I love belljars and terrariums — there’s something about giving a thing a three-dimensional glass frame that makes it feel important. Even a cake seems even more lusty when it’s displayed underneath a  glass dome.

Chez moi, I like to assemble little still-lifes under the glass that reflect the season — or even just my thoughts.

Above: A sculpture my Granna bought my Grandpa of a war hero — and one of the letters she mailed to his base during the war, in 1943.

Below: a necklace I made for her once, in a glass trinket box I found at Sweet Salvage on 7th Avenue.

My friend Christina brought me this tiny bell jar and glass stand from Found in Mesa, which was the perfect size to hold my Granna’s vintage mini bottle of Chanel No. 5 — her signature fragrance. Under glass, it looks like the treasure that it is.

I’m also on the hunt for a bell jar with which to properly show off some of my favorite shoes, like this image from Lonny Magazine.

It’s a good time to be in the market for a treasure box. A few pretty ones that have me scheming scenes to construct under glass:

Curiosity dome from Wisteria, $49.

Gas light terrarium from Terrain, $38.

Trinket box from Terrain, $58.

Conservatory cloche from Restoration Hardware, $475:

Covered glass jars from West Elm, $79 to $129:

I’m feeling quite lusty myself about this towering wire birdcage from Pottery Barn, $199:

They don’t have to be class — this was built for easter glory, $10.50 at Pottery Barn.

What would you put in your treasure box?

I found these new Valentine postcards at FOUND in Mesa — and snatched up a satisfying stack that I’m going to send in the  good old mail. And then I plan to frame them.

If I could, I would send a Valentine to Golden Boy, my new scupture/lovah who arrived from my mother for Christmas. Isn’t he something? He’s about two feet tall, and wide, and big-headed (like many men I know).

Golden Boy got his name when decorator Kelly Wearstler took him home and gave him a gold leaf makeup job.

Tempting.

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My wannabe beach house is finally finished (minus a certain surfboard that has yet to arrive). The morning after I finished, I asked Ty if he felt like he was in a ship. He lied and said yes. On Friday I shared photos, sources and how-tos in The Arizona Republic. Would you like a tour?

(DISCLAIMER! The house is rented, and I’m not to be held accountable for the countertops, carpet, cabinets, or color of the walls. In the universe that exists only in my mind, they’re very different indeed.)

Photos by Michael McNamara

My mother sewed all the pillows the night before the photo shoot. I love her. The one below was made from a real nautical signal flag. Full tour, sources  and instructions here. A few extra snaps below.