Kelly Frances Dunn

At My 12

2012-01-01T01:18:00.002-05:00

At my six is 2011.

At my twelve is 2012, all 365 days of it.

Do I look behind...I should. Blessings, mistakes, record highs and temperature lows of life give me volumes of books to stand on and see a blank canvas waiting in a warm tomorrow.

Do I look to my left or right...I should. Those standing by me and around me should always be accounted for, thanked and given a moment to be shared.

Do I look ahead...Absolutely! Blogging, designing, picturing and creating is a part of me and I have not abandoned any part of what lies in my heart of hearts.

Original photograph was taken by me in 2011 and all edits are my work as well.

Whether it be changing the number of the year, changing how we feel, changing our hats or simply changing the color of the stripes on our walls, may you have an inspiring start to the new year and that you are above all else, happy.

I hope you enjoy this piece I designed trying to capture everything I had in mind.

Ninety Eight

2011-06-28T01:59:00.000-04:00

My husband's grandmother has passed away. We are headed to Kentucky. The last time we saw her, we never knew it would be...the last time.

MeMa and my youngest

When my husband and I were dating, she was already at the point of telling the same stories, over and over, but still had a sparkle in her eyes. In recent years she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, which progressed very quickly. We have never lived close enough to witness the decline.

This time is definitely more about my husband and his side of the family. However, she now knows just how I always felt about her. From the moment we first met, she was willing to talk to me and share. Maybe I was just really willing to listen. She took the pressure of joining a family and made me feel like I just might belong. I don't have much to remember her by, except for a few pictures and the conversations that were had. I do have two items that she gave me and they have always been front and center in our home. One sits at our desktop and the other I used to wear daily on my right hand, until I found it to be too fragile for every day wear.

Simply put, she was proof that there are moments with people that are perfectly orchestrated by a higher love when you need it most. A smile, a laugh, a hug, a gesture, a story. My son says I say the same things over and over right now. MeMa was a little older than I, so I guess age is truly is just a number :)

Whatever age and whatever stage you have made it to today, it's a milestone...it's a gift.

Is there something special about someone that you will someday miss?

One of my favorite pictures, my youngest son snooping around at her place.

My oldest son, hugging good bye...the last time.

I will be back soon.

XOXO

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

2011-06-25T00:37:00.002-04:00

Skies are blue...

...and I'm tickled pink!

We are currently in the middle of our family beach trip. I never meant to drop off the face off the earth, but packing for an entire summer, well there is just no easy way to get out the door. We made it and here we are. We will not stay here the entire summer, just the beginning of our travels. The internet use has been touch and go. I will keep in touch! My husband is on vacation time, my kids are out of school and I am trying to cherish these days of the warm sunshine in our forecast and in my heart.

XOXO

Shelly, Oly, Holy Moly

2011-06-15T00:00:00.002-04:00

Oly was founded in Berkeley, California in 1999 by Bay Area
designers Kate McIntyre and Brad Huntzinger, whose vision
was to simply provide good designs at affordable prices. Oly’s
furniture,accessories, and lighting present a fresh blend of
clean lines and antique motifs. Blending the traditional with
the contemporary, Oly provides retailers and designers with a
style that works well in a wide range of environments. The Oly
line is designed in-house by Kate and Brad who have been
designing award-winning furniture for over 15 years. The
products are manufactured at our own factory overseas
and warehouse in and shipped out of California. Every piece is
handcrafted and has natural variations.

Copy from Candleabra, Inc.

Since we are head to the beach and every year we bring back more seashells than I know what to do with, I discovered this gorgeous source of home decor and more for ideas. I am just featuring things made with seashells, but they have almost 500 decor pieces at Candelabra, Inc. Not that I will be designing my own line anytime soon, it does give me some ideas on a much smaller scale of what I could do for the waterfront property that keeps calling my name when I put a shell to my ear!

MIRROR, MIRROR

OIy Studio Venus Mirror

Oly Studio Nest Round Mirror-Small

SCONCE ON THE WALL

Oly Studio Atlantis Sconce

WHO IS THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL?

Oly Tahiti Shell Collection, small

WITH THESE DISPLAYS FROM OLY

YOU DON'T HAVE TO CHOOSE A FAVORITE SHELL!

Avail at

I love to window shop here!

Worth SHELLING out the big bucks for??

At least collecting them is free...

...and so is taking their picture!

Winter Flushing

2011-06-13T00:53:00.000-04:00

I think this country can officially say winter cold is so yesterday and the summer heat it here! It's the time when we all shed. We shed our coats, we purged our homes during spring cleaning, our clothing covers less ground and the meat comes out...I mean for the grill! After our skin has that initial exposure time with the sun, it's then we being to shine. Blah's and blues are melted away. Cool beverages and splash time wake us up. We turn all shades of red, tan, brown and blush. Painted toes, sunblock on the nose, our grass grows and everything about us...just fades to glow :)

This being the first week of our summer vacation, I am thrilled to welcome our official start to June, July and August. This is one of the last works I had been working on right before my camera tanked. I do have a new camera that I look forward to working with this summer. As upset as I was that I wasn't looking to replace my good buddy, I know that timing is everything and with my future business plans hanging in the balance, this was probably a blessing in disguise. As we pack up this week and head out for the rest of the summer, you will be getting a tour of our travels documented by all my great and not so shots with my new friend. This will be my summer school, so I ask that you grade me on a curve!

Have a wonderful, happy Mon Day :)

The French Cafe

2011-06-10T00:00:00.001-04:00

My dear friend had loaned me three books that bring her much joy and thought she would pass on the pleasure. Two of the books were European interiors, also in a language that I could not understand. I reverted back to my toddler days where turning each page and just enjoying the pictures were all I needed to sponge up out of the book. The 3rd book, was in English and my favorite by a mile. Pictures worth a thousand words and a good read no doubt. I thought I would pass it on to any French loving, cafe going, culture club connoissuers!

Bienvenue

The inside jacket reads:

`The French cafe epitomizes the French art of living. Through its timeless glass doors float the aromas of strong coffee and black tobacco, hot milk and fresh croissants. The cafe, open early till late, is both focus and microcosm of society. Friends talk; lovers linger; the white saucers pile up as the world goes by; a lone customer comes in to read the newspapers or for a petit verre at the bar. The French cafe is a refuge, a place to meet, to sit, to see and be seen.

An essential book for anyone interested in French life and culture, here is a wonderfully new and intimate look at a great institution, from the grand establishments dating from the beginning of the century to the small rural bistro, from the workers' local cafes to the legendary Parisian cares where the poets, painters and philosophers gathered. From Directoire decoration to Starck style, this book reveals the rich variety and extraordinary inventiveness of cafe design.'

With 211 illustrations, 194 in color

If that isn't enough to bring you to a seated position, maybe a couple of photographs and captions will do.

`The Grand Cafe, Moulins. Haunt of Rene Fallet and his friend Georges Brassens, of Coco Chanel and singer Boggy Lapointe. All campaigning politicians make a stop here. There days it offers brasserie service and organizes Saturday evening concerts in its theatre-like gallery.'

`The Cafe de l'Industrie, Paris. Gerard Le Flem, traveller and film director, owns this little care of the 1880's which he has enlarged by teh addition of two enormous rooms opening on to a little indoor garden. It attracts all teh young in-crowd of the Bastille district. The design, recreated on the basis of a few surviving features, combines a certain dreamy exoticism with strict economy of means. Dietrich songs are played in the background.'

This book truly delves into the term that we so often throw around "French cafe", or how about "French" or "Cafe" :) It's a history lesson in petit doses with all the staples of a classic French meal that will sit well with you no matter what time of day you crack open this book.

Since today if finally the last day of school, I will officially put this on my list of summer reads, already read. It's 110 pages of a lifestyle 300 years in the making.

Soins de se joindre à moi?

Care to join me?

Have a delightful weekend XO

Yard Sale

2011-06-08T00:00:00.005-04:00

On Saturday we had a garage sale with our next door neighbor. I would have donated the stuff long ago, but my kids were really eager to have one and earn a buck or two. They really are a lot of work and I wanted to keep the set up easy and not have to borrow too many things for display. So here is my tip I came up with after running out of rack space:

I used my garden stakes and an old pole... voila...more space!

I also used a single stake and that worked well for hanging handbags

I was pretty proud of my innovative thinking. I could just be the last one to know and maybe people do this all the time. I have no idea, but I thought I would share it anyway...just in case and pass on a helpful piece for any of you yard sale sellers!

I read some stats and yard sales are a BIG business out there. Over 60 million people will yard sale this year. Clearly they were not at my home. There was a lot of down time. See below my example. My college girl next door noticed it looked like I was wearing fish net stockings from the shadowing of our table. So I spent the next 5 minutes taking a picture of it.

You know this was big time since I don't usually post pictures of myself!! :)

Mostly I just loved to see the excitement on my kids faces when they saw kids jump out of the car and head to the toy station they had set up so meticulously. You'd think that the 50 cent sale was a million dollar deal. I love that. Then my 5 year old looks at the two quarters and asks his big brother,

"So how many of those do we need to get to buy ourselves a puppy or a baby sister?"

Asked and now Answered

2011-06-06T00:12:00.000-04:00

Thank you for your input and playing the guessing game to my photo on Friday :) It has been quite the busy weekend and we are heading into the last week of school for my kids. I am just as ready for the break as my kids are. On Sunday we went out on our boat. It was a beautiful day and how appropriate that we were because that is where the Freaky Friday photo was taken last summer.

The answer is D, it was none of the above. Most guessed hair clippings...sure does look like it!

There once was a time when a photograph was just that, a moment captured in time, honest and complete truth. Hence the phrase "Pictures don't lie." Well, that's not so true anymore. With the amazing advancement in cameras and the introduction of editing tools, the innocence is lost and master manipulation reigns supreme. This evolution isn't bad, it's just not as simple as it once was. Nothing is ever black and white :)

So what is the original picture?

It is a picture that was taken after altering the settings on my camera to capture the light that is bouncing off of the water at the lake. Here is a picture of just the light hitting the water...

I wanted a close up of the actual light bouncing around and the movement with the water. I altered the White Balance, the Aperture and the ISO. The only editing added was change the colors and that is why it looks like hair.

I hope you found this interesting and maybe inspiring enough to take the time to try something new, not just on a camera, but maybe on any device you might own. I know there are features my microwave can do that I haven't even tapped into. Same goes for my cell phone! Technology is supposed to make life easier, but it usually ends up being to overwhelming to use everything to it's full potential. My camera is my safe haven and the place I channel what brain power I have left in my down time.

What is your go to gadget?

Freaky Friday

2011-06-03T00:18:00.002-04:00

I haven't done one of these in a long time, so I thought I would have some fun and post this picture...

And now ask the question, What Am I?

A) A 3D drawing with fine pencil strokes and I shot down and added contrast

B) Hair clippings positioned under glass and I shot upwards outside

C) A slinky uncoiling and I shot at an even level as it uncoiled with a slow shutter speed

D) Something else. If so...what?

Nothing like a brain teaser on a Friday when we are trying to brain dump!

I've been trying to hold true to a M, W, F posting schedule. See you on Monday for the answer :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

TILT SHIFT WISH

2011-06-01T00:00:00.006-04:00

Subject: Lake home on Lake Norman, NC

Owner: Have no idea, I just know it's not me

Cost: Nothing to dream a little dream

The little red boat was too cute to pass up!

What tends to float your boat?

**Picture taken summer 2010**

Decoration Day

2011-05-30T00:00:00.000-04:00

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. It is a day to remember and honor those who have died in our nation's service.

The least we can do is decorate our homes with the flag and our hearts with gratitude :)

This room by Wisteria is something that just made me smile.

How perfect for....

Decoration Day!

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend

Spin Class

2011-05-27T00:00:00.001-04:00

I came along

I wrote a song for you

And everything you do

Yeah, they were all `yellow'

So then I took my time

Oh what a thing to've done

And it was all yellow

YELLOW by Coldplay

May the sun shine bright from the inside out this day and everyday!

Sun Kissed

2011-05-25T00:00:00.002-04:00

With the sun out a little brighter, a little longer and a little hotter...I am thinking of a recipe for the body and soul that will give us that extra glow...

Beach bound 2011. Ready to go?

Ahhh, summer and the sand in your toes! XOXO

P.S. I just found out I am being featured over at The Buzz blog by Diane James Home.

How wonderful a gesture and so not surprising from the classiest place to find flowers and extra special gifts.

Thank you!

Hanky Panky

2011-05-23T00:00:00.003-04:00

My Inspiration:

Bobbin Lace Hankerchief c. 1800 with fine white detailing.

The crown emblem potentially tells the story that it once belonged to a royal family.

marianiforos.com

My Creation:

Spring Buddies, c. 2011

What delicate details will you be working on today?

Have a good one :) XO

Sugar Plums Dance In My Head

2011-05-19T00:57:00.001-04:00

It's 1am, Thursday morning. Just because I am not asleep yet, doesn't mean I'm not already dreaming!

This is the bedroom of Designer Lisa Martensen...

image via D Magazine, photo by Stephen Karlisch

Good night and Good morning!

Drying and Trying

2011-05-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

Well, my absence is due to my parents visiting from Texas since last week. Tomorrow is their last day/night and then they will head west again Thursday morning. They came in town to surprise my oldest son who tested for his black belt in Tae Kwon Do on Saturday morning. He passed and we are so very proud of his accomplishment.

I also have not been typing much lately, since I almost succeeded in chopping the tip of my finger off cutting carrots for my pot roast. As I type right now, I am trying with one finger in the air on my left hand and my right hand is giving the backspace button quite a work out.

Today my youngest had beginner's day for kindergarten. Knowing he's walking into school and out of my arms this fall had me pretty teary eyed...worse than when I hurt my finger!

My picture for mid week are the roses that have begun to dry up. Thrown out on the back deck, headed for the trash, I somehow still found they had a pulse and found them to be beautiful even past their prime.

Hope you are having a great week! If you are attending blogfest 2011, I know you are :) XOXO

Influential

2011-05-14T00:00:00.001-04:00

Petals, they have beauty AND brains.

He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me, he loves me not...

He loves me

He loves me not

He loves me

Hanging Heart by Jeff Koons

Koons' "Hanging Heart" sold in 2007 at Sotheby's for $23.6 million setting a record for the most expensive artpiece by a living artist ever auctioned.

Did your heart ever receive comfort and counsel from a rose?

Scantily Clad Plaid

2011-05-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

There once was a print named Plaid

graphicssoft.about.com

Plaid was pretty rad

thebudgetbabe.com

Along came Paisley, Pinstripe, Chevron and Ikat

They told Plaid, "You might as well scat!"

Well, Plaid got mad...

fashionising.com

And set out to prove it's not just a fad!

apartmenttheraphy.com

Now presenting Plaid all scantily clad!

Original series created by me. Will be available together or separately in my shop.

Are you mad for plaid?

Mom

2011-05-09T00:00:00.002-04:00

Mom. Such a short and to the point title for a job that is far from that. Mothering is a lifetime commitment and there is nothing easy about it. The only thing that comes easy is the instant love you have for a life that you've never met. Whether by adoption or growing in your belly, there is nothing as fierce and protective a feeling that begins from the moment you know a soul has been assigned to your permanent to do, to love and to cherish list. The rest is hard.

It is hard labor. It is hard not getting sleep. It is hard to run errands. It is hard to leave. It is hard to watch your baby fall. It is hard to walk them into school. It is hard to hear them cry. It is harder to keep your eyes dry. It is hard to say no. It is hard to schedule everything. It is hard to give more when you thought you had already done that the day before. It is hard to see yourself in their eyes. It is hard to let them make the mess and try. It is harder to pull things off once they can read and tell time! It is hard to not be hard on ourselves and keep our feelings in line.

Yet no matter the pain, I see it as my greatest gain. Nothing else defines me like my two boys that came from the place I strive to get their souls back to. This main event of being "Mom" is worth any anguish. There are no words to describe the mosts beautiful moments I have had being a mommy. The smell of a baby, the softness of their skin, their innocence, the trust, the bond, the laughter and the understanding that is unspoken...and as they get older, the understanding that has to be shouted for the 19th time :)

I put my boys to bed. Once I know they are asleep, I go back and I sit near them and give them kisses they can't refuse. Tonight I just looked at them and thought about my wonderful mom....how did she do it all these years? She once told me that "it is a never ending job". I smiled to myself and thought that is good :) To think that my greatest title could ever expire, would be very hard.

I created this piece for all the lovely women out there. For anyone who has already lost their mom. For anyone who has mourned the loss of a child. For those who aren't mothers, we as women are capable of loving and nurturing all that is good in life :)

Happy Mother's Day

XOXO

The Rain In A Bow

2011-05-06T06:00:00.015-04:00

There have been lots of rainstorms passing through these parts lately. Since I have yet to see a rainbow, I got out my grandmothers crystals that are waiting to be restrung and made my own. To my sparkly, colorful, blogger friends, have a wonderful weekend!

"Whoever you are, where will you be?

Are you the same old dreamer out there waiting only for me?

Waitin' for love, waitin' for the same old dreamer on the other side

Hopin' that no matter how far I'm gonna find my way to you

Followin' a rainbow"

Rainbow ~ Colbie Caillat

Thanks for another great week and thank you for followin' me :)

To hear this song:

P.S. If you like this picture, let me know...

I am still trying to decide which one will be my first giveaway to launch my store!

Catch My Bouquet

2011-05-04T00:30:00.001-04:00

With the 2011 wedding season off to a grand start with the royal wedding this past weekend, I created a bouquet of flowers just for all of you to catch!

I just adore the song Marry Me by Train.

"You'll wear white and I'll wear out the words I Love You. And You're beautiful."

Yes, a bouquet is the beginning of joining two lives, one love and our forever in a blessed day :)

My creation above will also be available in my shop

Well FINE!

2011-05-02T05:00:00.004-04:00

Warning: I haven't been blogging, so I've got a lot to say!

Image via flickr photostream

Back from our Easter/spring break. It was a lovely two weeks and now begins the countdown to the end of school :)

Since my kids are back to school today, I thought we'd have a lesson here about Fine Art. Fine art is strictly for aesthetics as opposed to applied art. Placing the word FINE just before the word art does not necessarily give the piece its seal of quality, rather it comes from a deeper understanding of the artist and the origin of their vision.

Antique Camera by Fineartamerica.com

Fine art is used to preface an artist's repertoire of masterful works and near perfect technique of their craft. Just like art, the definition itself is hard to grasp. Either way, visual art is something that has exploded in modern times. Throughout history, art and artists have so often been secluded to their own world and intricate minds. Today we find ourselves very saturated with the beauty and freedom our culture has embraced of artists everywhere. Celebrating as they are discovered and grow instead of only recognizing the greats once they are long gone.

I for one have always been a lover of the arts in all forms. Historically the five major categories of fine arts were painting, architecture, sculpture, music and poetry. The minors were drama and dance. With much gratitude to evolution, we can now add collage, installation, calligraphy, photography, printmaking, conceptual art and many more sub categories within each of these listed.

Necklace at Etsy.com

After announcing I have taken the steps to emerge as a new Etsy store owner, I got cold feet. I have always been passionate about the things I do and create. I am most at ease when I know that nobody will see it except for me. Over the break, I decided that perfecting my craft and pushing the limits of what I can do it something I need to do.

As you know, I am mad about details. The smallest of things is where my mind conjures up the biggest ideas. My love for fine living and beautiful surroundings is second to none. My camera and photography is where the magic happens in my everyday life. One of the things I love to do is when I get a monthly design publication, I look at all the art in each of the rooms. I challenge myself to create an original work of art that I also think would rival (not take the place of) the amazing fine art chosen by either the discerning homeowner or talented designer. The final piece is never a simile, just something that I am proud of and dream of being worthy of the public eye as well.

Being disconnected for some time over spring break (yes, I don't have an iphone or internet connection on my cell), I did stay connected to my laptop and worked very hard on works that I plan to put in my shop. If all goes well, someday I can afford my own domain. Until then, let this blog be the groundwork for what I will place on Etsy and hopefully launch a very old dream I have long dreamed.

Kicking it OLD school at Turbosquid.com

My next few posts will be creative photography works (some possibly already posted) and the ones with the most comments will be my first giveaway. I do not want to sell prints by the masses. I plan to produce high end quality finished works of art (framed and canvased) to those that will have the confidence to hang my pieces on their walls.

I figured there is no greater extreme than the hot and cold that runs through our emotions. The physical hot and cold that we experience on opposite ends of the earth. The hot and cold that is so beautifully stated when you hear FIRE AND ICE.

Here is a two part series I have created and entitled Fire and Nice. I hope the latter is what your response will be!

The Fire picture has a circular pattern to it, much like a ball of fire. Much like our feelings we ball up and let rotate and tumble around in our minds and hearts. It's also representative of never ending passion.

The Nice picture has a squared focal point, much like an ice cube and how angular and edgy things can be when we let things get the best of us. The obvious would be sharp the feeling of actual frosty cold. Blue is also soothing and can set our minds adrift a never ending sea of creativity.

Notice that they are also off center, one to the left and the other to the right, as they are opposites that will hopefully attract :)

Once my shop is open, these will be available as a pair or can be ordered individually.

Happy Monday and much Love,

Fine Art Photographer

Wi no Fi

2011-04-25T15:36:00.002-04:00

Hello! When we left for Georia on the day of my last post, I was unaware that my in-laws did not have Wi-Fi!! We return home tomorrow and I will catch up with everyone then. Hope a joy filled Easter was had by all.

Egg Rolls

2011-04-21T01:03:00.002-04:00

The most famous egg roll takes place on the White House lawn every year. I have never been, but have always wondered what it's really like to step foot on probably the most well manicured lawn in the U.S. Taken straight from the internet at a ask and answer site, here is the skinny:

The White House Easter Egg Roll is an annual family event to hunt for and race Easter Eggs on the White House Lawn while enjoying storytelling and a visit with the Easter Bunny. The holiday tradition has a long history dating back to 1878 when President Rutherford B. Hayes officially opened the White House grounds to local children for egg rolling on Easter Monday. Successive Presidents have continued the tradition of inviting children to the White House Lawn for egg rolling and other activities and entertainment.

The White House will open the South Lawn to children age twelve and under, along with their families, to enjoy sports, cooking classes, live musical performances, storytelling and the traditional White House Easter Egg Roll. The 2011 event will feature the theme of “Get Up and Go!” promoting health and wellness with activities that encourage children to lead healthy and active lives and follow the First Lady’s ‘Let’s Move!’ initiative.
Date: April 25, 2011, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: White House,1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC (202) 456-7041. All guests will enter the event from the Ellipse and will go through a security screening process. See a map

From the Library of Congress, here are some archived photos of good times once had...

Here is White House Egg Roll 1898

White House Egg Roll Scramble 1929

Children with the Easter Bunny 1982

Here is an aerial view of the 2001 White House Easter Egg Roll

This was the scene just last year at the White House Egg Roll 2010

Speaking of egg rolls, if you haven't tried the Avocado Egg Rolls at The Cheesecake Factory, they are a delicious must!

Okay, back on track. You should never post when you're hungry. I leave you with art from my youngest son.

He spent hours and numerous attempts at making the perfect egg on the perfect bed of grass. I am proud :)

How do you plan to roll this Easter?

The Way It Was

2011-04-20T01:02:00.003-04:00

Friday I went on a field trip to a plantation home and living farm with my son's 3rd grade class. It was a great way for our i-lectronically charged children to learn about `the way it was', a long time ago...in a galaxy far far away.

There was much to take in, and unfortunately I wasn't allowed to take in my camera to the main home :( I did manage to get my shutter on walking around and I thought I would just post some pictures today of the hard life, that was simply complex.

A tour guide

A thirsty ride

Some beebles and bobbles

An itchy bed that wobbles

Tools that were Top Notch

And the windows that kept watch

I laugh thinking about time warps and going back to tell these people that I would be blogging and posting digital pictures of their spread, with a possible tweet and upload to Face Book via my laptop...what kind of look do you think they would have on their faces??

You're KIDDING me right?!

Have a great 21st century kind of day :)

WOI

2011-04-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

I am just itching to get my hands on any issue of WOI, World of Interiors.

The World of Interiors is a British publication is the cream of the crop when it comes to amazing quality and insight to the world of passionately put together interiors and the finest living spaces to date. Amazon.com's product description is "Original and innovative magazine where interior design and fashion meet. Serves as an invaluable source of inspiration and reference fore design and decorating ideas."

At $120 for a year subscription, I think I'll have to wait for a random magazine swap or score big in the waiting room at a doctor visit. This is a rare occasion where the high price tag has me even more intrigued!!

Any of you have the whole world in your hands?

August Heat

2011-04-18T00:00:00.001-04:00

When you think of August, you think hot. By then we are wearing as little as possible with little regard for how cool we look!

Perhaps that is what Auguste Rodin was channeling when the French sculptor made L'age d'airain in 1876. Translation means Age of Bronze.

Hello!

I know. Trying to keep this educational. Art and it's history is something that I love almost as much as the works themselves. The little plaques that give a snippet of the plot as to why the piece had been created. The cliff notes that just scratch the surface of genius or what some view as complete madness. Either way, it all comes from somewhere deep within a creative mind and that is always a beautiful place to go. At least it is in my world :)

So, without further adieu, I give you the caption and a softer edited version of this piece. Taken at the Nasher Sculpture Center in the Arts District of Dallas when I went home last month. This was one of the more interesting behind (no pun intended) the scenes...

"This is one of only a few know life-size plaster casts of The Age of Bronze, Rodin's first true masterpiece. Rodin had originally entitle hit work The Vanquished as a tribute to casualties in the recent Franco-Prussian war. His model was a soldier, and Rodin first showed him holding a spear upright in his left hand. By removing the spear, Rodin created an ambiguity of meaning that puzzled critics, some of whom also found the supple modeling of anatomy so life-like that they accused Rodin of making a mold directly from the model's body. To defend himself, Rodin produced photographs of his model in the same pose for comparison. He also changed the work's title playing upon the sense of awakening created by the figure's upraised arms and closed eyes, to suggest the dawning of ancient man's self-consciousness."

Have a most unbelievable Monday!

What will your plaque say about what you created today?

Planet Plantation

2011-04-15T00:29:00.000-04:00

I am going on a field trip today with my oldest sons class. We will visit a circa 1800 cotton plantation and living history farm. There is even a Cotswold sheep that just gave birth to a little girl named Nathalie, adorable!

How about these sheep sculpture stools I found at Apartment Therapy, interesting...

stools by Moss for $1200

Well I know I can't get enough of Antebellum homes! Like this one in Wilmington, NC, the Orton Plantation home built in 1725...

Refresher course: Antebellum is Latin meaning "Before the war". This term is usually associated with homes of the US, specifically pre civil war culture. The architecture is the breathtaking neoclassical style that came to define the most southern of southern homes.

I found these beautiful notecards at Louisianaimagesartcards.com ...

So have a great Friday, clock out early and may you be

GONE WITH THE WIND

Aha

2011-04-14T00:17:00.003-04:00

A-ha was the first Norwegian band to hit the US charts with the number one song Take on Me.

Ok, I know that you have it in your head now. You hear it once or are reminded of it and there is that high "I'll be gone, in a day or twwwwwooooooo!" Catchy tunes. Can't name off of the top of my head any of their other songs that stretch back to the 80's/90's. So I looked it up.

At first my hair was blown up and away much like these images that popped up all over my screen...

This one made go Ahhh, Ha Ha!!

But seriously, here is a list of their hit songs:

Did Anyone Approach You

Early Morning

Forever Not Yours

Here I Stand And Face The Rain

Living A Boy's Adventure Tale

The Living Daylights

Love Is Reason

Manhattan Skyline

Minor Earth Major Sky

Move To Memphis

Stay On These Roads

Summer Moved On

The Sun Always Shines On TV

I was editing and preparing an art post, and I'm just going to stop right here with this picture

With the exception of Manhattan Skyline and Moved to Memphis, I did crack up because any other song titles listed above would go quite well to naming this picture! Front runners would be, The Blue Sky, I Dream Myself Alive and Train of Thought :) A HA!

May you have brilliant moments today and catchy tunes to soundtrack your life.

XOXO

Better Hearts and Gardens

2011-04-12T07:31:00.001-04:00

Yesterday a wonderful friend surprised me with a bouquet of roses. When I asked why, she said Just Because and I Love You. It's moments like that you realize people do think of you and the hope that you contribute to peoples lives in an uplifting manner is so important. If anything I should have been giving her the flowers. She is someone who stuck by me when we first moved here and I was having nothing to do with settling in. She introduced me to people and built a circle of friends around me that stood back and let me grow into them. Patience is a virtue and the sign of higher love. Thank you Catherine, Cheri, Stacy, Melanie, Janet, Janelle and Mary :)

Of course I had to do a mini photo shoot with my sweet smelling bundle of joy!

I have a rose chart in my laundry room. It's little, but is always there and just makes me happy. It lists the color of roses and their meaning.

RED: Love, Passion, Respect, Courage

YELLOW: Joy, Friendship, Freedom

PINK: Happiness, Gratitude, Appreciation, Admiration

CREAM: Thoughtfulness, Charm, Graciousness

ORANGE: Admiration, Fascination, Enthusiasm, Desire

WHITE: Innocence, Purity, Secrecy, Reverence

Have a great day all you multi talented peoples out there! Just remember, petals or thorns, if you mess with the bull you get the horns! :) It's a lovely gentle reminder to the kids...ha!

Is Any Bunny Home?

2011-04-11T08:33:00.001-04:00

I am sure that is the question you've asked if you've been by my blog in the last 2 weeks. I had to ask myself that question! I am here, all is well. No excuses, just reasons for being absent. Yet here is another Monday and I refuse to let my blog be one of the balls that drops as I juggle life :) We are all busy and we do what we can.

So let's get crackin!

I did turn ONE last weekend! Nothing like missing your own party. But I did go ahead and prepare favors. I have been contacted a few times for prints of my photos. I have recently been providing friends with canvas wraps of my work as well. So I decided to finally take the steps to open a Style Attic shop at Etsy. I am working on what creations to put up first and there will be a giveaway and maybe 3 prints to choose from. If you have seen anything in previous posts that you really liked, please, let me know!

Have a wonderful Monday and I'll see you soon XOXO

Mamma's Coming Home

2011-03-28T00:33:00.000-04:00

Thanks to my husband, I have had 6 days and 5 nights to come and visit my family. He has been flying solo and playing Mr. Mom the whole time!

Today I will be flying home.

Last time I talked to the kids, my nine year old had two statements:

"I miss you." and "I love you."

My five year old had two questions:

"Do you remember what I look like?" and "Are you bringing me a surprise?"

This Monday may you tend to matters of the heart or get to the heart of what matters :)

Much Obliged

2011-03-25T01:55:00.003-04:00

Howdy! I arrived Texas on Wednesday

I have been virtually unplugged since arriving. Greeted by my parents and beautiful sunshine, Dallas is in full bloom. Wisteria is everywhere...

Lemon tree buds and their intoxicating scent fills the air

And the most precious of all is the true blue state flower of Texas...the Bluebonnet, found lining the highways and standing tall :)

Tomorrow we will head to the Nasher Sculpture Center in downtown Dallas

Taken from their website this is an aerial view of the Sculpture Center's Arts District site. This land is the foundation to a 55,000 square foot state of the art building made of amazing materials incorporated into a most architecturally genius structure.

Headed to The Gardens to experience the Martin Creed Sightings Installation is where we will enjoy our time tomorrow. Here is a direct link to the Garden Detail on their homepage. If you ever plan to be in this area, you must take time to visit this place!

Before I go, I must give a Texas size THANK YOU to Karena at ART BY KARENA. I finally won one of her giveaways!! I have always followed her and I love her wealth of knowledge, eye for all that is beautiful, her features and promotions. I feel so cool and I will feel even better after getting my products from Eco Natural Soap! Thank you Karena for making my day :)

I totally enjoyed a big bowl of Fried Ice Cream at a Tex Mex restaurant!!!

Also thank you to all who have recently joined my blog (spilling over the 200 mark) and to those who have been faithful in commenting! I have slipped the last couple of days as I have been soaking up the sun, conversations and running around with my family. I will be by to answer and visit soon :) Have a wonderful Friday my friends XOXO

A little bird told me...

2011-03-23T00:00:00.006-04:00

Without further delay, here are the nests

Ta Da!

Word is out, these are a great place to stow a special nest egg or two

Clients are lined up for a showing of this prime real estate

Some are in and some are out

These little birdies took a chance and knew without a doubt

It's all the buzz and word was spread via tweet tweet

This is the place where cool chicks get away and retreat!

**Craft idea via Country Living**

Nesting

2011-03-22T00:08:00.001-04:00

After my kids got out of school last Thursday (with no school Friday), I had an art project ready to roll here at the homestead. I used this little blueprint to guide our way to the best dressed nests. Ripped right out of the pages of Country Living magazine's current issue...

Papier-mache!

The whole nest thing with cute little birds and eggs, I couldn't resist.

So the boys shredded paper

( We used brown paper sandwich sacks and scrap booking paper)

In a separate big bowl we mixed water

And glue

We used this IKEA bowl for our mold

And wrapped 3 of them in saran wrap

Then we began to apply the paper and glue mixture using our hands and some brushes

Until we achieved smalls mounds of sticky, shredded, paper clad bowls

We cleansed the hands

Then stood back and looked at what we created...hoping it would be a stroke of genius

So how did they turn out? Well...they ARE turning out :) Not quite dry. The instructions say let dry for 12 hours. It has been 5 days. Either we used waaaaay too much glue, or I expected way too much to go exactly as the printed says. It's like watching an design episode on HGTV. They finished an entire room in 30 minutes, so shall we...right?! HA! Deep down I knew better. I'm really thinking by tomorrow we can put little chicks, and egg candy inside. I will unveil the final look very soon!

Anyone else channeling crafty these days?

Statue of Limitations

2011-03-21T00:00:00.013-04:00

There are none for those who will creatively seek to solve their daily problems in a positive light. There are none for the educated, compassionate, diligent, respected and well mannered individuals of our world.

Kiss me once

Kiss me twice

Soak my wings in the fresh dew light

Looking down

From up above

Fill my garden

With patience

wisdom

and your love

Let the new week take flight!
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Pause and Proceed

2011-03-18T01:16:00.003-04:00

I will apologize ahead of time for the amount of foliage posts that might be coming. It's spring and I've just got to do my thing. I take pictures better than I can write and I can write better than I can convey it in a conversation.

As pretty as our surroundings are right now, it's always fleeting and you can't assume something you see today will exist tomorrow. We all know the darkness Japan is walking through right now. We all have family and friends who have personal sorrows. Just turn on the news and there is no doubt great suffering in all walks of life.

My next door neighbors have a beautiful bush that yields lovely pinkish-purple blooms. They are big and I have admired them daily. When I walked over today to snapture them, I realized I was almost too late. Beauty fades so quickly, but cherishing something or someone can last forever.

This dedicated to all of our lives and how abundance ebbs...and sometimes overflows.

"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin."

~Mother Teresa

XO Have a wonderful weekend XO

Planet Green

2011-03-17T00:29:00.002-04:00

In the Catholic Church saints and holy people have specially designated feast days where they are celebrated and remembered. St. Patrick is one of the most popular days remembered amongst all cultures worldwide. March 17th is his religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have celebrated him for over one thousand years.

I won't turn this into a history lesson, so I will keep it short and sweet. St. Patrick was actually a Brit who was taken prisoner by the Irish in a raid for his family's estate. In was in his captivity there that he prayed for the people of Ireland and their christian conversions. After more than six years in captivity, he escaped and went back to England. An angel came to him in a dream and he then returned to Ireland as a missionary. It is there he began his religious training and was ordained a priest.

This is the part where I was going to insert photos of some of the biggest displays of celebrating this day. For example every year (since 1962) Chicago dyes the river green using vegetable dye and lots of it! BUT...Remember my computer problems around Thanksgiving/Christmas 2010...well, they're baaaaaack! So I'm going to sign off and at least St. "Pat" myself on the back for trying to post.

Enjoy the green today :) Clothes, food, rivers, jewels, and all festivities in general!! What will you do today...did the Leprechauns sneak in a visit last night?

10 BEST

2011-03-16T00:00:00.001-04:00

As the temperatures rise, our windows begin to open and dining outdoors is once again back on the menu. Our outside eateries are no longer ghost towns and our lives and conversations fill the spaces of those open places.

According to 10Best.com the following are worth checking out if you are looking for a most excellent way to embrace the al fresco experience.

Canoe — Atlanta, GA
Garcia's Seafood Grille & Fish — Miami, FL
Harbour Lights — New York, NY
The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene — Charleston, SC
Barking Crab — Boston, MA

North Pond — Chicago, IL
Hog Island Oyster Bar — San Francisco, CA
Café Nola — Seattle, WA
Olives at Bellagio — Las Vegas, NV
Seasons 52 — Orlando, FL

None of the above are in my neck of the woods. Has anyone ever had the pleasure of chowing down at one of these terrific terrace views? Apparently they were all chosen because they are also set along a water backdrop. What say you...

Gold Seal of Approval

2011-03-15T00:56:00.003-04:00

Love when I am turned on to something new. I've had a nasty little bump/blemish on my chin for about a week now. Can't see it so much, but I can sure feel it. We had friends over for dinner on Sunday and she happened to have the magic potion. Having something on her eye herself, she has me boil water for Goldenseal and then applies. I also try...it feels good. Next morning, my blemish is almost gone. No joke, hopefully not a coincidence. I would certainly revisit this remedy again.

Goldenseal

Although threatened in the wild, cultivated goldenseal, otherwise known as orangeroot, contains berberine, a powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent known to fight infections, according to Dr. Linda B. White, author of "The Herbal Drugstore." In addition, the herb supports digestion and liver function, helping the body eliminate toxins and improving skin.

Goldenseal may be taken internally as a tea or used topically as a facial wash or mask to zap zits. Prepare tea by simmering 1 tsp. of diced goldenseal root in 1 cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Strain, and drink the tea before each meal. You can use the same recipe as a wash. Cool, and soak a washcloth in the tea and apply it as a compress onto your blemishes. Equally as effective for acne, make a mask by combining 1 tsp. of powdered goldenseal, 1 tsp. of water and five drops of lavender oil. Dab the mask onto your affected areas, and allow it to dry for 20 minutes. Rinse off and be careful to not touch with your hands and re-introduce new bacteria.

The above was the information my friend wrote to me this morning. Anyone else try and love the results? Here's to a clear day and trying/learning something new :)

**I know it is avail at Earthfare

Exterior Envy

2011-03-14T00:52:00.003-04:00

Beautiful weather this weekend. Just when I get a plant potted and a few weeds pulled, I think how awesomely manicured a place we have. Our lawn needs a little expert help on getting the grass evenly green, but we are aware of that. Then I come across this home for sale. In my town, but on the other side of town.

C'mon evra body, git in the back ov the pickem up and let's take ourselves a ride

Driving up

Grasping the concept of 6,300 sq ft

The definition of "Green with Envy"

The solarium

The entertaining possibilites...are endless and entertaining!

The views

Now ramemba, it's polite ta keep yer mouth closed when starin at sump-thin!

This 3 acre French Provincial Estate in Charlotte, NC

Can be yers fer 4.25 million.

They had me at the lawn!

Have a well manicured Monday my friends :)

The Milky Way

2011-03-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

At the end to every busy week

Should be a milk...

And cookie treat :)

Have a LOVE-ly weekend!

**Images by Style Attic**

Oh My Sides

2011-03-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

The acrylic side table "Illusion" by John Bauer

Clearly a great choice to have by your side!

Ash Wednesday

2011-03-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow being Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, this piece of art work caught my eye...

It is a book carving from the artist Jennifer Khoshbin. If you step into her sight, there are many sights to see. She is wildly creative and apparently I am not the first to notice. She was featured in House Beautiful April 2009

Also via HB's web

She has amazing graphite illustrations mixed with book carvings in her "manipulations" category

It is truly one of kind art and you'll have to explore her "collaborations" and "transformations" to see how unique her work is.

This is from her "transformations" and I also thought of Lent because I will be abstaining from meat and trying out the fish market tomorrow and every Friday for the next 6 weeks!

What am I giving up? I'm going with soda. Specifically, Coca Cola. Since I don't drink coffee, it is my go to choice for caffeine mid day when I am wilting.

**All images from the Jennifer Khoshbin website**

I will ask myself that every day :)

I will be reminded of The Greatest Sacrifice in this small way.

Happy ASH Wednesday!

I Break For Spring

2011-03-08T08:28:00.000-05:00

Bike...$0.00 Hand me down
Big Brother...More precious than gold
Helmet...$0.00 From Santa, just had to be good

Wearing it backwards...Priceless

**Image by Style Attic**

Have a wonderful Tuesday, be safe out there!

I'd Rather Be Flying

2011-03-07T20:25:00.004-05:00

We took a quick weekend jaunt to Alabama for our sons sporting event. It was a not a close destination, took 7-8 hours in the car each way. It was completely worth it, but when we got back late last night, you have that feeling of needing a vacation from a vacation. So I went to bed dreaming of how some have airplanes at their beck and call, just like I would hop in my car...

NETJETS! The world leader in private aviation. They revolutionized the concept of fractional ownership of airplanes.

Since 1986 they has amassed the largest fleet of luxury jets. There is light, mid, and large size cabin aircraft such as the Gulfstream GV. Also maintaining the lovely French ride in the Dassault Falcon 2000 and 7X.

If buying a share into this Berkshire Hathaway company, owned by Warren Buffet isn't plan A, then there is always plan B of buying a time card through Marquis Jet. This buys the time, not the plane and it's ever quite convenient. This was featured on Donald Trump's The Apprentice in previous seasons as the jet card company to affiliate with.

Flying fractional gives you immediate travel access to the world within hours. The privacy, the private terminals, the ability to fly direct into remote locations, and the quality and range of services that come with this privilege. Politicians, celebrities and the wealthiest enjoy this form of travel.

Drive up, walk on, relax and enjoy a copy of

winter issue

current issue

To subscribe

So if your gonna dream, dream big and fast and enjoy. In today's world, time is money and both are extreme luxuries!

I want to get away....I want to fly away

~FLY AWAY, Lenny Kravitz

Anyone else?

Everlasting Evian

2011-03-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

It's FRIDAY, let's get this party started!

I will never tire of this video

Whatever you have planned, smile and just boogie to the beat :)

Come On In

2011-03-03T00:00:00.001-05:00

There is hot pink on my blog to greet you. If I could have hot pink on my walls to greet those coming over in person, I would. We've all seen this gorgeous pink image thanks to House Beautiful, but let's just revisit it again...

**House Beautiful**

So I have something just as aggressively vibrant using blue and brown. We have a two story foyer and I made the first half of it blue and where the second level begins, it is chocolate brown. Here is what you would see if you walked into my home today...

In the other small corner I have some decorations and that leads into my all white dining room. Wallpaper would be a luxury in there someday, but for now white is my delight. You'll see a print on the white walls, it was a lovely gift from the talented deisgner Monika over at Splendid Willow. I finally found the perfect spot...

With my husband having blue eyes and my boys and I all sporting brown, we are truly The House of Chocolate Blue! Too bad I wasn't thinking of that the night I started blogging :)

Reasons why I love all the flavors of blue:

It is high up in the sky ~ heavenly

It is water ~ deep blue seas, pools and it cools

It is all boy, but certainly works well with the girly stuff too!

It is secure, tranquil and reassuring

It is the color of sapphire

It is calm and collectively brilliant

It is the color associated with Mother Mary, Queen of Peace

It is friendly and gets along well with others

In heraldry, blue is used to symbolize piety and sincerity

Reasons why I love brown:

Chocolate

Dark Chocolate

I am glad you came in for a quick visit! XOXO

Tu Lips

2011-03-01T00:53:00.000-05:00

Tulips, they are one of the most favored flowers. I sat down to interview the Tulips and ask what their secret is to capturing all of our hearts. They didn't have much to say except that given the opportunity to shine, that would explain it all. So I whipped out my camera and they sang me a song.

About brilliant brush strokes of green

Inner beauty

A wardrobe of slick color

That goes beyond boundaries of black and white

They told me of the times they are given in joy and bask the light

They told of how they still deliver beauty if things aren't quite right

One tulip said I'm not just a pretty face

I am petals, I am passion

From the ground I rise towards a higher place.

Why we blossom

Is to support those just budding around us

Bravo my flowery friend

XO Please stick around and sing it again XO

**All images created by Style Attic**

Red Carpet Red Hot

2011-02-28T01:21:00.000-05:00

The 83rd Academy Awards Ceremony

Who do you think was smoldering?

Who do you think was engaging?

Who do you think was blazing?

Who do you think was on fire?!

**All Images by Style Attic**

Pictures taken during a Saturday night bonfire

Come the evening of Sunday, by whom were you inspired?

Buddies

2011-02-25T07:31:00.001-05:00

How dandy the lion that wakes from it's sleep...

With the beautiful weather these days, it's hard to believe that spring is still four weeks away. It seems to have landed early and the bursts of warm breath have already deplaned and are out touring every yard and park in our city.

We are quickly shedding the harsh effects of frosty's appetite

And trying on the beautiful shades that attract the birds, the bees and allergies!

How beautiful the sight of nature's delight!

Have a wonderful weekend. Please enjoy each day and the time you have been given with loved ones. I witnessed a friend bury their son this week. It puts the gift of time and the promise of a new day into a macro zoom of most powerful proportion. A winter's storm can come on any spring day. Take the time to say what you need to say.

XOXO

**All images by Style Attic**

Who's That Lady?

2011-02-23T00:00:00.001-05:00

I haven't picked up my camera lately, but I sure made up for lost time when I met up with...

Can you guess?

It is the gorgeous and stylish NAINA of Style'n

She was in from Boston this week. We met for a morning shot of caffeine at the Ballantyne Resort, Charlotte, NC.

We started off in the Veranda Bar and then headed outside for a mini fashion shoot. I would say we were both in our element, as she was looking great just like she always is on her blog, and I was behind the camera snappy happy :) Here are the results of a most fun and productive get together.

Coffee Talk

Then we headed out onto this veranda

The weather was warm, but my camera was smoking hot by the end of this shoot. Here's to the many faces of Naina as a wife, mother, sister, daughter, career woman and a stylish blogger!

So if you like what you've seen here, walk on over to Style'n for more pictures...

...and a rundown of the deets on her outfit. After all, the Oscars are Sunday and we must know:

Who Are You Wearing?!

Take it away Naina, You Rock!

**All images by Style Attic**

QC Fashion

2011-02-21T00:00:00.004-05:00

What do real housewives of the QC (Queen City) do? We go to CABi fashion viewings!

CABi is quote "Fashion, Friends and Fun..."

Designed by Carol Anderson, a fashion designer whose lines were sold in the finest stores nation wide for 25 years. Her designs are now sold exclusively through CABi Fashion Consultants. I am not one of them, I just happen to have a few friends that are and I love going to the host events :)

I just received my latest invite and I decided to look online at the Spring `11 Look Book. I just had to make this my fashion forward Monday post because I thought this was collection was too adorable to not share: It is called... BLOGGER!

I guess this is how we bloggers represent when we sitting down at our keyboards :)

The other collections are adorably titled:

To view these ensembles yourself and more, head to

www.CABiOnline.com

Which creative hat will you be donning today?

I am looking for a stylish Carpool Collection! ha ha

Pass the Pewter Platter Please

2011-02-18T00:00:00.002-05:00

Ahhhh, Friday!

I know our little family of four really looks forward to Friday. Even better, Saturday morning. Sleeping in, late breakfast and reconnecting all the loose ends that were left hanging during the busy week.

**Image by Style Attic**

Upon our table is one of my favorite antique finds. This piece was scored on a trip to London, England. It says "Health * Love * And Wealth * And Time To Enjoy Them". Isn't that the truth! Finding the time to unwind and enjoy what we have been blessed with. So simple, yet can be so hard.

XO Have a most pleasant weekend XO

Salt and Peppa

2011-02-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

I just threw some stuff on the countertops in an attempt to make the space look lived in. I had just finished cleaning and nothing had really been put back in place yet. These are all snapshots on automatic taken today. Nothing fancy, just trying to follow up to my Tuesday post :) Thank you for all the lovely comments. I have started this evening visiting and replying to them.

After the appetizing Rice Paddy's, here's some salt up top and pepper on the bottom of my cabinets....

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

More after

(with flash)

Without flash

I know, the photography skills are not up to par, but you get the idea...hopefully! I am thrilled with the space. Paint is such a good friend of mine :)

Have a wonderful Thursday my talented friends/followers!

XOXO

Rice Paddy Presentation

2011-02-15T00:15:00.000-05:00

The cabinets are finally finished. They are drying one more night before I start to clean and put things back. I am thrilled with the results and it's like having a whole new kitchen without an entire renovation. I just took some snapshots today of the desk area that has set and dried first. Since this was the biggest color risk taken, I thought I would show that first.

That was then (previous homeowners 2006)

This is now...

This was just days ago in preparation for the big color change

Today, wearing Rice Paddy SW 6414

Tomorrow my goal is to get the rest cleaned up and more snapshots of the other 2 tone color cabinets in the rest of the kitchen. I will also come by and visit and catch up on comments when I'm not burning both ends of the candle! Have a wonderful Tuesday and as always I appreciate you stopping by :)

I will leave you with rice paddy field art that is planted and created every year by Japanese farmers in the town of Inakadate. It is purple and yellow leafed rice kodaimai planted along with their local green leafed variety. It is displayed until harvested in the month of September. There are so many beautiful works!

The nerve of me to think that my desk was a lot of work!

XOXO

One Love, One Life

2011-02-14T00:00:00.003-05:00

In the U2 lyrics of `One', I can't identify so much with the "One Love" part, as I have so many different loves. Husband, children, family, and friends. Now the part about "One Life" and "Carry Each Other" I can certainly bob my head to and say Amen.

Limited Edition Lithograph from ArtBorkerage.com

We have one life to create as much love and beauty around as possible. It's not always easy. I remember someone telling me a long time ago with my first born in regards to parenting, "Remember that the hardest thing to do, is usually the right thing to do." Isn't that the truth. I find that applies to just about everything. Taking the road less traveled is not an easy choice to make.

stumbleupon.com

It applies to the store clerk who doesn't greet you at the check out and then proceeds to scratch and dent your goods as she scans and throws your stuff in bags like it's garbage day. Then factor in the amount of attitude that is going up as fast as your total. How hard is it to be nice then? Pretty hard, but it's still the right thing to do.

That's it. Smile through the frustration.

How about when you've explained to your husband about XYZ over and over. Then out of the blue one day he messes up the XYZ plans and insists he never knew about XYZ. Your feelings are hurt because you know you told him...he just never heard you because he basically never listened. Yet the next time he needs to tell you something, you listen, log and comply because it's what you want him to do the next time around.

I DO....Not know what you're talking about!

tressugar.com

Here comes the Jack Handy moment: How hard is it to love yourself! Let me tell ya peeps, it's probably one of the biggest struggles that so many can't seem to grasp. It starts young. Now that I'm raising young children, you can see it unfold so early. At the grocery store the other day I saw a little girl tell another little girl she looked fat in her new pink jacket. The other girl immediately said "I do?" I just wanted to tell her NO, you don't and please have enough confidence to reply "It's a puffy winter jacket, who doesn't goofball?!" Why we latch on to criticism more than compliments and believe that people actually see our faults more than our fantastic features is such an interesting side to being human.

Porcupine mirror, Horchow

I for one have enjoyed blogging this past year. I have been blessed to have made connections because of it that have brought me much joy. I have hoped that somehow a picture, a word, a post in general has made someone's day a little better or brighter :) I know that the beauty of design, photography, fashion and luxurious living I have loved living in all your colorful blogs has been an added highlight to my world!

google image

My point is, (here comes the church moment once heard at church), it is easy to love those who love us and make it easy to love. Ever hear of the measure of a persons character is how are they when things don't go their way? Same concept, how loving are you when there is not much to love about an unlovable moment? Love is patient, Love is kind.

This week I'll be drudging up previous photos to celebrate LOVE and all things LOVELY. I haven't had a moment to pick up my camera due to the kitchen project. If you've been following, my kitchen cabinets are turning out wonderfully! I will post pics. Tomorrow should be the last day of touch ups!

Remember this post about tree love? I never showed this one of the last leaf standing....

Image by Style Attic

ONE LOVE

ONE LIFE

Work Together

2011-02-11T00:00:00.001-05:00

I will attempt to show you what we are working with during this simple kitchen cabinet painting facelift.

Here is our kitchen and what it looked like when we were being shown the house as prospective buyers. These pictures were taken by my mother-in-law.

Yes, the answer is yes. That is 3 shades of hunter green faux that you see flanking the sides of this last photo. What you don't see is the white speckle freckle detail that was the 4th layer. We moved in Thanksgiving 4 years ago and let's just say that first Christmas, our walls had the spirit. Just added a red bow and we were good-to-go.

The homeowners had also just upgraded the kitchen backsplash and c-tops to help the showings. Wish I could have been the one to choose that, but I can't justify tearing that chunk of change out. Therefore, it stays and I will adjust accordingly.

The cabinets are maple and the floor pulls a lot of red/orange. They can not be changed right now, but when they are due for a new top coat, I plan to have them sanded and restained then.

I would love to have these a dark expresso stain

Bamboo

Anyway, back to the now moment...

The colors I have chosen for the cabinets are

Uppers

Accessible Beige SW 7036

Lower cabinets and Island

Smokehouse SW 7040

Desk Area

Rice Paddy SW 6414

Not sure how accurate these colors translate onto the computer screen, but it's a general idea :) I have no problem with going bolder, but I figured soft and classic is never a bad choice.

Since moving in we have replaced all of the appliances, knobs, door handles, light fixtures and softened the previous yellow kitchen paint to a neutral linen color.

When you can't start from scratch, you just have to work with what you have and hope there is enough cash left to stock a shelf with beans!

Wishing you a Happy Valentines weekend and good luck to any LOVE projects/people you might be gearing up to tackle ;)

Out with the old

Life Magazine

And in with the new!

Jean Paul Gautier

Work it girl!

I'm trying to make it work!!

The Cow Factor

2011-02-10T00:00:00.003-05:00

As my husband leaves for work, the cash cow is standing at the front door, waiting to come in.

Seems I have found a project and hired a crew that will generate a continuous flow of money....out of my pockets and into theirs! I am still excited though!! I am getting my kitchen cabinets painted :) Woo Hoo! I mean, MOO MOO $$$$

I am thinking I'll go for something light up top and darker on the bottoms

If it's flattering to dress that way, I thought it might double duty in another genre of aesthetics :)

I might even add an element of surprise over at the desk area

I'm thinking something fun like this color featured in Souther Living

Whatever I chose, I must do it quick. I have to report my color choices by 8 am sharp! Painters arrive soon after that. When it's all said and done, I would love my disaster desk area to mimic the likes of this...

I think I would have to bring in the whole herd of cows for that!

Got Milk? I need it :)

The Heffer Pitcher avail at chiasso.com

**Images via Domino, Southern Living, Chiasso & Google**

After it's all said and done, I sure hope the Cow Factor ends up being the WOW Factor!

Just CHECKing

2011-02-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

I hope it's not just me. Last time my brain ventured to the classic world of Burberry, I conjured up the image of this...

The Haymarket Check in Beige we have all come to know and love.

It seems I have been in a time capsule and it just shot my reference point into a new galaxy of red hot and black patent. There is still always a hint of the old to keep it in "check", but there is a new sauce in town...see for yourself!

Nova Check Heart Coin Holder

Union Red lipstick #17

High Cut Leather Platform Pump

Embossed Check Patent Sling Bag

Leather Biker Trench Coat

To view more of the sauce, just browse Burberry.com

In the Urban Dictionary SUACY means:

Hot chick with a little attitude, but not too much.

I think it looks like Valentines Day is going to be a BERRY good time!

Yellow Brick Road

2011-02-08T06:56:00.000-05:00

Remember my winter scene

I've decided that whether it's winter

Or summer

Sunshine and happiness is something we can always choose for ourselves

So I did...

Have a bright and happy day!

XOXO

Eye Exercise XV

2011-02-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

The words:

Water
Quote
Window
Activity
Page 25 of a Magazine

The pictures:

WATER

QUOTE

WINDOW

ACTIVITY

Welcome to B.A.D.

Boys Academy of Driving

Where all male energy and brilliant ideas are put into motion on our private preschool course. Free head bucket and box of band aids with initial sign up.

PAGE 25 of a Publication

**All Images by Style Attic**

I just realized that all my pictures this week are purple and orange. That was not planned. Is it as profound as the Van Gogh quote? :) Have a wonderful, creative, fun, Super Bowl Sunday!

GO.....................................................!

Thank You Ashley Sisk for the Scavenger Hunt Party!

Accommodations

2011-02-04T00:01:00.001-05:00

My husband just got home from his trip raging ill. He has an immune system that rivals Superman. I guess Superman gets a few germs every now and then! Our weekend dynamics have changed due to sickness and the rest of the family trying to stay well. Sooooo.....

I set up this little ditty outback for the Mr. while he works through it.

**Country Living**

It's Super Bowl weekend! I don't have any vested interest in either teams playing, but I do have much affection for where the event will take place...DALLAS!

I would totally pack up and head home if I could.

**Country Living**

Yes, I wood!

Anyone going or are you stuck under snow??

Either way, enjoy those commercials!

Armani

2011-02-03T00:51:00.000-05:00

Casa or Couture

Armani is a Classic Standard for sure XX!