Simply Orange in Decor

Via

The forecast promises warmer weather next week. It will be nice to wake up to sunshine.
(Don't forget to come back this Friday for my $125 giveaway!)


My favorite juice wakes me up every morning.

Via

For the cost of a supermarket bouquet, simple orange wakes up my decor.

Look at the size of this cinnamon roll from local bakery, The Donut Factory! 

Lucky to find this little tray for $1 at a yard sale in the popular lattice/fretwork pattern. 

Via

Pops of orange.

 Wouldn't you want to rise and shine in these bedrooms?

Via

Via

Via

Via

Velvet softens the look.

Source

Keeping it simple with flowers.

Source

Source

Always fun in a kid's bedroom.

Via

Palmer Weiss makes it pretty in a family room.

And Tobi Farley shows us how to balance.

Posting to:
All Things Inspired
Wow Us Wednesday
Swing Into Spring
Feather Your Nest Friday
Inspiration Friday
Show and Tell Friday 
Thrifty Things Friday 

Source

Breakfast is going to be juicy at my house this week!

Loving Laundry

We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy, even if it's picking grapes or sorting laundry. - E.B. White

I've never thought house chores to be pleasurable until I read a great post by my friend Dayle over at A Collection of This and That.  Dayle is a noted author with an uncanny ability to put things in perspective which challenges one's thinking.  Her writings always inspire me.  

I don't like housework.  No secret here.  But I do enjoy the process of folding laundry, especially my children's clothing. 

When each of them were babies, I made sure to use the most gentle laundry soap.  ummm...I can still smell it. 

Via

I'll never forget the first time I washed infant clothes in anticipation of my newborn's arrival. It started a love affair with baby laundry. I'd lovingly fold the little arms and legs of fuzzy sleepers, kiss tiny socks and caress warm baby blankets.  

Via

Thankful for disposable diapers. (I have fond memories of helping my mom hang clothes on a clothesline.) 

Via

There's no softness like that of fresh laundered baby clothes.

Via

A real turning point is the day we would graduate to "normal" laundry soap.  Call me crazy, but it always made me sad to put the baby soap away. Albeit, I was relieved to throw all the clothes in the same basket.

The things we moms find in pockets!

Via

Surely I'm not the only one who forgot to empty pockets and washed a valuable electronic game or a wad of play dough. 

The little tears at the knees make me thankful my children are healthy enough to run and play.

Via

Then come the teen years when laundry quadruples. 

This is also the time you realize they need to do their own.

Via

Finally, the day will come when there will be no more chocolate, ink or blood stains.  And I'll wonder if they are remembering to separate the towels from the jeans. 
Less laundry.  
That's what I always say I want. 
But maybe not.  
I kind of like laundry.


I've never had a large pretty laundry room.  I dream of it.

Via

Via

Via

Via

Via

Posting to All Things Inspired
Nice! I'd love one of these but it would probably be just for looks (except for that sweet pull out ironing board.) Truth be told, I really like to spread my laundry out on the sofa so I can sit and reflect.  
So, do you really use your laundry room for more than just washing and drying clothes? 
Loads of hugs,

Annamarie's Home Tour Finale

Welcome back to Annamarie's home.  
Lace. Ruffles. Treasures. Tulle. Roses. Pearls. Vintage goodness.  
Are you ready to continue on this romantic journey?
If you missed the first two parts of the tour, go here and here.

It's time to meet the pretty lady...

Annamarie and husband Ralph

So for all of you who didn't think a man could live there, think again.  Aren't they a beautiful couple? 

Here are quoted texts by Annamarie to me, because like you, I wondered.  I wondered a lot of things and she always was gracious and funny with her answers. 

"My sister Mary and I used to own a cottage store in Florida, it was our dream after our mom passed away. Our store and my home were featured in Country Living Magazine in the April 2006 issue, "Rose Patterned Home Decor."  The co-editor, Jane Dagmi, came to my home and shop. It was so exciting. " 

"I now live in North Carolina.  This is my dream world. There is so much more, even other bathrooms and another bedroom." 

"Yes, I'm a neat freak and I don't stop cleaning! But I love it.  However, I do use my house.  I entertain all the time, love to have tea parties, bbq's and dinner parties." 

"I know so many people ask how does your husband live in this house. He thinks it's romantic, like a bed and breakfast! His motto is happy wife, happy life!" 

"I just love all the comments!  I love living in our shabby chic home and all the beautiful people in it." 

Finally, the most anticipate answer. Will she have a blog? "You make it look so easy, maybe one day soon I will start one." (She's the one who makes it look easy with all these pretty photos.)  You can check out her Ebay shop, Bocarose. 

Posting to-
Show and Tell at My Romantic Home
Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound
Show Off Your Cottage Monday at The House in the Roses
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

We will read your blog, dear Annamarie.  Just let us know when. 

On another note, to show my gratitude and celebrate my blogging friends, Beatrice Banks will host a giveaway.   $125!   Come back next Friday for details!