Goodwill Finds

Found a vase incredibly similar to this one for 1.99.

Potterybarn silver plated candlesticks 1.99 each.

Porcelain egg cup 0.29.

Five Duralex glasses 0.59 each.

Stainless steel cooling rack(the only needed item of the trip) 0.99.

Six Rodgers Bros. 1847 Anniversary silver plated spoons 0.29 each.

Christmas Decor: Magnolia Leaves

Magnolia leaves make an easy and inexpensive( having access to free leaves helps) wreath project. Supplies needed; magnolia leaves, paper cardboard, scissors, craft paint(I combined black and silver to make a metallic charcoal), and glue gun. I made several wreathes following these directions.

Porcelain Pinecones

Coe & Waito

Marshmallow Snowflakes

Today while real snowflakes fell outside I came to the conclusion that I should try making my own marshmallows. Really not sure why I haven't tried this before! This recipe is my starting point to which I will change out the corn syrup for brown rice syrup and add the seeds of half a vanilla bean.

New/Old Favorite Candles

My first introduction to Voluspa candles was three years ago while visiting Colorado. The scents are beautiful, the burn time high and the packaging is lovely. My most recent purchase came from Anthropologie but another great candle source is Candles Off Main.

Small Kitchen Love

Who says small tiny kitchens can't be stunning...some of my favorite kitchens from Domino.

Savon De Marseille

I have been using Savon De Marseille(body wash) and Lait Corporel(body lotion ) for the last couple weeks and I really like it. The packaging is as clean and lovely as the product. Both were found at Tuesday Morning for less than half the retail price.

Peonies

While shopping at the grocery store this evening among the holly and wintergreen I noticed bunches of pink peonies. How can peonies not make a person happy!

First Image: Martha Stewart

Second Image: Interior Designer Grant K. Gibson

Pensacola Part Two: Dining and Living Room

Collecting these photos I realized two things. First I really should have taken more photos of our house by the sea and two I'm a really horrible photographer. Regardless of the few and badly taken photos I have ...I feel really blessed to have lived in such a historical home.

Paperwork

Finding a filing system for our mounds of paper has definitely been a challenge... but I think I may have something that actually works. The system is based an article I read in Spaces Kansas City magazine. It includes the use of a basic pocket folder, a few three ring binders, and a portable filing box. For me organization and aesthetics go hand in hand. Ikea and See Jane Work have some great basic solutions for organizing a home office which I love.

Pretty Blue Maryland Farmhouse

James has been wanting to live in the country again. I think that this house built in the 1890's sitting on five acres would be perfect for us. Only downside is that it would be a 30 minute commute to the base. It's just so adorable with it's Colonial exterior, screened in porch, and hardwood floors.

Croissants

Supposedly the same company that makes croissants for Williams-Sonoma also makes them for Trader Joe's only in smaller portions and at a fraction of the price. Yay... for croissants!

Pensacola Part One: Lost Photos

This time last year we were still living in Florida. James and I loved living there...so much in fact that we became Florida residents. In the process of moving from NAS Pensacola to Fort Rucker we lost our camera and the last set of photos taken on it. I really thought that they were gone forever...until this August when the housing company at NAS informed us that they had found our camera in our old house. So here are a few images of my favorite abandoned buildings. The first is Jacques Seafood...always thought that this would make a really cool apartment. The second building was down the sidewalk and across the street from our home. Also known as the 1754 house or Cheddar the Orange Kitty's Place. Due to hazardous mold the house was closed off...but that didn't keep Cheddar from living on the porch. This area of the house is also were the Federal Prisoners used to take breaks when working on the grounds. The overgrown garden seen to the left still had flowering plants which I used to cut and take home with me. I'm sure the MP's thought I was crazy but I had to use them.

Snow

Its snowing here in Albuquerque for the second time this week...my goodness I love snow! Photos provided by the National Weather service.

Looks Like Moth Design

These coral inspired sconces from Moth Design are beautiful...but come with a very high end price tag. However, Z Gallerie just placed a very similar looking sconce on sale for 29.99. I think I might need these for our guest bedroom.

Cute Things for Henri's Nursery

I really haven't spent much time or effort putting together a nursery for our little boy. There is just something about moving across the country right after the babys born and then living in an Air Force TLF (temporary living facility) for 6 months to a year...that has really changed my focus. It's all about the basics right now! However, these two items had such exceptional design I really could not pass them up. The animal alphabet cards are from Martha Stewart's craft line. These animals are adorable(couldn't you just squeeze the Marmot?) and were only six dollars with a coupon. As for the rugs they were purchased at Big Lots...I saw them from across the store and pretty much made a fool of myself running over to the stack. Yes, my husband was pretending he didn't know me but I was acting fairly insane. I love a black and white stripe rug and at only seven dollars I bought two. It's definitely going to be several months before these items get used but when they do I think Henri is really going to enjoy them.

Does having a boy make you more girly?

I've heard women say that when expecting a baby girl they craved everything pink. So what does it mean when you're attracted to pink and expecting a baby boy....not really sure...all I know is that I can't get enough pink.

Pink Soap- Chanel

Bow Necklace(okay this is not pink but it's very girly) - Tiffany & co.

Shoes-Saks

Pretty Much the Prettiest Lipstick Ever

I've been on the search for a good pink lipstick for my extremely pale skin. Yves Saint Laurent has some beautiful pink shades and stunning packaging.

Covering Up An Ugly Light Fixture

We have a light fixture hung in the craziest location of our living room. I'm thinking of covering it with one of these white oversized lanterns. Just a side note always make sure to use a lantern made for electrical lighting...you don't want a house fire.

Pacific Coast

I love Pacific Coast products... especially their down pillows. You can get these great pillows on sale here. I purchased a couple for 23.00 each with a coupon. I love these pillows!

Baby Clothes

I spent a good portion of yesterday shopping for baby clothing and was sadly disappointed... no purchases were made. Don't get me started on the puke green safari theme I keep running into! So to avoid buying seriously ugly and expensive baby clothes, I'm sticking to solid white onesies and tee's with a little embellishment. 

Alabama is Smokey

Living in Alabama is still a bit of an adjustment. The field and trash burning has been pretty constant since we moved here in November. I'm starting to think in this area of Alabama ... people just like to light things on fire! So when the smoke gets bad I stay inside organizing our paper work, de-cluttering the house, and nursery planning for our cute Baby. Here are some items I'm thinking about putting in the nursery. Wooden helicopter from Tiny McSmall, Paper Flowers from Martha Stewart Crafts( placed over the crib as a mobile), and Crib from Target.