In Light of It...

While out this past weekend we browsed through Stanton Home Furnishings and came across these wine sphere chandeliers. It's no lie I love vintage wine jugs, and light fixtures are a weakness of mine as well, so this is a great combination! I also love how they repurpose found objects into everyday items, like this double baluster table lamp.

And if I had a home and an unlimited budget, I would love to own these brugge planters to sit on my front porch

Day of Rest...

I hope you had a great weekend and a blessed Sunday. Saturday morning I woke up to TJ (the hubby) fixing the chair. He did an awesome job! Afterwards we reupholstered the seat with some left over fabric. Here is the finished product (reminder: its leg and the structural frame was broken). As you can see, we haven't started painting the chairs or the dresser, due to the weather, and the continued discussion of the color. :)

Saturday afternoon, for our rainy day activity, we made it over to one of our favorite antique stores, Kudzu, in Decatur. While there we came across two industrial metal drawers. Only having two drawers in our kitchen we took a tip from This Young House and picked them up for additional storage in the kitchen. We now have our spices more easily accessible and storage for aluminium foil, zip lock bags, twist ties, etc...

At Kudzu, I also picked up some art books at a fabulous cost of $2.50/each, which sparked a spring rearrangement, like The Newlywed Diaries.

The artwork in the background was a quick fix that only cost $18. I went to my local Paper Source and picked this sheet of Lokta Baroque in grey for its soft and natural aesthetic and a frame from Ikea.

It's Raining...

It's pouring. And if you live anywhere in the Southeast you are feeling it as well. This weekend I had planned to do some spring cleaning and working inside, so I guess it works out. I hope the forecast is correct and we some sunshine on Sunday though. If you need some weekend reading here is my weekly round-up of some great homes showcased this week.

A walk through some neighborhoods @ The Newlywed Diaries

A little modern cottage @ Small Space Style

Jack & Lulu's @ Little Green Notebook

Idea House @ Dwellings & Decor

Beach living @ Two Ellie

courtesy: google images

Image of the Day...

Quiet.

Chair Lady...

I have a problem (according to my husband), I love chairs! While I am asking for suggestions on the dresser, I thought I would ask your input on some chairs. We have a collection of chairs. The left ones (there are 2) where giving to me by my friend (thanks Courtney G.!), the middle one was another curbside pick-up (and no you are not crazy, the leg is held together by electrical tape, which the hubby will fix), and the right one is a Scott's find that I could not pass up. Since blue is one of my favorite colors, I am thinking of painting them all ink blue, thanks to this great post from Pink Wallpaper. And of course to reupholster them all in the same fabric. Here is our table. Thoughts, Suggestions, Ideas?

Another Pick me up...

Yesterday on the way home from work I passed this dresser that was on the curb and of course I wanted it! So when I got home I had to sweet talk the hubby into going to pick it up with me (being 5'-1" I clearly could not do it myself). Our neighbor was so kind to come along and help as well. When we got there and was checking it out the lady came out and said she was so happy that someone was finally picking it up, and to take the drawers out because it was heavy as lead (and it is). So it now sits in our basement (thus the backdrop in the photo) waiting for a new life. I plan on painting it and would LOVE suggestions! Right now I am thinking of a soft grey, similar to Paula's dresser in her room re.do. Or should I go classic with white or black?

To the Island...

This past weekend we visited one of my best friends who lives on St. Simons Island, GA. While there we got to go on the house tours of house tours, unfortunately no photos were allowed, which was a real bummer (you all would have loved to see some of the interiors!). To give you some highlights, we got to see things like French oak vintage flooring, custom-made antique fixtures of reclaimed ships, Irish bluestone countertops (very yummy), crème Venetian plaster walls, and antiques and collectibles until you were content. On Saturday we grilled out and stuffed ourselves. My friend, Bethany, doesn't like heavy salad dressings so she created her own. It is the perfect Spring/Summer dressing for a salad. She was nice enough to share it with me and all of you! She also made a yummy Pesto Pasta salad. Here are the recipes:

Bethany’s Famous Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette:

-2 tablespoons chopped curly leaf parsley and basil (I prob do a little more)

-1 tablespoon minced shallots

-1 teaspoon minced garlic

-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

-2 ½ teaspoons coarse kosher salt

-1 1/3 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

-¼ cup olive oil or canola oil

-¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Combine all ingredients (except oils) in a food processor and blend.While processing, add the oils until the dressing emulsifies.

It's really good with just baby mixed greens and some feta. DELISH!!!!

Pesto, Pasta, and Peas

(If you're not serving this right away, don’t let the peas completely defrost, to avoid “squishy peas”)

- 12 oz. fusilli pasta

- 12 oz. bow-tie pasta

- ¼ cup olive oil

- 1 ½ c pesto (I used packaged!)

- 1 10 oz. package frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and squeezed dry

- 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

- 1 ¼ c mayo

- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan

- 1 ½ c frozen peas, defrosted

- 1/3 c pignoli/pine nuts (toasted)

- ¾ tsp kosher salt

- ¾ tsp freshly ground black pepper.

Cook the fusilli and bow ties separately in a large pot of boiling salted water for 10 to 12 minutes or until each pasta is al dente. Drain and toss into a bowl with olive oil. Cool to room temperature. Meanwhile, in the bowl of a food processor, puree the pesto, spinach, and lemon juice. Add the mayo and puree. Add the pesto mixture to the cooled pasta and then add the Parmesan, peas, pignoli, salt, and pepper. Mix well, season to taste, and serve at room temperature.

Spring Joy...

Happy first day of Spring! Have a joyful weekend.

courtesy: flickr

Contain Yourself...

It is so great when your neighbor shows you some love. My neighbor emailed me today about a clutter busting episode she saw on Oprah and The Container Store is here to help! They are offering a 25% discount through April 13th. You can use the coupon in store, online, or by the phone.

Organize and declutter yourselves!

Won't You be my Neighbor...

Along with the spring blooms I also snapped pictures of some of the great homes in the neighborhood. Sorry for the lighting in some, I had a lab who wanted to be always on the move. Enjoy!

I think this home is my favorite! I love passing it everyday to and from work. I love the windows across the front and the arched [copper] canopy over the entrance.

This one sits on the corner and faces the corner. It's one of a kind.

I have come to realize I like arches.

Wants not to love. Great curb appeal and fabulous landscaping

I know it is hard to tell, but the shutters are lavender; and it has great windows. And that tree = wonderful. I love trees.

Traditional, but cute with the arched dormers, columns, and flower boxes.

Again. Love the windows.

Raining Petals...

The first day of Spring is only 3 days away, but I am seeing it all over our neighborhood. One of my personal favorites is raining petals everywhere...the dogwood. I love seeing them blooming all over the city. I snapped a few photos of some spring blooms while walking Tucker yesterday evening. Yeah for Spring!

Tucker had fun as well.

Kiss me, Pinch me...

I'm Irish!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

courtesy: flickr

For the Home...

I always enjoy getting the Anthropologie catalog in the mail. I love how they showcase everything. It makes you want it even more. :) Have you seen that they have now added wallpaper to their collection! The Flora & Fauna is my top pick. One of my furniture picks would have to be the Battersea sofette. Love it!

And We're Back...

Hello All. Thanks for all the well wishes for our trip. We had a fabulous time and Colorado is gorgeous! The weather was perfect everyday; sunny, blue skies, and fresh snow. I even made it to the top of the mountain at 12,060ft! I can't wait to go back next year to a new location to see more of the Lord's creation! Have a blessed Sunday!