Valentine Swap

Laurie at Buttons & Lace is hosting a Valentine Swap

Please click here to join in

VALENTINE SWAP

I have it on the right side of my blog too.

This should be fun.

I am in the mood to make something pretty & pink.

Rich and I are going to meet my mom & step dad

in Lincoln IL for a meal to celebrate the New Year.

May 2011 be a blessed year for everyone.

Fondly

My Master Closet in Progress...(Via Made By Girl)

Ok everyone....I'm going to take a few days off to enjoy my new kitchen & dinners with my guy, (our ZGallerie dining table is arriving today finally). I'll be back to blogging after the New Year on January 3rd, 2011. Thank you so much for visiting my blog throughout this year. May God bless you all in 2011 !!


BUT..... before I go, I wanted to let you in on what's been happening around here within the last couple of days. We've been working on my master closet....well, we actually have 2 master closets, one for my guy & one for me. 

Of course mine is the LARGER one.... we always get the bigger closet, don't we ladies???  However, most of my shoes & handbags are STILL lying around because we're looking to build some shoe & handbag shelving to the left hand side of my new IKEA closet.

The units were installed thanks to my hubs, he's so handy. Also, I'd like to thanks the CROOKED WALLS (see above), which made sure the end piece wasn't flushed up against the right hand side!  Luckily, it secures to the back wall. Also, you may notice the slight gap on the left, that WILL be covered up with a special piece IKEA sells. 

I'm thinking of staining the SHOE shelves (still need to buy) the same color as the IKEA closet system we bought. Maybe even adding some wallpaper behind the shelves???  I'm still undecided. However, we're definitely adding a recessed light, a runner (maybe zebra/leopard print) as well as the chandelier for a more GLAM look!  Sorry it's not as bright, it should be illegal not to have a skylight in a closet, I swear!! 

 What do you think so far??

The UGLY white racks are ALL coming out as well. Below to the left is where we'll be adding shelving for shoes & handbags. Woo Hoo!

images by jen

A quick reminder that YOU can get 20% OFF any item in my shop until December 31st!!!!  Some items may run out during this sale so HURRY! For all blog readers your discount code is: 2010BLOG20. 

NOTE: Discount CODE does NOT apply to my ETSY shop.

ENJOY YOUR NEW YEAR!!!!!!

Repeat..........

Hey there Girls...

I'm must say I am sorry once again for the infrequent posts lately. Just like before, I haven't had much to blog about lately.

Sooooooo.. Just like in television, when I seem to run out of new things to show, it's time for some repeats.

The repeat you'll see today is just a slight alteration to a previous post from a few months ago when I shared with you a creative take on re-purposing an object for something other than it was intended.

I had found this cute jewelry holder at either TJ Maxx or Marshall's.....

But instead of using it to hold jewelery, I decided to use it in a more imaginative way by using it to hold and display a portion of my collection of vintage crocheted potholders .....

My cute display piece now sits on my kitchen counter next to the sink where I can enjoy seeing my favorite potholders everyday.



Can you believe it's almost New Years????? Time is flying by so fast. I had a wonderful Christmas with my family. Having two nieces and a nephew all under the age of ten makes for fun times at Christmas.



Wishing you all a safe and Happy New Years!!!



I'll be back soon, hopefully with something new to share next time.

Architect & Designer: Campion Platt...(Via Made By Girl)

Campion Platt is all over the place these days, especially with the launch of his book,  "Made To Order", which I have & love! He's an American architect living in NYC, and has designed homes for Al Pacino to Meg Ryan.  If you haven't seen what he looks like, he's quite the looker (no wonder he used to be a model way back when...) with a great tan & gorgeous salt & pepper hair.  

 

I first fell in love with Campion's work when I noticed photos of his work online and immediately had to purchase the book (which is filled with a bunch of colorful interiors)!  In the book, Campion highlights his own home, which is full of color and bright pieces! My favorites are his kitchen & the drop dead gorgeous purple couch. His HOME has definitely inspired me.....

For those of YOU in NYC: Campion will be signing his new book at the D & D Building on January 11th 9:30-10:30am -at Cafe Astra in New York City! 

 image above by jen

 images below by jeffrey hirsch

for a full interview & more images of his home, visit ny social diary

Kitchen Hardware Installed...(Via Made By Girl)

The hardware is now installed on the kitchen cabinets, and the guy I hired did a great job! Thank God.  I purchased the hardware from Home Depot & am very pleased with the polished chrome finish. I decided on the cup pulls because I wanted a slight country feel mixed with some interestingly modern elements. 

I realize I could've purchased the hicks pendants from Circa Lighting in silver, but I really LOVE the antique brass & navy together. Besides, in my inspiration picture they mixed the antique brass & silver.....& I didn't think it look that bad!

Let me know what you think of the kitchen with the hardware...

I still need to add a stainless steel spice rack under the hood vent.

BEFORE:

 AFTER:

images by jen

Oh Christmas Was Over With So Swiftly

I hope you all had a blessed Christmas. It was great to

have all the kids and grandsons here.

I didn't get any pictures.

This picture is my son Steve's boys.

They are awesome!!

I received some Bath and Body Works bath products from them.

Rich got me a coat..I really wanted one. It was justwhat I wanted, but

it didn't fit so it goes back to the store.

I don't have much luck with coats. I'm 5ft 2in.

Rich and I also got a Mac Pack, updating our software with Snow Leopard, I Works

& I Life . Now we have I Tunes 10 also. I just love Apple.

We had a great breakfast and ate all the food. My girls did the

cooking. I did the casserole , it was yummy.

Rich is out of town working Monday, Tues, Wednesday.

Last night the power was out from 11PM to 5AM.

It didn't get too cold here.

20% off at Made by Girl...(Via Made By Girl)

A quick reminder that YOU can get 20% OFF any item in my shop until December 31st!!!!  Some items may run out during this sale so HURRY! For all blog readers your discount code is: 2010BLOG20.  

NOTE: Discount CODE does NOT apply to my ETSY shop.

Please feel free to TWEET this to your friends on Twitter! 

image via beau lifestyle

My Christmas Gifts....(Via Made By Girl)

Hello everyone! I'm still RECOVERING from my relaxing Holiday, but thankfully there's more to come with the New Year right around the corner! 


I was so excited to open a my gifts and find all the GOODIES below! I noticed I got a couple items from my wish list, woo hoo!

So, tell me...What gifts did you receive? What are your plans for the New Year?? 

The Tyrol Horn vase was on my wishlist - so it was great to see it in person finally! I placed it on my desk for now.

Below: Relax Shae butter Hande Creme by Lollia - One of my favorite lotions ever. It has the most amazing scent, Lavendar & Honey with a hint of vanilla!

Below: More hand lotions by Tokyo Milk. These are so amazing & I love the packaging! My favorite is Dead Sexy No. 6.

Below: Michael Kors Python Tote.

Below: Victoria's Secret Destroyed Denim - Even though I still love my skinny jeans, these are super nice!

 Below: A lovely set of stainless steel pots & pans from my mom for our place!

 Below: Michael Kors wallet clutch for iPhone- this is super handy and couldn't think of a better place to store my phone!

So, tell me...What gifts did you receive? What are your plans for the New Year?? 

HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS

TO ALL OF YOU

MAY GOD BLESS YOU

FONDLY,

Staying Home for the Holidays...(Via Made by Girl)

This is my 2nd to last post before I take some time off & enjoy Christmas (without snow) with my guy! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it down to NY to see my family this year, maybe next time. 

However, I wanted to take this moment to WISH EVERYONE who comes by to visit my blog (even if you DON'T comment) a very HAPPY HOLIDAY! May God bless you all this New Year 2011.

Here's a glimpse of my home within the last couple days....be inspired & enjoy!

(click on pics for larger images)

We still need to place hardware on the cabinets....should be done first week of January. I REALLY think the kitchen will come alive when those are on, don't you think??

images by jen

'One Gift' Featuring Joi Svezia...(Via Made By Girl)

This series is called, ONE GIFT UNDER YOUR TREE. Today, Joi Svezia from Nuestra Vida Dulce
will answer:

If I had to choose just one gift it would be the Troy Lighting Sausalito 5 Light Chandelier.  I ADORE the antiqued brass finish and the circle design.  I had previously seen this light floating around the blogosphere but didn't think much of it until I saw it in person. At that time, it was love at first sight! It's a stunning fixture and would look lovely over my dining room table, Santa! ; )

Joi Svezia 

http://daveandjoi.blogspot.com 

High School teacher + Lifestyle Blogger

Illinois

Thank you Joi & to all the other bloggers who participated! Merry Christmas to all of you & Happy New Year 2011. 

'One Gift' Featuring Tina Luphia...(Via Made By Girl)

This series is called, ONE GIFT UNDER YOUR TREE. Today, Tina Luphia from Luphia Loves will answer:

It would be this gorgeous Prada purse. I have ALWAYS BEEN A BIG Prada fan, from their big Jackie O sunglasses to their ladylike, vintage print dresses. This purse just sum up all the styles I adore, it is classy and elegant, yet the patent and the delicate little bow also adds a modern and girlish touch!


More perfectly, it can also double up as an evening bag. This is definitely the ultimate dream purse for me!

Name: Tina Luphia
http://luphia.blogspot.com/
Quant Analyst (Finance/Investments)
London, U.K.