crafty gals

For the past two Friday nights, Roommate and I took sewing classes.  That's right - 1950s style.  There's a cute fabric shop in the South End called Grey's Fabric & Notions and everytime I walked by, the sign for classes always caught my curiosity.  I always wanted to learn how to use a sewing machine, so we took the opportunity to get crafty and took the Basics class.  It was a lot of fun and at $25 per class plus supplies, a great deal.  Sarah, who owns and operates the shop, was our teacher and she was super cute, fun, but most importantly, patient (because girlfriend needed it with us).  She even made us tea and put out treats - how nice is that?  Our first week we made pillows and this past Friday, bags!  I'm definitely going back for other classes.  Check out the photos (I'm going crazy on instagram on my iphone lately).

 (fabric choices)

 (Sarah cuts fabric)

(instruction)

(finished!)

south end snap shots

Pretty light yesterday walking home.  I walk up this street everyday and these look like the pictures in my head when I think of my neighborhood.  I could see blowing them up and framing them some day.

lawrence street architect mystery - part II

It's no doubt that I love architecture and design.  I peak into windows for ideas and love house tours where I create stories in my head about the people that live there.  You remember our great search for who lives in my favorite piece of Boston property and the sleuthing skills of my brother was able to find out and dig up some photos?  Well, a neighbor of mine saw this post and knows real estate and pointed me to the right direction (thanks, Dave!).  He sent me a link to a forum where people discuss South End construction and it seems architects and residents have some choice words to say.  I still like it.  The link I've provided is where the house is first mentioned.  There is a lot of talk about the white detailing and how it doesn't fit into the neighborhood, until one user posted a collage of buildings with white detailing.  I thought it was stunning (and it shut them up):

Oh, and it is a local couple - he's an architect and she's an interior designer.  Time to make friends!

another property mystery

Almost over night, a small parking lot on the corner of Clarendon and Lawrence in the South End became a fabulous new piece of property.  Even on google maps it still says it's a parking lot. 

 (from this...)

Yet now I imagine a lovely couple built their dream home on this tiny piece of property and it looks smart and terribly chic.

(to this! Ta da!)

(front entrance on Lawrence)

(Lawrence, a lovely South End ally street)

What a brilliant idea!  Take a seemingly nothing property and build the lovely two story single family home of your dreams in Boston's hippest neighborhood (if I do say so myself, and I do).  I am envious.  I know home ownership isn't for me right now, but man, do I love a good home!  

But who lives here?  Who made this dream into a reality?  Get on the case, friends.  I'm dying to get inside!

light and dark

Hi.  My name is Arestia and I really like to buy furniture.  Never mind that my south end apartment can't hold anything else - it doesn't stop me from constantly thinking about what I might change next.  We've already seen my newest purchase and taken a peak inside my boudair.  Well, rooms with light and dark contrasts with some pops of color are currently on my brain.  I've never been one for matching furniture sets anyway.  Pieces should be special and unique - if they are, it'll all come together....

(damn, Jonathan Adler, you have such an eye)

(an interior shot from interior design photographer Michael Partenio)

Perhaps I just crave balance.  Perhaps I think there is two sides to every coin.  Perhaps I'm feeling antsy.

D. all of the above

I want to move in

Summertime in the South End means SoWa (South of Washington), the farmer's, artisan and vintage market dream.  Artists and collectors come out to show their wares, along with some local produce.  It is one of my most favorite things about summer, my neighborhood and Boston.

But enough of that, I want to talk about one booth in particular - Painted Pretty.  These gals have taste.  I wanted to move right into their booth.  Aqua black and white coloring with greenery and silver accessories scream moi.  I walked away with two silver dishes at $9 bucks a piece.  But the most exciting find?  After years of searching for the perfect nightstand and not settling for anything less than something I love, I found it!

Hands off, ladies.  This dry sink will be my nightstand!  Check out more fab finds on their blog if you can't make SoWa Sundays.

(a sweet little desk or vanity?  you decide)

(I'm quite certain I could find SOME place for you!)

 (this vanity and stool screams movie star)

(bonjour to you, too, french grey side table)

  (love the shape of this pool side table)

M.Flynn Just Gets Me

Imagine my surprise when I saw a familiar pair of pink flower-shaped earrings as I opened my monthly issue of Real Simple Magazine.  To see Boston's own (and my favorite local jewelry designing sister-duo) M. Flynn Accessories gaining recognition on a national setting gave me pure delight.  Their studio is right down the street from me and visiting always makes me happy.  Delicate necklaces, fabulous cocktail jewelry and even notecards.  I always can find something to covet at their studio.  They've also opened a special occassion shop within their store called Fete - can't wait to check it out!  Some of my favs, including the featured earrings.  Check out their website for more pretty things to make you feel like a new woman.