What a great way to celebrate my 50th post!

Here's the story, of a lovely lady, who had just moved with her family to Minnesota. Feeling lonely, and in between boxes of unpacking, she traveled to blogland. There she "met" lots of familiar faces who share her (healthy) obsession of "home-making". Feeling inspired and needing a new "challenge" she said, "I can do this, I can become one of these bloggers, the kind who share my passion for slipcovers,...

Mrs. Meyer's Cleaning Products

Today, I am truly a "stay-at-home mom". It's cleaning day at my cottage! Ever since I started using Mrs. Meyer's cleaning products, the chore of cleaning my cottage has become easier. Besides being biodegradable and phosphate free, Mrs. Meyers products use natural essential oils that make your home smell devine! My favorite scent is lavendar...but yours may be geranium or verbena. They also make...

Happy Summer from Forever Cottage

I don't know about you, but summer starts on Memorial Day for me. This year, I am ready - the kids are so busy with big homework projects, class parties, recitals, soccer tournaments, teacher gifts, author celebrations, etc. All the madness makes for one crazy worn out momma.For me, the lazy days of summer are the days I long for.We have lived in our cottage for just over a year and have spent considerable...

I'm addicted to......Bird/Nest stuff!

A couple weeks ago I admitted to my love of all things bird/nest related when it comes to decorative accessories. In the spirit of sharing, I thought I would come clean today and share pictures of how this addiction shows up in my cottage. I am serious, when out shopping/flea-tiquing etc...I sometimes have to stop myself from adding to this "collection". It can get a little out of control and I...

A Departure

I was gone this past weekend - back to Pennsylvania to attend the Penn State graduation of my ......HUSBAND. Yes, that's right, at 44 years young he received a master's degree. We were all super proud. This post is a definite departure from the regular (and quite frivolous, if I may so myself) content of this highly sophisticated blog but thought I would share this momentous occasion with all of...

Good Junk

Today I stole some time and went to my favorite monthly occasional sale. While I am saving my cash for my Farm Chicks trip next month, it was such a beautiful day I could not resist the short jaunt to the country for some good junk hunting.Loved these Windsor chairs!Loved this little vignette set up with summer inspiration. Notice the sign in the back, it reads "Slow Children Playing" - how great...

Inspiration

We have been really working hard on the outside of our cottage now that the weather has gotten so nice in Minnesota. Integrating a garden while creating great curb appeal is our priority. My poor husband spent the weekend removing landscape rock the previous owners had spread in all the planting beds - a BIG job to say the least. Now the beds are ready for my favorite perennials, planting compost...

{That's my Girl}

This is Abigail, or Abby as she now likes to be called. As her mother, she will always be Abigail to me, the name she was given at birth(while knowing full well she would one day be an Abby).Abigail is my 7 year old "baby". Sometimes she reminds me so much of myself it is scary. Abby is always up for tagging along with me on my flea marketing quests and lingering at Anthropologie. She is a quintessential...

Missing My Monthly Magazine Fix.... Are you?

I am a recovering magazine addict....a forced withdrawal, mind you, made possible by the cancellation of so many of my favorite decorating magazines. I think I was up to approximately 7 monthly subscriptions a few short months ago. Little did I know I was such a rare species who enjoyed the good old fashioned feeling of holding a magazine in my hand and happily flipping the pages to lust after all...

The Lettered Cottage Giveaway

One of my very favorite blogs is The Lettered Cottage. Layla is a young, vibrant, creative talent. She in the midst of renovating a charming cottage with fabulous style on a budget.Layla inspired me to begin this blog. I "heart" her even though I have never met her!Today, Layla is hosting a giveaway in honor of the one year anniversary of her blog. See the beautiful burlap table runner pictured...

Happy May Day everyone! As I have mentioned on this blog before, the kitchen of our cottage was created for an episode of an HGTV kitchen renovation show (before we purchased the house). The kitchen is wonderfully unique...but akward in some places and a bit short on storage. Needing a place (or cabinet, more specifically) to store some of my larger appliances, I removed a glass panel from one...