vessel sinks - yes or no

I've got vessel sinks on the brain.

Pinterest via Passion Decor

Pinterest via South Shore Decorating Blog

Mark D Sikes

Andrea May

via Pinterest

via

Sarah Richardson

What do you think?  Do you have one? Are they messy/hard to keep water contained? Any you recommend?

advent calendar blues

I'm feeling a bit behind already and it's only December 5th.

I've got lists made, presents half way complete, decorations underway and meals/parties planned but I'm slacking in one area. The advent calendar.

We have a lovely felt calendar we pull out each year, and each year I feel under pressure to find stuff to fill each day. So I usually end up buying a bunch of crappy little things to hand out that break an hour later or I give the girls candy and treats when they already get enough of that at this time of year.

Pottery Barn Kids

I tried going to Pinterest for some inspiration, but have you ever done a search for 'advent calendar' in Pinterest? It's like googling 'mysterious cough'. You are going to get way more information than you'll even need.

I love the idea of filling each day with an activity or something, but it's hard to find an activity that works well for both a 5 year old and a 20 month old.

So I'm all ears. Do you do an advent calendar? How do you do it? What do you fill it with? Want to come take care of mine?

make new friends but keep the old

...one is silver and the other gold. If I knew why that song was in my head, I'd tell you. But I have no explanation  I've also got Flock Of Seagulls in my head so go figure.

I've been in a mixing mood lately. Maybe it's the crispy gold of fall, turning into the icy silver of winter (woah, can i get a holla for that line of poetry?) but I'm way into silver and gold. Living in harmony, just like ebony and ivory. The odd songs flow, what can I say.

I'm especially loving it in the kitchen. Which really is stainless and brass, but you get where I'm going with this.

Veranda Interiors

The Long and Short of it via the Everygirl

Amy Meier Design

White + Gold Design

Traditional Home

Makes for a very glam kitchen. It works best, I think, when it's tempered and subtle but when it works right, it is oh so good.

So what do you think? Do you mix you metals? Do you mix your cocktails? Thank goodness for a short week ahead!

garden stools for everyone

The more I see garden stools, the more I want one. They have been around forever, and I'm a sucker for a good classic.

Skinner Auctioneers & Appraisers via Boxwood Terrace

With all the fresh colors and finishes though, maybe mixing up the traditional is the way to go.

Wisteria

Red Nook

Wisteria

Neiman Marcus

Do you have a garden stool? Know a great place for a budget friendly option?