A gift for Navin?

Cat bed by lovenostalgicwhimsy's

Today I saw a posting on Modish and I just had to research the artist further.  Pet beds made from old, recycled suitcases and table legs.  Brilliant!!!! 

Pothole Gardens!

I came across this posting on erin.ever.after about Pete Dungey's Pothole Garden project.  What a fab idea and much prettier than a big hole in the road.  If I were to plant a garden in each pothole of my street, it would be quite the enchanted scene...aka there are a TON of holes on our lane!!

image courtesy of Pete Dungey

Engaged!

So excited to share the news that James and I got engaged this past weekend!  Yippie!  We will have lots of updates coming as we plan an exciting day that will set the tone for our life together as husband and wife. 

Bitchin'!!!!

Several years ago on Valentine's Day...

I had a wonderful opportunity to view elephant seals up close and very personal!  At a santuary south of San Francisco, a group of friends went on a guided Valentine's Day excursion to view hundreds of elephant seals that had come ashore for mating season. An incredible experience!!!

We were warned not to get too close and to be prepared to run as the bulls were very protective of their harems. I feel so lucky to have been able to get so close to these beautiful creatures.  This video reminded me of their beauty...



*Remember: while cute, you should never get this close to wildlife on your own!

Wacky Etsy Finds...

These finds just made me chuckle...

Nom Noms Teeth Soap by soapopotamus

These would be hilarious in our bath!

Rear Gear

Just when I think I've seen everything!!

Love mid-century!

I'm thankful...

for my family, friends, health, and freedom.  Recently, I came across a photography project that also made me thankful for my community and my home. 

100 Abandoned Houses, a project by Kevin Bauman, consists of photographs of city abandonment in Detroit.  Houses that were once beautiful homes are now boarded and overgrown. 

Kevin began the project out of curiosity, but continued it to bring attention to some of Detroit's 12,000 abandoned houses. 

The images, while haunting, give me hope for the rebuilding of a city that once had so much to offer.  A limited edition of prints are available for purchase with proceeds benefiting organizations doing positive work in Detroit such as Habitat for Humanity or The Greening of Detroit. 

This project has reminded me to be thankful for my neighborhood and the importance of helping surrounding cities like Detroit.

Super Bowl Commercials...

While I didn't catch all the commercials, I did see this one online and think it's pretty clever...



Parisian Love by Google

The new issue of Lonny Magazine!

So VERY excited to see the new issue of Lonny Magazine online today!!!

Lists and doodles...

My latest project was to paint my basement door with chaulkboard paint... 

As you can see we have had some fun with notes and doodles from my niece, Lola!

Lola's drawing includes all of us at LaNa (me, j, navin, and gibson!)

Couch!

This posting is LONG overdue! 

Several of you voted on a couch color for LaNa in a poll some time ago.  While the poll results pointed to granite, we picked seafoam. We LOVE it and are so happy with our decision!! We even had two toss pillows that matched perfectly!!

Thanks to those that voted!

Fun Finds from the Reuse Center!

During lunch I stopped by one of my local haunts, the Reuse Center.  I've been on the lookout for over a year for lighting fixtures for my entry way and the hallway at the top of the second floor.  I was hoping to find something that feels high-end, but with a thrifty price tag and I think I may have found them today!!

To my surprise, I stumbled upon a handful of pendant fixtures by Venice Glass and handblown in Italy.  They came from a local lighting store - possibly a special order that wasn't claimed or overstock.  Typically they run $100+, but I got 2 at $12.50 each!  What a bargain!!!! 

They are clear glass shades with a white class inner shade and absolutely beautiful!  Now, I just need to make certain they will work in the space and not hang too low.  Stay tuned for an update on this fun project!

Oh, I also have been looking for a floor lamp.  Not too picky, but I haven't seemed to be able to find something that I loved or thought was worth an overhaul.  But, I also lucked out on this same shopping trip and scored a brass floor lamp in good condition for $7.50!!!  Of course, brass isn't my cup-of-tea, so I have plans to spray paint in the coming days.  Here is a before pic:

Coke in the bottle!

Remembering my beloved sister, Robyn, today and how much she LOVED Coke in the bottle!

Puts a smile on my face...

Damn you Punxsutawney Phil!

I was really hoping you wouldn't see your shadow this morning!!!!!!!!

Six more weeks of winter weather???

Boo!!!!!!!

AP Associated Press Photo

My January...

...proudly watched my niece, Lola, during her new swimming class

...joined the YMCA and am working my butt off (hopefully, literally!)

...along with boyfriend, adopted Gibson a lab/golden retreiver mix

...pissed off my cat Navin (see above!)

...painted my basement door with chalkboard paint for lists and fun doodles

...put off painting trim around new windows (ugh!)

...decided to start training for another half marathon in June

...began tackling basement project - more details to come

...viewed Sundance movie, Cyrus, during its grand opening at the Michigan Theater...enjoyed question/answer session afterwards with film producers and star, Jonah Hill!!

...enjoyed dinner club with my closest friends

...treated myself to a pedicure alongside my sisters, Jamie and Erin, while discussing Jamie's news/plans of being an expectant first-time mother!!

...spent time with friends and family celebrating the months birthdays and a surprise retirement party!

LaNa - January 2010

photographed with iphone and autostitch application