Decorating Style

The hubs and I are in the process of redoing a few rooms in our house. A few nights ago, we were discussing what style(s) we wanted to have in our house.

I asked him, "Well, what do you like?"

"Hmmm. I'm not really sure. I don't know anything about this stuff. I just know when I see it if I like it or not. What do you like?" he asked.

"Errr... well.... I really don't know either. It's not modern. But not totally traditional or formal. I like it simple--not a lot of clutter or things--but not modern. I like lighter colors--not a lot of reds, oranges, garish greens... that doesn't seem relaxing. And... not modern."

But I realized that I still really didn't have any certain style in mind. I know I like older items--furniture and decor. I just feel like something that's been around a while has a story. It feels like a privilege to own a piece like that. I would pick an older bookcase/chair/armoire any day--even if it's one I have to refinish myself--over a new piece I just bought at some furniture store. I know that I hate (I am really trying to not use that word so much, as it isn't a feeling that one should have often, but it's pretty applicable here) modern design. And by modern, I mean a lot of geometry, cubes, and modern art. Ick. I can't say enough about how I despise modern art. I mean, my niece could make modern art. Splash some paint on a canvas, splatter it with your finger. It's basically finger painting. Just tell someone that the colors mean something ("red means anger... fierce anger..."). (Note: I am not saying that people who like modern art have bad taste. Just giving my preference. This also does not refer to the homemade easy wall art--which I like--but rather to this.) Anywho...

What's more important is what I do like (and my apparent love for italics in this post). And I think that would be a transitional (but not really)/cottage (but not too much cottage)/vintage (never enough vintage)/shabby chic/farmhouse style. I totally made that up. I have no idea what it means. But here are some pictures so maybe you can see what I'm talking about.

From BHG

These are from Velvet & Linen. You can pretty much bank on it--if it's a design from there, I will love it.

Country Living

(If the hubs is reading this, please notice the chandelier and how beautiful it is in the bathroom. Just like I told you.)

Eek! Don't these images just make you swoon? So beautiful. Now hubby and I just have to figure out how to incorporate these elements into what we have--on the cheaps. Double eek!

Foiled Plans and New Favorite Blog

I had great plans for today. Great plans, I tell you. But they didn't come to fruition.

While at work, I got an itch to go bargain shopping at Dollar Tree. I am not sure why; perhaps because you can always find a bargain there. So after work, I moseyed on over (can you actually classify it as "moseying" somewhere if it takes you 30 minutes to get there? That term actually implies that it was fairly close...) to the Dollar Tree in hopes of finding something grand. And I did. They always have some great cheapo seasonal items. This was my first find, and my, was I happy. I love large mugs (for the sole purpose of drinking copious amounts of hot chocolate and cider during this time of year), and this one is a snowman!



Of course I purchased several other items. You might ask, after purchasing such a fantastic mug (for $1, of course), why am I so disappointed in how the trip turned out? Well, the purpose of the trip was to really get one thing: a can of chalkboard spray paint. After seeing several ideas from other bloggers I have been following (such as here, here, here, and here), I was nearly salivating over the idea of chalkboard spray paint. I was actually contemplating ways to turn half of what I own into chalkboards. But it was not meant to be. After desperately winding through Wal-Mart aisles for 15 minutes, I finally went back to my car, dejected and sans the chalkboard paint. How sad. I guess my chalkboard-mania will be put on hold for now.

Anywho, on to better things. I have recently discovered a new blog, through a blog I was already following. It's called "Our Best Bites". And the title does not lie. At least from what I can tell. Let me start off by saying I have an enormous sweet tooth. But I am trying to eat less sugar, since diabetes does run in my family, and I do value my longevity more than a few extra cookies/pies/cakes/muffins.... or at times I do. Anyway, check out some of these recipes.

The first is a pumpkin pie milkshake. Yes, you heard me right. If any of you love all things pumpkin like I do, you probably just jumped and your ears perked up a little. Cinnamon, ice cream, graham crackers, brown sugar, and of course pumpkin--what could be better?



Next up, we have homemade cinnamon and orange rolls, but get this--no yeast. Fantastic. And they look incredible. Just looking at them is nearly enough to make me not care if I develop diabetes, and therefore poor circulation and a shorter life span...



This next one (or ones, I should say) are the cutest things ever. And they would be fantastic for parties, for kids or even for adults. She has put together a list (with directions and pictures, of course) of some great options for finger foods.

Mummy dogs...


cheese fingers...


and witches brooms...


... are just a few of the things she's dreamed up. What cute ideas!


Another great idea: single serving pie in a jar.


As she states in her blog, these would be great Christmas presents or party favors. And they look so good! Not to mention the old adage that a single-serving package will keep you from eating more. I'm not sure how well that would work on me, but for normal people, perhaps.

For the aforementioned reason, I have not yet tried any of these. When and if any of you do, please let me know how they turn out. But I can't imagine them being anything but delightful!

Fall is Here!

After doing my daily blog-browsing, I decided it was time to not only be excited about Christmas decor, but all seasonal decor. Since it's October, it seemed like a good time to start. I drove myself to Hobby Lobby, where I indulged myself in the 50% off fall/autumn section. However, I know they will soon change that to 80-90% off, a little further into the season, so I kept my purchases to a minimum. When that time comes, I will definitely be one of the first in line to buy more.

Anyway, here's our mantle. You may notice that some of the tags are still on--I took pictures as soon as I put everything up. They won't stay for long!



This is probably my favorite piece:


Now I know that my outdoor decorations are not exactly up to par. But that's about all I have time for this year.


Next year I hope to have some more time, and maybe have something more like this, from Debra at Common Ground, or like this, from Aunt Ruthie. They are both so talented! Of course for Halloween the pumpkins above (as well as some others, possibly) will be carved with nothing other than fabulous script A's (for all you Alabama fans out there), but that will come later.

Yard Work

So, something had to be done with our yard. I love our house, our neighborhood, etc., but something needed to be done with our yard. By looking at the before, I'm sure you can tell why.





There were little scrubby bushes everywhere, and it was a bunch of visual clutter. That is one thing I can't stand--visual clutter. So my husband JC and I took the shovel and the hedge clippers and tore up the front yard. Three hours and seven lawn bags later....



...this is what we have.



We aren't completely finished yet, but it already looks so much better! More updates to follow.