7 x 5 in.

How’s everyone’s Monday going? been? I did manage to get some good organizing in this weekend, which allowed me some extra lingering time during my errands this morning (I tend to get inspired by a lot even at the grocery store.) I was also busy taking a care of a few "secret" things...because someone very special to me is having a BIG birthday tomorrow!!!!

My errands conveniently took me into Anthropologie, of course, and the Gap... where I found a bright orange sweater left over from holiday shopping season for $9. I love when that happens, when you just happen upon an item, you become instantly obsessed with it, it is the very last one, and it just happens to be so incredibly affordable you simply cannot pass it up.

In fact if you saw me now, wearing my new orange sweater, with remnants of blue paint on my hands (which I will proudly wear to my yoga class later), I sort of resemble this painting. (happens a lot.) Which speaking of this painting ~ I wish I could take credit for this character, but I cannot ~ this little orange elephant is completely inspired by a 1950’s vintage toy set, which was completely inspired by one of the best vintage mom and pop shops online. Three Potato Four owned by Janet and Stu, literally the mom and pop of the operation. Have you heard of them yet ~ if you haven’t, you must!

Janet and Stu decided to "leave the fun and hectic life of New York, and moved with their 2 year old daughter Holly to a little house with a big yard and beautiful garden in Northern Virginia". Shortly thereafter, Three Potato Four was born ~ and I’m thinking that they’ve already been open a year now, is that possible? All I can say is they have the BEST eye for vintage finds and not only that but they take the most beautiful, charming photographs of each piece. (If you are trying to learn how to photograph your products, and develop your unique style for your own store, Janet and Stu’s style is completely inspiring) It’s hard to decide which item you love best.

I am on their weekly email list, and am excited every time I get one in my inbox because I know it will be chock full of inspiration, and things I will want to own in my home ~ A week ago, I was finally ready to make my first purchase. I became instantly smitten with a plastic nesting set of vintage toys. Sadly, I wasn’t quick enough because it sold right away. I’d been contemplating, and even started painting a tiny series with toys...and a week later I am still so in love with these toys that I asked Janet and Stu if they’d mind if included them in my painting(s) this week. They said "of course!" ~ and here’s the first of several paintings to come (since they were a nesting set, you know there’s a series coming...) very different from last week’s series.

This is officially the start to the week of birthdays in our home ~ so only FUN and celebration to be had over here for the next 10 days or more.. or forever.

see you tomorrow!

(click here to buy original)