December 18, 2013 by gn0mel0ver

It’s The Little Things: Christmas Gnomes

T’was the week before Christmas
And all through my home
Many creatures were stirring,
Including a gnome.

Boxes from Amazon cluttered the house
It was any wonder I still had a spouse.
Stockings and garlands were hung… and then rehung by me
And wee little gnomes frolicked and hid in the tree.

A large gnome would greet you when you came to the door
Others perched upon shelves, avoiding the floor.
Every gnome came from hiding to sit and to spy.
Their only intent was to try and stay dry.

For right underneath their tiny quick feet,
A big creature watched them as if something to eat.
They sat on their deer, their carriage and bus.
Why, one even rode a dragon called, “Gus.”

The monster would stretch out, lay down and snore.
Certainly an enticement they could not ignore.
They would wait for his heavy sighs to commence.
Then drop down on his head with a twitch and a wince.

Christmas is here, the gnomes’ time has come
Soon they will be locked up with the candles and rum.
For now they grab whiskers and swing from fat jowls
The thing they shall miss? The strange creature’s howls.

I lay in my nightgown, for three days, no less
I thought all was safe in my Christmas mess.
When from the next room, the sound of chewing had grown
I crawled from my bed to see what Ollie had done.

The wee man was fine, just a tad bit wet.
There was not even a dent in his red Christmas hat.
On the back of his steed, his strange plotting began…
For the night was still young for this brave little man.

I heard his soft whisper as I tucked him in,
“Until next time, great beast. This time you may win.
Christmas will come, next year I am sure.
Meanwhile, us gnomes will just have to endure.”

October 12, 2013 by gn0mel0ver

Overalls?

I will admit it. This is my very first pair of overalls. Well, maybe I had a pair when I was four or five, but I have long since forgotten. When I was pregnant with both of my children, I longed to be the pregnant girl in overalls. Alas, I am not one of those girls that is cute whilst pregnant (and, no, I am not pregnant. That would be impossible, just so ya know). And so I skipped over them. Never bought them, but enviously stared at those who did.

I started seeing them pop up again. And I started stewing. Then I saw that picture on the Pottery Barn Teen catalog and my interest grew. The final straw was when Free People offered a distressed corduroy pair in the gold color.

I was sold…Or they were sold…To me. Somethin’ like that.

I have been trying to put together different tops with the overalls. I pretty much want to wear them all of the time. Here is what I created:

This is my favorite look. It is a Free People lace shirt I purchased from Nordstrom Rack in the spring. I like it with H & M’s lace flats. The necklace is care of Simply Livly on Etsy.

I paired it with a denim jacket. I definitely look rustic here.

And a Free People cardigan.

I tried the overalls with Anthropologie’s Daydrifter Tee.

I also paired it with a striped long sleeve layering top from H & M. I believe this was $14.

And went full on country farm girl with a Johnny Was flannel shirt and vintage boots. The turquoise necklace is from Simply Livly on Etsy.

This sweater was purchased last winter at Forever 21. I think it was $15. I have a mad crush on it.

I bought this top with my mother-in-law during my Nordstrom Rack birthday spree. It is made by Free People. I could never find it on their site. And I did look. The color is my favorite paired with mustard. The earrings are from Anthropologie many years ago.

And because I could not help myself. And because he wanted a ride. And maybe because I am more than a tad bit crazy…I put a little gnome in my overalls. My husband refused to go out with me like this. The wee little fellow was sad. ; )

So, what do you think of the overall trend? And would you have gone shopping with me and my little gnome friend (he was made by the lovely Moongoat on Etsy

* I shared this on The Pleated Poppy!

April 25, 2013 by gn0mel0ver

Felt Gnomes

It is no secret that I love a gnome. I can’t get enough of the happy bearded fellow. But I don’t want a bright garish house overbrimming with them. I like my gnomes small, that way I can hide them wherever I desire. They are not as in your face as a traditional collection, such as this, could be.

I have quite a few from a wonderful seller on Etsy with a store named Moongoat. She handfelts each one of these little guys. Some women drool over jewelry on Etsy. For me, I cannot resist someone’s handfelted work. Aren’t they adorable?

She also did these two little gnome tapestries that I placed in our green cabinet:

I bought these felted guys (and gal) on a trip to New York. We visited my favorite spot, ABC Carpet & Home. They happened to have this strange little trio in a case. Someone had obviously been lovin’ on them hard. They were originally priced at something like $48 ea. but the kind sales associate sold them to me for $10 ea. I guess she didn’t know I have a penchant for used things. They were the prize of the trip!

Now they have many adventures in our crazy fun home.

Do you have a collection you are passionate about? Do you also love a wee little gnome?

March 10, 2013 by gn0mel0ver

Kitchen/Family Room

When I was heavier, I tended to not care about what I wore. I concentrated all of my creativity on decorating our house. I wanted a home our kids would remember being fun and colorful. I also happen to have an obsession with gnomes.

The story goes…

About eight years ago my husband came home from work and looked a little disgruntled. I asked him what was bothering him and he said he had had a miscommunication with someone at work and proceeded to get upset. The person involved in the discussion informed my husband that he looked very much like an angry gnome.

Which of course, I happened to find hilarious. Especially since he is a handsome youngish man with a moderate amount of facial hair (the sexy right amount). But when he is angry, he does kind of stamp, okay, shuffle really, well maybe just shift his feet. As time passed, his coworkers started slyly bringing him gnome figurines and shirts. And that is how, my friends, the wonderful wife that I am began collecting gnomes around our house. I buy them on vacations and on etsy. I had my daughter paint him one for Christmas. I have a very real fondness for the little guys. And my husband has a very very good sense of humor.

My husband and I share a love for fantasy and science fiction. We also collect dragons. I wanted our house to look like Alice in Wonderland went to live in The Shire. Yes, I guess that would make me Alice. I do get lost a lot. And I do not know what that makes my husband…a hobbit? Well, Sean Astin was a huge crush of mine in my younger years. I would write him love letters until my heart would burst. Sadly, naught a peep was ever heard from his side. I actually think my husband looks like a skinnier cuter Sean Astin and so this whole weird fantasy scenario kind of makes sense.

Here are some snapshots of our fun house. These are our family room and kitchen areas.

The couch is my 13 year old Charleston sofa from Pottery Barn (hence the many throws covering my “comfy” couch). On couch, John Robshaw pillows, Anthropologie suzani pillow, Anthropologie knit throw, grey stripe pillow from Home Goods, small blue pillow from World Market. Kantha throw on couch is a sale find from Pottery Barn. Otomi fabric on couch is from our trip to Mexico last year. Small yellow planter on floor from Anthropologie, I use to hold remotes and kid games. The lamp was a sale find from Pottery Barn.

2 Anthropologie Corrigan chairs in mustard
On mantle: 4 Anthropologie candle holders, Lego Volkswagon bus, rope dragons from trips we have taken, gnomes from etsy
Pottery Barn console (many years old)
Pottery Barn Kantha ottoman
Cake stand from William Sonoma
Cake glass dome from World Market

*Peacock painting I commissioned my favorite artist, Ginette Callaway to paint years ago. She still sells the print.

My favorite cabinet from a local antique store. It holds my collection of Anthropologie and vintage linens. It also holds my small Anthropologie cookware. Painting is by Ginette Callaway.

Anthropologie Corrigan chair
Anthropologie throw
Target pillow
Antique Green chest was a huge score at Anthro. It was originally priced at $300, and I paid $32.
Other chests in the picture were collected from antique stores and flea markets

Close up of kitchen clutter.

It’s me in our kitchen! I look like a crazy lady in this picture. Running errands all day and then a trip to the orthodontist with the kids will do that to you. Hey, I’m just happy I had any hair left after that day! I have a clutter fest of Anthropologie cookware and serving pieces. Our tile was from www.justmorocco.com. My husband installed it. I am wearing Anthropologie blazer, Anthropologie top, necklace from Baublebar, skirt from eshakti.

Gnome Lover

Stumbling through life while still having fun

gnome

It’s The Little Things: Christmas Gnomes

Overalls?

Felt Gnomes

Kitchen/Family Room