What are YOU doing this summer...

I got this great idea from a favorite blog. Our family has always had a less formal list of what we wanted to do over summer vacation. When I saw that Meg had posted her kids' summer list on the family chalkboard, I knew that this year we would do the same.Most of the year, this chalkboard (in our mudroom) lists each of my girls' chores. Needless to say, they were thrilled to be able to erase the...

Independence Day....................

I love the Fourth of July. Little did I know when we moved into our neighborhood that the neighborhood 4th of July celebration dates back decades. Many people who grew up in this neighborhood now bring their children to spend the day in Cottagewood (yes, that is coincidently what my neighborhood is called - that alone sold me on the house!).The morning begins with a bike/pet/make-shift float parade....

Help Wanted: A beautiful and functional laundry room, Please Inquire Within.

We have owned nine homes since we have been married and our current cottage has just about the nicest (and most spacious) laundry room of 'em all. Unfortunately I haven't done a darn thing with it. Why?I think I am paralyzed by my desire to create the "laundry room of my dreams" - whatever that means. Needing a kick in the (dirty) pants, so to speak, I looked to the net for inspiration. What I...

....I'm a neutral kind of gal......

Not long ago I never met a color I did not like - and the decor in my home spoke to this. I would contemplate what color to paint each individual room - usually choosing bold colors such as red, yellow and green. Not so much anymore. The predominant color used in our cottage is "Gentle Cream" by Benjamin Moore with a bit of "Hazy Skies" thrown in for good measure.I love the serenity of a white/cream/tan-toned...

Accessories, you can never have enough!

Remember this photo of my loot from the Farm Chicks Antiques Show?Back when I posted this picture, I promised to show you how I incorporated these new treasures into my home. First, let me share one of my main philosophies on decorating your home - and let me remind you I am not a professional. This is just my "girlfriend-next-door", "works for me" philosophy (I think many fancy-shmancy decoraters...

....... Pillow love ....

Remember when I blogged about my admiration (followed by willpower, after I walked out of the store without purchasing) for this pillow at Anthropologie???Well, here is the pillow resting comfortably on my living room couch. The pillow is happy there, as happy as I am to have it there. Shopping at Farm Chicks has caused a massive rearrangement in my home and "required" a new pillow arrangement....

I'm a copy cat..

I loved the Barn House space at the Farm Chicks show for many reasons. I found myself going back to the space many times over because there was just so much to take in. I especially loved the buckets (pictured above) that were placed on top of a cabinet - what another fun use for chalkboard paint! Plus, I am a sucker for using words.... Well, guess what?I had just so happened to have purchased a...

Occasional Sales

Occasional sales, flea markets, junk markets, call them what you want, it seems that sales of vintage goods that take place only certain days of the month are all the rage these days. The concept seems to make sense....smaller overhead for sellers, an opportunity to collect vintage finds and create buzz about upcoming sales. Works for me!Country Living magazine ran a story about the growing popularity...

@House Beautiful...

If you are one of the 10 people (and that includes my friends and my mom) who have been reading my blog you know how much I miss my decorating shelter mags, especially Cottage Living. My mailbox is woefully empty these days.However, I was pleasantly surprised by the July 2009 issue of House Beautiful. House Beautiful, while perfectly lovely to look at, the homes featured usually feel overly designed...

My loot....and another great sale to check out!

As promised, here is a picture of most of the great loot I scored at the Farm Chicks sale. Turns out I bought three pillows! And see those great baskets? I intend to make those into pendants lights for over my kitchen island... I promise to show you how I incorporate all these great items into my home.Now, I know the blogs are buzzing (including this one) about the great time had by all at the...

Friends Make it Fun!

My slight obsession with all things related to "feathering my nest", including hunting for vintage treasures and unique decorative items makes me, me. It is part of who I am and I am pretty sure it always has been - beginning long ago when I painted white clouds on my bedroom walls and then would arrange and rearrange the furniture and accessories.But, as you know, our family has moved around a bit....

Check out this Giveaway

Check out this super-duper giveaway at Sa-Sea Boutique. In honor of her 100th post she is giving away a $100 gift certificate to my new friend Kasey's (Lola B's) online boutiq...

Farm Chicks

Some photos taken with my iPhone - more to come later.....I just could not wait to share...Call me biased, I am a fan of Barn House. Joe and Jermonne are creative talents who have a bright future ahead...Their booth at Farm Chicks did not disappoint. The booth itself felt like a small boutique filled with crazy fun vintage finds, from coffee sack pillows, displayed in a gigantic galvanized steel...

An Ending.....A Beginning......

Today is the last day of school (sigh)...Next time I put my girls on the school bus, one will be beginning her last year of elementary school and my "baby" will be a second grader (sigh)....I am panic stricken. Normally,I have planned a schedule of camps, classes, activities, but not this year. This year we are wingin' it. I am committed to use the phrase "go out and play" over and over, just like...

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane.....

It is only Tuesday but I can hardly stand it...I am heading to the Farm Chicks Antiques Show in Spokane Washington on Friday! I am really looking forward to meeting up with friends (I still hope that Fairy Godmother shows up for you Allie) and looking for some great vintage finds!I was last at Farm Chicks three years ago and I expect this year will be very different with the move to the fairgrounds,...