inspiration....holding on

So, today I got my new PB teen catalog....loved the ideas and feel like I can use some of these items in my beach room, and my future sunrise beach room...I love the idea of the beach so much, I'm going to make two rooms in my house beachy. Progress is slow, but getting there. One room is so close to being finished....with Spring ahead I know I'll get the painting accomplished...then new rugs, curtains, and wall treatments, and maybe a new light fixture.

Here's my inspiring idea of the day...thanks PB teen! :)

I feel good.....

James Brown sentiments....echo through my head as I wind down after the events of the day. Painting of the dinning room/office/library...is on track, or at least not forgotten indefinitely....painted another section today. A small success in the right direction. Moved furniture, a little organizing of an old piece of furniture in a new spot, some thorough cleaning here and there and lots of good things accomplished at church today and ....exactly...I FEEL GOOD. Can we keep this feeling alive please!

Thinking about the seagrass chair in my breakfast nook, maybe a pair of them, instead of a table....???

snowing...and burr, it's cold

The day has held surprises with the beginning flurries of the morning, continuing all day long and accumulation now building on roads, autos, and roof tops in the neighborhood. And tomorrow is the first day back to work after the holidays....oh well, Murphy's law, I guess...lol! It is so surprising though, this neck of the woods rarely sees much snow, so when it comes, you just have to stop what your doing if you want to enjoy the experience, because it just doesn't last long. I expect it to stop any minute, let's see by morning if I'm still surprised.

Spent part of the lazy times of this day, planning out a few projects. An armoire for my son, and some built in benches for my breakfast nook. Both projects are going to be done on a dime, so I hope I can be really creative and smart. The armoire will be beach inspired, so I'm thinking rope, seashells, marbles, trim, ect...on the front of an inexpesive storage piece from Home Depot, and maybe some splashes of paint....still thinking.

The breakfast nook seemed very easy, until I found ideas from books around my home, now I'm thinking it might need more than just a bench...maybe some shelving up by the windows....again, still thinking....it's a very small nook, don't want to make it seem smaller...so careful planning.

I really loved the cubby wall idea I found from country living...sooo cool!

new year....let's begin!

So I find myself, on this beautiful sunny, but cold first day of 2010, putting up my Christmas decor, while cooking a big pot of Black Eyed Peas and thinking of what will my goals be for this year?

And I have to ask myself, what did I accomplish last year? My answer is not nearly as much as I wanted. I did not lose any weight, (heavy sigh) which would be bad if I had not gained. Well, let me rephrase that answer, I lost some and I gained more. But yet again, I resign myself to make this an ultimate goal this year.

I did get something organized, and that feels GREAT! But as with many other list, it's on-going.

The laundry is so much better than it was last year! yea!

Also, I started on redecorating and remodling my son's bedroom....to be a new Beachy place to do my scrapebooking and just a kind of hang out place for myself...and it came very close to being accomplished. New paint, new floors, new light fixture, new bead board and molding...still need to finish the ceiling tiles and molding and get furniture....but it will be put on hold as my son will be returning home for a while till he can get a good paying job with his degree and save some money for his own place and a car....needless to say, he's still driving the one he got at graduation from high school in 2003, and it was a hand me down. So some small, but important success in getting that room finished...again yea!

And the guest room, which I tackled too, to have a beachy feel, got a great start, some new furniture, new bedding, but still need to do painting on walls, and furniture and the guest bath off the room needs some plumbing issues resolved....hopefully nothing major. So there, that has to remain on the list for 2010 to finish this spring and summer.

So what can I start today on my to do list for 2010, well....I do want to eat better, read my bible through this year (I only lasted with my daily readings through May of last year and then I don't know what happened to me), and since I'm putting up Christmas decor a good time to organize some of the main living areas and rethink the decor. All that being said, I guess it's time to get busy!!!!

:) now let me find some inspiration, I think I'll check out PB as always....

The holiday's are approaching very fast....can't believe how fast. Time to think about table preparations and adding a few new decor pieces....found these great finds at PB...(where else?!)

Great ideas and love them.

Headed to church this morning, gotta hurry, later!

new projects

Okay, so I've bitten off more than I can chew....re-do in my oldest son's bedroom, he's gone and so, I'm changing it into a scrapbooking room, excerise room, and entertainment room....a lot to ask of a small room...but it's gotten off to a really great start. I painted it a happy beachy yellow and white...time will tell if I achieve the look I'd really love from the coastal living style.

That's not all, I've decided to finish my unfinished Living Room/Office....it's been the wrong paint color for along time...put up a border a long time ago that I loved and still love and want to get the walls painted to match the colors...and do a few more updates.

Also, planning a birthday party for my boys (joint party) and having a decorating party the next weekend after the party, and then it's a Ladies Retreat and I'm making bags for everyone...with scrapbooking styles and all unique....have 15 made so far. Goal is to do 2 to 3 every day....whew...can I do it??!!! I think I can.....please tell me I can!

the paradise island party...so much fun

Months of planning and the event finally took place in my back yard (aka Paradise Island) ;)...everyone had a blast. Here are a few pictures of the decorations and a few of the fun. It was a LOT of work, but worth every bit of effort! Enjoy!

tropical paradise island party

Finally, maybe the sun is going to stay around awhile! It has been so rainy for so long this month, it's been very dreary and somewhat unusal. Trying to keep a positive outlook regardless! Started making plans for my bunco party in just about a month! Looking up as much as possible on the theme party. Have lots of ideas now. Planning to work on my invitations this weekend and buy some more entertaining and decorating decor items. I luckily have many friends that I can borrow from, so that will help me so much to get it all together and looking awesome. I'd love to say I'll be posting pictures, but I still haven't fixed my camera. (Procrastinating as usual.) I did manage to get my ipod working, I've had all kinds of electronic problems lately.

My invitation plan is to make boarding passes for all my girl friends with an itinerary of events! I'm using there first names and Hawaiian first names on the envelope of the invites with a paradise postal stamp. Looks great so far!

I'm working on my menu ideas too: Jerk Chicken Nachos, Pineapple/Avacado Salad, Fried Rice, Key Lime Pie, Coconut Shrimp, Fruit on Skewers, Mocktail drinks.....

Lots to plan!!!!

Pottery Barn to my rescue, as always! :)

rainy day blues

Wow, looking at the last post, I just realize how busy I've been this month, bearly having any free time for blogging. Today, though seems to be a perfect day, it's raining outside and has been all day, so what's better to do than play on the computer, right?!

I have been fairly busy today, eight loads of laundry!! You'd think I haven't washed anything all week, but that's not the case, I seem to always be doing laundry, I guess it's like doing dishes! lol...never ending.

Also, went into my beach room to focus on some decor ideas, and I'm hoping to have the room finished by October.

The above pics are just great dreaming ideas and inspirations to help me make it through this yucky day! :)

Spring is in the air

The weather is cooperating nicely for now....a few great weather days here and there, and I'll be happy for each one during this unpredictable time of the year.

As I was finishing decorating today for Spring, I looked at the table and thought how much fun to have a party, or brunch, or something....I love to entertain. Hope I can find a date and have some friends over real soon. I found great inspirations above (pb, where else...lol), as well as shopping on Saturday at a cute hometown kitchen store where they have lovely tablescapes! My camera is not working, hope to get it fixed soon so I can post some pictures. ( I just got it for Christmas, so I hope to get a warranty repair.)

Redo no dollars

The above basement belongs to a good friend of mine. She asked me to assist her in making it into a more pleasing entertainment area. So we went to work, borrowing accessories for all over her home to make this transformation. We still need curtains, and a little work on the bookcases, but all in all...from nothing to something....pretty pleasant! I especially love the corner ladder shelf we stole from her laundry room. Since her wall were concrete we were unable to hang the few art pieces at this time....but we hope to soon.

Focus

Great outdoor rooms! After having snow this past weekend, I'm ready for spring and summer. I know it's still many weeks away, but just taking a few minutes to dream of some wonderful looks for the deck, patio, or veranda. PB to the rescue!

A view

A room with a view, a home with a view....it's what we all want. Truly we can enjoy some beautful sites even from our own backyards. I love the outdoors in late spring and early summer, it's just so wonderful to enjoy dining in fresh air. And the above pictures are very dreamy escapes, just a little fantasy to enjoy before the day gets here, and wishing it were today. Thank you to one of my favorite dream spots...Pottery Barn!

Go Green

Shopping around the Pottery Barn site and finding what makes me happy, I find myself drawn to the greens. It feels fresh and I guess it makes me feel good. Like Spring time! Today, in my neck of the woods, it's a beautiful sunny day with temps in the 70's....it's grand!!! But I realize, it's just February and the weather is fickle this time of the year....today 70 tomorrow 30...lol! So I have to keep a level head, but does get you in the mood to plant something to clean up the outdoors. I can hardly wait to get to dine outside again. So until then, I'll just dream and be inspired for what I can do to bring some of that beauty into my home. :)

Love

Thinking of the idea of love and the very inspiration for a graceful Valentine's day event to come. I have found the above pictures a fond symbolism. It's a fun day that brings me pure satisfaction in celebrating....because of it's beauty, honesty, and loveliness. Making Valentine cards and creating gifts and decorating a part of my home as a dedication to LOVE for my friends and family is a wonderful joy. After all it is the Greatest gift....I Cor. 13:13

Projects

Keeping with the motivation to get organized this year, I continue to work on my Laundry Room, it's so much better than before, but still there's more to accomplish.

I tackled the kitchen pantry this weekend. Purchased some great storage savers and organizers, a spice rack, and a new pan rack to stack my cookie sheets, muffin pans, etc... The feeling is such a thrill for me. It's almost an adrenalin rush to have this updated look to my pantry. Granted, I would like to change the contact paper on the shelves, but SO unbelievably better I can hardly stand it!!!! (Okay, I'll calm down now....lol.) Pictures still to come...hopefully soon.

This weekend did find me doing some more daydreaming and seeking motivation from magazines and online shopping sites. Above are a few stimulating ideas the spurred my fever into action, and I need all the spurring I can get! Thank you Pottery Barn and Southern Living and Thomasville!

Accomplishments

Constant inspiration this year is key, to keeping me on track. I must say so far so good. I'm thankful for great pics like the one above to help boost my creative juices!

Saturday was a full day! My darling husband took me out for breakfast....that's like one of my favorite things to do. I love pancakes!! So we head out for our breakfast date, and while in the big city we go by a few shopping spots for a few things, a wedding gift and to see what's on sale! I scored on both endeavors! YEA!!! Bath and Body had a great sale as did The Kitchen Store! Got a cool wicker wrapped carafe and some sweet smelling soaps and lotions! And it's back home to put out my bargains.

While in the Bath and Body store they also had some great wallflowers they called them, the smell good plug-ins! I got a couple of those and my husband said he loved them already. The Bamboo scented one is great for my jungle bath!

The rest of the day was spent organizing my laundry room...that is one of my ultimate goals this year. I picked up some cool canvas cubbies to organize dusting rags, and laundry bags and clothespins, etc. A couple more of them and I should have a better control on the laundry issues! Hopefully, I'll snap a pic for you guys to see when I'm finished. It's an extremely small space, but just doing something as simple as organizing a few things is going to make a tremendous difference.

Weekends

Weekends are great when you can leisurely do things at a pace that has no timetable. I love that....but wouldn't want that schedule all the time.

This weekend was mostly that kind of weekend for me and what fun I had with some major daydreaming. Here are some great finds: LOVE these rooms and inspirations...mostly found at Pottery Barn. Can hardly wait to make some investments there! But for now, it's all in my dreams.

Treasures

Feeling a little blue the past several days, because of the departing of several Christian friends.

Selfishly because I'll never again be able to get hugs, smiles, waves, chats, laughs or anything that they so graciously and warmly gave to me while they were here on earth. They moved on to the other side. While it's a wonderful thing for them, it's selfish of me to wish they were here.
When someone goes, it leaves a tiny hole that only they could fill.

I saw a poem once that said, "When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure." Isn't that beautiful!? Just think of all the people looking for beautiful things, when the most beautiful things are the people you love. So surround yourself!!