bagged

so there are some things in life that i just cant seem to get right and so i do what any normal human would do .... ignore them until dire straights hit....


top of this list would be shopping for a new cell phone. my last phone was more or less held together with duct-tape and chewing gum ....


the other thing near the top is bag shopping ... dont ask me why.. but i can never seem to find one that i like, in the right color at the right price. unless they are clutches .. i seem to have no problem finding or purchasing those ... alas its quite hard to fit a loaf of bread or a water bottle in one. 


case and point i love this little clutch from inaiko 

but i digress.... so on to 


exhibit A: a 7 yr old navy blue longchamp market bag ... with NO interior lining, because somewhere along the line it started to come apart and then when i looked yesterday it is completely gone. 

so ive put together a preliminary line-up.......................

 these two beauties, the baule & sacco, from the lovely 2011 line at AI_  so pretty but im not quite sure how to get my hands on them....italy~~

brown croc hobo bag : patkas

simple, classic, sure to hold everything i need in its place - 

 the weekender tote in blue and white strip ticking : death in texas 

i love the blue ticking, who doesnt? and the little bits of leather trim. perfect. 

sawyer bag : plumo         frida bag : plumo

im really loving the last two ... maybe a bit easier to get my hands on? UK~

In with the new : before and after

first, let me welcome you to my new blog!!!!

when i first started blogging 2 years ago the blog title i wanted wasn't available - so i patently waited and kept checking - and guess what santa brought me for christmas - the COTTAGE FARM BLOG!!!

can you tell im excited?

so just in time for 2011, i will now be blogging from here. cottagefarm.blogspot.com - its nice to have all my ducks in a row.

and now without further ado. a before and after to ring in the new year.purchased at the salvation army for 10$

hand sanded first with 100 grit sand paper (3$ for a pack of 4 sheets and 2 were used) and then sanded again with 350 grit sandpaper (3$ for a pack of 4 sheets and 2 were used) **wear a mask when sanding and painting.

next i primed using a large can of rustoleum's grey primer (aprox 6$) and two cans of rustoleum's glossy black enamel paint (each aprox 4$)

and voila! these will be replacing some green ikea chairs i had previously painted for the kitchen.

happy new year!

i wish everyone the best for 2011. i cant wait to see what will happen this year and what new things i will learn and discover.

my new years resolution : read more books. i got a kindle for christmas & im excited to use it.

i also have something things happening in the next few weeks that im so excited to share with you - stay tuned.

xoxo K

neest is nice

ive seen neest advertised in the side margins of a few of my favorite blogs, a few days ago i finally clicked on it, much to my delight this little french shop is filled with the loveliest of thing.

lovely and very farmhouse chic, non?

Sawkille Collective

im actually sorta at a loss for words - having just stumbled upon the beautiful work being made here at the Sawkille Collective.

tucked away in the catskill mountains a group of artists are working to create some of the most inspired american furniture i have ever seen. I love how it plays off the familiar shaker styles so indicative of this region - simple, functional,beautiful - but with an ultra modern twist.

bravo! i cant wait to visit and oh how honored i would be to have one of these extra lean stools in home

In with the Mid Century Modern.

a little story for your tuesday. I spent my saturday strolling around the Hayes Valley neighborhood of san francisco. darling by all accounts and filled with little shops full of treats and treasures. A particular favorite of mine is a store which sells its own handmade line of soaps and lotions and all manner of potions - but tucked in among these things is a stunning, and i do mean stunning collection of mid-century modern furniture and pottery. drool. it really is the only interaction i can have with these pieces & their very cool price tags of 1200 or more. Fast forward and as i leave the store and round the corner what do i spy in the back of a salvage truck?! this.

plucked from the depths of a dark (and spider filled basement) was this not so ancient but oh so beautiful treasure. and so i loaded it on my back (spiders and all) and carried it to the nearest friends house where i left it for 20minutes so i could go get my car and drive it home. With a little more love (it need to be tightened up in a few places but thats it!!) and a new cushion and strapping (provided by my local upholsterer) I will be the proud new mamma of a MCM chair.

excited? YES YES YES.

suggestions on cushions material/color for me would be appreciated.

good enough to eat

lately ive been seeing a lot of black pottery and cookware about. from le cruset's new black castiron line to mud australia's (the photo below is from their catalogue) black bowl on the cover of food and wine

this is just a short little muse on how beautiful i think the black pottery and cooking pieces are for fall. Filled with creamy orange butternut squash soup...it would look divine.

what do you think??

mid summer makeover

my sneaks were looking a little tired, kinda the way i like 'em but also on the edge of ratty. They are super comfy vans that ive had for ages, they have even been swimming with me in the mediterranean last summer and i just cant let them go yet...

but a new set of laces from the drug store and they are back in action! with a little boyish retro charm to boot!

pretty porcelain berry baskets

i was out visiting one of my favorite berkley stores - the gardner - and happened across these pretty white porcelain berry boxes ... immediately in love!

oh super clean lined but still with a farmhouse chic appeal - would be so wonderful for so many little things not just your berries in the fridge.. though reusable is good! soap dish, planter, cute hostess gift with fresh muffins inside .... i could go on but you get the idea!!! i found them here for a very reasonable price in two sizes.
oh an i loved these little organic boxshaped salters too!

thinking about summer -

with school nearly done im thinking about the freedom of summer! arent these keds just perfect for warm summer days with your favorite pair of shorts or a cute little dress~ find them here

Farmhouse divine

i saw this today over at citysage and just had to share... it speaks for itself really, the light, the white the bowls ... need i really say more ... and there is a whole book to swoon over. happy wed!