Scrabble this

via http://www.lululemon.com/lovenote/ 

Last night at (I'm ashamed to say it) 11:35pm my almost 15 year old comes upstairs to start the bedtime ritual of brushing his teeth etc. He catches me sitting in bed, watching "Hoarders" (wowie, wow! holy gross) and working on the weekly menu plan. He tells me that "this whole scene has a soporific effect on him" and then winks. GREAT scrabble word, and one of my best friend Lori's favorites. {I'll leave you to look that one up on your own} It reminds me that I need to play more scrabble so I can cram his brain (but more importantly, mine) full of these words no one takes the time to learn anymore. And maybe inspire his 2 younger brothers to follow suit in the process.

So then, because I just can't let my mind sit on that, I flip to my newest addiction, Pinterest to see what I can find in terms of scrabble crafts. Some of you are oh so crafty out there.

Coasters

Scrabble Coasters from Etsy Seller tim7abebra 

Eat, Pray Love Scrabble coaster from Etsy seller Tiffany Brown

Wedding announcements 

Via pinterest

{One of my favorites}

So then I got curious. There are words out there for other words. Words that describe, words that inspire, words move people, words that bring them down, words are powerful things. So I found a great list of words that are becoming lost in the English language. I mean, why use defenestrate when "throw out the window" conveys your meaning just as well.

Words I'd like to see us use even once in everyday conversation over the next year. A list I showed my teenager who told me "I wouldn't use these words around my friends, they would just think I was pretentious." Ah ha, well how about just smartypants then? Come on, what is your favorite word?
 

A little goes a long way

Who doesn't love a little peek of animal print?

via PINTEREST

  

It adds texture and pattern and used sparingly can be just the spot of interest an outfit needs without looking like you've dressed in the dark.

A word of caution though. Sometimes we have to remember where "I could turn this outfit from day to night by just adding a smear of red lipstick" ends and "I'm fun and funky, believe more is always more and like to party with my Mom!" ends. 

  

Baa-larg but then... consider the source.

via Blumarine spring - the old adage, you don't have to wear it all at once to convince me of how much you like it!

 NOW... If I were to dally in the occasional spot of leopard, and I'm happy to admit that I have, as Montel Williams like to say "THIS is how we do it".

Via http://mylifemyvogue.tumblr.com/post/16440339321

Via Pinterest

Getting focused on Spring

Ok, so its January. Ok, so its 30 degrees outside and I almost just killed myself trying to get down my icy front steps. Timmmber! Who said you can't get a leg up on that spring cleaning in the winter. My goal is to get going on re-painting my first floor. Paint some second hand furniture I've been putting off and to get going on some of that downsizing and organizing.

For 5 years my first floor has been Ben Moore Beige. I must have painted the living room 4 times before just giving in to it. My mother even said she thought my house was getting smaller and saller rom the thickness of all the paint. So, I'm going back to basics and embracing white. Impractical with 3 boys you say? Well. quite possible but hey, think of how all that orange will pop!

Ill post the before and afters of my living room when I'm done! Here are some of my favorites that showcase the accent colors so well against the white.



Same living room - different accents. Quick change a room



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Look at that beautiful herringbone wood floor

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Beautifully framed Suzanis steal the show



This is a lot of yellow... But no one said it wasn't fun. Can't promise my son's would want to invite their friends to hang here but then maybe that is part of the master plan!

So wish me luck! I'm excited to get started and I'll update here.

I am in need of a Bar cart for my dining room.

Via Pinterest / oneswede is that Pimm's I see on there?!

Yum, how fantastic is this vintage trunk on a metal stand??

Picture it... It's a Thursday night and you've just returned from battling the beltway traffic {and cursing at the driver in front of you who appears to be reading and texting at the same time} and you are ready to settle into some dvr'd guilty pleasure on the ole' tv to take the edge off with a nice glass of whatever your poison is.  Or the bell rings and you go to answer the door, it's your {insert here- sister, best friend, neighbor, solicitor whatever} and they have come over for an impromptu visit. You show them into the living room and offer them a...? Drink. Or maybe that is just what I would do! Enter the need for a 1) well stocked (but let's not get ahead of ourselves) 2) well designed 3) small but practical bar cart. Does it have wheels? Does it fold up? Does it have multiple shelves?

Nothing says "I care about the comfort of my guests" like a well appointed bar cart. Why not mobilize your libations. You don't need to rush out to the ABC store and buy one of everything, start with the basics and build from there.

Small tray table used as bar

Wood Bar tray

Metal Bamboo style bar cart

Outdoor Bar Cart set up for party

Here are some of my favorites after a quick and dirty internet search. There are readily availible in several styles, as you can see so you have no excuse not to have one!

Via 1stdibs.com

 

Via Harlow's Nest

 

Via Pottery Barn

Williams-Sonoma Bar cart

Via Etsy seller whiteelephantSRQ  I love the rustic nature of this one

At the moment I have my bar {without a cart} stored in a stained and laquered wood wine box I picked up at the Wine Store for $5. Not a bad score actually and it keeps everything contained and out of reach from little hands. Not to mention I love the Chateau Margaux embossed on the side of it. I'm keeping my eye out for the perfect cart. Wish me luck!

Chateau Margaux wood wine case

At the heart of it a bar cart allows your guest to participate. It feels informal and relaxed. It harkens back to a simpler time doesn't it? How civilized.

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Parisian Bathrooms



Not that most Parisian bathrooms have this much space, but it's the light that they capture that is best described here. Certainly the lighting choices don't hurt either. Keep it light, sparkly and romantic. Layer the wall sconces, frame the mirrors and keep the finished shiny. Chrome is most typical.

Nate Berkus - Katie Lee's Bathroom NYC via pinterest



Those Fab, Fug yourself girls

True story, there was a time when I couldn't go a half hour without checking in on a cheeky blog or two and one of my favorites are the ladies at http://www.gofugyourself.com Who would have thought someone could make fashion commentating so witty but they have. So imagine my pleasure when today I carve 3 min away from Pinterest to check in on them. They have written a new young adult (tween) book and the minute I read that the two main characters share a father named...wait for it... Brick Berlin (HA!! how camp) I knew I had to sneak a copy into the house and try to pass it off as my middle son Max's book. Check out Spoiled by Heather Cooks and Jessica Morgan

The art of the dressing table

For me, the old-fashioned idea of a woman’s dressing table being this central place of beauty and adornment, an explosion of all things feminine, a small corner of the world belonging solely to a house’s mistress. It just seems so romantic. Or maybe I'm just saying that because I live in a house with 4 boys.                   

How pretty, sterling mint julep cups for brushes

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Something about it just makes me want to take a deep breath and enjoy a few minuites by myself.

Source: Uploaded by user via sk on Pinterest

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Just how FAB is all that Hermes orange??

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Beautiful little wood dressing table

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Do you have a favorite spot in the house?