The thing about going away is that when you walk into your house after ONE MILLION HOURS of traveling, it’s like you’ve cuddled into the lap of the biggest mama ever. If you’re lucky. And I am super lucky, because I have a dreamy house and dreamy boy and dreamy cat to come back to. I’ve been back for 2 weeks now but I’m still playing catch up, but it’s been so nice to have my cozy house and cozy bed and cozy backyard. A little too nice, because after work I just want to lie on the sofa in a patch of sun with the cat while I read and drink wine. Soooo, nothing’s been getting done. (Note to self: add section to the Order of the Rising Tide site about guilt free productive relaxation and the need for it! Why is it so hard for some of us??)
I came home to a house filled with flowers from the garden, aren’t these lovely?
The house also got some boy touches while I was away for 2 weeks – this clever shelf hung in his bathroom is actually a candleholder S. had kicking around.
Hello also his face smells pretty.
Before I left, I snagged some free bookcases from Jessica before her move to Austin. They were originally built ins in this historic Oakland building. They’re giant! There’s 3 on that back wall and one that you can see in the foreground that sits behind the sofa. We have a lot of books and worried about finding enough bookshelves, but this covers it! There’s one more you can’t see in the photo, too. English hunting lodge library ahoy!
The insect vase is from a Paris shop called L’Air de Rien.
We found this English china urn for $1.99! Next step, find a giant, Victorian style fern.
Beach treasures.
I told S. I wanted a fortune telling teacup and he found this one the next day.We’re thrifting demons!
Also important- spending as much time as possible sun-basking in the courtyard.
But I also have 75 days left of WEDDING PLANNING. It didn’t get miraculously done while I was away, oddly enough, which I find quite curious. I’m sure I gave those gnomes clear directions! We’re still hashing out invites, trying to track down a tweedy country suit in a 38L, needing to start my wedding dress sewing, thrifting decor, working on menus — I need a schedule! And a fire lit under my bum!! Whoa!
Inspiration wall!! If you look closely you can see my dress sketch. Sneaks!
It’s amazing, though, as we map out bare minimum costs, even doing SO MUCH of it ourselves (we have no vendors, let’s put it that way) I have to wonder – how is this adding up so fast? My heart gets that race-panic feeling that only comes when I deal with budgeting. I know a lot of it is that I need to finish some construction on the land, but it’s still less than a venue would cost!! How do people do this! Wowow wow!! Madness! It’s like I totally ignore it and every time I say “look here self, buckle down and crunch some numbers and get stuff done!” I stop because it sends me into a tizzy!
I have been collecting things, like picnic baskets and green vintage cookwares. My FMIL (did I really just use that acronym?) has been mailing jadeite and milkglass to my parents house for the picnic buffet table!! I’ve been looking at my past tea parties to remind myself: I have thrown huge parties, ok! It will be ok!
Or maybe let’s talk about the panic I feel looking at skinny, skinny brides on wedding blogs? Why do I do this? I have big muscle arms from acrobatics and genetics, it’s a fact! I worry so much about things I can’t change, I need to worry less about dieting and just make the dress of my dreams that doesn’t squish and pinch. But also, stop eating chocolate in a worried frenzy, because that’s silly too.
We set about digging through everything we own to figure out what to sell for budgetary reasons, and it’s been pretty cathartic. We are over-collectors! Hopefully between that and Etsy (I promise to list tonight! I have 3 huge boxes of really great vintage, but it’s been so dreary here that it’s hard to photo!) we’ll be ok $ wise and all my panic will be unfounded. Fingers crossed.
Maybe a golden parcel could zip your way, soon?
Oh. I am in love with your new bookshelves and can see exactly why your home is a real Mamma’s lap type place.
Also, I’ve been embarrassed to post my wedding dress photo options because of my big muscle arms (and tiny shoulders. Which is an interesting genetic combo.) I think they look silly, but really they’re just me. And you’ve just reminded me to get over it.
And lastly, it will all work out somehow and it always costs a bit more than you expect. But, you will be okay. As you said, tea parties galore and such.
your house looks so pretty and lived in and perfect – the bookshelves are really, really good (i thought it was built in at first glance).
also YES on his toiletries selection. e. uses the rose shaving cream, mmm.
Ok ! So, I am officialy :
1/ in love with your man, I mean, HOUSE !!!
2/ jealous of these bookshelves (they’re made out of walnut-tree wood, right ? My favourite !)
3/ seduced by your garden’s flowers, as always (and these jadeite & milk glass vases !)
4/ impressed by this gorgeous “toiletries still-life”
5/ I think that you should definitely fire these gnomes !!!
6/ Also, can I come to replace them and help you plan ?! I’m great at planning gigantic tea-parties !
7/ I know this won’t help but you’re effin beautiful, Tamera ! Urgh, just watching at the pics I took of you makes me cry !
Δ Δ Δ
-m-
6) I wish you could help me plan!! A Mathyld-wedding would be GORGEOUS.
7) Aw, blush!!
gah, your home is unreal and beautiful. what a cozy nest! and now i am wanting a birdcage succulent garden too.
I feel like the birdcage succulent garden was one of my finer moments of inspiration. ;D
8/ you found a tea-leaves reading cup ! And we have the same white morrocan lantern …
Twins !!!
I have a desert terrarium birdcage on my back porch too! Twinssss….
Your house is beautiful! I can’t wait to have a cozy home with cats and a boy…will it ever come?
Could you please come to my home and decorate? Holy crap, your home looks amazingly beautiful and carefully curated. Swooning over here.
I know the wedding is creeping closer and closer and you’ve got a lot of work to do. But I feel you’ve got a vision and you’ll pull it off. And if something doesn’t work out, you’ll find a way around it because you’re clever like that.
Love your place! I am working so hard to just have our house picked up. Seems like everyone walks through and leaves dirty crusty socks everywhere. Boys!!! Your house is like heaven. I want to curl up there too! Just to put your wedding spending into perspective: We spent over $10,000 on our wedding and almost everything was DIY, venue was free, we roasted our own pig, etc., and that’s not including our honeymoon. The tent was costly, but actually, it was all the teensy tinesy stuff that added up to 90% of it. Hard to believe.
Yeah, but I do think it would be easier if I were there. Your sister is too dang busy to even talk to me on the phone!!
We’ll be there on Oct 2nd, so we’ll have a week to get ready.
Also, no pig. Ha!! I gave your roasting pig a wide berth and was scared to go near it. But I hope my wedding is as pretty as yours!!
aw, my very dapper grandfather used euthymol toothpaste. it was always too spicy for me as a wee girl!
also your house is a picture! so many nice vignettes!
furthermore your wedding will be splendid and you will look amazing, those are the facts.
be kind to yourself dearest!
just came across your blog today & its absolutely fabulous. I’m totally loving the fortune telling cup & saucer… now thats on my list of finds!
good luck with the rest of the wedding planning…. it sounds incredible!
I really want to try that toothpaste!