Celebrating 100!

Well, I'll be!  This little 'ol blog has reached 100 followers - who would've ever thought?  I am giddy with excitement and simultaneously a little dumb founded?!?  Seriously?!  My blog - 100 followers?   So, from the bottom of my heart, MERCI!  Thank you for visits, your comments, your compliments, your interest and your patience (I know my DIY projects take forever to finish)!

I started this blog to be "in the spirit of creation."  Creation is a such a wonderful and beautiful thing; and, I am just overjoyed to how many times we can "create" or experience "creation" every day.

Before blogging, I had no idea that this world existed.  It's a little like this whole separate parallel universe.  But, once you start blogging, some very warm hearted souls start to follow and before you know it, you can't remember what you did before blogging!  It's a wonderful thing.

So, thank you again from the bottom of my heart.  Thank you for your kindness and support all my blogger friends!!  And, if you stop by and don't regularly comment, I'd love to hear from you - just say 'Hi'!!

Wishing you all a very happy weekend!

Progress is being made...

Remember, one of my 2011 resolutions is to get my office into shape?  Shelves and canvas photos have been hung, de-cluttering has begun and major organization of my magazines, fabric samples and files has been taking place.  My inspiration board is a work in progress but this is how it looks at the moment.

Inspiration boards take time - you can't force these things.  Funny, lots of pink on my board.  I hardly have any pink in my house.  Maybe this a gentle nudge trying to push me in that direction??  Hmm...Remember, the before?  Blank slate.  

Kiki & Polly: Mini Prints

Lisa Golightly's (Kiki & Polly) artwork has made its rounds in the blogosphere and rightfully so!  But,  have you seen her new 'mini prints'?

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I recently purchased the above two prints for both our master and our son's bedroom.  For $10 each, how can you pass it up?  They are so adorable and would be a perfect addition to any gallery wall.  

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Pleasantly Surprised...

This week was a good one for me in blogosphere.  We got a snow day which allowed me to blog a little more!!  Always a good thing.  

And, two talented and stylish bloggers, Casey from Loft and Cottage and Maureen from Eclectic Revisited passed along the Stylish Blogger Award my way!  Thank you, ladies!!  It's great to be recognized! 

So, without further adieu, here are 7 things about myself:

1. I live in the coldest and draftiest house in all of New England.  Our house is old and I hate the cold.  

 

2. During my single years, I lived in Manhattan for eight years working for an investment banking firm.

 

3. My husband and I got set-up through a mutual friend and our first date was a friend's wedding.  He lived in CT and I lived in Philadelphia, PA.  After our first date, he drove down every weekend to see me and we got married exactly 365 days after our first date.

  

4. I have an ungraduate degree in Accounting and two Master degrees in Organizational and Counseling Psychology.

 

6. I have had the opportunitiy to live in many places: PA, NJ, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), TX (boarding school), Brussels (Belgium), Rottweil (Germany), FLA, NYC, and now CT.  

 

7. I speak German fluently and taught German boys English at a boy's boarding school in Rottweil, Germany.  My first day of teaching, I was standing in front of a room of teenaged German boys and I will admit, I was nervous.  Thinking of ways to break the ice, I thought I would say "Don't worry, I'm cool".  Well, little did I know that the formal word for 'cool' in German also has a second slang connotation.  So, what I really said and what they heard was, "Don't worry, I'm horney!"  I never lived that day down and it was an uphill battle from that day on.....:)

 

8. And, one more, I love to laugh.....I have a stupid/silly kind of sense of humor and l love movies like 'Airplane' and the cartoon 'Far Side' cracks me up!!

Now, I get to pass along the Stylish Blogger Award to some recently discovered blogs.  I'm always amazed by the talent I find and I am sure you will love these blogs as much as I do:

1. Meet Me In Philadelphia

2. Chic Geek

3. Design Manifest

4. Lucky Little Stars

5. Plain & Fancy Living

6. Skoots and Cuddles

7. The Huntress Lives

As part of accepting the award, they'll...

+ Thank and link back to the person that awarded them {me}

+ Share seven things about themselves.

+ Pay it forward to some recently discovered bloggers.

+ Contact those bloggers about the award! 

A new addition: An Elephant Planter

Browsing through the latest Lonny, I soaked up every detail especially the feature on Hillary Thomas' designs in Marlien Rentmeester's home.

While I browsed I noticed the elephant planter on Marlien's mantel.  How adorable!  Having always wanted one of these, but not having enough space for one, I thought why not get my elephant fix with an elephant planter??  Besides, I could use a little more greenery in our house.  So, I immediately went to Ebay and look what will be arriving very shortly.....

Isn't he cute?!?

PS:  Also, did you notice that Hillary Thomas is opening a store and coming out with a blog!!  Can't wait!

Inspiration: Dining Room Turned Leg Table

This weekend I went over to my friend's house to help her with her dining room.  She just moved and is starting from scratch.  She wants to be practical (as she has two very young children) and stick with a dining room table that will weather the storm, accommodate a large party of guests and is fairly traditional.  She has yet to officially define her style.  How many of us can relate to this?  And, until she does, she just wants a practical room that will last a couple of years.  

So, let's introduce the wooden turned leg dining table.  A look she likes.  Here, are some inspiration pictures:

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An espresso stained table matched with simple white side chairs.  The varying shades of wood create depth and interest throughout the room.  

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A fellow blogger's breakfast area.  A farm table paired with her dining room chairs.  Love the citrine and gray color combination - so fresh and clean.  

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My friend is considering an unfinished table where she can pick the stain of her choice.  Here, is an example of a honey stained table with white Gustavian like dining chairs.  The look is casual, but is dressed up with a crystal chandelier and silver accents.  

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Another honey stained table matched with rattan wicker chairs to create a natural and warm look.  I like the addition of the horizontal curtains that add a modern touch. 

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An espresso stained table paired with slipcovered side chairs.  She is not a fan of slipcovered chairs, but I only show this for the table.  

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A sophisticated room touched with a hint of subtlety.    

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A different turned leg table - formal and classic in design.  

So, do you have a turned leg table and how is it used in your design?

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly....

So, remember this awesome find for $30?   This is the Good.....

Take note of the red upholstered seat.  See the red fabric?  Well, that is the Bad.  Goals are to paint the chair.  Check.  Done in an awesome new color which I love!  Second, is to reupholster the seat in a new fabric.  I decided to take the red fabric off for fear that it might show through my new fabric.  Well, here comes the Ugly.

Not one layer of fabric, but two?  I thought this only happened when taking down wallpaper?  To top it off the white plaid fabric is textured so I had to take that off as well.

Well, I finally finished and with only one injury when I jammed the screwdriver in the palm of my hand trying to take out those pesty staples.

We're approaching the finish line folks!  I can't wait to show you the reveal!!  Stay tuned.

PSS:  All pictures (except for the first one) are shot with a new camera!  Santa was good to me this Christmas.  I received the Canon EOS Rebel T1i.  Still learning the ropes as you probably can tell.  Can use all the help I can get!!