Random Babble

Okay, so I've got an awful lot of "stuff" on my plate these days.  The house, the kids, work, blah blah blah.  On top of it all, 5 months of 2009 have come and gone and I haven't accomplished any of my personal goals.  How does this happen?  Why does this happen?  Frankly, I'm furious about it.  Everything around me gets taken care of but my personal goals just sit, written on that danged piece of paper begging to have some attention paid to them.  Does this happen in your world?  What do you do about it?  If you're like me, you just keep plugging along, promising yourself that you will take care of "you" next month, next week, on this date, etc.  Then you wake up and find yourself staring into the mirror wondering who is looking back at you.  

I have really looked at myself closely lately and I'm not happy.  It's time to snap out of it.  No more excuses.  No more empty promises.  So, I'm ready to roll forward.

I've armed myself with some books, some new DVD's, and a plan.  Not a crazy plan, nothing that is going to stress me out, but giving myself the power to succeed.  

People don't plan to fail, they fail to plan.

So, I'm planning.

I've grabbed some highly recommended books.  The Skinny Bitch Series both their books and DVD's.  I've got a couple of Jazzercise DVD's (I love Jazzercise), Lisa Rinna DVD's, of course Jillian Michaels DVD's AND books, and all my old stand-by workout "stuff".  

I love my treadmill, but it's definitely not enough.  I've let everything about me slide and I just feel icky.  So, I'm starting over on June 1st.  It's a fresh start for me.  One day at a time.  I'm excited, I'm confident, I'm determined.

Anyone else feel like they need a change?  Eat better?  Move more?  Drink more water?  Take better care of themselves?  Lose Weight?  Spend more time doing something you love?  

Have you ever found yourself in this place?  Did you make a change?  

Oh, do leave a comment and tell me your story.  Have you always made yourself a priority?  Have you felt like me?  What did you do?  Do you know someone else who has?  

"My" Room ... dreaming 'bout choices

Here are some of the items I am contemplating using in "my" room. I'd love to hear what you think.

(all photos from Pottery Barn)

I would like to have these hanging baskets in the room, I'm thinking of putting them behind the bed, between the sconces.



These are the sconces I am loving right now and I think I'm going to buy them for behind (above) the bed.


I love this clock.  It looks vintage, has wonderful numbers and a great finish.  Plus it's an alarm clock, can't beat that.




White pick-stitch daybed cover.  I own a green pick-stitch blanket and I love it so I knew I wanted another one for this room.  White is perfect.



I have admired this daily wall system since PB first introduced it.  The space above where the desk will go is perfect for this system.  My O.C. needs love the perfect organization of it all too.



The best desk chair ever.  Classic, practical, and comfort all in one.



The best desk.  The drawers, the storage, the size, I love it all.


I've been in love with bamboo shades since I used them in my old house.  They add a wonderful element to the room without being overwhelming.  




  The new Cameron panels are perfect in price, construction, texture, and color.  

So, these are my choices.  What do you think?  Do you love Pottery Barn too?  

Adventures in Remodeling: Painting Part II, Choices

Ahhh.  So what choices have I made in my painting scheme?  Well, it all began when I did my master bedroom last year.

I chose to paint the room Glidden's Fencepost. 

"My" room is painted Sherwin Williams' Natural Choice.

Both of these colors are colors I chose from Layla's home, The Lettered Cottage.

I have chosen to add these colors in the near future too.

Rice Grain (Sherwin Williams)

And Sea Salt (Sherwin Williams)

My kitchen cabinets are going to be repainted to match the doors and trim in Benjamin Moore Dove White.

The carpet cleaning men are coming on Thursday morning and I'm running like a chicken with it's head cut off trying to get ready for company on Saturday, but I promise pictures are coming very very soon.

Adventures in Remodeling: Inspirational Blogs

I thought I would share some of the blogs that have inspired me in some of my decorating choices.  

Layla at The Lettered Cottage

Melanie at My Sweet Savannah

Sara at Sadie's Olive

Diana at Devine Home

Lissa at Humble Pie

Kasey at Lola B's

Adventures in Remodeling: Painting Part I

“If time were a color, I bet it would be a tasteful off-white."

Greg Parrish

American Golden Age Illustrator, 1870-1966 

So, we know I've struggled and questioned and pondered and cried and struggled some more over this crazy house and what to do, how to decorate, what's my style, what's the right choice, etc.  I have driven myself insane, my husband, my friends, my family, and well, everyone.  

I even forced myself to make a choice, bought the paint and told myself that was it.  No way out now.  Except, I wasn't happy.  I wasn't being true to myself.

A wonderful gal, Diana at The Devine Home, gave me the best advice ever.  She told me to look to the photos I've collected and I will have my answer.  I really pondered this.  Could it be so simple?  Honestly, it was.  I have collected magazine photos and photos on the web that made my heart go pitter patter.  Guess what they all had in common?  WHITE.

The color white.  Boring, right?  Well, I admit, I struggled with this.  But, white is truly a great color.  It reflects light making spaces feel brighter and larger.

White is timeless and traditional but it can also be contemporary. Everything looks great with white.

But, this choice wasn't easy by any stretch of the imagination. The night before Bryon was going to paint, he made me choose the paint color that was going on the wall. He made me write it down. He made me put the can of paint in the room. In the middle of the night I woke up and realized I had made a dreadful mistake. I went to the room, took the can of paint and hid it. I tore up the piece of paper. (yes, I am that pathetic)
Of course, in my world, the troubles couldn't end there. There had to more fun before the paint went on the walls. The priming was complete and Bryon was ready to put the first coat on the walls. As we were edging (or cutting in) I couldn't help but think that the color doesn't seem right.  It seems off.  So, I grabbed my sample can and the gallon and dabbed them side by side and nope, they didn't match.  The lovely folks at Home Depot who said they could match the Sherwin Williams formula were wrong - their computers lied.  So, I had to dash off to Sherwin Williams.  Of course, I brought my trusty sample quart with me.  The young lad whipped up my gallon and I the paranoid and ragged looking lady with paint on her fingers made him put my sample next to the gallon he just whipped up for me.  Another lesson learned, different sheens produce slightly different colors.  So, the happy lad got to whip up another gallon of paint for the ragged crazed lady.  But, the paint color was perfect.

So, we got the room and the hallway and closets painted and I love love love the color.  I am so happy that I listened to my heart and went for it.  I'm excited about moving forward to the decorating phase now.  But, first I have to clean up the mess that is all over the house from emptying 3 closets and an entire room.  The things we hang on to and stuff in closets is rather interesting when you think about it.  But, I did manage to get things organized and I threw out a few things too.  Not quite done with these areas, but being able to put a few things away and clear the clutter from the rest of the house sure is a relief.

Not quite ready to show pictures of the fresh spaces, but soon.  So, in the meantime I'll share some very delightful photos that have made me smile.

Happy Memorial Day!

Sunday Blessings

And my God shall supply all your need 

according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Beachy Treasures from Down Under

There's a gal named Sarah who has a blog (a beach cottage) I follow and she recently had a glorious giveaway that I won.

On Thursday I had a kinda stinky day, so I was happy to just be home and see the day coming to a close.

My mailbox was slightly ajar (no, my mailbox isn't a jar, it's a mailbox - yup, I have silly humor) so I reached in and pulled out a big puffy package from Sarah.


Inside the envelope was this pretty package wrapped in fabric and string.

When I untied the string and unwrapped the fabric, I found this delightful string of seashells.

Inside I found...
Four seashell napkin rings, four napkins, and four placemats in the most delightful colors.

I fell completely and totally in love.  I found the inspiration that I was missing but so desperately searching for.  

Wait till you see how it inspired me!  

Light and Airy

This recipe box is so delightful that I must own one.  I don't just want this, I need this.  It was love at first sight.

Oh travertine.  I delight in travertine tiles.  I love the feel underfoot, the colors, the textures, the light and airy feel it gives.

Oh Pottery Barn.  This room is so welcoming to me.  I'm not sure what I love about it so much, but it's bright and cheery without being cold.  I just want to snuggle up with my stitching and a glass of sweet tea, turn on some Andrea Boccelli and get lost in the moment.

This is practical beauty to me.  You need to hang up your jacket, so make it useful decor.  I'm a sucker for rubbed oil or black iron and bead-board has a permanent place in my heart.  I also think this is a great idea for the bathroom to hang some colorful towels.  

Lanterns are a recent discovery for me.  Something about them makes me happy.  I've always loved candles, but lanterns are just, well, wonderful.  I love all shapes, sizes, and styles.  Of course, THESE are from Pottery Barn - cuz I do love me some Pottery Barn.

Okay, I tend to like punches of whimsy.  This wooden sign from Pottery Barn is just so stinking awesome that I want it, I need it, I so gotta have it.  What a great piece!

Another PB photo.  You can see that awesome flag again, but I love the table and the light fixture is just so unusual that for some reason I like it.  The centerpiece is great and I swear I'm going to do that.  My girlfriend did it once a gillion years ago and I thought it was cool then, but I especially love it in the steel containers.

Okay, what's NOT to love about this kitchen.  Goodness knows where I found this picture, but I've been oogling over it ever since.  Those cabinets are a dream and those floors are just to die for.
Something about whites and blues makes me happy.  I love how everything is so peaceful and calm in this room.  Who ever owns this must be a happy person.  I have long since forgotten where I found this photo, but it's another favorite.

Oh this kitchen is dreamy to me.  I love that the things that pop out at you are subtle.  The color of the flowers, the fruit on the counter - otherwise it's just perfect softness.  And I just love a farmhouse sink in any setting.  Again, not sure where this photo comes from, but it's a lover for sure.

Did ya like dreamin' in the light and airy sense with me today?  Any make your heart skip a beat?

Matthew 6:34

Matthew 6:34

So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Eye Candy

I found these photos in my personal eye candy folder and I thought I would share them with all of you today.  I have no idea where I found some of these, so I apologize for not giving the proper credit.  A couple are from Pottery Barn, but those who know and love my favorite store are well aware of these yummy photos.

Enjoy and have a Terrific and Inspired Tuesday.

I just love this photo.  The bed, the walls, the colors, they ooze cozy comfort to me.  I see this as the perfect place to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and get lost in a fabulous book or magazine.

I adore this wood color.  There is something about this stain that makes my heart skip a beat.  Those true browns are so perfect.  Warm and homey.
My son has fallen in love with this wooden flag from Pottery Barn.  He wants it for his bedroom and since I love it's vintage style, I definitely think he should have it too.

Don't you just want to have breakfast here?  Linger over a cup of coffee in the sun-drenched room, feel those rugs under bare-feet.  Laugh and giggle in the casualness of this room.
I love the bead-board in this room.  The red, white and black colors are wonderful and the ottoman is the perfect touch in my opinion.

There is something about this kitchen that sings to my heart.  I really adore the light fixture.

This kitchen is so lovely in it's Pottery Barn simplicity.

I am in love with this coffee table.  Oh be still my heart!