I want to live a simple life.

Wow.

Sometimes I live my life so in the fast lane, I compeletly forget how simply I find joy.

Or I think more importantly the very small things that bring me such joy.

Waking up at 5am everyday isn't so bad, and I truly love nannying. But today I got to sleep in because the kids had the day off of school. I got up and turned on the coffee pot (as I do every morning) and couldn't help but smile.

A mug, I was going to get to drink my coffee from a mug.

I was not going to be in a rush and I was not going to need a to-go cup. I was going to sit down and watch Boy Meets World and drink my coffee over a half hour period of time.

Let me tell you it was wonderful! It felt so refreshing to start my day this way.

I enjoyed a cup and a half of coffee, drew up two new sketches and then preceded to get ready.

Oh the little things.

I also wanted to share a "little thing" I found in NYC that made me super giddy.

We were in a little book store that was WONDERFUL. It had not only great books, but a bunch of little odds and ends.

I found these lovely vintage paper dolls clothes and just HAD to have them. They were so cute and I couldn't bare to leave them behind. The owner gave me the whole bag for 4 dollars. I couldn't even believe it.

I cannot wait to them in my craftings.

I really hope you find beauty, blessing, and joy in something very simple today. Don't overlook life, it is passing us by.

"The sun is up, the sky is blue, its beautiful and so are you."

xoxo j

Cause you and me have stood the test of time.

I got an email from a dear friend of mine Sarah earlier this summer. She is recently engaged and asked my friend Rachel and I to do a "Yay, I'm getting married photo shoot" for her:) Of course we agreed. My friend Rachel (who I previously posted about) is super talented and was going to photograph, Sar had asked me to do all the styling for the shoot because of my attention (or obsession) to details. It was really lovely. Sarah is a super history nerd, so of course I wanted to use all my vintage goodies. I wasn't the photographer, but I had my camera handy and it was near impossible not to take pictures because everything was just so enchanting.

For you Sar, I love you..

I am so thankful I get to be apart of things like this,

I live a really beautiful life.

.bird.

Tonight I'm like a paper doll.

So of course I have time to make a post and I have no new photos uploaded. Fail.

But I do have a very beautiful find I came across a few weeks ago.

On my way into work one early morning I passed a small barn with its doors open and what looked like tables filled with "stuff". I was unsure if it was a sale or just summer clean out but i stopped anyway.

There I was met by an adorable elderly couple who invited me in to look around. They had a lot a really beautiful treasure but all had been accurately appraised, way out of my price range. I went into a small shed next door where they had told me they kept the antique furniture. My eyes were locked, could they really be selling this? I had come in contact with a beautiful antique dollhouse. It was what I have been looking for. I have an old victorian my Dad built be when I was little, but this is what I wanted a very simple 5 room house, straight clean lines. I looked and looked for a price tag but couldn't find a thing. Finally, I asked the woman to come over and see. She explained to me that it was an actual dollhouse from the thirty's and I was welcome to have it for free.

.. mouth dropped ...

I told her there must be some mistake, if I could even give her ten bucks I would. She said it had been there forever and I would be doing her a favor to take it off her hands. I wanted to just hug her, but I also didn't want to break her.

I thank her about a million times and happily carried my new toy to my car.

I KNOW. You're staring at those pictures in disbelief, I'm sure. But really its mine. I plan to do some renovating to it, but just want to be so careful not to ruin any of its distinct original features.

Okay, off to get some work done. I'll try to update later this evening.

Hope you all enjoyed the long weekend.

Love,

J

Be still my heart, This could be a brand new start.

Whew, whirlwind.

I got off the plane yesterday got home, put my bags in my room and I was out the door again.

In my car I felt such serenity. I just loved driving myself again and having my music blasting as drove into the city.

Of course right to Joys I went. I love her room, its so peaceful, just like her parents house. Its like she literally cut out a portion of their home and made a life for herself in it. I just get the same feeling when I'm in either place.

Out to tea, venting of my very full brain, joined by Pete, then off to the Bug Jar.

A few very wonderful bands were playing including my friend Bri's band which I love.

It was a very happy night, with a lot of very happy faces that I missed quite terribly. And the hugs and love and smiles and chats were all medicine to my deeply yearning soul. I was home, with my family and couldn't be more thankful.

Anyway, do you have a list of those simple things that can make your heart happy no matter your mood? Like really soft grass on bare feet, or home made apple pie?

Well somewhere in my top 10 is snail mail/care packages. So I was more than thrilled to see this on my doorstep from Greg's mama.

Of course it was filled with treasures..

she made me these little slippers, I mean reallly?! so cute.

mini buttons! some of these are smaller than my pinky nail. ekks!

and A TON of vintage zippers!

Thanks mama. love you.

So the cool air is blowing in my room. Apple cinnamon tea with honey is made, music is on and a long night of sewing is ahead of me.

OH! ps. my littles totally had to have matching glasses with miss jessie. Adorable.

.xoxogreenbird.