Tag Archives: inspiration

New and Improved with Twice as Many Pretty Pictures

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So I’ve decided that it’s time to take my little “pretty things” blog to the next level. I have close to 100 readers (I could have sworn it was 100 yesterday…) and have typically posted anywhere from three to five times a week.


But I think I could do better than that. So from now on, I’ll be posting TWICE a day (Mon-Fri – I do have a life you know…) and maybe I can even grow this readership. I’m thinking 125 readers – but don’t worry, I’m not THAT ambitious. It’s just a The Secret-esque visualization that I’m employing. I’m dreaming BIG these days.


Anyway – for the five of you who actually do read this blog (I’m looking at you Mom!), there will now be more to enjoy. Tell your friends – send a few more readers my way. AND – send me links to anything you think I’d like. I promise to feature them and give you credit (provided I don’t hate them of course, but what are the chances of that?)


I would love to do more with this space – so anything you could do to help me get those readers (seriously – I’ll be thrilled with 110) would be much appreciated.

And grab a button while you’re at it! I’ll happily add yours to my own sidebar.

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All images from past Wishing True posts – just some examples of the standard fare around here…

Trouverez Treasure at The Paris Hotel Boutique

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I discovered this wonderful online shop on one of my longtime favorites, The Paris Apartment.

Paris Hotel Boutique features “vintage one-of-a-kind pieces celebrating the glitz and glamour of a bygone era.“

I have been a fan of bygone eras for as long as I can remember. And in my opinion, The Paris Hotel Boutique delivers a delightful selection of treasures from which to choose.

But mon Dieu! How could I ever decide…I have far too many favorites…

Such as…


This Vintage Italian Micromosaic Brooch that reminds me so much of the little pieces of jewelry my mom bought me when I was a kid. It’s TEENY (just 1-1/8″ by 3/4″), and the only thing I like better than treasure is TINY treasure.


This Victorian Sterling Chatelaine Dance Card. Look at the detail on it. I’ve always loved the idea of dance cards…I definitely missed out on that bygone era…


This Pair of Victorian 10K Gold Cufflinks which would look great with my theoretical French cuff button down shirts.


This Vintage Italian Art Glass Pendant Lamp. I have no idea what I’d do with it in my own house – but I could see it hanging at a landing of a staircase or in a small foyer with a high ceiling.


This Early 1900’s English 9 Carat Gold Buckle Ring looks like it transported itself directly from my childhood jewelry box. While I didn’t actually have a buckle ring, I did have a couple of buckle bracelets (not nearly as fine as this gold of course).


This 1930’s Diamond & Pearl 14 Carat Arrow Brooch would be a major splurge, but what a wonderful piece to pass down to lucky female descendants. I would make up a fabulous back story about a fictional great great aunt who wore this during her Suffragette marches (the Artemis feel is very feminist, non?) And then wait to see who caught the discrepency in eras. That smartie would definitely be the recipient in my will.


This Art Nouveau 14k Blister Pearl Watch Brooch is another little one (1-7/8″ by 3/4″). I think it’s darling.


This book, Le Nouveau Voyage de France (circa 1899) is the most beautiful color and I would love to see it in a white bookcase, displayed with other books in varying shades of blue.


AND FINALLY this little Victorian 10k Gold Signet Ring reminds me so much of my childhood. Signet rings were much coveted and typically adorned pinkie fingers. It’s hard to see the monogram on this one, so you can just pretend that it’s yours.

Would you believe that this whole post idea started with that little micromosaic brooch? At $30 I thought it was a steal. Some of the others are a tad more decadent, but who enters an antique store without finding a few fantasy purchases?

New Online Magazine: Laura Day – Making Rooms for Living

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I happened upon this “webazine” the other day and thought it was a really interesting take on online magazines. While it has some elements of traditional print magazines (features, advertisements, etc.) it is much easier to navigate as a website.

You may recognize Laura Day from TLC’s Trading Spaces. But her own NYC home, which is the focus of this first issue, is nothing like what we saw on that slap dash decorating show…

While I wouldn’t stay that her style mirrors my own, I do find her interiors very warm and innovative. And I like how much value she places on personal inspiration.

I LOVE the site index (looks like a color swatch):


My favorite feature was “The Closet” in which she takes one of her rooms and translates it into a travel wardrobe.



It will be interesting to see what comes next. And since it’s bi-monthly, we won’t have to wait long…

Fashion Art in Decorating

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Several months ago I read a great guest post from Anh-Minh on sfgirlbybay. It included some lovely images of fashion sketches as art.

In her work for an article on secondhand shopping, she discovered some original 1970s fashion sketches. Once framed, these inexpensive pieces created a very unique and charming display:


She then found images of other fashion sketch displays that I love:




I’ve got soooo many “pretty things” that I’d like to display and I would add fashion sketches in an instant.

One of these days, I’ll have a little room for myself (an office perhaps) and one wall will be dedicated to the treasures I’ve collected over the years. The ones deemed too girly for shared space with my husband, that is (which is pretty much all space – though in his defense I’ve gotten away with a lot of girly stuff!)

So I’m now on the lookout for some fashion art to add to my stash…

Interior Styling Favorites: Part Three

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Concluding my three part series on the Flickr group, Interior Styling. (Click to see Part One and Part Two.) Not sure if these last six flow as well as the previous ones did, but there is a definite theme of “can’t drag my eyes from the screen.”

(see below for Flickr source names)







1. {elena} 2. Trisha Brink Design 3. cupcakes & cartwheels 4. Lisa sParks 5. MGS Fotografie 6. Trisha Brink Design

Interior Styling Favorites: Part One

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For the life of me, I can’t remember where I first heard about the Flickr group, Interior Styling. Possibly from the source, decor8… Anyway – it’s a great source of inspiration and an easy place to get lost for long periods of time (seriously – there are over 800 photos and I think I at least glanced at all of them).

I couldn’t help but save images of some of my favorites, so I thought I’d do a three part series here. These certainly aren’t the only images that appealed to me – but they just happened to make my rather arbitrary cut).

(see below for Flickr source names)








1. polshka 2. lizcaan 3. sara one day 4. Lisa sParks 5. sammbee 6. Twinsgarden 7. Trisha Brink Design

Inspiration for Holiday Fashions AND Local Shopping

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My friends at MYiLIVE recently posted a video featuring some of their DC member shops, and I LOVED the holiday outfits that the owners pulled together. Not only did the clothes look fantastic, they looked far more expensive than their price tags.

I also loved the idea of shopping at independent boutiques and supporting the small business owners. If this doesn’t inspire you to pull together your holiday looks at local boutiques, then you have definitely been brainwashed by your local mall. Go directly to the closest boutique or vintage shop for deprogramming!

Great Gift for a Book Lover

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I LOVE Jane Mount’s bookshelf paintings. Each one is like a little jewel and I want to own ALL of them.




I checked her Etsy shop and the prints are only $25. Put one in a frame and it’s a unique gift for the holidays (or just a unique piece to display in your own home).

AND if you have a little extra money to spend, she does custom paintings. I think I’d like to have one made for my daughter of all the books I loved and would love for her to read. How sweet for a nursery! So many ideas here…