Get Ready for a Giveaway!

My guilt has gotten the best of me...

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

I owe you BIG TIME....

for your words of encouragment...

and faithful visits...

and most of all inspiration!

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

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

Tuesday musings from a snowy cottage.....

I know...

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

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

I promise, this is it!



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

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



Sort of makes their momma enjoy it too...

Wanted.....a bit of SUNSHINE!

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

Winter lingers....

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

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

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



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



Yellow....

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

Until now,

in February....

Yellow....

a happy color...



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

Seems to be the perfect compliment..



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

You know I love me a new pillow!



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

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



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

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



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

Lost.....

Life....

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

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

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

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



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

It's been hard...

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

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

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



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

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

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

I just drove.

And I got lost....

in the Minnesota countryside....

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

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

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



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




Have a glorious weekend my dear friends...