lilacs

via yeah okay

Yesterday, the lilacs in our neighborhood started blooming. Lilacs are my absolute favorite flower so this was an exciting event. My parents have several bushes along the side of our house and growing up my Mom would fill the house with huge vases of them. In Michigan, the lilacs bloom at the end of May so I always associate them with the start of summer but here in Missouri they are a sign of spring blooming right after the Japanese magnolia's have dropped. I love them for their smell (if you have never smelled lilacs you are really missing out because its about one of the most lovely scents on earth), their organic beauty and their rarity. Generally speaking, lilacs are in bloom for only 2 weeks and are very difficult to find for sale as cut stems. 

A few facts about lilacs according to the Farmer's Almanac ...
- They come in seven color variations (mostly shades of purple)
- They grow between 5 to 15 feet tall depending on variation
- They require full sun
- They attract butterflies 

Unfortunately, we don't have any lilacs in our yard so I am appreciating from afar sniffing at any bushes that are close to the sidewalks. And enjoying these photos of course. Have a great weekend everyone!

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via everything that sparkles

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firm feature: mackay-lyons sweetapple architects

Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects is a firm that manages to be both local and international. After years of schooling and traveling, Brian MacKay-Lyons returned to Nova Scotia "to challenge the historic maritime trend 'brain drain' trend". For over 30 years, he has created an international reputation for his distinctly local architecture. In 2005, MacKay-Lyons partnered with Talbot Sweetapple expanding his practice to include more international public commissions. Both MacKay-Lyons and Sweetapple are highly regarded educators in the field and run a summer internship program (currently on hiatus) called Ghost on MacKay-Lyons' farm. Below are a few of my favorite of their most recent projects. Check out their website for a full viewing of their beautiful work.

Lancaster by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects

 Sunset Rock by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects

 Leahey #2 by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects

nate berkus for target

While walking through Target a couple weeks ago, I detoured to take a spin by the Nate Berkus home accessory section (pretty much standard operating procedure on any trip). The line always pops off the shelf for me and I can usually spot his pieces from way down the aisle. I can't totally explain it but their is a freshness to all of his items that just make them stand apart from the hundreds of other vases, frames, pillows etc. I am not usually a fan of accessorizing a home from brand name stores (I think it can end up making a space feel generic) but I think the Nate Berkus' line has some really beautiful, well designed pieces (not to mention affordable) that work great in a lot of spaces. Here are a few of my favorites. 

1. Seagrass Flatweave Basket  2. Table Lamp  3. Patterned Ceramic Tray  4. Area Rug  5. Gold Mirrored Decorative Tray  6. Studded Cream Pillow  7. Zig Zag Beach Towel