forever*cottage

Oh happy day!

2012-02-17T19:52:00.000-08:00

Oh happy day! Domino is returning!!! I think Domino might be the magazine that I miss second-most (the first being Cottage Living). Read all about their return HERE. And speakingof magazines.....has anyone seen the new issue of Flea Market Style? Yours truly scouted and submitted the fabulous home featured on the cover! I can't wait to see the issue and share a free copy with one of YOU in an upcoming giveaway here at Forever*Cottage!

Bookshelf styling....

2012-02-12T21:46:00.000-08:00

Adding just 20 hours of week of work {outside of the home} to my

normal routine has left me with little

time to work on projects in my home.

However, this weekend I worked on painting the backs of the book-

shelves in our great room and editing the styling on the shelves.

I was craving simplicity and feel like I am on my way.

The photo above was taken this evening. I promise to

post photos taken in daylight later this week.

I was overanxious to share while watching the Grammy's this evening.

So how was your weekend? I painted in between basketball games,

soccer training, middle school dance chauffeuring and even

an indulgent trip to the Tarte sale! Bring on Monday!

My case for white slipcovers...

2012-02-08T13:23:00.000-08:00

The above image is from my Pinterest files.....

Besides the white slipcovered sofa, I love that Kelly Wearstler Imperial Trellis

fabric in kelly green.....like love it ALOT!

But I digress....like many nights around here, last night was eventful {ha!}.

Last night I wrestled the slipcovers off my living room sofa

and gave them a good washing, complete with a bleach soak.

As I was completing this task, I thought I would share with you all

why I think white slipcovers make perfectly good sense

for families with children and dogs and husbands who actually

like to sit on the furniture:

* you can wash them, as much as they get dirty

*you can bleach them and keep them bright white

*they look fresh

* depending on the decor and styling of the room, white slipcovered

furniture can be contemporary, shabby chic, country, traditional.....

*they smell fresh after a good washing {especially when I let the covers

dry outside in the summer}

* white slipcovered furniture allows fickle pillow people {not me, of course} to

change the pillows and feel the instant gratification of a new 'look'

Often, people who visit my home cannot believe I have a white slipcovered

sofa and chairs....but I wouldn't have it any other way!

And just in case you are wondering, my sofa is made by Lee - we have

had it for about 10 years and it looks as good today as the day

it was delivered. Lee furniture is a bit more spendy than what your

would find at Pottery Barn, or the Ikea lines but I believe in spending

more for good upholstered furniture. In the long run, it makes sense.

The slipcover on my sofa was custom made. I used pre-washed white

denim for durability. If I were to take a guess, I think this set of slipcovers

have been washed at least 20 times - seriously!

Put a ring on it?

2012-02-07T17:08:00.000-08:00

Blame it on my busy life, my aging brain....whatevah!

I forgot to show you my metal napkin rings I purchased

at the Junk Salvation Show - my collection is growing!

I love using mis-matched vintage-patina silver/pewter napkin

rings for table settings.....and when not in use, they look lovely

in my Ikea jar. You can usually find silver/silver-plate or

pewter rings at flea markets for very little - many shoppers

pass them by because they are mis-matched or alone.....but

over time you can create quite the beautiful collection!

It doesn't have to match to be beautiful!

At Junk Salvation, however, I happened to score four matching rings!

Sometimes the flea gods shine down upon you!

Flea finds....

2012-02-06T12:59:00.000-08:00

As promised, here are photos of my finds from the Funky Junk Sisters show.

I scored the two wooden scoops above from Roost. I love the

raw wood patina and will most likely use them

in my kitchen flour and sugar canisters.

I also picked up the basket pictured above from Molly Mo's. I think it was

originally intended to be used for magazines but I

think it will find a home in one of my bathrooms -

perfect for extra towels!

And just for fun - this attention starved doggy was bugging me the

entire time I was shooting these photos - almost as if

he wanted me to take his photo, so I indulged the pooch. He is looking a bit

scraggly but he did have a bath this weekend! I totally

know he just wanted to make the blog today!

TheFunky Junk Show.....{aka} gettin' my flea-on!

2012-02-05T19:27:00.000-08:00

On Friday night, a couple girlfriends and I headed to the Funky Junk Sisters show

in Hillsboro, Oregon. Besides just needing a night out with my girls, I was

also happy to get a flea-fix. It seems like for-evah since I had been to

a flea market.

The show was a great opportunity to see some of my

favorite Portland vintage dealers - so, 'heeeeyyyyy' Cindy,

Lisa and Isabel!

See that great PIONEER HATCHERY sign? It came home with

my friend Becky....good signs are hard to pass up!

Industrial stuff was everywhere.....still.

The booth above was adorable and had a great variety of items

from which to shop - she is doing a lot of sales this spring/summer so check out

Roost Reimagined's blog for more info! This

seller was very friendly which is always a plus!

{which cannot be said for all of the vendors at this sale, boo!}

Cindy from the Queen of Tarte was there! As always, her booth was

creative and edgy....this industry NEEDS sellers like Cindy!

Tarte's space always stands out in a crowd!

I took lots of pictures of stuff that 'floats my boat'.....

Old books and garden statues....yum!

Junky jewels .....

This space pictured below was FULL of vintage metal sign letters!

I remembered the seller from Farm Chicks last year {they will be back!}...

Great stuff!

I did not make many purchases.....I will be back tomorrow to show you

my treasures......How's that for suspense?

happy friday......and a winner!

2012-02-03T15:37:00.000-08:00

Congratulations Sharon from Elizabeth & Co., the winner of the Anthropologie spice jars! Please email me at jillbeth@aol.com with your addy and I will get your spice jars in the mail!

I am heading to the Junk Salvation show tonight in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Anyone else getting their flea-fix on tonight?

Happy Friday!

This took my breath away......

2012-02-02T14:25:00.000-08:00

I am addicted to Pintrest, but after awhile the images sort

of all start to resemble one another....

but today this image literally took my breath away.....

The photo has so many elements I love....

that lantern...

garden urns,

that French settee....

and don't even get me started on that gor-geous floor.

Now that is one entry that says, "welcome"....

I'll be back later with the winner of the Anthro jars -

I promised my big girl that she could do the drawing

and she's not home from school yet!

A {spicy} giveaway...

2012-01-30T15:51:00.000-08:00

I was in Anthropologie last week and found these adorable

spice jars, with colorful lids and chalkboard labels. And because

I love ya, I picked up three extra and thought I would

offer them as a giveaway.

My little blog hobby has been growing and I have you all to thank.

At times, I think this blog suffers from an identity crisis - is it a decorating blog?

A flea market/vintage blog? A family blog? Believe me, I am trying

to focus the focus around here....changes are coming, a re-design and more

purposeful writing about design with a mix of vintage thrown in

for good measure - Mostly, I am taking this blog in the direction

of my authentic self {I know, deep, huh?}. I am grateful

you come along on my journey.....at almost {gulp!} 45 years young

I am making room for some 'second half of life' plans.....'cause I intend to make

every stinkin' day count.

"It's never too late to become what you might have been"

So dear friends, in order to enter the giveaway, you must:

1. Be a follower, cause I'd love to get to 1000! Blog

about the giveaway and I will enter you twice!

2. Tell me where you are in life, have you realized big

dreams? Or like me, are you a work in progress?

Enter before midnight on Wednesday, February 1st!

Can I give you a hand?

2012-01-26T16:46:00.000-08:00

Glove molds are often found at flea markets and antiques stores, a item

you might wonder, "now what would I do with that?"

I love my glove mold and find it to be a handy way to display

all my favorite necklaces and rings .......

What vintage item do you use in a new way?

Random bits and bobs.....{no, not 'boobs'!}

2012-01-22T17:19:00.000-08:00

My mailbox has been a treasure trove of good home goods catalogs

in recent weeks......Ballard Designs, Shades of Light, Wisteria.....

I chose some of my favorite items to share with you...

It's not surprising that when I grouped these items together

they resemble my curated home to a tee!

Well, I guess I know my style.....

But it's fun to change things up too, right?

I am in the midst of doing just that with my living room, a space

that has been basically a storage room for mismatched

furniture since we moved in last May.

I am attempting to style a new look, with the help of a favorite

blogger/designer whose style I have long admired.

I am having so much fun bouncing ideas back and forth. I FINALLY

feel like I am heading in a new direction that takes me

just a bit out of my comfort zone but still compliments

what's going on in the rest our home.

This week I purchased TWO of these pillows from an Etsy seller

after I won my FIRST blog giveaway! {thanks Melaine!}

Yes, they are for the "take me out of my comfort zone" living room!

Aren't they fabulous!

There is still much work to be done.....I can't wait to show you the results.

Happy messes.....

2012-01-19T12:35:00.000-08:00

I snapped the photo above last night just after my little girl finished doing

her homework at this spot in the kitchen.

For whatever reason, the black Chuck Taylor's, carelessly kick-off in the

midst of multiplication problems, reminded me of the lyrics of

a song I had earlier in the day.....

"you're gonna miss this...you're gonna want this back,

you're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast"....

My 'little girl' has been growing up and spreading her wings

in new ways these day...in ways that make us proud and relieved

all at the same time. I guess I would consider her my "late bloomer".

However, when kids stretch and grow, both literally and figuratively,

it can be hard on a momma......Normally, upon seeing shoes

under my dining room table I would call her back to collect them

and put them away. Last night I took this photo of those shoes

to remind myself that one day those shoes won't be there and I will wish they were.

My mom had a piece of embroidery framed and hung in our home growing up

that said the following:

Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow...

For babies to grow up, we've learned to our sorrow...

So quiet down cobwebs...

dust go to sleep....

I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep!

I guess I finally got the message, thanks mom!

Go ahead, be honest.....I can take it!

2012-01-18T16:57:00.000-08:00

I purchased the vintage painting pictured above a few weeks ago

at an antique store. The purchase took me out of my comfort zone.

While I liked the 70's orange-ness of the painting, it was not something

that I would 'normally' be drawn to........and lately I seem to be

in a 'change it up' kind of mood.

When I brought it home my first thought was, "holy &*^" what did I do?

So, I proceed to stick the painting in the back of a closet and feel

bad about the wasted money {which fortunately, was not that much}

and my bad judgement.....

This past weekend I painted my living room Benjamin Moore's "Duxbury Gray" - which cannot

be judged by the photo above! I have BIG plans for this room and while doing some

*dreaming* in there today, I decided to pull out the painting and see how it

looked with the new wall color. Maybe it's growing on me, maybe it's not?????

So dear friends, what do YOU think? Funky goodness or a regrettable purchase?

Sometimes we just need a reminder.....

2012-01-16T16:34:00.000-08:00

Some DIY.....yes, you read that right!

2012-01-15T11:09:00.000-08:00

Thought I would share a very simple DIY project I tackled recently.

Ever since we switched our front door lock-set to an oil-rubbed bronze finish, I was

bugged by the brushed nickel handles on the french doors in our entryway that lead

to my husband's office. They 'clashed' with the new entry door handle!

Are you following my crazy?

Instead of replacing the handles, the product pictured above took my handles from this.....

to this!

I am curious to see how the spray paint handles wear, and of course, I would like to

spray every brushed nickel finished handle in the entire house now.....

This pretty dusting of snow we had in the higher elevations around Portland today

certainly inspires me to DIY.....could be dangerous!

Happy Sunday!

***P.S. - Just recently I reached 800 followers on this little ol' blog! In addition,

this post is my 350th post!!! Wow! I am feeling a giveaway coming in order

to celebrate those occasions....'cause I appreciate you all hanging out here with me.

I can't help myself.....

2012-01-09T15:32:00.000-08:00

That craving for change in my home always seems to show up right on time.....

on or around January 1st, usually right after the tree is out on the curb,

the tacky green and red tubs are secure in their attic space for another year.....

Yes, I know, I have proclaimed on this blog, a few times, my

dislike for Christmas decor and messing up my regular imperfectly

placed decor - but that doesn't stop me from letting it all hang out in

it's red and green glory...

When the holidays are done, the house always seems.....well, undone.

Do you feel the same?....Come on, PLEASE tell me I

am not some crazy, freak.....

So at this point, when said craving shows up {right on time}, I start 'projects' that lead

to other 'projects' that lead to my house becoming

ONE BIG MESS of projects and let's just say....

momma get's cranky and anxious about getting her perfectly,

imperfect home back in imperfect order!

This weekend I painted this $12 Goodwill find {yes, I know I already painted it

and blogged about it here}..... I was feeling that my light colored

walls needed a little contrast in the furniture department.

As much as I love the all white look, I just don't think I can pull

it off and live with it.

The dresser is newly painted SW Urbane Bronze, sanded to distress it

and then it got a tung oil rub down to finish her off.

As the picture above proves, I obviously don't like to iron! Ha!

I also purchased these parson chairs and slips at World Market during their

super-duper furniture sale last week. I also brought in

a sisal rug for under the dining room table.

I ended up moving my bench to another area of the house, which remains a big mess

and thus not photographed for the purposes of this blog post.....

So what 'projects' are making your home pretty these days?

Another friend's fabulous home...

2012-01-07T17:22:00.000-08:00

I am on a roll!

When I stopped at a friend's home to pick her up

for a little flea-tiquing outing, I remembered to bring my camera!

This is a friend who loves everything white, and frilly, and

romantic and chandelier-y......

It's always fun to visit her home because we have been

friends for so long that I remember where and when

many of the beautiful pieces in her home were purchased.

Chippy green dresser in the hallway....ah, Farm Chicks 2004, a particularly

rainy day but fun nonetheless!

The two photos above are the master bedroom....gorgeous!

This is a girl who is in constant 'tweaking' mode, a collector/purger....

the subway sign is 'new'.....

Above is a view of the sitting room off the kitchen.....

The vintage french wine jugs.....Farm Chicks 2011, I know that 'cause I

was there!

The bird cage is new since I last visited.....damn if it wouldn't fit inside

my bag......I love me a bird cage!

Yep, awesome vintage cart in the kitchen that is the perfect entertaining

bar - also Farm Chicks 2011!

This is her dining room - it's a beauty. The cow painting is

from artist Leah Anderson......also wouldn't fit into my bag!

My friend had recently had these vintage chairs painted and reupholstered - a little

daring but SO darling!

Thanks Carrie for letting us peak into your home, it's beautiful, and

comfortable and reflects the love inside....

We are all curators at heart.

2012-01-05T21:22:00.000-08:00

via pintrest

from the Serena & Lily catalog received in my mailbox today....

"We travel. We collect. We arrange. We rearrange.

We mix the old with the new; the bought with the found;

the passed-down with the picked-up-along-the-way.

We create these beautiful little galleries throughout our homes

that express our passions and curiosities to all who pass through.

And then, we start all over again."

These words could not be truer for how I feel about what I do in our home,

particularly at this time of year - the start of a new year. I have been

fluffing and making plans......how about you?

A magazine fix......bliss!

2012-01-03T20:09:00.000-08:00

In recent years, it seems every visit to the magazine rack leads to disappointment.

And don't even get me started on the issues that arrive in my mailbox with beautiful covers with content that can only be described as 'anorexic' {ie. current Country Living} inside.

I was giddy with excitement today as I devoured every page of the

new February issue of House Beautiful! There is so much

decorating goodness, inspiration, accessible design and inspiration!

I particularly loved the feature "Living Room Re-do in One Day". The

layered, collected look is pure perfection! I love this space!

Thank you House Beautiful for going the distance and hanging in there

for all of us - your publication has improved and become

accessible for the home decorators and your content has not slimmed!

Go buy your issue your today - we need to support these publications!

You won't be disappointed!

Christmas......

2012-01-02T17:27:00.000-08:00

When I look back at these photos, taken during the last couple weeks, it's no

wonder I am feeling completely exhausted.....

We seemed to squeeze gobs and gobs of fun into our holiday!

And in case you are interested, I'll provide some of the details:

*the season started on 12/15 when we enjoyed the girls' school's Christmas

concert - LOVED that they could call it that...

* we entertained my family in our home for Christmas

*held our annual family Christmas cookie frosting contest on Christmas

Eve morning - this year we posted pics on Facebook

and let our friends and family decide the winner!

* we all got 'just what we wanted' for Christmas, which

included lots of electronic gadgets.....and Frye boots for momma!

* we ate too much

*we built Lego things

*we played Pictionary and Headbanz

* we celebrated a Packer win on Christmas day!

* we all danced to Wii's 'Just Dance' in an attempt to work off

the calories {didn't work so much for me}

* saw some good movies - We Bought a Zoo and the Descendants {loved!}

* one of us got her ears pierced! {finally, she says!}

* we packed up and headed to snow {on the mountains, which is just where I like it!}

* we went sledding and caught some air

* some of us went skiing {obviously not the photographer in the family}

*we shopped

*we ate some more - ugh!

* we rang in the new year with my parents

*and celebrated a big birthday for my dad!

Nope, we are not the family that does the "gift they need, gift they want, something to read......

but the kiddos got things they loved and wanted and some things they needed {none

of which are pictured here}.....

However, I was super proud of my 13 year old who had raised money at her school {by planning

and executing a cupcake sale all by herself} for

a pet food bank in Portland after hearing a flood in their building ruined

much of their food. On Christmas morning we all went to the pet food

bank to present her donation and witness their good work. When

we pulled up, on Christmas morning, an hour before the pet food bank

was to open, there was already a line - of people waiting to get food

for their pets........ It was eye opening, for me, but mostly

for my big girl who learned that seemingly small gestures can provide

so much to great needs. Her love for animals lead her to service and I think she

is hooked! Let's hear it for 13 year olds! They ROCK {even if you give

them iPhones and Beats}!

So.....how were your holidays?????

Gratitude......

2011-12-29T17:21:00.000-08:00

I have never been one to make new year's resolutions.....

I guess I dislike being limited to making a change to just once a year.....

or maybe I don't like to set myself up for failure - ugh, probably

more likely.

But, at this time of year, I find myself taking stock of where I am in life and what I

wish for in the new year {not technically a resolution, wink*wink}.

It's been a big year for our family, so many changes! The changes

were sometimes difficult, heartbreaking,

scary and challenging {oh so challenging}.

However, the changes were also joyful, wonderful and welcome!

My husband faced job loss and was successful in securing a position

with his company in our home state, we sold and bought homes in one

of the worst housing/mortgage markets our country has seen,

we moved our daughters away from friends and public schools they loved and

felt at home with and then enrolled them in Catholic school {gasp!}, and

then, momma went back to part-time work!

But guess what? We survived, we thrived and above all else we are happy!

When I think about the past year and where I sit today, the word that immediately

comes to mind is GRATITUDE. I know I feel it, my goal for

2012 is to show it! How about you? What is your word/goals for 2012?

No, this is not our home.......

2011-12-20T19:39:00.000-08:00

This awesome "Who-ville" themed home is on my route to and from

the soccer fields, where I take my big girl at least three times

per week. I always smile as I pass, mostly for the neighbors

decor, a simple message of "Ditto" with an arrow!

I only wish I was that clever......

Well friends, I am signing off until after the holidays.

My parents arrive tomorrow and my brother and

his wife on Friday - we will enjoy a full house this year!

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas and a

Happy New Year.....see you in 2012!

Make this!

2011-12-19T18:48:00.000-08:00

We had company over {wow, totally sounding like my mom in 1973 tonight!} this weekend.

I wanted to make a festive dessert but lacked the time {or energy} for

laborious Christmas cookies......I am saving that for later this week.

While doing a simple search on the internet, I came up with this oh-so festive bundt

cake recipe. Not only does this pretty cake impress, it also tastes delicious.

I knew I had to share the recipe with all of you!

Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake

{courtesy of food.com}

1 package devil's food cake mix

1/2 cup sugar

1 package {4 ounce} instant chocolate pudding mix

4 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 {8 ounce} container of sour cream

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup coarsely crushed hard peppermint candies

Heavily grease and flour a 12 cup bundt pan and set aside. Combine first seven

ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat at low speed until combined. Pour mixture in

prepared bundt pan and bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or till a toothpick

inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool pan for 15 minutes then remove cake

from pan and cool entirely on wire rack.

For frosting, stir together powdered sugar and enough milk to make a dribbling

glaze consistency. Drizzle frosting over cake and sprinkle with peppermint candies.

May the peace and joy of the season be found in your home!

Meg's Cottage ~

2011-12-11T10:12:00.000-08:00

Reconnecting with my friends in Portland has definitely been the highlight

of moving back 'home'. While I had hoped that my friendships, that had

been nurtured over great distances, would be resumed, I also set

realistic expectations that those friends may have 'moved on'.

I feel so fortunate to have basically 'picked up where we left off' with

so many fabulous women! Woo-hoo!

This week I went to lunch at my friend Meg's cottage. Meg's family

recently bought this adorable updated 1940's cottage that oozes

charm and coziness!

Lucky for you girls, I remembered to bring my camera!

With Meg's permission I snapped away!

Her kitchen is HUGE! The former owners were both cooks and created

a kitchen that accommodates two cooks. This means

there are two refrigerators, two sinks, two dishwashers and tons

of storage. The pine cabinets and loads of windows just add to the charm

and warmth in the space.

Meg is one of my flea market hunting friends - she has great taste

and is so good at incorporating just the right vintage

finds into her home. This big, rusty Dayton scale

found the perfect spot in her kitchen.

The living room is cozy and has a mixture of flea market finds,

mass market and catalog purchases!

Don't we all dream of a tree with just white lights?

That's World Market's industrial coffee table pictured above!

Here we are back in the kitchen, serious discussions were taking place!

I love the Restoration Hardware pendant fixtures!

{Hi girls, I know you will love having your pictures here!}

Girlfriends are awesome, girlfriends with inspiring homes are the best!

Thanks to Meg for letting me share her sweet cottage with all of you!

Christmas in our Forever*Cottage....

2011-12-09T09:37:00.000-08:00

Welcome!

I have to admit I had much more fun fluffing our home

for Christmas this year. I think it's because I am hosting

my family for the holiday which definitely made me

"up my game". The awesome sign on my mantel was made

for me by my friend Melaine of My Sweet Savannah!

Back in the day I purchased santa's and snowmen and glitter houses,

but over the years I have donated many of those items and the

ones I have left remain in my green and red tubs. Like

many of you, I find myself embracing a simpler decor, using more

natural items to bring the season inside.

My decor is as simple as substituting pinecones for seashells in

my silver bowls. I also pull together all my vintage red books for a

festive touch.

Or adding a jar of candy canes to my tool caddy in the kitchen!

I love creamy poinsettias!

Here is a view of our dining area, simple boxwood wreaths on the

window and red stripe grain sack pillows are all I added to

add a seasonal feel.

Here is our au natural tree! My girls say it's a "Charlie Brown" tree

but I love it's imperfect qualities! I have collected Christopher Radko

ornaments for years and I think a sparse tree allows them to hang

so much better. Hard to see, but the tree is sitting in a

vintage galvanized metal tub.

{my large french doors are dying for some drapes, don't ya think?}

Paper whites are a Christmas must-do!

Can you guess what is holding those vintage ornaments on the center

of my table????

It's a vintage chicken feeder!

You often can find metal chicken feeders at flea markets but I had

not seen a wooden one until I found this one at an occasional sale

in Minnesota last year.

Overall I want our home to feel like our home,

just tweaked a bit for the season.

Now, that our home is fluffed I can move on to enjoying the best

part of the season......baking!

Wishing you all peace and joy this season and always!

** I am linking up with Rene at Cottage and Vine!

Lark Nest Design

2011-12-06T18:40:00.000-08:00

It's often been said that blogging brings special people into your life that you

might not have otherwise met or crossed paths with. This fact

is certainly true for me and is probably the number one

reason that I continue to blog.

A few years ago, Ki Nassauer asked me to style a tablescape

at the Junk Bonanaza Antiques Show with items purchased

exclusively from a Minneapolis thrift store. The project

was one of the first 'gigs' I did after I began writing this blog and I was

lucky enough to go on and do other things for Ki, Junk Bonanza

and Flea Market Style magazine.

Styling that tablescape meant I spent alot of time at the Junk

Bonanza that year. I met LOTS of great people. One of the most

memorable people I met that year was Kim Yeager, who

at that time was the Home & Garden editor for the

Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper. I remember

feeling like I was meeting a 'celebrity', as I recognized her byline on
the home and garden features I enjoyed in my local paper!

You can't meet Kim and not describe her as "memorable". She
has a mass of beautiful curly hair, often done up in a clip on top
of her head. Kim talks with a familiar Minnesota accent, having lived in
the upper midwest her whole life and is just about the most outgoing,
energetic and friendly human being you will ever meet.
I ~~liked~~ loved her right way.

I was blessed to have the opportunity to get to know Kim
a bit more before I left Minnesota, we had coffee dates and worked
together on some Junk Bonanza 'stuff'. Kim is immensely
talented and creative, her writing is impeccable and she
loves all things to do with pretty fabric and vintage-wares.

Kim has since left the newspaper business and moved on to bigger
and better things.....she is writing the Flea Market Style blog, doing press
and publicity for Junk Bonanza and helping homeowners style and decorate
their homes.

Kim recently created a website and began a blog to chronicle her adventures.
I encourage you to go check out Lark Nest Design and
get a glimpse into the crazy, beautiful, creative world of my friend
Kim Yeager!

...these are a few of my favorite things.....

2011-12-03T11:07:00.000-08:00

The Nester had posted a linky this week asking bloggers to

put together a post of their favorite things/gifts. I began the post

and then the week just got crazy and I never finished in time to link

but still wanted to share with all of you nonetheless.

First up, Beth Quinn Designs. I met Beth at Junk Bonanza a couple years

ago and besides being a sweetheart, she makes beautifully inspiring jewelry.

I recently wanted to give a special group of girlfriends here in

Portland a little something to commemorate our friendship.

I contacted Beth and she made five custom pieces

and mailed them to me in less than a week!

How awesome is that?!

Beth Quinn Designs

The Elde shop on Etsy sells hand crocheted and knitted items to

keep you warm and cozy in the winter months! I love these fingerless

gloves!

Elde on Etsy

I have a wardrobe of cuff bracelets thanks to my good friend

Becky from Farmgirl Paints! I love to wear inspiration on my wrist!

I recently came across Michelle V Custom Leather Jewelry
on Etsy and fell in love with the verses and inspirational passages that
she includes on her leather cuffs. She offers lots of custom options.
{shhh.....} someone on my list is getting a Michelle V creation!

Michelle V Custom Leather Jewelry

Anything with a monogram always sets my heart aflutter! I love

these embroidered monogram pendants....adorable. They

are from Etsy seller 'the merriweather council'.

the merriweather council

So, are you done with your shopping yet? I am doing pretty good but
am not done yet. We don't even have our tree up yet! We have
four basketball games and two soccer games this weekend so looks
like the tree will have to wait till a free evening next week. All part of
life with active kids!
Have a fabulous weekend friends!

The festivities have begun!

2011-11-27T13:54:00.000-08:00

We had a very nice Thanksgiving weekend at my parent's home in

central Oregon; lots of eating, playing games, a day of skiing in fresh

powder, a little shopping at the local shops and lots of relaxing!

My kind of holiday!

Probably the best memory made was going to cut down our Christmas

tree in the forest! Although we lived almost 9 years

in Oregon we had never gotten a $5 tree cutting permit and

hiked through 'nature's tree lot' to find the perfect natural tree.

We all agreed that this new tradition is a 'keeper'! It was

so much fun and the warm temperatures and little snow at this

elevation made the experience all the more enjoyable!

The girls enjoyed the hot cocoa at the coffee shop afterwards.

Despite my attempts to slow down the coming frenzy, I guess it's here.

I have a feeling that this year it will be enjoyed more by our family; we

are happy at home in the place we love, we have employment,

good health, family and friends near {which means no holiday travel} and the

joyful anticipation as our girls wait to celebrate Jesus' birth!

Bring it on.......I guess....

thanks....

2011-11-22T19:02:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving from my Forever*Cottage to yours!

We are heading 'over the ~~river~~ mountain and through the woods

to grandmother's house'..........

I'll be back to the blog by Monday.

Wishing you many blessings and peace this holiday weekend.

In my kitchen today.....

2011-11-20T13:05:00.000-08:00

I feel like I am in house 'fluffing' mode....

preparing for the holiday decorations that will

soon come out {ugh!}.....

Call me a grinch but I will admit that decorating for

Christmas is not my favorite thing.....all the rearranging

then knowing that in 30 short days it will have to all

be undone....

I added this bulletin board to my kitchen counter .....

I like having a place in my kitchen for inspiration

and my open kitchen has no wall space.

The bulletin board also hides the ugly granite tile backsplash

that is just waiting to be replaced by some shiny white

subway tiles.....but I digress......

Notice the jar of cookies in front of my new inspirational bulletin board?

They are my girls' favorite oatmeal cookies.....

Lucky you, I got my act together enough to share the recipe!

Best Oatmeal Cookies -evah!

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cup flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

3 cups rolled oats

chocolate chips or in combination with raisins

to your taste!

Bake at 350 degrees and enjoy!

Happy Sunday!

The best home decor bargain out there.....

2011-11-18T12:29:00.000-08:00

I ~~needed~~ wanted a new pillow for the ticking stripe settee that

I purchased from the Barn House boys - I originally had the

settee in our bedroom but recently moved it to the great room.

I purchased this monogrammed 15x30 pillow, with insert from Ballard Designs

for $19.99! I really think it's the best bargain in home decor!

Have a fabulous weekend!

manic monday....

2011-11-14T17:29:00.000-08:00

In my opinion, nature doesn't put on as dramatic a show in the Fall

here in the Pacific Northwest as it does in the midwest, or even on the east coast

- too many evergreen trees, not enough oak trees and maples.......however,

the season lasts well into November! This is the view

from my front porch today....

Today was my second Monday as a working girl.....and it was better.

Except I came home to a sick puppy dog....

Poor boy.....we think he ate something he shouldn't have.....

Happy Monday!

a perfect ending....{after a new beginning}....

2011-11-12T18:45:00.000-08:00

First, thank you to all of you who commented and voiced your

support of my returning to part-time work. I have really experienced

a plethora of emotions. 'Cause while the opportunity is near-perfect, at just 20 hours

per week, in the industry I have significant experience and success, time off when my

children are off {including summers!}, it was a week of mixed emotions.

I returned to work as a Development Director at a private school. I worked

in not-for-profit management, specifically fundraising, before I had

my children. This job opportunity was brought to my attention by the

Development Director at my daughter's school - she knew about

my prior experience and my desire to return to work, albeit part-time.

It was quite the serendipitous road back to work.....

I admire those of you who are "pursuing the work of your dreams", acting

on your desires to put your creative talents out there.....I dabbled in

what I had thought were my creative urges and was lucky to

be able to work with an amazing editor of a national magazine

{Ki Nassauer}, realize the long held dream of having

my home photographed for a magazine, have

a "behind the scenes" role for a large antiques show {Junk Bonanza}

and help friends and neighbors style their homes.

I am a lucky girl.

But I am also a practical girl and steady professional work is

probably best suited to me. My creative side will be practiced in my own

home...oh, just you wait! I will continue to devour every decorating/styling

magazine, e-zine, and blog I can get my hot little hands on.

For now, working 20 hours per week and tending to my family life

will fill my bucket and my time......

And blogging......yes, I have no intention of stopping this quirky, unpredictable,

frivolous online journey with you all.....

It was a busy week, an emotionally draining week, but also a good week.....

On Friday {my day off!}, I ventured to a holiday open house at local

antiques mall! It was a wonderfully indulgent day but much needed after

my stressful week! I don't know what it is about strolling the aisles

of an antiques mall with a good girlfriend - chatting and laughing and saying, "oh

that is cute" about a hundred times - that fills my soul and charges my battery, but

I am so glad it does!

I can't say I am entirely ready for the holiday season. I love Thanksgiving and loathe the rush

to Christmas that the retail community seems to do. However, I did buy

this pretty little angel......Isn't she sweet?

After returning home from my day spent with a good friend, my husband

insisted we go to a 'Happy Hour' - just like old times before kids. When

we were first married and living in Chicago, we often met after work for

Happy Hour, catching up on our day and making a dinner of it! {I don't

believe we even ever had food in our apartment!}

Friday was my best day.....so far.....

***** I updated my Blog List on my sidebar with some new friends and

blogs who have inspired me lately! Go check them out!

Momma goes to work.....

2011-11-06T19:48:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is the day.....

after 14 years as a SAHM, this momma

returns to part-time professional work.....

I am excited....

and ready!

As women, we are blessed. I got to go to college and major in business,

meet my love, get married, enjoy a successful career along with a "double income, no kids" life

for 7 years before our first baby came along. Then for 14 years I got to

be a full-time mommy.....

And now, I get to go back, on a part-time basis

to the career that I loved and fulfilled me in ways that laundry

and making beds just can't.

I promised more of my story.....and I will deliver, it's long and needs

editing....requiring time I did not seem to find this weekend I spent raking

leaves under a beautiful Northwest sun and cheering on my first baby's soccer

team who just happened to be crowned Oregon Premier League Champs!

Be back soon!

Mirror, mirror on the wall......

2011-11-05T14:42:00.000-07:00

The entry in our new home is narrow, with a living room on one side

and hubby's office on the other. I wanted to define the space

and incorporate proper entry objects - {which included my

cute, narrow, surprise find that I blogged about here}....

I have had this mirror for like......ever! In our Minnesota cottage

she was in our master bathroom, loved for her large-ness and full-length

look capabilities.

I knew she could make a functional mirror in our narrow entry, all she needed

was to be accessorized! A trip to "Lowes Depot" scored some

antique brass hooks.

Less-than handy hubby proved his skills are improving when he

was able to screw these babies in straight and on the first try!

Now our entry has a place for your coat, umbrella or cute clutch!

Next up on the entry "ta-da" list:

* paint the ceiling a pale blue

* paint the french doors to the office and maybe even the

front door a steel gray or black

* try out a new Dash & Albert rug {maybe black & white stripe}

Happy Saturday everyone!

Checking in with some news....

2011-11-03T16:36:00.000-07:00

I apologize for being missing in action around here....

I have been making some big decisions, exciting decisions

and scary decisions.....

And because I strongly dislike it when bloggers 'tease' news and

then wait like days........

I will share......

After almost 14 {gulp!} years as a proud stay-at-home

mommy, I am returning to professional, outside the home

work! An ideal situation, for a 20 hour a week

position, in the field that I was in before children, became known

to me in a very serendipitous way and seemed "meant to be".

I promise to share more in a longer post this weekend.

I will you leave you with this thought.....recently I have read about bloggers

who are feeling blessed to finally be able to stay at home with

their little ones, bloggers who are leaving jobs to pursue

their passions and become entrepreneurs, and now me,

a forty-something momma who with kids busy in school and

extra hours in her day, felt the gentle 'tug' of my former

professional self......and is able to make it work for both

her and her family...... We are blessed as women, to have

these choices and freedoms! I celebrate us all!

Mixing Patterns....

2011-10-26T13:56:00.000-07:00

Isn't Pintrest genius?

It's like opening a new magazine every day.

One of the "boards" I created on Pintrest is labeled "Mixing Patterns".

I really believe mixing patterns in interior design is one of the most difficult things

to get right. 'Cause when it's right, it's right but when it's wrong......well let's just say

it's very wrong.

I struggle with patterns in my own home. I am a fickle girl and often tire of them

quickly. BUT, I have begun to work on my living room {aka momma's fun room} and

am hoping to mix patterns and layers.

All images courtesy of Pintrest!

Details.....camera fun!

2011-10-19T19:41:00.000-07:00

When I first started blogging I considered myself a decent photographer.

My 10 year old DSLR Nikon had served me well, taking beautiful
photos of my babies and family.

As I found my way around the blog world, however, I quickly learned that I had

alot to learn. I wasn't "all that" when it came to photography.

Shamefully, I compared my photos to the beautiful images I found on

other blogs and always felt less than.

This summer I invested in a new Canon DSLR camera {yep, I switched

from Nikon to Canon}. I have had fun taking photos, experimenting

with my settings and working on taking better photos.

I love taking tight shots....especially of vignettes and details around my home.

'Cause I really believe a beautiful and personal home comes down to details....

your favorite collections, momentos, photos and food that defines

YOU and your family and, most importantly, differentiates your home from that

of your neighbors and friend.

Some of the details that define our family home, are beachy objects - coral, sea fans, shells, and driftwood collected at the Pacific, vintage clocks, garden urns, vintage silver, fresh food and YES, even vintage cat-eyed glasses {as pictured above!}.

So what are the personal details that make your home your own?

On finding just the right thing you were not looking for.....

2011-10-17T17:24:00.000-07:00

Last week I had the opportunity to go out antiquing with some girlfriends in Portland.

You would think being a SAHM would allow me lots of time to spend the better part of my

day perusing antique malls but I still regard those kind of days as a stolen luxury! And

darn! No one showed up to do the laundry while I was gone!

I have shown lots of completed spaces in our new Portland home but let me tell you, I have

many unfinished spaces or spaces that await just the right piece of furniture.

One of the biggest challenges of moving is fitting your favorite pieces of furniture

in your new home - sometimes things just don't have a place in your new

digs. My living room has become the land of misfit furniture, looking more like a storage

unit than a well styled usable living room. So, on my luxurious day out, I was hoping to

score some end tables for the living room.

If I have learned anything over the years of hunting for antiques it's that the best pieces show up when you are not looking for them. Case in point - this sweet little oak cabinet I scored for our entry.

My entry is fairly small with doors on each side {one leading to the ~~land of misfit furniture~~ living

room and the other to the office}. Space for a console table or bench is limited.

While the cabinet is oak, it actually looks like old pine.....swoon!

And in the interest of full disclosure, the pretty glass knobs did not come on the piece, those

were added by me, courtesy of Target! Just a tip - I love the Target glass knobs, and for

$14.99 for 4, you can't beat the price!

So there you have it - gorgeous ~~pine~~ oak narrow entry piece and a sneak

peek of the ~~land of misfit furniture~~ living room - see that damask slipcovered sofa?

It's giving me decorating fits! More on that to come......

i did it right this time.....

2011-10-12T19:11:00.000-07:00

Feeling a bit of deja vu?????

Remember I already did a photo collage wall going up the HUGE staircase

in our new home?

Well, I never REALLY loved it - for the most part it was ok but I completely

just winged it and the result was pictures that were hung to high.

It bugged me ALL summer.

This week, after getting a couple new photos that I wanted to include, I started to

'tweak' the wall but quickly realized that I needed to start anew if I

was to get it just right.

So I did something drastic!

I actually did it RIGHT {NOT politically speaking, wink-wink!} and

used craft paper to trace and cutout each item I wanted to hang.

I used painters tape to put them up on the wall which allowed me

to move them around easily.

I also labeled each paper square so I was able to get just the right mix

of photos and art pieces.

On a big wall like this, where you are viewing the wall from the first floor, it is very

important to hang the frames low on the wall - see how many of mine are almost on the stair trim?

Hanging them higher is, well, TOO HIGH!

On my chalkboard today.......

2011-10-07T12:23:00.000-07:00

I saw this quote on Pintrest this week and knew immediately

that I needed to write it on the vintage chalkboard in my laundry room......

it's a good reminder for me as I tend to the mountains of laundry

each and every week!

I am headed up to Seattle for the weekend to watch my kooky 13 year old soccer star defend

her team's net. This sweet friend is going to come to meet me on a soccer field

.....which reminds me how

awesome blogging can be!

I wish you all peace and happiness - and lots of Fall frivolity this weekend!

Design*Sponge

2011-10-04T16:40:00.000-07:00

Nice roots, girl! What a geek!

Last week I skipped soccer practice carpool, traded in my yoga pants for some "big girl" clothes and headed downtown Portland for the Design*Sponge book signing event at West Elm. Like a good
blogger, I forgot my camera so the following two photos were shot with my trusty iPhone camera.

Design*Sponge was one of the first design blogs I stumbled upon, way back when. It was thrilling to see Grace Bonney in person! {she is tiny!} She graciously signed my book and then blew on the ink
so it would not smudge when I closed my book.....awwwwww!
The book ROCKS! For reals. Think Domino magazine.....yes!

Oh, and I had fun at West Elm! Such great stuff!

Here is Grace Bonney, Design*Sponge blogger!

Happy Tuesday!

Displaying kids art.....

2011-09-27T18:24:00.000-07:00

If you look closely at the photos in my last post, you will see this small cabinet

sitting on the bottom shelf in our great room.....

This pretty little cabinet holds special treasures.....

my children's 3D art made in school over the years....

You know, those pinch pots and clay animals.....

including cute little owls!

Besides making your little artists feel super special, showing

your special collection in a pretty cabinet is a great way

to personalize your home! My cabinet happens to be a new

reproduction {made to look old} but I see lots of small

cabinets at antiques stores and flea markets that could also

make a great "gallery space"!

Stylin my junk.....

2011-09-25T17:32:00.000-07:00

First, let's address the elephant in the room.....

To all those named and/or who commented as 'anonymous' that I

offended when I posted the Toby Keith video, I am sorry....

This is my blog and technically I have the right to post whatever I darn well please.

If for some reason it offends you to know that I am a 'fiscal conservative'

{the words I am assuming offended you}, you don't have to come

here, and I am ok with that. It's a free country.

If for some reason you were offended by my use of capitalization, I am also

sorry......if you stick around long enough you will learn

that I tend to over capitalize, under-punctuate, italicize when it "feels right", bold for emphasis,

and commit other random acts

of grammatical errors on a regular basis.

I am who I am and felt inspired to share a video, of a song

that I was totally digging at that moment. Will I probably do it again?

Heck yea! 'Cause I am not one to play it safe, hide behind the 'neutral' zone on

MY blog {oops, there I go again!}. I find there is integrity in honesty and

because I am a big girl, I can take the consequences. It's not as if

I am selling anything here. I don't for one minute take for granted those

who come here to read my drivel and cheer on my decorating and family

adventures. I love the opportunities and friendships that blogging

has brought into my life. I truly feel blessed by those who offered their support,

and even those who were critical and even Martha Stewart!

So let's return to our regularly scheduled programming, shall we?

Bookshelves flank {hungry for steak anyone?}, each side of the fireplace in our great room.

Styling these can be tricky.

I am lucky 'cause I have LOTS of stuff, or 'junk' some might call it.

But my junk is meaningful to ME, things that belonged to my grandmother, old clocks

set to the times my children were born {which was mentioned in the feature

on my collections in Flea Market Style magazine - on newsstands now},

books, decorative objects etc...

While the objects on these shelves have pretty much stayed the same since

moving in five months ago, I did some 'tweaking' last week.

And then I remembered I was a blogger and took some

pictures!!!

And now I share them with you.......

In the not so distant future I would like to put some grass cloth

wallpaper on the back of the bookshelves to give them some texture...

'cause I like the way the sea fans do that now.....

2011-09-23T15:51:00.000-07:00

image from here

Wishing you all a very happy weekend!
PEACE OUT!

Made in America

2011-09-22T19:28:00.000-07:00

Confession time......

I am a HUGE country music fan.....

I don't like what I see happening to my country.....

{yep, that's what I said}

I am what you might call a fiscal conservative and have a

HUGE problem with our current 'leadership'......

I have been listening to this song from a great American,

Toby Keith and it reminds me of all the things I love about

America....the REAL America, like regular folks who

work hard for a living, want the government to get

out of their business, don't take our freedoms for granted,

love the values and principles this country was founded on.......

Take a listen and tell me if you don't get goose bumps.....

Ok, off my soap box for tonight.

User friendly.....

2011-09-21T13:30:00.000-07:00

Don't get me wrong....

I love the open shelving we added in our kitchen...

but I have struggled with how to style it.

You know, the perfect balance between looking photo worthy at all times,

accessibility for the kiddos to reach a cereal bowl and above all else, their

ability to put the dishes away when they empty the dishwasher

{definitely not photo worthy}!

Basically, my first go-round was proving unsuccessful in all above categories!

Last week, I spent some time tweaking my open kitchen shelves. I moved

our basic/everyday bowls, sandwich plates etc...to a drawer below the upper cabinets for

easy access for my family. Then, I brought in some of my brown transferware pieces,

ironstone pitchers and most importantly, my wine glasses {cause momma can put

these babies right back where they go!}.

I like the mix of old sliver, glass, white ironstone and a bit of transferware -

it's a combination that has always seemed to work for me.

A special thank you to all of you who entered the Uber Chic giveaway.....

I read every single comment! The winner of the giveaway is........

wait.......the "One Vintage Ha g"!!!!! For some reason, that name just cracks me up!

So, if you are "one vintage hag", please send me an email so I can get your pillow to you!

an 'uber chic' giveaway!

2011-09-18T20:34:00.000-07:00

Remember the gorgeous bench I purchased at the

Farm Chicks Antiques Show?

The transaction not only brought curvy, European goodness to my kitchen, it

also allowed me to meet the fantastic Dustin and Christian - of Uber Chic Home,

the vendors who sold me my bench!

For all of us who dream of finding treasures along the back roads

and in the barns of the European countryside, these

lucky dudes do just that!

Besides selling their European collected treasures and U.S. industrial pieces

at shows like Farm Chicks

and Alameda, they also operate a brick and mortar store

in Salt Lake City.

They have recently added an online shop to their repertoire!

In celebration of their new venture, they have generously offered to

giveaway one of their grain sack pillows {valued at $200} to one

lucky Forever*Cottage reader who heads over to their website and visits their new online shop.

Besides checking out the "hard-to-come-by in the

U.S." antiques, you can also read about their Euro shopping adventures on their blog!

To enter the giveaway just visit Uber Chic Home, then come back here and

let me know what your favorite piece is.

I will close the comments at midnight PST on Tuesday.

Stylin'

2011-09-14T16:31:00.000-07:00

When the kids go back to school, I always have lofty goals....

to hit the gym more than twice a week....

to tweak spaces in my home....

connect with friends.....

keep up with laundry....

enjoy the solitude of an empty home.....

I am pleased to say that with one week under our belt, I have been pretty successful!

I painted this chest of drawers {a $12 Goodwill find!) and restyled

the top using accessories I already have....

ahhh......life is good!

Come back on Friday for a fabulous giveaway!

Just a pretty image.....

2011-09-12T12:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday to you...

It is our first back to school Monday - yippee!

I found this image on Pintrest and love everything about it....

love the gallery wall, cause you know I can't ever hang just one picture,

love the mismatched frames,

love the restrained use of color....

love the vintage objects and art mixed with rather

contemporary chairs.....

God Bless America

2011-09-11T09:12:00.000-07:00

God Bless the USA!

Ten years ago, I lay in a hospital being treated for a blood clot

that threatened not only my life but the life of the sweet baby

girl that was growing inside of me.

Doctors and nurses came and went from my room, stopping

to watch the coverage from New York, Pennsylvania

and Washington DC.......

Now ten years later, I have my health and a beautiful little girl.

Today I think of all the families, the children who lost parents,

spouses, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters that horrible

day in our American history.

I am grateful for our brave American men and women who have fought in the

years since 9/11 for our nations freedom and liberty.

Where were you that day?

Brass is back!

2011-09-09T14:45:00.000-07:00

I have a confession.......

I am having a hard time finding my decorating mojo in this new house....

I kind of did the whole white/chippy/shappy thing in our Minnesota cottage

{which by the way can be seen in the recent Flea Market Style magazine!}....

Don't get me wrong, I love that look......but I am wanting to do something different,

get out of my comfort zone, to mix in

some contemporary elements that blend well with my existing 'stuff'.....how that will work, you ask......

well, I am still trying to figure that one out!

Right now, I am loving BRASS! Not the polished, fake kind....

but the real, patina'd brass.....gorgeous....

I found this 'vintage' brass coffee table on Craigslist and snapped it up for my living room -

which is currently in a yet-to-be styled state......It is the room that I

intend to make "my room" and experiment with a new decorating style....

thus the lack of 'mojo' - the pressure to do something fabulous is paralyzing.......

I envision replacing the glass with a honed carrera marble top instead......

I have always had touches of brass in our homes.....like this lamp.....

And these vintage brass candle holders......

I even went with brass hardware in our kitchen.......

So.....what do you think of adding brass?

Oh Happy Day!

2011-09-06T13:50:00.000-07:00

Did we have a fabulous summer?

YES!

Am I happy that TODAY is the first day of school?

YES!

Don't they look happy too?

All is right in my world today.....hope it is in yours too!

Teenagers and forest fires....I know, completely random, huh?

2011-09-04T13:55:00.000-07:00

I've been m.i.a. lately, enjoying the important things in life.....

like getting the kids ready for school, which was made much easier this year

due to the fact that they wear uniforms to their Catholic school, phew! A trip to

the shoe store for some new 'kicks' and we were set....well, besides the

two page supply list {was it THAT long when we were in school?}.

But, most importantly we celebrated my big girl's 13th birthday! I know what you

are thinking.....something along the lines of "she can't possibly have a 13 year old!".....ha!

I remember when she was small and thoughtful folks told me to enjoy those years as they

went by so fast........well they weren't kidding! And while I have a 13 year old, I can't possibly

be 13 years older than when I brought her home from the hospital in early September 1998!

We celebrated in central Oregon with my parents. My big girl is a HUGE animal lover so we headed

up to the mountain to visit a Alaskan sled dog team that happens to have a new litter of puppies.

We learned ALOT from the musher Rachel Scidoruss, the first legally blind

musher to run the famous Ididarod sled dog race! Rachel wants her puppies to be handled and held alot as an important part of their initial training to perhaps one day become a member of

her team......my girls were happy to help with that task!

Mostly the puppies just slept while we were there!

We all enjoyed a ride with a sled dog team on a training sled, these dogs are strong!

It was a perfect way to celebrate her special birthday!

We headed home to Portland yesterday......and had quite a smoky ride. It is forest fire

season here in the Northwest - so often this part of the country is known for all the rain

we receive in the winter months, but often people don't realize that summers are quite dry.

It is sad to see beautiful old growth forests burning. We pulled over at a viewpoint yesterday so

I could take some photos and the girls could watch the airplanes drop bucket of

water on the fire - extraordinarily dangerous work!

That's Mt. Washington behind the smoke plumes. In the foreground is the remains of

a forest fire that occurred about 6 years ago - lots of charred trees.

I will be back this week with some design posts!

welcome....

2011-08-22T09:46:00.000-07:00

Get ready ladies {and gents}, I am going to talk about something really profound today....

PILLOWS!

Have you heard of One Kings Lane?

Well, One Kings Lane is a online retailer of fine home decor,

accessories, art and even furniture......

They offer daily "specials"to registered users - basically an

email arrives in your inbox daily - you may choose to look or choose to delete.

For a long time, I was prone to delete but on a recent summer day,

the email caught my attention when it featured

Alexandra Ferguson pillows.

Well, 'cause, One Kings Lane had me at 'pillow'....

I snatched up this little one to place on the bench I purchased at the Farm Chicks Show!

Alexandra Ferguson has a website here and even an Etsy store!

I love the snarky, whimsical messages.....like this one below!

The winner of the Junk Bonanza giveaway is Angela!

Please email me at jillbeth@aol.com with your address so I can

get you your Junk Bonanza swag!

Happy Monday!

Giveaway!

2011-08-20T11:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Saturday!

I think you all know I am a BIG fan of the Junk Bonanza - really the best flea market/vintage sale in the midwest. Ki Nassauer puts on a wonderful show that brings together the best vendors for a great three day event! I was fortunate to be involved with this event the last two years and am disappointed that I will not be there this year - traveling back to the midwest this fall is just not in cards for me - boo!

However, that doesn't mean YOU can't go! Ki has generously allowed me to giveaway an awesome Junk Bonanza package to one lucky Forever*Cottage reader!

The giveaway includes:

* 2 VIP tickets, which allow for admission all three days of the event, including the Early Bird on opening day, two hours before the show opens to the general public.

* A Junk Bonanza tote

* A Junk hat from the Junk Revolution store

and

* A copy of the latest Flea Market Style magazine, rolling off the press around the end of August!

The annual Junk Bonanza brings together more than 130 juried vendors of select vintage treasures, junk and antiques! This year's event, Sept. 15-17, returns to Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn.

To enter this giveaway, please leave me a comment telling me about something fun you are doing this weekend.....cause I am nosy that way! I will choose a winner on Monday, so come on back!

Little things......like a giveaway!

2011-08-18T20:47:00.000-07:00

Some little {and not so little} things:

* I got this sign at the beginning of the summer and it sits on a

shelf in my kitchen next to my sink. I have taken

it's message to heart this summer and I am grateful....

My blog posts have been sporadic at best, I apologize,

for I was off enjoying the little things this summer -

bliss!

* I have been keeping a secret...... My Minnesota

Forever*Cottage along with a story about my collections

will be featured in the upcoming fall issue of Flea Market Style magazine!

I can't wait for you all to see it......the magazine should be out

on in stores very soon - yippee! I will share the details

of this dream come true experience in an upcoming post.

* Come back on Saturday for a great Junk Bonanza giveaway.....

it's gonna be good!

What sign do you have hanging in your cottage to remind you

of what's important in life?

Why I love blogging....with kitchen photos....

2011-08-17T09:46:00.000-07:00

Prior to moving into our new 'cottage' we did a fair amount of "tweaking"....

I use the very technical term "tweaking" because what we did not involve any sort of gutting

of nor construction in the spaces we made changes. Rather our "tweaking" required lots

of paint, gallons and gallons of paint, stain for the floors and new carpet for the upstairs.

By far, the biggest tweak was painting our kitchen cabinets Benjamin Moore's

White Dove.

And because I am a blogger and a lover of all things vintage, I wrangled with

ideas to make my 7 years young kitchen into the vintage kitchen

of my dreams!

Turns out, I found kitchen inspiration when visiting my friend and beautiful blogger

Suzanne of Privet & Holly at her home in Minnesota just prior to our move.

Suzanne has a wonderful butler's pantry with plate racks and the kind of open

shelving I knew I could incorporate into my new/vintage kitchen.

My Suzanne-inspired open shelf!

I snapped a photo of Suzanne's butler's pantry shelf with my iPhone and

sent it to my contractor, who already thought I was a bit kooky in the head after

suggesting removing this bank of cabinets altogether and replacing them with open shelving.

{oh, and for the record - I am NOT crazy about the grandma-like corner shelves!}

In the end, we removed the cabinet doors, backed the interior with bead board

and added the plate racks to the bottom. For now, the holes for adjusting

the shelves remain but after I decide EXACTLY where

they will stay, I will fill in the holes.

My contractor charged me $200 to customize this cabinet. I am

thrilled with the results! Plates are easy and accessible both for use

and to put away after the dishwasher has run (which sits just

below this cabinet).

Yesterday, Suzanne visited me at our new 'cottage'! Here we are in a photo

taken in front of my Suzanne-inspired kitchen cabinet!

And while I appreciate blogging for the inspiration I find in the

beautiful images posted daily.......

Blogging ROCKS for the beautiful people it has brought into my life!

Markdowns taken!

2011-08-09T20:57:00.000-07:00

You all drive a hard bargain.....I marked down everything left unsold in my tag sale!

Go check it out HERE!

Tag Sale!!!

2011-08-07T21:37:00.000-07:00

Well friends, it's that time again.....

You know the time.....when Miss "I never met a pillow cover I

didn't like" cleans out her stash and offers it up to

all of you who generously take it off my hands....

Then I swear I will be more careful with my purchases.....

only to find myself thinking a few short months later.....

"I should really do another tag sale on my blog!"....

It's a sickness, I tell ya!

For now, I am blaming the move and the new cottage,

which just doesn't have places for everything.

Here's how it's going to work. If you would like to purchase something either send

me an email at jillbeth@aol.com or leave a comment letting me know what you would like

to purchase. Purchases are on a first-come, first-served basis.

I will change an items status to SOLD when it is indeed sold {duh?!}.

All prices include shipping.

Payment should be made via Paypal to jillbeth@aol.com.

I will not be able to ship items until next Monday, August 15, just

so ya know.

Please do not hesitate to ask any questions in the comment section, I try

and do my best to describe an item but sometimes I miss something.

So let the fun begin!

Two matching frames that hold a 4x6 photo.

$40 30 for both

Two Pottery Barn 24x24 pillow covers.

BRAND NEW - NEVER USED.

$45 40 for both

Two standard pillow shams in Pottery Barn's

Matine Toile {yellow}, gently used on a guest bed.

~~$50 for both~~ Sold

One Full/Queen Matine toile Duvet Cover {yellow},

gently used on guest bed - clean, no stains etc...

~~$70~~ Sold

Flour sack pillow with stenciled letters {a Farm Chicks purchase

from a few years back}.

$40 35

Custom 12x16 pillow covers in beautiful crewel fabric,

never used {oops!}.

$75 55 for both

Now, this is a bit painful to give up but she's a big girl

and I just don't have room for her in my new cottage.....

this a Jeanne D'Arc bottle drying rack...purchased

a couple years ago from Tracey at French Larkspur.

$~~180 125~~ Sold!

{measures 18" in diameter at the bottom, told you she is a big girl!}

I will be in and out this week, my big girl is having a friend visit from Minnesota

and we are off to show her the Pacific Northwest! I will do my very best

to check often on the status of items and mark them sold as soon

as I can.

Happy shopping!

Decorating can be emotional.....

2011-08-04T21:19:00.000-07:00

My first baby is turning 13 in a few short weeks.

How can this be? It seems like just yesterday I was a 31 year old {ancient, I know!}

first time mother. To be honest with you, when I got married at 24 I

didn't even know if I ever wanted children - for reals! I was all 'miss career woman', workin'

9-5 and enjoying the double-income-no-kids lifestyle. Well, I hit the big 3-0

and the biological clock- more like the biological alarm - went off! I was
preggers shortly thereafter.

After 15 hours of labor, a beautiful bald baby girl was born

and our lives were changed forever......

In many ways it seems like her birth happened just yesterday

and in so many ways it feels like exactly 13 years ago....

ahhhh, life!

My big girl visited my parents last week for 5 days which gave me

the opportunity to do a thorough cleaning and a little re-decorating, giving

her a room befitting the teenager she will soon be.

I soon discovered the reason I had been putting off this task - nevermind

the piles of clothes, mementos, stuffed animals, soccer socks, and other various collections.....

going through her room meant facing the fact that she is growing up......gulp.

Oh sure, I have done 'the big clean out' before, but this time we were transitioning -

I put away the Brownie vest, Girl Scout sash, her first soccer shin guards, photos

from pee wee soccer teams, lacrosse teams, swimming ribbons won long ago, Webkinz,

Junie B. Jones books and rock collections......the things that represent

the childhood she is leaving behind...

Some beautiful 'before' shots!

I am proud to say that I know my children well. Cleaning out my

first baby's room shined a bright light on all that I love and know about her....

* She loves to read, anything and everything, from the classics, Harry Potter,

the Lightening Thief, biographies, joke books and teen fiction....

* She is a collector, of soccer socks, rocks, books, soccer tournament

t-shirts, sweatshirts, friends and lip balm among other things!

* She loves inspiring words - the reason I chose so many to decorate her walls!

* She loves animals - equally the stuffed and real live varieties!

* She loves EVERYTHING about soccer - playing it and collecting

signed stinky shoes from her favorite players, books about her heros

{Mia Hamm} and jersey's from favorite teams.

* My daughter is resilient - in her room are yearbooks from three

elementary schools, a product of our "bloom where you're planted"

lifestyle......seeing them put a lump in this mommy's throat because

the challenges those moves brought is still so fresh. My first born

has handled every move with optimism and uses humor to deflate

any feelings of nerves or uneasiness.

Her bedroom is big and has chair-rail that was painted white. I chose to paint the chair-rail

the same color I had the walls painted (Benjamin Moore's "A Touch of Gray"). The color

is actually a very subtle lavender with a "touch of gray". Big girl chose lime green

as her accent color.

She also has a very big walk in closet that I organized - the bookshelves pictured above

are actually in her closet - the other side (not pictured) fit all her clothes. She is lucky.

I have collected vintage E's forever and have used them in various ways in her

previous rooms - I chose to mix them with Etsy prints on the walls. The E over

her bed is from Pottery Barn and the frame is a vintage one that I just spray painted.

I chose quotes to inspire a 13 year old like - "The glass is half full",

and "you are beautiful both inside and out".....

Ikea helped with lots of stuff......like the hanging light fixture, desk chair,

and bedding! Thanks Ikea - for cheap home stuff and meatballs!

Her bed is a vintage iron bed that I love and she strongly dislikes. She has her eye

on something more modern but for now, she is stuck with the one

good old mom loves.....for now.

The pillow on her bed says it all..... this special girl of mine

who is a student, a goof-ball, a giver of extraordinary hugs, a super

good goal keeper, a friend to many, a role model for her little sister,
a daughter to me and her dad......

is well on her way to achieve her BIG dreams!

I am proud to be her momma.....

** Forever*Cottage Tag Sale coming Monday!!!!

Barn House in photos.....

2011-08-03T09:13:00.000-07:00

Of course, the Barn House sale did not disappoint.

I had really missed shopping vintage sales in the Pacific Northwest.....

and every summer away vowed I would not miss another

Barn House sale....little did I know that THIS year I would be lucky

enough to be living back in Portland and getting to Battleground was

a short 40 minute drive north! Yippee!

There was vintage goodies galore - linens, and jewels and chippy goodness!

Joe and Jermonne have created such a peaceful, serene and gorgeous farm. It was inspiring to walk through their gardens and so entertaining to watch

their many animals in the small pasture they were left with after the larger pastures

were mowed for additional sale parking.

The entertainment was fantastic!

The weather was perfect!

I struggled with my purchases..... but in the end I brought home

a few things I am completely happy with.

Funny story.....I purchased this iron garden cart pictured below.....

It is currently behind my sofa in our great room....it is my attempt at a

non-sofa table, sofa table.....do you know what I mean? Let me explain.....

I strongly dislike looking at the naked back of a floating sofa.....
but I also strongly dislike most traditional sofa tables.....
I am trying to find something that isn't a traditional sofa table, a vintage piece
that will shine behind my sofa.....

For now, this is it....while it may not stay, I am happy with my
purchase because I love it and know that it will work
either inside or out in my home! Sort of goes along with
the often offered advice....buy what you love.

After I made my purchase I brought a friend to the vendor's booth,

proud to show her my treasure. Well my friend asked me if the cart

looked familiar......cause our mutual friend had sold it to

the dealer out of her home because she was moving!

So....I bought my friends table!

While the shopping was great, the best thing about my day at Barn House

was spending time with friends, both old and new....

friends like this girl, who inspire me in photography and cooking, and

this bubbly girl who has a big heart and makes a mean margarita, and

this beautiful blogger friend from Minnesota who happened

to be visiting her parents in the Northwest and joined me for the

day at Barn House......

And of course, 'the boys', who make everyone feel welcome

and whose own zest for life and love seems to rub

off on the hearts and minds of everyone them.

Good juju all around!

If you need me this weekend, I'll be here......

2011-07-29T10:19:00.000-07:00

I'm heading out early tomorrow, to go see "the boys"....

it's sort of the highlight of my summer....

Is that pathetic?

I guess after entertaining children with trips to the zoo and pool, taxi services to

lessons, camps and practices, cheering on the soccer sidelines....

THIS MOMMA NEEDS A FLEA-FIX!

My shopping list includes:

* A long-ish narrow table that would

look great behind a sofa

* maybe a cool chair {or two} for my living room

* A cool shelf/storage thingy for my

girls' bathroom

* small side tables

* accessories

So I am arriving early, hoping to score the good stuff, please send

me good "flea juju" - I will need it!

.....on color.....among other things...

2011-07-26T15:06:00.000-07:00

Lots about moving your family across country, for what seems like

the 100th time, is not fun or in anyway enjoyable.....

my friend is in the thick of it and she has been on my

mind alot recently cause I know it ain't easy!

I am no expert on the subject, but having gone through

all the hard parts of relocations, I am here to officially proclaim that

the BEST part of relocation is decorating and fluffing

your new home.....

For me, settling in to a new home has been best accomplished

by thinking of the process as a marathon and not a sprint. I have made ~~many~~

thousands of costly mistakes when I buy something quickly and to "fill" an

empty space in a new home only to find something better and cheaper

down the road.

While I have shown the pretty parts of our new home, there are lots of

spaces that remain untouched. And instead of feeling frustrated and working

quickly to fill rooms and choose color combinations I am taking my time....

enjoying the summer with my kiddos. I am using Pintrest to search

for inspiration for my living room. This "formal" space

is primarily white but I am inspired to add touches of coral, yellow and teal..

This sure looks "FRESH".....but my translation will be more subtle.....

The walls of my living room are Benjamin Moore's Gray Owl, my new favorite gray.

I need to use the small sofa I have but am re-making it with a new slipcover in a faded taupe-y/gray

linen damask. I plan to add a set of matching chairs that I hope to score

via Craigslist or maybe even {gasp!} Ikea!

I will add coral/yellow/grey/teal in small doses via soft goods {pillows}

and hard goods {accessories}......

** All images via Pintrest

I am linking up at the handmade home today!

well hello Mr. Industrial.....

2011-07-21T19:28:00.000-07:00

Brickmaker tables seem to be all the rage right now in design....

I love the look, but not the BIG price tags that tend to accompany these industrial beauties.....

When I found the Ballard Designs version I thought I would go for it and place

my order - at around 350 bucks, the price was about 1/3 the cost of it's

more substantial versions {hello Restoration Hardware!}....

Well, seems lots of other design savy peeps wanted Mr. Industrial too....

'cause it was backordered for like THREE MONTHS.....

Not usually a patient girl, I decided I had no choice but to wait....

plus we were in the middle of moving and I had a few other

things to keep my mind occupied!

Well, Mr. Industrial arrived today.....

I am usually skeptical about furniture that comes

"Assembly Required" but this piece went together quickly and quite

sturdily {I am bringing out my very best vocabulary tonight girls!}...

And cause I have a fancy new camera and wanted to show all of you his luscious industrial goodness, I snapped these photos about 12 seconds after I assembled him....

I have fallen in love with blue porcelain once again in this house.....

proving to my husband that YES we should keep all these ~~pieces of crap~~ beautiful collectibles

in storage 'cause a woman is ~~known~~ entitled to change her mind!

I will say that the Ballard Designs version is not as big as other more costly tables but

actually fits my space better than the others would have. I also

love that it has a lower shelf to store magazines or books. The pricier

versions do not have lower shelves.

I am thrilled with Mr. Industrial!

** I am headed to San Diego this weekend for another soccer tournament.....

but hoping to see some sites beyond the soccer fields. Any California

girls have recommendations for me? Good shopping, eating, beaches?

random......but fun!

2011-07-19T18:55:00.000-07:00

Like I mentioned in my previous post, our family traveled to Seattle last weekend.

Before we left mama got a new camera! Whoo hoo!

I had fun taking lots of photos

in Seattle/Snohomish until my camera battery went dead mid--shopping at

Ruffles & Rust Square with Melaine in Snohomish! Bummer!

The collage above pretty much sums up the weekend, including the

'ugly-squishy face-i'm tryin' to take a photo' pic of yours truly!

My girlies are having a great summer despite our move to a new neighborhood and

few friends. My little girl began Suzuki violin lessons last week. That's her

with the big grin above holding the violin case on her way to her first lesson.

While in Seattle we happened to stumble upon the Four Seasons Hotel where

the Manchester United soccer team was staying and departing shortly.

We stayed long enough for my big girl to get some player autographs, including

from her favorite player, Wayne Rooney! That's big girl pictured above standing

by the "Man U" bus!

I did make a few purchases while shopping in Snohomish. I bought a

reproduction bottle drying rack for my mugs in my new kitchen.

**I had a BIG one in my Minnesota kitchen that was just too big for our new space -

look for the big one in a Forever*Cottage Tag Sale....coming soon!

I also bought this French basket pictured below. I don't know where I will hang it but I love it

and know I will find a place either outdoors on my front porch or indoors

on a narrow wall. I picture it filled with driftwood found at the beach!

I will be shopping, hanging out and generally loitering all.day.long at

the Barn House sale on July 30.....how about you? Will you

be there?

Shabby Apple Winner!

2011-07-17T18:22:00.000-07:00

Oops! Our family left for Seattle for a weekend getaway on Friday and I neglected to post the winner of the Shabby Apple dress giveaway! The winner was chosen in a very scientific way - my youngest daughter picked a number between 1 and 29! And she chose........#11 - Garden Antiques Vintage! Please email me and I will give you directions on how you get the dress of your choice! Congratulations!!!

We had a fun and busy weekend in Seattle - the purpose of our trip was to see family but I also snuck in a visit to Ruffles & Rust and Snohomish with the lovely Melaine from My Sweet Savannah! I can't wait to show you some pictures....
I got a NEW camera!!!! And I look forward to showing you BETTER pictures of our home....it is a long over due upgrade!
Can it really be mid-July?
Why can't I seem to finish any house projects? Oh, that's right, my kids are out of school!
Next up on the house "ta-da" list - my living room and bonus room. I ordered a microfiber sectional for the bonus room - not a thrilling way to spend alot of money but necessary for a great hangout/kid space. Despite the microfiber sofa, I will add lots of vintage touches to the bonus space, including that great vintage map of Portland I purchased at Farm Chicks.

So, what's new in your busy lives?

Are you watching?

2011-07-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

Are you watching Million Dollar Decorators on Bravo?

It's my latest obsession! I am officially addicted.

I love the egos, the drama, the frivolity of it all!

My favorite is Kathryn.....I loved her day in Palm Springs on

this last week's episode.....drinking and eating at the outdoor

bar and passing out in the lounge chair by evening!

Are you watching? Who is your favorite?

Don't forget to enter the Shabby Apple giveaway by midnight tonight!

Shabby Apple Giveaway

2011-07-12T11:33:00.000-07:00

I was honored to be contacted by Shabby Apple, a wonderful company

that sells women's, little girls and maternity dresses. Shabby Apple offered

to giveaway one of their fabulous dresses to one lucky

Forever*Cottage reader! I don't know about you, but

I could use a new dress right about now......one that gets me

from mid-summer to early fall. And instead of choosing just

one Shabby Apple dress to giveaway, I decided to let the winning

reader choose one from the three I have selected below.......

cause I know we all have different tastes and onlyYOU know

what looks best on you!

You could choose "Amethyst" pictured above!

Or you could choose "San Gabriel" - love those ruffles!

"The Traveler" is oh so sophisticated!

To enter to win one of these fabulous dresses, go to the Shabby Apple Facebook page
and "Like" Shabby Apple. Come back here and let
me know you did that AND tell me which one of the three Shabby Apple dresses pictured
above you would choose if you won!

If you just can't wait and want to order a dress for yourself today, Shabby
Apple is offering a special 10% off discount code for Forever*Cottage
readers! Just enter "forevercottage10off" at checkout to receive
10% off your purchase {offer available for the next 30 days}.

Enter by Thursday, July 14 at midnight. I will announce the winner on Friday.

~~Girl power!

2011-07-07T21:33:00.000-07:00

Tonight I wanted to share a bit......

about my amazing sister-in-law....who is sort of a hero...to me,

but also to my girls.....'cause my girls have a mom who, on a good day,

runs her 3 miles and then has a couple glasses of wine in the evening to celebrate.....whoo- hoo!

My sister-in-law runs ultra-marathons - as in 100 miles through the mountains marathons......

but the most amazing thing is she WINS them! Besides just being a super cool human-being,

she just kicks ass!

This weekend she is running the Hard Rock 100, a race that she has won {for the women}

three times. She holds the women's course record for both ways the race is run

{clockwise and counter clockwise}.

Check out this video of her last year going through an aid station

{that is my handsome brother in the backwards baseball hat,

who happens to "pace" her for the last 50 miles!}:

It just so happens that last year she led the race overall for 92 miles!

Yep, she was officially beating the boys!

In uncharacteristic fashion, she had significant physical difficulties in the latter

stages of the race, cramping and falling - however, she finished second overall

and set a new women's course record.

Diana in 2009

The next day when she became extremely ill, my brother took her to the hospital. Turns

out that she was suffering serious dehydration and her kidney's were not

functioning. She was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Denver

where she spent the next month being treated for kidney failure.

I am happy and relieved to say she recovered and resumed her running and

training. What can I say? This race is her passion.

And this year she is back.

We are proud of Diana, she is awesome and we are praying that this weekend

she runs the race of her life and above all else, finishes in good health!

** My brother wrote a fabulous article{"Pacing Diana"} about her race that was published in the June issue of Trail Runner magazine, if you are interested, you can read it here.

Cottage style curb appeal.....my YELLOW door!

2011-07-06T13:34:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it is Wednesday! Where is the summer going? Are you feeling the same?

It was a busy weekend at our house ~ between golf games, entertaining and holiday celebrations, we concentrated on adding some cottage-style curb appeal to our new home. I took the plunge and painted our front door yellow - a color that I would categorize as "trendy" right now. Given my love

of neutral decor I was not 100% certain I was going to love this bold

color on our front door but I do, I do!

In addition to painting the door, we added a new antique bronze handle and lock-set, I like

how the black looks with the yellow door, so crisp!

I finally planted topiaries and my vintage stone urns with my favorite plants! And

added some vintage grain sack pillows on the bench.

The light fixtures were looking worn and tired, their original grayish paint was faded

and uneven. Instead of replacing them at a GREAT expense, I had the hubby

disassemble them and gave them a coat of black spray paint! SO. MUCH. BETTER.

And finally, we made a big decision - we removed the shutters. While I usually love shutters on homes, I just came to the conclusion that the only contribution the shutters provided was

clutter so they had to GO. If you want to see what the outside of our home looked like

when we bought it, check out this post.

I used Benjamin Moore "Stuart Gold" (HC-10)
for the front door - love it!