Day 1126's pretty

Whew, it's going to be another hot weekend. Good thing we have plenty of indoor projects to keep us busy and well, indoors. What are you up to this weekend?

Happy Weekend!

Photo: oh, hello friend via pink wallpaper.

Country Home: Back From the Dead?

I was surprised a few days ago to see a new issue of Country Home on the newsstand at my grocery store. I flipped through it while I was awaiting my turn in line and immediately tossed it in my cart (before realizing it was $12 ... but hey, no advertising to get in the way!). After I got home I did some investigating and found out that it is a special interest publication (most magazines produce them from time to time) by Meredith and it looks like there will be another one in the fall. If you have a little country-farmhouse in you like I do, I think you'll agree that it's a good one!













Sorry about the photos of photos ... scanner is on the fritz.

A Last Look at the Guest Bedroom

When I painted and decorated the guest bedroom last summer, I had in my head that it was temporary since we always planned to turn that room into the nursery. We didn't, however, expect to be doing so quite so soon. So, I'm a little sad to see it go. Especially now that I have this fabulous new-to-me lamp that really pulls it all together!


I can't take any credit at all for this Craig's List gem, as it was Joi who spotted it and included it in her Minneapolis round-up. I feel in lust immediately and e-mailed the seller to see if he was interested in shipping it to Alabama. Obviously, he was, and it is now happily at home under a yard sale shade I picked up for a $1 last summer (I knew I would eventually use it!).


The rest of the room is looking a little scary. The 10-inch square recessed light fixture is gone, thankfully, and the patch it required is joined by an even bigger patch -- a casualty of my paranoia about the "water spot" you see on right. Oh well, we were going to have to paint the ceiling anyway!


The room is also home to Random Pink Thrift Store Chair (under $30!), which will hopefully become Beautiful Nursery Chair sometime in the next 6 months.

Pretty New Orleans Cottage

No less than four of my friends have taken trips to New Orleans in the last month or so. Their fun vacays got me thinking about how much I liked this Cottage Living Idea House. The traditional shotgun-style house was built to fit right in to this historical neighborhood.


Designed by Ann and Jane Dupuy, the front door opens into a parlor lined with bookcases.


The room's pretty monochromatic scheme sets the tone for the first floor.


I've always loved the simple desk area.


Further in, the kitchen has iconic cottage details like beaded board and bin pull cabinet hardware.


But the real show-stopper is the barn door over the pantry and the chalkboard-painted wall.

The powder room is dressed up with a pretty mirror and a wall-mounted faucet.



Nearby, an office nook is no doubt the home's command center.


Along the back of the house, the living and dining rooms have horizontal planking and French doors. The gas lanterns are a nod to the Crescent City.


I also the the simple, but well-appointed dining room. New Orleans design has a reputation for being over-the-top, so I love this more clean interpretation.


The French doors open to a wonderful back porch overlooking the courtyard garden.


Upstairs, the master bedroom is swathed appropriately in French blue and outfitted with Leontine Linens, of course!



And what's not to love about a wallpapered walk-in closet!

Photos are by Robbie Caponetto and Roger Foley.

Our New Normal

Hello? Anyone still out there? I'm joining you today (finally) from my new normal. That is, life outside the corporate office. I have more to say about than I can put into words at this moment, but the short of it is that my position was eliminated, and thus, so was I. It was sad in a lot of ways and happy in a lot of others, but mostly, it is strange.


Last week was my first week at home, but it was filled with out-of-town visitors, a day trip to Atlanta, and then heading out of town for a wedding. I had hoped to blog as business as usual, but as you may have noticed, that didn't happen (or even close to it!). So today was my first real day off the job, and let's just say, I was bored at 9:30 a.m. This will definitely take some getting used to, but I think that once I get my computer files in order and establish a loose routine I will be back in action, on the blog at least.


I'm not looking for anything full time for a couple of reasons (this being the main one) but I am looking to get a few things going from home in the 6 months we have until the arrival of Baby Bonds. I'll be sure to share more details as things get ironed out, but I look forward to having you all along for the journey!


In the meantime, I have quite the list of home projects to be completed A. while I have the time and B. before they become physically impossible. Some will be fun (nursery!) and I will be happy to have some good material for you again. Others, like painting and touching up trim, will simply be crossed of the list and never spoken of again.

Photos: various sources via Pink Wallpaper, because all of mine are in captivity on our external hard drive!

More Than a Great Entry

If you loved Julie's entry from this post, you will l-o-v-e the rest of her house. I can't put my finger on exactly what it is that appeals to me so much, but I think it's that it's filled with her and her family's favorite things. I get the feeling that she chooses things not because of pedigree or popularity, but because she loves them and they make her life better in some way (even if that is just by being pretty). And really, is there any other way to do it?!





And don't even get me started on the bathrooms. They are full of my favorite things: subway tile with dark grout, wood planking, a blue ceiling, and that Anthro shower curtain I've had my eye on for years.


PS - sorry I've been so out of the loop lately. I think I've turned a corner with the pregnancy and am feeling almost human again. Here's to hoping the inspiration will be flowing soon, and thank you, thank you for sticking with me!

The Kitchen to End All Kitchens

Are you reading Rachel at Nest Egg? Well, you should be. Her designs are some of the most unique and interesting in the blogosphere, me thinks. Case in point: this beyond-fabulous kitchen renovation!

Day 1097's pretty and a thank you

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend! The 4th of July is one of my favorites -- I need to decide how to use my little American flags on toothpicks! Cupcakes, perhaps? And of course Old Glory is flying from our front porch.


We also want to extend our deep, deep gratitude for all the kind words and encouragement about our news. We can't wait to share our journey with you!

Happy Weekend!

Photos: Country Living, Rifle Paper Co.