Monday, July 27, 2009

Take a Bow Tuesday


Hopefully, there is no need for an intro this time around. I'm on time, on the mark, and ready to share more of my favourite posts from some of the blogs I visit.


Will the following ladies Take a Bow:


Sweet Tanya, of Sunday Baker is my go-to-gal for great recipes, cooking tips and just to start my day on a positive note. I loved her recent post about her best kitchen tips and some of those of her readers. Tanya is a fabulous cook and (obviously) baker, and has her own little bun in the oven at the moment! Just over a week until she finds out if it will be pink icing or blue!!

I'm guessing pink...!

Terri from Windlost wrote a great post about using beautiful mirrors in one's home to add beautiful style and open up the space. Terri's whole approach to style is one I admire, because she roots out quality and truly waits until she finds it either on sale or saves carefully to buy it. So not like me : I see, I pounce, and if I can't afford it, I try to make it, recreate it, or even settle for something poorly made!!

That which makes us different makes us special, no?! Terri makes me want to strive to be more patient and purposeful.

It hasn't sunk in yet, though!

One of my favourite bloggers, Vee of A Haven for Vee, shared some great links to making your photos better and creating fun things like photo mosaics. My favourite, found at Little Red House (another beautiful blog) offers up a step-by-step tutorial for making said photo mosaics. I have vowed not to even try making one until this week is over. I need to focus...!


Lanette, of Cottage Elements, did a post recently on all of the great black and white elements in her home. Well, as great as they are, just getting another tour around her gorgeous home with all its "glorified junk" is a feast for the eyes. Check her out!!


For the rare few of you who don't know Cindy of Romantic Home, she is the quintessential shabby chic expert. She did a great little project recently which offers up a fun way to showcase some favourite vintage linens. And true to Cindy's ethic, it was done on a dime!


Enjoy!!

Sunday, July 26, 2009

New Chair, or New Slipcover?!

Remember my latest quest for a new slipcover to transform this tired, late 90's-but otherwise-perfectly-fine-chair?

Well, the same seamstress friend who was the mastermind behind my camper's new seat covers and Sophie's bench seat cushion created this latest, beautiful slipcover.
Although I couldn't find the pale, pale blue fabric I was hoping for, a quick grab-and-go from my linen closet yielded some fun trims and details from a floral Pier One table runner and some left-over pom pom fringe. I love the whimsy both little extras add, and with Tabitha's superior talent and workmanship, I think it looks more like a great re-upholstery job than a slipcover.
Isn't that the true test of a great slipcover artist?
The runner came in handy for the arms and cushion accents:
See the pom poms peeking out from the bottom?
As for our latest bundle of joy: here he is, nestled in Sophie's little doll sling - another Tabitha Coleman creation!!

Friday, July 24, 2009

Pool Houses...

While I love my little changing area on my pool deck, I still can't resisit ogling fabulous photos of the really luxe versions. I found a wonderful site which builds and sells beautiful pool house kits that actually have a more modest charm than those that the rich call a pool house, and the rest of us would dub a home fit for a family!

Here are some of the designs:

Personally, although a pool house is a fantasy feature for most of us, I can't help but be drawn in by the charm of its more modest relation: the pool side changing area:

source: Coastal living.com

In fact, I loved it so much I built my own!!


What are you hooked on?

Find out what others are loving this week at Julia's Hooked on party!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Special Delivery...

Proof positive I've officially lost it:

Does having three cats qualify me as cat lady?


I'm a sucker for a homeless kitty...
We call him Ollie: eight weeks old and totally scrumptious.

Take a Bow Tuesday


Okay, okay, so ignore the fact that it's Thursday. Summer schedules foul things up around these parts, but with so many talented bloggers with so many great ideas to share, I wouldn't dare miss the series completely! I admittedly have less time to peruse blogs these days - somehow little missy wants her mama perched within feet of her, catching every word that she utters, and she utters a lot! She's her mother's daughter, I guess...

Anyway, back to the program. I have some great ones for you and I hope you will head there way and show them some love. You can tell them I sent you, if you like, or not.
Either way, will the following bloggers Take a Bow:
  • Linda Crispell, of her blog of the same name, has a blog chock full of fun, vintage style. Not only does it say so on her banner (which is one of the cutest I've ever seen, and brings me back to my childhood,big time) but her home is decorated with whimsy and from the perspective of an artist, so you know it will be something you haven't seen before. Check out this glimpse into her garden and then dig through her archives to see even more of her home. Linda is FUN!!

  • Watch the Wind Blow By is a great blog. She hasn't posted in a while, but when checking her site recently I was reminded how talented (and fun!) she really is. Chris @ Just Beachy's post about painting wood cabinets reminded me to feature Marie's fantastic kitchen make-over. She painted out some oak cabinets and it will make you think, why doesn't everyone paint cabinets they don't like?!

  • Manuela was one of the first blogs I discovered when I started blogging. Her home is so beautiful, and I love that she shares my desire to decorate on a budget. Check out these adorable plant markers she made. I think they would be especially fun as personalized "place cards" for the dinner table.
  • Seeing that it's summer and I love camping (and campers), check out Suzanne's post about vintage campers she discovered on a recent trip. Scroll down to my favourite, the Shasta Daisy one, but also take some time to read some of Suzanne's posts. Her writing alone makes hers a blog worth visiting.
  • Now that Lanny has a new, fancy pants camera, her pictures literally jump off the pages of her blog! I love checking out her blog just for the sensory experience alone of seeing such great images, and Lanny's sweet personality always shines through, too. Speaking of camping, S'mores are a campfire staple, and Lanny put a fun spin on the experience. She left me wondering, "Why didn't I think of that?"
*******************************************

A few other tidbits to pass along:
  • Ohdeedoh has a great article about family summer camps, another great alternative to dragging the kids all around points of interest in the heat, only to realize they're completely bored. Sound familiar, because it does to me?!! Being a bit of a negative Nelly (no offence to any Nellies out there), I figured there would never be any near me (or outside of California or Portland, Oregon - where everything seems to be!), but there was one in Maine. Too bad I just decided I will never drive in a car with my kids for more than four hours!
  • Carol of Long Ramblings has a great give-away going on at her blog. If you like decals and want to win one, head on over to Carol's site. Don't forget to have a look around. Her blog is a lot of fun!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Keepin' It Real...part two

How am I keepin' it real?
  • To start: I have no idea what part one was about but this title is vaguely familiar...
  • I missed my Take a Bow Tuesday series this week. It didn't take me long to foul that up, did it? Let's aim for Take a Bow Thursday this week, 'cept I'm not changing the photo!
  • Remember I said I wasn't going to do much besides clean in preparation for Matthew Mead's visit? Yeah, right! I've been eyeing that bucket of paint all evening. Sorry, Matthew! I can't honestly pretend that I'm so cool as to take this in stride. I didn't fool any of you either, I bet!
  • It took me all evening to clean my bedroom. I forgot you're supposed to dust lampshades, who keeps up with that? Of course, it didn't help that I allowed myself to be distracted every time I left the room. I remembered the top of the fridge probably shouldn't have sticky dust, and I figured the wasp I killed last week probably shouldn't have his final resting spot be the windowsill in the living room. While in the bathroom, I realized I'd better reorganize the linen closet. The boys probably doesn't need Buzz Light Year bath toys anymore...
  • The yard has not one, but two dead mice in the grass. Whose stupid idea was it to have two cats??!! I'll have to scrounge up a shovel and a couple of bucks and bribe one of the boys to deal with the carcasses...nice!
  • I haven't posted since Monday! Honestly, I'm too scatterbrained to come up with anything but drivel (case in pint: this post!), but I will honour my Take A Bow Tuesday/Thursday commitment tomorrow. Small goals, they're the best kind!
Not even any photos. How's that for performance??

Monday, July 20, 2009

A New Facade...

As I prepare for Matthew and Jenny Mead's upcoming visit, I scurry around my house, noting imperfections and wishing things could be perfect for such professionals, used to being in the most spectacular of homes. I take deep breaths, reminding myself they are down-to-earth people, and will be gracious and lovely, and I have nothing to fear. Then I remind myself of just how wonderful the homes they are accustomed to shooting are and my nerves start firing again! While most would rush out and buy new furniture, accessories and bring in a professional cleaning service, I have restricted myself to a few visits to some thrift shops and a new slipcover for my tired living room armchair.
Oh, and a top-to-bottom cleaning, of course!

Luckily for me, my talented friend/seamstress (the same friend who made Sophie's bench seat cushion and made slipcovers for my camper cushions) came to my rescue and took on the accelerated task of sewing me a new slipcover before they arrive.

Here is a pretty version of what my chair looks like (mine is/was a floral pattern):


If mine actually looked that pretty I'd have kicked up my heels and put on a scarf! (I also cannot remember where I plucked this photo from me, so if anyone knows or minds my using it, please let me know!)

I also took inspiration from this photo (again, I misplaced the source, I'm usually not so disorganized) when planning my new slipcover. I love that the backs of the chairs are a different fabric and I added a similar detail to my chair. I also added some fun trim, and I cannot wait to see the finished result. As for the colour, this is the colour I wanted (if you can get past just how stunningly beautiful this settee and the room it's in is!):

(source: pompominteriors.com)

Now for a completely different take on transforming the ordinary (if you consider a clawfoot tub ordinary), draw in a deep breath and feast your eyes on this stunning tub, with an inside wash of my favourite, robin's egg blue shade:

(source: Country Home.com)


You'd never get me out!!


(By the way, my slipcover reveal is coming soon!)

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Irish-German Wedding Bells...

Guess who was a co-flower girl?!
My brother got married last weekend to a beautiful, kind woman and I count myself lucky to have been there to share in the celebration. And what a celebration it was! With an Irish groom and a German bride, the wedding was the perfect blend of both heritages and cultures. My brother and his groomsmen wore kilts and the bride and her attendants wore dirndls. My new sister-in-law and her daughter, escorting her down the aisle:The floral arrangements were a lovely fresh mix of thistle and natural field flowers, and the wedding cake bore smart tartan trim.

We are so pleased to welcome my brother's new wife and her daughter into our big family. They are both wonderful additions and have brought a lot of joy to us all.

The wedding party...those that are related to me:

The newly blended family...and my little niece, Ella!

My brother and the flower girls (Sophie is at left):

My beautiful niece and mum:

My eldest brother and sister-in-law (and one of my best friends!):
My handsome brother and me:


My niece and the next generation of boys (missing three...):


There's another: my gorgeous nephew, Connor, the groom's son. Isn't he rocking that kilt?

Now we have a nice even number of grandaughters...strength in numbers!

My "little" brother, sister-in-law and my sister:

Father-daughter dancing with the handy man:

Guess who caught the bouquet?

...and mighty proud of it!

Speaking of the handy man: here he is with some of the other men in my life:

...with my Dad

...and my brothers and brother-in-law (on the end)

My sister, mum and me...I love those women!!


See, I told you we are a big family!!

Congratulations Harry and Christine!!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Storage...like no other

Storage. We all could use more of it, and would need less of it if we could only bite down and purge. Still for those of us who can't seem to make do with the storage space we have, yet seek stylish options to do so, here is a round-up of storage ideas that pack not only great functionality, but superb style in every cranny.
Stylish and creative concealment:

Awkward corner meets fabulous built-in:

Statuesque floor-to-ceiling catch-all...for those pesky pillows...
Bookshelves that not only store collectibles, but do double-duty as a headboard:

Bumped-out niches make for beautiful built-ins:

What is your best example of finding creative storage solutions in your own home?
Photo sources:
image one: Cottage Living.com
image two: House to Home.com
image three: Windsor Smith
image four: Country Home.com
image five: Rate My Space.com

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Making A Statement with Things We Love

Whether it be books, baskets, hats, shells, artwork, glasses, candles, throws, artefacts or even pebbles (Something's Gotta Give...) it always makes a wonderful personal statement when you have a collection of a particular item or an eclectic mix of special treasures that you can enjoy throughout your home. Decocrating with simple pleasures & personal treasures creates your home personality...Books, Stationery, Jars, Photos, Shells, Bags, Throws, Cushions, Tins, Folded linen, Towels, Perfume bottles, Flowers, Baskets, Candles, endless options to enjoy everyday.

Not your ordinary nursey...


Have you ever seen anything sweeter? Forget bunny themes or Disney characters, why not push the limits when decorating your little one's nursery? Gone are the days when all we had to choose from were the matching crib sets laid out in the pages of the Sears catalogue. There is no better place to glean creative, modern inspiration when decorating a child's space than Ohdeedoh.
If you've never been, you should. Ohdeedoh is fun, and fun is good!!
I couldn't resist...
(above pics) photo source, Ohdeedoh.com



(above two pics) photo source, House to Home.com