Aflutter

H&M Home

sarah — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 20:08:32 +0000

Ummmm, did you know that H&M has a home collection? Me either! I was totally caught off guard when I followed a cute pillow image on pinterest to the UK H&M site choc full of home goodies. So exciting.

I spent waaay too long perusing every item and I have to say I am rather impressed. The prices are consistently low and the styling is surprisingly sophisticated. Much like their clothing, I see their home pieces appealing to a huge range of tastes. Some vignettes look like they are from a Pottery Barn catalogue; others as if they are out of West Elm, Anthropologie, or childrens Ikea! I am most attracted to the decorative accessories (like those soap pumps below). Fun small accessories like votive holders or pillows are always so tempting, but just don’t make sense to spend money on, you know? I could see H&M home fulfilling the craving we all have after strolling through the Anthropologie home section, but for a much lower price point. I would avoid the bed linens though, cheetah and faux satin? Not for me.

So now that we are all caught up, are you just dying for H&M home to come to the US? Me too. Although I can’t say for certain when that will be. I found a post on Apartment Therapy that it would launch spring of 2012…. guess not. Then I found another source saying it can be found in the US in early 2013. So we shall see. If I were them, I would scurry to get it over here for the holidays… Dear Santa, I would like a bunny pillow please… Seriously.

All Images Via H&M Home

Monogram Jam

sarah — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 17:01:49 +0000

Oh goodie gumdrops. I found treasure! Free, customizable, crisp, vintage graphics. I know! What magic is this?!!

Well, Wedding Chicks has 16 free customizable monograms, and more save the dates, invitation suites etc. Sure, its meant for a wedding but I am seeing simple stationary, easy cards, transfer paper crafts and sweet wall art in my future. I am sure some of you can sympathize with my frustration in finding only cheesy free graphics online… so I am pretty jazzed have access to graphics that range from architectural to whimsical to painterly. Plus, monograms are popping up all over the place!

I do love a monogram as I do lean a little preppy in my interior taste. And I love them even more once I learned that the woman’s initial goes first (who knew?). So now I know that Boyfriend and I’s monogram will be sSa rather than.. well.. you can figure it out. Phew!

Enjoy, and if you create some monogram crafts this weekend let me know!

Aflutter is One!

sarah — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 18:11:59 +0000

It has been a whole year since I first posted here on Aflutter.

This blog has brought me so much in just one year: empowerment, new discoveries, re-discoveries, joy, pride, new skills, exploration and so much more. When I get overwhelmed with something I often turn to making lists. And I am not just talking about being overwhelmed with grocery shopping; when I sit down to write my boyfriend a card I get so overwhelmed with love that I can only fathom expressing it in a (very long) list. So today I will try to express my love for Aflutter in a series of lists.

Via

Stats.

68 posts
65k visits
Most Popular Post: Fabric Letters How To with 50K visits
Amusing referring search term: “why is it hard to be kind to people” … Tell me about it! :)
Amusing referring search term runner-up: ”where to buy nerd fabric” … Here.
State with most visits: Texas (?!)
Irish visits: 193
Pleasingly popular posts: Costumes (especially Medusa), Acorn Cookies (thanks mama!), and Crew Cuts.

Pats on the back.

Starting a blog.
Still loving my blog and not giving up.
Working on my graphic design/photoshop skills
Remaining grounded in terms of budget, figure flattery, modesty, and practicality in fashion posts. There are enough emaciated models, booty shorts and berkin bags out there. I like to provide something normal. Which, ironically, is different.
Giving credit where credit is due. I do my absolute darndest to give links and credits to all images and ideas. I ran into some plagiarism early on with my fabric letters post and found it really hurtful, so I wouldn’t want to put that on someone else. Not to mention it is ver ver annoying when you can’t find the link to something on a blog.
Being brave and sharing my seemingly geeky hobby (miniatures). I am excited to pursue that more.

Lessons and Goals.

It’s ok to be personal. Sometimes I feel this pressure to sound like the big blogs out there, you know, all wonderful and put together as if they always have fresh-cut flowers next to them and a perfect manicure. But that just isn’t me, I like to pretend sometimes though. I can be grumpy, sarcastic, jubilant, and silly. I want to work harder on not feeling the need to sound like an ideal.
I can/should post snippets and ideas, rather than stress about the best and heartiest content. A mix is ok.
Be less of a chicken and try to engage with fellow bloggers. This isn’t the playground in elementary school, if the turn me down, so what?

Ooodles of Thanks.

Ansel
Mama and Papa
Sibs: Ceallaigh, Brennan, Jason and Tami
Little ones: Junia and Will, who inspire me to create for them.
Pals: Tony, Hannah, Sari and Lani
Surprise readers; some whom I have discovered and am sure more are out there.
A certain fuzzy kitten who is stubbornly involved in all craft projects and who has only known me as a blogger and so never questions my legitimacy or place in the design world as I sometimes do.

And that’s about all I can handle. But just one last thing. Today is our first day back in Seattle after four months in the arms of our loving family in Minneapolis. I am heartbroken even as 21 yr old adult with love and a happy home here too. But I won’t judge myself because I am lucky enough to have the most wonderful family that fills me up, so how can I not be sad to say goodbye once again? This blog doesn’t change that, but it is a bridge to even greater self empowerment in my career passions that makes this crazy cross-country lifestyle a quest rather than a question.

xo, Sarah

Brother, Me, & Anthropologie

sarah — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 18:23:42 +0000

So have I previously mentioned I have the most wonderful big brother in the whole world? No? Well then I have been sorely remiss.

Brennan is a super cool New Yorker guy now, but back in the day he was my favorite silly sweet playmate, and it is to his credit I have not gone off the brink into unrelenting girlyness; for example I harbor no fear of mud and actually know a thing or two about baseball. As adults we are truly great friends, he always makes me laugh, and we can talk about anything which I feel is pretty rare for a brother and sister. I am so lucky.

He is also a tremendously talented artist who happened to be an editor of the latest Anthropologie video……. I KNOW RIGHT?!!! So so so super AMAZING! Like woah. I am so proud!

The video launches their fall catalogue set in Edinburgh. It really is quite wonderful, a moving dream of my favorite things; dark misty countryside, villages steeped with history, autumn and Anthropologie. Sigh, just thinking about it all makes my heart aflutter. With out further ado, lets check it out.

Did you love it? Good. You can read Anthro’s artful blurb about it here.

To cap all this fabulousness off, I am sharing some of my favorite fall picks from the all mighty Anthropologie; a few for the wish list and one I have already brought home :)

Oxidized Medallions Dress

Ruched Corduroy Dress

And my latest closet addition: Lace Collar Pullover

21

sarah — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 15:50:32 +0000

Today is my birthday! I wish everyone a beautiful day. I will be celebrating with my family tonight and friends tomorrow, soaking in the sunshine and warmth around me… and of course a few cocktails :)

21 Things I hope to do this year

1. Graduate

2. Do more art

3. Play with more color

4. Buy my very own car

5. Be braver so I can reach out in my career

6. Grow friendships

7. Travel

8. Host my very first Thanksgiving

9. Create photo books of our memories

10. Make a headboard

11. Work hard to create a home I am continuously proud of

12. Figure out my signature cocktail and be a master at making it

13. Make my own clothes

14. Wear more high heels

15. Make a stunning resume and portfolio

16. Be a better daughter, sister and aunt

17. Take more photos

18. Refuse to be bullied

19. Try something new with my hair

20. Find peace in not knowing where my career will take me

21. Be love and be cozy.

Here Kitty, Kitty

sarah — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 18:05:54 +0000

Trend spotted… cat print!

No, not cheetah print (thank goodness), but lovely stylized kitty cats. A cat lover myself, I find the trend hitting the spot. A little whimsy in ones wardrobe is always nice. But you have to be careful with this one! You don’t want to end up looking eight years old, or like a crazy cat lady (like this one… ewww), I don’t know which is worse.

But look at these beauties! With simple graphic black and white dresses I feel confident that you would be one chic cat. Meeeow!

Anthropologie $148

Modcloth $58

Eshakti $70

I love the lady like styling in Anthropologie catalogue photo, it balances out the quirky print. Plus, that single bright color pop keeps the scheme feeling accessible and sophisticated. Purr, purr. It would be a great choice with any of these options.

Which is your favorite?

Mini Monday: Its all in the details

sarah — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 05:17:45 +0000

Wow you guys. Today I am blown away by this miniaturist attention to detail and bohemian style. Look at all that layering of pattern, style, age. I am in love. Just think of all the time and energy that went into to making these spaces look truly lived in, and yet they are mini!

Don’t you feel like you have really been in this house? As if it was life size and you were visiting a friend? These spaces really encourage me. They give me a goal as to something I can build up my spaces to be, both in miniature and in scenic design. Frankly this is what I call art! Go check out this artist’s flickr and continue to be amazed!

Fruit Stand

sarah — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 17:42:22 +0000

While researching for my polka dot post, I was enchanted by all the fruity flavors of summer popping up in accessories. At the height of summer, its not too late to pick one of these ripe clutches. Any of these will serve as a yummy statement maker in your summer wardrobe, all under $35. Really, go for it! I have an orange clutch that I received as a gift (as I never would have been brave enough to buy it myself) and I use it constantly! Tis my love. That burst of color goes with everything.

Green Envelope $30, Contrast Buckle $20, Yellow Foldover $17, Citron, Pink Woven $30, Blue Color Block $35

Delicious, no? I’m off to hunt down some juicy watermelon as I am suddenly in the mood…

Smarty Pants: Seeing Spots

sarah — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 22:41:28 +0000

No surprises here today. I love a polka dot. I love J Crew styling. I can’t handle their prices. Obviously its time for a spot-tacular smarty pants feature post.

J Crew Bowtie Dress $198, ModCloth Bowtie Dress $75, Orange Heels $40, Target Satchel $40

Don’t you love her curls? I always enjoy seeing some rogue ringlets I can relate to.

JCrew Chambray Shirt $88, OldNavy Shirt $25, Target Crossbody $23, Corset Dress $64

I never post any ensemble that I wouldn’t love to wear myself (I pay close attention to hemlines, materials and figure flattering accessibility), but it is not often that I can personally vouch for an item. But today I can! I bought this OldNavy chambray shirt just last week and quite adore it. It is soft but not too thin, and has flattering darts. In fact that product photo is my shirt! This cutie is not available online so I attempted my first personal fashion photo, pretty good right? For extra evidence of its existence see this review.

JCrew Sweater $268, Old Navy Sweater $25, Stripe Skirt $50, Pink Crossbody $25

Anyone else wondering if OldNavy has a spy in the JCrew team? Pretty much dead on copies of the chambray polka dots and green sweater… Well, all I know is that I am grateful they have made my smarty pants scheming so easy :)

So what do you think, are you ready to polka dot?

White with Wonderful

sarah — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 16:36:19 +0000

Lately, I have been finding myself attracted to bedrooms with a singular burst of color. White on white with one centering focus. It’s a timeless palate (10 points if you can spot the dated tech in one of these spaces) and an easy one to replicate. I hope to do something similar with our Seattle bedroom except with a little black thrown in. We shall see.

So which do you prefer?

A soothing spring green…