Blog Love

Have you seen the newish blog of a stay at home mom of Bijou and Boheme? Well, I must say it had me at hello. Yesterday she featured the first floor of her home and I am beyond smitten. Her style is beyond fabulous. If you haven't seen her blog yet then I must tell you it's a must. To see more of her home be sure to go, here.

A Snippet

I was ecstatic when I found tulips at Whole Foods the other day. They are one of my faves. Hope to see you over on Mrs. French today where one designer gives advice that I will now live/decorate by, so good.

The Office

I know I mentioned a home office redo quite awhile ago. Well, we also did one quite awhile ago I just haven't posted it yet. So this is it, nothing too fancy, but practical. This space is right off our kitchen and is where I blog and where we meet our most wonderful clients. The board over the desk was completely inspired by Erika's office inspiration board although mine was done on the cheap. I simply used 2 of the largest cork boards I could find at Walmart and stapled them together in the back. I then used a cream linen to cover. I am also planning on repainting the desk. It was not a great paint job in the first place and with the new sprayer it will be a cinch to do. I am thinking of using Rosemary by Sherwin Williams. It is the same green that Erika used for her kitchen cabinets and I am rather in love. So I guess I should say a huge thank you to Erika for all her help. She is so good that she can help me without saying a word, ha!

Chair: CB2
Edison Lamp: bought from Tracery's Rosemary Beach Shop
Mouse pad: Shims + Sons
File Folders: Oh Joy
White drawers: Walmart
Lamps: Restoration Hardware
Lamp Shades: Home Goods
Binders: Russell + Hazel
Bookcase: Ikea

So True

I adore this quote. Rings so true. Hope to see you over on Mrs. French today!

Vacation + Good Eats

If you happen to follow my tweets then I am sure you quickly realized I was on our family vacation. We go to Rosemary Beach Florida a couple times a year and it has really become quite the tradition over the past 6 years or so. Although we cook most nights it never fails that we eat at the Pizza Bar in Seaside a few times. Yes, it's that good! Not only is the food divine, but so is the atmosphere...


We eat out on the beach side patio every time.


I get the focaccia bread topped with mozzarella and mushrooms.




The Mr. gets the sausage something or other...




The table always ends up looking like this...


It's pure bliss really. If you would like to see some of our favorite family photos you can see them on my Mr's site, here. They may be my favorite yet.

* Also while away I stepped back from my emails/blogging. I tried to catch up over the weekend. If you sent one and I did not reply please email me again. I may have gotten delete happy.

Antiques at the Garden

Mrs. French was invited to the Antiques at the Garden here in Birmingham. The Friday morning of the weekend long event was a special invitation only Designer Preview. Mrs. French deemed me special and carried me along with her as her +1. The show featured many premier dealers from around the country minus any of the Birmingham dealers. I must say I fell head over heels for so many pieces. Alas I only took home photos while I am sure some others took home these fine pieces.

A Double Dose

Okay so I said previously that I would try to not give you a double dose of me on one day. Well, today is an exception. Of course I am over on Mrs. French, but I am also guest posting on The Marion House Book. Without planning on it both posts go hand and hand. That makes me a little giddy.

*remember Emma from the Marion House Book home tour I did? Let's just say I am still rather smitten.

A Perfect Fall Salad

I am not one to make myself a salad. Not that I do not care for them, but I have never been happy with the basics. Well, that is until I made this one. I found it in the October issue of Cooking Light. It was very easy to make and now I find myself making it just for myself. I left out the shallots and used feta instead of goat cheese. I really can not get enough.

A Gallerie

Today I am over on Mrs. French. Hope to see you there!

A New Look

You haven't heard me hum and haw over my dining room in quite sometime because I finally found my table match. Oh, and a new side table. I found them at a local antique shop. They are made out of reclaimed wood and I am smitten. My savvy smooth talking husband managed to get us both pieces for about a grand which was much cheaper than any other table that I remotely liked. My french antique chairs are finally back from the reupholsters and I could not be any more happy. I found them as a set of six on Craigslist for $250, Ellie broke one right after I got them and the break was in such a way that was not fixable. For now one of our stools will do and KJ has already deemed it his seat so all's good. We kept the old tables bench in the room for extra seating. I slipped covered it in a Robert Allen faux leather that I bought from the Designer's Attic. I wanted something big and more modern over the sideboard to balance out the furniture so I painted a piece completely inspired (copied) from Lindsey Bond's home in this months House Beautiful. Now the only thing left is to find the perfect lighting. Right now there is a fan, I know ugh, but I hope to find a big old lantern for cheap. I think I will be hunting for awhile though and I am okay with that. If you actually read all this then I am rather impressed. Today I am in a rambling mood I guess.

This & That

I just adore Seleta of Simply Seleta. I love her aesthetic, fashion sense, and most of all her mommy tid-bits. I also adore The ladies of Tracery Interiors. Paige I got to know a little better at the local blogger party that she and Doug hosted and I must say she is fabulous, Bess I go and visit at the Tracery Shop every time I am in Rosemary, and Anna Kay I hope to meet one day. Anyway The ladies and Seleta have teamed up for a monthly style session and I am smitten. This past month was all about vignettes and this one had me head over heels in love. It also happened to match my go to outfit for fall.

Harvest to Holiday

Mrs. French is hosting a rather lovely event. Hope you will join me! Should be fun.

Fall Fashion

Loving these looks from L.L. Bean Signature no less. Absolutely perfect for fall. This fall I will be living in long plaid shirts, leggings, and boots. How about you?

Mrs. French

Every Tuesday and Thursday I will be blogging over on Mrs. French. I will probably just end up linking here to there on those days so that way you will not have to have a double dose of me, ha! Hope to see you there.

Painting + Rugs

I have had quite a few requests on giving more details about my kitchen makeover. I personally hate giving advice on this subject, because I am not a painting professional and simply did what I wanted. Case in point I used a latex satin paint without any sort of lacquer after. I did not want any sheen so this is what I chose. So far it has held up well and has taken quite a beating from the kiddos and has cleaned up fine. In reality I know an oil base is best as is a semi or high gloss or a lacquer coating. For those of you who could not care less about the how dos you can just take a glimpse at my new antique rug find from ebay. I adore it. Okay now back to it...

-I used a latex primer after a really good cleaning and sanding. Then between each coat I did a light sanding. It took a total of one full evening and one full day from start to finish. It took one primer coat and two to three paint coats. For the framing of the cabinets my husband painted it all by hand with a regular and foam brush. For the doors and drawers I used a paint sprayer in the garage. It has become my new best friend.

-All paint was Sherwin Williams. The bottom is Warm Stone. The top was a Benjamin Moore color that I had matched by Sherwin William's, unfortunately I cannot remember the name for the life of me. In the image it looks a lot more white next to my wall color than it really is. It's more on the cream side. The formula is...

Bac Colorant 02 32 64 128
B1 Black - 2 - -
N1 Rawumber - 11 1 -
Y3 Deep Gold - 9 1 -


-My knobs are the same ones that came with the house. I really wanted these in antique brass, but were a bit too cost prohibiting for the amount we needed.

-My counter tops are Silestone in Minerva Cream. The benefits are huge and were what we wanted at the time which was something easy. They are truly easy and good looking.

Hope this answered a few of your questions. Let me know if I missed anything and I will answer them in the comment section. Have a great Day!

* This lovely lady from High-Heeled Foot in the Door did a great play by play of painting her mother's cabinets. Now that I look back it seems we went with similar colors, ha! Great minds think alike?

New York, New York

In the last few weeks I have actual had more than one request for outfit ideas for people going to NYC. Although I may not be the most fashionable I thought I would share what I would wear and as you know I love to be comfortable.

For days out walking the streets of New York and doing a bit of shopping my number one key piece would be a pair of leggings. Of course skinny jeans would work too, but nothing beats a comfortable pair of leggings. I would first pair it with a plaid long top, boots, and a purse that could cross over my body if I needed an extra hand. The second day a long top, pretty scarf, flats, and a cocktail ring would make me rather happy. I am sure the rest of my days would also be some variation of these two outfits. I know, I don't stray far from what I love.


A fun night out would be in order although I am sure I would be just as happy ordering room service and watching a movie in. A dress that could be worn alone or with an army jacket would be the way I would go. A belt to cinch off the waist would be a must with this one. A small clutch to hold my phone and a few cards would be all that I would need. Shoes with an edge and a good heel always make me feel just a bit more confidant. To top it all off a delicate necklace would add a softness to the whole ensemble that I would just adore.

* Also I want to say a huge thank you for all the support you all gave me yesterday with my new endeavor. I am so excited and so happy you are too! Have a great weekend.