Coo Coo for Cuckoo Clocks

In the home I grew up in there was this closet. Ever since I can remember two things made up this closet; the awful smell from the sump pump nestled in the back and wonderful treasures that could be found inside. One of those treasures was my mothers cuckoo clock. Unfortunately it no longer cuckooed or kept the time. But my mom loved cuckoo clocks and couldn't throw it away. Now that I think about it why didn't she just get it fixed? Or more importantly why didn't I? She would have loved that
So here it goes, Ode to the Cuckoo Clock:
DISCLAIMER- FEEL FREE TO JUST LOOK AT THE PICTURES AND NOT READ MY RAMBLINGS, I DO.
Our story begins in The Black Forest of Germany circa 1630- see green area in the map to the right. Story has it that a glass peddler traveled to Czechoslovakia and brought back with him a "wood beam clock." I guess it was pretty crude with wooden gears and common stones as weights, but heck, it was better than an hour glass. Welp, this clock evolved over the next 100 years until in 1783 Mr. Anton Ketterer. And since then the cuckoo clock has evolved into many different styles and themes. Here are some I found online.

A little something for everyone I think. Also, I tried to link most of the pictures, but some I could not find where they came from.

A Kitchen I Love

I really love this kitchen.

Glasses

I have never needed glasses. In fact the doctor always joked that my vision was so great I could probably see through walls. But, I have always wanted glasses. I remember back in 9th grade my friends and I would wear fake ones and I did love it. I am tempted to start doing it again. Why not- I see some girls and boys running around with glasses lacking lenses. Anywho, so I have want some female horned-framed glasses- preferably tortoise with gold. But I came across these today and love them too! I'm giving a loud shout to glasses our nerdy grandmas and some of our mamas would wear!

Cooking like Grandma

Whenever I imagine my Grandma in the kitchen it is elegant and lovely. I imagine pearls, a dainty apron and colored appliances. I have never really been a huge fan of all steel stoves and ovens. And as of late I thought it was inevitable in this day and age. I was looking through country living and found that Viking makes vintage style ranges and stoves. As well as some other companies. Here are some of my favorite.

http://www.antiqueappliances.com/ this website has loads of ad for these type of kitchen appliances. As well as North Star Kitchens and Big Chill.

Playing House

When I was little we didn't have a play house in our backyard and now that I think about it, I never asked for one. I remember our neighbors over the wall and over had the most incredible playhouse and tree house. We used to go over there and play in it. It was magical. My sister has two little girls and I adore them. They are both girly girls and I know their lives are filled with magic. My whole life I have been more fond of the thought of having all boys but lately I have grown attracted to the idea of having little girls as well.

I love the idea of the loft. I think I just love lofts in general.

Play house plans taken from Perfect Playhouses

Slippers Never Felt so Good

Please excuse the pun, I couldn't help it. I recently came across this little project on Martha Stewart.com. These felt slippers are darling and after reading the directions I think they seem quite easy to make. Perhaps I'll try. Perhaps.

Ode to the Locket

Ever since I was a little blond headed child, running about with wild hair and bare feet, I have had a admiration for interesting jewelry. I can remember sitting on my Granny's floor organizing and polishing all her jewelry she collected from her world travels. I was fascinated as she rehearsed a story or adventure for each piece. When she wasn't there to tell me the true story behind a piece I would dream up my own and long for the day that I would be able to venture the world and plunder my own treasures. Although, I haven't had the chance to explore to the extent she did, yet, I have had my share of adventures and plunderings. Through my travels one piece of jewelry always catches my eye and makes my inner child fill with intrigue. It is the locket I love and can never get sick of. Part of the fun is finding an old locket and seeing what is inside. I love to find photos of babies or of a loved young soldier off to war. I feel perhaps a locket is a heart we can wear on a lovely little chain and show to the world. Every woman should have a lovely little locket to wear around her elegant neck. I give you some I find most endearing.

Stars B117

Ruby Wren29

daliadaliak

out but new

Bellaz Jewlery

wiyomu

Little girl illustration by: Paper Pattern Silk. Lockets found on ETSY.COM click picture or seller's name to be directed to sellers store.

Elagance

My dear friend Hallie found this book when we were in high school and it changed our lives. I adore this little book and I think you might too. If you are ever feeling you lack of elegance read this book and it will help you feel oh so loverly once again!

Weekend Get Away

Since I can remember there has been this old yellow suitcase bouncing around my parents luggage cabinent out in the garage. When they were packing up to move it was no where to be found and I was pretty sad about it. I had this day dream today that I was going for a little weekend get away where the sun was shinning, I could wear a sun dress over my swim suit, ride my bike around, and sip fruity drinks. In this day dream I packed a suit case to the linking of that old yellow one.

I think I have a new obsession... collecting these babies.

Take Note

I love these little note books from Nantaka. I have always loved writing thoughts and notes in lovely little books.

Maybe its the Reggae

I don't know if its the Reggae I've been listening to today at work- but I am in love with this room today. I adore the intense colors- the cool thing is, is that you have to be very careful when using colors like this. This room has the perfect balance of each color. I love the soft lights mixed with the natural light of the windows. I love the raw feel of the walls and finished floor. I am such a sucker for loft like beds. I really love this space.

Petit St. Vincent

I came across this little hotel while fiddling on Costal Living Magazine online. I went to Petit St. Vincent's website to learn more. One thing that got me all excited about this little hidden paradise located in Barbados is that the cottages do not have phones. Instead you write a message to the staff and put it into a message box outside your door. Then you raise a yellow flag and then come get the message and bring you whatever it is you asked for! Also, you have the option of raising a red flag, which means that no one will come on your part of the island.

Something else that I found most charming about this little hotel island is it's history. You can read it on their site, but I will give you a quick summary. There were two Air Force buddies who after they returned from war they bought a yaht, "and sailed into the sunset," they had no time table and just wanted to explore. They ended up booking cruises for people. One of those cruises was for a wealthy man who expressed the desire to buy an island. The two buddies went searching for that island and they found St. Vincent. They found out who owned it and convinced the owner to sell. They then went to work

building the hotel that is there now. One of the buddies named Haze ended up staying there until he died. He and his wife would wait for new guests on the dock with their 6 yellow labs and greet everyone who came. His wife and the six labs still live there, and still greet incoming guests on the dock.