Luau Inspiration~

I got an email from one of my readers the other day asking if I had any ideas for a Luau.  And the answer is "no, not really".  But wait!  Don't get me wrong, I love me a good luau.  But I haven't exactly thrown a luau-type party  myself.  Since I'm not one to miss out on a little good party inspiration, however, I did a little research, and I found some fun luau ideas.  So Kathy, this one's for you...

This is such a great idea for a simple and lovely centerpiece. And nothing says "Hawaii" like a pineapple!

 via pinterest

I thought these cookie palm trees were so clever!!

 via pinterest

This table setting is just lovely.  The color scheme is tropical without being tacky and the paper lanterns are a pretty touch.

 via pinterest

You'll sense a theme going in these photos...I really love the use of parasols for a luau...be they miniature, or full size like this pretty pink number.  (I'm also lovin' that ukulele.)

 via sara's party perfect

This wreath is so fun and whimsical, you can help but smile!

 via Sara's Party Perfect

Or add a pretty, pastel parasol to a cupcake.  Love.

via TomKat Studios 

This jellyfish is made from grocery bags (yes, really!)  I featured it one week for my Frugal Round-up because I thought it was simply adorable!  Don't you think it would be a fun addition to a luau?  Sure would keep the kids entertained anyway.

via Casa Haus 

Doesn't it make you wanna just go throw yourself a smashin' luau?!  I'll be anxiously waiting by the  mailbox for my invite. ;-)

Have a great day~



Backyard Plans~

The weather around these parts of late has been, how shall I say it? Well, weird.  Down right cold, actually.  Definitely not normal for this time of year.  On Memorial Day we actually woke up to snow on the ground.  We've had the most snow in 150 years.   That said, I'm really sick of  the cold.  And the snow.  And I'm ready for a little sunshine. 

I think Mother Nature might have heard me complaining because it finally seems to be warming up outside (knock on wood.)  The past two days have been blissful.  Near 80 with a soft breeze.  Mmmmmmm.

So I have been dreaming about having a romantic little spot in the backyard this summer.  One where I can relax and read a book...or just gaze at the sky and try to find shapes in the clouds.  Something kind of like this...



Source?

 Of course, our new house doesn't have a bunch of beautiful old-growth trees in the backyard, so perhaps this particular set-up isn't exactly feasible.

Actually, I have really been wanting a hammock.  And daydreaming about something like this.

source

Its price tag might be a bit rich for my blood, however.

So maybe I'll go with something a little more like this.



source


It could be really fun with a nice big umbrella to provide some shade, and a bunch of pretty outdoor pillows like these.



source


Oh yeah!  Bring it on, Summer!  I'm ready for ya!!

Simple Outdoor Mood Lighting~

It's been rather dreary here for the past few days.  Rainy and cold.  But I have big plans for outdoor entertaining this year...if the weather should ever warm up. ;-)

I thought it would be fun to share with you one of my go-to, outdoor, summer centerpieces.  It's extremely simple to make, but it adds tons of ambience to any gathering.  Canning Jar Lanterns.

To make these pretty lanterns, simply gather up some vintage canning jars.  I like a variety of sizes...it just adds to the impact.  Then get some candles...I use larger pillar candles for the big canning jars and votives for the smaller jars.  You can use any color candle you want, but I prefer to use white.  Clean.  Pretty.

Fill the bottom of your jars about 1/4 - 1/3 full of rice...or sand...or coarse salt.  It's really up to you.  I used rice in these because I had it on hand.  Sand is especially pretty, and coarse salt is lovely because it reflects the light.  But really any of these pale colored fillers will do. 

Then just pop the candles in and light.  Group your canning jars for more dramatic impact.  So simple and pretty.  (Please make sure you don't leave candles unattended or let them burn all the way down to the filler...as that could be a fire hazard.)

Happy Entertaining!

Oh...and  last but certainly not least,  I hope you love my new blog design as much as I do!  Thanks to Ellie G at Announced Greetings for her spectacular redesign!!  Love.  Love.  Love.

Bunk Rooms: Shared Space Inspiration~

As I mentioned in this post, we are moving.  And in the move, we are going to be downsizing.  So all of my boys are going to be sharing a room.  I have been wanting to build a bunkroom for ages...and this gives me the perfect excuse opportunity.

So today I want to share a few bunk room ideas from my inspiration files...

I love the nautical theme in this bedroom and the  "porthole" window near the lower bunk.

traditional kids design by chicago general contractor Stonebreaker Builders & Remodelers

I love the built-in beds, the drawers underneath for added storage...the "wainscotting" molding on the sides of the beds.  Perfection.

traditional bedroom design by boston architect Smith & Vansant Architects PC

In this room, I'm in love with the sconce above the top bunk and the planked walls. mmmmm.

contemporary kids design by atlanta interior designer Brian Watford ID

Although not technically "bunks", I love the built-in cubbies for each bed...and the curtains for privacy.

eclectic kids design by birmingham interior designer Tracery Interiors

This room has amazing use of space...love the built-in bookcases and workstations on each side of the bed ( although that top bunk needs a higher safety railing, if you ask me.)

traditional kids design

This room had me at "hello". I love the putty colored built-ins. The stairs/ladder is pure perfection. And I simply adore the addition of the built-in bookcases at the head of each bed.

spaces design

I have been enamoured of this bunk space for a long time. I love the juxtaposition of industrial elements with feminine elements (and that oversized photo is amazing!) Of course, remove the butterflies and the twinkle light "chandelier" and this space could work just as well for a group of crazy boys like mine.

spaces design

All rooms above via Houzz.com

This is perhaps my favorite bunk room image of all time. It's from BHG, and I've had it in my inspiration photos since, well, I've lost track of how long it's been there. I love EVERYTHING about this room. The bunks are amazing, the built-in workstations are inspired, the colors are perfect.  Now to figure out how something like this can translate to a smaller space. Ohhhhh the possibilities.

via BHG



Sure does give me a lot to think about.  Whether you have kiddos or not, I hope that you've been able to gather a little inspiration from this set of shared spaces too!

Have a great day~

Faux Mercury Glass tutorial and a Last Minute Neighbor Gift Idea~

For my Christmas Mantel I decided to try my hand at making some faux mercury glass. Now, let me preface this by saying that there are many tutorials on the old www that can tell you how to do this. This is just my version, which as usual, is the lazy person's version. But it was super (and I stress SUPER) easy!

What you will need:

1. Glass containers of any configuration. (I went and bought a bunch of candle/votive holders at the dollar store.)

2. A water spraybottle (filled with actual water...shocking, I know.)

3. Silver metallic spraypaint. (I have also read that using mirror spraypaint works well...and in reality I think it would probably be better...I just happened to have some silver spraypaint on hand...and that's how I roll...)

Instructions:

1. I decided to spraypaint both the inside and outsides of my containers, so I didn't need to prep them any special way. If you want to use them as candle h0lders, I would suggest taping off the inside of the jars so you won't get any paint inside. Heat + Paint = Trouble.

2. Spritz both the outside and inside of each jar with water. I set my spraybottle on mist so that the water droplets are small in size. (This is what creates the aged look.) Some of the water will pool on the inside of the jar. Don't worry about this.

3. Immediately spray the inside and outside of each wet jar with your metallic (or mirror) spraypaint. Go over each with two to three light coats of paint. Remember mercury glass is supposed to look aged and imperfect, so you aren't going for complete coverage here.

4. Let the jars dry completely. As the water dries it will leave droplet marks and streaks which add to the mercury glass illusion.

ENJOY!

For a super easy neighbor gift, take your faux mercury glass vessel and add a bag full of goodies to the inside. Super easy and festive!

Oh, and on a last note...due to the fact that both Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve fall on Fridays this year, there will be no Frugal Friday linky parties for the next two weeks. I'm pretty sure you all will be too busy to miss it. ;-) But never fear all you frugalistas, Frugal Friday will resume as usual the second week of 2011.

Have a great day~

Holiday Inspiration~

I decorate for Christmas on the day after Thanksgiving. I just like to give Thanksgiving its due. A lot of times I feel like it is the forgotten holiday. Wedged in there between Halloween and Christmas...the prelude to Black Friday. And, honestly, Thanksgiving is one of my very favorite holidays. So I wait until the next day to pull out my Christmas decor. (No offense to anyone that likes to decorate pre-Thanksgiving...I KNOW it's hard to wait.)

But, all of that said, I start thinking about and preparing my Christmas decor long before that. (Like right after Halloween.) And this year I've decided to go with mostly whites and silvers. I have a lovely neutral palette running through my head.

....And then my copy of Country Living arrived. And I saw these photos....

And I swooned. I just love them. all. Interesting how this pale-on-pale Christmas color scheme seems to be popping up all over the place this year. I guess great minds think alike, huh?

And today I am especially thankful for a warm house to live in as a blizzard rages outside and the temperatures plummet to the low teens. I know how blessed we are. How very blessed.

Have a great day~

Make Your Guests at Home~

I mentioned a few weeks back that we were going to have house guests on and off for several weeks this summer. I just love house guests!!

And I love to make sure that my guests feel at home. So today I thought I'd share a fun idea with you...

I always leave fresh, fluffy towels on the ends of the beds where my guests will be sleeping. But here's a way to make them extra special...

First, I tied the top towel up with some twine...and added this sweet handwritten tag and a key to the house so my guests can come and go at their leisure.


Then I added a blingy initial (theirs, of course) tied on with some vintage velvet ribbon as a little memento for my guests to take home.

It's small touches like these that make guests feel welcome and loved! My dear readers, do you have any great entertaining ideas that you use for house guests? I'd love to hear them!

Have a great day~

She sells Seashells~

It must have come from my years of living near the coast in New England (because now I am most certainly landbound), but I have a love affair with seashells. Nothing says "Summer" to me like seashells strewn around the house.

Today I thought I'd share some of the seashells that make my house summer-y.
These pretty starfish make their home in our living room on my rehabbed console.

These pretty apothecary jars are found on my kitchen counter. A pretty candles nestled in some seashells adds an unexpected touch.

A very simple way to add some beachy goodness to your house...frame a starfish! Simply cover some backing board with linen, hot glue a starfish on top, and pop it in a shabby white frame!

This vignette was in the main bath in our Massachusetts house...it looked so beachy against the pretty blue walls.

The same glass jar coupled with a tiny ball jar filled with white buttons looks just as beachy in its own way.

Now, I want to go to the beach! Sigh. ;-)

And on another note...

Happy Birthday to Mr. One!!! He turns 10-years-old today!

We're going to have a backyard BBQ complete with smores and night games to celebrate Mr. One's big step into the double digits!

So we spent part of our holiday creating this fun firepit to make the marshmallow roasting an "authentic" experience for his bevy of friends. I'll post more about his birthday festivities later this week.

Linky Love is up tomorrow!

Have a great day~

99% Complete and A Winner~

Happy Thursday! The Boys' Sock Monkey Bedroom is now 99% complete. So I've compiled a little slide show to give you all a look-see at the room...again.

Free digital slideshow generated with Smilebox

I just love this room! So why is it not 100% complete? Well, if you've read my blog for any length of time at all, you probably realize by now, that no room is EVER complete. I'm a tweaker. Yes, I am. And the two things I'd still like to tweak in this room?

First, the rug. I want something a little more boyish than the abstract floral-type rug I have in there. The colors are right, but the pattern is all wrong.

Second, I want to wallpaper the inside of the closet.

Since this house has no doors on the closets, they need to become a design feature. I thought adding a little punch with wallpaper would accomplish that task nicely. But since we rent, it can't be permanent. So I'm thinking of trying some of this. Easy Change wallpaper from Sherwin Williams. Removes simply by pulling it off the wall. No solvents...no damage. Perfect for renters. What do you all think?

And last, but not least, the winner of the Modern Bird Studios giveaway is... Mindy Gauthier. Mindy, drop me an email and we'll get you set up with your uber-fabulous prize!!

Have a great day~

Linky Love~

Hello there, my dear readers! Welcome to another edition of Linky Love featuring a few of my favorite links from last week's Frugal Friday party.

Enjoy!

First up, Sarah at A Beach Cottage shared her Entry Redo. So serene and welcoming!!

Next, La Maison Lafortune shared this unique idea for a headboard...love it!

I just love me a good "theme" birthday party and Amy at Lemon Tree Creations did not disappoint with this darling flower party. Check out those balloon flowers. Seriously.

And finally, Just Another Day in Paradise shared this great beadboard-bathtub-surround tutorial. Love it!

If you missed last week's Frugal Friday Fabulousness, don't deprive yourself...click here.

I will be announcing the winner of the Modern Bird Studios giveaway tomorrow...so make sure and stop by!

Have a great day~

This I Love: Super Simple (and clever!) Table Setting

First off, I wanted to thank everyone for your sweet birthday wishes. I had a wonderful day! Lunch with lovely friends, a lazy afternoon at the pool with the kiddos (complete with the season's first sunburn - for me, not the kiddos, thank heavens - guess I'm better at putting sunblock on them than on myself), then we all piled on the downstairs sofa for a movie night. Summer at its best!

Isn't this image charmingly celebratory? by Lauren Drew





And speaking of that sunny season...

I know summer has officially set in when the family starts to arrive. I just love the fact that summer brings with it an endless array of visitors. Family that we don't get to see and spend time with that often. People that we just love to be around!

Because I want to spend every precious moment with my loved ones, but still want them to feel doted on...I am constantly on the lookout for super easy entertaining ideas. I happened upon this darling table setting idea a while back and was smitten....


How easy would this be to pull off? And how clever besides? I just adore it...especially the hand drawn placemats/placecards all in one....too cute! (Wish I could remember where I found this...if anyone knows, please leave me a note in the comments...give credit where credit is due, I always say.)

EDITED TO ADD: Lots of people asking what the scissors are for...it seems to me that I remember the table being for some sort of crafting luncheon...but since I didn't save the link (my bad) I can't remember either. :-)


Have a great day~