Now that all of the Easter decorations are put away, I’ve been searching for ideas on how to keep the beautiful colors of Spring in my home, and do it affordably.

I’ve always loved a pretty table and I’ve managed to collect some nice pieces over the years. I found this great mix and match pattern at Macy’s and I just love it!  Especially the little salt and pepper shakers!

A beautiful table setting is really just an expression of caring and love for those who gather with us.  It not only offers substance for the tummy, but for the soul, as well.

I love playing with dishes and hope to try and recreate some of this amazing tablescapes.

To get some great DIY ideas, visit my boards Pinterest! 

Until next time,

Photo Credit: Stone Gable

About 2 weeks ago I woke-up, took one look around my house and decided it was time for a major change.  We’ve lived here for 12 years and the last two of our three children will be moving out shortly.  I love my home.  There is no way I’m  ”downsizing”.

We’ve slowly begun to replace the appliances and I guess we’ll eventually install new counters.

This is our breakfast nook and breakfast bar  - without the beautiful decor!

I pretty much love the drapes and the window seats and I will definitely be duplicating that look!

 Not sure about the little stools.  A little to girly for my hubby to take.

My daughter moves out March 1st so converting her room to a guest room is at the top of the list.  Love this look!

Now I’m off to search for some dining room ideas!

Until next time,

I usually don’t make New Year’s resolutions for the simple fact, that like most people, I never keep them.

 This year I didn’t make any kind of resolution “out loud”, but I did secretly vow that I would try to get up an hour earlier each day.  I had no particular reason for deciding to do this.  I certainly didn’t plan on running around the block every morning or God forbid, going to the gym before noon.

So, for the past two weeks I’ve actually been able to do it. I’m up every day around 5:30 or 6:00, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised that I actually love this time. I let my sleepy dogs out, make some coffee and then just sit and enjoy the quiet.,

The other day I was a little more “alert and oriented”, as we say in my business. This time as I sat there, I paid close attention to how the sun came up, and as the minutes passed how its light constantly changed the beautiful colors of the sky. Whether it was crystal clear, or whether a dark cloud that looked ready to burst floated by, the absolute beauty remained unchanged.

I guess you could say I had an aha moment. I remember thinking to myself that just like the sky, I had the ability to have a beautiful day too, despite how many things might change throughout my day.  I reminded myself that for me, it’s really all about remembering just a few things, and keeping a few others in perspective:

• It’s about remembering that throughout the day, I can’t control what people say or what people do, just how I chose to react to them.  
• That sometimes it’s just easier to let it go. If I ask myself the question, “Is this really going to matter tomorrow”?  The answer is usually “no”.
• When I project positivity, the people around me are as equally affected as when I project negativity.  I choose to be positive.
• My in-box will never be empty. There will always be something more that I want to do. It’s okay to save something for tomorrow.
• Kindness matters
• A smile goes a long way

Anyway, I started my day and made it a good one. It was easy. And at the end of the day, I’d like to think that the beautiful sunset I got to enjoy, this time with a cold glass of wine, was my reward.

Until next time,

Just a quick post:  I guess putting away all of the Christmas decorations sparked a renewed interest in getting my “Hen Den” done.  I’ve gone back and forth trying to decide if I want to make it a true guest room or really just a place for ME!  My DH has his Man Cave and goes in there every night after work to de-stress. I come home and go into my studio which makes it hard to relax. So, long story short, I finally decided that a place just for me it shall be!

As my kids would say, the room is a hot mess. Evidently it will take quite a bit of oil based primer to cover my daughters amazing art work.

Today I managed to pick out carpet as well as the color schemes.  It will be very shabby chic, very feminine and definitely have a touch of vintage charm.  Here’s a few pictures.

Until next time,

Décor Elements

Décor Elements vinyl art makes decorating walls, mirrors, windows, and other smooth surfaces simple. Décor Elements makes your home a beautiful representation of your style. And it’s more inexpensive than painting, framing art, or buying new furniture!

You’ll love how Décor Elements images and techniques coordinate with our existing products, so spicing up your walls or creating other exciting projects for display using Décor Elements is an easy way to express your creativity.

Décor Stencils

Create beautiful expressions of your style and creativity when you use our Décor Stencils to add design to your walls and art projects. Several of our Décor Stencils coordinate with our existing products, so creating coordinating projects for display is a simple way to express your creativity.

Definitely Decorative Stamping

With Definitely Decorative stamping, you can create custom interiors at a fraction of the cost. Customize your home décor by stamping walls, fabrics, and other furnishings to give them an entirely new look.

You’ll also love how easy it is to create hand-stamped, framed art. Use any stamp set and color palette to create custom home accents for any season or occasion.

We have several stamp sets specifically designed to be used to create home décor; they’re designated with the Definitely Decorative logo you’ll find at the front of the Idea Book & Catalog

Contact me to today to see a demonstration of Décor Elements or Décor Stencils!

Beautiful designers fabrics, many of which coordinate with the designer series paper.

Decor blocks, beveled window panes and more!

There are so many uses for vinyl art! Get them all here! Words and phrases, chalk board, vinyl, accessories, decor elements, seasonal designs and more!

Simply Adorned charms, trinkets, baubles, bracelets, and  charms!

One of the hottest ways to decorate! Dress up a pillow or stencil a wall!  Decor Stencils come in lots of different patterns including holiday stencils!

Raw materials! Everything you need to get the job done! Big Shot Adhesive Strips,  Decor Element Sheets, Vinyl Elements, Wood  Sheets & Waffle Paper!

Until next time,

My youngest daughter moved out a few months ago and I think I am finally ready to turn her room into a little “Hen Den”.  My son came up with the name.  He believes that if my husband can have a man cave, mom should have a special place to escape too as well. I don’t think he realizes that when we escape, it’s usually from him and the gang of his friends that invade our family room.

I’m not thrilled with the the name he came up with, but I do have a sense of humor. I can picture a little box of seed hanging right outside the door – the kind you see at the petting zoo? Perfect place for some friends to hang-out for a girls-night-in.  The question is, where in the world do I begin?

Just look at these walls!  Re-painting them means removing her artwork forever; but there is no way I am living with red walls.  I have a softer, vintage, shabby-chic look in mind.

I’ve started to collect photos of things that catch my eye.  Overstuffed chairs, a daybed that has a trundle for out of town guests, a flat screen TV, lots of shelves to display all my stuff, a crystal chandelier and a pretty throw rug.

I might add a round, glass top table with a coordinating fabric skirt, and a small coffee table that I can use to spread out my favorite magazines and books.

The berber carpet has been on the floor since we built the house. It is simply hideous.  I love the feel of thick, plush carpet and I am pretty sure I am going to replace what is there rather than add wood floors.  Assuming that ripping the carpet out is the first place to start, that will be the first thing I tackle this week!

I could really use some help on what to do with the closet?  I don’t need it to store clothes and I am at a complete loss as to what to do with it. So much for creativity…

I am leaning towards soft pinks, whites and greens for the color scheme, with a chair rail going around the center of the room. Billowing curtains, fluffy pillows, yummy scented candles and a big DO NOT DISTURB sign for the door.  Curling up with a hot cup of tea and a good book or a chick-flick sounds heavenly.

If you have any ideas or suggestions for how to transform this  12′ x 12′ room into a beautiful Hen Den, please comment.

Until next time…