sincerely, cecelia

february photo a day

2012-02-02T20:08:00.000-08:00

if you're on instagram, let's be friends (i'm cwesterberg)! last month i was inspired by everyone who participated in the "january photo a day" challenge so i decided to jump on board for february. if you want to follow along here is the daily prompt...i'll be posting on instagram and facebook!

lately

2012-02-02T10:32:00.000-08:00

my second batch of forced hyacinth!

a piece of thrifted fabric-turned-tablecloth brightens our dining table

handmade valentine's day bunting (now for sale in my etsy shop!)

my amaryllis bulbs are taking off!

the last of my holiday paperwhites

happy weekend!

2012-01-27T21:16:00.000-08:00

wishing you a wonderful, relaxing weekend!

xoxo,
nelli + gilbert

genevieve gorder for capel rugs

2012-01-24T22:27:00.000-08:00

i don't know about you...but genevieve gorder is pretty much my design idol...like since trading spaces days. i loooove hgtv, but dear, genevieve is one of only two shows (secrets from a stylist!) that i actually record aaaand pause, rewind, repeat. i love her space planning, use of unique vintage pieces, playful attitude and just overall fresh design aesthetic. aaaanyway, she has a new line of gorgeous rugs coming out over at capel rugs and i am beyond excited! i'm kind of in love with bokrum blue uzbek, which one is your favorite?

1. uzbek | 2. wild chev | 3. puhalo stripe | 4. arabesque

confession...

2012-01-19T19:56:00.000-08:00

image via pinterest

i'm addicted to vintage glassware.
cut crystal, curvy stemmed wine glasses, etched champagne coups and juice glasses...i love it all...and they know it at my local thift shops. over the past year i've been collecting and selling most pieces in my etsy shop, but it's time i start my own collection. this video from camille styles inspired me to head out thrifting this afternoon...photos of my budding collection to come!

"Made for Each Other" Photo Shoot: Behind the Scenes from Camille Styles on Vimeo.

fourth + school on etsy

2012-01-16T18:47:00.000-08:00

i've recently updated my etsy shop fourth + school with tons of new vintage treasure! stop by and check it out :)

mckenzie powell's floral studio

2012-01-10T21:06:00.000-08:00

i love, l o v e, loooooove sneak peeks of inspiring workspaces. this evening i stumbled upon mckenzie powell's website/blog and hello. her floral studio? the fresh/vintage styling? i swear...one day i'll have my own space like this.

photography by belathee photography

happy new year!

2012-01-01T10:40:00.000-08:00

image via potter and butler

happy holidays

2011-12-28T15:51:00.000-08:00

oh hey, it's been a while...hope your holidays were merry and bright! since we last spoke...i've celebrated halloween, thanksgiving, christmas and a golden birthday (turned 25 on the 25th of december!) and i received a fancy new camera too - so you can bet there will be more posting up in here. here's a little sneak at what the holidays have looked like in our little apartment...

santa and vintage reindeer

handmade santas from tesoro

gingerbread!

mercury glass trees mixed with my handmade yard trees

my favorite ornament addition this year...mr. gnome

paperwhites

vintage glass ball ornaments mixed with my silver ornament collection

oh, hey bert.

thrifted stockings for jason, nelli, bert and i

photos via yours truly

dress up your orchid

2011-10-21T22:21:00.000-07:00

have you ever purchased a beautiful orchid to give as a gift (or to keep and admire yourself)? you know those ugly little hair clips or green twist ties that come attached to that fabulous orchid? yeah...change those out. just use a piece of raffia, twine or string (i like to use bakers twine) and tie a nice tight bow holding the orchid to the stake in place of the clips/ties. you can even use a little moss to bump up the chic factor by tucking a bit under your bow before you pull it taut - bingo - a well dressed orchid.

lately...

2011-10-20T14:04:00.000-07:00

i've been absent around these parts lately...busy with work, life and loooots of puppy snuggles. here are some things that are currently making me happy:

1. my new sheepskin rug from ikea, draped over a chair in our living room.
2. mulling spice from trader joes. i like to boil a few tablespoons on the stove...it makes
the whole apartment smell so cozy!
3. my new sparkly fall flats...from payless!
4. this happened yesterday and i can't get enough of these two together. xo

i also decorated the buffet table in our dining room for halloween. i'm not usually too excited about halloween, but this year i was feeling festive so i went with a black + mercury glass theme with some fun hanging orange/black paper pinwheels! aaand in case you didn't know...black candles are über chic :)

have you decorated for halloween yet?

meet gilbert...

2011-09-29T14:32:00.000-07:00

nelli's new little brother! jason and i adopted him last week from the napa animal shelter, he is a 12 week old chihuahua and he was found abandoned in a box at a local flea market. now he lives happily with us and we couldn't be more excited! xoxo

fourth + school giveaway @ selective potential

2011-09-01T10:42:00.000-07:00

this week my etsy shop is hosting a giveaway over on tieka's fabulous blog selective potential. click here to view the post and enter to win my metallic gold espresso set! if you follow fourth + school on twitter and facebook you can score extra entries (make sure to leave her extra comments if you do!) and the winner will be randomly selected on september 6 so hurry on over! xo

p.s. yesterday i added a handful of fun new fall items to the shop! be sure to check them out and stop by soon because i'll have more in the next few days!

what's on your nightstand: susi of design shuffle

2011-08-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

today susi of design shuffle is putting a fun, new spin on the nightstand series!

thank you design shuffle for guest blogging this week!

Hi everyone, I’m Susi and I write as a guest blogger for DesignShuffle.com,

a fabulous social media site that promotes interior designers and their work

from around the world. My writing focuses on things I'm passionate about:

interior design, decorating ideas,  home furnishings, gardening, travel and art.

I get to look at gorgeous things all day and write about them. I'm a very lucky girl!



Thanks for inviting me and Design Shuffle to visit your blog, Cecelia.

Like you, I have a simple wood nightstand. Mine is currently piled with summer

reading and a vintage lamp.  So I was inspired to go looking for unexpected

nightstands to see what clever ideas people had come up with to replace the basic

nightstand.  I love some of these ideas, I hope you love them too.

Enjoy!

 Swiss Miss (via)
In a tight space, a floating shelf and pendant light make the perfect

nightstand alternative. The floating shelf doesn’t take up any floor space either. Love the large pulley holding the light.

Cupcakes and Cashmere (via)This is a great use for vintage suitcases. Love the pastel colors and the mirror used as a tray on top.

 Susk and Banoo (via)
Can you guess what this is? It’s a dentist cabinet with a white marble top.

Love the blue color. A great repurposed piece for holding books, sleep mask, ear plugs… whatever you need.

From dentist's office to interior design—who knew?

 The Painted Hive (via)
A chest of drawers makes for a swell nightstand if you have the space next to the bed.

Just make sure the chest of drawers isn’t too tall.

Amy Meier Design (via)
A demilune console table makes for an elegant bedside table.  Not sure

if this would hold all my books but it would be great for a guest room to hold a carafe of water, a clock and a lamp.

Pinterest (via)
A Parsons desk makes for a smart nightstand alternative with extra surface space and drawers for storage.

Could be used as a desk or vanity as well as a nightstand.

Pinterest (via)
For the minimalist bedroom design, painted white Moroccan stools can replace bulky nightstands.

Love the pendant lights that provide light but don’t take up any horizontal space.

Apartment Therapy (via)
This birdhouse/bookholder/nightstand is my favorite for creativity and form meets function.

A place for a glass of water, your glasses and the book you are reading… all cleverly designed. Love it.



This content is provided by Design Shuffle, where you can find and share talented interior designs from from

New York interior designers, Los Angeles interior designers, and more, check out the latest at Design Shuffle.

what's on your nightstand: jessie of sweet thing

2011-08-16T18:59:00.000-07:00

Hi sincerely, cecelia readers, Jessie here from Sweet Thing. What you keep on your nightstand can be very telling as to who you are and the things that are important to you. I like to be surrounded by sentimental photos, literature and a little bit of nature and my nightstand reflects that.

I purchased my nightstands about eight years ago from Ballard Designs. I love the antique, chinoiserie look paired with my modern platform bed from West Elm.

A series of three Polaroids taken by my friend as part of her wedding save the dates hang next to each other. The Polaroids were taken in Ojai, CA. my home town and I love their dreamy, romantic quality. A strip of photo booth photos of my boyfriend and I from a trip to NYC also hangs near my bed. I like to look at the photo strip first thing in the morning and before bed, to remind me of the trip where we first fell in love.

On top of my nightstand I have a simple yet fun lamp from Urban Outfitters. I found these lamps on sale a few years ago and I quickly snatched them up. They bring a little modern pop next to my vintage first edition book by Anais Nin (a gift from my boyfriend). A sandalwood candle from Anthropologie makes my room smell amazing and a vase of hydrangeas from my front yard brighten my day. There is almost nothing that gives me more happiness then waking up to fresh flowers.

Underneath I like to stack books I am reading and plan to read along with latest fashion and shelter magazines giving me inspiration.

Have a sweet day! Jessie xx

when life gives you lemons...

2011-08-15T23:27:00.000-07:00

...make homemade lavender lemonade.

i spent a lovely afternoon with silvanie in petaluma on sunday, we had brunch (eggs benedict for me, a b.l.t. for her) and lavender lemonade at della fattoria then we spent a few hours thrifting downtown. i came home with some amazing loot...milk glass, a picnic basket and some fun fall items for the etsy shop...but when i got home i couldn't stop thinking about that lavender lemonade.

after some searching i found a recipe and whipped up a batch for jason and i. with the help of our le creuset juicer it was simple as can be, but getting the right lemon to sugar ratio took juuust a bit of finesse at the end. i highly recommend giving this recipe a whirl if you're looking for something delish to serve at your end-of-summer bash!

the perfectly imperfect home

2011-08-15T20:50:00.000-07:00

i don't know about you, but i'm sooo looking forward to the release of this book...

the ombre glitter manicure

2011-08-11T19:58:00.000-07:00

after receiving the glitter guide email for this post the other day, i was determined to attempt the diy ombre glitter manicure. one coat of opi ridge filler, two types of wet-n-wild glitter polish and a clear top coat later...ummm...i'm obsessed. i highly recommend you try it out.

psssssst....

2011-08-10T08:45:00.000-07:00

hey...remember when i posted about my love of true birds accessories the other day? well, heather and heidi are hosting an awesome deal over at groupon right now- $50 worth of jewelry/accessories for $25! you know you need that mini working harmonica...or the tiny ticking vintage timepiece..click here to check it out! xo

smitten

2011-08-08T22:00:00.000-07:00

i was recently introduced to true birds, an insanely adorable accessories shop out of la. confession: i'm completely head over heels with heidi and heather's whimsical designs.

have you seeeeen these charm necklaces? um...a working mini harmonica? yes please!!

now hurry on over to their lovely website and sign up for the mailing list to receive 15% off of your next order.

what's on your nightstand: yours truly

2011-08-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

back in january i promised that i'd post my current nightstand once we were settled into our then new apartment. the time has come and i am so excited to share it with you!

we don't have a headboard so we improvised by hanging four painted wood panels from target. the nightstand was a gift from a neighbor, we decided to paint it white and swap drawer hardware and since it doesn't have a shelf/cabinet storage i tuck a big basket beneath to hold my collection of books and magazines.

i've been collecting thrift/flea market treasures for our place since before we moved in. my floral lamp was a goodwill find topped with a basic target drum lampshade. my wooden/capiz shell pedestal dish was a thrift shop find - it's perfect for holding my favorite ban.do heart pin, hair pins and jewelry. the little jewelry box is from my childhood, it opens up with a twirling ballerina playing "somewhere over the rainbow" and the milk glass vase was another goodwill purchase.

and here's a better look at the "headboard" wall. our bed and both of our nightstands (jason now uses my old one) fit snugly (seriously wall to wall) in our little space. the throw pillows are from target and world market and the duvet cover was a thrift store snag originally from pottery barn. aaaand p.s. i hate making the bed...this undone look is about as tidy as it gets.

there you have it friends. my thrifty little bedroom.

ribboned asparagus salad

2011-07-27T21:04:00.000-07:00

tonight i set out to make a ribboned asparagus salad (after viewing this delicious video). i tried to capture each step, but i'm having issues with my little pink point/shoot camera so the iphone came to the rescue. it's the easiest salad to make...seriously...you don't even have to cook the asparagus. to whip up this delight for your next shindig all you need is:

one bunch of asparagus
parmesan cheese (the more the better!)
toasted pinenuts **
olive oil
the juice of one lemon
salt
pepper

rinse your asparagus, "ribbon" your asparagus spears with a veggie peeler, throw your ribbons in a bowl and toss with all the other ingredients and enjoy! xo

p.s. yes...you see a paper plate in the image above. sometimes this girl just doesn't want to wash any dishes :)

**sidenote: i used sunflower seed nuts instead...because i bought my lemons and asparagus at target along with a new handbag...and target doesn't sell pinenuts :)

thrifty treasures

2011-07-26T22:17:00.000-07:00

yesterday during my weekly visit to the goodwill, i dug up the following treasures:

1. hobnail milk glass container
2. the good housekeeping cookbook from the 60's
3. two blue striped coffee mugs - my first pyrex pieces!
4. a beautiful decanter with gold accents

i still haven't decided if i'll add any of these items to the etsy shop, for now they're looking pretty on my dining room table waiting patiently to be displayed. have you found anything fun while antiquing/thrifting lately?

sponsor sincerely, cecelia in august!

2011-07-24T15:17:00.000-07:00

now accepting sponsors for the month of august! large ads are featured in a group sponsor spotlight post with the opportunity to host a discount or giveaway and small ads get a twitter introduction - all ads rotate throughout the month to maximize exposure. rates are set with small businesses and blogs in mind, email me if you're interested!

sincerelycecelia (at) gmail (dot) com

hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! xo

breakfast for two

2011-07-21T19:07:00.000-07:00

continuing with my current kinfolk obsession...um...how romantic is this video? complete with keep cups (i heart my keep cup!) i think jason and i might have to hit up abc bakery for pastries, and head down on the napa riverfront to watch the sunrise in the near future...

Kinfolk: Breakfast for Two from andrew+carissa on Vimeo.

and this ribboned asparagus salad recipe? w a n t.

ribboned asparagus salad from tiger in a jar on Vimeo.

five new faves

2011-07-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

i spent entirely too much time on the internet last night browsing from site to site on an incredible inspiration spree - pinterest is my new bff - here are five things that are currently (heavily) on my radar...

1. a painfully adorable picnic kit from acme party box co. including: woven tote with leather straps, cloth napkins, weck storage containers, mason drinking jars, cheese board/knife and a set of bamboo plates/flatware. wouldn't this make the most fabulous wedding present?

2. affordable museum quality prints? sign me up! 20x200 has an amazing assortment of fun art prints starting at just $20 each! but be quick with it...these prints sell out fast.

3. kinfolk is the sweetest lifestyle/entertaining publication on the internet. i love the natural style behind this magazine and the idea that a table shared with loved ones should be a regular uncontrived event. and those videos? sigh.

4. i'm loving and neeeeeding one of these aprons from small batch productions. i wear an apron everyday at work and these guys are so classic and functional.

5. i literally just drooled over photographer jen altman's new york apartment. doesn't it look so comfortable? i love her use of wall space...almost every inch is covered.

what inspiration have you found recently?

free shipping at fourth + school!

2011-07-18T20:40:00.000-07:00

dear friends, this week i'm offering free shipping (within the u.s.) through sunday on all purchases over at my etsy shop! either click on the tab above that says "shop" or click here, then use code "justbecause" at checkout - happy vintage treasure hunting dolls! xo

what's on your nightstand: amy of your southern peach

2011-07-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

today's nightstand comes from miss amy of your southern peach. her blog is filled will lovely lifestyle inspiration - i especially love her "sunday best" outfit posts. thank you for contributing amy!

my bedside table is pretty simple except for the large number of books i'm working my way through. i keep a small photo of my husband and i on our last ski trip to park city, ut. my gladiolas are blooming right now so i've been enjoying bringing them inside this summer. thanks for letting me share a little piece of me. here's wishing you sweet dreams and happy slumber.

-amy

scenes from sunday

2011-07-17T13:46:00.000-07:00

1. a deliciously fragrant (seriously...my whole apartment smells divine) bouquet of casablanca lilies
2. new vintage treasure - a wooden pedestal dish lined with capiz shell. perfect for holding jewelry and hair pins
3. the view from our campsite in tahoe earlier this week. i just uploaded our pictures
4. gosh...i sure missed this little beast while we were away camping. there have been plenty of snuggles this weekend to make up for it

hope you all had a wonderful, relaxing weekend. i'll be back tomorrow with a new nightstand post and some exciting news from fourth + school!

p.s. this little site has had a bit of a makeover (it's as far as my web design skills go...but i'm not complaining). what do ya think?! xoxo

what's on your nightstand: erika of radiant republic

2011-07-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

what's on your nightstand is back with the lovely erika of radiant republic! go on...don't be shy, take a peek...

p.s. congrats on your new engagement miss erika!!! xo

i try to keep my nightstand as clutter-free as possible, which can prove to be challenging with the influx of magazines on the lower shelf. i love interior design magazines, so one can always find elle décor and house beautiful on my nightstand. as a newly engaged girl, i’m sure multiple bridal magazines will be added to the
collection!

photos of my family are found everywhere in my home, but i love to keep this picture of my aunt and me on my nightstand - i especially love the cute adirondack frame. finally, i always have a water glass and book on my nightstand. right now, i’m absorbed in jonathan safran foer’s extremely loud and incredibly close. what are you reading this summer?

-erika

off to tahoe...

2011-07-11T23:49:00.000-07:00

i'm off for a three day camping trip in tahoe and i am soooo excited! be back in a few days with stories and pictures galore. in the meantime, enjoy the first of this summers what's on your nightstand guest posts! have a wonderful week dolls!

image via: pinterest

new at fourth + school

2011-07-10T22:47:00.000-07:00

hope you all had a fabulous weekend! i don't have any "scenes from sunday" images to share because my day consisted of house cleaning and posting on etsy, but i do have some fun vintage treasures to share with you...all of which are now for sale in my etsy shop! sending love and well wishes for a fabulous week. xoxo

waterfall braid

2011-07-07T20:16:00.000-07:00

i am soooo all about braided hairstyles and this "waterfall braid" is one i have yet to try. love.

image via: pinterest

dear genevieve: nyc pied-a-terre

2011-07-07T14:57:00.000-07:00

i've had this episode of dear genevieve saved in my dvr for months. i love going back to it every once in a while for inspiration...

camping: cath kidston style

2011-07-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

jason and i are going camping (or glam-ping as i like to say) in tahoe a week from today and i'm so excited! lately i've been all over the internet searching for easy camping recipes, items/clothes to pack and fun, style-y camp gear. who knew cath kidston had such an adorable collection of outdoor necessities - in floral, polka dot (or cowboy!!) print of course. i totally need that teepee tent in my life.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

scenes from the weekend

2011-07-04T23:48:00.000-07:00

here's how i spent my holiday weekend (which went by too fast if you ask me):

1. a fresh caprese salad on a 100 degree day, complete with basil from our garden
2. an afternoon in the backyard, sunbathing and reading my new favorite book
3. the mister and i getting ready to enjoy some fireworks
4. we get comfy and watched the downtown napa fireworks from our front yard

hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

happy friday/holiday weekend!

2011-07-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

dear friends,
i have exciting news! in recent months this little blog as grown and i have now decided to accept sponsorships (and offer design services!!)! however, i'm still building this corner of the interweb and at this time i wouldn't feel right about charging a fee...SO...good news for you lovelies...i'm currently offering FREE sponsorship for your blog, site or shop to the first ten commenters on this post!

the deets:

first come, first served
your ad will appear on the right side of this blog for the month of july
all ads will be free until july 31st
i will contact the first ten dolls who comment with more information as soon as i have responses
please leave your email within your comment

so today is july 1st and i want your ads to run as long as possible, as soon as you comment we'll get things rolling! all i ask in return is that you share the love, as in...if you mention sincerely, cecelia on your facebook, twitter or blog that would totes make me smile :)

i am so excited that this blog is growing, thank you millions for continuing to follow and i hope you all have the most fabulous fourth of july weekend e v e r!

p.s. don't forget...i'm also having a holiday sale over at my etsy shop fourth + school! check out the fun new items and take 30% off your purchase using code "fireworks" at checkout! xoxoxoxo

thursday thrifty treasures

2011-06-30T20:24:00.000-07:00

check out the loot i scored from the napa goodwill this evening! a new bentwood/chiavari desk chair (which might get a fancy coat of paint), a ceramic floral lamp base, a rattan spiral (sunburst mirror diy post to come!) and a framed vintage doily that i've had my eye on for two weeks. hope you're all gearing up for a fabulous long weekend my dears! xo

fourth of july sale!

2011-06-30T15:36:00.000-07:00

celebrate the fourth of july with a sale at fourth + school on etsy! i've added some fun new items and by entering code "fireworks" at checkout you can take 30% off of your entire purchase now through monday, july 4 - happy vintage shopping dolls!

the beauty department

2011-06-30T12:55:00.000-07:00

i don't know how i've j u s t come across this incredible style blog by lauren conrad, amy nadine and kristin ess. i am bursting with excitement because in my opinion...any tip from miss lc is golden (her style book is practically my personal bible). go check out the beauty department for more great tutorials like this one.

renters rejoice!

2011-06-25T06:15:00.000-07:00

wallpaper for renters? sign me up!! tempaper and sherwin-williams have both developed lines of removable wallpapers suited specifically for simple installation and removal. i'm soooo excited, i may just put an accent wall in every room of our apartment! (just kiiidding...but maybe)

image via: apartment therapy

around the house: the entry

2011-06-24T06:25:00.000-07:00

yesterday i was staging a few images for my upcoming fourth + school - fourth of july sale and i decided to capture some fun little vignettes around our house. here is our entry...

color inspiration: coral

2011-06-23T14:34:00.000-07:00

one. two. three. four. five. six.

hello summer

2011-06-21T19:45:00.000-07:00

it finally feels like summer around here and i'm so happy to be wearing shorts, sundresses and sandals. we've been working on our little garden since january and it feels so great to be able to sit in the backyard during the evening, enjoying our flowers/veggies and lounging with a glass of sangria (and perhaps making a few running passes through the sprinkler to cool off). hope you're loving the beginning of summer too.

p.s. i wish i had a patio that looked this cool.

image via: pinterest

project gadabout: guest post

2011-06-19T00:05:00.000-07:00

check out some of my favorite warm weather havens over at project gadabout!

image via: pinterest

project gadabout: treasure map

2011-06-17T19:17:00.000-07:00

today i'm sharing my shopping secrets over at project gadabout...go check it out!

i whip my hair

2011-06-17T18:35:00.000-07:00

i'm just waiting for one of the hip hop choreographers on so you think you can dance to do something with this song. i'm obsessed. willow smith has got it goin' on...just saying...

happy weekend! xo

lately...

2011-06-16T12:02:00.000-07:00

1. is there anything better than a bunch of peonies? i don't think so.
2. last night i enjoyed my first batch of summer sangria. delish.
3. a bowl of the sweetest cherries freshly picked in st helena.
4. we had a birthday at work this week and this homemade banana cream pie was devoured in seconds. heaven.

project gadabout: style file

2011-06-15T20:58:00.000-07:00

today over at project gadabout, my friend poppy is sharing my personal style file...you don't want to miss it!

blog of the moment: east side bride

2011-06-14T22:21:00.000-07:00

east side bride is the most witty/straightforward/down to earth wedding blog out there. i'm in love with the "dear esb" series...you'll be laughing in two seconds flat.

style: elizabeth olsen

2011-06-13T20:07:00.000-07:00

young, fresh and sophisticated. this girl exudes class in such an effortless way.

*all images via pinterest*

project gadabout: blogger bio

2011-06-13T19:42:00.000-07:00

my glamorous gadabout week has arrived and i am so thrilled to be guest blogging all week over at project gadabout! today is my mini bio and a summer cocktail that poppy has dedicated to myself and the lovely napa valley, go check it out! xo

polish paper chandelier

2011-06-07T08:28:00.000-07:00

i must make one of these whimsical polish folk art chandys for my dining room. like...seriously. there are some fabulous examples around blogland, but i'm thinking huge and primarily yellow just like this little baby.

i'm off to buy craft supplies...

bhldn | party decor

2011-06-06T07:15:00.000-07:00

i am completely smitten by the new party/wedding decor section over at bhldn. bunting, glitter, paper poms, pin wheels and cake-to-go boxes? YES PLEASE.

postcard birthday poster diy

2011-06-05T16:22:00.000-07:00

i stumbled upon this darling birthday idea from jordan over at oh happy day - what a sweet/thoughtful little project. click here for detailed instructions...

currently pining over...

2011-05-26T23:14:00.000-07:00

sky lanterns. today i saw the hangover part 2 and though it was formulaic, it was hilarious. at the end of the movie they released these gorgeous fire lanterns into the sky - it was the one thing that really stuck with me and now i'm seriously determined to use them in my own wedding! so. pretty.

image: unknown

a simple kitchen

2011-05-22T22:48:00.000-07:00

when i saw these images of ashley helvey's perfectly pared down kitchen, i immediately went to my own kitchen to edit, purge and reorganize. wouldn't you love to wake up to this charming space?

infatuated.

2011-05-22T14:55:00.000-07:00

via: hair romance

fabric and handle

2011-05-19T18:38:00.000-07:00

my trusty cognac leather bag is in shambles so im currently shopping around for a replacement. i'm in love with the simplicity of these bags - linen, canvas and leather? yes please. did i mention the leather straps are adjustable too? nooow...which one do i choose?

garden rose

2011-05-17T21:48:00.000-07:00

dear friends, i've been m.i.a. recently (and i soooo apologize) so i wanted to pop in to share something that totally brightened a dreary, stormy and grey beginning to the week...

behold...the flower of my dreeeeams...the most deliciously fragrant blush pink garden roses grown in santa rosa by this little lady. thank you silvanie for sharing with me! these lush babies are currently resting on my dining table. yummy. xo

scenes from sunday

2011-05-01T22:53:00.000-07:00

ahhhhh sundays...

mine included half of the day spent lounging with jason (which is rare due to his work schedule), multiple recaps of the royal wedding, a leopard print manicure, a hodge-podge arrangement filled with floral from our yard (in my new calypso for target teapot!) and a wonderful evening happy hour with a dear friend including calamari, lemon drops and girl talk.

the weather was absolutely gorgeous here today and we still have our windows open at 10:45 - summer is on its way and i can't wait! hope you had a wonderful weekend - xoxo

royal wedding slumber party

2011-04-29T00:35:00.000-07:00

so its 12:15 am here at my little flat in napa, california and i'm in the middle of a full blown all nighter. what's the occassion? the royal wedding of course. thursdays = my day off and throughout the day (while dominating a major pile of laundry) i got caught up on all the latest royal wedding/fashion predictions and i even watched a made-for-tv movie about william and kate's love story. basically, i have a new wealth of royal knowledge...and i'm already feeling a bit delirious...midnight is waaay past my bedtime.

i'm about to head over to sam's for a long night of live coverage filled with pj's, homemade tiaras and champagne...AND i guarantee we'll be tweeting live. follow us at @sncerelycecelia and @samanthawyman for some fun...who's joining us?

p.s. did i mention that i work at 9am tomorrow morning? i miiiiight have multiple redbulls chilling in the fridge...

happy easter

2011-04-24T11:06:00.000-07:00

happy easter my dears! i hope you're having a lovely day with friends and family...and if you're just using today as an excuse to eat candy...that's cool too.

ricotta/tomato crostini

2011-04-14T21:54:00.000-07:00

it's a known fact that i'm not a morning person. no matter how early i go to bed i still struggle to get going in the morning and most days i don't have time to eat a decent breakfast before work. so -- in an effort to change all that i've been compiling a handful of healthy, delicious and quick breakfast ideas. i think i'll be giving this one a try tomorrow...

::the breakfast pizza::
via real simple

take a slice of crusty bread, spread it with 3 tablespoons of low-fat ricotta, and add tomatoes. finish with a drizzle of olive oil (about 1 teaspoon) and a little salt and pepper. broiling is optional.

glamorous gadabouts

2011-04-14T16:25:00.000-07:00

yesterday the fabulous poppy of project gadabout announced her new list of glamorous gadabouts for spring/summer and i'm so excited to announce that i will be part of the super fun series! head over to check out the list of great bloggers and be sure to check back to learn more about each one of them!

and if you find yourself wondering...what is a gadabout? (which was the first thing i thought when i opened an email from poppy) here you go...

cake with giants

2011-04-14T15:42:00.000-07:00

taking a moment this afternoon to admire these whimsical illustrations by amy borrell of cake with giants...

too busy...

2011-04-13T21:24:00.000-07:00

to create an interesting collection? check out jbowerengraving's gorgeous treasury featuring fourth + school's milk glass!!

strawberry honey pies

2011-04-12T19:57:00.000-07:00

after watching giada's "elegant and easy" luncheon episode on the food network last week, i decided to brave our kitchen, put on my cherry print apron and attempt her baby strawberry and honey pie recipe. after all...it calls for store bought pie crust...how difficult could it be?

instead of using a mini muffin pan (because i didn't have one) i used the regular size so i figured i'd need a bit more filling. instead of following and doubling the recipe exactly i kiiind of came up with my own little concoction which proceeded to bubble and leak from the pies (as you can see) and once the pies cooled, what was left of the filling was a bit too tart for my taste (probably because i juiced three lemons). anyway, they didn't quite turn out as i'd hoped but i plan to reattempt/perfect these little babies in the near future - they sure were cute though...

currently pining over...

2011-04-11T21:58:00.000-07:00

these sweet little porcelain berry baskets and after spotting ~~and oogling over~~ them at tyler florence in downtown napa yesterday, i can't seem to get them off my mind. so perfect for an easter brunch. le sigh.

braids + waves

2011-04-05T22:32:00.000-07:00

really loving this effortless hairstyle from the always chic emily of cupcakes and cashmere. so summery...

etsy | vintage showcase

2011-04-05T20:20:00.000-07:00

today fourth + school was featured (my pretty gold espresso cups!) on the etsy vintage showcase! go check it out :)

scenes from sunday

2011-04-03T18:32:00.000-07:00

+ they may be ordinary/stackable/plastic, but i'm so excited about these new patio chairs! i think the pretty french blue color makes them feel special :) **
+ mr and mrs are our new duckie pals. lately, they've been visiting us every evening
+ the most deliciously fresh, organic strawberries from the oakville grocery farm stand. true story

hope you all had a restful weekend! the weather here has been insanely gorgeous, hope you've been able to enjoy a bit of sun too! xoxo

**p.s. jason built that planter box/planted those veggies...so proud :)

snapixel | issue 12

2011-04-02T01:04:00.000-07:00

i'm so excited to present my first online magazine advertisement! thank you kelsey and snapixel for having me!

something new

2011-03-31T17:41:00.000-07:00

just got a notification from google blogger that there are a few new ways to view your blog! i'm kind of loving this snapshot view...

scenes from sunday

2011-03-27T16:25:00.000-07:00

+ the perfect shade of coral for my fingertips
+ a brand new baby succulent garden, which now rests on our coffee table
+ a new collection of milkglass, meant for the etsy shop...however i'm not sure i can part with any of it

happy sunday my dears! xo

laundry room bliss

2011-03-25T22:27:00.000-07:00

if i had a laundry room this chic...i certainly wouldn't have such a difficult time tackling our hamper (which is currently overflowing with dirty clothes/linens) sunday definitely calls for a laundry day... ((sigh))

image via: pinterest

lately...

2011-03-25T00:04:00.000-07:00

i've needed something cheerful to pull me out of this rainy, dreariness...so tuesday evening i pulled out my le creuset batter bowl, trader joe's chocolate cake mix and i baked up a storm!

...and over the past few days jason and i have enjoyed more than our fair share of delicious cupcakes, with rainbow sprinkles of course!!

secrets from a stylist - episode four

2011-03-21T22:02:00.000-07:00

pretty much...everything emily henderson does is absolutely ahhh-mazing. i've already watched episode four three times (thank the lord for dvr) and it makes me wish a.) that i would win the lottery to fund a complete apartment makeover or b.) that i lived in la so i could be one of her design clients! if you haven't been watching emily in her hgtv show secrets from a stylist...get. with. it.

on etsy | kg + ab

2011-03-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

officially obsessed with these adorable porcelain goods from kg + ab on etsy...

a day of silence...

2011-03-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

a bit o' blarney

2011-03-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

in honor of saint patrick's day i'm hosting a 40% off sale in my etsy shop fourth + school now through sunday! so put on something green, dance a little jig, sip a bit of irish whiskey and head on over for some fab deals! use code "SHAMROCK11" at check out to redeem your discount - happy saint patty's day my dears!!!

image via: the graphics fairy

j. crew wish list

2011-03-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

1. sparkles
2. stripes
3. bows

DIY | braided hex nut bracelet

2011-03-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

good morning dear pals! if you have the monday blues, here is a stylish diy project sure to brighten your day. i've seen these braided bracelets everywhere lately - sam and i already promised each other we'd make them during her next visit home! all you need is a quick trip to your local hardware store, killer braiding skills and these step-by-step instructions!

scenes from sunday

2011-03-13T13:45:00.000-07:00

homemade breakfast sandwich: scrambled eggs, apple wood smoked bacon, sharp cheddar on an english muffin...

surprise notes on the new chalkboard door...

simple, fresh blooms...

flora grubb

2011-03-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

loving these miniature aeriums from flora grubb gardens in san francisco. air plants seriously last a lifetime, but just when you feel like yours might be on their last leg, a replenishment kit is available to refresh your little gem of an indoor garden.

scenes from sunday

2011-03-06T15:30:00.000-08:00

a rainy sunday calls for: sleeping in, eating a late brunch, candle light, puppy snuggles, a bit of cleaning and fresh flowers of course. here are two arrangements i whipped up yesterday afternoon :)

*yes there is a remote control car in the background. it's jason's :)

**floral styling by yours truly**

hurray!!!

2011-03-03T22:20:00.000-08:00

after two years this little blog just gained it's 100th follower!!!! thank you everyone for your love and support, it means the. world.

p.s. thanks sam for being big 100! :)

image: abby try again

on etsy | hip and clavicle

2011-03-03T13:07:00.000-08:00

i'm currently searching for a cheerful wall accent for our living room and i think these whimsical, paper butterflies in canary yellow could do just the trick...

** don't forget there's a sale in my etsy shop fourth + school until midnight tonight (pst)! take 10% off of anything your little heart desires by using code 4THSCHOOL11 at checkout :)

it's official...

2011-03-02T19:28:00.000-08:00

it's time for my first etsy sale! from now through tomorrow night at midnight (PST) take 10% off of anything in the etsy shop, what are you waiting for?? i'm pretty sure you need this awesome jewelry box... :)

thank you mandy!

2011-02-28T20:28:00.000-08:00

during my blog rounds this evening i stumbled upon such a lovely surprise! mandy of harper's happenings included my little blog in the second addition of her list of favorite bloggers, click here to view the post!. omg. h o n o r. thank you so much for including me mandy!! xo

dear spring, where are you?

2011-02-24T17:18:00.000-08:00

boy is the weather dreary around here these days. with heavy rain and temperatures below freezing during the night, snow is predicted here in northern california *excited grin*. i've even heard that there's a possibility of an inch or more to fall in san francisco on saturday! ummm...seriously...unheard of. today i prepared myself by going out to purchase a warmer scarf and beanie (which to my delight were on an extreme sale) but i'm longing for warm weather, open windows and barbecues. spring is riiiiight around the corner - here's a bit of color inspiration to get you out of this wintery-greyness. xo

*flowers arranged by yours truly*

peach roses, yellow parrot tulips, peach hypericum berries, white hydrangea and white anemone.

samantha, herself

2011-02-22T19:00:00.000-08:00

dear friends,

my oldest and dearest friend samantha has started her own blog! my little sam has an incredible sense of style and she is hilarious to boot so i'd like to introduce you...sam my lovely readers, lovely readers this is my fabulous friend samantha. enjoy everyone.

introducing...

2011-02-14T06:15:00.000-08:00

after much hard work collecting, photographing my finds and troubleshooting the etsy website over the past week (during valentine's at work...a flower shop's busiest holiday...) fourth + school is finally open! it has definitely been a long week and i'm still working out some kinks...a photo shoot with better lighting is definitely in order...but i'm so excited to finally bring my treasures to you! during the process of uploading items to the shop i even managed to make my first sale! (j u m p i n g f o r j o y) what are you waiting for? head on over, maybe you'll find something you just can't live without :)

as always, thanks a million-zillion for all the kind words and support! xoxo

on my radar

2011-02-10T10:52:00.000-08:00

i'm loving these super fun pieces from the alice and olivia spring collection! pretty patterns, slouchy silhouettes and glitter.

happy hump day

2011-02-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

a little spring color to get you through the day! if only you could smeeeell it!! oh, paperwhites....sigh.

polo roses, hyacinth, stock, ranunculus, paperwhites, camellia leaves.

- floral styling by yours truly -

dear friends...

2011-02-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

so we all know i love vintage and handmade finds. flea marketing + thrifting = number one on my list of hobbies and i've become quite crafty too (handmade could possibly be my middle name). lately i've (well, jason and i...he's been a big help) been hard at work preparing for the opening of my very own etsy shop...

why fourth and school you ask -- well, it's the cross streets of our adorable little victorian flat! the shop will carry fabulous vintage finds and handmade lovelies perfect for any occasion. i am beyond excited to finally get this shop going (it was my new years resolution for 2010...yikes! better late than never i say...). fourth and school will launch on monday, february 14th - the day of love - filled with amazingness. i'm thrilled. ecstatic. nervous. but mostly absolutely e x h i l a r a t e d .

so friends, mark your calendars for 2.14.11 for the opening of fourth and school! as usual, thank you lovely readers, friends and family for your continued support. it means more to me than you may ever know. see you over at fourth and school, february 14th!

what's on your nightstand: nichole of little brown pen

2011-02-07T08:04:00.000-08:00

today's nightstand comes from nichole over at little brown pen. nichole's blog is overflowing with gorgeous imagery, dreamy tales of paris and drool worthy food posts (c h e e e e e s e *sigh*) -- definitely a must follow. pop on over and check it out, but in the mean time here's a peek at her perfectly, simplistic nightstand.

I don't like any clutter in my bedroom, so typically my nightstand holds the book I am reading, a candle and some lip balm (not currently there because my son "misplaced" it). I am reading Mark Twain's autobiography at the moment and considering it's the size of a small dog, it may be there awhile.

In the spring, I'll add fresh flowers from my garden to freshen things up.

- Nichole

oh hello, dream home...

2011-01-31T19:32:00.000-08:00

this image has been in my inspiration file for awhile (see: dream home on the right of your screen). now that we're all settled in our new apartment, i've had the chance to re-evaluate our furnishings and we will certainly be keeping/reworking some pieces, purging others and coming up with an overall design direction. this image is exactly the feeling i'd like to achieve for our victorian flat (too bad we don't have wood floors *sad face*)...

via: unknown (if you know, let me know!)

flowering quince

2011-01-27T23:15:00.000-08:00

these flowering quince branches (that jason clipped fresh from our yard!) have got me longing for spring. this image also has me thinking it might be time to put down the iphone and get a better camera...

have you heard?

2011-01-27T14:49:00.000-08:00

anthropologie is about to unveil a line of wedding dresses! the new line debuts this valentine's day - in the meantime head over here for a sneak peek.