Monday, April 30, 2012

Geometry 102- Quatrefoil

Drape Style
Another geometric pattern. 
Quatrefoil, meaning 4 leaves. 

I was happy to find my own quatrefoil pattern in a rug for my foyer.
 I wouldn't mind having an entire floor of it.
Via
 Look what Courtney from A Little Glass Box created.
Simply fabulous!


Via

Ironies

From floor to ceiling, this pattern is lovely!

Circa Lighting

Via
 Outside too.
Commune Design

I'm so far behind on commenting. Please be patient as I catch up with everyone. Last week we had a delightful surprise when my aunt, uncle, cousin and her hubby came and visited for a couple of days while traveling the East Coast on vacation. It was a wonderful two days of story telling, reminiscing and relaxing. Isn't it nice to let everything go and just be with the people you love?

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Geometry 101: Herringbone

Via
This is a "Dream With B" series on geometric patterns. Pamela of Mercantile Muse inspired me with her post yesterday. She got me to thinking how much I love geometric patterns. 
Designspiration
 Herringbone. 
Scottie Lee
Such a classic pattern.
Via
I've always loved this pattern on brick pavers too.
Via
Via

Herringbone is beautiful inside or out and on any surface.
It's Great To Be Home
Design Spong
Patterns have a way of entertaining the eyes. Hope you were entertained by these pretty designs.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

143

Roses- the universal flower for love.
The Doc doesn't send flowers routinely. He likes for it to be a surprise when he does. Sometimes on special occasions, sometimes just because.
 
Today I was pleasantly surprised.
The Doc was surprised too, but not in a good way.  Yesterday was our anniversary. He's working out of town so he called me several times. I never noticed he was waiting on a response. At 9:00 last night, he asked me to go turn on the back porch light and look outside. I couldn't imagine why but complied. Then he asked, "do you see anything?" "Nothing." "Go look all around." "What? Why?" I had to have a reason if I was going to walk around on the damp grass in the dark. 
Aww...I felt so bad for him.  Grrr...he was upset. The florist did not deliver the flowers.
Today these showed up. And because they were a day late, so did a full refund.  
 I'd call that a very happy anniversary. 
143 has been our little code for years. The number of letters in "I love you." 
We've never looked at life through rose colored glasses. There were too many thorns in our path. But our love has stood the test of time and continues to bloom into a full blown love story. Unlike these flowers, it will never fade. We are tending to it daily and that's how I know.
To my sweetheart-
1432

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Spring Postcards

Rainboots are ready.

Need April showers to bring...


 May flowers!

Sharing my Spring postcards for the note card party over at A Haven for Vee.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Setbacks, Pretty Doors and A Little Q&A

Via
The vote is in. Windows on the carriage style garage doors wins hands down.
Via

I was so excited about these doors until...

we found out our door is an odd size. It must be special ordered and will take weeks/months be delivered and installed. We really hope to sell the house before then. So, we'll  just give an allowance to the buyer to replace what's there now. 
Via

The real estate market has changed so much. I'm sure that's not breaking news to anyone but, it's become our reality. The realtors are telling us, "Don't waste your money upgrading any more than you already have. You will not get a good return." 

Design Chic is an awesome blog by a mother/daughter team, Beth and Kristi. They always post the best decor photos. It's like a candy shop to me. I am honored to be tagged by them for a fun game.

I normally don't participate in tags but this one came at a good time and it was fun. Here's answers to 11 questions.
Questions:
 1. If you were given the choice between a million dollars and maintaining your dream weight for the rest of your life what would you choose?
At this point in my life, I think  it would be easier to achieve the million dollars so I'll take the dream weight.
 2. What is the best lesson you learned from your parents?

The importance of family. My dad had a stroke at age 43 which left him paralyzed. It forever changed our lives. I learned how valuable it was to stick together as a family during hard times. My parents led us by example with their faith in God. I am where I am because of the prayers and support of my parents.
 3. Where would your dream vacation home be?

I'd want a beach home within driving distance of wherever I lived. The closer the better because it would mean the more time we could spend there. It's a dream that I hope comes true some day!
 4. If you could only wear one color for the rest of your life what would it be?

Teal blue
 5. What is your all-time favorite movie?

May sound sappy, but Gone With the Wind 6. If you could choose an animal from any movie to be your pet what would you choose? (i.e. Babe, the monkey from The Hangover...)
Now that we've established my sappiness, Lassie. When I was little I'd cry every time I watched an episode.
 7. Up to this point, what has been the best day of your life?

The day I was baptized and filled with His Spirit.
 8. If you could date any famous person (assuming you were unattached, of course!) who would it be?

I would not want to date a famous person. I value my privacy too much. But if I could hang out with a famous guy for a day, it'd probably be Ralph Lauren, just to get inside of his head and watch him design.
 9. If you could take a one year sabbatical and go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Paris, of course.
10. If you were given a million dollars to donate to your favorite charity/cause, what would you choose?

The Susan Cohan Cancer Foundation. My father in law died a few years ago from colon cancer. Another life altering moment in our lives.
11. If you could go backstage to meet any musician, dead or alive, who would it be?

Maybe Elvis. I'd just like to hear him sing in person. I was very young when he died but his songs still ring in my head and take me back to the happy days of childhood.

The next part of this game is for me to tag 11 people with 11 questions. Please don't feel obligated and if there's anyone who wants to join in, please do!
1.Oakview Cottage
2.  Podso
3.  Ms. Smartie Pants
4. On Sutton Place
5.  Hyacinths for the Soul
6.  Blondie's Journals
7.  Tattered Hydrangeas 
8.  A Collection of This and That
9.  Sunny Simple Side
10.  Love and Life at Leodora
11.  Random Thoughts

Questions:
1. Who was your hero growing up?
2.  What are 3 things you can't live without?
3.  Barefoot in the sand or a pretty pair of high heels?
4.  What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
5.  If you had to move to a state other than the one you live in, where would you move?
6.  When thinking about colors of the rainbow, which color are you?
7.  If you could do anything, or wish for anything that would come true, what would it be?
8.  If you could visit any country in the world, where would you go?
9.  Are you usually late, early or  right on time?
10. Are you old fashioned?
11. You've been given the choice of a vacation or a shopping spree. Which would you choose?

Friday, April 13, 2012

Carriage Doors

Via
Do you like carriage style garage doors? 
Via
I happen to love them and now it looks like we'll be buying one. Seems the tenants backed into our garage door and didn't inform us. Here's a tip. If you make the slightest dent in a garage door, repair immediately. If not, over time the door will weaken and eventually crack, which also affects the way it rolls. If your door is making a popping sound when rolling up, it's not the opener but the door itself. Ours is now cracked in 3 places. It could have been prevented but on the bright side, maybe this will add just the curb appeal for a quick sale.
Via
I love the look in the first two photos, the craftsman/bungalow style. Our house is more traditional like the above photo. I suppose it doesn't matter the style of the house. Looks good on both, in my opinion.  
Wouldn't the HOA flip out if I did something like this?
Via
I think the red is really stunning. But it clearly wouldn't look good with my brick.
Our house- tree  has been cut back so you can now see the arched window.
 I was surprised to find the carriage style is only a couple of hundred dollars more than the plain. Now the decision is windows or no windows? I vote yes, hubby votes no, but will let me decide.
What do you think?

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

A Sweet Day


My two sweet boys.  
Can you tell by their faces which one is more expressive?  


This was a little staged on his part. I always make breakfast and put out their goodies on Easter morning. His exaggerated excitement made it fun.

I never like to mention my birthday because it feels as if I'm soliciting wishes. But I have to share one of the sweet gifts I received.
My precious friend from FL sent me this beautiful box. Want to see what was inside?
Via

Via
I'm showing you photos from the site because my box is almost empty. These are from Cheryl's Cookies. Really delish.
The best part about my day was hearing from so many wonderful friends. I even received a card from Cindy all the way from Canada!
I've made a mental note to show more thoughtfulness. It really does make a person's day!

Monday, April 9, 2012

Breakfast Nook

Our everyday eating spot. 
We've enjoyed this table with the bench, especially my little son who likes to sit by dad at dinner. No rug allowed but crumbs are.
Heather of Love and Life at Leadora, inspired me to write a little fancy on the chalkboard. 
This hangs to the left of the chalkboard near the cabinets. If you look closely, you can see the utensil picture is hiding a phone outlet. I really wanted to hang a vintage phone here. (Sure is hard not to use all of your ideas in a house. But there will be more ideas in the next place.) I bought those 2 cameos years ago at an antique store, before silhouettes were in vogue. I hung them on the doors of our his and hers closets. Still love them.
Filling a tray with decor makes it easy to remove on and off the table when dining. 



You may remember the damask fabric I bought sometime back. The plan was to make curtains but when I put them up, it was just too busy for me. I found the striped curtains at a yard sale, still in the package!
I used no sew iron on tape and put the two together with black grosgrain ribbon trim. 
One more photo of the chandy. I just love that little jewel.

Hope everyone had a nice Easter. We enjoyed our spring break at the beach even though it turned cold. It warmed back up just in time for Easter. Nothing but sunshine here. How about your part of the world? 
Posting to
Mod Vintage Life
A Stroll Thru Life 
Between Naps On The Porch 
Coastal Charm
Savvy Southern Style