Find of the Day - small vases

Need a pick me up to get you through the rest of Winter?  Here is a little something that might help.

Add a small vase of something fresh to your main living area.  You can use flowers or even a few sprigs of boxwood from your yard.  

The trick is to pick a small vase with a small mouth (rather than a trumpet shaped vase with a large opening).  This allows maximum impact with only a few stems of flowers or greenery.  A small vase can be placed in so many different places.  They are perfect on a small side table like this one next to my sofa.  Or on a bedside table.  Here are few examples of the type of vase that I am talking about. 

This particular one comes in a couple of different colors with a crackle finish.  I just love the look of it. 

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For something modern, consider this.  Also, I love white because it hides the stems of the flowers and does not limit the color of the flowers you choose. 

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These have an Asian vibe that is a nice addition to any space. 

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Flowers always brighten a space and your mood! 

Favorite Super Bowl Ad

Did your team win last night!!? Well, I can honestly say my favorite part about the Super Bowl is the ads.  My favorite of the night should come as no surprise to any of you who read my posts.  Here it is:

You have to be able to laugh at your self, right?!  BTW, this was rated in the top 10 worst ads of the night.  Had to be rated by a bunch of guys!  It totally cracked me up. 

Have a great Monday. M.

Valentine Find for You!

I hope you are enjoying your weekend so far.  Just a quick post on this amazing giveaway for you!!  I thought about keeping it to my self to better my odds, but then just could not bear the thought of you not getting a shot at it.  

Karena over at Art by Karena is giving away this necklace on Valentine's day!

This amazing giveaway is being hosted by Splendarosa which is also a really interesting blog that is worth checking out.  So, don't say I never gave you anything. Click over there and enter to win it.  Good Luck!  M.

Guest Bedroom Make Do

We are having family in town for the weekend, and this reminded me that I'd forgotten to post pictures of our "freshened up" guest bedroom.  I did a little re-design in there this past summer using mainly things I already had from other rooms.  Unfortunately, I did not take any befores for you to truly appreciate the "dumping ground" this room started out as.  This just shows you what you can come up with by thinking outside the box and using what you have in new and fresh ways.

I was nutszo over this pillow fabric when I found it.  It's a linen that has a light green background with gray, cream and paprika accents. I love it because it allowed me to use my old wall color (so I didn't have to paint, and I really hate to paint!).  But a couple of weeks after I made the pillows, I received a Ballard Designs catalog and was crushed when I saw my fabric as a new feature fabric for their furniture line.  I know I shouldn't care, but I did not want to see my fabric everywhere.  So, I am going to leave it for now, but may remake them in something else later. 

A few details about the room, I got the bed when I first started practicing law in Atlanta in 1994.  It was one of the first pieces of furniture I bought.  The lamps are from Home Goods, and I replaced the shades with burlap barrel shades I picked up locally(these were in my dining room at one point).  The original shades were lavender silk, so I had to use my imagination when I found them (they were around $35 each)!  The artwork is from Scott's (got it 10 years ago) and just moved it from another room into the space.  The cowhide rug is from IKEA from a couple of years ago.

This side table I picked up at a local antique/used furniture store for $80.00, and the chair was from my daughter's nursery.

This table is from IKEA.  Can't remember the price? But I know they still carry it.  The crystal bowl was a wedding gift and was stored in a closet.

The Coverlet on the bed is from Home Goods (Ralph Lauren, I think), and the throw at the end of the bed is a twin spread I got years ago from this wonderful local shop (it's Peacock Alley so I hung onto it).

The mirror was a wedding gift from a relative of my husband.  The basket is from Pottery Barn and I had it in my nursery with my son.  The luggage rack was brought to the marriage by my hubby. 

Since taking the pictures, I have purchased a drapery rod and have yet to make the panels for it.  So,  I hope you will look around your house for items to make your guest bedroom a little more special.  Your imagination is the only limit.  Cheers! M.

I am linking this post to several link parties this weekend.  If you have some spare time, check them out!

http://simplydesigning.blogspot.com/2011/02/simply-link-party-and-winner.html 

http://funtocraft.blogspot.com/2011/02/look-at-me-party.html

http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/2011/02/feature-yourself-friday.html

http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/2011/02/its-hodgepodge-friday.html

Dear Summer {Part 2}

Most Wonderful Summer,

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I just received word from your friend Phil!  Yesterday was abuzz with the news.  You have no idea how it thrills me that you are to arrive sooner than expected. 

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 I am awaiting this reunion with such anticipation!  In fact, I spent most of yesterday on cloud nine.

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As usual, we will celebrate your arrival with a big party.  Lots of friends who I haven't seen since your last visit.


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Of course, all the festivities will be outside.  What better place to enjoy your company?

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Although I am so happy with the news, I confess, I was a bit shocked. As you know, I ask you to come early every single year and I can only think of one other time that you were able to make this happen.


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Although I have not mentioned a word to Winter about this news, he seems to know that something is amiss as his mood has been extra bitter as of later.

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But, no matter!  Knowing you are to come is simply enough to get me through these last few weeks of my time with him.

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Well, I must scoot.  Spring will be knocking at the door any day now and I have to make plans.

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  You know your ears will be burning once she is all settled in for her wonderful, yet brief stay.


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She thinks the world of you.  If I had to be totally honest, I feel like she makes more preparations for your coming than even I.

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Now get your work done, would not want for you to be even a minute later than you must.

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See you soon!

[For the first letter to Summer click here]

Latest Obsession?

Wall Screens.
Just look at these amazing rooms and how the screens really become massive pieces of artwork.

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Just a little something to think about in your own home! M.

Valentine Gift Idea

First, I want to thank you for all the wonderful comments on my post yesterday about fabrics for my playroom.  I loved getting your thoughts on those fun fabrics!  At some point, I hope to put one of them into action, so stay tuned on that one.  But for now, we are moving on to . . .  Valentine's Day.

Last week was my husband's birthday.  Usually, he doesn't ask for anything because his birthday falls so closely on the heels of Christmas and he always says, "We did too much for Christmas, so don't get me anything."  I do think he means it, but I hate not giving him anything.  So, I always try to find a little something for him to open.  

Well, this is what I got him. 

The True Measure of a Man

This book would make an absolutely perfect Valentine's gift for any sweet man in your life.  This book was written by Richard Simmons.

NO, NOT THIS GUY!

 Rather, Birmingham's very own Richard E. Simmons III, who is an amazing speaker and author.  

Richard is a very interesting guy with a take on life like no other I have ever met.  John and I once attend a marriage retreat where Richard came and spoke (which is rare since his audience is usually men).  We were both dreading the occasion but were pleasantly surprised to find no soft music, exercises of staring into each other's eyes or taking turns telling each other positive things.  

It was so down to earth and with practical thoughts on living with your soul mate and respecting each other.  Richard spoke about our culture and how society subtly places all these unrealistic expectations on marriages.  I came away from it with a new outlook on how I approached my marriage and still today remember many of the things he talked about.

So, what's this book about and why does your man need it? 

This book is about helping your man refocus his perspective on what is important in life.  It's about making sure he knows you value him for him and not for what he accomplishes in life.  

"Men so often define themselves by what they do, who they know, or what they own.  And when they do so, they unwittingly set themselves up for great confusion and failure in their personal lives."  Richard Simmons.

Now that I've given you a great gift idea, what am I going to get for my Valentine?!?  Any ideas?