Saturday, March 27, 2010

Grass

There's wheat grass growing at Shutters in Fair Haven. Speeding up Spring and no lawn mower required. Here are some reasons to "go green."

wheat grass grown at Shutters

wheat grass grown at Shutters

pink peeps in grass ~ GatherandNest.com

wagon of grass ~ www.Vidalicious.com

pounded grass napkins ~ MarthaStewart.com

grass egg cups ~ MarthaStewart.com

Easter table ~ Southern Living

MarthaStewart.com

MarthaStewart.com

grass placemats ~ PoshTotEvents.com

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Happy Birthday, Carrie & Kristen!!

Sending out birthday wishes to my sister-in-law, Carrie and her twin, Kristen. Hope you girls have a special day and get spoiled by your men (big and small). Happy birthday!
Carrie & Kristen

Also - spent my morning "nesting" for Miss B's Easter party at school. 4 of these heading to Aunt Carrie's tonight...

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Slipcovers!

Quick! Someone teach me how to sew!!! The need to learn how to sew has struck again. It usually happens when I'm making Miss B's Halloween costumes...and now this. These slipcovers can make any hum-drum chair become charming and casual.

Country Living

Country Living

Country Living

Country Living

Southern Living
Southern Living

Southern Living

Carrie Raphael Designs

Monday, March 22, 2010

Mantel in the making...

I'm still on the quest to re-do my mantel. I started the "fantabulizing" process this weekend with a trip to Shutters. Here's just a small corner of the mantel. It is already looking more "loved" - amazing what a little greenery and color can do. The planter on the corner will be sprayed cream but not today since its a rainy, dreary Monday. I love the "33" (our house number) because it brings in a little whimsy and more "green."

PS: if you are in need of a mood-lifter this rainy day - head to the Shutters blog. Our customer's home has been featured in designNJ. It will instantly transport you to summer and flip flops.



"before" in photo below

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Spring!

Spring has finally arrived at 1:32PM today...and none too soon. Wishing everyone lush gardens and happy flowers!

pretzel tin of daisies from Chris's home

Friday, March 19, 2010

Black and white and stylish all over...

A visit to Aunt Chrissy's home makes for an easy blog post (and future posts). My sister has filled her home with tons of collections - all interesting and staged beautifully and professionally. Black and white decor is scattered throughout - it's crisp, striking and graphic. Enjoy. See you in the Spring (tomorrow!)


just a portion of Chris's black and white kitchen collection



sweet "love" seat from Chris's

above Chris's kitchen cabinets

more from Chris's kitchen - tons of goodies

Chris's bird friends - ready for Spring

Monday, March 15, 2010

Mantel inspiration!

I found it! The inspiration to re-do my mantel. You see - it was never really done properly. I jazz it up for Christmas but for the rest of the year its just kind of "blah". I would love to change it seasonally but small steps first. So, since Christmas its been pretty bare except for the battered sign hanging above. I love my painted, dented tin sign with the opening lyrics from Louis Armstrong's song, "What a Wonderful World." I would like to keep it above. Its a perfect fit and it looks great set on the white painted brick. I think its a bit different than the traditional mirror or painting. But I need greenery, interest, texture and symmetry. All of which Layla at The Lettered Cottage has achieved for under $100 dollars - only $67.00 to be exact!! All of these "blog girls" inspire me. They have such great ideas and their talent is endless.

my mantel was the only part of the house left standing during a major renovation in 2000 (by previous owners)

mantel is 7 feet / 3 foot side

Louis Armstrong lyric sign above

Layla's mantel at The Lettered Cottage. Eye candy!

another view of Layla's mantel

One fish, two fish, red fish...

It's a miserable, rainy Monday morning and daylight savings time doesn't help much. It has rained all weekend...not just rain but RAIN! So, we didn't accomplish too much. Still counting down to Spring which officially begins this Saturday, March 20th. So, my blog post today is kinda "blah"...but cupcakes seem to always have a way of lifting our mood.

I read to Miss B's class this past week. In honor of Dr. Seuss - we chose "One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish." I don't remember it being 63 pages long! So to "bribe" the kids into attention - I told them there would be a treat at the end. They cooperated pretty well - although around page 23, I heard one sweetheart ask me if I would buy him a skateboard. ;-) This also gave me an excuse to use my brand new Kitchen Aid mixer. I can't believe I was a hold-out because this made the task easy-breezy. There will definitely be more cupcakes in our future!!







Friday, March 12, 2010

Starfish

Some starfish facts:

1. Starfish are not really fish - they are a kind of "echinoderm" which is a sea animal with spiny skin.

2. Starfish cannot swim. They crawl and climb.

3. Starfish have "arms." Most have five, but some have as many as twelve.

4. Starfish breathe through their feet. They also have little breathing tubes all over their bodies.

5. They look adorable in decor!

Coastal Living

Sea life by Tobi Fairley

The Lettered Cottage

Jane Coslick

starfish available at Shutters in Fair Haven

Coastal Living

Coastal Living (one sweet starfish...)

starfish available at Shutters in Fair Haven


www.bytheseadecor.com

Starfish available at Shutters in Fair Haven