Writings
A Rare Bird
Today, I stumbled upon a hidden Minneapolis gem...A Rare Bird on West 5oth Street. Kelly Wallace, the shop owner was a true delight, and I fell in love with all the beautiful antiques and treasures that fill up this quaint little shop. Take a peak inside...
Kelly always had dreams of owning the exact storefront that she currently occupies and still has to pinch herself that it's an actual reality. I love this! Growing up in the area, Kelly feels like her store is right in her own back yard and as a customer, I felt that same familiarity, almost like meeting up for coffee with an old friend. The store is so warm and welcoming and filled with treasures...I could hardly contain myself.
As most of you know, I am currently OBSESSED with Myrtle topiaries...And get ready for it...Kelly has at least a dozen currently for sale. Run—don't walk!! I even picked up a few more. I simply cannot resist these beauties!
This is one of my favorite images from the store. Kelly has an amazing eye and in every vignette—her store reflects it. Sorry, there are a couple of shell boxes not pictured, because I had to have them!
Just look at those sweeties beneath that fabulous mirror! I am in love! Myrtles everywhere!!
This is what the store front looks like...There are a few more antique stores on this street and surrounding corners that I have gone to for years (but now— this one is my FAVORITE!) It's funny, I always went to the same shops, and for 2 years simply just didn't take a few steps more until today. I'm so happy I did!
I promise, you are going to love this little rare bird of a store and her second store a few steps down, A Rare Bird 2.
A Rare Bird ~Beautifully Curious Antiques and Goods
3016 W. 50th Street Minneapolis, MN 55410
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
XO ~Heather
There's Just Something About This Porch
I loved designing this porch! Really, I dreamt about it for months...The colors, the wicker, the tables and chairs. All of it.
The back side of Mona Bina is quite expansive. So much so that there was enough for space for a dinner table for 8, a middle set of chairs with ottomans (this is where you will find Jay and I most of the time) and a love-seat with 2 rockers.
I knew I wanted a light grey wicker and found the perfect set from Kingsley Bates. I chose soft colors for the cushions, so they wouldn't compete with all the beautiful greenery and flowers. If your read my earlier post, "Meet Buster," you've seen some of the cushions that my dog, Buster has destroyed!! Ugh...That dog!
Because Buster is constantly dragging them out to the yard and getting them filthy, I thought I'd mix it up and try a darker cushion and although they were cute, they just didn't have the same effect as the light ones. When the new ones arrived, I called Jay and said, "the new cushions came and they are so cute!" He replied, "That's great, but how do they taste?" LOL, cleary we have a problem!! So back to my light blue and linen white colors. Buster...Please stay away from them!
These photos were taken by, Troy Theis for The Sitting Room Studio and every time I post one of these—people seem to really feel a connection. Whether it's a repost on instagram, a sweet comment or a tale of inspiration—I love that my favorite spot, not only bring me so much joy, but also makes others smile as well.
So here's to (almost) summer and all the fun it brings! If you're looking for us, we'll be right here (probably pulling expensive cushions out of our dog's mouth.)
XO ~Heather
Hey
Today, I yelled at this machine.
This unassuming little machine got the best of me, because I failed to listen to ALL of the instructions. I had more of a, I've got this—kind of attitude.
People, I did not have this!
Jay was so excited about our new Google Home that he couldn't wait to show me how it worked. I watched him in awe as he effortlessly said, "Hey Google, play Hall & Oates." Then watched the pretty little thing light up and play, "you make my dreams come true."
He continued, "hey Google, play "she's gone.'" And again, dutifully—it followed his command.
The next morning, (feeling like I also needed some Hall & Oates in my life) said, "Google, play 'rich girl'."
Nothing. Not a light or blink of recognition. Nada!
Again, "Google." Nothing.
So I moved closer. Maybe it didn't hear me?
Louder, "GOOOOOGLE!" "Play Hall & Oates!!!" Crickets.
"GOOOOOOGGGGLLLEEEEE!!!"
I yelled into and at this machine. I even picked it up and examined it, cursing the space it was taking up on my pretty French dresser. Seriously! Why won't it listen to me?
Jay came home and I quickly told him that his stupid Google thing didn't work. And you know what he did? He said, "HEY GOOGLE," (from quite a distance—I may add,) "play, Hall & Oates" and the darned thing lit up and played "Kiss on my lips."
All I needed to do was say, "Hey."
Magazine Street Y'all
Historic Magazine Street in New Orleans is my favorite street to shop on! It is 6 Miles of fabulous boutiques of all kinds; clothes, home goods, art, antiques stores and food glorious food! The fun starts on Canal St. and moves all the way through the Garden District and Uptown. It’s a full day experience, with many places to stop, eat, and take a break along the way.
Here are a few of my highlights:
The Sunday Shop is a little gem filled with one of a kind finds, bespoke furniture, and everything from lighting to textiles and beautiful botanicals. I bought this amazing bamboo umbrella stand (I already have one, but I couldn't pass up the green tray on this one.) Love, Love, Love this store!
Next up is renowned designer, Gerrie Bremermann and her amazing store front, simply titled, “Antiques” (that's me peaking out the front door.) Gerrie is known as the "queen of interior design" and her store is a beacon of love for designers and people who appreciate timeless pieces. Filled with antique chairs, tables, sconces and to die for armoires and dressers.
Now for my favorite of the day!
Ware and Co. is so charming and well done. Truly, my favorite of the day! Notice the pretty blue and white valance lining the ceiling—I mean...How sweet? The owner, Ware M. Porter is "a sought after designer with a passion for a laid-back, but also well-loved style." His showroom is a joyful mix of modern and antique, and it brought me so much happiness it was just plain silly.
Last but not least, Shaun Smith Home was quant and very well done. I found his instagram @shaunsmithstyle and then searched out his store in Nola. Shaun was a 2015 Next Wave designer for House Beautiful magazine, and now I know why. Beautiful!
My busy day ended with my favorite meal in New Orleans, “R and O's family restaurant” (listed as one of the BEST in New Orleans) And, Yes, I ate that whole roast beef sandwich smothered in gravy and maybe that piece of pizza too! People I walked all day and have zero regrets. Oops, forgot to mention the gravy french fries :) Yum!
Until next time NOLA!
XO ~Heather
Meet Buster!
Buster is our 7 1/2 year-old English bulldog. 90% of the time, Buster looks just like he's pictured here—sweet, snuggly and oh-so irresistible. The other 10% of the time, he is either playing with his beloved red-ball or looking to destroy anything in his path. I kid you not, when I say, that he has cost me thousands of dollars. Thousands!!
We haven't figured out why Buster wants to destroy our outdoor cushions. Like, what did they ever do to him? I am however, blown away by his commitment, because he will get them–every last one of them! As you can see below, the destruction I speak of is real! Imagine this happening a few times a month? And not only does he destroy them, he sometimes ingests the foam and that my friends is where things get interesting.
Picture me (frantic) taking him (countless times) to the vet for x-rays and overnight visits, until he either passes the foam all on his own (good boy Buster) or has surgery to remove it. Yes, I said, surgery. Sadly, none of this slows him down. The second he's back and he spots the cushions...It's GO TIME!!
This text exchange with my husband, pretty much sums up where we are at in dealing with this situation. More often than not, we just have to laugh! But seriously, He's NUTS! And you know the even crazier part? Sometimes out of the blue, he will shock us all and attack some innocent and unsuspecting cushion in the house. Like his very own favorite place to sit...My Schumacher covered living room chair!
This one took some time to get over. Like I needed a minute, ya know? I went to my room and cried and prayed that I wouldn't kill him. Honestly, I don't think I made eye contact with him for days. Thankfully, my upholsterer was able to patch this cushion up. Bless his heart!
At this point, you are probably wondering why on earth we still own this dog? But it gets worse! Last summer, I drove up the driveway and noticed that the siding was ripped off the house and the landscaping was pulled waaaaay back. I called my builder wondering what was happening at the house that day, and to my utter dismay, he said, "nothing!" That's when I knew!! That little son of a biscuit probably chased a poor animal against the house and then proceeded to rip the house apart!
RIP! MY HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!! APART!
My builder was in shock when he saw the damage and frankly, I still haven't recovered from it.
Lastly, my beautiful blanket that I carried all the way home from Spain. A moment of silence please. Buster just got up (pretty nonchalantly I may add) and ran to it-like it had been uttering profantities at him all morning. This is what it looked like when I finally got it back. If you look closely at the center of the blanket, you can see he actually designed a face. Maybe he's just a very (VERY) frustrated artist? I think my face says it all though...Sadness, disbelief and maybe a hint of despair.
So, what has all this taught me? Well, that nothing really matters. Yes, he has cost me money (lots of it,) but in the end, I've realized a valuable lesson-that things are just things and only I can give them meaning. So I try not to.
Here's my big boy staring off at the lake—one of his favorite things to do while he waits for the cushions to piss him off.
And who can resist this face? Clearly, I cannot. Which is why I will continue loving and caring for this crazy man, until he either commits suicide by choking to death on a cushion or passes away in his sleep, while laying in the sun by the lake.
He's amazingly stupid, and unstoppable, and I adore him.
XO~Heather and Buster