Anew

I took this photo a few weeks ago when buds were just starting to pop. Spring is in full swing now, blooms everywhere. Another fresh start for nature.


I decided I needed a fresh start too. I recently started a new part-time job in retail that I'm really loving. I also have a new project I'm working on that I'm very excited about. More on that in a second. I've shut down Little Green Vintage in order to not be spread too thin for now, though I'm thinking I might perhaps open a new vintage shop somewhere online in the fall. And finally, I am going to leave I Heart Old behind. I am beginning a new blog at unknownblackbird.blogspot.com. Unknown Blackbird will be my journal. Pure and simple, for the love of recording and sharing in words and images. For keeps. I will be blogging there for as long as I blog. 


If you visit Unknown Blackbird, you'll notice a page called Unknown Blackbird Flowers. This is the new project. This spring and summer, I'll be working to transform our yard (at least the already garden parts of it, for now anyway) into a flower farm, to grow beautiful blooms for freshest cut arrangements. 


Thanks for following me here. I would love you to visit Unknown Blackbird and share in adventures to come.


♡, 


Erin  

A Hole in the Wall

I was down in German Village on Friday and in trying to navigate my way back out, I turned onto an alley/street (they resemble one another closely in that neighborhood) and I just happened to spot this grindstone incorporated into someone's block wall. This isn't the first random grindstone I've seen in the neighborhood, but definitely the most intentionally placed. Artifact of long-gone industry repurposed as peep-hole, neat-o. (I didn't peep, but only because I was in the car. Maybe next time.)

♡,

Erin

Explanation

Greg and I are lucky to have an extremely close group of friends from high school and shortly thereafter. Though we've spread out all over the globe, through the years not only have we reconnected back in Illinois, but we've visited each other, vacationed together, and gone to concerts and sporting events, across and even outside of the country, on a regular basis. 

Two weeks ago today one of these close friends, who was living in Colorado and working at a resort, fell while snowboarding. Two weeks ago tomorrow, he died from the injuries he sustained. That Friday, we drove back to Illinois to spend the next five days with our circle of friends, all of us back home together again, trying to comprehend what had happened. A week ago today was the visitation, a week ago tomorrow we laid our friend to rest. 

It's been the hardest two weeks of my life. I'm still somewhat in disbelief. I think I'll eventually return to blogging, but right now, everything needs some reevaluation. 

I did want to share one thing. Aaron was an organ donor. He will live on not only in the memories of his friends and family, but also through his gift of life and health.

http://donatelife.net/register-now/

This link makes it easy to check and update your donor status in the US. 

Please consider.

♡,

Erin

The Sweetest Things

I LOVE VALENTINE'S DAY! I think it might be my favorite holiday of them all. Maybe it's just the color scheme, I don't know. I love February too, probably mostly because it contains Valentine's Day. So last night I sought out some lovely things to get me into the red, white, and pink (lavender, orange and turquoise are welcome too) mood.

♡,

Erin 

Day in a Photostrip: 1.19.11

 Mopped the floors squeaky clean = house smelling like almond extract.

Photographed first part of LGV's spring collection. In shop soon.

From above.

 Had meatless, shepherd's pie-ish concoction of leftover roasted carrots and mashed potatoes. Wished there'd been some cheddar cheese in the house.

 Watched the snow fall and wished at the time it was fluffier. Wish was eventually granted.

Burned my brand new Candle Lab candle in their Dad's Den fragrance, one of my favorites, with sweet tobacco and, I believe, clove. 

 Tried a new place for takeout, Bamboo Village. Our two yardsticks, General Tso's and Veg LoMein didn't disappoint. Their dining room was super cute and cozy, featuring a little sushi bar, so we'll have to do the dine-in experience sometime.

Was naughty and stopped into Jeni's for a couple pints for dessert. (Don't worry, didn't eat it all in one sitting.) Totally loving Whiskey & Pecans right now. 

 Did a little after-dinner crafting, hope to do the reveal next week. (Already behind on my craft-a-week resolution. Mais, c'est la vie.)

♡,

Erin

January Reading

As promised here are my two volumes for the month.


You'd probably have to have spent the last couple of months under a rock to not have heard of the one on the left. Greg and I are both Daniel Craig fans and we'd heard nothing but good things about the movie, so we went to see it a couple of weeks ago and loved it. So, as the book was so highly praised as well (coupled with my tendency to jump at any excuse to buy a book) I put it on my reading list, stat. I couldn't find a non-movie cover edition in my local book-selling establishments, and I just can't bring myself to do movie cover editions, so I ordered it online and had to wait for it to come. Add to that delay having to finish up a project related to my day career, and I just managed to read chapter one last night. I already like the late Mr. Larsson's style (via the translator of course). It's going to be a page-turner for me for sure.


Design*Sponge at Home is of course a well-edited, bound version of the blog of the same name that I visit daily. I picked it up at the bookstore before the holidays, and I'm just now treating myself to it. The first part is devoted to "Sneak Peeks" or home tours, the second to diy projects, and the last part to major home makeovers. I've already paged through all the diys and mentally noted which ones I'd like to tackle, and I'm making my way through the tours and makeovers a couple a night.


So there you have it. Long live the printed word!


♡,


Erin