Greek Basil Topiary

As the wise Dorothy once said, "there's no place like home".   'Tis true - I am a homebody.  After a very busy month  with lots of travel, most recently a soccer tournament in San Diego this past weekend, I am home  for the remainder of the summer. Woop! On my trip to Trader Joe's on Tuesday to stock a neglected pantry, I discovered they were carrying these Greek...

My favorite Pins this week……

via Designsponge.comPinterest remains my go-to for inspiration of all kind.  My onlywish is that I was better organized with my boards when I beganpinning.  Right now I have a  board labeled 'food' but oh howI wish I had created 'sweets', 'appetizers', 'soups', 'chicken' etc…..So in my spare time maybe I might re-organize….ha!Thought I would share some of my favorite Pins from this...

Exterior Paint Reveal!

I'm a regular gal, living in a regular house.   Is it my dream home?  Honestly, no.  However, it is a home perfect for us, right now.   I love that our home is...   in my favorite city in the whole world…. surrounded by lots of trees….. a size that means we live in every square inch….has endless gardening potential….. a white kitchen…..hardwood floors….....

Living Room Reduex……and I can do the same for you! {TWO August spots available!}

I received the photo above from my sweet e-design client in preparation for our work together on her living room. This room probably looks a lot like one in your own home - it has  the basics - the popular Ikea Ektorp sofa, an equally popular World Market coffee table, some random tables and one lone lamp begging for friends! The room has a lot going for it, besides the basics...

Friday fog…..

This photo is sort of like me this week….out of focus and distorted! I got a terrible summer virus/cold and it sort of kicked my butt! Winner of the $300 Minted.com is Sharon Barnes! I just sent you an email! Coming Monday - winner of of the Lewis & Sheron giveaway! Hope your weekend is full of the good stuff...

My Forever*Cottage Garden…..

Gardening is a lot like decorating your home - it's mixing  textures, colors, contrast and scale.  So it's no wonder that I have always loved gardening.  This season of my life is very busy with my teen girls so I feel like I don't have as much time to devote to my gardening. But, pruning and planting and being out in my garden  brings me great joy and is really a form...

Late Friday ramblings…..and don't forget my giveaways!

This week shall be called 'the week I posted two giveaways and that was it'.  Good thing they were both GREAT giveaways from two very  generous sponsors! Go HERE and HERE to enter!  I could give you a million reasons why my blogging suffered this week, but really who cares?  You all get it - I know you do because your lives are as glamorous as mine - carting kids around,...

Lewis & Sheron Textiles Giveaway!

One of my favorite online fabric sources is  Lewis & Sheron Textiles! Lewis & Sheron offers very well curated fabric and trim selections.  Their new website is easy to navigate and searching for just what you are looking for is quick and efficient! What I like best about Lewis & Sheron is that their fabric selections coordinate - that way you don't have...

Gallery Wall love…….*Minted* is here to help yours!

When I began working with my fun client, she had hung a gallery wall in her master bedroom ALL BY HERSELF. The frame styles and sizes were mixed well, the arrangement was my  favorite - symmetrical and asymmetrical all at the same time. What was missing was photos and art in the frames! The frames were hung empty!  This client is certainly not alone in her predicament.  I...

Independence Day!

via Country Living Happy Fourth of July to you! I am signing off for the weekend…. looking forward to a festive holiday spent  cheering on our Portland Thorns and time with  good friends! ****** Please stop back Monday - I have a wonderful giveaway - the BIGGEST in Forever*Cottage history! Enjoy your firework...

Transitional spaces in a client's home….

Unexpected and 'special' pieces in transitional spaces in a home make my heart happy…… I often find that people overlook hallways and entry spaces - choosing to focus more  money and attention on the room in their homes. I get that. But as I encourage clients, I encourage you - don't overlook these spaces. Hang a special piece of art near a coat closet…… Choose an antique...

Go USA!!!!

World Cup fever has hit our house hard this summer! Are you watching? Admittedly, I am a HUGE women's soccer fan but watching the men has been fun!  And as a  momma of a goalkeeper, I am sort of a big Tim Howard fan - although if I was his momma I would tell him to lose the beard…… GO US...