February 25, 2009
Which Way to the Weight Room?
My best friend gives up soda every year, another is even giving up Facebook for 40 days. I've proven my addiction to caffeine can be calmed in 48 hours and there's no way I can live without social media, so this leaves me thinking that the best thing for me to promise this Lenten season is to treat my body right and work out for at least a half-hour EVERY day. Working out reduces my stress level, improves my mood and toning up can't hurt my self esteeem either. So, we'll see how this goes. The boss man is already on me like spandex to work out each and every day!
February 24, 2009
A Reason to Clean

February 20, 2009
Pick Me! Pick Me!
I've entered, and am now spreading the word. I was looking into affordable ways to jazz up this site and break away from the freebie template, and this would be such an amazing gift!! It's my dream to use this blog to express all the creativity I have bursting inside of me and inspire others, too. I really believe in my heart that something big is going to happen in my life soon, and I'm really feeling a draw towards my creative side. Wouldn't a free design rehab just be amazing?!?!?
If you want to enter too (or put in a good word for me), Check out Penny Lane Designs. Marina sounds like a really awesome designer/wife/Christian/just plain cool girl, so even if you don't want to enter, check out her site!!
I Just Can't!

Poor Domino, how I'll miss you! And how there's NO WAY I want to receive Architectural Digest as its replacement. Hello, Gourmet magazine. How are you today? :-) At least I might get some ideas for dinner club, but no more attainable home style ideas....
The Best $12....

February 16, 2009
Bursting at the Seams with Excitement!!
Updated photos and how-to on the DIY dining chairs and table project still coming…. just maybe not too soon. Let’s just say I ran into a few complications and it’s not done yet.
But, that didn’t stop me from lusting over my new set of Anna Marie Horner fat quarters that came in the mail on Saturday!! I’m using an Amy Butler quilt pattern I found online for free, altering it just slightly to make it a bit longer for extreme napping. Who naps with a 4’ x 4’ blanket? Not me. I power nap and my feet get cold.
I’m just so excited to put these little guys to good use!!!

How cool are they? This is quite possibly the neatest quilting fabric I’ve ever seen. I picked my favorite last night (such a hard decision!!) and ordered more of it for the back – and picked one of the few smaller-scale non-graphic prints to use as the binding so I don’t make myself totally crazy.
February 13, 2009
My Valentine's Day Date
Yes, this weekend is your date with destiny. When you were constructed with clean, classic lines out of sturdy hardwood, you had to know you wouldn't be an Ugly Betty forever.
Tonight, table, you'll be stripped and sanded, and tomorrow - stained a beautiful dark walnut courtesy of Ace Sensations. And on Sunday, you'll get two coats of polyurethane coating. Chairs, you'll get put back together in all your pristine white and graphic trellis print glory while your friend waits for various steps to dry, don't you worry!
Before and afters, with a link to a complete step-by-step photo guide coming next week!
Happy Valentine's Day!
Save-the-Date Photography Fun!





February 12, 2009
Never Say Never

My parents bought me this sofa (my FIRST sofa ever) from IKEA in 2003. (My dad still talks about that shopping trip. He is NOT an IKEA customer – trust me on this, but that is a long story for another post.) Every year following I went to the High Point Furniture Market twice a year and lusted and planned and dreamed of replacing the Ektorp with something better – something sleek, maybe something armless, maybe something with a tufted back, it was always something different. But what never changed? I never bought another sofa. I’m in PR – I can’t afford thousands of dollars worth of furniture, even with a discount. Oh so sad. I did eventually purchase a white slipcover to spice it up, but that was it. And you know, that was enough to keep me happy.
Ektorp and I parted ways last spring when I moved in with my roommate. I sold him to a good home, and he now lives just blocks from his favorite home in the Gold Coast. (And I hear he’s wearing his beige coat again and is still in near-perfect condition.)
A year later, I’m thinking about how I’m going to decorate my still up-in-the-air apartment. What am I totally going to do? The unthinkable! I’m going back to the Ektorp family. This time I’m upgrading to the sleep sofa. Something tells me the extra money now will give me a lot more flexibility down the road. And, this time I hope I have room for it to have a friend. I have wanted a chaise lounge for years!!


February 11, 2009
Still Inspired!

February 9, 2009
Oooooo…. Emilys!

It’s geometric and fresh and the hint of texture from the photos has me pretty jazzed. And I thought I hated yellow!!
Their site is flash, so I can't borrow a bigger image, click here to see it in all its glory!
The Cow in the Room

So, now what do I do with a yard of heifer cow print? I could make a cuddly pillow, upholster something with it, make a quilt? Hide it away and forget I purchased it for $12.99? Thoughts??
Note: The cow isn’t totally random. My mom grew up on a farm that primarily raises cows, Holsteins and Heifers, I think. So, it’s a little bit o’ spunky heritage. An ode to the family farm and it makes me smile.
February 7, 2009
Simple Pleasures


To celebrate the occasion, I made rice krispie treats, a snack I must say is not made and enjoyed by adult circles often enough. Easy, breezy and not that bad for you – I love the things. And, just to be cute (and not be TOO matchy-matchy as I have a tendency to pull out all my white ware when I entertain and be far too formal), I used my Rice Krispies bowl! I scored this awesome find at Dillard’s last spring. We use it for keys and bills most days. (Even if roomie doesn’t like it, she pretends!)
How cool is it that there are actually rice krispie treats in the rice krispies bowl?!?! It’s the little things that make me truly happy.