A Dose Of Spring

If I close my eyes, close the blinds and stay indoors Spring gets closer and closer

I desperately yearn to be here, in Spring, literally. Any of these locations will do. Topped off with a glass of this:

We're almost there!!

Tatum

Homemade Hair Clip

Well not quite all the way homemade but have you ever heard that one woman's trash is another woman's treasure? In this particular case it was my trash and my treasure. While cleaning out one of our guest rooms that was still a holding ground for a bunch of our belongings from our move, I found a couple of jewelry boxes that had been stored away. In those boxes I came across some jewelry that I no longer wore, more specifically necklaces. The problem with these necklaces is that the silver rings that held the charms were now rather tarnished. So, my natural reaction was to throw them away! Or should I say, the old me's natural reaction, the Tatum prior to blogland's natural reaction.

I am a rather creative person, but mainly in the writing, clever gifting arena. However I am also the child of a rather creative mother, one who sews, crochet's, reupholsters, cans, gardens etc. After venturing out into blogland I've been even further inspired to see things a bit differently than I have before. I can now look at something that I would have never looked twice at and find a way to make it useful. So, back to my old jewelry.

The necklaces that I have been referring to looked similar to this:

 

And you can see here the noted two parts, only again, this is an example. The necklaces that I've been referring to had tarnished silver rings:

 

Here are photo's of the charms from the two necklaces:

A beautiful butterfly

And a beautiful flower

 It just seemed so wrong that these lovely pieces of jewelry would go into the trash just because their cheap tarnished counterparts were kaput.

With that being said, there is another crucial element in this little story. It's a simple silver hair clip. One like this:

I came across a pack of silver clips that almost went right into my bathroom drawer until the creative bug hit me. I said to myself...hey self...I wonder... and just like that!

The aha moment was being executed. I simply added the superglue to the back of the butterfly and then put the clip on top:

 and then... drum roll please!!

Isn't it super adorable!! Here is the other:

I must say, I am rather proud of myself. How do you think it looks?

My name is Tatum and I approve this message (...hair clip):

 

And even though I don't have a photo with the butterfly. Trust me, it's just as cute :-) I've received several compliments already!!

Tatum

I'm also linking to Motivate Me Mondays at Keeping It Simple 
and My Re-Purposed Life

Norton Commons

I know I've been out of touch for a while, but I promise I had a valid excuse. I've been in Louisville, Kentucky with my fiance Chris and future sister in law Michelle tending to precious family affairs.

I'm back now and want to show you something that reminds me of Pleasantville. If you are not familiar with Pleasantville you should know that it's a dreamy little town in a movie of the same name set in the 50's. Well actually the movie was filmed in 1998 and the stars (Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon) are whisked into a 1950's sitcom.

The Pleasantville-esque locale that I am referring to is known as Norton Commons, so perfectly tucked away in a comfortable little corner of Prospect, Kentucky. The neighborhood is it's own self contained little world, that houses little shops, restaurants, cafes and a wine loft! It even has it's own little yoga studio, dentists office and firehouse! There are so many more perfect elements to this little self sustaining picture of domicile greatness that you'd have to see it for yourself.

I personally believe that this home epitomizes Norton Commons:

Isn't it dreamy!! I absolutely love this home, and the photo does not do it justice. Look at this beautiful yellow door!!

Here are some additional Norton Commons beauties:

How about this pretty red door!

And talk about a crafty creative way to show your address!

So now that I've shown you the homes, here are a couple images of the neighborhood:

So there you have it, Norton Commons as it's finest. Then again, you have to see it in person to truly appreciate it for what it really is. I hope you enjoyed the pictures and if you are looking for a perfect place to live, look them up!

Tatum

Bramasole

Recognize this photo?

I'm sure many of you do. If not, maybe you recognize the back of the woman...then again maybe not. It is Frances Mayes better known as Diane Lane and the beautiful home as you may have now guessed is Bramasole, the Tuscan Villa that she so unexpectedly purchased on a whim in the movie Under The Tuscan Sun.

I fell in love with this movie the moment that I saw it, which was about 6 years ago. There was just something so freeing about it and the idea of starting over in such a place was definitely a thought to get lost in. I would love to be able to just whisk away to the countrysides of Tuscany and just marvel.

Here are a couple of adorable little cottages that would make me just as happy!

I could totally cuddle up to these places in a perfect little window seat with a good book and a cup of coffee. The thought alone just makes me smile.

Tatum

All Things Pretty

I have a great affinity for all things historic, all things vintage and all things pretty. Enjoy!