tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37072094082551832312024-03-13T12:03:46.851-07:00Reese & MarieUrban Farmhouse Style with a French TwistKarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-81814015720878071752012-11-12T21:52:00.000-08:002012-11-12T21:58:14.166-08:00Hola... and an amazing blog for you<em>Hello world...</em><br />
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<em>Not sure if anyone is even reading at this point! I have not forgotten this blog and actually am planning on returning to blogging very soon, now that my life has settled down. Until then, I had to pop in and say hi! I miss the creative outlet this blog brings. And I miss sharing things with all of you. </em><br />
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<em>Like one of my favorite blogs - </em><a href="http://thewillowshomeandgarden.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #134f5c;">The Willows</span></em></a><em>. The Willows is located in Phoenix, AZ and although I have never been there {yet} it is one of my favorite blogs. I first discovered Beverly in a book I bought years ago called Family Spaces. I discovered her blog a couple of years ago and it is to die for! She has such a way with styling that is so chic yet so effortless. I love, love, love her combination of rustic luxe with european chic. It's just the best. Here is a little sampling from a recent post, but please do yourself a favor and get a cup of coffee and give yourself an hour or two to look through her blog. I promise you will come away inspired. </em><br />
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<em>*to look at amazing eye candy of her shop, look for posts entitled "around the shop"</em><br />
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<em>**by the way, if you would like to follow me on Pinterest, please do so <a href="https://pinterest.com/BrisaLua/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #134f5c;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">.</span> xoxo</em><br />
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<em>Without further adieu... photos from <a href="http://thewillowshomeandgarden.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #134f5c;">The Willows Home and Garden</span></a></em><br />
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<em>Enjoy!</em></div>
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<em>-Kari</em></div>
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<em>*pps I don't know how to edit those annoying white boxes around my links, so sorry! </em></div>
Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-38161107747962623172012-04-04T10:35:00.003-07:002012-04-04T10:40:30.599-07:00A Happy Update...<em>Hi girls,</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to post! A month or so ago we received word that we received a permanent loan modification on our home! Yippee!!! It was a HUGE relief and I'm so excited to stay in our home!</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>My younger daughter will start school next year at the same school as her big sissy. Their school is wonderful and just received a California Distinguished School honor. So happy we don't have to worry about switching schools and moving! Thank you all for checking in on me and for your kind words and thoughts! sorry I don't have any pix to share today, but I decided I had waited long enough to update this ol' blog so here you have it. I reallllllllly wanted to get back into blogging by the first of the year but we've been so dang busy it just seems to be on the backburner. But I think of all of you all the time and still read your blogs! My commenting habits are sporadic at best but I love you all! Mwah!</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>xoxo</em><br /><em>Kari</em>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-66534178835756761732011-10-17T20:41:00.001-07:002011-10-17T21:07:21.296-07:00thank you<em>Thank you all so much... from the bottom of my heart. Each of your heartfelt comments has meant the world to me. I was so overwhelmed by the love of many complete strangers and I tried to get to each of your blogs to thank you... but life caught up with me and I couldn't. Please know each comment was read with tears and I have reread them all several times. Thank you for taking the time. You have touched my heart.</em><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehpPZJZrW6w/Tpz3UwuTdEI/AAAAAAAABz0/chyzempg6pc/s1600/azalea%2Bcountry%2Bpath.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664674367373800514" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehpPZJZrW6w/Tpz3UwuTdEI/AAAAAAAABz0/chyzempg6pc/s400/azalea%2Bcountry%2Bpath.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><em>I wish I had a definitive answer about our situation, but things have merely been delayed. That is good. And bad. Good because it gives us more time to work on some interesting leads. Bad in that I find the suspense very stressful. </em><br /><em><br /></em><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AP6T07xX5c0/Tpz3b-nFcNI/AAAAAAAAB0E/YIHnF3tvz_4/s1600/heather%2Bbullard.bmp"><img style="WIDTH: 266px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664674491360702674" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AP6T07xX5c0/Tpz3b-nFcNI/AAAAAAAAB0E/YIHnF3tvz_4/s400/heather%2Bbullard.bmp" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/heatherbullard.com"><em>{source}</em></a><br /><br /><em>However after reading so many of your personal stories and thinking of all the other ones I've read on people's blogs, and realizing that it is not the end of the world if we lose our house... I have come to accept that it might very well happen. And I will be sad. But I will be okay. We have a back up plan to move where we will be able to regroup for a few months. And honestly I will try and take on the challenge bravely if it comes to that. </em><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qURfmGYJg5A/Tpz3UV28TNI/AAAAAAAABzs/DStZa5uSi3o/s1600/eastman17698f.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 317px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664674360162274514" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qURfmGYJg5A/Tpz3UV28TNI/AAAAAAAABzs/DStZa5uSi3o/s400/eastman17698f.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><em>Who's to say there isn't something better just around the bend? Have you ever heard that famous poem by Masahide? It's one of my absolute favorites...</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>"Barn's burnt down. Now I can see the moon." I love this. The ultimate in making lemonade out of lemons. </em><br /><em><br /></em><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_ltg3Yn7M8/Tpz3Ud-d9pI/AAAAAAAABzY/By0BQA9s9W8/s1600/othello-rose.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664674362341324434" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_ltg3Yn7M8/Tpz3Ud-d9pI/AAAAAAAABzY/By0BQA9s9W8/s400/othello-rose.jpg" /></a><br /><em></em><br /><em>I am grateful for so many things. My husband. My beautiful girls. Our supportive family. Our health. And I trust God will take care of us one way or the other. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>I hope when I'm feeling like me again, I can post some of the little things I've done for fall around here. It's really my favorite time of year. </em><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G_S9-FpoEh4/Tpz3UCqhqQI/AAAAAAAABzI/07ZlTkUWg5E/s1600/Ruth%2BOrkin%2B2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 252px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664674355009923330" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G_S9-FpoEh4/Tpz3UCqhqQI/AAAAAAAABzI/07ZlTkUWg5E/s400/Ruth%2BOrkin%2B2.jpg" /></a><br /><em></em><br /><em>I love anything by Ruth Orkin. The one above is one of my favorites... and reminds me I am anxious to feel like myself again, sans the stress... lol</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Thank you all so much again. Your friendship and little notes checking in on me (Hi Chrissy and Kate!) and blog posts mean the world to me. I am working on this...</em><br /><em></em><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PgiqDnCD0Fg/Tpz3UYfLgWI/AAAAAAAABzQ/3q0HfqrY8PM/s1600/peacefridgedoor_2136_110746535.png"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664674360867914082" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PgiqDnCD0Fg/Tpz3UYfLgWI/AAAAAAAABzQ/3q0HfqrY8PM/s400/peacefridgedoor_2136_110746535.png" /></a><br /><em>Hope you all are doing well. Have an amazing week mes amis!</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>xoxo</em><br /><em>Kari</em>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-6299506234788185222011-09-28T21:57:00.000-07:002011-09-28T23:35:25.845-07:00heavy heart<em>Uncertainty...</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>That describes my life since the first of the year. I know I lost almost all of my readers when I took my {very extended} blog break, but if there's any chance someone is reading, I just need to pour out my heart tonight. </em><br /><br /><em>This is not an exciting decor post laced with dreamy pictures and fabulous projects, but it's reality and it seems to have really hit me hard tonight. You see, we bought our house 4.5 yrs ago, one week before my younger daughter was born. Through a terrible series of misfortunes, theft, and job loss, we have been struggling to keep our home for the last 2 years. Unfortunately we are not the only owners of the home {very long story} so other family members are also being affected. Which magnifies the situation 10,000 times. </em><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IrVPIv-cDYY/ToQDdmLutBI/AAAAAAAABx0/-uJrAD2S0Vg/s1600/neva%2Bava%2B6.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 321px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657650838885020690" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IrVPIv-cDYY/ToQDdmLutBI/AAAAAAAABx0/-uJrAD2S0Vg/s400/neva%2Bava%2B6.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div><em>Being in the real estate and loan business {both my husband and myself} 2011 has not been a great year... owning a home only makes it worse, from an income standpoint as well as an investment standpoint. Not to mention running a business from home. If we are forced to move, we have to disrupt and move a business as well. So much stress.</em> </div><br /><div><br /><em>I can't say enough bad things about our lender... we have applied for a loan modification multiple times and been denied for ridiculous reasons. They seem to employ people who have no idea what they are talking about, lose our paperwork, etc. etc. That only makes a difficult situation more frustrating and stressful. It seems they would rather sell our home to someone else for half of what we owe {the current market value is half what we paid for it} rather than work with us and modify OUR payments, the family that lives here, the family who has lovingly cared for and maintained our home and gardens for the last 4.5 years. Currently we are trying one or two last-ditch efforts to save our home, but it is very possible I will be packing up our home in the next month, unsure of where we will move. </em></div><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BMSokPTwsGI/ToQEzam3cXI/AAAAAAAAByE/EG0HhWMVGRs/s1600/neva%2Bava%2B2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657652313246364018" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BMSokPTwsGI/ToQEzam3cXI/AAAAAAAAByE/EG0HhWMVGRs/s400/neva%2Bava%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><br /><em>This is especially emotional for me since my daughter went through a very rough first 2 weeks of second grade and had to switch schools because of an unfortunate situation with a very mean teacher {another very long story}. She has made new friends and acclimated wonderfully at her new school, but it took several weeks. She is finally happy as a clam. I am ecstatic. It is the best possible school in our area and the one we always wanted her to attend, but we were not assigned there. Until now. And if we move.... well, I don't know if she will have to switch schools again. I cannot stand the thought of that. </em></div><br /><br /><div><br /><em>I well up with tears at the thought of leaving our beloved home, the place I have worked so hard to make our own... my roses, my hydrangeas, my garden. Our memories here. Living so close to friends. My daughters bedrooms, my 4 yr olds beloved blue room... and of course my daughter's school. Not to mention the marital strain this has caused.</em> </div><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TYp2YGhhwNQ/ToQEVMV_6TI/AAAAAAAABx8/kYw1QTHHLlM/s1600/neva%2Bava%2B4.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657651794021443890" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TYp2YGhhwNQ/ToQEVMV_6TI/AAAAAAAABx8/kYw1QTHHLlM/s400/neva%2Bava%2B4.jpg" /></a><br /><em></em></div><br /><br /><div><em>I am just sharing this because my heart is so heavy and I am living a financial and emotional roller coaster and it is so, so very hard. On top of that, I have been struggling daily with IBS for the last couple of months and stress only exacurbates it. So many blogs are filled with decorating with what seem like endless budgets and happy times and friends and vacations and art retreats and I am just struggling to keep my emotions in check and my head above water on a daily basis and find some kind of joy in little moments. I'm sorry this is not a happy, light post... just know if you are in a similar situation to mine, you are not alone. I am right there with you. If that can bring comfort to anyone, then I feel a little better. </em><em></em><br /></div><br /><br /><div><em>I just really felt compelled to pour out my heart tonight, so thank you for reading this and for visiting my blog. The last couple of years have been very difficult for me personally as well as for my family and marriage and I hoped to escape and pursue my passions and creativity on this blog, but reality is just so heavy tonight. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>With tears,</em><br /><em>xo</em><br /><em>Kari</em></div></div><br /><br /><em>**edited to add... I have shared some very personal things tonight which is not usually my custom on this blog. However, I do hope that in "keeping it real" someone, somewhere will find comfort in my struggles. I love that expression "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle" but I know my problems pale in comparison to the struggles and losses others are facing. Still, thank you for reading and for allowing me to vent and to be human for a moment. It's therapeutic. :)</em>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-3207234660942520982011-09-27T20:51:00.000-07:002011-09-27T21:48:51.200-07:00Tyler Florence Kitchen of the Year<em>I just picked up the October issue of House Beautiful and if you haven't seen it yet, run go get a copy...</em><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tOzk3MLSJ04/ToKZ9ikkq9I/AAAAAAAABxc/Hz5gb3UF4Pg/s1600/hbx-kitchen-of-the-year-2011-0588-xl.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 348px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657253364462037970" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tOzk3MLSJ04/ToKZ9ikkq9I/AAAAAAAABxc/Hz5gb3UF4Pg/s400/hbx-kitchen-of-the-year-2011-0588-xl.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MgtfXLpzQg8/ToKiCLaQ7QI/AAAAAAAABxk/sNuSHcnaEik/s1600/hbx-kitchen-of-the-year-island-xl.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 348px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657262240237153538" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MgtfXLpzQg8/ToKiCLaQ7QI/AAAAAAAABxk/sNuSHcnaEik/s400/hbx-kitchen-of-the-year-island-xl.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UEjOFVMI6xk/ToKiCG5qhDI/AAAAAAAABxs/KdgbYIkIs1U/s1600/hbx-kitchen-of-the-year-2011-0463-xl.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 348px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657262239026676786" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UEjOFVMI6xk/ToKiCG5qhDI/AAAAAAAABxs/KdgbYIkIs1U/s400/hbx-kitchen-of-the-year-2011-0463-xl.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MgtfXLpzQg8/ToKiCLaQ7QI/AAAAAAAABxk/sNuSHcnaEik/s1600/hbx-kitchen-of-the-year-island-xl.jpg"></a><br /><em>Tyler Florence has designed the HB Kitchen of the Year... {swoon}.... Just look...</em><br /><em>Beautiful and fresh, classic yet updated, modern, interesting</em><br /><em></em><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_7sda5UIvc/ToKZ9GxAmNI/AAAAAAAABw8/b6rjH3P1NYQ/s1600/hbx-kitchen-of-the-year-2011-0079-xl.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 348px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657253356998006994" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_7sda5UIvc/ToKZ9GxAmNI/AAAAAAAABw8/b6rjH3P1NYQ/s400/hbx-kitchen-of-the-year-2011-0079-xl.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><em>I love the unexpected combination of mismatched upholstery, gold floral chandelier, hammered steel dining table and that black cabinet.. I want to move in. </em><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E78PqqdS8qc/ToKZ9ZG9kBI/AAAAAAAABxM/lMhik0Gp3cE/s1600/hbx-kitchen-of-the-year-2011-0201-xl.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 348px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657253361921921042" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E78PqqdS8qc/ToKZ9ZG9kBI/AAAAAAAABxM/lMhik0Gp3cE/s400/hbx-kitchen-of-the-year-2011-0201-xl.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><em>Look at the details... vintage glassware love</em><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zrdrrZql89w/ToKZ9I6UiTI/AAAAAAAABxE/q0q9AZ7FDmA/s1600/hbx-kitchen-of-the-year-2011-0176-xl.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 348px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657253357573933362" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zrdrrZql89w/ToKZ9I6UiTI/AAAAAAAABxE/q0q9AZ7FDmA/s400/hbx-kitchen-of-the-year-2011-0176-xl.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><em>Even the outside spaces are amazing...</em><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qeluy8B2kv4/ToKZ9kxlQRI/AAAAAAAABxU/foh6ITZYlq8/s1600/hbx-kitchen-of-the-year-2011-0322-xl.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 348px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657253365053473042" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qeluy8B2kv4/ToKZ9kxlQRI/AAAAAAAABxU/foh6ITZYlq8/s400/hbx-kitchen-of-the-year-2011-0322-xl.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><em>For the whole story and all the pictures: <a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/kitchens/dream/tyler-florence-kitchen-design-1011#fbIndex1">{Source}</a> </em><br /><br /><em>Well ladies, I am but a mere 30 minutes from his Mill Valley store, featured by two of my favorite bloggers <a href="http://heatherbullard.typepad.com/heather_bullard_collectio/2011/09/the-tyler-florence-shop.html">here</a> and <a href="http://dreamywhites.blogspot.com/2010/05/have-you-been-to-tyler-florence.html">here</a>. I think a little field trip is in order, what do you think?</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>-Kari</em>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-84987939459656249682011-09-21T09:14:00.000-07:002011-09-21T10:14:26.164-07:00So Cal Road Trip<em>Hi again... sorry it's been a month since my last post. What a crazy month it's been! Hope you're all doing well. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Back in July we took a roadtrip to Southern California to visit family. I don't know about you, but when I know I'm going to a new area, I rack my brain for places I've seen online or read and heard about and then figure out if I am staying anywhere near there. Maybe it's just me, I am a little OCD... For example, my list in Phoenix is very clear (I know no one in that area but could tell you great places to shop, lol!) and Portland and Seattle? I know at least 10 great places to shop and have never been to Portland and Seattle only once!) That and the fact that my iphone has amazing navigational capabilities made for great shopping on my roadtrip. Luckily my husband mostly cooperated. ;-)</em><br /><br /><em>But first, we did lots of this...</em><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZT46f4EsLs/TnoRcRHE-5I/AAAAAAAABwk/cwq1ccSvXJc/s1600/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B024.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654851459444177810" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZT46f4EsLs/TnoRcRHE-5I/AAAAAAAABwk/cwq1ccSvXJc/s400/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B024.jpg" /></a><br /><em>La Jolla </em><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aihf150SCfY/TnoN0ahGdVI/AAAAAAAABt8/sFXhsPyInqQ/s1600/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B001.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 299px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654847476239594834" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aihf150SCfY/TnoN0ahGdVI/AAAAAAAABt8/sFXhsPyInqQ/s400/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B001.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Pacific Beach<br /><br /></em><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2FJ2u04aBqY/TnoN0tFFsHI/AAAAAAAABuE/KlgdldT1hkU/s1600/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B014.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654847481222377586" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2FJ2u04aBqY/TnoN0tFFsHI/AAAAAAAABuE/KlgdldT1hkU/s400/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B014.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CnZS6BQw1AU/TnoN1fobjgI/AAAAAAAABuU/xe0kzHdK8t8/s1600/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B022.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654847494792384002" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CnZS6BQw1AU/TnoN1fobjgI/AAAAAAAABuU/xe0kzHdK8t8/s400/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B022.jpg" /></a><br /><em>La Jolla</em><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6b7tWZfKHc/TnoONVm3X3I/AAAAAAAABuk/0e1uWGRm38A/s1600/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B035.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654847904418324338" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6b7tWZfKHc/TnoONVm3X3I/AAAAAAAABuk/0e1uWGRm38A/s400/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B035.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Escondido</em><br /><em><br /></em><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bhOM-J8EW2M/TnoN02eOTSI/AAAAAAAABuM/rdi08ioC3rI/s1600/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B019.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654847483743718690" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bhOM-J8EW2M/TnoN02eOTSI/AAAAAAAABuM/rdi08ioC3rI/s400/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B019.jpg" /></a><br /><em>more La Jolla... playing with the hipstamatic app</em><br /><br /><p><em>Last year we took the same roadtrip and I finally got to go to <strong>Urban Barn in Escondido</strong>. Swoon! I love, love, love this place! You must check it out if you are ever there.... here is their blog </em><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.urbanbarn155.blogspot.com"><em>http://www.blogger.com/www.urbanbarn155.</a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.urbanbarn155.blogspot.com">blogspot.com</em></a><em> I have more pix from last year that are fabulous, but I can't get to my external hard drive. Here are just a few from this recent trip: </em><em><br /></em><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6sKbDIsi7T8/TnoONy2u-sI/AAAAAAAABu0/k9ucfuLMtMo/s1600/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B049.jpg"><em><img style="WIDTH: 299px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654847912269511362" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6sKbDIsi7T8/TnoONy2u-sI/AAAAAAAABu0/k9ucfuLMtMo/s400/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B049.jpg" /></em></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AT6QIEcBCG0/TnoOOO2X0qI/AAAAAAAABu8/mWJjklgWuLM/s1600/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B051.jpg"><em><img style="WIDTH: 299px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654847919784186530" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AT6QIEcBCG0/TnoOOO2X0qI/AAAAAAAABu8/mWJjklgWuLM/s400/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B051.jpg" /></em></a><br /><em>the most amazing doors. i wanted to take these home. wouldn't fit on top of my jeep.</em><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cCeYlIQLAeY/TnoONioVeOI/AAAAAAAABus/iH4EGPB8PVo/s1600/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B048.jpg"><em><img style="WIDTH: 299px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654847907914152162" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cCeYlIQLAeY/TnoONioVeOI/AAAAAAAABus/iH4EGPB8PVo/s400/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B048.jpg" /></em></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gr66sg_q6D4/TnoOwuSIOBI/AAAAAAAABvM/WSFHrxlTbXU/s1600/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B053.jpg"><em><img style="WIDTH: 299px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654848512337655826" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gr66sg_q6D4/TnoOwuSIOBI/AAAAAAAABvM/WSFHrxlTbXU/s400/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B053.jpg" /></em></a><em> </em></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VAPnBqHIND4/TnoOw4n13gI/AAAAAAAABvU/c4HKEFQY8uQ/s1600/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B077.jpg"><em><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654848515113082370" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VAPnBqHIND4/TnoOw4n13gI/AAAAAAAABvU/c4HKEFQY8uQ/s400/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B077.jpg" /></em></a><br /><em>terrible picture, but this amazing crusty old scale and the coral on it *did* find a place in my jeep. love it! </em><br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8guuRp8ukdM/TnoOOZUbsII/AAAAAAAABvE/Rcua4VYJ-ek/s1600/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B052.jpg"><em><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654847922594623618" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8guuRp8ukdM/TnoOOZUbsII/AAAAAAAABvE/Rcua4VYJ-ek/s400/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B052.jpg" /></em></a><em><br /></em></div><br /><br /><div><em>On our way home (not quite on the way but somehow I managed to convince my husband to detour through Orange County on our grueling 10 hr ride home) and I got to go where I have been dying to go... <strong>Country Roads</strong>! Specifically, I went to see <strong>Kate from Salvage Dior</strong> and her beautiful things. If you're not familiar with Kate and her lovely blog, check it out </em><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.salvagedior.blogspot.com"><em>www.salvagedior.blogspot.com</em></a><em> She has an amazing spirit about her, is very sweet, and has an incredible eye for industrial french design. Here she is, she was so sweet, so nice to meet her in person!<br /></em><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yq3Q-XsGkw0/TnoPXbb0GLI/AAAAAAAABwc/N-RQrHsWRE4/s1600/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B096.jpg"><em><img style="WIDTH: 299px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654849177292904626" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yq3Q-XsGkw0/TnoPXbb0GLI/AAAAAAAABwc/N-RQrHsWRE4/s400/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B096.jpg" /></em></a></div><br /><div><em>me n Kate at Country Roads </em><br /></div><br /><br /><div><em>Here is some of her fabulous stuff at CR:<br /></em><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C4yVKzxkAgc/TnoPA6fpIrI/AAAAAAAABwU/mB_9FQqF30U/s1600/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B093.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 299px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654848790493471410" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C4yVKzxkAgc/TnoPA6fpIrI/AAAAAAAABwU/mB_9FQqF30U/s400/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B093.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EKCO3xwXXJc/TnoPAs1xN9I/AAAAAAAABwM/1JfhHeOR3TQ/s1600/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B092.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 299px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654848786828179410" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EKCO3xwXXJc/TnoPAs1xN9I/AAAAAAAABwM/1JfhHeOR3TQ/s400/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B092.jpg" /></a> </div><em>Don't you love how rustic yet elegant her style is? I do!<br /></em><br /><br /><div><em>Here's what I took home from her (she was well cleaned out by the time I got there on a sale weekend or I would have bought more!) this amazing crusty old blue-gray corbel. And there's the coral from <strong>Urban Barn</strong>. I love it!</em><br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3bJvMqxv8ns/TnoWQ3Zvy4I/AAAAAAAABws/k9RpouF5G8g/s1600/house%2Bpix%2B013%2Bedited.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 289px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654856761122737026" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3bJvMqxv8ns/TnoWQ3Zvy4I/AAAAAAAABws/k9RpouF5G8g/s400/house%2Bpix%2B013%2Bedited.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><em><strong>Country Roads</strong> is a huge, amazing shop comprised of 3 buildings plus a large outdoor garden area. Eye candy galore. I could've spent all day in there (but not with my tired husband and 2 girls, no not quite) but in case you also haven't heard of Loretta at </em><a href="http://www.blogger.com/fullbloomcottage.blogspot.com"><em>fullbloomcottage.blogspot.com</em></a><em> you should check her out. My pictures turned out terrible that day, but here are a couple of her things from CR:</em></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2skR8UfCXY/TnoPAjmURNI/AAAAAAAABwE/ADTk727i2oI/s1600/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B088.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 299px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654848784347448530" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2skR8UfCXY/TnoPAjmURNI/AAAAAAAABwE/ADTk727i2oI/s400/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B088.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FJvXoCxCYNo/TnoPAffkChI/AAAAAAAABv8/8EvHAoOqIj4/s1600/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B087.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 299px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654848783245380114" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FJvXoCxCYNo/TnoPAffkChI/AAAAAAAABv8/8EvHAoOqIj4/s400/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B087.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div><em>And more of Country Roads...</em> </div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kvxpuHTWE-8/TnoO_wj5-OI/AAAAAAAABv0/o9OCyQEmymI/s1600/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B086.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654848770647128290" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kvxpuHTWE-8/TnoO_wj5-OI/AAAAAAAABv0/o9OCyQEmymI/s400/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B086.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IyO0r8io6tk/TnoOxRWrriI/AAAAAAAABvs/4ucZSR-F0AA/s1600/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B085.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654848521751997986" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IyO0r8io6tk/TnoOxRWrriI/AAAAAAAABvs/4ucZSR-F0AA/s400/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B085.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3a3LdnYoyHo/TnoOxDtdyoI/AAAAAAAABvk/KyLdeBzCyRU/s1600/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B084.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 299px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654848518089460354" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3a3LdnYoyHo/TnoOxDtdyoI/AAAAAAAABvk/KyLdeBzCyRU/s400/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B084.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mCK2fySs3HM/TnoOxKxfLPI/AAAAAAAABvc/6kpN8E_A8sw/s1600/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B083.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654848519985376498" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mCK2fySs3HM/TnoOxKxfLPI/AAAAAAAABvc/6kpN8E_A8sw/s400/San%2BDiego%2BJuly%2B2011%2B083.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><em>Hope you enjoyed the recap of my roadtrip and if you ever make it Southern California, check these places out! You won't regret it. </em><br /></div><br /><br /><div><em>xo</em><br /></div><br /><br /><div><em>Kari</em></div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-59756325243535015442011-08-23T09:27:00.001-07:002011-08-23T09:35:52.439-07:00Pellegrino Polyvore<em>While drinking some of this the other day...</em><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-irwK_EGj4k4/TlPV3swFJNI/AAAAAAAABs8/R6bCjgAiRQQ/s1600/San%2BPellegrino%2B500ml.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644089910907708626" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-irwK_EGj4k4/TlPV3swFJNI/AAAAAAAABs8/R6bCjgAiRQQ/s400/San%2BPellegrino%2B500ml.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></div><em>I thought to myself I really love that bottle... wouldn't a room based around that be cute? </em>
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<br /><em>So I played around in Polyvore and wouldn't you know it Anthro had the perfect bottle green leather sofa, so here is how I imagined a Pellegrino room would look...</em>
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<br /><em>Sorry the layering seems to be a problem, need to figure out how to fix that. But it was fun. A lot more color than I am used to, but I love it!!
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<br /><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/pellegrino_polyvore/set?.embedder=694365&.mid=embed&id=36054467"><img title="Pellegrino Polyvore" border="0" alt="Pellegrino Polyvore" src="http://embed.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/cid/36054467/id/YA8T3aTN4BG45-vvRHHHPg/size/x.jpg" width="500" height="500" force="1" /></a></em>
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<br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/pellegrino_polyvore/set?.embedder=694365&.mid=embed&id=36054467">Pellegrino Polyvore</a> by <a href="http://karireesemarie.polyvore.com/?.embedder=694365&.mid=embed">karireesemarie</a> on <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/">Polyvore.com</a></small></div><small>
<br /><div style="PADDING-TOP: 16px" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><em>I love those industrial brass lamps, I don't know why the source isn't listed here. But somehow they reminded me of the bottle and the cap...
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<br /><p style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; CLEAR: both; PADDING-TOP: 0px"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=694365&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=31892468" rel="nofollow"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #cccccc 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; MARGIN: 0px 8px 8px 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; BORDER-TOP: #cccccc 1px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #cccccc 1px solid; PADDING-TOP: 2px" hspace="4" align="left" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/31892468.jpg" width="50" height="50" force="1" /></a>
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<br /><div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 8px"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=694365&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=31892468" rel="nofollow">Atelier Chesterfield, Bottle Green</a>
<br />$5,998 - anthropologie.com
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<br /><p style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; CLEAR: both; PADDING-TOP: 0px"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=694365&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=34522961" rel="nofollow"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #cccccc 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; MARGIN: 0px 8px 8px 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; BORDER-TOP: #cccccc 1px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #cccccc 1px solid; PADDING-TOP: 2px" hspace="4" align="left" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/34522961.jpg" width="50" height="50" force="1" /></a>
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<br /><div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 8px"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=694365&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=34522961" rel="nofollow">Chairs Restoration Hardware</a>
<br />$395 - restorationhardware.com
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<br /><p style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; CLEAR: both; PADDING-TOP: 0px"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=694365&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=30048040" rel="nofollow"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #cccccc 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; MARGIN: 0px 8px 8px 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; BORDER-TOP: #cccccc 1px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #cccccc 1px solid; PADDING-TOP: 2px" hspace="4" align="left" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/30048040.jpg" width="50" height="50" force="1" /></a>
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<br /><div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 8px"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=694365&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=30048040" rel="nofollow">Le Versha Chair, Red</a>
<br />$248 - anthropologie.com
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<br /><p style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; CLEAR: both; PADDING-TOP: 0px"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=694365&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=33087069" rel="nofollow"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #cccccc 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; MARGIN: 0px 8px 8px 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; BORDER-TOP: #cccccc 1px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #cccccc 1px solid; PADDING-TOP: 2px" hspace="4" align="left" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/33087069.jpg" width="50" height="50" force="1" /></a>
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<br /><div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 8px"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=694365&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=33087069" rel="nofollow">London Rail Clock Clocks Restoration Hardware</a>
<br />$229 - restorationhardware.com
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<br /><div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 8px"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=694365&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=36952509" rel="nofollow">Embroidered Pillows, Paisley- 16'' x 26'' - French Country - Pierre...</a>
<br />$150 - pierredeux.com
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<br /><p style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; CLEAR: both; PADDING-TOP: 0px"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=694365&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=32486014" rel="nofollow"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #cccccc 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; MARGIN: 0px 8px 8px 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; BORDER-TOP: #cccccc 1px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #cccccc 1px solid; PADDING-TOP: 2px" hspace="4" align="left" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/32486014.jpg" width="50" height="50" force="1" /></a>
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<br /><div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 8px"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=694365&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=32486014" rel="nofollow">Free Trade Pouf</a>
<br />$109 - urbanoutfitters.com
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<br /><p style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; CLEAR: both; PADDING-TOP: 0px"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=694365&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=36794828" rel="nofollow"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #cccccc 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; MARGIN: 0px 8px 8px 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; BORDER-TOP: #cccccc 1px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #cccccc 1px solid; PADDING-TOP: 2px" hspace="4" align="left" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/36794828.jpg" width="50" height="50" force="1" /></a>
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<br /><div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 8px"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=694365&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=36794828" rel="nofollow">Westport Collection Indoor Outdoor Area Rug in Red White By Surya Rugs</a>
<br />$90 - burkedecor.com
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<br /><p style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; CLEAR: both; PADDING-TOP: 0px"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=694365&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=18938523" rel="nofollow"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #cccccc 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; MARGIN: 0px 8px 8px 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; BORDER-TOP: #cccccc 1px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #cccccc 1px solid; PADDING-TOP: 2px" hspace="4" align="left" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/18938523.jpg" width="50" height="50" force="1" /></a>
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<br /><div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 8px"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=694365&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=18938523" rel="nofollow">OC026 Cheeky Ikat Print Nautical Blue organic cotton pillow cover</a>
<br />$50 - fabricadabra.us
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<br /><p style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; CLEAR: both; PADDING-TOP: 0px"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=694365&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=21500292" rel="nofollow"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #cccccc 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; MARGIN: 0px 8px 8px 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; BORDER-TOP: #cccccc 1px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #cccccc 1px solid; PADDING-TOP: 2px" hspace="4" align="left" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/21500292.jpg" width="50" height="50" force="1" /></a>
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<br /><div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 8px"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=694365&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=21500292" rel="nofollow">Bungalow Table Lamp - Red by Motif Designs</a>
<br />decorati.com
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<br /><p style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; CLEAR: both; PADDING-TOP: 0px"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=694365&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=38694484" rel="nofollow"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #cccccc 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #cccccc 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; MARGIN: 0px 8px 8px 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; BORDER-TOP: #cccccc 1px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #cccccc 1px solid; PADDING-TOP: 2px" hspace="4" align="left" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/38694484.jpg" width="50" height="50" force="1" /></a>
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<br /><div style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 8px"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=694365&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=38694484" rel="nofollow">Home Office Restoration Hardware</a>
<br />restorationhardware.com
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<br />Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-67370736274990395412011-08-11T22:04:00.000-07:002011-08-11T23:29:19.726-07:00{great intentions...pour vous}<em>Hi.</em>
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<br /><em>I can't believe it's already been seven months since my last "check-in". I have been meaning to post... I have... {great intentions}.</em>
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<br /><em>I miss blogging, I miss all of you, I miss expressing myself creatively. And I have finally come to grips with the fact that it's my blog and I can blog when I want... meaning if I can only blog once a month, so be it. No need to feel bad, I'm just going to do it when I have the time and the mood strikes. No pressure. ;-)</em>
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<br /><em>I have a bunch of projects I'm working on in the paint/decor/furniture refinishing categories, but also suddenly have a bunch of real-life real estate work and my little one is having hernia surgery in a couple of weeks {deep breath} so I am going to give you a smattering of pictures from my house... since it's been soooo long. Peeking into others homes is one of my favorite things to do on blogs, so here is a little peek around mi casa. I have changed so many things in the last couple of years... and I still don't really know how to apply textures so I fooled around in Photoscape {not Photoshop} and this is what i came up with. Forgive me that they are terrible and not nearly as good as so many bloggers... I am learning and obviously have a lot to learn.</em>
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<br /><em>Scenes from my bedroom...</em><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ghRJGmOWAQw/TkS-r6HCNpI/AAAAAAAABrk/S4jLtaIi6fA/s1600/house%2Bpix%2B007%2Bedited.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 301px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639842294917117586" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ghRJGmOWAQw/TkS-r6HCNpI/AAAAAAAABrk/S4jLtaIi6fA/s400/house%2Bpix%2B007%2Bedited.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><em>...an edited photo
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<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y-8JG3Zjvuk/TkTHt-FsKII/AAAAAAAABs0/pBXkgeP0JI0/s1600/house%2Bpix%2B010.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639852225949608066" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y-8JG3Zjvuk/TkTHt-FsKII/AAAAAAAABs0/pBXkgeP0JI0/s400/house%2Bpix%2B010.jpg" /></a> </em>
<br /><em>...unedited. See?
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<br /></em><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FoZz-DLV044/TkS-s4QJYPI/AAAAAAAABrs/HwJ3wXVVIsA/s1600/house%2Bpix%2B008%2Bedited.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639842311598334194" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FoZz-DLV044/TkS-s4QJYPI/AAAAAAAABrs/HwJ3wXVVIsA/s400/house%2Bpix%2B008%2Bedited.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-as_2vID9g4w/TkS-tU6EdJI/AAAAAAAABr0/IMKrWApKMA4/s1600/house%2Bpix%2B001%2Bedited.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639842319290365074" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-as_2vID9g4w/TkS-tU6EdJI/AAAAAAAABr0/IMKrWApKMA4/s400/house%2Bpix%2B001%2Bedited.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vq2OcvMAxMI/TkS-uOjTzyI/AAAAAAAABsE/0tepBxBXTLw/s1600/house%2Bpix%2B003%2Bedited.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639842334764158754" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vq2OcvMAxMI/TkS-uOjTzyI/AAAAAAAABsE/0tepBxBXTLw/s400/house%2Bpix%2B003%2Bedited.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LJduiKz3pZA/TkS-tvG6r_I/AAAAAAAABr8/YbfuMY5nTqA/s1600/house%2Bpix%2B011%2Bedited.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639842326323572722" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LJduiKz3pZA/TkS-tvG6r_I/AAAAAAAABr8/YbfuMY5nTqA/s400/house%2Bpix%2B011%2Bedited.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><em>My little $1 garage sale silver plate tray loaded with vintage bottles from antique stores, garage sales, my Grandmother's backyard, Michaels, you name it. And the little clocks {the one on the left I bought in NC at an antique fair/flea market when I was just a little girl and the one on the right was my Grandmother's and sat on her dresser} are set to my daughters birth times: 2:11 and 7:17, an idea I picked up somewhere along the way in blogland...</em>
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<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0qkB_CFKqVU/TkTAs6t6sDI/AAAAAAAABsk/NljZvVNq4mA/s1600/house%2Bpix%2B021%2Bedited.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639844511283327026" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0qkB_CFKqVU/TkTAs6t6sDI/AAAAAAAABsk/NljZvVNq4mA/s400/house%2Bpix%2B021%2Bedited.jpg" /></a>
<br />living room pillows... I am obsessed
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<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AzOnFQGSzfE/TkTAsuFBJaI/AAAAAAAABsc/xrwtlk_1GXI/s1600/house%2Bpix%2B020%2Bedited.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639844507890558370" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AzOnFQGSzfE/TkTAsuFBJaI/AAAAAAAABsc/xrwtlk_1GXI/s400/house%2Bpix%2B020%2Bedited.jpg" /></a>
<br />A collection of sea-glass colored bottles on my dining room table... only one is old {the little one} the big one was a TJ Maxx clearance score, and the other one... well let's just say it might look like the kind Pottery Barn sells that are "found" but let's just say I "found" mine at Olive Garden, LOL, after finishing a large bottle of wine at dinner with my family one night. Suddenly I saw the bottle in a whole 'nother light and it "found" it's way into my large straw bag ;-) what can I say, I got my $ worth!
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<br /><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639844501052591458" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2CqFLCbauAM/TkTAsUmuDWI/AAAAAAAABsU/Dt2TZEOGB50/s400/house%2Bpix%2B016%2Bedited.jpg" />
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<br />My favorite little display area in my living room...
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<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oE9LAQlIbII/TkTArwljJaI/AAAAAAAABsM/7oCPDjOdlrQ/s1600/house%2Bpix%2B013%2Bedited.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 289px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639844491384006050" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oE9LAQlIbII/TkTArwljJaI/AAAAAAAABsM/7oCPDjOdlrQ/s400/house%2Bpix%2B013%2Bedited.jpg" /></a>
<br />Another of my favorite displays... this one in my entry hall on top of a bookcase. Many stories about the items here and hope to post about it soon.
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<br /></em><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H14TjqmIFoA/TkTAtGbuUEI/AAAAAAAABss/KIMnq8XJn1I/s1600/house%2Bpix%2B022%2Bedited.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639844514428244034" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H14TjqmIFoA/TkTAtGbuUEI/AAAAAAAABss/KIMnq8XJn1I/s400/house%2Bpix%2B022%2Bedited.jpg" /></a>
<br /><em>"Pour Vous" the lamp I recently found at TJ Maxx... love!!</em> <em>{excuse me in my pajamas in the reflection!}
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<br />Hope you enjoyed the little peek around my house and thanks for sticking with me! I know I have some recent followers and you guys are the best because I know I have been very sporadic! Hope you're all doing well, enjoying your summer, and check back soon.</em>
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<br /><em>xoxo</em>
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<br />Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-74295557146486412112011-01-26T22:49:00.000-08:002011-01-26T22:54:07.757-08:00Hello...Well hello there! I've missed you.....<br /><br />Thanks for checking in on me from time to time, I really appreciate it! I thought of posting so many times, but didn't have the nerve to jump back into it. Especially after such a long absence. But then I realized it has been almost 18 months (yikes!) since my last post, so here I am. How are you??? I am good, just busy with life with 2 kids, a real estate business, and so much more. But I miss you. And I have some cool things to share hopefully in the near future. So please stay tuned...<br /><br />xoxo<br />Kari<br /><br /><em>p.s. I know I don't comment much but do know, I still read all your blogs. All of them. And I love them... I rarely miss a post. </em>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-30102463135307072372009-08-02T19:56:00.000-07:002009-08-02T20:15:31.510-07:00{ ..... }<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SnZVWG04TXI/AAAAAAAABrI/Nn1XTF_yaL8/s1600-h/knitting%2520hands.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365569844336414066" style="WIDTH: 319px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SnZVWG04TXI/AAAAAAAABrI/Nn1XTF_yaL8/s400/knitting%2520hands.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><em>You might have noticed my blogging has all but stopped the last couple of weeks. I have been wanting to blog, but honestly have been prioritizing other things in my life. So, I have decided, with a lot of reluctance, to take a little "bloggy break" for about a month, maybe a little longer. Just gonna simplify my life a little, s l o w d o w n, enjoy my kids, exercise more, learn to knit {started that today and it's fantastic} and make some other little happy changes. </em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><div><em>So for now I will just plan to check in with you through your blogs now and then. Thanks for all the comments, emails and love you've given me, it's been so inspirational. </em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>Love,<br />Kari</em></div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-35450190284110626262009-07-22T22:21:00.000-07:002009-07-23T09:58:14.999-07:00{rustic} summer entertainingWith my oldest starting kindergarten in little over a month, summer's days are numbered. I want to enjoy the remaining time we have, and stay on the entertaining kick we've been on lately.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361521833772533970" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Smfzs4WDSNI/AAAAAAAABpU/XiVnx9FcsDk/s400/mla102322_0906_party_xl.jpg" border="0" /><br />To me, the fun of <em><span style="font-size:180%;">entertaining buffet style</span></em> {the only way we entertain at this point} is the way everything looks. Of course the food's gotta be good too. I like:<br /><br />- an old linen sheet thrown over the table for a tablecloth. I've also used shower curtains that are really cute<br />- aluminum buckets and tins for cold drinks<br />- old ironstone or tarnished silver creamers for silverware {if you're concerned about the silverware touching the inside of the creamer, flop a little vintage lace out of it} I've also used small, old crystal vases with some vintage linen draped out of it, then the silverware, so cute.<br />- tiers of cake plates for fruit and maybe hors d'oeuvres<br />- rustic wire bread baskets lined with flour sack towels<br />- vintage ironstone or creamware plates with cheese on them<br />- a rustic wood cutting board with several wheels of cheese on it<br />- a variety of mismatched vintage silverplate serving utensils<br />- figs stacked on anything with a pedestal<br />- sangria served out of a huge glass canister with a ladle<br />- ice water with fruit floating in a cut glass pitcher<br />- everything labeled with brown paper tags tied on with jute twine<br />- monogrammed paper cocktail napkins from the party store or JoAnn's<br /><br />My very favorite, tried-and-true, in-a-pinch {or not} dessert recipe that has brought <span style="font-size:130%;"><em><span style="font-size:180%;">rave reviews from everyone</span> </em><span style="font-size:100%;">is my mother's cherry dessert recipe, also known as dump cake. If you are not familiar with this phenomenon, let me clue you in. You will never, ever regret making this, eating this, sharing this. No matter the occasion. This is not my photo, but mine looks very similar to this... {recipe below}</span> </span><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmiOmDJaU8I/AAAAAAAABqU/Gys7DhWhgDs/s1600-h/2566057677_8482ebb443.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361692140715529154" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmiOmDJaU8I/AAAAAAAABqU/Gys7DhWhgDs/s400/2566057677_8482ebb443.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>{Claudette's Cherry Dump Cake}</em><br /><br /><em>3 cans Comstock Cherry Pie Filling</em><br /><em>1 box yellow cake mix</em><br /><em>butter to taste</em><br /><em>1/2 cup chopped walnuts</em><br /><br /><em>Dump the pie filling in a 9x13 pan. Sprinkle the entire dry box of cake mix on top. Yes, dry. Now, melt about 4 tablespoons of butter, maybe more and drizzle on top. You might need as much as a 1/4 cup. Now sprinkle on the nuts. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until golden brown. </em><br /><br />Voila! Rustic, delicious, amazing. Bake it in a cool rustic white baking dish and serve it just like that with a vintage spoon. My friends and family request it over and over and over. Every BBQ I go to they ask me to bring it. It can also be made with canned peaches, but that's another post.<br /><br />I am so inspired to entertain in a casual, rustic, french inspired way, and the following images make it clear why this kind of entertaining is so appealing <span style="font-size:85%;">{especially since I have none of my own today}<br /></span><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Smfzsk66vPI/AAAAAAAABpM/kFrfeF8MQL0/s1600-h/compostplates.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361521828558454002" style="WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Smfzsk66vPI/AAAAAAAABpM/kFrfeF8MQL0/s400/compostplates.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><div><div><div>{<a href="http://www.blogger.com/maisonreve.blogspot.com"><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Maisonreve.blogspot.com}</span></strong></a></div><br /><div>This is my kind of entertaining. Put everything in a basket, a tin, or on a cake plate, mass it all together on a great crusty table, and let the guests have at it. Don't forget the mini chalkboard to write the menu or a message.<br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmfzsPSYKAI/AAAAAAAABpE/r4S4kv4rvk0/s1600-h/CNLJUN05076A2ret-de.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361521822751270914" style="WIDTH: 313px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmfzsPSYKAI/AAAAAAAABpE/r4S4kv4rvk0/s400/CNLJUN05076A2ret-de.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div>{countryliving.com}</div><br /><div>Love the haphazard french chic of this image. And the champagne in the garden urn is very cool. Love the crooked lampshade.<br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmfzrdlQVfI/AAAAAAAABo8/d_3kSaAWa38/s1600-h/bh_fallwedding_4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361521809408677362" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 303px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmfzrdlQVfI/AAAAAAAABo8/d_3kSaAWa38/s400/bh_fallwedding_4.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Love the rustic aluminum bin for beer and jam jar with label. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Smf2i3a--LI/AAAAAAAABpc/rCWLWb76LVA/s1600-h/0809p90-walnut_table-l.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361524960260978866" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Smf2i3a--LI/AAAAAAAABpc/rCWLWb76LVA/s400/0809p90-walnut_table-l.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>This is a repeat image for me, but isn't it worth it? It's the epitome of rustic french entertaining.<br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Smf75_NceyI/AAAAAAAABqE/pjZRZrTxAhI/s1600-h/bbq-buffet-0908-de-93677642.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361530855046806306" style="WIDTH: 313px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Smf75_NceyI/AAAAAAAABqE/pjZRZrTxAhI/s400/bbq-buffet-0908-de-93677642.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>Do I spy a <em>burlap buffet?</em> Yeah baby!<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmgDn7bRrfI/AAAAAAAABqM/tQOctkBRqTA/s1600-h/CLX0607Butler001-de.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361539340886453746" style="WIDTH: 313px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmgDn7bRrfI/AAAAAAAABqM/tQOctkBRqTA/s400/CLX0607Butler001-de.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>Love the double decker cutting boards and breadsticks in glasses.<br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmfzrN_MylI/AAAAAAAABo0/mj5g6XDuo2U/s1600-h/6a00e551fdd2c8883301127963f2b328a4-800wi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361521805222529618" style="WIDTH: 370px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmfzrN_MylI/AAAAAAAABo0/mj5g6XDuo2U/s400/6a00e551fdd2c8883301127963f2b328a4-800wi.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>This was for a wedding, but how fun would it be to recreate it for a party? Looks pretty easy to me.<br /><br />Speaking of weddings, did you see the pictures of Magnolia Pearl's rustic wedding? They are so amazing and inspiring. Here are a few. Go <a href="http://www.magnoliapearl.com/blog_pics_romantic_living.htm"><strong>here</strong></a> for more.<br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Smf4YD7nZQI/AAAAAAAABps/SLDGlZ5A9Qk/s1600-h/003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361526973663765762" style="WIDTH: 293px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Smf4YD7nZQI/AAAAAAAABps/SLDGlZ5A9Qk/s400/003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Smf4YZVauzI/AAAAAAAABp0/WKdKSuUQ7OE/s1600-h/005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361526979409132338" style="WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Smf4YZVauzI/AAAAAAAABp0/WKdKSuUQ7OE/s400/005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Smf4YuYddTI/AAAAAAAABp8/kRu_QPxw-3k/s1600-h/DSC03255.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361526985059038514" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Smf4YuYddTI/AAAAAAAABp8/kRu_QPxw-3k/s400/DSC03255.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Of course, the prettiest wedding buffet, or any buffet for that matter, that I've ever seen was Elizabeth Maxson's. Images from <strong><a href="http://curioussofa.com/">Curious Sofa</a></strong></div><div><a href="http://curioussofa.com/"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361697571318869682" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmiTiJuJLrI/AAAAAAAABqc/LTkCOSexh5A/s400/18.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmiTiZpej5I/AAAAAAAABqk/Qt0LxPcwzFU/s1600-h/19.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361697575594266514" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmiTiZpej5I/AAAAAAAABqk/Qt0LxPcwzFU/s400/19.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmiTi1hLsTI/AAAAAAAABq0/FkgPuVWx8vc/s1600-h/21.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361697583075668274" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmiTi1hLsTI/AAAAAAAABq0/FkgPuVWx8vc/s400/21.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmiVfJ-3pPI/AAAAAAAABq8/pdJeEFDseEQ/s1600-h/27.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361699718872671474" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmiVfJ-3pPI/AAAAAAAABq8/pdJeEFDseEQ/s400/27.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmiTihSbYvI/AAAAAAAABqs/or8UvlgZV4M/s1600-h/20.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361697577645073138" style="WIDTH: 216px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 301px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmiTihSbYvI/AAAAAAAABqs/or8UvlgZV4M/s400/20.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>Can you get any more inspired than this? Don't you love the baby bathtub filled with bottled water? And the chair with an ironstone serving dish on it? And breadsticks sticking out of old pitchers? I could go on and on and there were a bazillion amazing photos, but I won't. Of course this was for a more formal event, but there are so many great ideas here that could translate to your casual summer {or fall/winter} entertaining.<br /><br />How are you entertaining this summer?</div></div></div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-7207237577245443412009-07-21T22:52:00.001-07:002009-07-21T23:26:33.784-07:00cutest.thing.ever.Have I ever shared with you how I sometimes fantasize about packing the kids in the car and driving 8 hours to Disneyland? Not to see their precious little faces beam with joy at the rides, the characters, the magnitude of it all. Oh, no. That would be way too easy. It's because I KNOW THEY MAKE SILHOUETTES THERE.<br /><br />Yes, I am admitting my shallowness, here in public, on my blog. It's my blog, I can do that. You see I am *dying* to get my kids silhouettes done. And I know some really crafty bloggers have done it themselves, but I am pretty unwieldy with scissors {ask my daughter and how Mommy needed 3 sheets of paper to cut out one lousy heart yesterday} and me and photo programs don't mix. I need professional help.<br /><br />Well with all my obsessive compulsive monogram and family name sign searching on etsy, I stumbled upon something fantastic. Check it out -- you send these people your child's profile picture in a jpeg and they custom <em>paint</em> you a plaque, with your child's name, in <em>your choice</em> of colors, <em>and ribbon</em>, for a measly $25. Tell me this is not the cutest.thing.ever.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmapJAbicBI/AAAAAAAABoE/eDkdtG_eFsU/s1600-h/il_430xN_63424666.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361158378630574098" style="WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmapJAbicBI/AAAAAAAABoE/eDkdtG_eFsU/s400/il_430xN_63424666.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Maybe I am not rational since my little fantasy trip to the happiest place on earth would involve hotel rooms and whatnot, but $50 for two kids silhouettes on keepsake plaques seems pretty reasonable to me.<br /><br />Check out all the color options. The example above is of course darling and would match Neva's room <em>perfectly</em>, but I think I would go more neutral so you could also use them elsewhere in your home. Maybe a cake batter plaque with an espresso silhouette and a golden ribbon? Or an espresso plaque and cake batter silhouette and ribbon? I don't know... the choices are endless. And you all know how i am with choices {still struggling over monogram choices for that pillow, girls!} Anyways, just thought it was too cute not to share. Find it <strong><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=22869687">here</a></strong>.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmapifrxKzI/AAAAAAAABoM/rCuuAacma1s/s1600-h/il_430xN_72032966.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361158816516877106" style="WIDTH: 283px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmapifrxKzI/AAAAAAAABoM/rCuuAacma1s/s400/il_430xN_72032966.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div>OK, just found this one and it's also pretty cute. Just $20 and found <strong><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27819191&ref=sr_gallery_1&&ga_search_query=custom+silhouette+portrait&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=3&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title">here</a></strong>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361164361219281586" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmaulPT1krI/AAAAAAAABoU/mmKTfPEo_vg/s400/il_430xN_80007309.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>That's it. This is the best ever. A silhouette + a monogram? Stop it. Oh yeah, $45? OK, I will stop it. But it comes framed. And it's a lot cheaper than a hotel room with Mickey Mouse carpet. Found <strong><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22247014&ref=sr_gallery_5&&ga_search_query=custom+silhouette+portrait&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=4&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title">here</a>.</strong></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmavDtBH-7I/AAAAAAAABoc/jtz1XGipWlc/s1600-h/il_430xN_61326465.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361164884589935538" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 307px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmavDtBH-7I/AAAAAAAABoc/jtz1XGipWlc/s400/il_430xN_61326465.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmavW5wMHyI/AAAAAAAABok/aznXDkINids/s1600-h/il_430xN_61326466.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361165214426079010" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmavW5wMHyI/AAAAAAAABok/aznXDkINids/s400/il_430xN_61326466.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>I'm sorry, I just can't stop. If you're into plates like I am, this would be such a great option. Imagine this mixed into a family portrait wall. But at $49 per plate, let's hope it doesn't fall and break. Found <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27182650&ref=sr_gallery_9&&ga_search_query=custom+silhouette+portrait&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=4&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title"><strong>here</strong></a>.</div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Smav-ijXPbI/AAAAAAAABos/VVyglTQBj0A/s1600-h/il_430xN_77871183.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361165895393033650" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 349px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Smav-ijXPbI/AAAAAAAABos/VVyglTQBj0A/s400/il_430xN_77871183.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div>OK, I'm done obsessing now. Good nite!</div></div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-15937932511954289932009-07-21T07:56:00.000-07:002009-07-21T07:58:47.870-07:00birds of a feather v. 4.0<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmU4BjallDI/AAAAAAAABn8/04iQi34OzUc/s1600-h/IMG_5626.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360752530792223794" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmU4BjallDI/AAAAAAAABn8/04iQi34OzUc/s400/IMG_5626.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A tres magnifique french boudoir done on a budget over at <a href="http://parisiennefarmgirl.blogspot.com/"><strong>Parisienne Farmgirl</strong> </a>{love that name!}<br /><br /><br />Barn House:<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmUN2zLpecI/AAAAAAAABns/ga8rKfqdxZ8/s1600-h/barn_house_flea_23.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360706166557604290" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmUN2zLpecI/AAAAAAAABns/ga8rKfqdxZ8/s400/barn_house_flea_23.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmUN2hnD-QI/AAAAAAAABnk/nt25w1OZeFg/s1600-h/barn_house_flea_12.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360706161840748802" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmUN2hnD-QI/AAAAAAAABnk/nt25w1OZeFg/s400/barn_house_flea_12.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmUN2hYqRvI/AAAAAAAABnc/2SGXxOrjhqE/s1600-h/barn_house_flea_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360706161780344562" style="WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmUN2hYqRvI/AAAAAAAABnc/2SGXxOrjhqE/s400/barn_house_flea_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />For more <strong>fabulous pictures of Barn House's latest event</strong>, check out <strong><a href="http://mimicharmante.blogspot.com/">Mimi Charmante</a></strong>. I am kicking myself for not living closer to these guys. I'da <span style="font-size:78%;">{is that a word?}</span> gone <em>nuts</em> at this thing! If they ever come to the Alameda Flea Market, I am there. For sure. With cashola in hand baby! I'll even skip Starbucks for a couple months to save up to buy <em>something </em>from them, that's how crazy I am about them.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmT--E203EI/AAAAAAAABnU/d2_PgLUWnFY/s1600-h/whitewashedbrick_room.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360689798886775874" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmT--E203EI/AAAAAAAABnU/d2_PgLUWnFY/s400/whitewashedbrick_room.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />How to whitewash brick {for amazing results} at <a href="http://frugalfarmhousedesign.blogspot.com/2009/07/white-washing-brick.html"><strong>Frugal Farmhouse</strong></a>.</div><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmT9zA_3h9I/AAAAAAAABnM/uV_FsLdhLZM/s1600-h/coralsandyblueribbon1416.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360688509360768978" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmT9zA_3h9I/AAAAAAAABnM/uV_FsLdhLZM/s400/coralsandyblueribbon1416.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmT9y_siHwI/AAAAAAAABnE/LTN3bImnS-U/s1600-h/coral6a00d83539e9ed69e201156f2f8638970c-500wi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360688509011238658" style="WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmT9y_siHwI/AAAAAAAABnE/LTN3bImnS-U/s400/coral6a00d83539e9ed69e201156f2f8638970c-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmT9yi7W-QI/AAAAAAAABm8/qlkDt-X7Be8/s1600-h/coralRare_White_Coral_Mirror.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360688501288794370" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmT9yi7W-QI/AAAAAAAABm8/qlkDt-X7Be8/s400/coralRare_White_Coral_Mirror.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>for glorious images of coral and coral inspired items, visit <a href="http://frenchblue-frenchblue.blogspot.com/"><strong>French Blue</strong></a></div><div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmT8h7kFQ6I/AAAAAAAABm0/Hsw2zIrEp4I/s1600-h/Linda_Banks_Kitchen10.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360687116332647330" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmT8h7kFQ6I/AAAAAAAABm0/Hsw2zIrEp4I/s400/Linda_Banks_Kitchen10.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmT8h0gnPTI/AAAAAAAABms/7Ye9NSoS0aU/s1600-h/Linda_Banks_Kitchen11.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360687114439048498" style="WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmT8h0gnPTI/AAAAAAAABms/7Ye9NSoS0aU/s400/Linda_Banks_Kitchen11.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />An exquisitely beautiful kitchen on <a href="http://willowdecor.blogspot.com/"><strong>Willow Decor</strong> </a>. Love everything about it - the toile armchairs, the beadboard walls, dark floors, old signage, everything. It's perfect.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>What amazingness have you seen in blogland lately? </div></div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-15340858090180863012009-07-20T08:01:00.000-07:002009-07-20T22:55:16.823-07:00anniversary shoppingMy anniversary {7 years} is in 2 weeks and my parents are giving us cold hard cash as a present. I think it's a great present, the very best kind actually. It allows me to go virtual shopping weeks in advance and dream of what I could buy with the money. I come up with hundreds {well, not really hundreds} of combinations of things. But right now, I am focused on a few "need to have" pieces for my home. I'm not super sappy in that it has to be something of heirloom quality -- I'd rather spend the money on small purchases that will add to the overall ambiance of my home, or on things that I'd love but wouldn't necessarily buy myself. Some people might find this crazy, but my husband doesn't mind, it's practical, and it entertains me for hours on end.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>First up is a nice linen barrel shade for my recent Goodwill lamp purchase, blogged about <a href="http://reeseandmarie.blogspot.com/2009/07/aidan-gray-for-those-of-us-not-rich.html"><strong>here.</strong></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmP903DmtSI/AAAAAAAABkc/l0JsksQ7-VA/s1600-h/41DlILtFimL__AA260_.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360407066075116834" style="WIDTH: 260px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 260px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmP903DmtSI/AAAAAAAABkc/l0JsksQ7-VA/s400/41DlILtFimL__AA260_.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>What do you think? Pretty cool for $24.99 at Tarjay, yes? Find it <a href="http://www.target.com/Barrel-Lamp-Shade-Cream-L/dp/B0020DIDK4/qid=1248066915/ref=br_1_44/184-2513047-8523728?ie=UTF8&node=13361081&search-alias=&frombrowse=1&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=13361081&rank=salesrank&rh=&page=1"><strong>here</strong></a></div><br /><div><div>Next up is a monogrammed pillow, <strong><em>a must</em></strong>. I have wanted one for<em> eons,</em> and I think it's something really special and very worthy of an anniversary present. I have scoured etsy, but right now my favorite pillows are on Ballarddesigns.com. Check out what you can get for a mere $26 with a FREE monogram:<br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmP_ZbXtgeI/AAAAAAAABkk/-7F12bvYBSk/s1600-h/FP587_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360408793810043362" style="WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmP_ZbXtgeI/AAAAAAAABkk/-7F12bvYBSk/s400/FP587_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div><strong>That's right -- an 18" square pillow <em>with the insert</em> people, and a free monogram, for just $26.</strong> And guess what? It comes in several shades of linen, and that fabric I love to hate: burlap. I may just have to break my own rule and get me a burlap pillow with a big fat monogram in chocolate brown on it. Or maybe I'll get the hemp linen. I imagine that would have that same natural, burlap-y look without the scratchy fibers and shedding. I think I can't lose either way with this.<br /></div><div></div><div>Unless of course I get <em>this</em> size, for just $22... this would look really cute in a pair on matching armchairs.<br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQARKeDoCI/AAAAAAAABks/7utjF4qAwn8/s1600-h/FP701_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360409751345930274" style="WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQARKeDoCI/AAAAAAAABks/7utjF4qAwn8/s400/FP701_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Let's go over the most optimum fabric choices for the 18" size, shall we? I want something neutral that could be moved from bedroom to living room without burning your eyeballs out, and that could match any number of decor choices in the future. That means I'm getting a neutral. <strong><em>But which one?</em></strong></div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQA2iNOJvI/AAAAAAAABlM/nDN5Jf4rIIE/s1600-h/HLI.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360410393372927730" style="WIDTH: 121px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 88px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQA2iNOJvI/AAAAAAAABlM/nDN5Jf4rIIE/s400/HLI.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><strong>Hemp Linen</strong> - luscious if I do say so</div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQA2aoVWDI/AAAAAAAABlE/2RorqqyGtN4/s1600-h/CAR.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360410391339161650" style="WIDTH: 120px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 83px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQA2aoVWDI/AAAAAAAABlE/2RorqqyGtN4/s400/CAR.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><strong>Caramel Twill</strong> - classic and would hold up well as well as match almost anything<br /></div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQA2FonDXI/AAAAAAAABk8/saUuGQmT8ac/s1600-h/CAM.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360410385703177586" style="WIDTH: 120px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 81px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQA2FonDXI/AAAAAAAABk8/saUuGQmT8ac/s400/CAM.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><strong>Camel Velvet</strong> - would feel wonderful to the touch</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQJd82M48I/AAAAAAAABmk/nOQDPHakWMI/s1600-h/BUR.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360419866632053698" style="WIDTH: 120px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 76px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQJd82M48I/AAAAAAAABmk/nOQDPHakWMI/s400/BUR.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><strong>Burlap</strong> baby - So good, yet so bad</div></div><br /><br /><div>Then again, I could do something wild and crazy {for me} like toffee check:</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQCJT4nJFI/AAAAAAAABlU/UVYXuz8EtkM/s1600-h/TOF.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360411815457530962" style="WIDTH: 120px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 78px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQCJT4nJFI/AAAAAAAABlU/UVYXuz8EtkM/s400/TOF.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>OK, maybe not. It might be too busy for me, not sure. I think I like the stuff above better.</div><br /><br /><div>Then there's the monogram options. Too many choices makes me a crazy person. I think I like </div><div>the fourth one and the last one... or maybe #13. I don't know what to pick! <strong><em>Want to pick for me???</em></strong> I am so bad at this kind of thing... I can second guess myself for weeks on this kind of minor decision.</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQDaCeNFBI/AAAAAAAABlk/sEDYz_hrqg4/s1600-h/all_mono.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360413202352772114" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 156px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQDaCeNFBI/AAAAAAAABlk/sEDYz_hrqg4/s400/all_mono.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Lastly, something like one of these cute monogrammed signs would be really nice to have as a momento in our home, not to mention a cute piece of decor:<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQE1lae16I/AAAAAAAABls/T4BeLd9nwW4/s1600-h/il_430xN_77820616.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360414775100495778" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQE1lae16I/AAAAAAAABls/T4BeLd9nwW4/s400/il_430xN_77820616.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>Just $16.00 found <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27167378&ref=sr_gallery_19&&ga_search_query=monogram+sign&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=7&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title"><strong>here</strong></a></div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQFVx-_DSI/AAAAAAAABl0/IJa0vRtyufs/s1600-h/il_430xN_41767809.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360415328230640930" style="WIDTH: 328px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQFVx-_DSI/AAAAAAAABl0/IJa0vRtyufs/s400/il_430xN_41767809.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Or this huge shabby letter, $41.95 found <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16366714&ref=sr_gallery_11&&ga_search_query=monogram+sign&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=9&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title"><strong>here</strong></a></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQF8bKwguI/AAAAAAAABl8/sf8GWa61b6s/s1600-h/il_430xN_74773320.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360415992120902370" style="WIDTH: 216px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQF8bKwguI/AAAAAAAABl8/sf8GWa61b6s/s400/il_430xN_74773320.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Then there's this sweet family sign for just $24.95 found <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26255674&ref=sr_gallery_8&&ga_search_query=monogram+sign&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=11&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title"><strong>here</strong></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQG1T7pilI/AAAAAAAABmE/5hRvZDl_91c/s1600-h/il_430xN_80623562.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360416969431026258" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQG1T7pilI/AAAAAAAABmE/5hRvZDl_91c/s400/il_430xN_80623562.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>And I LOVE this with the added crown moulding for $35 found <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28003346&ref=sr_gallery_15&&ga_search_query=family+sign&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=2&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title"><strong>here</strong></a></div><br /><div>Then again, let's not forget the family name sign master, <strong><a href="http://susieharris.blogspot.com/">Susie at Bienvenue</a></strong>. Check out her darling signs with that added french touch, all very affordable! Find them <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5914190&ga_search_query=susieharris&ga_search_type=seller_usernames"><strong>here</strong></a>...<br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQH2kUR4DI/AAAAAAAABmc/3n-ScDfDZ2s/s1600-h/il_155x125_79608463.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360418090520797234" style="WIDTH: 155px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 125px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQH2kUR4DI/AAAAAAAABmc/3n-ScDfDZ2s/s400/il_155x125_79608463.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQH2GguUlI/AAAAAAAABmU/Xn9hKivBpsE/s1600-h/il_155x125_79607827.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360418082519929426" style="WIDTH: 155px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 125px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQH2GguUlI/AAAAAAAABmU/Xn9hKivBpsE/s400/il_155x125_79607827.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQH1_ANhfI/AAAAAAAABmM/PKDeZvJcBsI/s1600-h/il_155x125_79607532.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360418080504514034" style="WIDTH: 155px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 125px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmQH1_ANhfI/AAAAAAAABmM/PKDeZvJcBsI/s400/il_155x125_79607532.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I think that both the Ballard monogrammed pillows as well as any of the family name signs from Etsy would be fabulous anniversary or wedding gifts that are custom, affordable, thoughtful, and memorable, not to mention classic. In fact, my sister's anniversary is just the day before mine, I think I'm going to get her one of the above, probably a family name sign. Now, which one? Hhhhmmmmmm....<br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-76676217058015045462009-07-18T19:57:00.000-07:002009-07-19T23:18:17.944-07:00Aidan Gray wannabe<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmOXJALJKxI/AAAAAAAABkU/XRl1JKdWYCI/s1600-h/SouthernHospThriftyTreasurescopy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360294162422377234" style="WIDTH: 175px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 175px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmOXJALJKxI/AAAAAAAABkU/XRl1JKdWYCI/s400/SouthernHospThriftyTreasurescopy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Welcome fellow yardsale and thrift enthusiasts!<br /></em><br /><em>Do you lust after these lamps? </em><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmKSCAWcIeI/AAAAAAAABkE/OFBCDr793UI/s1600-h/l33_400.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360007069675823586" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 326px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmKSCAWcIeI/AAAAAAAABkE/OFBCDr793UI/s400/l33_400.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div></div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmKMIA3lQpI/AAAAAAAABjs/9-avO0IpYLE/s1600-h/L81_01_l.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360000575824282258" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 326px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmKMIA3lQpI/AAAAAAAABjs/9-avO0IpYLE/s400/L81_01_l.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmKPMCwQPbI/AAAAAAAABj8/8OLHx1RF5PU/s1600-h/1790L%2520400.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360003943584775602" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 326px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmKPMCwQPbI/AAAAAAAABj8/8OLHx1RF5PU/s400/1790L%2520400.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmKMHyuaKTI/AAAAAAAABjk/gzWMdFjn1vY/s1600-h/L21_01_l.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360000572027709746" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 326px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmKMHyuaKTI/AAAAAAAABjk/gzWMdFjn1vY/s400/L21_01_l.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmKMHdJS_MI/AAAAAAAABjc/kpCstBLDuqo/s1600-h/Aidan_Gray_Light.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360000566234905794" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 255px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmKMHdJS_MI/AAAAAAAABjc/kpCstBLDuqo/s400/Aidan_Gray_Light.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><em>I sure do. </em></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><em>Can't afford the $200-600 price tag? </em></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><em>Neither can I.....</em></div><div><br /></div></div><div></div><div><br /><div><em>Meet my new $16.99 find, courtesy of the local stinky Goodwill:</em></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmKMsYYl01I/AAAAAAAABj0/QPuJ0eVSSj0/s1600-h/IMG_7274.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360001200612037458" style="WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SmKMsYYl01I/AAAAAAAABj0/QPuJ0eVSSj0/s400/IMG_7274.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><em>I saw it and my heart skipped a beat. I had the shade, but I might treat it to a round linen number, like lamp number 1 above... LOVE. My Goodwill has been amazing lately, with it's funky little self with rude employees and smoky air and piles of trash and gangsters outside. This beauty is worth it, no?</em></div><br /><div><em>p.s. and even sweeter, it's resting it's hiney on my $5 garage sale french round side table {painted & stained by moi... it was ugly brown when I bought it, but still}</em></div><br /><div><em>p.p.s. for every major score I find at Goodwill, I leave 5 times empty handed. Just keepin it real so you don't think I have the best Goodwill ever. I don't. I see </em>YOUR<em> yardsale/thrift finds and I can't believe my eyes!</em></div><br /><div><em>p.p.s.s. {or is it p.p.p.s.?} for more aidan gray, go <a href="http://aidangrayhome.com/#"><strong>here</strong></a></em></div><br /><div><em>p.p.p.p.s. or whatever - I think I need to treat mr. fauxgray to a little paint or stain to authenticate it and give it a little depth and age. ideas? </em><br /></div><div></div></div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-49572676865438327932009-07-15T17:06:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:13:25.348-07:00Too Weird For Words?I am a pillow addict. They are spilling out of every closet, out from under the beds, in garbage bags in the garage. I bought 2 more last night. For my bedroom. They didn't work there. Rather than resigning them to a return bag in my trunk, I tried them in the living room. Now, there is not really any blue in this room. The couch is sort of grey-green and persimmon. The walls are a soft caramel and Svelte Sage, a grey-green. This is a little weird. But for some reason, I kind of like them! Am I losing my mind? Should I just return them and look for something else that actually has green in it? Or is this one of those situations where you can just throw an accent color in that has nothing to do with anything?<br /><br />I've seen other bloggers with green walls, a tan couch and brown and blue pillows, all not necessarily matching exactly but there is a flow. Perhaps that is what i'm looking for here. Lord knows i've been trying to find the "perfect" accent pillows for this couch for 4 years. They don't exist. So whaddya think? Is it too weird for words?<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Sl5vBxeo4HI/AAAAAAAABjU/gbhMHY3GxJo/s1600-h/blue+pillows+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358842682869866610" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Sl5vBxeo4HI/AAAAAAAABjU/gbhMHY3GxJo/s400/blue+pillows+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Sl5vBZKfK4I/AAAAAAAABjM/sXCrLeZYijU/s1600-h/blue+pillows+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358842676342893442" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Sl5vBZKfK4I/AAAAAAAABjM/sXCrLeZYijU/s400/blue+pillows+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>p.s. If you are going to tell me to use the ones I got from Goodwill yesterday, they're in my bedroom now where they are very happy...</div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-21177844394048130872009-07-14T14:00:00.000-07:002009-07-14T14:16:35.421-07:00Shutter Update & Goodwill Finds<div>Thanks again for all the advice on my shutter dilemna yesterday. After reading all of it, I decided to try Chris & Nester's advice and turn the shutter on it's side. I would have stacked the other one on top, but then the clock would have to go somewhere, and it probably would have misplaced <em>another</em> item, so I opted for a blend. I think this works so much better spatially. I like the lightness, texture and symmetry. And I promise it looks so much better in person... refer to yesterday's post for a summation of my photography skills. Anyways, did I mention I have 2 more identical shutters, for a total of 4? So technically I could have lined them vertically across the back of the couch and had a whole <em>wall </em>of shutters, but it may have been too much. I hope that info doesn't change anyone's advice! I also put a "cute" little hole in the adjoining wall when I lost my grip on a shutter {dang those things are HEAVY} and hubs was like you did what to the shutter and what to the wall?<br /><br />Anyways, tell me what you think. I can always tweak it some more. </div><div> </div><div><em><strong>Chris, if you're reading this, your plate arrangement suggestion made sense to me but it felt off to me with the size of the plates compared to the clock... I have more of each size if you think it would look better another way: I have 2 more large ones, and 2 more small ones.<br /></strong></em><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlzycMTqcfI/AAAAAAAABi8/1qja66QQG48/s1600-h/Pre-Approval+Letter+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358424222818005490" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlzycMTqcfI/AAAAAAAABi8/1qja66QQG48/s400/Pre-Approval+Letter+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Slz1Au8E9nI/AAAAAAAABjE/SAoS7rFzmDE/s1600-h/Pre-Approval+Letter+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358427049612867186" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Slz1Au8E9nI/AAAAAAAABjE/SAoS7rFzmDE/s400/Pre-Approval+Letter+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I also dropped into Goodwill today. I found 3 decorator pillows in mint condition, minus part of the trim on this one. But doesn't it look fab on this dark chocolate patterned "friendship chair"? It has just the right aqua in the windowpane plaid, and it reminds me of men's suiting material, a good match for the ticking stripe window mistreatment. It was $3.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlzybqF1CFI/AAAAAAAABi0/_6Jbgd-mwJE/s1600-h/Pre-Approval+Letter+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358424213633173586" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlzybqF1CFI/AAAAAAAABi0/_6Jbgd-mwJE/s400/Pre-Approval+Letter+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I also found these 2 cuties for $3 each. They smell brand new and they are the exact right grey/green/blue that i am trying to accessorize with in the living room.<br /><br />For the record, I was in the same Goodwill last Friday and found nothing. It really pays to go often, and after the weekend. People bring in their yardsale leftovers or stuff they found around their house while doing weekend cleaning. I always find my best scores in the beginning of the week.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlzybRTL34I/AAAAAAAABis/WggGf3LpOWQ/s1600-h/Pre-Approval+Letter+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358424206978310018" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlzybRTL34I/AAAAAAAABis/WggGf3LpOWQ/s400/Pre-Approval+Letter+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlzybNc5MPI/AAAAAAAABik/PRwy-Xo0lpQ/s1600-h/Pre-Approval+Letter+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358424205945286898" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlzybNc5MPI/AAAAAAAABik/PRwy-Xo0lpQ/s400/Pre-Approval+Letter+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div>Last but not least is the updated dining room centerpiece... the 2 porch posts on the left I got at a thrift shop 2 weeks ago and have just made them into candle stands by doing nothing more than setting a candle on top. Wha-la. Instant candle garden.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlzyauxPFnI/AAAAAAAABic/U6lWS66ZviY/s1600-h/Pre-Approval+Letter+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358424197709108850" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlzyauxPFnI/AAAAAAAABic/U6lWS66ZviY/s400/Pre-Approval+Letter+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>That's it for now. Or until I tweak something again!</div></div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-18197229777003335972009-07-13T16:23:00.000-07:002009-07-13T16:35:16.659-07:00How to Shutter {help, please!}I suck at photography, must as I would love to be better. Now that we've got that out of the way,<br />you can give me your opinion on these pictures without wondering how I could have possibly taken such terrible pictures. It's easy: 2 young kids, a crappy camera {too lazy to drag out the big boy one in the closet} and only 14 seconds. There. Now back to the dilemna at hand.<br /><br />After reading quite a few posts on shutters, I finally got inspired to use some I've had sitting in my garage for over a year. A friend remodeled {a friend who knows how crazy I am and loves me anyway} and offered them to me. Of course! Tired of my above couch display, Ifirst propped them on the floor flanking a PB shelf and clock. Here's how that went, notice the umpteen tweaks I made to the contents of the shelf:<br /><br />#1 Dishes, books, and 1 topiary<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlvCmTKK7aI/AAAAAAAABiM/w7uDKnAwgpY/s1600-h/shutter+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358090144921087394" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlvCmTKK7aI/AAAAAAAABiM/w7uDKnAwgpY/s400/shutter+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />#2 Dishes, books, 2 topiaries and a seashell:<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlvCl1McGlI/AAAAAAAABiE/QUkvHb7DhTg/s1600-h/shutter+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358090136877537874" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlvCl1McGlI/AAAAAAAABiE/QUkvHb7DhTg/s400/shutter+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />#3 Dark horrible picture of asymmetrical grouping:<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlvClPc-rUI/AAAAAAAABh0/mbP4h0j349g/s1600-h/shutter+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358090126746365250" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlvClPc-rUI/AAAAAAAABh0/mbP4h0j349g/s400/shutter+008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then I decided I was too bizarre for words and nailed the bad boys to the wall {with email help from Nester} and flanked them with more of the just-scored-stash of ironstone from Goodwill.<br /><br />#4 No shelf, lots of ironstone.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlvCmhkgCwI/AAAAAAAABiU/V_DysdHg6es/s1600-h/shutter+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358090148789619458" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlvCmhkgCwI/AAAAAAAABiU/V_DysdHg6es/s400/shutter+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So, which look do you prefer??? I am so undecided. But I do know I love the shutters. They are very textural and kind of lighten up my heavy couch. I want to keep them, but if all the options are just horrible, tell me that too. Just in a kind way.<br /><br />Thanks.Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-41507110017663776012009-07-12T19:57:00.000-07:002009-07-12T20:45:54.192-07:00Keepin it Real: Price My Space - Family Room<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlqjICS6QLI/AAAAAAAABgs/ah9GMrozEyQ/s1600-h/Picture13-1-1-1-1.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357774065161093298" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlqjICS6QLI/AAAAAAAABgs/ah9GMrozEyQ/s400/Picture13-1-1-1-1.png" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After having house guests all weekend, and a raucous mexican train and wii championship til 4 am this morning, my pictures understandably are a little lacking. But I was so excited about <a href="http://nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/2009/07/price-my-space-party-8-pm-tonight.html"><strong>The Nester's Price My Space party</strong> </a>that I just had to participate! Please understand these pics were taken tonight, at dusk, after everything I mentioned above...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlqjJuhOScI/AAAAAAAABhE/QCDXZV0Thrc/s1600-h/Pre-Approval+Letter+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357774094212155842" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlqjJuhOScI/AAAAAAAABhE/QCDXZV0Thrc/s400/Pre-Approval+Letter+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here is the room as seen from the entry hall of my home. It is kind of a weird room, almost part of the kitchen, and we have treated it as such. This is where all our family meals take place, we sit and chat with friends, and people gather for BBQ's. The patio is right through that slider. There is an ugly builder grade ceiling fan/light casting that weird glow in the room, and we have yet to replace it. Keeping it real, remember? If you want to read about the paint color which <strong>I love</strong>, go <strong><a href="http://reeseandmarie.blogspot.com/2008/10/finally-my-family-room-is-painted.html">here</a></strong>.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlqjWb-fRmI/AAAAAAAABhs/6vZCfwak0xU/s1600-h/Pre-Approval+Letter+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357774312572929634" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlqjWb-fRmI/AAAAAAAABhs/6vZCfwak0xU/s400/Pre-Approval+Letter+008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is our table and chairs and rug. The rug was free because we borrowed it from my parents who had it in storage.<br /><br />- The 2 slipcovered end chairs are from Ikea, 7 or 8 years ago, and were about $100 each. I bleach the living daylights out of those covers pretty often and they've held up great.<br /><br />- The table and chairs {which i must disclaim I bought primarily for the farm table, and I hate the chairs but they're sturdy and great and easy to wipe down so I keep them, for now} was just $120 on Craigslist and never used.<br /><br />- The ironstone tray and vintage silver sugarbowl on the table were both anniversary gifts, price: the cost of marriage. Hee hee...<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlqjKBm4ZbI/AAAAAAAABhM/cPe3F7HZrJA/s1600-h/Pre-Approval+Letter+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357774099336160690" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlqjKBm4ZbI/AAAAAAAABhM/cPe3F7HZrJA/s400/Pre-Approval+Letter+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />- Here are my window mistreatments, which I blogged about <a href="http://reeseandmarie.blogspot.com/2009/06/blame-it-on-ralph.html"><strong>here.</strong></a><strong> </strong>They consist of a $7 Ralph Lauren sheet ripped in two and tacked up with upholstery tacks.<br /><br />- The platter above was about $8 at Marshalls<br />- the rug below {LOVE it} was about $15 at Target. I have a big one that matches it in my kitchen... you can see part of the cabinets and counters on the right. I am not including that stuff in this post though.<br /><br />- Oh, and the cool urn at the top of the cabinet was $4 at Goodwill and the green ball was part of a free topiary that I cut the stick off of.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlqjUHKfJ4I/AAAAAAAABhU/pAojgmzFC0Q/s1600-h/Pre-Approval+Letter+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357774272626370434" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlqjUHKfJ4I/AAAAAAAABhU/pAojgmzFC0Q/s400/Pre-Approval+Letter+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Remember I mentioned the cute flouncy ruffle at the bottom of the RL sheet? Could it be any cuter?<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlqjU40JNEI/AAAAAAAABhc/fOotRQvg4l4/s1600-h/Pre-Approval+Letter+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357774285954430018" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlqjU40JNEI/AAAAAAAABhc/fOotRQvg4l4/s400/Pre-Approval+Letter+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Once again the firplace area.<br />- Free picture/display-ledge-turned-faux-mantle cause I'm cheap and lazy.<br /><br />If I had my druthers this whole room would be pimped out in beadboard wainscotting with moulding everywhere, but my druthers are nowhere to be found. I guess they're caught up in the recession and the constantly declining value of real estate. Ahem. Back to the picture.<br /><br />- The mirror was $10 at a garage sale, the sconces were $20 each at Home Goods, and the vintage butter pats were $1 each at an estate sale.<br />- The moroccan pouf was a gift and the suitcases were $20, $12, and free {gift from a friend} in ascending order.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlqjVnkYANI/AAAAAAAABhk/KRwTIMXVwFk/s1600-h/Pre-Approval+Letter+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357774298504757458" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlqjVnkYANI/AAAAAAAABhk/KRwTIMXVwFk/s400/Pre-Approval+Letter+007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here's my fave part of the room.<br /><br />- This is the "friendship chair" given to me by a friend. Price: free. If I ever decide to get rid of it, I have to continue the tradition and give it to another friend. So sweet, and so much comfort and character! You should see the legs! I guess I didn't capture it well.<br /><br />- The dresser is my $50 dresser from 10 years ago that I've repainted a million times and blogged about<a href="http://reeseandmarie.blogspot.com/2008/09/for-love-of-bargains.html"> <strong>here </strong></a>and <strong><a href="http://reeseandmarie.blogspot.com/2009/04/before-after-take-2.html">here</a></strong>. I love it like The Nester loves her white dresser. It's so versatile and I've used it EVERYWHERE. Right now it holds craft supplies and puzzles for the kids.<br /><br />- Back to the chair, the aqua throw was $10 clearance at Marshall's<br />- the linen pillow was $13 at TJ's<br />- the little pillow was won in a giveaway from <strong><a href="http://marleyandlockyer.blogspot.com/">Marley & Lockyer</a></strong>. Love her! {Please don't notice I didn't even fluff the pillows for you. Just keepin it real.}<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlqjJJkujbI/AAAAAAAABg8/edh7r9795Pw/s1600-h/Pre-Approval+Letter+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357774084294741426" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlqjJJkujbI/AAAAAAAABg8/edh7r9795Pw/s400/Pre-Approval+Letter+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />- The clock was $50 at HomeGoods<br />- the lamp was $20 at TJ Maxx<br />- the birdcage was $22 at Beverly's crafts<br />- the topiary was about $13<br />- The little faux succulent was .69 clearance and the little silver cup it's in was about $1 thrift.<br />- And the robins egg blue iron piece was about $13 at Ross 5 years ago.<br />- The plates on top are vintage french and were $8 each {bit of a splurge for me}<br />- the blue plates below which match the platter over the door were $3 each at Marshall's.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlqjIUQnMyI/AAAAAAAABg0/oEbDVNA7GpI/s1600-h/Pre-Approval+Letter+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357774069983294242" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlqjIUQnMyI/AAAAAAAABg0/oEbDVNA7GpI/s400/Pre-Approval+Letter+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />But I saved the best {worst} for last.<br />- Here is my ...gulp... $750 armoire. Yes, I said it. And yes, I'm ashamed. But I LOVE it.<br />- And it's next to a free bookshelf I fixed up with paint and a $4 remnant of fabric.<br />- And the basket on it was $5 on clearance and is lined with linen.<br />- The vintage window above was $15 at the Alameda Flea Market, bought on <a href="http://reeseandmarie.blogspot.com/2008/10/alameda-flea-market.html"><strong>this trip</strong></a><strong>.</strong> I lined it with burlap for texture, cost about $2.<br /><br />So my whole room has totaled out at about $1,415.69. But I realized I forgot to show you the bar. Oh well. Hope you enjoyed what you did see!Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-81642876227832936112009-07-10T09:25:00.001-07:002009-07-10T09:49:16.440-07:00Lamps: Walmart vs. the Big BoysI couldn't sleep last night. So at 3 am I decided to shop for lamps online. I found some great lamps at Walmart that are identical to Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware lamps for a fraction of the cost. Check it out:<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Sldrude2mZI/AAAAAAAABf0/lGExh9S_5EY/s1600-h/PB+lamp.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356868727712684434" style="WIDTH: 383px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 344px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Sldrude2mZI/AAAAAAAABf0/lGExh9S_5EY/s400/PB+lamp.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div>Pottery Barn: $110 for lamp base, $29 for shade<br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SldrugN5_aI/AAAAAAAABf8/dfGh-E98zvE/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356868728446909858" style="WIDTH: 215px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 215px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SldrugN5_aI/AAAAAAAABf8/dfGh-E98zvE/s400/untitled.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Walmart: $30 total. These are great and they even adjust up and down for added height. I might get 2 of these for either side of my sofa. The aged bronze finish matches the nailhead trim on my sofa and I love the modern simplicity of them. Here's the link if you're interested... and they don't seem to have them in all stores, mostly online: <a href="http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10788943">http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10788943</a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Here's a Restoration Hardware lamp priced at $179<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Sldtc_MIlbI/AAAAAAAABgE/mzDYCQZxaC0/s1600-h/prod1059007_OD08.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356870626546587058" style="WIDTH: 235px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Sldtc_MIlbI/AAAAAAAABgE/mzDYCQZxaC0/s400/prod1059007_OD08.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>Here's Walmart's version for just $39.97 found here: </div><div><a href="http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10788940">http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10788940</a></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Sldtc0bLxoI/AAAAAAAABgM/OPLSdsIdQIA/s1600-h/0080251313654_215X215.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356870623656920706" style="WIDTH: 215px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 215px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Sldtc0bLxoI/AAAAAAAABgM/OPLSdsIdQIA/s400/0080251313654_215X215.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div><br />Walmart has loads of great lamps, like this one for just $35.88 found here:<br /><a href="http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=11037995">http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=11037995</a></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlduiwoTt3I/AAAAAAAABgU/HslWl6h4UlY/s1600-h/0008308605476_215X215.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356871825229068146" style="WIDTH: 215px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 215px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlduiwoTt3I/AAAAAAAABgU/HslWl6h4UlY/s400/0008308605476_215X215.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlduiwoTt3I/AAAAAAAABgU/HslWl6h4UlY/s1600-h/0008308605476_215X215.jpg"></a></div><br /><div></div><div>Or this one for just $29, found here: <a href="http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10910142">http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10910142</a> A little bit too severe for me, but very beautiful and so Restoration Hardware! </div><br /><div></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Sldvt9Sc8EI/AAAAAAAABgc/wy_9a0wNPAU/s1600-h/0070299282489_215X215.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356873117117247554" style="WIDTH: 215px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 215px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Sldvt9Sc8EI/AAAAAAAABgc/wy_9a0wNPAU/s400/0070299282489_215X215.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Sldvt9Sc8EI/AAAAAAAABgc/wy_9a0wNPAU/s1600-h/0070299282489_215X215.jpg"></a></div><div> </div><div></div><div>Or this one, which I may seriously consider for just $30! <a href="http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10910136">http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10910136</a></div><div></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SldwbPuGrJI/AAAAAAAABgk/9uo94P1laYU/s1600-h/0070299282483_215X215.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356873895159180434" style="WIDTH: 215px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 215px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SldwbPuGrJI/AAAAAAAABgk/9uo94P1laYU/s400/0070299282483_215X215.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><div>I heart Walmart, even though I'm a little chagrined to admit it. </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-49560521472961869102009-07-06T09:57:00.000-07:002009-07-07T08:57:53.002-07:00{the recipe}Lately I've started to notice something developing in my house. I think my taste has finally evolved enough that I consistently buy things in certain categories. For example, I am always drawn to all white bedding and buy it whenever I need new bedding. I also have a lot of dishes. A <em>lot. </em>Most are white, some are colored, but they're in every room of my house except one. I have a lot of bird related items: feathers in urns, nests, birdcages, feather wreaths. And of course the chippy distressed wood. That's a no brainer. Given the option, I prefer painted, distressed wood over any other kind. And clocks. Gosh, my clocks are O.O.C. {that's out of control}. Right now in the kitchen/family room alone there are 3 clocks, 2 on the wall and one on the kitchen counter. It's amazing I still run late.<br /><br />I think this is a good thing. I've noticed that things flow better when there is continuity in what I decorate with. Maybe I am late on this bandwagon because I know people like <strong>The Nester</strong> have this down pat. Whatever the case may be, my "recipe" is becoming clear. I think you can define your recipe by saying it's things that are repeated in your home and that you keep out no matter your current whim or decor, season or reason. They are things that really speak to "who you are" and are your perennial favorites. And the combination of these items is what makes your home have your personal signature. So here is my "recipe". Almost every one of these items appears in every room of my home.<br /><br /><strong>- white bedding, white linens and white slipcovers on smaller items like chairs and pillow covers. <em>{You know darn well I'd have all white couches if I could}<br /></em></strong><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLLNWkBjGI/AAAAAAAABd0/NWcQrcO7mhk/s1600-h/zebra.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355566337152355426" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLLNWkBjGI/AAAAAAAABd0/NWcQrcO7mhk/s400/zebra.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLMfjsDx8I/AAAAAAAABeU/rnWhA4bSpHw/s1600-h/Blog+Pictures+058.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355567749424990146" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLMfjsDx8I/AAAAAAAABeU/rnWhA4bSpHw/s400/Blog+Pictures+058.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><strong>- topiaries</strong><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLOZpbcw8I/AAAAAAAABe0/wT5hPt9161w/s1600-h/IMG_3038.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355569846909977538" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLOZpbcw8I/AAAAAAAABe0/wT5hPt9161w/s400/IMG_3038.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLLNJT_ruI/AAAAAAAABds/5anF8v0XnA8/s1600-h/House+pictures+013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355566333595463394" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLLNJT_ruI/AAAAAAAABds/5anF8v0XnA8/s400/House+pictures+013.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong>- urns and apothecary jars filled with natural items like eggs, feathers, greenery, and seashells</strong><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355569835863769282" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLOZAR1AMI/AAAAAAAABes/-AQXPsOmRsE/s400/dresser.JPG" border="0" /> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLJfprfCqI/AAAAAAAABc0/_gPTP7fo2Xs/s1600-h/Blog+Pictures+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355564452498311842" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLJfprfCqI/AAAAAAAABc0/_gPTP7fo2Xs/s400/Blog+Pictures+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLMfN5_loI/AAAAAAAABeE/Mj-Po15efoQ/s1600-h/IMG_2670.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355567743577855618" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLMfN5_loI/AAAAAAAABeE/Mj-Po15efoQ/s400/IMG_2670.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong>- vintage mirrors</strong> {I have them everywhere: bathrooms, dining room, master bath, bedrooms, entry way, everywhere}<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLJhrKmo8I/AAAAAAAABdM/0UqYVHVay-k/s1600-h/hall+bath+018.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355564487257007042" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLJhrKmo8I/AAAAAAAABdM/0UqYVHVay-k/s400/hall+bath+018.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLLMF-Yf7I/AAAAAAAABdk/_9A8PsPIzPk/s1600-h/House+pictures+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355566315519639474" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLLMF-Yf7I/AAAAAAAABdk/_9A8PsPIzPk/s400/House+pictures+005.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><strong>- chandeliers</strong> {I have 3... dining room, master bath, and baby's room and I'd have at least 2 more if I could}<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLLNvQhIgI/AAAAAAAABd8/ZgDOLvmt0Jk/s1600-h/Blog+Pictures+021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355566343781425666" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLLNvQhIgI/AAAAAAAABd8/ZgDOLvmt0Jk/s400/Blog+Pictures+021.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLMgTtX7zI/AAAAAAAABek/Ld8oOSpEZTU/s1600-h/Blog+Pictures+066.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355567762315407154" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLMgTtX7zI/AAAAAAAABek/Ld8oOSpEZTU/s400/Blog+Pictures+066.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>{the vintage mirror in the background should also go in the category above}<br /></em><br /><strong>- chippy distressed wood </strong>{this is everywhere in my house, large and small pieces alike}</div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLJh2NhyOI/AAAAAAAABdU/vitmMwGJYts/s1600-h/before+%26+after+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355564490222061794" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLJh2NhyOI/AAAAAAAABdU/vitmMwGJYts/s400/before+%26+after+010.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLJgdRaQUI/AAAAAAAABdE/YOkH1lJ6oPQ/s1600-h/hall+bath+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355564466347589954" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLJgdRaQUI/AAAAAAAABdE/YOkH1lJ6oPQ/s400/hall+bath+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLJgAZYv4I/AAAAAAAABc8/L0oqlZNsx_4/s1600-h/IMG_2259.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355564458596417410" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLJgAZYv4I/AAAAAAAABc8/L0oqlZNsx_4/s400/IMG_2259.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>- bird and french related items, often together</strong> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLMfxb-NbI/AAAAAAAABec/SgQzDTgd97c/s1600-h/Blog+Pictures+053.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355567753115612594" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLMfxb-NbI/AAAAAAAABec/SgQzDTgd97c/s400/Blog+Pictures+053.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLSECrZkhI/AAAAAAAABfs/WU8706mVBNM/s1600-h/hall+bath+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355573873777152530" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLSECrZkhI/AAAAAAAABfs/WU8706mVBNM/s400/hall+bath+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>{not many pics for this category, forgive me but trust me I've got bird and french stuff everywhere}<br /></em></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>- white dishes, white pitchers, white sugar bowls, white white white. And dish, dish, dish.</strong> I looked and right now the only room without a dish or dishes on the wall is the office. And that's my husband's domain. Every other stinkin' room has at least one dish on the wall, even the bathrooms.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355569860244221586" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLOabGlLpI/AAAAAAAABfE/kRJbBmbaLf0/s400/corners+of+my+home+005.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLLLy0HllI/AAAAAAAABdc/DlBzid3hQbk/s1600-h/House+pictures+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355566310376314450" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLLLy0HllI/AAAAAAAABdc/DlBzid3hQbk/s400/House+pictures+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLSD9IIgPI/AAAAAAAABfk/WnkjmTO4ECY/s1600-h/new+dining+room+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355573872287056114" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLSD9IIgPI/AAAAAAAABfk/WnkjmTO4ECY/s400/new+dining+room+016.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong>- clocks</strong> {large and small, I have at least 8 off hand that I can think of. The ticking is so comforting to me, not to mention they're just plain cool!}<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLOas1YOPI/AAAAAAAABfM/VBM-xxUoBQ0/s1600-h/House+pictures+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355569865003907314" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLOas1YOPI/AAAAAAAABfM/VBM-xxUoBQ0/s400/House+pictures+007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLOZ6gGujI/AAAAAAAABe8/zfUvYpn-EmA/s1600-h/Ready+to+Draw+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355569851492907570" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLOZ6gGujI/AAAAAAAABe8/zfUvYpn-EmA/s400/Ready+to+Draw+004.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><strong>- empty frames on the walls</strong> {I have a growing collection and 5 hanging in my house right now}<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLOllp7GlI/AAAAAAAABfU/nD2EkbCMB4o/s1600-h/House+pictures+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355570052055374418" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLOllp7GlI/AAAAAAAABfU/nD2EkbCMB4o/s400/House+pictures+012.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLSDht6EJI/AAAAAAAABfc/f1DSR56AaUo/s1600-h/new+dining+room+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355573864929300626" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SlLSDht6EJI/AAAAAAAABfc/f1DSR56AaUo/s400/new+dining+room+009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>{I thought I had more updated pictures of my empty frame collection, but I guess not.}</em><br /><br />Even though that seems like a lot of items, but when you sprinkle those same elements consistently through every room in your home, a flow develops. And you can swap items from room to room without too much trouble when you stick to certain buying guidelines.<br /><br />So, what is your "recipe"? Is is black accents, birds nests, and shutters? Is it bird cages, mercury glass and all white frames? Is it unpolished silver and black and white photos, or monogrammed pillows and ticking stripes? I'm dying to know...</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-84711030935568901912009-06-30T20:28:00.000-07:002009-06-30T22:49:49.687-07:00burlap for wimps<em><strong>Main Entry: bur·lap<br /></strong>Pronunciation: \ˈbər-ˌlap\<br />Function: noun </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>1. A scratchy, hairy, fuzzy, unwieldy material that is tres chic and the biggest trend since I don't know what. A nightmare to sit on, lean against, or otherwise touch. Darling and the lust of all people home-obsessed, despite it's {many} flaws.</em><br /><br />I know you've been obsessed with burlap too. I've read your blogs. I've salivated over your burlap pillows, runners, and window treatments. I have spent hours on etsy searching "burlap pillow" and found many, many cuties I'd be happy to call my own.<br /><br />But you know what? I can't stand the way burlap feels! I can't stand the hairs it leaves on my black shirts! I can't stand the unraveling! I can't stand the itch I get when I lean against it! I have even tried washing it. That helps a <em>little</em>.<br /><br />So what's a burlap-obsessed home-obsessed accessory-obsessed girl gonna do?<br /><br />I'll admit I was at Joann's last night at 8:30 buying burlap. I'll admit I had it in mind for a certain project that was a reinvention of <a href="http://reeseandmarie.blogspot.com/2009/03/kids-corner-flea-market-style.html"><strong>this</strong></a>. But it did not work. Sadly, I admitted defeat. <em>Until.</em> Until my Mom came over. "Just use it somewhere else" said she. "But where?" sid I. And then we schemed and came up with this.<br /><br />I present you with <strong>burlap for wimps</strong>. My attempt to somehow incorporate burlap in my home without resting my hiney or back on it.<br /><br />Fig. 1 Somewhat dated Tuscan-ish fauxpiary from Ross, circa 2005. Not bad, but in need of some love.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkrZV_IXd5I/AAAAAAAABb0/x9Rrat21dYA/s1600-h/IMG_3033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353330078830262162" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkrZV_IXd5I/AAAAAAAABb0/x9Rrat21dYA/s400/IMG_3033.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Fig. 2 A strip of burlap a little longer and a little wider than the pot it's going on, and jute twine {Big Lots, $1.25}<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkrZWBemEOI/AAAAAAAABb8/lYXkm_jcMDA/s1600-h/IMG_3034.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353330079460364514" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkrZWBemEOI/AAAAAAAABb8/lYXkm_jcMDA/s400/IMG_3034.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Fig. 3 Wrap & tie girls. Wrap & tie.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkrZWq1GEGI/AAAAAAAABcE/SIn3IsteC04/s1600-h/IMG_3036.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353330090560589922" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkrZWq1GEGI/AAAAAAAABcE/SIn3IsteC04/s400/IMG_3036.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Fig 4. See? It's kind of cute, right?<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkrZXL05e6I/AAAAAAAABcU/uxohB8ziWSA/s1600-h/IMG_3038.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353330099418135458" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkrZXL05e6I/AAAAAAAABcU/uxohB8ziWSA/s400/IMG_3038.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Fig 5. Even more fauxpiary shrug love:<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkrZmabiMVI/AAAAAAAABcs/AbG8wEIHcG4/s1600-h/IMG_3042.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353330361036321106" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkrZmabiMVI/AAAAAAAABcs/AbG8wEIHcG4/s400/IMG_3042.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Fig. 6 What else can we do with burlap? How about staple it to the back of a vintage window for a little texture?<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkrZkg4dJrI/AAAAAAAABcc/xGaqd3T8jI4/s1600-h/IMG_3039.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353330328408499890" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkrZkg4dJrI/AAAAAAAABcc/xGaqd3T8jI4/s400/IMG_3039.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>It helps when the window is mounted above a cute new basket with a faux burlap liner. Then it all coordinates. See?<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkrZW0mQHOI/AAAAAAAABcM/I1lbm3EXbIA/s1600-h/IMG_3037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353330093182688482" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkrZW0mQHOI/AAAAAAAABcM/I1lbm3EXbIA/s400/IMG_3037.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />And that's it. Just wrap it around something and get your burlap love on. Any other ideas where I can use the remainding 1/3 of a yard of scratchy perfection?</div></div></div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-40125313998954409032009-06-29T16:47:00.001-07:002009-06-29T18:22:15.809-07:00bon apetit<div><em>Even though my dining room is "finished", i still tweak stuff over and over. And lately I've been finding some of the best dining room photos for inspiration. There seems to be a theme to what I like and I have to keep reminding myself that i have some of these very same elements...</em><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklTZ708YMI/AAAAAAAABa0/M-bKLYHSdwU/s1600-h/b2946edb1af1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352901337128132802" style="WIDTH: 381px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklTZ708YMI/AAAAAAAABa0/M-bKLYHSdwU/s400/b2946edb1af1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>this is one of my very favorite dining rooms from Cottage Living. Love the wall color, the chunky table, the fantastic striped end chairs, the b&w photos, all of it. not to mention the rug.<br /></em><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklS0GqhuRI/AAAAAAAABaM/m5w2QHTzCoM/s1600-h/410c2a71bea3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352900687202203922" style="WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklS0GqhuRI/AAAAAAAABaM/m5w2QHTzCoM/s400/410c2a71bea3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Again, another favorite from CL. I too have a chunky wood table, grey-green walls, mismatched chairs, crystal chandelier.</em><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklTZ6kDnxI/AAAAAAAABas/XNQo8BlZ45U/s1600-h/baa3f6d4d2ff.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352901336788868882" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 223px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklTZ6kDnxI/AAAAAAAABas/XNQo8BlZ45U/s400/baa3f6d4d2ff.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Love the frames... the drapes are really pretty and the symmetry is nice, although it's a little too formal for my taste. But elements of it are nice.<br /></em><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklTZQyr2oI/AAAAAAAABak/RQg6i0qeqDM/s1600-h/acb49901c4a9.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352901325575936642" style="WIDTH: 269px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklTZQyr2oI/AAAAAAAABak/RQg6i0qeqDM/s400/acb49901c4a9.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklTZK7f-1I/AAAAAAAABac/EmwHaop9BVg/s1600-h/a18f5ebe8cfe.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352901324002294610" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 275px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklTZK7f-1I/AAAAAAAABac/EmwHaop9BVg/s400/a18f5ebe8cfe.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>What even needs to be said about this? The texture of the chairs is amazing and I love the updated dark grey paint. Also love all the white dishes, which I too have an abundance of.<br /></em><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklS0dSiqTI/AAAAAAAABaU/zT4GLs_p3NI/s1600-h/4364d3614cc1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352900693275617586" style="WIDTH: 318px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklS0dSiqTI/AAAAAAAABaU/zT4GLs_p3NI/s400/4364d3614cc1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>This is just plain adorable.</em><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklSz3v-xYI/AAAAAAAABaE/uzmFeMsBqgc/s1600-h/078e97481444.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352900683198547330" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklSz3v-xYI/AAAAAAAABaE/uzmFeMsBqgc/s400/078e97481444.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Love the simple centerpiece and the striking chairs.<br /></em><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklSz2HAIWI/AAAAAAAABZ8/RyzgvTD6j9Q/s1600-h/6a00e5505fecd3883301156f893b43970c-500wi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352900682758234466" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklSz2HAIWI/AAAAAAAABZ8/RyzgvTD6j9Q/s400/6a00e5505fecd3883301156f893b43970c-500wi.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Again, I love the symmetry and that bench and chairs are great with the old table. Such a good mix of old/new and high/low.<br /></em><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklSzrVDglI/AAAAAAAABZ0/TzWSjVPm8fs/s1600-h/7f95e181dda3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352900679864386130" style="WIDTH: 321px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklSzrVDglI/AAAAAAAABZ0/TzWSjVPm8fs/s400/7f95e181dda3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Love the slips, and the stacks of white dishes, glassware, fresh greenery and textured basket.</em><br /><em></em></div><div><em></em> </div><div><em></em> </div><div><em>And some repeats, but they're also some of my faves so I'm putting them all in one location. Please forgive me...<br /></em><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Skln3-Sl2TI/AAAAAAAABbs/9cYI_w2DwHM/s1600-h/c60c33b519e3.jpg"><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352923843417987378" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 273px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Skln3-Sl2TI/AAAAAAAABbs/9cYI_w2DwHM/s400/c60c33b519e3.jpg" border="0" /></em></a></div><div><em>LOVE!!!</em></div><div><em><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Skln3ombbyI/AAAAAAAABbk/Ov9ejMqzbEQ/s1600-h/full6332821.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352923837595610914" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 289px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Skln3ombbyI/AAAAAAAABbk/Ov9ejMqzbEQ/s400/full6332821.jpg" border="0" /></a></em></div><div><em>THE LOVE CONTINUES... PERFECTION.</em></div><div><em><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklnuoUjcbI/AAAAAAAABbc/9NVcXJaENow/s1600-h/heather_table_l.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352923682901815730" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklnuoUjcbI/AAAAAAAABbc/9NVcXJaENow/s400/heather_table_l.jpg" border="0" /></a></em></div><div><em><br /><div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Sklnujrep8I/AAAAAAAABbU/Z1_vqy7TnGk/s1600-h/dining-roomp60_e_9c53654d7f7c9c72667efde1daba6b35.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352923681655793602" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Sklnujrep8I/AAAAAAAABbU/Z1_vqy7TnGk/s400/dining-roomp60_e_9c53654d7f7c9c72667efde1daba6b35.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div>So charming...<br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklnuQADYoI/AAAAAAAABbM/gMFd7M1ebCw/s1600-h/3041769408_b4e2e9a67e.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352923676373377666" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 293px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklnuQADYoI/AAAAAAAABbM/gMFd7M1ebCw/s400/3041769408_b4e2e9a67e.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div>ditto...<br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklnuPI0-VI/AAAAAAAABbE/LfrMRUKsZKM/s1600-h/1150_white_l.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352923676141746514" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SklnuPI0-VI/AAAAAAAABbE/LfrMRUKsZKM/s400/1150_white_l.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Sklnt4odCYI/AAAAAAAABa8/OMmgFqThyKk/s1600-h/0809p90-walnut_table-l.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352923670100380034" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/Sklnt4odCYI/AAAAAAAABa8/OMmgFqThyKk/s400/0809p90-walnut_table-l.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So what I take away from this is:</em><br /><em>I love my walls.</em><br /><em>I love my table and chairs.</em><br /><em>I love my drapes.</em><br /><em>I love all my white dishes.</em><br /><em>I love my crystal chandelier.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>{click <a href="http://reeseandmarie.blogspot.com/2009/01/chez-moi-my-dining-room-completed.html"><strong>here</strong></a> if you want to see what the heck I'm talking about although I've tweaked it pretty darn good since then...}</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>I have thinned everything out, accessorized less, and pared down to the basics of what i really love:</em><br /><em>texture, white dishes, some tarnished silver, cloches, and my beloved botanical prints, plus a tray of different candleholders as a simple but interesting centerpiece {I know, a picture would be worth a thousand words here, duh me I am so lazy right now}.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>So the question is:</em><br /><em>Why do I continue to look at all the eye candy out there? Am I ever really satisfied? People compliment me all the time on my "style" and yet I never seem to feel satisfied internally. It is something I am working on. I am so grateful for what I have and yet I always think I could do something better. Does this ring any bells with you? I mean, can you relate???</em></div></div></div></div></div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-13079623178412926152009-06-26T16:50:00.001-07:002009-06-26T17:55:01.800-07:00sneak peek at the boudoir...<em>just a couple of sneak peeks into my room, which is far from finished... but until then, hope you enjoy these little pictures...</em><br /><br /><em>p.s. there really is nothing french about this room {you should have seen all the toile and puckered drapes and french lady pictures I just pulled out of it for french!} other than the writing on the botanical print, so I use the term "boudoir" very loosely here</em><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkVfYvuU1YI/AAAAAAAABZs/9md2AL13_Zs/s1600-h/IMG_3038.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351788610931971458" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkVfYvuU1YI/AAAAAAAABZs/9md2AL13_Zs/s400/IMG_3038.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkVfYHrgSAI/AAAAAAAABZk/JErfvRQwPUg/s1600-h/IMG_3037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351788600182720514" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkVfYHrgSAI/AAAAAAAABZk/JErfvRQwPUg/s400/IMG_3037.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkVfX1V6nyI/AAAAAAAABZc/fxtyb1hcS2A/s1600-h/IMG_3036.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351788595260333858" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkVfX1V6nyI/AAAAAAAABZc/fxtyb1hcS2A/s400/IMG_3036.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkVfXp-mCtI/AAAAAAAABZU/nZ5-SSzCpSo/s1600-h/IMG_3035.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351788592209726162" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkVfXp-mCtI/AAAAAAAABZU/nZ5-SSzCpSo/s400/IMG_3035.JPG" border="0" /></a>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3707209408255183231.post-50846800831103877602009-06-23T19:46:00.000-07:002009-06-23T20:07:04.582-07:00blame it on RalphSo I was innocently shopping in TJ Maxx in the bedding section when a beautiful thing caught my eye. It was a ticking stripe sheet. But not just any sheet - a ticking stripe sheet with a slight flouncy ruffle with a tiny trim of cream lace. Stop. It. Now. Naturally it was Ralph Lauren, and at $6.99 I decided I would buy it and make a window mistreatment out of it for the kitchen slider - the bluebird shower curtain thing was beginning to bug me. I know, I know. Crazy. <br /><br />Anyways, let me cut to the chase and say I haven't taken any pictures of this darling RL creation yet, but I will. But what happened next is why I blame Ralph. Not only was the sheet <em> <em>darling</em></em>, but it is in the tan/grey/taupe/blue family I've been craving so much lately. And then I walked down the lamp aisle....<br /><br />I found 2 black lamps with burlapish shades with black trim for my bedroom. And that's where the bedroom redesign all began. Perhaps I should have prefaced this by saying I made several hundred dollars at my garage sale Saturday (yay me!) and I was "recycling" it into home decor purchases. Oh the cycle and the madness. Anyways, before I know it I'm at Home Goods 45 minutes away and am stumbling upon the most fabulous repro botanical in black white and taupe. I had been craving change for some time and a theme was fast developing... I am updating my bedroom which hasn't been touched in 2 years. Out with the red/white/taupe, in with black/white/cream/taupe. It is so refreshing and so much lighter feeling. But until it's done I'll spare you the agony and just post AMAZING pics I discovered on a new site: <a href="https://www.decorpad.com/index.htm">decorpad.</a> If you haven't already visited it, please do! It is chock full of great images. Here is just a few pieces of pure eye candy in my new obsession theme: neutrals. I promise I'll be back with pictures of my house soon. I am making lots of little changes - think neutral, texture, and sparkle. <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkGV7xKs-iI/AAAAAAAABZE/RvkWJvhBHCs/s1600-h/c60c33b519e3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkGV7xKs-iI/AAAAAAAABZE/RvkWJvhBHCs/s400/c60c33b519e3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350722686335908386" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkGV7s0AxeI/AAAAAAAABY8/R2CkBY_rxG8/s1600-h/bhgliving21p.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 377px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkGV7s0AxeI/AAAAAAAABY8/R2CkBY_rxG8/s400/bhgliving21p.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350722685166994914" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkGV7c4fFZI/AAAAAAAABY0/Le-x5y0hK9E/s1600-h/ef3a5cc147ee.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkGV7c4fFZI/AAAAAAAABY0/Le-x5y0hK9E/s400/ef3a5cc147ee.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350722680890791314" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkGVX3eqDvI/AAAAAAAABYs/DgaG4ec6Uzo/s1600-h/01618ce26922.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkGVX3eqDvI/AAAAAAAABYs/DgaG4ec6Uzo/s400/01618ce26922.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350722069554925298" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkGVXsqc0rI/AAAAAAAABYk/0qNR3n4Dw2U/s1600-h/637efe35e579.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkGVXsqc0rI/AAAAAAAABYk/0qNR3n4Dw2U/s400/637efe35e579.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350722066651599538" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkGVXiX949I/AAAAAAAABYc/jG0atWjDAIY/s1600-h/14c010b755e7.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkGVXiX949I/AAAAAAAABYc/jG0atWjDAIY/s400/14c010b755e7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350722063889720274" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkGVXR7xTlI/AAAAAAAABYU/6inIGvK5fCo/s1600-h/3d435ce0effb.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 313px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkGVXR7xTlI/AAAAAAAABYU/6inIGvK5fCo/s400/3d435ce0effb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350722059476487762" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkGVXG5hB5I/AAAAAAAABYM/CEPIMgVqjr8/s1600-h/8e7d7a9d2d51.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aD0wGMdm7Qk/SkGVXG5hB5I/AAAAAAAABYM/CEPIMgVqjr8/s400/8e7d7a9d2d51.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350722056514242450" /></a>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15365451665894382492noreply@blogger.com8