you had to be there

It's warm, sunny and Monday. Two out of three, not bad. How was your weekend? Did you wake up confused as to what day it might be? I did. Bummer when you think for a split second that it is Sunday.

Anyway, as those of you that are long time readers know, I can't go very long without changing things around these parts. It is chronic and there is no end in sight (sorry hubs). But often the changes are small enough that they aren't meaty enough for their very own post. (see, I now remember the word meat)

So I thought I'd gather them up and every once in a while do a little show and share - thus, the birth of 'you had to be there'.

Let's go into the living room, shall we? Don't look at the Barbie's on the floor but turn your eye up. I decided that keeping blue and white platters in a closet is just as bad as putting Baby in a corner. So I've added them above my favorite Pink Pagoda couple.

Since you are already looking up, you may also notice this.

Yes, I'm changing my dining room chandelier again.

We finally have a rug in our bedroom.

The hubs got it for me for Christmas. Which is in December. And it is now April. I know, I know.

This is happening in the entry hall (if you can call it that).

And finally, my ongoing battle with my mantel continues and I've changed it yet again. I pulled out some old sconces that I got at an estate sale way back when and slapped those suckers up. I had always thought I might spray them but I think I like the patina on the brass. And I love my pink candles.

Why yes, that is one of my lovely Indie Mats on the mantel. Good eye! Let it serve as a reminder - this is the last day you can enter to win these lovelies for your own home! Make sure you enter to win!

What about you? Do you move things around your house often? Made any small updates lately?

party at my table

There is a party mood happening today because I've got tablescapes on the brain people. I'm styling a table for a local charity event this evening and then I'm hosting a big party at my house in June, so Pinterest and I have been chatting of nothing but linens, flowers, napkins and silverware. (forks on the left...i always forget)

So I thought I would share some pretty inspiration pics with you. Because I don't know about you, but I enjoy a good looking table when I sit down to my catered dinner.

source via pinterest

source via pinterest

source via pinterest

source via pinterest

source via pinterest

source via pinterest

source via pinterest

I'll be sure to share pictures from tonight's event sometime next week.

So what do you think? Does it get you in the mood to have a party? If you do, can I come? I am full of sparkling conversation.

And btw, don't forget to sign up for the great Indie Mats Giveaway! You only have until Monday.

that console has style

I was looking thru old magazines the other night and with one little image, an idea hatched in my head. Who knows if it will work or not, but I'll be doing a little furniture moving this weekend. Followed by some console styling if things go well. I'll keep you posted.

Styling is hard, I think, but so fun to play around with. Running up and down the stairs to shop the house for what might work best. It's my cardio.

So to get me in the mood, let us take a gander at these winners.

All images via my Styling Pinterest board.

Which one is your favorite? Do you get a charge out of moving things around your house? Do you love a well styled table as much as I do?

merry vacation to all

I had grand plans to have a whole house tour and shovel out one last dose of Christmas cheer. However, the cheer of real life got in the way and I'm having too much fun to sit still long enough to put together a proper tour. So these pictures will have to do.

Merry Christmas and see you in the new year!!

it's a marathon, not a sprint

I never said I would be quick about this whole living room update right? Good. Because it is painfully obvious that I'm taking my own sweet time with this room seeing as I first posted about it in August. The beginning of August.

So I could apologize for my laziness and give all sort of excuses as to why this little room is taking so long, blah blah blah. Or, I could just get on with it and given an update. An update you say? You are so positive, I knew I liked you!

Now if you are anything like me, you will need a refresher on the original to do list.

1. Paint walls, ceiling and trim (not in that order)

2. Paint and recover chairs

3. Figure out room layout

4. Get artwork

5. Sew pillows and curtains

6. Clean rug or Get new rug?

7. Find/Make coffee table

8. Address window seat

9. Lighting

10. Paint 'other' items as needed

11. Couch finishing touches (half way done)

And actually, now that I'm looking at it, I have gotten a lot done. Go me!

The walls have been painted one of my very favorite colors - Arrowroot by Pratt & Lambert. And the ceilings are a very pale blue (I can't remember the name at the moment) that seems to change color several times throughout the day, which I love.

In addition to the walls, I painted some furniture as well. If you saw my guest post at The Pink Pagoda a while back then you saw this. 

And I have a serious crush on my prints from The Pink Pagoda as well. That little lady looks so good! And so does her hubs, hanging on the other side of the room.

I'm still playing around with pillows and some other little things.

But I do have some help arranging flowers.

Curtains were hung last night and the trim on a new seat cushion is complete.

Now I just need to clean the place up a bit and snap some pictures. Easier said than done in this gloomy weather. But progress has been made! I have not forgotten nor abandon the living room. It lives!!

Do you have any projects that you can't seem to get around to finishing? Any lingering lists? Want to come over and help me take some pictures?

elephants and eggs

One of my living room challenges is the layout. I believe, in fact, it is number 3 on my list. Now normally I have no problems with layouts. In fact, that's usually how I put myself to sleep at night (instead of counting sheep I move furniture).

But this time, I've got an elephant in the room. She is big and bossy and I love her.

The 'egg piano'.

For years my grandmother saved the money she earned selling eggs each week (from her chickens. on the farm. not her eggs.) to buy this piano. It was her pride and joy. It was later passed on to my parents and was the piano I took lessons on. Then, a few years ago my parents downsized and the piano came to live at my house.

Wahoo!

But that wahoo comes with a however.

This baby is big. And there are very few places she will fit. And after finding her spot, there is the even bigger issue of how to treat her. For whatever reason, styling a piano seems daunting to me. Even Pinterest didn't have many examples. (bite my tongue, I know)

via Pinterest

The Selby

Miss Mustard Seed

Home Life

Residence via Scandinavian Chic 

So what say you? Have you ever worked with a piano? Any ideas on how to integrate it? What would you buy with your egg money?

a few clips of spring

Today I had a baby who wouldn't nap and a toddler jumping out of her skin. So we took advantage of the lovely spring weather to play in the yard.

This quickly turned into "let's pick flowers".

One small hitch in this plan though - flowers haven't bloomed in our yard yet (with the exception of some hyacinth that have already been man toddler-handled). After a discussion about why picking flowers out of our neighbors yard isn't really a good plan the crowd was starting to turn on me. I offered kick ball, bike riding, a walk, but no takers. It was all about the flowers damn it.

So with the natives getting restless and the screams getting louder, I improvised. I got out the clippers and cut off my ears. Just kidding. (I only considered that for a few minutes second)

We snipped a few branches off our pear tree.

And what does any 4-year-old (or 30-something) want to do with a bunch of cut flowers? Make a "boookay" of course. Amelia wanted to do her own arrangement, as all independent 4-year -olds do, so she got the milk glass and I stuck to the ginger jar. Finally a happy household.

And a bit of spring to brighten up the house.

Amelia ditched me and took her "boookay" into her room

Have you brought any flowers in from the yard yet? Is anyone else as excited for the peonies to come out as I am? I can smell them now!