my favorite Brit picks

When I was a little girl, and Princess Diana was getting married to Prince Charles, my mom and I got up in the wee hours of the morning, snuggled under blankets on the couch and sleepily, but anxiously watched the wedding ceremony.

Thanks to my DVR, I won't be getting up quite so early to watch the nuptials, but I do plan on watching them as soon as I'm up.

I thought I'd share some of my favorite items with some English flair today in honor of today's events across the pond.

Boden is one of my favorite clothing sites.  I've ordered several items from them for Hannah, (the dress in our Easter pic- if you scroll down a few posts below....) and they are always adorable and well made.  They also have women's, men's and teens.








Charlie and Lola.  

Even though it's on the Disney Channel at an hour most kids are still (or should be!) asleep, it was one of our favorites when Hannah was little.  The books are just as fun and sweet.  I love the mixed media art and humor.  "...I will not evah eat a toe mah toe!..."

My favorite tea and tea cup:

Good Earth Green Tea Lemongrass. It has a slightly sweet floral note to it.  Plus, being green tea, it's a great fat burner.  (bonus!!)  You can find Good Earth Brand at most grocery or health food stores.  If you've never been a tea drinker, these are great to try because they are very flavorful.  The tea cup is from Anthropologie.

Boots No. 7 foaming cleanser:




This is a gentle face wash that has a delicious light rose scent.
It cleans very well and even though I use a toner after, I rarely have any residue. I get mine from Target- it's under $10 and the bottle lasts a long time.

Disc Hangers:

You may have seen these around blog land, but I'm telling you, I am totally in love with these nifty little guys.  No more ugly plate hanger wires showing!  Super easy to use and very strong. 

I am totally smitten with BethanyLorelle's Etsy shop!  Gorgeous fascinators and headbands.  I'd definitely be ordering one of these if I'd been invited to the Royal Wedding.  *sniff*

And what's not to love about these?
Z Gallerie is featuring their favorite items today!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend- what are your favorite British expats?

Transformations and Treasures No. 12

I am sitting here listening to the the birds chirp as the sun is coming up, and it is one of my favorite things in the world.  I hope your day is starting off with a smile.

I wanted to let you know that beginning Monday, May 3 I will be doing a beach theme set of posts for a short stint.  If you would like to be featured- a beach room makeover, or if your blog has something to do with a coastal theme, let me know by Saturday April 30.  We'll try and work it out to get you on here!  I'm looking for 3-4 features...

I've started using a new smart phone- a Motorola with the plug in laptop- so it was nice to not have to hole up in the office in the evenings to be able to look through all of your creations.  I had a bit of a problem with the mousepad freezing though.  If I didn't get to leave a comment, it's because it was giving me grief!  But I did get to see everyone's links- thank you so much for coming!!

Here were some of the highlights from last week:

House Revivals came up with this mood board for their new guest room at their beach house- not only that, but the renovations that they are doing are beyond the typical tear out some walls kinda job!  Wowza!

If you missed it, you need to see the amount of work they are putting into this little beauty.

Pam from Our Adventures in Home Improvement shared a fantastic idea on aging wood!  She attached this cute vintage window frame to the piece, and added a lot of character and cuteness to her dining area.  I can't wait to try this out!

Kim at Keller Creative redid her laundry closet, and I am especially loving the stripe and handy wall art- stain removal tips beautifully disguised!

Heather from Tallgrass Design spiffed up this cute little nightstand.  It was originally in a brown color (I'm wondering if my dresser transformation and her nightstand were together as a set at one point in time!)

and it looks totally brand new with her touch!

Nita from Mod Vintage Life showed her Easter decor in her home- I love going here and seeing all the fabulousness!

If you were featured here today grab a button!

Here we are for this week's party!

living room changes

Thank you so much for the birthday wishes yesterday! I had a great day of shopping and eating!!

One of the nicest surprises yesterday was finding that the Graphics Fairy featured my 'Good Day' dresser! wow! She really made my day  :)

I would also be remiss in saying that I won a giveaway a week and a half ago from Melanie at the Frosted Gardner- a Ramsign house number.  Words cannot even express how excited I am to get the new and chuck the old! I was never impressed with the selection that the builder put up, so this will be much more 'me".  I hope to show you the switcheroo after it arrives!

With all of the swapping, and making over of the office, I figured it was time for a living room update.
I really wish I had the first photo of how this room looked.
It has morphed several times in the past three years, steadily improving with each makeover.

 

Here's how it's looking today.  If you missed the earlier posts on swapping out the shelving for the new rope shelves, you can see a quick look here:

unpainted, in messy office

primed, in new space



Stage 1

  You can see where we've come so far.  The dark leather chairs have been swapped out for two non matching chairs.  This really lightened up the feel of the room, and created a ton more space.

I lined the back of all the shelves with vintage sheet music.  I toyed around with the idea of some decorative papers in colors, but since I had this on hand, I decided to be frugal.  Plus, the graphic and subtle look of the paper would blend in better with everything else already going on here.

I stacked the baskets for a textural and visual break from the pastels and white. It adds warmth to the room too.  The clock was made by my grandpa. The two shabby chic plates are one of my favorite finds- I got a set of four from a thrift shop.  They are perfectly faded and go great with the colors in here!  I really need to get some more Disc Hangers so the plates don't have the wire hangers showing....

Across from the clock and baskets is this little side table.  Not much has changed here, but I did a little rearranging and added in this stack of bundled vintage letters.  I got these from a tag sale.  They are letters from a sister to her physician brother in Oregon City, Oregon.  I haven't read them. The lady who was selling these told me about the history.  Someday I might read them.  But for now I like the mystery of the details.  ;)

I'm toying with the idea of painting this table white, but we'll see....what do you vote for? Wood or white?

My grandma's milk glass vase, mercury glass votive, and the rocks are still here.  I just love them.
It might look like a pile of gray rocks to you, but for me, they are a reminder of the last time I visited my BFF in Carlsbad, California.  The beach was loaded with them, and I think about the visit with her.

My grandma's vintage buttons that I played with as a child.  So many pretty and interesting ones, they fill in for candy in my tiered holder.

The only change to the writing desk is the frame above it.  One of the oval mirrors that I added above the two shelves used to be above the desk.

And for the final overview (literally!)

This is the view from the staircase.  The addition of the mirrors behind the glass hurricanes is an update I am really enjoying.  It needed something there, but I didn't want anything too fussy.
As much as I love my turquoise coffee table, I am working on a new one to replace it.  It's round, and those puppies are hard to find- I snagged one at a thrift shop with a price tag that couldn't be beat.

 Even though the changes to this room are better, I'm sure this won't be the last morph this room will see.  I'm still not 100% satisfied with it, but it's coming along! 
(maybe it's in my nature that I never will be satisfied with it???)

Have a great Tuesday, see you tomorrow for Transformations and Treasures!

party ideas from one of my favorite sites!

Yep. 

Today's the day. 

My birthday. 

It's kinda significant.

My last birthday in my 30's.  Hmmmm......

I look forward to birthdays, and this year is no exception.

I just have my eyes set on something else coming up very soon! 

One of my very favorite sites that I discovered shortly before I started blogging, is Hostess with the Mostess.

It is jam packed with beautiful, bright and fun photos, and ideas galore.
Plus, it has printables, recipes, drinks, and where to buy.

This lemonade themed party is just gorgeous!! Love the hanging parasols, and the bright and cheery colors.  It just makes me smile.



Don't you just love how even Twinkies look elegant in this setting?
(bottom right....)



I have a set of these very same glasses- just so pretty with a little vintage nod.
This next party theme is for a little girl's birthday, but I still like the woodland fantasy idea!

Little Red Riding Hood

The earthy colors and pops of red- so fun! There's a tutorial on some super yummy looking chocolate cupcakes with a pistachio topping.  Mmmmmm!

Jack Daniels 40th birthday theme:
I'm not into whiskey, but this theme cracked me up!! The adaptation for a milestone birthday is perfect.  Not to mention the menu:

So creative.  I hope Jack was surprised.  And didn't mind the "old" bit...   LOL!


Gorgeous colors, simple ideas... this is why I love this blog!  (plus, you had me at the ball fringe...)
turquoise glasses, the mossy grassy pots packed in bright modern vases...LOVE!
Spring theme:



Spectacular bouquet- this would be gift enough in my book.





If you haven't been to Hostess with the Mostess, I hope this inspires you to add them to your lineup of blog love.  Daily inspiration for creative ideas!

Their latest?  Royal wedding theme...  ;)

And just because, here's my favorite rendition of the birthday song- from my favorite era.
Enjoy. 

Happy Easter!

~from our home to yours!

He is Risen!

Easter 2010

magic marshmallow puffs

My friend Lois is an amazing baker- she always comes up with the best and yummiest stuff, and seems to have a knack for making her baked goods better than anyone else!

I'm sharing a recipe that she gave me a few years ago- these ooey gooey, finger licking little pastry puffs are heavenly. 

I've served these at Easter dinner as an alternative to sweet rolls.

Make lots!  They don't last long!  :)

Magic Marshmallow Puffs
Puffs: 1/4 c. sugar
2 T flour
1 tsp cinnamon
2 8oz refrigerated crescent rolls
16 large marshmallows
1/4 cup butter, melted

Glaze: 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
2-3 tsp. milk

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 16 muffin cups generously with nonstick cooking spray. 
In a small bowl, combine sugar, flour and cinnamon.  Separate dough into 16 triangles. 
Dip one marshmallow in butter covering completely, then roll in sugar mixture.

Place marshmallow on shortest side of triangle.  Roll up, starting at shortest side of triangle and rolling to the opposite point.  Completely cover marshmallow with dough, firmly pinch edges to seal. Dip one end in remaining butter. Place butter side down in muffin cup.  Repeat with all.
Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.  Remove from oven and cool one minute.  Drizzle glaze over warm rolls.

The magic is when you bite into these!  Pouf! The marshmallow has disappeared and it is a soft, sweet gooey roll.

Enjoy!

Transformations and Treasures No.11

Happy Wednesday!

How is your week going?

Are you ready for the weekend and Easter preparations?

Here's some of the highlights from last week's party:

Tracie at Fishtail Cottage den makeover- so many pretty details!!

Kristin at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia has been working on her staircase area and finished a gorgeous gallery wall:

Bianca at The Martino Nest revamped their dining room with some cute updates from some of her inspiration pics:

Cheryl at My Sister's Cottage shared a darling vintage piece that she found at an antique store.

Her blog is very inspiring.

So many beautiful and inspiring ideas last week.  I have been mulling over quite a few since I visited (which I know was very late this week, sorry!)

If you were featured this week, here's a button for you to take with you~

Let's see what you've been working on!

springtime in our home

For us Oregonians, this is day two of sunshine!!! Those of you who live in the warm sunny climates have no idea how happy we get to have consecutive days without the gray skies!

I was going to go to yoga this morning, but opted instead to take a walk with Miss Bella and enjoy the chirping birds and sun on my face.

Therapy for the soul.

I have been meaning to get out our Easter decor for the last three weeks, but there have been other projects going on so I'm just now getting around to it. 

Over the weekend, the lady who had the space next to me at the faire had a papier mache lamb. 

I have been searching for something exactly like this for two years (yes, really)

so I definitely had to have him.  I actually bought it for our Christmas decorations!  You'll have to wait a few months to see that....

I added the cross into the vignette- it was also a Christmas decoration that I purchased from Target a few years ago. I layered some vintage books from Jon's grandpa who was a minister, under it.

The daffodils are from the farm I wrote about here.

A spring time ribbon with fun, childlike words are tied around the lamb's neck. 

 The eggs are real- I blew out the yolks and then dyed them so I would have them to save for future Easter decor.  Have you ever tried that?

I also added in some small pearl ornaments (I'm sensing a theme that my Easter and Christmas decor are really crossing over here!!)

For our front door, I have an egg wreath that I purchased when Mervyn's was still around.  Post Easter, I got it for $1.99. 

My intention was just to take down our everyday twig wreath and put up the new one, but I decided to layer it and like it so much more!

Some pansies and mini daffodils....

In rearranging our dining room centerpiece, I had to move my glass jars, so I tried them over on our buffet in our great room.

The statue has been here for a little while- purchased from TJ Maxx and spray painted white.

I just love seashells- it doesn't matter what time of year!

I corralled all of the jars with a tray. The moss is staying in them because it works with the green in the print and looks springy!  We collect wine corks from all of our get togethers and special events here.  I have another larger one in the dining room.  To me, it's a keepsake of good memories.

I just love the chippy paint!

Do you decorate a lot or a little for Easter?

Enjoy your Tuesday~ I hope sunshine is finding you!

sharing with:

Tuesday's Treasures

Tabletop Tuesday

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