tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278373401036626852024-03-05T23:43:08.897-06:00Sit. Relax. Gossip.Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-11161350566201830902014-04-02T09:00:00.000-05:002014-04-02T09:00:05.271-05:00Canadian House and Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">all images via <a href="http://houseandhome.com/">Canadian House and Home</a> magazine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A well established fact about me: I love reading. Books are always (and always will be) my first love, but I've also acquired a love of magazines. The original incarnation of Domino was my first love. I managed to save every issue, despite my tendency to recycle, regift, and give away at every opportunity. Domino was my gateway into interior design magazines and led me to Canadian House and Home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have you ever picked it up? It's a such a good magazine with a real variety of homes and styles featured. Most of the homes actually feel lived in and not overly decorated, with a feeling that you might knock on one of the owner's doors and actually see the house looking like it did in the magazine. A lot of the designs pay homage to the character of the house and geographical location, which seems like a rarity in shelter mags sometimes. Plus, there are always fantastic recipes in the back, some well-priced products throughout, and fun renovation features. For the most part, it seems like attainable design with tons of great ideas and inspiration. Oh, and despite my little teaser, all of the rooms aren't always black and white. </span></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-62669006871156353242014-04-01T09:00:00.000-05:002014-04-01T09:00:02.362-05:00April Wishlist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wCVHxLoZrchbltqJiiEfs1Gl_oNcYxeOik_hSTNXaE2Uv7HqPtEsebMACPF9wfkg-xUBuuObWP3RL0A7w-9HlR-Hg1m077gij354nPxpTQkXnFsccu91dbNo4ne_3D6ek56hoDOWG54/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-03-22+at+11.28.39+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wCVHxLoZrchbltqJiiEfs1Gl_oNcYxeOik_hSTNXaE2Uv7HqPtEsebMACPF9wfkg-xUBuuObWP3RL0A7w-9HlR-Hg1m077gij354nPxpTQkXnFsccu91dbNo4ne_3D6ek56hoDOWG54/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-03-22+at+11.28.39+AM.png" height="598" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Perks-Being-Wallflower-Stephen-Chbosky/dp/1451696191/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395508118&sr=1-1&keywords=perks+of+being+a+wallflower">Amazon</a> | Bioderma from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bioderma-Sensibio-H2O-micelle-solution/dp/B003GE49A4/ref=sr_1_1?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1395508140&sr=1-1&keywords=bioderma+sensibio">Amazon</a> | Surf Spray from <a href="http://www.sephora.com/surf-spray-P280513?SKUID=1432061&om_mmc=ppc-GG&mkwid=pla03721&pcrid=26510035697&pdv=c&site=us_search&country_switch=us&lang=en">Sephora</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Greenwich sunglasses from <a href="http://www.warbyparker.com/sunglasses/women/greenwich#pearl-white">Warby Parker</a> | Shift dress from <a href="https://www.madewell.com/madewell_category/DRESSES/shiftdresses/PRDOVR~A3810/A3810.jsp?color_name=tropical-coral">Madewell</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wimberly tray from <a href="http://www.biscuit-home.com/store/long-tray-wimberley/dp/2421">Biscuit Home</a> | Earrings from <a href="http://www.baublebar.com/cloudburst-drops.html">BaubleBar</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm pretty sure I will be the last person to read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Perks-Being-Wallflower-Stephen-Chbosky/dp/1451696191/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395508405&sr=1-1&keywords=perks+of+being+a+wallflower">this</a> book, but I'm always about jumping on book bandwagons. I also can't wait to check out the movie once I'm done reading. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Over the past couple of weeks, I have gotten obsessed with <a href="http://intothegloss.com/">Into the Gloss</a>. Just before Christmas, I noticed some "fine lines" on my forehead and started looking into all things skincare. I'm attempting to go the organic/natural route, and Bioderma still loosely fits in this category while being a French girl's go to product. Along the same lines, I'm rocking a legit bob as of last week, and my hairdresser recommended air drying my hair and then adding some surf spray, which is perfect for warmer weather when I can't handle drying my hair.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I tried on the Madewell shift dress last weekend, and immediately spent some Christmas gift cards on it. I love sleeveless shift dresses in the humid Texas weather. I recommend sizing down if you get it (which obviously added to the benefit of the dress). Anytime I get to size down is a good day in my book! Plus, I need some Warby Parker sunglasses to complete the look. I wanted them for Christmas when they were part of the limited edition Goop collaboration, and I was really excited to see them on the Warby Parker website the other day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My favorite time of year is Bluebonnet time, and I couldn't resist the Wimberley tray from Biscuit home. We planted some bluebonnets in the backyard, and hopefully we will have bluebonnets inside and outside this year!</span></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-91865672045584021752014-03-27T09:00:00.000-05:002014-03-27T09:00:07.678-05:00The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiappVbIX6poyzG0EPt4B7HH-nKILCBLtcLLGrCDOJF5bN1D3U6Z8N-2r9jNPTNvM8iNUtzIUVIzsAK4xmFkeOD1n9v1FZRElD4btFJmvQ7WFSf0ei2RpldPSGwGwTKe82omoETn7OdOEE/s1600/lacquered+life+living+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiappVbIX6poyzG0EPt4B7HH-nKILCBLtcLLGrCDOJF5bN1D3U6Z8N-2r9jNPTNvM8iNUtzIUVIzsAK4xmFkeOD1n9v1FZRElD4btFJmvQ7WFSf0ei2RpldPSGwGwTKe82omoETn7OdOEE/s1600/lacquered+life+living+room.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRqmSHWC2wR0L61ZzNP12APWrlzIQBH3i9P0HcmLKQN3hFXM5i5pidfavlGMFPtUdhDkqveqEY4b0CwKCtznHHcPNgI-juQelBWdj-3lq1BeqI7QGQKKRSk25_2UcStZv5YpRk8LdD8Y/s1600/lacquered+life+range.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRqmSHWC2wR0L61ZzNP12APWrlzIQBH3i9P0HcmLKQN3hFXM5i5pidfavlGMFPtUdhDkqveqEY4b0CwKCtznHHcPNgI-juQelBWdj-3lq1BeqI7QGQKKRSk25_2UcStZv5YpRk8LdD8Y/s1600/lacquered+life+range.jpg" height="640" width="502" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMxQlo9SSnDHeAYCdBe1MCiXcSAH3OnqTZLb9j7EYXbtAeEIbZxo0zrLUXpttSxxFiMNjRAapGoIYSfQ_UC8vL-NPgE4wOTCjShxrq95rxepq9YLBqR-CXb1uemCu-Ut5E8fozOOAn9A/s1600/lacquered+life+kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMxQlo9SSnDHeAYCdBe1MCiXcSAH3OnqTZLb9j7EYXbtAeEIbZxo0zrLUXpttSxxFiMNjRAapGoIYSfQ_UC8vL-NPgE4wOTCjShxrq95rxepq9YLBqR-CXb1uemCu-Ut5E8fozOOAn9A/s1600/lacquered+life+kitchen.jpg" height="640" width="502" /></a></div>
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all images via <a href="http://lacqueredlife.com/">Lacquered Life</a></div>
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I found Olivia's blog <a href="http://lacqueredlife.com/">Lacquered Life</a>, a few months ago, and it quickly became one of my favorites. She has a background in historic preservation and lives in Charleston. (I know. I'm jealous too.) Her blog is a delightful mix of her life in Charleston, her knowledge of decor and architecture, and great finds for the home. Her home was published in the March issue of Southern Living, and she recently posted more information and sources on her blog. To say I'm obsessed would be an understatement. Our living room is basically a sad attempt to be like Olivia's, and I love her mix of textures and traditional pieces with a nod to more laid-back elements like seagrass. Of course, that kitchen...the natural light is my favorite element, but I also love how the brass accents feel traditional rather than trendy. The cream on top? Her outdoor room would be my ideal place for late afternoon cocktails and grilling out with friends. I could go on and on about my favorite parts, but if you're obsessed to, check out the posts on her home <a href="http://lacqueredlife.com/feel-good-friday/">here</a>, <a href="http://lacqueredlife.com/blowing-up-my-kitchen/">here</a>, and <a href="http://lacqueredlife.com/church-street-cheap-chic/">here</a>. </div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-4305237403992643142014-03-26T09:00:00.000-05:002014-03-26T09:00:06.642-05:00Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bench from <a href="http://www.furbishstudio.com/blue-rigsby-x-bench/#.Uy2_961dV1M">Furbish</a> | Pillow from <a href="http://www.shopsocietysocial.com/collections/pillows/products/green-santorini-pillow">Society Social</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Heels from <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ivanka-trump-darcy-pump/3629036?origin=PredictiveSearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=2375500&fashionColor=&resultback=3978&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-searchresults-_-1_11_D">Nordstrom</a> | Headboard from <a href="http://www.furbishstudio.com/vine-in-blue-headboard/#.Uy3AGq1dV1M">Furbish</a> | Flats from <a href="http://www.zara.com/us/en/woman/shoes/flats/nautical-ballerina-c358017p1669563.html">Zara</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Clutch from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/160148956/wild-fern-clutch-hand-painted-leather?ref=favs_view_4">kertis</a> | Pillow from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/122769459/peter-dunham-fig-leaf-pillow-cover-in?ref=favs_view_7">sparkmodern</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's here! When winter has been bad in Houston, then I know it's been awful everywhere else. I've never looked forward to sunshine and warm weather more than I have this year. If I complain about the heat this summer, you are more than welcome to remind me how I felt in January and February.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A few weeks ago, in the middle of 40 degree rainy weather, I switched all of our pillows out for brighter colors and traded our candles for lighter, more floral scents. While money and objects may not buy happiness in the long run, they definitely made me much happier at home in the short term. I'm partial to blue and white (always) with a little bit of green thrown in during the warmer months. I wish I had a Peter Dunham fig leaf pillow in every single room, and I would take the Furbish headboard in a heartbeat. Or the Society Social Santorini pillow, which I'm trying to convince my sister to get in pink or blue for her apartment. Throw in a clutch and a little bit of sunshine, and I'm happy. Cue up the Pharrell song now...</span></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-774283976802601052014-03-25T09:00:00.000-05:002014-03-25T09:00:01.221-05:00Mid Century <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvEFjzbgWzhPXpI5ZU1iKwzhhBN7cssyRafeGpuk6pJ_UDPEB4VJklXtIbwXrUI8eO6qfeCk12mh50s0mmkcD7wEHxSQicRM6o8ccuI9tmosfqWmuMO3ZKLnEf9HklhUdv4xgVYeztkc/s1600/The+Swimmer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvEFjzbgWzhPXpI5ZU1iKwzhhBN7cssyRafeGpuk6pJ_UDPEB4VJklXtIbwXrUI8eO6qfeCk12mh50s0mmkcD7wEHxSQicRM6o8ccuI9tmosfqWmuMO3ZKLnEf9HklhUdv4xgVYeztkc/s1600/The+Swimmer.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">all images from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/lucysnowephotography">Lucy Snowe Photography </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While looking on etsy the other day, I stumbled across <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/lucysnowephotography">Lucy Snowe Photography</a>. I keep going back to her images, and each time, I find a new one to love. Her photographs of swimming and architecture are especially haunting and have such a "Mad Men" quality to them. I love the simplicity of the images, and the sharp color contrasts in these photographs. Makes me want to move to California or mix a martini.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The shop has a variety of photographs from Still Life to Landscapes and Animals. I'm always partial to Still Life photography, which I blame on my obsession with Dutch painting, and I would be hard-pressed to narrow down my favorites. If you're looking for art (and I mean who isn't?), I definitely recommend checking it out.</span></div>
<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-66691376074553934852014-02-26T08:00:00.000-06:002014-02-26T08:00:10.273-06:00Higgeldy Piggeldy Stripe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9BWgYt4BKeJwkP0225tDBxI_BIkBLQjlDTDYSC0wEPv7HpoJzEZB8R5XMMJ0mqYnjZmXVyMkQXn-2-6WAl3PC0OuDA2_JNVu-DjFp95L8N-M6UgPVJ1_7LA3IPOpfdh19HbtjoclOp0/s1600/Full+bathroom+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9BWgYt4BKeJwkP0225tDBxI_BIkBLQjlDTDYSC0wEPv7HpoJzEZB8R5XMMJ0mqYnjZmXVyMkQXn-2-6WAl3PC0OuDA2_JNVu-DjFp95L8N-M6UgPVJ1_7LA3IPOpfdh19HbtjoclOp0/s1600/Full+bathroom+shot.jpg" height="640" width="427" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember when I <a href="http://sitrelaxgossip.blogspot.com/2013/02/today.html">teased about my bathroom</a> oh, like a year ago? Now I'm finally showing it to you, and making a promise that in the future, if I tease something, I'll follow through a little bit quicker!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In our house, we have a super tiny bathroom under the stairs. When we bought the house, the bathroom was eggplant purple, and I knew that was going to have to change. I love the idea of bathrooms with a lot of color and/or pattern, and when I saw Anna Spiro's wallpaper collection, I knew that was exactly what I wanted. Thanks to the sleuth work of Jessie from <a href="http://horchata-jessieleigh.blogspot.com/">The Long and Short of It</a>, I found out you can order it in the US by calling <a href="http://www.porterspaints.com/contact-us/showrooms--stockists/international/usa">Porter's Paints</a> in California. I'll be honest, the wallpaper was a bit of a splurge, especially since we had to add shipping from Australia, but we knew it was a really small space. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was <i>the best</i> decision, because we both really love the way the bathroom looks now. When we were discussing colors, I knew that skewing towards a blue and orange bathroom in honor of my husband's alma mater was the way to get what I wanted, and I am so happy with the bright orange. We added some art that I had purchased a couple of year's ago, and I also added a picture to give you an idea of how teeny tiny the bathroom is based on the faucet. Seriously, the soap is bigger! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, if anyone wants to go in on some of Anna Spiro's wallpaper in one of the blue colorways and wants to send a roll my way (I'll share the shipping cost!), I know exactly where I would put it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sources: Wallpaper: <a href="http://www.porterspaints.com/contact-us/showrooms--stockists/international/usa">Porter's Paints</a> | Sconce: <a href="http://www.shadesoflight.com/by-gone-classic-bath-light-1-light.html">Shades of Light</a> | </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mirror: Target (not available) | Artwork: <a href="http://www.helenawurzel.com/#!paintings/c199t">Helena Wurzel</a> </span></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-38333859235223724082014-02-25T07:05:00.000-06:002014-02-25T07:05:59.659-06:00Real E-Stalking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qrnWQ_H1zSV3JGQWCIzK_Ysr47Z7wTbHzXjBwa4RXBR4IkkkTEqmcy_DUMoUeyU39FmSGhyoIJJPzjyVArRZUMqHQSD8rn6Qez5WpaA2fgifZk6xPBpHz8G-_1cZlxnlByr74Jql7Sw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+10.29.30+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qrnWQ_H1zSV3JGQWCIzK_Ysr47Z7wTbHzXjBwa4RXBR4IkkkTEqmcy_DUMoUeyU39FmSGhyoIJJPzjyVArRZUMqHQSD8rn6Qez5WpaA2fgifZk6xPBpHz8G-_1cZlxnlByr74Jql7Sw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+10.29.30+PM.png" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKIgDbOPZVasYvGJFHEuST3XfhqUOTvyQnYpjIbBSKo4glSqConZUbTf_dsaLUND2kZheCDvL3hMXcO6e6yJvwHUENO4RCCaYmJg5caHasCN7Mrh8P-bJYsMA50Bklymr8frlsActYSc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+10.29.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKIgDbOPZVasYvGJFHEuST3XfhqUOTvyQnYpjIbBSKo4glSqConZUbTf_dsaLUND2kZheCDvL3hMXcO6e6yJvwHUENO4RCCaYmJg5caHasCN7Mrh8P-bJYsMA50Bklymr8frlsActYSc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-12+at+10.29.55+PM.png" height="302" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Even though we have a house that I love, I cannot stop looking at Houston real estate listings. I love having a peek at other people's houses and getting ideas from the way Craftsman homes have been updated or decorated. This house is one of the best examples I've seen lately of an updated Craftsman. The owners went with a Spanish bungalow style, which although it's pretty common in other parts of the US, isn't something you see much here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My mom commented last time she was here that I have an obsession in my house with marble, subway tile, and hexagonal tiles. Since our home isn't that large and fits in a certain period, I really gravitate towards consistently across rooms, and that's what really appeals to me about this house. I love the attention to detail with the tiles and the muted but consistent color palate and fixtures. And those exposed beams, ya'll. It's such a good background to add in fun furniture and color. Plus, who wouldn't want that shower? Looks pretty luxurious for a house this size!</span>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-79836742930510176542014-02-10T08:00:00.000-06:002014-02-10T08:00:14.296-06:00Chinoiserie Wallpaer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9xCBjpfJsoFHmv2BR4AH_zo94vkXHMVZZ6Q9rNOkTFXQZxcDuTxrnjWhBbH53twKiq5b6-_xDXVklN5PNTIGMMko3o2ZO6svZF1smL7E6PFQE1h1PmqfyjP39X6NnKo40tsFLggO2_o/s1600/Pink+de+Gournay+bedroom+David+Kaihoi+House+Beautiful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9xCBjpfJsoFHmv2BR4AH_zo94vkXHMVZZ6Q9rNOkTFXQZxcDuTxrnjWhBbH53twKiq5b6-_xDXVklN5PNTIGMMko3o2ZO6svZF1smL7E6PFQE1h1PmqfyjP39X6NnKo40tsFLggO2_o/s1600/Pink+de+Gournay+bedroom+David+Kaihoi+House+Beautiful.jpg" height="640" width="523" /></a></div>
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image via House Beautiful</div>
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image via Ruthie Sommers</div>
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First of all, being a true child of the 80s and 90s, I love wallpaper. I know a lot of people in the design world go mad for de Gournay, but I'll admit it isn't really my thing. I think the price tag always pushed me away and the idea that it seemed like it belonged in a octogenarian's formal parlor in Paris or New York. However, I keep seeing images (like the ones above) that are slowly changing my mind. I think the mix of textures makes them a little more my style and doesn't seem as overpowering. </div>
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Then, I saw the house Sara Gilbane designed in this month's House Beautiful, and I became obsessed with the idea of painted wallpaper. Or, in the case of Gilbane's design, a mural painted over grasscloth. </div>
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This weekend, I came across <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/collections/76252">Domesticate's new wallpapers</a> on Spoonflower. She started with the idea of de Gournay wallpaper and created some really beautiful wallpapers. She created really feminine and beautiful colorways, and they look so much more luxe than the price point. Can you image how pretty they would look in a dining room or powder room? Even framing them as panels would be amazing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRkebSltPVDS9TQdnnO9NeMeEF4Xd1SMARqI_hndd6Bq0cLn720I8dfTEgZZ-Vsh0ua_gw6aYVe_iErvcwk32nCNOA-_1018XoP0mT9COAeQxcRquKmTU4x7K11lCtfXCIzdWxUqNhBM/s1600/peony.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRkebSltPVDS9TQdnnO9NeMeEF4Xd1SMARqI_hndd6Bq0cLn720I8dfTEgZZ-Vsh0ua_gw6aYVe_iErvcwk32nCNOA-_1018XoP0mT9COAeQxcRquKmTU4x7K11lCtfXCIzdWxUqNhBM/s1600/peony.png" height="340" width="400" /></a></div>
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I keep imagining <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/443661">Jenny peony on mist</a> in our master bedroom, but Kyle vetoed the option. Until I can convince him, maybe I can convince one of you, because I will just have to stick to an iphone case from her <a href="http://society6.com/Domesticate">Society6 shop</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Y_h2EZ_QVb5yKwe9O6S8WripPWzGWu8fzNYg7YJTPHrUB1jurp7p6tjoQoHG5__Xmk6BYMSz8WWQKm-Efij2vfY5nzk5EleloqCcYVUVXPC9AZdgLQdlXdQ4eUVlvs9j82u9vImem_o/s1600/iphone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Y_h2EZ_QVb5yKwe9O6S8WripPWzGWu8fzNYg7YJTPHrUB1jurp7p6tjoQoHG5__Xmk6BYMSz8WWQKm-Efij2vfY5nzk5EleloqCcYVUVXPC9AZdgLQdlXdQ4eUVlvs9j82u9vImem_o/s1600/iphone.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-53730207458049114702014-02-01T16:04:00.001-06:002014-02-01T16:16:49.658-06:00Ikea Rast Hack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am no DIY queen by any stretch of the imagination, but the one thing I can do is paint furniture. I was terrified of painting furniture, but after a bad experience with a professional restorer, I decided to try it myself. Kyle and I have painted a handful of things around the house, and developed a method that seems to work pretty well for us. Basically, if I can paint furniture then you definitely can paint furniture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step 1: Sand the piece of furniture. Kyle and I bought a sander on sale at Home Depot, and we do a light sanding over everything (even if we buy it from Ikea). I don't worry about getting the paint off of something, just making sure that I have a smooth surface. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAXcVTW9uO1ISB-yKLxcEQhisUaJgGvBEccQhYkV2NAJ86JCWIjXXtiu6zAfuVcFcqPtBm8NVii1ICB4-Il8C7VMJdCjlM6a-EkFtHpnZYaTXy-0kuY9_V-XfeYBtOqjv5AOHjulpJP0/s1600/photo+1+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAXcVTW9uO1ISB-yKLxcEQhisUaJgGvBEccQhYkV2NAJ86JCWIjXXtiu6zAfuVcFcqPtBm8NVii1ICB4-Il8C7VMJdCjlM6a-EkFtHpnZYaTXy-0kuY9_V-XfeYBtOqjv5AOHjulpJP0/s1600/photo+1+(1).JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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Step 2: Prime the surfaces that you want to paint with one coat of primer. We use <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/100398391?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=metal+paint+primer&storeId=10051&N=5yc1v&R=100398391">Zinsser Bull's Eye Primer</a> from Home Depot and always, always, always use <a href="http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/products/catalog/contractor-series-black-foam-mini-rollers-6-pack-4/">4" mini foam rollers</a> for priming and painting. Our technique isn't the most environmentally friendly, but we throw away the roller after each coat of paint/primer. We only do one coat of primer, because this stuff covers really well.</span><br />
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Step 3: Paint the surface with <b>matte</b> paint. We used Benjamin Moore Gentleman's Gray for our Rast dressers. Every single time I go to the paint store and ask for this, they tell me I'm crazy and make another suggestion. Here's my reasoning: when I put the polycrylic on during the last step, using matte paint helps me to see the parts that I've missed. If they tell you you're crazy, just smile and nod politely. I paint with the foam rollers again for this step. I have read where some people sand the furniture down after priming and again after painting. Kyle and I felt that this was a little too time consuming for the results we saw. We sand down any parts that are uneven or drips between coats of primer and paint. In all honesty, as we've gotten better at painting, we are usually able to cut out the sanding altogether.</span><br />
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Step 4: Paint the surface with a second coat of paint. Again, feel free to sand down (by hand) any places that are uneven or have drips. I let the paint and primer dry between 4 and 6 hours between coats.</span><br />
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Step 5: After the paint has dried for 4-6 hours, I get a regular paintbrush and put on <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Minwax-1-Qt-Satin-Polycrylic-Protective-Finish-63333444/202061476#customer_reviews">Minwax <b>water-based</b> polycrylic</a>. It's super important when you buy this that it is water-based and clear satin. Oil based will leave a yellow colored finish, but the water-based polycrylic will dry clear and just make your furniture shiny looking. The polycrylic helps to protect the paint so you won't have scratches and marks on it. In my experience, if I see something on the furniture, a damp towel washes it off. It also gives it a more lacquered look, which I really like. You want to make sure you have a new or really clean paintbrush (preferably small to medium size) for this step. I like to put the polycrylic on thickly and then go over the area with even, linear brushstrokes. Kyle gets less paint on his brush and always uses even, linear brushstrokes. His method probably looks a little better in the long run, but mine is faster. Ideally, you want to do two coats of this (letting it dry 4-6 hours in between) to make sure the furniture is evenly covered. If it is a piece I know won't be used often or in direct sunlight, I have sometimes just done one coat.</span><br />
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Step 6: For the rast hack, we didn't put on the knobs provided with the dresser. We bought these <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Martha-Stewart-Living-Bedford-3-in-Awning-Cup-Cabinet-Hardware-Pull-136254/202241367?N=c29u/Ntk-Extended/Ntt-martha%252Bstewart&cm_mmc=shopping-_-pinterest-_-D25-_-202241367">Martha Stewart knobs from Home Depot</a> (6 for each dresser). Then, Kyle measured the distance between the screws, and used the holes for the provided knobs to measure an inch and half on each side from the center of the holes. He drilled holes that matched the size of the screws provided from Home Depot, and we put the pulls on. We didn't fill the original holes, because you really can't see them once the knobs are on and the dressers are in place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Et voila! Our new guestroom bedside tables... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-Yn9HV5I3x2WE7DkApznm_Qae5DgL4KJHbbK6ACznOwubGoS1aOaEzzY1cJ8OkjO0MgQGeyghQnuPW7E1y2n5fcWX4qVe6iMeaNuJUAic0hHdyZ-oHK5BeVtnLzIgygBAFLK5J0GkPs/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-Yn9HV5I3x2WE7DkApznm_Qae5DgL4KJHbbK6ACznOwubGoS1aOaEzzY1cJ8OkjO0MgQGeyghQnuPW7E1y2n5fcWX4qVe6iMeaNuJUAic0hHdyZ-oHK5BeVtnLzIgygBAFLK5J0GkPs/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Total Cost: About $70-75 per dresser for including paint, brushes, and pulls.</span></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-86188738789954690022014-01-23T08:00:00.000-06:002014-02-01T16:16:30.471-06:00Around Here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIJYRmDyWLFtkEUB2mKp3kX6RcWnvIls4OhCdXPkyyvQw-fe42pkFwEulw7uXQY0PgQXq1eQfkgRiAa79n54ZMG3ALYqnIk7gaznBzxJdRlkwsexxjcC0puaBjt2W6yLljXehgcSTdJ4/s1600/DSC_0290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIJYRmDyWLFtkEUB2mKp3kX6RcWnvIls4OhCdXPkyyvQw-fe42pkFwEulw7uXQY0PgQXq1eQfkgRiAa79n54ZMG3ALYqnIk7gaznBzxJdRlkwsexxjcC0puaBjt2W6yLljXehgcSTdJ4/s1600/DSC_0290.JPG" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Brass Knobs </b> - I'm jumping on the brass bandwagon with <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Martha-Stewart-Living-Bedford-3-in-Awning-Cup-Cabinet-Hardware-Pull-136254/202241367?N=c29u/Ntk-Extended/Ntt-martha%252Bstewart&cm_mmc=shopping-_-pinterest-_-D25-_-202241367">these cheapies</a> from Home Depot. They're perfect for the Rast Hack I'm planning for the guest room and possibly for the kitchen update Mom and I are working on right now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Monuments Men</b> - History AND art? Sold. This book reads more like a work of fiction, and I highly recommend it before the movie comes out in February. I'm just having a hard time trying not to picture George Clooney as I read.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Juliska Country Estate </b> - A little Christmas gift from myself, I'm working on building a collection of these for the kitchen. I can't tell you how much better they make Monday breakfasts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Phone Case</b> - Can you tell I like blue and white around here? I'm obsessed with my new phone case from <a href="http://society6.com/NotetoSelf">Note to Self: The Print Shop</a>. I can't resist a buffalo check, it's still thin enough to keep my phone from feeling bulky.</span>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-80537207108735000822014-01-20T11:56:00.001-06:002014-02-01T16:16:14.692-06:00Well Hello There!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZpQPCmimBrlZYz-zmOy7PYKF-VoQ2VwuAHby8R1DNs8L5RStZ8AA5DURuU6OyoGrpnD3J6TuiyjHOzhEsi3b84y6QBnu8wH8PosyGKoo5JOrSxQ-vzFciXc8K_IDceqWdjCGioybkwc/s1600/louisa+brimble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZpQPCmimBrlZYz-zmOy7PYKF-VoQ2VwuAHby8R1DNs8L5RStZ8AA5DURuU6OyoGrpnD3J6TuiyjHOzhEsi3b84y6QBnu8wH8PosyGKoo5JOrSxQ-vzFciXc8K_IDceqWdjCGioybkwc/s1600/louisa+brimble.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">image <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/serendipity_corner/7758650354/">via</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Blog? Is that you? It's me, Shannon. I thought it was about time we re-connected. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mainly because this is the year I <b>will</b> learn to use my camera. I'm working on documenting my life a little bit better, and as much as I hate to admit it, this seems to happen better when I'm posting on my blog than writing in a diary. Amigos, if you're still here, I promise more pictures of my life in hopes that we can catch-up on a regular basis. Plus, one of my New Year's resolutions is to stop attempting "perfect." And posting with my current photography skills seems to play nicely into that...</span></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-24629820972160116972013-02-19T08:00:00.000-06:002013-02-19T08:00:00.674-06:00Today...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Big things happening today! I'll give you a little hint...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfZGcKQB2WC6Y5yaAvFQYn-fSVTZPSKJJZ55jpmAlP4NumdcAmcQihWo0J8t07BzFBKg8J6OJNPXqiqOiyCnhWyv5IOz4DaHMaM986Iyj9_AWLUeNtsbuZ2tzZJAxkp0ag73AzhPURBM/s1600/kate+spade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfZGcKQB2WC6Y5yaAvFQYn-fSVTZPSKJJZ55jpmAlP4NumdcAmcQihWo0J8t07BzFBKg8J6OJNPXqiqOiyCnhWyv5IOz4DaHMaM986Iyj9_AWLUeNtsbuZ2tzZJAxkp0ag73AzhPURBM/s640/kate+spade.jpg" width="638" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">image from Habitually Chic</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebf2FcRMFN6W9RZ0pu5c6pPU-xqBeUo_5QIzJxj5fGVjKS6E3BEJJfy1aveZsbK-enKDEAzqZUAI-O3YTN7IEbvuqh5srUoezfHGlAJSyEhWGav6M457qMaO7scPYP3_Le-BO9MlTNMg/s1600/red+bathroom+christina+murphy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebf2FcRMFN6W9RZ0pu5c6pPU-xqBeUo_5QIzJxj5fGVjKS6E3BEJJfy1aveZsbK-enKDEAzqZUAI-O3YTN7IEbvuqh5srUoezfHGlAJSyEhWGav6M457qMaO7scPYP3_Le-BO9MlTNMg/s640/red+bathroom+christina+murphy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">image from Christina Murphy Interiors</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LxMRcJNwR88HjLPTKsIfrnxVxJnfnQEqA__c2BfxOQms_PhwdtGBE026QpEIcTPd7sTfNUqzxV947551YQpOyf8hlrmj8HsFiaekrnAQsL1zH-3iDNeH03DTzzuWdXx0lh36_BBS3N0/s1600/meg+braff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LxMRcJNwR88HjLPTKsIfrnxVxJnfnQEqA__c2BfxOQms_PhwdtGBE026QpEIcTPd7sTfNUqzxV947551YQpOyf8hlrmj8HsFiaekrnAQsL1zH-3iDNeH03DTzzuWdXx0lh36_BBS3N0/s640/meg+braff.jpg" width="470" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">image from Meg Braff Interiors</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJys_cCCvf_Bvj8lcnjP4pKQ80hvEZrIsqYopiNHsMu7EJPoBbaSJDHAX12VZoc8_whyphenhyphenhtG4Ec4Pke9_7skTarO42Dboa5K1vtvlEXVUxLdwZIXoDKz80362WPkf6Jgz33GQHh1zb4UHU/s1600/Grays+Lane.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJys_cCCvf_Bvj8lcnjP4pKQ80hvEZrIsqYopiNHsMu7EJPoBbaSJDHAX12VZoc8_whyphenhyphenhtG4Ec4Pke9_7skTarO42Dboa5K1vtvlEXVUxLdwZIXoDKz80362WPkf6Jgz33GQHh1zb4UHU/s640/Grays+Lane.png" width="390" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">image from Grays Lane</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Any guesses? :)</span></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-76675814643376425142013-02-18T09:41:00.000-06:002013-02-18T09:41:39.168-06:00Happy Menocal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Art is a <i>touchy</i> subject in our house. Kyle is of the mindset that every single piece needs to have a special and personal meaning to us. I'm a big believer that sometimes something is just pretty. Or you just want some flowers hanging in the living room. Or you just <i>need</i> some pink. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank goodness for <a href="http://www.happymenocal.com/">Happy Menocal</a>. A few years ago, I bought one of her matador prints, because it reminded me of my time studying abroad in Spain. Kyle happens to love it as well, and we've finally found the perfect place for it in our dining room. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKJ2SBvQOxMKUpAu1BJIyFPEA2pKVx6-swspOgj8UmBbXdtvXSXKDZI76cIE__25ZkUtNR1gCxsFlCqX5Kq942EwXpxGZQnaw_cDI2bDEqokNvcCMFZM_Obm7wspZGPpuCHHiXGvteHw/s1600/matador.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKJ2SBvQOxMKUpAu1BJIyFPEA2pKVx6-swspOgj8UmBbXdtvXSXKDZI76cIE__25ZkUtNR1gCxsFlCqX5Kq942EwXpxGZQnaw_cDI2bDEqokNvcCMFZM_Obm7wspZGPpuCHHiXGvteHw/s640/matador.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Flash forward to a few days ago as I'm digging around in drawers pulling out prints and photographs trying to complete our gallery wall in the living room. Kyle wasn't having any of it. "Too girly." "Why would we want a picture of Provence? I've never been there." "Joachim Noah would look great over there." As I was taking a break, I happened upon Happy's website and saw her new collection of prints. I showed Kyle the shark, and finally, <i>finally</i>, we had some agreement. You see, we saw a 5 foot shark on our honeymoon, and it's one of our favorite stories to trot out at dinner parties and prove how adventurous we can be. (In reality, it was a reef shark, and we were both terrified. Let's keep that between us though. ;) ) Now this fella is on his way, and I've already started to develop a deep affection for him.<br />
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But let's not stop with sharks and matadors. Happy also has the best collection of dog portraits, pictures of faraway places, and custom heraldry. I would love some of those intertwined and fancy letters emblazoned on stationary or hanging by the front door. </div>
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This is only the very tip of the iceberg. If I were you, I would head over to <a href="http://www.happymenocal.com/">Happy Menocal's website</a> for oh so much more. </div>
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<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-91577702060727906412013-02-14T10:57:00.001-06:002013-02-14T10:57:16.728-06:00Happy Valentine's Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlTskkwv7HIlnEp2TFuGQq_9D4uWBfuewgCmOhAQX47OT4gv4ZzY7f9cC5TKIvYKqLr3Llngy5MNCbt7RC2VnJ6qfU3jLRx1RH3sS7A3dWgIUahWGJEyvnvEgV65otDX9_GWTYLTM-_w/s1600/carolinejoyphotography-1078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlTskkwv7HIlnEp2TFuGQq_9D4uWBfuewgCmOhAQX47OT4gv4ZzY7f9cC5TKIvYKqLr3Llngy5MNCbt7RC2VnJ6qfU3jLRx1RH3sS7A3dWgIUahWGJEyvnvEgV65otDX9_GWTYLTM-_w/s640/carolinejoyphotography-1078.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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all images from <a href="http://carolinejoy.com/index.html">Caroline Joy Photography</a> </div>
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Happiest of Valentine's Day to you and yours! I'll be celebrating with two of my favorite guys, some steak, and just a litte vino. With guys this handsome, who wouldn't look forward to Valentine's Day?Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-64492056801795461402013-02-11T11:34:00.002-06:002013-02-11T11:34:37.937-06:00Mela and Roam<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My mom was in town this weekend, which naturally meant that some form of shopping was on the menu. Yesterday, we headed to the Houston Urban Market, which in addition to having the most amazing pimento cheese this side of the Mississippi, also always has a great selection of affordable and not so affordable things I want to bring home with me.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last time we went, Kyle and I loved finding Mela and Roam. We brought home a beautiful kantha throw, and I was pretty excited to show my mom the gorgeous textiles in an attempt to lure her into buying one as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of the big challenges we've had since moving into our house is buying bedding. Our duvet from Atlanta was quickly tossed aside as the balmy Houston weather and difficulties with insulation and cooling in a 1920s house made us feel as though we were sleeping in a sauna. Finding light, attractive, reasonable, and unique bedding is not as easy as one might think. Enter Mela and Roam. All the textiles are so, so soft and whisper thin. Plus, they are beautiful. While mom and I were standing around trying to make decisions, every single person that walked in was oohhing and aahhing over the blankets and dohars.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GIs33zTtGrjFv0cRWpMkIgTybIaSo60EdvuD4SdrM6FNqbWv7L7N9wtH7YClm1BOfkDfbTtaOwhRMMVa_uY3i-Sm7SK0ew_b_E1HwCVUWD8H0P7PZG-DlfV5dHXBMoStCDVsgqOBTy4/s1600/kantha+throw.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GIs33zTtGrjFv0cRWpMkIgTybIaSo60EdvuD4SdrM6FNqbWv7L7N9wtH7YClm1BOfkDfbTtaOwhRMMVa_uY3i-Sm7SK0ew_b_E1HwCVUWD8H0P7PZG-DlfV5dHXBMoStCDVsgqOBTy4/s640/kantha+throw.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPc9PkahyQ66IyZgN9fo4_W1gAsO_ijM7S8rYZLv_Lxlo3cFVo5ZP6dm_1PJUWJynTH3j0fJJ6AXjEeBpDUxdq8Q0MOyvodyo9lYqRKebhhTi4Pvmvr-fT7_Tr9b84PYtr58XwAPfLslM/s1600/quilt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPc9PkahyQ66IyZgN9fo4_W1gAsO_ijM7S8rYZLv_Lxlo3cFVo5ZP6dm_1PJUWJynTH3j0fJJ6AXjEeBpDUxdq8Q0MOyvodyo9lYqRKebhhTi4Pvmvr-fT7_Tr9b84PYtr58XwAPfLslM/s640/quilt.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The real show stoppers are her dohars. The computer images don't even do them justice, they are just beautiful and have the best details. Plus, you can just throw them in the washing machine.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7GRAjF8nPx1NwEwceAGUwQfN9j1KvWzHU2mqnuB3NHzfSeL3MVOAKQWDdA4ZYPTr4eoLknO6Zso2cCWpVVr1uaePHRLi7DeOXRPbtIY5WgBvVYVD-WoK8vl4Zrqi0iUFa6_J_ysFxK8/s1600/doahr.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7GRAjF8nPx1NwEwceAGUwQfN9j1KvWzHU2mqnuB3NHzfSeL3MVOAKQWDdA4ZYPTr4eoLknO6Zso2cCWpVVr1uaePHRLi7DeOXRPbtIY5WgBvVYVD-WoK8vl4Zrqi0iUFa6_J_ysFxK8/s640/doahr.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">all items available at <a href="http://melaandroam.bigcartel.com/products">Mela and Roam</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Plus, they were featured in the Coastal Living Ultimate Beach House. I mean, even if I have no idea what I'm talking about, obviously they do. So - Go forth and <a href="http://melaandroam.bigcartel.com/products">shop</a>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPxJS_VUe5h6NBPDjSRDyW0nH_lzJ9HccSeBomD9BWUmkN7J4FayeV__WEFyCo8V5qDxImhEle78CsWJlyGqktSO2jil6m8FPdrecdYbNF6rHdnuSJt7N6QsHVMGM5qntXkHeq2zdeAo/s1600/urban+grace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPxJS_VUe5h6NBPDjSRDyW0nH_lzJ9HccSeBomD9BWUmkN7J4FayeV__WEFyCo8V5qDxImhEle78CsWJlyGqktSO2jil6m8FPdrecdYbNF6rHdnuSJt7N6QsHVMGM5qntXkHeq2zdeAo/s640/urban+grace.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">image from Urban Grace blog</span></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-75756812780502967542013-02-07T11:28:00.001-06:002013-02-07T11:28:26.820-06:00The Big Reveal...<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I took these pictures this morning right after our final walk through; so it's still missing a few of the do dads that "make" the room. Also, the DSLR was over served in Cuba and is currently sitting at the Camera Doctor. So...iPhone pics it is!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was nearly impossible to get a good shot of the entire bathroom because of the placement of the door, but this gives a pretty good idea of the overall vibe of the place.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nTAHqq-tcNTbiAv4Fcjw1BeuuowbOh2e0RnFvn_NjYJ8iljW3gqQc7LLF1kO35btruLlNOl0zbrcEZaMhwcV_BFMXGlQnmcESlt8PebUz8ow4tth9l_MVD5pUr7dUdkGl_EZjhMHzEg/s1600/bathroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nTAHqq-tcNTbiAv4Fcjw1BeuuowbOh2e0RnFvn_NjYJ8iljW3gqQc7LLF1kO35btruLlNOl0zbrcEZaMhwcV_BFMXGlQnmcESlt8PebUz8ow4tth9l_MVD5pUr7dUdkGl_EZjhMHzEg/s640/bathroom.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Double vanity that tried to wreak havok the day we had it brought in. In case Pottery Barn tells you that something is not assembled, that really just means that the marble isn't placed on the vanity. Thus, brining the bottom up a flight of stairs with a narrow landing will cause you to cut into the drywall (and a minor freak out). </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSExQU5EB6900XvkEus_VpIODrkiD7h2FPe4_KJYVXjNuVfHPbwyYZ1ux2LVz-uffCIBheJQ3T60VlVX8dTC194RiQUWu_di-c9-8EvQYXYT5g9N9qHisnkPOM03mVWXmulgMpEiQ97o/s1600/vanity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSExQU5EB6900XvkEus_VpIODrkiD7h2FPe4_KJYVXjNuVfHPbwyYZ1ux2LVz-uffCIBheJQ3T60VlVX8dTC194RiQUWu_di-c9-8EvQYXYT5g9N9qHisnkPOM03mVWXmulgMpEiQ97o/s640/vanity.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This picture probably captures the color the best in the room as the other two are a little bit off. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnImnP3XWWc00TsPdO_bcHOz0qQzlo6ERuCpb5w1E16FU17oSzqbRjOOGjAGfqFJWaGsexl47D-yfaSQj0PQCZdExKfsgwKmAavG_z_S7wu9WvM3YqGuQNeCHqkIZtvry5oG6fVnybiw/s1600/shower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnImnP3XWWc00TsPdO_bcHOz0qQzlo6ERuCpb5w1E16FU17oSzqbRjOOGjAGfqFJWaGsexl47D-yfaSQj0PQCZdExKfsgwKmAavG_z_S7wu9WvM3YqGuQNeCHqkIZtvry5oG6fVnybiw/s640/shower.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And my favorite part...the nook! I saw one of these on Chassity of <a href="http://looklingerlove.blogspot.com/">Look Linger Love'</a>s instagram and just thought it was the best idea ever. I copy catted her and now I have one too! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlX5e8HFupEi4SNjTrlY2UVGv4H2i7aMVWDrfS9S5x4cFhNoblFy_x4-tnrs5w-KUawBuv9UuJPnwh5_9T74827RrzrAVhfXoCClNLmnjZ-LUBsqS0Mt6GuFd85vSmj9oG3rLgpz0dQkU/s1600/nook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlX5e8HFupEi4SNjTrlY2UVGv4H2i7aMVWDrfS9S5x4cFhNoblFy_x4-tnrs5w-KUawBuv9UuJPnwh5_9T74827RrzrAVhfXoCClNLmnjZ-LUBsqS0Mt6GuFd85vSmj9oG3rLgpz0dQkU/s640/nook.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can't wait to make use of this place, and I'm hoping it will lure in many visitors who want to come visit and use our guest bath. :)</span>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-65386630007318382182013-02-06T14:25:00.000-06:002013-02-06T14:26:01.509-06:00Bathroom Accessories <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The one thing I really love about our new bathroom is the fact that since we kept everything so neutral, we can mix it up pretty much anytime we want. Or we can always change the paint color to something crazy one day if we feel like it. Since we are on the theme of vintage, masculine bath at this point, I've been collecting some accessories (that are Kyle approved) to add a little bit more character.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bMEgNjQzt7wkNjo4DLp-S74JjNPo7Cg-n48mcztCORWdWsal9qzN2lSBAjHvF4NgB7z1uiaVRC8V0rwm7wD8E9cJL4C1gi1Lh3yL8okjd4D4q7jMdmPjioCLuri9zGRbPUdlNzuxf8E/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-02-05+at+3.36.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bMEgNjQzt7wkNjo4DLp-S74JjNPo7Cg-n48mcztCORWdWsal9qzN2lSBAjHvF4NgB7z1uiaVRC8V0rwm7wD8E9cJL4C1gi1Lh3yL8okjd4D4q7jMdmPjioCLuri9zGRbPUdlNzuxf8E/s640/Screen+shot+2013-02-05+at+3.36.25+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://society6.com/NotetoSelf/Firenze-Florence-is-Always-a-Good-Idea_Framed-Print#12=52">Print</a> from Note to Self: The Print Shop (Kyle is using this bathroom in the mornings, and I thought this might be a good subliminal message.) | <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10029530&N=&Ns=p_sort_default%7C0&Ntt=marche">Wire</a> and <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop/storage/openBinsBaskets/naturalMaterials?productId=10029541&green=229AFAF8-78F2-5D11-928A-84715474E80D">Natural</a> baskets from The Container Store | </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/80350277/prada-marfa-surreal-west-texas-fine-art?" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Photograph</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> from Kristin Kirkley | </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/104673780/premium-turkish-towel-peshtemal-beach?ga_search_query=gray" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Turkish Towel</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> from The Anatolian </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod2110940&categoryId=cat780015">Canisters</a> from Restoration Hardware</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This bathroom will also function as the guest bathroom for the most part, and I'm contemplating getting some robes to hang on the hooks in there. However, part of me wonders if this a little too cheesy hotel styles. </span></div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-34850215494105562792013-02-05T10:05:00.000-06:002013-02-05T10:05:38.782-06:00Bathroom Update<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We're crossing our fingers that the upstairs renovation is done this week (minus all the painting we've opted to do), and I realized that I haven't mentioned hardly one thing about it. I'm going to give you fair warning that the next couple of weeks will probably be filled with an overload of information and too many pictures. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">First up - the bathroom! When I look back, it's kind of amazing how much things have stayed the same and how much things changed. After <a href="http://sitrelaxgossip.blogspot.com/2012/08/brainstorming-for-bathroom.html">this</a> post, I was positive we were going to go with option B. However, after pricing things out and talking with Kyle, we decided that wasn't the best option. Our other two bathrooms have a little more color and excitement (well now they do or will soon), and we decided that color scheme actually might work best in the dining room. Plus, I felt like we needed a more masculine, classic bath in the house, and Kyle was all over that option. Our plan going in was classic neutral with brass accents.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh brass. Every blog I read tells me I <i>need</i> brass, and then the blogger posts pictures of their home with gorgeous "I want to go to there" brass faucets, knobs, pulls, etc. We went to multiple stores on the hunt for a classic and well-priced brass faucet. The only options we found we're 90's style spec home, holy wow brass swan with wings for handles, or gorgeousness that cost just way more than we wanted to spend. We ended up opting for polished nickel due to the fact that it gave a little more oomph to the space but allowed us to eat dinner at night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then, change of plans numero dos. We were all set with our fixtures and fancy sconces when an slight problem of miscommunication occurred. And by slight I mean the bathroom was 6 inches shorter than planned and meant we needed to completely change the sconce plan in <i>24</i> hours. Enter downstairs sconces that I really, really wanted to replace. So upstairs they went, new sconces were purchased downstairs, and it just so happened that the sconces didn't look half bad in their new home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Okay...so many words. But here's a basic mock-up of the bathroom, and hopefully I'll be able to walk on the newly stained floors tomorrow and show you some pictures! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlo8B1hkXNLG7P0_HAPmsXnoxXOe5cC16m7b85Kh_uWCU5yt_bSJZW8Bk2aw2gegjwOVnG66wQVZRukX-LKmJiNPsVisTLrMV4zzhio_qMk0HaxHTF2Efpxum4MhRsABfVyOGvg48EKo/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-02-04+at+9.01.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlo8B1hkXNLG7P0_HAPmsXnoxXOe5cC16m7b85Kh_uWCU5yt_bSJZW8Bk2aw2gegjwOVnG66wQVZRukX-LKmJiNPsVisTLrMV4zzhio_qMk0HaxHTF2Efpxum4MhRsABfVyOGvg48EKo/s640/Screen+shot+2013-02-04+at+9.01.00+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Benjamin Moore Platinum Gray paint | <a href="http://www.lampsplus.com/products/dawson-collection-polished-nickel-9-inch-high-wall-sconce__f3836.html">Sconce</a> | <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/products/vintage-recessed-medicine-cabinet/?pkey=cbath-mirrors-wall-cabinets&cm_src=bath-mirrors-wall-cabinets||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_-">Medicine Cabinet</a> | <a href="http://www.faucetdirect.com/delta-3597lf-mpu-cassidy-widespread-bathroom-faucet-includes-metal-pop-up-drain/p2003618?source=gg-gba-pla_2003618____12480295763&s_kwcid=PTC!pla!!!38964294563!g!!12480295763&gclid=CM6r6cjFn7UCFQWCnQodW0sAjw">Faucet</a> (pretty close) | <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/products/classic-single-wide-sink-console-white/?pkey=cbathroom-vanities&cm_src=bathroom-vanities||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_-">Sink Console</a></span>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-57452355263180258342013-01-31T08:00:00.000-06:002013-01-31T08:00:13.275-06:00Design Conundrum<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I read an article on President Obama in Vanity Fair a few month's back where he stated that when you make decisions, even trivial ones, it degrades your ability to make future decisions. Apparently, after all the decisions that have been made in the last few months about new furniture, things for the upstairs, and a new job, I have degraded my decision-making abilities to precisely nil. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last week, Kyle and I painted my grandmother's antique dresser the prettiest blue you ever did see to transform it into a sideboard. I was convinced we needed silver knobs, and once I put them on, it just didn't give me the "pow" factor I wanted. Thus, some help amigos, if you please. And yes we're talking about knobs here. Obviously things are dire if I've started posting to the blog about trivial decisions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's the current look...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXu9Qm6s7PKTj-eQ4ttK6EH4Jb9QInzuTCYlK7IaQBQR_q9uShpiD3193Uw5g9nEg7IYmkvVHHkMYdhek0yJ3TM0sw0WBFTqbJYeCaMOMJZGjLTNoWz-dxPNEh1TpCcaVoNo0wPiXHi3w/s1600/photo+(30).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXu9Qm6s7PKTj-eQ4ttK6EH4Jb9QInzuTCYlK7IaQBQR_q9uShpiD3193Uw5g9nEg7IYmkvVHHkMYdhek0yJ3TM0sw0WBFTqbJYeCaMOMJZGjLTNoWz-dxPNEh1TpCcaVoNo0wPiXHi3w/s640/photo+(30).jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And here are some inspiration of fellow turquoise-ish stunners with knobs in a variety of colors. The top image is probably the closest color to our dresser.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTe4HPM2VUZ7ENTX-EMPaHVJ0H6t21U3nk6nGUqtydtIpZ74fW4cUWQinnqzV0FjgGKq22i630dzR0wsZSslIDFMH4ydREVkPHA1XM6vXxIjQZ8y5S2bTueVWg4vpJ3xRa4Lr2FesPY7E/s1600/swoon+worthy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTe4HPM2VUZ7ENTX-EMPaHVJ0H6t21U3nk6nGUqtydtIpZ74fW4cUWQinnqzV0FjgGKq22i630dzR0wsZSslIDFMH4ydREVkPHA1XM6vXxIjQZ8y5S2bTueVWg4vpJ3xRa4Lr2FesPY7E/s1600/swoon+worthy.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">image from Swoon Worthy</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaanRKjN6H-b-wFFL7f7MBS8RYT4PYwo0lFKm4bE7Yi7Inh6JqzkXTF67ej2DqGrifwaoeGppXWJGyh9fzdpIJZOQAep4Q8SBUdsW-n2nCCbx0fFKjIyCdm-Y-XBurXi7gqRRcOl1Pgc/s1600/style+at+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaanRKjN6H-b-wFFL7f7MBS8RYT4PYwo0lFKm4bE7Yi7Inh6JqzkXTF67ej2DqGrifwaoeGppXWJGyh9fzdpIJZOQAep4Q8SBUdsW-n2nCCbx0fFKjIyCdm-Y-XBurXi7gqRRcOl1Pgc/s1600/style+at+home.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">image from Style at Home</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvONorkiBUkoKMp7uoXFsNAwYR6S0MuAwYc4BS2ggmCCcOTwfByAECshBepzonqNjnlN-vnfoWrZVP6MDccdeOAQeY_u1_fUp4s7m8qz1cDTHFrGYXl7mtYJP1NsQ19tRgNjvaFSZ9AU/s1600/hillary+thomas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvONorkiBUkoKMp7uoXFsNAwYR6S0MuAwYc4BS2ggmCCcOTwfByAECshBepzonqNjnlN-vnfoWrZVP6MDccdeOAQeY_u1_fUp4s7m8qz1cDTHFrGYXl7mtYJP1NsQ19tRgNjvaFSZ9AU/s1600/hillary+thomas.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">image from Hillary Thomas</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The dining room is painted gray with a gray and white striped rug, natural oak table, lucite chairs, black china cabinet, and snazzy black and brass chandelier. I would show you pics, but this room currently only exists in my head as the table and rug are making their way to Houston, TX as we speak. So...polished brass? Antique brass? Silver? Stay with what we've got? </span>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-54187312040755147892013-01-30T14:50:00.003-06:002013-01-30T14:50:58.703-06:00Art of the Mix<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8A9l2rpXgbQ-8eiq4VqINyeYgRsi4qKZihqmVplEvhd3uGFWKmv9cIjTXTXY6j9pnh7LC3fqbmphTCY-6Jrkuo2MuP3WL2CGciJUMDsqi-sWvYib4LnMyz7g1zBc9yDyisQKfuppG00/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-01-29+at+2.28.57+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8A9l2rpXgbQ-8eiq4VqINyeYgRsi4qKZihqmVplEvhd3uGFWKmv9cIjTXTXY6j9pnh7LC3fqbmphTCY-6Jrkuo2MuP3WL2CGciJUMDsqi-sWvYib4LnMyz7g1zBc9yDyisQKfuppG00/s640/Screen+shot+2013-01-29+at+2.28.57+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">image from domino magazine </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnWlYULyon9_eYDuB1p0k0OQapOMBPdeg8Jj3hh4YqK1L93xw-QX6zexPT-XSsf1VStjj-Iest4O1PbGkD5v3gzB8FMjTKnpQ80e5023MYjFGyhAXlgFfUf7dZeVUGWbxSV8zMd9v_-0/s1600/amber+interiors.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnWlYULyon9_eYDuB1p0k0OQapOMBPdeg8Jj3hh4YqK1L93xw-QX6zexPT-XSsf1VStjj-Iest4O1PbGkD5v3gzB8FMjTKnpQ80e5023MYjFGyhAXlgFfUf7dZeVUGWbxSV8zMd9v_-0/s640/amber+interiors.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">image from Amber Interiors </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love a house with neutral bones. White and gray paint colors, off-white upholstered furniture, and chairs that can move from room to room are my jam. Mainly I think this stems from the fact that I like to change things up. <i>A lot</i>. That is how my obsession with throw pillows has grown and grown to the extent that I have a whole drawer of covers that I change out on a whim. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wish I had the skill set of <a href="http://absolutelybeautifulthings.blogspot.com/">Anna Spiro</a> and <a href="http://www.isuwannee.com/">Jamie Meares</a> and was able to mix pillows with reckless abandon, but I'm definitely a formula kind of girl who loves a little bit of symmetry. After countless hours of flipping through domino, I've developed formulas - two solids with a mix of graphic pillows:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpOpXyO7iAgXRMYAP9axSw51sFwj0yH6MfY0oYIULw9UaBasl8JEDz90za8qxWdIT4z9guq-CnkEM1Rg_0MgxJyyV94qkEK-FiO2-fTT5CTuiZ8dGYxH-beWamlhdBn7KdJvh9MtYkho/s1600/Teal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpOpXyO7iAgXRMYAP9axSw51sFwj0yH6MfY0oYIULw9UaBasl8JEDz90za8qxWdIT4z9guq-CnkEM1Rg_0MgxJyyV94qkEK-FiO2-fTT5CTuiZ8dGYxH-beWamlhdBn7KdJvh9MtYkho/s640/Teal.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pillows from left to right: <a href="http://www.wisteria.com/Linen-Pillow-Aqua-Square/productinfo/W7570/">Wisteria</a>, <a href="http://ariannabelle.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=88">Arianna Belle</a>, <a href="http://www.caitlinwilsontextiles.com/?p=product&sku=45&d=5&pre=p!category|c!pillowcovers|patt!|s!|fabric!">Caitlin Wilson Textiles</a>, <a href="http://www.johnrobshaw.com/detail.htm?Pillows=Hammock_Hammock&params=5,14,1">John Robshaw</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Or a lot of simple graphic designs with a little bohemian thrown in for good measure. I'm always on board for one pillow that's a different size, and my rule of thumb is you need at least one splurge pillow. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You know, the kind you know you shouldn't buy but will make you and your couch so happy that you can't resist. I'm still working on the </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">just one</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> splurge pillow rule.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAsC4mgYCz7RJdgnK3eXwFQmgtrE1vv9iysOLLe41oXemz1XifUHlys0m8t5DxR3EV9vh479kQ-cMQwpK6fQAzTxJceRRciF3662Y0jrWpwEsY6kpQAKhwaSO6rlLLE1SiCeE_1wngJs/s1600/Gray.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAsC4mgYCz7RJdgnK3eXwFQmgtrE1vv9iysOLLe41oXemz1XifUHlys0m8t5DxR3EV9vh479kQ-cMQwpK6fQAzTxJceRRciF3662Y0jrWpwEsY6kpQAKhwaSO6rlLLE1SiCeE_1wngJs/s640/Gray.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pillows from left to right: <a href="http://www.serenaandlily.com/Decor/Throw-Pillows-Bark-Diamond">Serena and Lily</a>, <a href="http://www.johnrobshaw.com/detail.htm?Pillows=Lanka_Savannah&params=5,27,1">John Robshaw</a>, <a href="http://shop.hableconstruction.com/11-x-22-stone-checker-canvas-pillow/">Hable Construction</a> </span></div>
<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-72567800916965314062013-01-22T21:22:00.002-06:002013-01-22T21:22:38.004-06:00Kerry Cassill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuK0ljDbRlLeWWTifdzz_rjHuJxUtQRCRUtLHToD2IokxwwbFRnGkd2pEi7V9P3JiN-kfEXB2fTvJ-7eHszo4HKG2YvnTLyopcxChTUOfdYLgmBQX90d0d04qYVUaMWv2dtpteWm_wQ8/s1600/Multi_Stripe_bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuK0ljDbRlLeWWTifdzz_rjHuJxUtQRCRUtLHToD2IokxwwbFRnGkd2pEi7V9P3JiN-kfEXB2fTvJ-7eHszo4HKG2YvnTLyopcxChTUOfdYLgmBQX90d0d04qYVUaMWv2dtpteWm_wQ8/s640/Multi_Stripe_bed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://kerrycassillonline.bigcartel.com/">all images from Kerry Cassill</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm a born and bred Southerner, and in addition to fried okra, peach cobbler, and sweet tea, I love a well-made bed stuffed to the brim with throw pillows and monograms. It runs in our blood down here. However, Kerry Cassill may be able to sway my opinion. I love her mix and match aesthetic and easy, relaxed vibe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We are currently working on ideas for our guest room, and I'm thinking a comfy bed seems much more appealing that one stocked to the brim with matching stiff shams. I mean, it is seriously awkward when you're staying at someone's house and have no idea where to throw all the pillows that are piled up on the bed. Now I just have to pick a pattern. </span></div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-3156923778235418692013-01-11T11:22:00.001-06:002013-01-11T11:22:12.622-06:00Gray Malin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCjbq3sTKnzEqXQfXpll_zfNYC_DBKdzD6PqSAQy-bPg22tjmC4tT4GTuKNgOv6emYXukD_FDF7p-WPZOCfQAhIjax-oTbi3kHWA_63M10UiE6BbXXRpCTugKsRIXD8JeYOHO5QPpkRI/s1600/gray+malin.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCjbq3sTKnzEqXQfXpll_zfNYC_DBKdzD6PqSAQy-bPg22tjmC4tT4GTuKNgOv6emYXukD_FDF7p-WPZOCfQAhIjax-oTbi3kHWA_63M10UiE6BbXXRpCTugKsRIXD8JeYOHO5QPpkRI/s640/gray+malin.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://maisongray.com/shop/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=2094">Top of Aspen Mountain</a> by Gray Malin</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If UPS is correct (as they usually are), these fancy skiers should be arriving at Casa Nelson sometime today. I have long been a fan of Gray Malin's beach art with the bright pops of color and aerial views. When I saw his new A la Montagne series, I knew one of these would have to come home with me. Plus, I already have the perfect place for it. Kyle and I met skiing; so what better place to hang "Top of Aspen Mountain" than above the bed in our newly painted bedroom? </span></div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-26756098866574092852013-01-04T08:23:00.001-06:002013-01-04T08:23:23.304-06:00Guilty Pleasure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-ZCrjr__zRObzMwod1QYESQ0GECQRBRO5T07lplrStqZqyPLv9ROEYhqYYG5BLTs54oTq-xxlskP7-5H4hhem4Rio3MX9eRXt0JjuaSHrJn5h9T7mRkNBbkPwUQUKITdY5RO-Mlbhz8/s1600/Kate+Morton+Blog+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-ZCrjr__zRObzMwod1QYESQ0GECQRBRO5T07lplrStqZqyPLv9ROEYhqYYG5BLTs54oTq-xxlskP7-5H4hhem4Rio3MX9eRXt0JjuaSHrJn5h9T7mRkNBbkPwUQUKITdY5RO-Mlbhz8/s640/Kate+Morton+Blog+Pic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This book recommendation definitely doesn't fall into the "change your life when you read it" section, but it's still <i>oh so good</i>. I should explain that if there were an Anglophile book club, I would spend my whole life only reading books selected by its members. Throw in the English artistocracy pre-WWII, and I'm sold. I'll read whatever I can get my hands on; so naturally, Kate Morton's books were the next logical step to feeding my obsession.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So far, I can only vouch for two: <i>The Distant Hours</i> and <i>The House at Riverton</i>, and vouch for them I will. Most of her books are somewhat hefty at close to 500 pages, but they're the kind you can read in a day. They almost always involve long kept secrets, upstairs/downstairs relationships, and a peek into a gorgeous manner house. Plus, some twists and turns, an unexpected ending, and a complicated leading female character. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't expect any new literary ground to be breached here, just a good old-fashioned enjoyable read. And don't expect to complete your to-do list once you break into one. </span><br />
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<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-89561901834840326432013-01-03T08:28:00.000-06:002013-01-03T08:28:31.988-06:00Hello There...2013!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Why hello there (again)! My self-imposed hiatus of 2012 is officially over, and I'm back! In the months between I did some re-evaluating of oh-so-many things, and I've decided to revamp my blogging approach. 2012 was a complete blur filled with weddings, flights, long weekends spent painting, and a mad dash to try every restaurant in the Houston area. In an attempt to remember life a little better around here, this blog is about to get a lot more personal. I want to focus more on documenting my life and not just pretty things I want to purchase. Sure, those will still be around, but I want to work on using my camera more - to document the house process, the end of the renovation upstairs, life events, and possibly a few too many pictures of the handsome chocolate lab that lives with us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And because everyone else is doing it...my resolutions for this year. Faith. Family. Fun. Alright, those are not so much resolutions, but the 3 F's of 2013 as I'm referring to them. An easily remembered mantra to take me through the next twelve months to remind me to grow deeper in my faith, spend more time, energy, and love on my family, and sit back and have fun ya'll. Simple enough. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm not one for New Year's celebrations, but 2013 just <i>feels</i> different. It looks as though my inner optimist has been unleashed...</span><br />
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<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227837340103662685.post-31279814217335146072012-09-24T08:00:00.000-05:002012-09-24T08:00:13.707-05:00Gingham Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">image from the neo-traditionalist</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">image from cococozy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">image from Absolutely Beautiful Things</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">image from Canadian House and Home</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">image from Matchbook Magazine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Set to the tune of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0&feature=related">this song</a>, because it's Monday. And Monday calls for dance parties and home decor.</span>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133765546777695673noreply@blogger.com2