9 River Studio),

Snail Mail Tags (Hop Art Studio), Bluebird Shipping Labels (Whisker Graphics),

Little Heart Card (Story By Mia)

Have a lovely Wednesday!

"And none will hear the postman's knock
Without a quickening of the heart.
For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?"

~W.H. Auden

Storybook Dreams

I was wandering around the house listings yesterday and found a little gem.

Oh the arched doorway.

Brick fireplace.

Pitched roof and fun windows.

Original wood floors,

wood burning fireplace,

and glass front cabinets

just to name a few.

Oh and did I mention it's in a great neighborhood with tree lined streets.

A park within walking distance...

I'm drooling.

photo courtesy of Austin Home Search

I wish they had more pictures for me to show you.

But they won't load on this site and it won't let me save them.

Of course this little charmer still needs work,

but ohhhh ian't it dreamy??!!

Happy Tuesday!

Casualty of Time

I have found out that if I make plans and post them on the blog.

They will change.

So far it has been a good change.

But I think I will hesitate next time before I pronounce my awesome adventure plans for the day.

There was no Enchanted Rock.

We still went hiking.

And there was much enchantment to be found.

At Cat Claw Ranch.

(click on the images to make them larger to really enjoy the detail of this hauntingly magical place)

"If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten." 

~ Rudyard Kipling