5 Things: March

Spring is on its way! And since I am distracted from doing my grad school work, here are my top 5 items to love this month:

1. Lanterns
Look great even when not in use. Fabulous, soft lighting in the evenings. Scented candles add to the effect! I bought mine at a craft outlet in the Amish village of Intercourse, PA for only $20. A closer to home inexpensive option would be Hobby Lobby or Home Goods.

A great find in Amish country!

2. Lavender
A lovely, colorful dried plant that retains its scent for years! It brings me back to the time I spent in the south of France back in high school. And it's so fresh and country. Who doesn't love lavender? If you prefer sachets try worldmarket.com!

Available Potterbarn.com

3. Quilts
The weather is getting warmer, the comforter is too heavy, and Target has great affordable Spring patterns.

A great value! Target Springmaid Garden Quilt. $31/King. Target.com only. 

4. Sparkling Water
Yes I realize this is not exactly a design item, but wouldn't these mini San Pelligrino waters just look fabulous at a dinner party or as a welcome for guests?

5. Vintage Maps
These reproductions from French cartographers look great and are really interesting, from a historical standpoint. So far I've got one of the Great Lakes region, the Louisiana lands purchased from Napoleon, and one of early colonized Algeria. Amazon.com for best deals, but I've also seen many at museum shops.

"La Louisiane"