Art Life: Kathleen Lolley's Wild Flowers

I'm so excited to start another new feature on the blog called "Art Life." In each Art Life post, I will pair gorgeous artwork with home decor and fashion accessories that share a common vibe and color palette.

When I see a painting or print that I love, I so often want to jump inside it's world! This feature will allow me (and you) to do just that by illustrating fun ways to decorate a room or pull together an outfit based on visual elements and themes of fantastic pieces of art.

So without further ado, we'll kick off the series with the fantastic painting by Kathleen Lolley called "Wild Flowers"

Think: Wild Flowers, Branches, Nature, Folklore

Please visit Kathleen Lolley's Website, Shop, and Blog

_______________________________________________

1. Vine Nine-Light Chandelier from Linens n Things  

2. Chica Orange Wall Vase from Crate&Barrel

3. Tree Stump Stool in Gold from Plantation  

4. Pink and Cream Flower Napkin Rings from Pier 1

5. Mook with Fox Mask from I love Grey Skies on Etsy  

6. Botanical Rug from Overstock

7. Toast of The Town Coat from Modcloth  

8. Tasteful in Turmeric Dress from Modcloth

9. Petit Almond Pheasant Headband from The Headband Shoppe on Etsy

10. Lace Citron Pillow from Room & Board  

11. Queen of the Woods Natural Crown from Whichgoose on Etsy

12. Red Ladybug Paperweight from John Derian 

      (click paperweights, then crystal dome paperweights, then scroll to Red Ladybug)

13. Branch Candleholder from Stunique

_______________________

Until next time! xoxo

A Little Spring in the Shop

For this spring, feathers and flowers will be aplenty! We haven't added our full spring line to the shop yet, but here's a start.

P.S. Have you "liked" Ash & Anchor on Facebook? It will probably make us blush :)

Jetplanes

Color Theory | Oksana Badrak

In this new section of the blog called "Color Theory," I'm excited to share some of the images / paintings / illustrations that I cant get enough of and explore some of the incredible color palettes each artist employs.  

First up is Winter Fox by Oksana Badrak. Her use of various teals and umbers, sage, and burnt sienna is beautiful. This painting feels so very "winter" yet uses colors that don't traditionally represent winter.

___________________________________

For more: Oksana Badrak's Website | Buy a print of Winter Fox at Thumbtack Press

Wintery Mix

With mother nature bugging out lately, it almost looked like spring was here and winter was ah but a distant memory. Not so true, not so true at all. Since there's snow in the forecast, I made a little collection of wintery beauties that can hang out well into spring.

1. Words for Empty and Words for Full from my favorite poet Bob Hicok. Great read for cuddling up and keeping warm on the couch
2. This silvery Filigree Sphere Light from Terrain has that perfect winter magic look
3. Scarf season is so much fun. I'll miss big warm ones like this dip stripe cashmere Eternity Scarf from Nordstrom
4. Extreme weather will at least look good on this Zinc Outdoor Thermometer from Terrain
5. Delicious, so so very delicious! Lemon Ginger Tea by Peromi (thanks for the intro, Roy!)
6. Pride and Prejudice Sweatshirt from Out of Print. P&P + a kangaroo pocket, yes please
7. This Sylla Bracelet from We Dream in Colour is beautiful!
8. For Emma, Forever Ago by Bon Iver was written and recorded in a cabin in the woods during a trip that was originally intended to be a hibernation of sorts! Plus Bon Iver is French for "good winter" (spelled wrong on purpose). LOVE
9. Kula Candle Tin from Anthropologie for that warm glow
10. Keeping with the cool wintery blues and purples, how 'bout this lovely Moroccan Vintage Print Cusion Cover from Saffron Marigold? Dreamy!

Stay warm my friends. xo

Fortunate

Looking for a fun last minute treat for Valentine's Day? Try out these fortune cookies. You probably already have all the ingredients hanging out in your house! My favorite part is getting to personalize them with fun fortunes. The recipe is from AllRecipes.com. See below for some of my tips.

• I read the reviews section below the recipe and decided to add the 2 tbsp of butter and 2 tbsp of water that was suggested. Unfortunately, the butter does make the fortunes a little greasy, but the taste is yummy enough to look past that. 
• I printed my fortunes and cut them into 1/2" x 2 1/2" strips which is close to "actual fortune size."
• The recipe suggests letting the cookies harden in a muffin tray or egg carton to keep the shape, but mine were too small and the shape wouldn't hold. I found that shot glasses worked wonders!
• As was suggested in the reviews section, I put the cookies back in the oven for a few minutes once shaped and fortuned. (Then again set them in shot glasses to cool)

She stops at the fish store...

Happy Valentine's Day my friends! Here's a poem for you all by the fantabulous William Winfield Wright. When I first read it many moons ago, the title drew me in-- but what follows is even greater. Happy reading!!

{ Poem from this issue of Ninth Letter; Gold paisley paper from Provo Craft years ago; Aorta painting by me from 2005, you can see it here (hold your mouse over the very last square) }

Crimson, Baby...

Reds in December feel festive and holiday-ish-- but by February, Reds get back to their bold and flirty selves!

1. Love this Moroccan Lantern from Amazon-- and it would be awesome for any season
2. Elegant circle eternity necklace from Artwark on Etsy
3. By now you know Im a sucker for "insides." Here's a lovely anatomical heart teacup from Folded Pigs on Etsy
4. This Andrew Bird Poster from Doe Eyed is sold out, but it's too cool not to include. Visit Doe Eyed for other amazing posters and some great illustrations as well. Gold frame is really a chalkboard from Revived Vintage on Etsy
5. Although this looks like delicious sake to drink, it's really delicious sake to take a bath in! Rice Sake Bath by Fresh from Sephora
6. Perfect as a gift (for someone special or yourself!) Love Potion 9 Seah Butter Soap from Sweet Petula on Etsy
7. Thymes Limited Edition Frasier Fir Candle from Amazon
8. One of my absolute favorites-- Porcelain Pomegranate Vase made to order by New Moon Studio on Etsy
9. Cheers! Cant go wrong with stemless wine glasses! 8 piece set from Anchor Hocking on Overstock
10. Modcloth is a go-to for cute! This Second Verse Dress is proof
11. ROMANCE my friends! Ray LaMontagne's album Trouble is pure perfection
12. Limited edition Sweet on you Shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath from Philosophy at Sephora
13. When you're in the mood for some sweetness, Falling in Love smells like sugar cookies for your neck! Another treat from Philosophy at Sephora
14. Mmm Winter cherry candle from Terrain
15. Get nice and cozy with this gorgeous Matar Bedding from John Robshaw

** Fun red song? Red Red Red by Fiona Apple **

Winter Birds...

Love and Guts

Valentine's Day is a week away-- and we have plenty of love and guts in the shop. Above is a picture of the paint I used for the cards. Mmm just looking at it makes me want to stop typing and grab a brush...

What pulls you away from your computer? Oh, do share!

The Year of the Rabbit

Chinese New Year starts today and this year is all about the rabbit! I did a little web search for rabbit related goodness just for fun and found so many cute things-- I just had to share. 

1. I love paper lanterns for any celebration. And while this one doesn't glorify the rabbit, its still quite festive!
2. Look at this cute little guy on a coaster. And he's from the House Rabbit Society, a nonprofit organization that rescues rabbits from animal shelters.
3. More lanterns, I know--this one comes in a pack of 12!
4. Professor Cottontail Tee from Modcloth. Too much fun. And the color is oh-so-spring!
5. Leaping rabbit clock from Decoylab on Etsy. 
6. Nestled Ring Dish from Anthropologie. Perfect mix of decorative and functional.
7. Im pretty sure these cast iron rabbit bookends are my favorite! 
8. This ring is so dainty.
9. More fun from Anthro. This Rustic rabbit taper holder would look great as a duo.
10. Snag this vintage rabbit garden faucet before its gone! 
11. Quirky goodness from ikc. design. Nothing like a little bunny to keep your wine sealed!
12. Pennsylvania Dutch Rabbit Notebook. The unlined pages are great for doodles.
13. Lug those groceries in this jumbo tote from Deadworry on Etsy.
14. This tie made me laugh, so I had to include it. The little rabbits look so playful! 

And with that, I'm happy to close before I start making rabbit related jokes.

Enjoy the day, friends! 

Groundhog Day!

It's official: Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, which means spring-is-a-comin! Now whether or not our fun folklorish traditions ring true is not even in question. Because really, more Thundersnow might be on its way. But right now, sit back with me and think of the warm sunny days ahead! 

1. This Uma Gold Quilt from Sundance will sure switch any room from wintery to golden and warm. And it reverses for two different beautiful options!
2. I'm not much of a swooner, but these Vasoline Glass Ceiling Lamps may have changed that! From Early Electrics. Head on over to see all the antique and industrial options.
3. Andrew Bird's Armchair Apocrypha album is sure to get you out of your winter blues. It's awesome, and the cover is one of my faves.
4. Possibly more summery then springish-- these gorgeous Tropical Garden Dinner Napkins from Saffron Marigold will brighten up your kitchen any day-- yes, even on a Monday.
5. Simply stated and right on. Simplici tea mug. Check out the other 5 words...
6. I cant think spring without thinking gardens-- Terrain's Heirloom Seed Collection looks like a great way to start one this year.
7. Add a touch of warmth to your hair as well with this Dragonfly Bobby Pin from We Dream in Colour.