Sparkling Ink

{ halloweek! }

Yay, it's the Halloween week! Even Halloween is not as big of a celebration here in Finland as it is for many of you, I like to do all those fun Halloweeny things with my sweetie like baking, cooking and crafting. This is one of the bonuses of having a two culture home! (Me - one of those blond & blue eyed Scandinavians, and my sweetie being American.) We get to have the fun of both traditions. This week, foods have scary names, the pumpkins glow and we have an excuse to eat candy!

{ images }
#1 by country living, #2 by better homes & gardens + the long thread
#3 by martha stewart, #4 little ant design, #5 martha stewart

{ silver teapot }

Although I'm a coffee drinker, I find myself dreaming of this teapot.

{ image - pols potten, via oh joy! }

{ monday organizing }

It's a new week -  time for scheduling and planning! I'm writing my thesis which has the first version deadline at the end of the week. This week takes some serious planning so that I can manage everything else while I'm trying to make the deadline. It'll be a busy one!

The paper and home products by Present & Correct are very neat. Monday organizing is like dancing with this chalk clipboard and the letterpress timetable. Such classics. Happy beginning of the week, peeps!

{ images - present & correct }

{ sweet home }

Social life has moved from the city streets and bars more and more back to homes, don't you think? Home is a place for cozy and comfortable personal time, but it's also fun to share it with some friends. For me, entertaining at home beats a night out this weekend. Have a sweet one, friends!

{ image - cross stitch work by chez sucre chez }

{ measuring cup love }

Have you already seen this adorable measuring cup set? { via decor8 } The set by Fred & Friends stores neatly, and adds a touch of folklore style in the kitchen. I'm already making some extra space in my kitchen cupboard. 

{ fall style by toast }

I love the autumn atmosphere in these pictures. So warm and cozy. All the lovely products are by toast.

 

 

{ images }

by toast

{ diy by rifle design }

Feeling crafty? These diy projects make party planning fun. A handmade menu wheel and lighted paper garland give any fall party that little extra something. You can find the full instructions for the menu wheel here, and for the garland here.

The clever designs are created by Anna Bond, an illustrator and paper goods designer from Rifle Design. Anna is a contributor at Once Wed, and she also writes the Rifle blog. Busy woman! I just love her work. (Psst, Rifle shop coming soon!)

{ find } via design sponge
{ images } by once wed

{ tertti manor }

Oh, I couldn't wait to share these pictures with you. My sweetie and I visited the most charming place last weekend on our road trip to the cottage.

Tertti Manor, located in Eastern Finland, is many things; it's a fully functioning farm with a hotel, store, restaurant, cafe and garden. The history of the manor goes all the way back to the 16th century, and it has stayed in the same family to this day.

The atmosphere in the restaurant was so cozy and welcoming. Everything from the interiors to the menu items are thought through and chosen with style. Tertti Manor restaurant lives according to the season, everything is made in their own kitchen using fresh local ingredients. Summer time almost all the ingredients come from their own farm and garden.

The products in the store are Tertti's own delicacies like flower sugar, black currant jelly, rye bread, elderberry juice, honey-cognac mustard and rose marmalade. A large selection of the products are also available in the manor's online store (currently only in Finland). Part of the store is also for beautifully chosen items for home.

 

 

 

 

 

When we were driving away from the manor, we saw swans on the lake next to the driveway. What is there not to love? To the folks at Tertti Manor, thank you for opening your doors and sharing the treasures of the manor with us!

{ images }

by tiina for sparkling ink

{ welcome fall }

It's the first day of October! We have had our first frost, the leaves have changed into the most beautiful colors and hats and mittens are out of the winter storage. No doubt. Fall is here!

{ images }

by country living and chicago home + garden

{ jam jar covers }

I love these jam jar covers by Cozy Memories. I have made so many jars of roasted apple sauce this fall, that they would make lovely gifts with these covers as well.

Sonia, the woman behind this lovely Etsy shop also writes a pretty blog Cozy Homemaking. She is based in Montpellier, France. In addition to the covers, Sonia makes all kinds of cute crafty work. Lavender filled strawberry ornaments are my second favorite!

{ images }
by cozy memories