A New Fall Banner...and a Give-away!!!

Have you noticed my new banner? Considering I am finally getting down to the business of decorating my home for the fall, I decided to decorate my blog a little, too. I love how NieNie changes her banner each month, so I decided I will change mine up on a smaller scale: for the seasons. Luckily for me, I have a brilliant blog designer who can pull great things out of her hat with ease. Danielle, the Design Girl, tweaked my banner a titch and I am very pleased with its sparkly crows and cheery pumpkins.

Danielle and I have decided to pair up and host a give-away to our readers for a new fall banner, designed and installed by Danielle herself. Head over to Danielle's studio for a sampling of her pre-made fall banners and templates. If you want to check out her other pre-made templates, go here. While you're at it, why not consider a custom blog design? You will guarantee your blog will be original and suited to your taste and style. Check out Danielle's portfolio of blogs that showcases examples of her great style. If you decide you want a Design Girl blog, Danielle is offering a discount to my readers of $10 off a standard design and $15 off a deluxe design.

Now, Danielle also has a new line of digital scrapbook kits and stationery on her blog. In fact, she is hosting a give-away of one of her Halloween kits right now! To continue her generous mood, Danielle is offering a  25% discount for any digital scrap item to my readers over at her scrapbook shop. Just use the code, restyledhome25, but hurry: it expires on October 15th!

Be sure to also check out her blog for a link to her stationery selection. For those of you who are considering a Halloween party or get-together, Danielle has a wickedly inspiring line-up of invites just waiting for you.

**But first, leave a comment below to enter the fall banner give-away contest!!* Of course, for an extra entry, simply become a follower of Danielle's blog and leave a comment here letting me know you did it! **

(contest ends Saturday at midnight)

What's That You Say?

I'm taking this and running with it.

What about you?

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photo source: jOIE DE VIVRE

Take a Bow Tuesday...

There are lots of things to share this week for my weekly Take a Bow Tuesday feature, so here's this week's  pick from some of blogosphere's best:

Always happy to shine the light on a fellow Canadian blogger, a friend pointed out a great blog to me while on our walk this morning. Head on over to Life in the Fun Lane and see one of the most adorable, yet simply decorated nurseries. Those of you who adore all white interiors will love this blogger's home!

You know how much I love mudrom ideas...check out this great mini-mudroom over at Blessed at Home. For those of you who are struggling to find space for a mudroom, this just might fit the bill!

She's at it again! Jane, from Out of the Crayon Box, has made another great play kitchen from a tired old dresser/side-table. This one might be my favourite, and I love it even more because she donates the proceeds of the sale of each "kitchen" to charity. Check it out!

Another white pumpkin alert: because I'm all about easy this year, I just had to share Kathy's simple yet elegant pumpkin embellishments. No mess, re-usable, and fun!

Julia, at Hooked on Houses, posted about how to - and not to - display a fall wreath on your front door. I think we should all heed her advice and take away from it that sometimes, more is more!! Head on over...I dare you not to then scrutinize your own wreath!!

Kitchen Blues...

Today, as it pours rain outside, I am doing my best impersonation of a cook and cranking out supper recipes (and even a dessert!) to heap onto my kitchen table for my family's eating pleasure. While it is not my favourite way to spend the day, it is oddly cmforting to plan ahead and know dinner hour won't be a mad scramble. While I'm on the topic of kitchens, I'd thought I'd share photos of two of my favourite blue kitchens and pop in a few taken of my own:

From the movie, The Holiday:

From Country Living magazine:

My own blue kitchen, awaiting some Halloween decor:

This is all I've managed, a stamped plate from the Dollar Store.

I need to get a move on, don't I?

Junk Inspired Jewellry...

One of the things that struck me most about the vendors at the Junk Bonanza in September was their funky jewellry and cool, fun style. Everywhere I turned, junkers everywhere were selling (and wearing) interesting junk-inspired necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

Before I headed to Minneapolis, I asked Beki, from Pampering Beki, to handcraft me a personalized necklace so I could fit in with everyone else I'd be meeting. Beki makes beautiful hand-stamped pieces and I asked her to stamp the name of my children for a new necklace. Beki delivered...and more: she attached a silver pendant with the word Flea Marketer stamped into it. Completed with the addition of a freshwater pearl (not shown in this photo), I now have what all the other "cool girls" are wearing. Here is a photo of my purchase:

Thank you Beki! If anyone else wants one of Beki's originals, check out her Etsy shop here. Take a moment to read more about Beki and her business: 

Beki H. began making custom, handmade jewelry in 2003. Since that time, her products have been featured in various parenting magazines, Pediped shoe advertisements, Law and Order Criminal Intent, and are sold in local upscale boutiques and internationally.

Her designs feature the best of timeless elegance and trendy looks, with the end result being quality jewelry that will look as new and fresh years from now as it does today. Each piece is made on with the finest components, including sterling silver, natural gemstones, Swarovski crystals, and vintage materials.

Beki employs a lot of natural stones in her designs. The use of such stones gives each piece a totally unique look, as nature never repeats itself. Thus, each piece with natural stones is truly one of a kind.

Beki lives in Kansas with her husband, and her three children, a daughter, aged 8, and two sons ages 6 and 1. A former flight attendant, Beki is truly enjoying being home with her children. Making beautiful jewelry is, she says, the best way for her to remain home with her family and still have a creative outlet.

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My guarantee: Although I use the finest products, I realize accidents happen. If your item ever breaks for any reason, please send it back to me and I'll fix it at no charge to you. My pieces are made to be worn time and time again.

~PamperingBeki™

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Of course, I also bought some other fun pieces at the Bonanza. Try as I might, I  could not manage to get a close-up shot that wasn't totally fuzzy of this necklace:

It shows an image of a group of ladies from times gone by, and is titled, Wholesome, which is a poke at myself, and makes me chuckle each time I wear it. Ialso bought a letter L typewriter key that were all the rage at the Bonanza to add some personal flair.

I also picked up this beauty there:

As you can see, it is a weathered hinge with a vintage brooch attached. I just love the colours! I also picked up some adornments for my purses. I figured I needed to trick out my purses so I'd fit in with the others.

When in Rome...

A Thousand Words...

For once I am virtually silent, and have posted these photos of a beautiful fall day, spent with some of my favourite people - who just happen to be related to me - and hope these photos speak to who they are and the love I have for them all.

My girlie, Sophie:

My niece, Ella, and our kitten:

My sweet mum:

My best friend in the whole wide world, my sister Wendy:

 Callum, balancing on a rock in frigid water:

My nephew:

Me and my posse:

Fun!

The Essence of LIfe in Provence

Vicki Archer's latest chapter from Provence is "French Essence", a beautiful narrative & pictorial sequel to the divine "My French Life", & will absorb you from cover to cover & everything in between. When I purchased the book, I was told to make sure upon opening the book to look inside the cover for another stunning image...(the first of so many to follow)..Vicki's magnificient property in Saint Remy-de-Provence...it takes your breath away.

When you're thoughts take you far away, to beautiful places...this is the book that will further inspire your dreams...culture, beauty, passion for enjoying life as it comes, .."French Essence" is a simply gorgeous celebration of living your dreams, living life, in Provence.

Vicki, thank you for sharing your dreams & inspiration with others.

http://frenchessence.blogspot.com