Thursday, March 29, 2012

i've been keeping a secret


The painting is finished!
 I'm loving the fresh, creamy 'navajo white' in the
 entry, living room, dining room, hall, family room and kitchen!


The secret...
with my clever photography skills I've avoided showing you my black door!

This my friends is the result of an impatient diy blogger that wanted a black door
immediately, and didn't take time to prime!
My advice:  JUST DO IT!



It wasn't that bad until mr. simple decided to scrape it for me,
and then concluded it was 'a big project' and stopped!

I did our back door at the same time and it is in perfect condition??

It's a dirty, ugly, boring job, but some one's gotta do it!
Guess who?


HAPPY WEEKEND!!
HOPE IT FINDS YOU DOING SOMETHING FUN & FRIVOLOUS! 




 

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

charming easter idea

It's too simple and sweet not to share!

Years ago a favorite neighbor gave me with the most charming Easter surprise...
 ~  thank you, Karen  ~



One empty egg carton


 Two Small Viola 6 packs


Two toothpicks to hold the lid open 


Here are some styling ideas...

rustic garden


fresh modern


kitchen vignette


breakfast buffet 


coffee table chic

 After Easter remove them from the egg carton and plant in
your yard or favorite pot.

You can use any size egg carton 6, 12, 18 or 24 packs.

If you'll be a guest for Easter, it would make any hostess smile!


Linking up with
Savvy Southern Style's Wow Us Wednesdays here
The Shabby Nest Frugal Friday here
Beth's Home Stories A to Z Tutorials & Tips here
Think Pink Sundays here
Jennifer Rizzo here








Tuesday, March 27, 2012

a philosophy & party tips


 
Do you subscribe to this 'day after the the party' philosophy?

"Since, the flowers are fresh and the house is clean we should invite someone for dinner."

A quick wash and iron of the linens and you're ready for a casual spring dinner.
These pretty daffodils were a hostess gift from the birthday girl yesterday!


Sunday evening we invited my Mom and Dad for dinner, here's our easy spring menu:

Bruschetta
  Grilled Bread, Tomatoes w/ Balsamic Vinegar, Basil, Shaved Romano Cheese

Grilled Salmon with Fresh Dill & Cucumber Sauce

Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Pioneer Woman's recipe here
(both my 13 year old and friend who hates brussel sprouts love these)

Dessert from Mom  :)
  

Here are a couple of tips I use when entertaining:

  Since our dining room table doesn't comfortably fit more than six,
 we put an 8' x 4' piece of particle board on top when we need more seating space.
A hole in the center accomodates our patio umbrella when we want to use it outside.


I painted the back with chalkboard paint, here we used it for a
 Teacher Appreciation BBQ at school, but the possibilities are endless.  


If your home doesn't have a powder room, this tip is for you.
Since ours was built in 1938, we're powder room less!
 That means everyone sees our main bath when we entertain, this sight makes me cringe!


123rf.com via google

It takes just a couple seconds to stash your personal products in a drawer,
 and add a pretty clipping from your yard. 



It's simple to choose something to put on the bathroom counter, too.
 It doesn't have to be an expensive floral, any greenery looks fresh.




Simple things that make life pretty!



Monday, March 26, 2012

simply, a pretty party...

.... for a pretty friend


At each place setting was a wrapped, personalized favor,
 chosen specifically for that guest!


Table decor included glass and crystal candlesticks, rose petals and rhinestones.
I love the eclectic look of using a collection of wine glasses.
 It's easy to pick one up whenever you see something you like, here are a few of mine.


My stylish friend set her handbag on the table.


A fun tribute to our girlfriend, 'What we love about Andrea," on my chalkboard.


Love my girlfriends!
The two co-hostesses who helped with EVERY detail! (on the ends)
Seven kiddos are at one of their homes ordering pizza and playing Capture the Flag.
Myself and the birthday girl in the center.




Thanks for serving us, sweet husbands, while we properly entertained the guest of honor!


Menu

Spinach Salad with Toasted Almonds and Strawberry Vinaigrette
Grilled Bourbon - Bacon Wrapped Sea Scallops
Rice Pilaf
Roasted Asparagus

Four Layer Vanilla Cake with Raspberry Bavarian Cream


Happy Birthday beautiful friend, we all love you!

here's to many more! 
Tomorrow, a philosophy and a couple entertaining tips.
Tip Junkie handmade projects

Join me at Kim's Wow Us Wednesday! 

Sunday, March 25, 2012

party postponed...


Not really, just the blog post!

Has this ever happened to you?  You're writing your post, uploading your photos and
all of a sudden you get the message your photo storage is FULL, you may purchase
more, but it may take 24 hours... ok, Plan B! 


To the rescue...
Deborah Needleman's 10 Odd Yet Essential Elements of Style

Ethnic Textiles

"Handcrafted textiles bring coziness to a room and worldliness to a home. Some personal favorites
 include Central Asian suzanis and ikats, Indonesian and West African batiks, Moroccan wedding
 blankets and American quilts.  These can be draped over a table, laid on a bed, made into pillows
 or hung over the back of a sofa. Since every room can handle one of these far flung treasures,
 when love strikes, buy it. You can figure out what to do with it later.

In Spring colors, of course!

living rooms - Silver French Flea Market Table purple ikat chairs black and white rug  ikat chairs  purple ikat french bergere chairs, white
decorpad.com

 
living rooms - art natural wood black beige ikat console fabric drum shade round coffee table rug lamps teal eclectic  Lucy Fenton via DTI
decorpad.com

kristen buckingham

decoration home inspiration  Textile Spotlight: Suzani
decorpad.com


houzz.com
shulmanart.blogspot.co,


lostindecoration.tumblr.com
  

elledecor.com


Sarah Richardson


Sarah Richardson

I don't have ANY ethnic textiles, do you?

I love the look, Cost Plus or Pier 1 might be a good choice if you
aren't going to Morocco or Indonesia anytime soon!


Hopefully the party pictures tomorrow!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

easter inspired decor and a winner


Thank you all so much for your kind comments and entering!

Congratulations... #22   Pendy @ A Place for Us

I used the Random.Org Generator,
 but when I put the widget on my blog my post disappeared??
Being the technical person I am, I quickly got rid of it!


 Easter Inspired Decor

decorpad.com

Pinterest via Rachael Jones


Pinterest via Lauren Perrson


housetohome.co.uk



Wishing you a fun-filled sunny, spring weekend!



Wednesday, March 21, 2012

inspiring outdoor ideas

If you missed my book giveaway go here to enter, winner announced Friday!


Do you have a plan for your yard this year?

We usually choose one outside project to complete every summer.
It might be a labor intensive one or a purchase we've saved for, either way,
I LOVE to finish it early in the season, and enjoy it for the rest of summer!

Here's some inspiration for you...

Urns for your porch...

eabdesigns.typepad.com

A bench...

gratefulprayerthankfulheart.blogspot.com

A flag...

triptotheouthouse.wordpress.com

A diy pallet table...

 re-nest.com

Serving bar...
indulgy.com

A hammock...


atradleysplace.blogspot.com

Tire swing...
MAIN IMAGE
napastyle.com


Window box with old frame...
yardshare.com

Window boxes...
google.com

Bright accessories...

remodelista.com

Lighting or mirror...
decks/patios - Suzanne Kasler Morris Lantern Quadrille Kazak Fabric Quadrille Nomad Fabric Cowtan & Tout Koy Fish Fabric white slipcovered outdoor sectional sofa purple pink red pillows orange yellow gunmetal tribal stool white rope garden stool jute rug iron glass geometric lanterns
Nancy Pearson Traditional Home

Sandbox...

pacingthepanicroom.com

Umbrella or lights...
hgtvremodels.com

Lounge chairs...
myhomeideas.com

Arbor...
southernliving.com

Birdhouse...
[Bluebird_House%255B3%255D.jpg]
lonadown.blogspot.com

Seating area...
French Provence Countryside Decorating
thefrenchprovincialfurniture.com

A path...

penick.net


Any summer projects or purchases on your list?


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