It seems there are at least a couple times a year when my creative juices dry up.  I have no original ideas for a blog post and the more I try, the harder it becomes.  These blocks have always been temporary, fortunately, but it can be frustrating.  I’m a creature of habit and my habit (and joy) is to post a new blog once a week.  {Compulsive much, Karen? No, why do you ask?}  That’s when I decide to do a “favorites” post.  In my files I am forever finding favorite rooms, favorite pieces of furniture, a kitchen or bathroom that makes me dream of one day having it, even ‘unbelievably cute pictures of animals‘ have their own file.

There’s always blue and white favorites.  As you probably know, there are entire posts dedicated to Blue and White, something I always enjoy. There are link-up parties  dedicated to blue and white beauty in all forms and fashion.  I’ll throw in a couple of my b+w favorites.

Food, don’t get me started, gardens, oh my!  If this kind of post seems like I’m calling it in, its because I am, sort of.  While I search for my creativity this will have to suffice.  If you’re bored by Garden, Home and Party’s idea of great images, I’ll understand.  Hopefully, by next week I’ll have an idea for a new post.  Thank you for your patience.

So, join me and my dog as we walk through this grouping of favorites.

For me, England could be home, I love the city and the country life in England.  If I lived in the country I would want my house to be split timber, covered with flowering vines and of course, a cottage garden.

I’d like a fountain in the yard of my English split timber home, surrounded with ferns and flowering plants (but if these are oleanders {they look like oleanders} I’d have to replace them with hydrangea).

This garden might seem a little more French or Italian, than English, but I really like the stone path with the lavender and other plants bordering it.

Any file marked ‘favorites’ will usually include at least a few animal images.  My small dog, Madison, is a mix Border Terrier/Jack Russel Terrier, she has this same look of enthusiasm on her face, especially if she thinks we’re headed out on a walk.

When there’s a picnic in a peaceful field with a dog nearby, that’s an image that makes the favorites list.

Who can resist this?!

Mostly, my favorites files include rooms…with lovely furnishings and maybe some old world feel to them.

 

Isn’t this a great bathroom.  I love the use of the furniture piece, I suspect the paint is new but the wall mounted faucets give the piece such an antique look of authenticity, along with the mirror and sconces.

Well done wall galleries always draw interest.  I realize you can’t really see the gallery on the right, but I can imagine it.  The bell jar lighting, the painting on the left with the art light, all things that make this space a favorite for me.

Buffalo check, a favorite in a room that has so many more formal features create a juxtaposition that I can’t resist.

…and then there’s blue and white.  Anything done well and then the added attraction of blue and white, I’m sold.

Um, Carolyne Roehm, where can I pick up a couple of these blue and white planters?

That’s right, it doesn’t have to be fancy to make the cut.

Even these blue and white cupcakes not only look great but are undoubtedly scrumptious, who could resist?

{all images, other than magazine marked pictures, are from tumblr}

Do you keep a favorites file?  What kinds of goodies might I find in it if you were to share?