If you want to have a room as beautiful as these, you should consider bringing in natural elements with texture and interest. The table and chairs (below) are made from reclaimed railroad ties, and the nesting tables are also reclaimed wood. They seem like a perfect blend of rustic, with a modern feel. And speaking of green, if you haven't seen Samantha Pynn's show Pure Style on HGTV, it's by far the best one on right now in my opinion. She has beautiful taste, and tries to bring in as many earth friendly elements as possible, without sacrificing style.
This post is not a piece of cake, even though these cupcakes are sold to raise money for breast cancer research.
Tuesday's To-Do is:
Encourage someone who's going through cancer.
Sometimes it's hard to know what to do when friends and family go through something difficult, so it's easier to just avoid them. After going through the intense battle with my husband's cancer, which was complicated by a stroke as well, I can tell you--ANYTHING you do will be appreciated, except ignoring or avoiding them. Send a card or some flowers--it really helps. Bring a meal, or just a cappuccino from Starbuck's. Whatever little thing you can do to brighten their day, just do it---even if it's hard for you. And don't just say, "Let me know if you need anything!" Just pitch in and do something, don't wait for them to ask.
My first inspiring feature (and I guess I'm a little biased) is my husband's blog, Why I Survive. This picture is from one of his posts about how his friends on his ultimate frisbee team raised money by selling personalized discs. His life inspires me, and I know his blog is inspiring many others as he deals with the effects of brain surgery, lung and stomach surgery, stroke, chemo etc. If you want to be encouraged, check out his blog.
This video is from this week's episode of "So You Think You Can Dance", and it's about a woman's fight with breast cancer. It's beautiful to see the strength they both portray.
Or be encouraged by Lance Armstrong and the amazing work he's doing to fight testicular cancer.
I know that cancer has touched almost all of our lives, some of us in bigger ways than others, but we're all in this race together, and your friends who are going through something this difficult, need you there to encourage them across the finish line.
Have a great day and I hope this post isn't a downer, it was meant to challenge and inspire.
I'm not totally thrilled with our headboard, and have been thinking about covering it. It has a metal frame, but I've thought about trying to upholster it. I came across these three headboards, and liked them all for different reasons.
This one, from Martha Stewart, is a nice contrast with the linens. I actually think I'm drawn more to the linens than the headboard itself, now that I think about it.
Here, I just like the colors, and it looks like she's taken wall paper, and cut it out in the shape of a headboard. Definitely cost-effective and easy.
Here I think I'm drawn to the shape and the colors. Found at Better Homes and Gardens, I love the interplay between the many different patterns. Somehow it all seems to work.
Speaking of birthdays, what beautiful, festive cupcake liners from bakeitpretty.com. I used to LOVE baking! Then my husband and I went through a vegan phase after his cancer, and it kind of sucked all of the fun out of food--period. So, after about a year of that, we gave up and went back to our old ways. But, my cooking just hasn't been the same. Anyway, I thought these were fun and festive, how about you?
We had a blast today at the zoo. You can see my sweet nephew having a great time at the start, but by the third picture, at the very end of the day (after no nap and 95 degree weather), you might notice he's starting to unravel. Following that shot, he had a melt-down, signaling that it was time to head home. It was still such a treat to have a visit! I'm so blessed to have a great visit from my family, and so many friends called today. I sure hope this is a year full of blessings!
I think my favorite gift was a set of four of these states glasses from my Mom. She gave me NC, SC, FL, and NY. This is the design on the SC glass. More than anything it was just fun to spend time together.
The day before my birthday started out just great. I received these lovely flowers--thanks Amanda Panda--then went shopping with my husband (this is a rare treat, I usually can't convince him to come along). And then some of my girlfriends took me out for the night. I made the comment not too long ago that I wish I could live in a musical. Don't you think life would be a lot more fun if everyone were spontaneously bursting forth into song and dance numbers?!! I do! So, they took me to see a Town Theater production of Beauty and the Beast. Then we had my favorite, strawberry shortcake! Thanks girls!
Now my family's coming into town tomorrow (I guess it's actually today since I'm writing this late at night), and we're going to the zoo. If I get any great shots of my sweet little nephew, I'll post tomorrow.
Here is a segment of the posting I replied to on Colour me Happy that contains the interview with Kate Smith:
Interview with Colour Expert; Kate Smith plus a Giveaway! Have you ever had the experience of seeing a company name and thinking, “I wish that was the name of mine!”. That is exactly what I thought the first time I came across Kate’s website called Sensational Color which is one of the best sites on colour in the industry! Kate was also my mentor at The Color Marketing Group Conference I attended in April and I’m thrilled to feature her in my blog:
[MK] What is your favourite colour? [KS ] “I love the colours of water especially the blue-greens. From the darkest, most mysterious teal to vivid turquoise to soothing, subtle aqua. Maybe being born on the cusp of Aquarius (the water-bearer) and Pisces (the fish) predisposed me to being a lover of the oceanic hues. When Ellen Kennon invited me to be one of 16 designers to have a colour included in her Full Spectrum paint line I chose a complex neutral toned blue-green as my signature hue and gave it the name 'H2 Ahh!' I thought the colour and the name captured how the water-inspired hue soothes my soul and quiets my mind.
[MK] What colour would you like to see banished from all paint decks? [KS] In the hands of a professional I don't think any colours need to be banished plus hundreds of colours look just beautiful on the rack in the store. However, it could be helpful for the average DIYer if about half of the colours were eliminated, leaving just those that are most likely to work well in the typical home. As counter-intuitive as it might seem for many people when choosing colours more choices = less confidence. Of course people who feel overwhelmed or confused by the process can always call a professional colour consultant to help them find the perfect colours.
To read the rest of the interview, check out her blog.
Calling all moms sending kids back to school!!! This is the cutest lunch box ever seen! I try not to post too much kid stuff, but I couldn't resist this one. I just saw it on Sarah's Fab Day (who saw it on someone else's blog) and so I thought I would continue the trend.
So what do you guys think? Am I alone in liking this ecofriendly lunch box? You can buy it for $30 at Goodbyn. Can I get one too?
Today I'm introducing a feature on my blog--Tuesday's To-Do where I plan on focusing attention on some worthy cause, venture, idea, etc. So, my first Tuesday's To-Do is...
Change the world one shipping container at a time.
This is the most exciting and innovative idea I've heard about in a long time! You absolutely must visit the SEED project blog and see how they are reusing shipping containers to make affordable and incredible housing for people displaced after hurricanes.
I heard a brief segment about them on NPR today and thought I'd just check it out. Then when I saw these pictures I got so excited about what could be done. You see, they are taking these used abandoned shipping containers that are littering the harbors in the Caribbean and making them into homes. I'm still in awe of this incredible idea!
Okay, you'll have to forgive my poor photography skills, but I have to show you a project I just finished for my nephew. His bedroom has a slight camping theme, so I thought this would be cute.
The best thing about the letters is that I decoupaged a real map of our town onto them. So, I actually managed to fit his street, and our street and the park we always take him to, and other meaningful spots onto the letters. One day, they'll be a keepsake for him as well as cool wall art.
These other items would be fun to add to little boy's room or for outdoor fun.
Continuing the color series, what do you think about these pink rooms? I think I like either the first or the third the best, but I really like the light in the second room.
I don't know if anyone but me is actually reading this, but I'm still having fun posting! At least my new-found blogging hobby is satiating my desire to shop. I can just feast my eyes on all of these beautiful things and it makes me feel good.
I think these two rooms are great! I especially love the green and white wall paper in the room below. And the bold yellow is so fun right now--you can find it everywhere! These just seem like good summer-time fun rooms. What else do you like about them?
Okay, time for the next installment of pillows!!! These were found at Lotus Bleu. Let me know which one speaks to you. I love this multi-color fish at the bottom--so playful!
Okay, even if you're not a fan of politics, the First Lady does have good taste when it comes to casual tableware. I came across these personalizable plates in Southern Living magazine. Then when I checked out their blog and website I saw just how many celebs like them too. Here are two big fans.
The Presidential Plates
This celeb mom is a huge fan (not that she's a beacon of fine taste or anything). She has quite a collection.
I am a Spanish Instructor/ Doctoral Student who loves dabbling in interior design. But, since I really love my current career path, I'm going to start with blogging about design, and see where that gets me.
