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Favorite Things

Art

the porcupine by ray french

As I shared in the tour of my great aunt and uncle’s home in South Carolina, they have acquired a lot of interesting art pieces over the years.  I wanted to highlight one specifically because it’s a neat piece by a known artist, but also because of a special inscription.  The work is the Porcupine, a 1949 engraving by Ray French. At first glance, you might think this is just a framed print, but when you lean in and look… You can see that this is engraving 5/25 and the Porcupine is signed in pencil by Ray French.  One cool thing about this particular engraving is that another engraving in the series of the Porcupine was exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art in 1949. And you can see that the engraving hanging in my aunt’s house is inscribed “To Marian.”  Of course, I wasn’t around in 1949, so I’m

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a slice of life

isle of palms | the shell collection contest

As I shared earlier this week and in my Instagram Stories every day, the main activity that my mom plan around is shelling.  We set out at low tide each day and spend an hour or two combing the beach to add to our shell collection. For me, it hits a lot of things.  Of course, it appeals to the collector in me.  I get to hunt and peck and celebrate great finds.  I also love being at the beach (when it’s not too hot!)  As with many, many other people, I find the sound of the waves, the sand beneath my feet, and the water lapping around my bare legs to be relaxing.  It’s what I look forward to anytime a beach trip is on the calendar.  When I’m by myself, I’ll put on a podcast or some music and just melt into my own world.  When I’m with

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Favorite Things

recent instagram saves | inspiration

As I shared in my February 2022 Favorites post earlier this week, a favorite thing has been quieting my Instagram feed and not letting it be such an automatic part of my day.  I know so many others can relate to navigating the ever-changing landscape of the online world.  How can we be involved in the online community, connect, find inspiration, use those platforms to share our work, and somehow separate the negative things that come along with the good?  And I don’t have the answer.  I’m trying to figure it out myself and there really isn’t a map. But, there is one thing I do know.  It feels good to find little gems, things that inspire, and share them with others.  So, today, I am going to share a few of my recent saves on Instagram in the hopes that you’ll find something that delights you as well. I

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a slice of life

February 2022 favorites

Can you believe it’s March already?!  We’re creeping towards spring and to the end of another school year.  We’re approaching spring cleaning, gardening, and beach trips.  We’re hunkering down for the last breath of winter.  A few sunny, warm-ish days have lured me outside on long walks and given me energy for more projects.  Sometimes I think I run on solar power, which is why I tend to slow down in January and February.  I love the cold, but I enjoy the longer days, more sunlight, and more time outside.  My beloved hoodies and wool socks get folded up and put away for a while, but it’s a tradeoff. I know winter isn’t over here in Minnesota, but there is a whisper of spring in the air. I was planning on doing another no-spend February again, plus purging and organizing, but the month really got away from me and I

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a slice of life

January 2022 Favorites

Even though I wasn’t posting regularly through January, I still kept a list of some of my favorites when I would notice them.  I’ve learned that if I don’t write them down, I’ll forget all about them!  Sharing my favorites each month has encouraged me to pay attention to things I enjoy – what I buy, experience, watch, eat, listen to, or create.  It reminds me to pay attention to the little pleasures in life.  Even if you don’t share online, I would encourage you to do the same.  Keep a little list of your favorites each month and maybe share them with your family.  I have found that sharing this list with you each month helps me be more appreciative, which is always a good thing. Here were some of my favorites from January – a smattering of small pleasures, pretty music, yummy food, and enjoyable creative endeavors. book

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Antiques

the Christmas victrola

A few of you noticed my early Christmas present in the Holiday Home Tour I shared a couple of weeks ago.  If you were with me when I lived back in PA, you may remember that I owned a Victrola.  I bought it in a lot of furniture.  It was thrown in as a freebie, but it was the piece I was most excited about.  The cabinet was in poor condition, but the Victrola worked and I enjoyed it so much.  I would play records on it now and then, although it’s a bit impractical to play one song at a time when compared to an infinite playlist on an iPhone.  When we moved to MN, I decided to let it go.  I just didn’t see a 100+-year-old Victrola really working aesthetically in a typical suburban home. Over the 4+ years we’ve lived here though, I have found myself browsing

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a slice of life

october – december 2021 favorites

I’ve had the “October 2021 Favorites” post sitting in my drafts for weeks!  I knew time was ticking to get Christmas content out, so I kept pushing this post off in favor of sharing posts about Christmas decorating and crafts.  But, I have some great favorites to share, so I thought I would combine all of my favorites from October through the end of the year into one final 2021 favorites post.  Maybe you’ll get some ideas for last-minute Christmas presents or how you want to spend any gift cards you receive.  Favorites are just always a fun thing to share, so here they are… feels like home Of course, the Feels Like Home book launch! It was a culmination of a lot of work and a very exciting time.  I am so proud of this book and it felt good to launch it into the world.  Thank you for

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a slice of life

a few favorite affordable fountain pens

As I’ve been sharing some of my fountain pens on Instagram and here on the blog, I’ve received some messages asking for recommendations for affordable fountain pens for fountain-pen-beginners or for those who don’t want to spend a lot on a pen.  When I bought my first “real” fountain pen a few years ago with my birthday money, several people warned me that I had just opened a door into a whole new (addictive) world.  Several fountain pens later and I see they are right.  I’ve said before that I’m not into designer shoes and purses, but give me a pair of Crocs and nice writing/art supplies and I’m set. When I was in a fountain pen shop in Paris a couple of years ago, buying a 1920s fountain pen as a souvenir, an older gentleman was buying a young woman a €900 fountain pen.  Wendy, who was translating for

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I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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