oxalis oxalis oxalis

I have this ongoing problem of calling certain plants by incorrect names – I'll chalk it up to a bad memory but, really, you have to admit that there are a lot of plant names out there... how are we supposed to keep them all straight?

Anyway, in my e-mail inbox today was a photo that solved a mystery for me (a photo featuring two of my fave things: a Jonathan Adler product and a COOL plant). For years, I've been incorrectly calling the plant cyclamen when it is actually oxalis. How did I mix that up?

I associate this plant with the beginning of my relationship with J. He had one of these plants when I first met him... so that's why I love oxalis. { photo: jonathanadler.com }

fantasy and reality

I pour over home decor magazines and salivate over images of perfectly styled interiors with perfect lighting. I would love it if my home could constantly match those professional images.

I definitely reside in a place called 'reality'. My funky plantation chair is usually a storage device for quilts, pillows and clothing. My floor is always littered with dog beds and with shoes.

I can't spend my days cleaning and organizing and putting fresh little floral arrangements on every available surface... but that doesn't change my absolute love of design and decor magazines. They are my happy place(s).

my current crush

Lately I've been on a big Mossy Green + Silvery Grey kick in my illustration work (pictured at left). That particular color combo just clicks for me. It has a lot to do with my current home decor crush, my current design obsession: a Bargello pillow designed by Jonathan Adler. I adore the pattern and the colors, but I could never EVER justify paying $110 for a 16x16 pillow so it simply must remain a crush... an unrequited love. I shall never own that lovely pillow. *sigh*

Through a total fluke I was able to get an amazing deal on a different pillow in his Bargello series when I was in Montana (it's the 'chevron' pattern). We walked into a random store on a very quick walk through downtown Bozeman, and ta-dah! There it was, ON SALE. I swooped it up and brought it home and now, every time I look at it, I grin because I just happen to be THAT materialistic (that's not completely true; I try to lead a simple life). It really does make me smile, though. Good design can cheer a person up and those Bargello patterns make my heart pitter-patter!