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2.22.2010

Merci.......



Thanks for all the positive feedback on my last posting...

I will look forward to showing you more of my home...

which I think is pretty special...

and I am glad you seem to think so too.

Merci~

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2.19.2010

Good Enough...



Good afternoon, and happy Friday to everyone! It has been just too long since my last post...and I got such nice inspirational comments on my giveaway, and then nice comments and wishes regarding my grandma. Thank you for all the blogland love - it really is a wonderful community!

I have been asked more than a few times to share more pictures of my home on this blog and I know I should.

And when I think about why I don't.....

while being completely honest....

all I can come up with is that I don't feel it won't measure up....

That my house is not "good enough"...

That my house is not "done"....yet(although, who am I kidding, that will never happen)....

That is awful isn't it?

Making a home is one of my passions....

my loves...

and yes, somedays my shallow, reason for living!

So today, I thought I would take a baby step and show you some of my favorite things....pictures I took of objects around my house that sort of 'define' my style, if you will....

Oh, that first pictures is of some old typesetting letters I got when I first started blogging. They sit on the secretary where I keep my laptop, and the spot where most of my postings are composed. Yes, I know the "b" is really a "d".

Books, they are definitely a big part of my home. I have collected books devoted to interiors and decorating for the last 20 years. This collection of books tell the story of how my decorating tastes have evolved over time. Right now, I am loving the inspiration found in this book!



I love old mirrors, especially ones with etching on them. This one I love most because it has etching plus a great chippy old frame....ahh.....



One might think I live near the beach when they come into my home because I have lots of shells, starfish and sea fans....

And while I do live in a lake neighborhood, I am a west coast girl and miss being able to walk a beach and find a wonderful shell or starfish! Having these objects in my home make me feel closer to the oceans and beaches I love.



I love me a french chair, the more carving the better! I have a matching set of two french chairs covered in linen that I purchased years ago for a steal. When living in Pennsylvania there was a gorgeous home near me - sort of the perfect stone cottage with beautiful gardens surrounding it. One day while driving by I noticed they were have a "tag sale" - I seriously heard myself gasp, knowing that I would have the opportunity to actually go onto the property. Well, it was quite something - think "high-class" hoarders. Apparently, the woman who lived in the home was a hoarder of all things fabulous - and specialized in french antiques, chippy cabinets, benches, mirrors, tables etc... The entire detached garage was FILLED floor to ceiling with beautiful furnishings! It was a bit overwhelming but I managed to pick up a few wonderful things, including these chairs. I also got a tour of the home - still one of the most spectacular homes I have ever been in.



I have a collection of cream iron garden urns. I use urns both inside and outside. I love drying hydrageas from my garden and filling these urns with them in the winter.



Birds, what can I say....I have many, probably too many birds, nests and references to nesting and birds in and around my home. Call me the "crazy bird lady".



Along those lines....I love this old bird cage I picked up at a flea market years ago. What I put in it changes, right now it has a Santo statue, an old bingo card and a cloche with a nest under it.



Relatively new to my collecting repetoire are french peasant statues.

Why?

Good question, can I get back to you on that?



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2.17.2010

Winner, Winner!!!

The winner of my spring-inspired giveaway is Jen at http://homesweetseattle.blogspot.com! Please email me your address and I will get you your goodies. Congratulations and thanks to everyone for all the wonderful comments - you really did give me the needed pick-me-up to survive this relentless winter!

I will be back tomorrow with a regular post!


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2.15.2010

Giveaway Update

A BIG thank you to everyone who left me comments regarding their favorite things about spring and were entered in my spring-inspired giveaway.

I had to unexpectedly leave town yesterday - my grandmother fell and broke her hip and I am the closest at home relative! I was grateful to arrive at her bedside before she went into surgery and happy to report that my 88 year old grandmother did beautifully in surgery is on her way to recovery now...

Please bear with me, I will post the winner of the giveaway tomorrow, I hope you all understand!

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2.11.2010

A Springtime Inspired Giveaway!

Let's face it, winter 2010 has been relentless in much of our country. I don't know about you, but I am ready to lighten up up my home and bring in some spring mojo!

I visited my local Pottery Barn yesterday - you all know the love/hate relationship I have with "the Barn"...

Well, if you need a dose of spring in your otherwise snowy life, I suggest heading to Pottery Barn.

The store is filled with items guaranteed to bring a bit of springtime cheer into your home! (and I was paid NOTHING to say that!)

And because it has been soooooooo long since I did a giveaway and in honor of Valentine's Day, I thought it was time to spread the love .....

So here it goes - I am giving away one set of three great items I picked up at Pottery Barn yesterday that will definitely add to your spring decor!



These items include a box of small nests, great for under your cloches, incorporated into a springtime wreath or just sitting on top of a small urn or stand. They would also be great on a spring tablescape!



Of course, you can't have an empty nest so included is a bag of large natural eggs!



And finally, also included is a set of three adorable mini bird candles! I have a plethora of bird pictures, paintings, figures in my home so I also got a set of these for myself!



The rules for this giveaway are as follows:

First, leave me a comment sharing your favorite thing about spring.

Second, if you are not already, become a follower of my blog.

Third, if you are so inclined, blog about the contest and you will be entered twice!

The contest will end at midnight on Sunday and the winner announced on Monday morning!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

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2.10.2010

Get Ready for a Giveaway!

My guilt has gotten the best of me...

I am sorry to have burdened all of you with my ongoing complaints about the snow and winter here at my Minnesota cottage.

I owe you BIG TIME....

for your words of encouragment...

and faithful visits...

and most of all inspiration!

I have a spring-time inspired giveaway planned for tomorrow.

So please visit! I promise, you won't be disappointed, tell all your friends!

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2.09.2010

Tuesday musings from a snowy cottage.....



I know...

this is supposed to be an inspiring decorating blog...

not a "complain about the relentless, never-ending, must shovel the driveway once again and then go complain some more about it" blog...

I promise, this is it!



Yesterday we got another 12 inches of lovely snow at the cottage...

These two sweet girls certainly weren't complaining....



Sort of makes their momma enjoy it too...



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2.07.2010

Wanted.....a bit of SUNSHINE!



February is the shortest month of the year, but it always seems the longest...especially since moving to Minnesota.

Winter lingers....

And for a girl like me who loves all the whites and creams in her interiors....

it seems a bit boring, if not redundant, right about now ....

especially since out my windows I see nothing but crispy white snow!



The shades of grey and brown I have been incorporating into my decor certainly don't 'brighten' the days....(although I love them nonetheless)...



Yellow....

I have to admit I never gave it much thought...

Until now,

in February....

Yellow....

a happy color...



I think it just may be what the doctor ordered to bring some necessary cheer into my otherwise white, grey, brown, home...

Seems to be the perfect compliment..



I will let you know (and show you) how I incorporate it - think rugs and perhaps, just maybe a pillow or two...

You know I love me a new pillow!



Oh, and wallpaper...I DO love wallpaper, used sparingly, in a powder room....

Crazy bold wallpaper in a powder room is a favorite....and I have a powder room that has remained UNTOUCHED by yours truly since moving in almost two years ago!



Now don't worry about me....I will survive the next snowstorm that is expected to arrive tomorrow....thinking about yellow...and an upcoming trip to sunny Napa Valley with the hubby....

Any suggestions on must see wineries? Shopping? I would love to hear your suggestions...



What colors are you considering in your home that perhaps you hadn't before?

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2.05.2010

Lost.....



Life....

It has been a crazy week...I won't go into all the details but let's just say I just about, almost cried "uncle"...

I am trying not to complain, because I know my problems are not on par with those in Haiti or those with sick children, no job, etc...

and I am trying to remember that when times get tough...

that I don't have it so bad...



Along with the above mentioned goal, I am also trying to be more purposeful in my life....(do I sound like I have been watching too much Oprah?)...

It's been hard...

to really pay attention to life, the big moments and the small..

to spend my time on meaningful (to me) things...

to stop and "smell the roses" (oops it's February in Minnesota, there are no roses to be found!)....



In the midst of my crazy week, I really tried to take a break - to do things on my list - like create and bring some "love" into my home in the form of Valentine's decorations...The picture above is what I came up with - no red and pink but it "goes" in my home.

And then yesterday....I ventured to a far away flea-tiquing sale that I had long wanted to go to but always had a previous "obligation" that kept me from making the drive. I basically said "to the hell with it, I am going". That is about as much of a rebel as I get!

And because I took the Oprah "NO PHONE ZONE" pledge (not technically but I am trying), I did not talk on my phone or text or check my emails.

I just drove.

And I got lost....

in the Minnesota countryside....

but it was nice (not the weather, or the occassional cussing when I was lost) just the solitude...

I stumbled upon this gorgeous "farmette" and I swooned over her charming qualities....

and then pulled over to take a few pics because she is for sale!



Living more purposeful, I think I could do that living on a farmette....




Have a glorious weekend my dear friends...

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