tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45501921251673924262024-02-07T15:47:53.111-05:00lucky little starsMary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-76750954840531422652011-08-29T19:30:00.018-04:002011-08-30T14:12:32.352-04:00Summer Slacking<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family:verdana, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">
<br />While the season of Summer still has a few weeks to go, the reality is that Summer is quickly coming to an end. </span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">School is starting, parents are out shopping for their kids’ new clothes and school supplies already, and college students are preparing for their annual return to campus.</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">What’s a person to do with the last few remaining weeks of Summer??? </span></b></i></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"></span></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Jam in as much stuff as humanly possible before the reality of the Fall hits.</span></b></i></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> </span></b></i></p><p><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"></span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">That's what!</span></i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> My list includes, time at the park, boating on Lake St. Clair, hitting a few flea markets and tag sales, and the end of Summer street fairs.</span></span></p></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6upMaEo5TiWg8EMuNYNqxCE66rEK2mZjfaxx5x-w_9V0XFlYiJm21pV2g1fg-Vol6z9iZEYzbW4FNq7p_rde_FrelSelShwGybw-yqDnQ2Kj-HNsScEAhiFJW2p1v7PefdligQJd9ghdG/s1600/287560_2211473573610_1450643072_2426724_6683688_o.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6upMaEo5TiWg8EMuNYNqxCE66rEK2mZjfaxx5x-w_9V0XFlYiJm21pV2g1fg-Vol6z9iZEYzbW4FNq7p_rde_FrelSelShwGybw-yqDnQ2Kj-HNsScEAhiFJW2p1v7PefdligQJd9ghdG/s400/287560_2211473573610_1450643072_2426724_6683688_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646468337989907570" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Early Morning at the Pier Park</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafe-eKjHMFCSYQwUp8GvosHBfjSVx6_M5phHe_l2vpXbZGyBgHK4KzmzLL7cTC49nLry9maIJLcAija9u7r2RfDcHqujIL6sBopId5okFQh_Z6Hg1Z851dKKIDFSb5GxtMQSVOHBZ-qT3/s1600/229788_128538273889214_100001991272301_197401_7571063_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafe-eKjHMFCSYQwUp8GvosHBfjSVx6_M5phHe_l2vpXbZGyBgHK4KzmzLL7cTC49nLry9maIJLcAija9u7r2RfDcHqujIL6sBopId5okFQh_Z6Hg1Z851dKKIDFSb5GxtMQSVOHBZ-qT3/s400/229788_128538273889214_100001991272301_197401_7571063_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646468329491647330" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Boating on the Lake.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Although I took the whole, entire summer away from blogging, I've been keeping up with all of my favorite bloggers. I'm so inspired and motivated seeing the cool projects you all have gotten done... I can't wait to get going myself. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I'm on to tackling house projects in ernest. These are my inspiration pics...</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUv-T7fDD2YN4lRfpD5dGAQEi9JzeYNdUsUBeG-ZnE_6O3ohCsahkVaw4hz-H7S8ciZ7_dnUUKHsZOEnyNTRjQgyjhnlCtJzek775nvCN8gQU6R3gL8lVbJub1SjB-MV9F1_cV7M9J8SiO/s1600/IMG_7151-1.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUv-T7fDD2YN4lRfpD5dGAQEi9JzeYNdUsUBeG-ZnE_6O3ohCsahkVaw4hz-H7S8ciZ7_dnUUKHsZOEnyNTRjQgyjhnlCtJzek775nvCN8gQU6R3gL8lVbJub1SjB-MV9F1_cV7M9J8SiO/s400/IMG_7151-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646468322491061378" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Via Hodge:Podge</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I got some serious inspiration from Barbara, over at </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><a href="http://hodgepodge-babselou.blogspot.com/">Hodge:Podge</a>.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:verdana;">I spotted this fabric (Richloom's Lucy Eden) on her lovely blog </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:verdana;">and was instantly smitten.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">She graciously researched the fabric for me and sent me a link...</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Thank you for your help and for the mention today... I am much obliged!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">(And for those of you love a good DYI, you've got to pop over <a href="http://http://hodgepodge-babselou.blogspot.com/">here</a> and check this talented lady out!)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">This is the vibe I'm shooting for in my Living Room.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I love the casual, colorful, comfy look of this room... it's </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">totally</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> my style.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8Oc2zGJF1pKTjz_IbmjrxHi2Fqk-HqHWpvTqkozWqoUU-co2ARCmWXTsnOoOSNhpOQutryMBMVR3c3KxnOqGc-leKwjmMXtVc9sy7WHBAYGxFVrVXrSgHqKmCrHsuLO_xLucCZHnJyD8/s1600/18959398_u4AWio2D_c.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8Oc2zGJF1pKTjz_IbmjrxHi2Fqk-HqHWpvTqkozWqoUU-co2ARCmWXTsnOoOSNhpOQutryMBMVR3c3KxnOqGc-leKwjmMXtVc9sy7WHBAYGxFVrVXrSgHqKmCrHsuLO_xLucCZHnJyD8/s400/18959398_u4AWio2D_c.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646468317017913778" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Via Pintrest</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I really like this one too... I love pink and I'm a total book nerd so</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">naturally, I'm <i>all about</i> this room!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuXX9Y75vh5MB1r62Yl7oCNA4zTfgMvZhAbYQ0wmCTushyNyd-o5UQpUV7Z0AovLHdYNZfm2snZhJ200ptIYIrlPexU64el-QLWo_akzOWdQzTFRqdjavM_FnJepHyd0iBYso4hZ-dU_I/s1600/Colorfuul-apartment-interior-design-livingroom-view.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuXX9Y75vh5MB1r62Yl7oCNA4zTfgMvZhAbYQ0wmCTushyNyd-o5UQpUV7Z0AovLHdYNZfm2snZhJ200ptIYIrlPexU64el-QLWo_akzOWdQzTFRqdjavM_FnJepHyd0iBYso4hZ-dU_I/s400/Colorfuul-apartment-interior-design-livingroom-view.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646468311479219330" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Via Pintrest</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">WARNING!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">
<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I think you should all sit down before scrolling any further.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> Because<i> <b>this</b></i> is what I'm working with. It's a little rough, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">but it's <i><b>all</b></i> mine!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> I'm starting in the Living Room, which is connected to the Dining Room on the left side and connected to the Office on the right side.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Good blank slate... Right?</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63CGuUnXfncb7XuvZkPDSPD3izwzHALZrj2M4mfe3zR1v63O4slSouwqaIJZ9k2JTgXQ2YS2qj4Vjzm9Pk3PbTN42iN9kQjHszdrNKUaETE9qaIaziQ5LalQ4_nquBUIszaihzGAf9Ecd/s1600/1127091051a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63CGuUnXfncb7XuvZkPDSPD3izwzHALZrj2M4mfe3zR1v63O4slSouwqaIJZ9k2JTgXQ2YS2qj4Vjzm9Pk3PbTN42iN9kQjHszdrNKUaETE9qaIaziQ5LalQ4_nquBUIszaihzGAf9Ecd/s400/1127091051a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646461956015391170" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0I6CL1VN4GL7wMeLasD998GDuKBBPVqMb18CF1jk4fJVITn_NcFwfeg94yR3bOpWs_UQGQkQtIA2jA9ov4NDE86QdLhKnxp0AV1M3VP3b8j1FGGg2uQyJzhQCzX4UwwRdZH8nQXGz-Rn/s1600/1127091045.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0I6CL1VN4GL7wMeLasD998GDuKBBPVqMb18CF1jk4fJVITn_NcFwfeg94yR3bOpWs_UQGQkQtIA2jA9ov4NDE86QdLhKnxp0AV1M3VP3b8j1FGGg2uQyJzhQCzX4UwwRdZH8nQXGz-Rn/s400/1127091045.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646461949535328082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hNkfg_oymzdfi9qoSj1K5fPsqe2ePuW-DqeT5VTNZxEFTL3u4guNhp0OMx87SKl_obq6E2W2MUDJevyPoS5cbmwSifLS9fC-oBIMMHnuPFDrw_7fpbzSqXkR4Q5Vy4P6WMnRf5nRlAwm/s1600/1127091046.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hNkfg_oymzdfi9qoSj1K5fPsqe2ePuW-DqeT5VTNZxEFTL3u4guNhp0OMx87SKl_obq6E2W2MUDJevyPoS5cbmwSifLS9fC-oBIMMHnuPFDrw_7fpbzSqXkR4Q5Vy4P6WMnRf5nRlAwm/s400/1127091046.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646461945803123330" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><u>
<br /></u></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:verdana;font-size:medium;">Uh, yeah... Removing the old window treatments, patching and painting </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:verdana;font-size:medium;">is first on my agenda... Then window treatments, light fixtures and</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:verdana;font-size:medium;">the floors after that... !!! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">
<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">
<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">All in all, the Summer has been a great time to relax, recharge and re-organize my resources and my life. Not just my outside life, but my inner life as well. It was great to take stock in how things are going, what changes I'd like to make, and set the plan in motion for the fall. Because once September comes, all</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> h-e-double-hockey-sticks usually breaks loose and time once again becomes a commodity much in demand, but short in supply.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">
<br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family:verdana, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;"><p><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">So until then, enjoy the rest of your summer and I’ll do the same!</span></span></b></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><b>What are your end of the Summer plans?</b></span></p></span></div></span></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-27302270713350729282011-05-10T12:55:00.005-04:002011-05-10T16:24:43.056-04:00Let the Sunshine In!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Anyone who lives in the Mid-West knows that the weather has been dreary... </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>very dreary</i>. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So I've decided that the only answer is to let a little of the sunshine in </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">by finding pops of yellow to inspire and energize </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">me and my home. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I think it's working!</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SfIl4jWF4eGxXqj4lrmBcTfsac_llC-decDJaOGnlzoyYyr2EOiKx2sFGF5Lr702xoQJSrDZvy6Dal9RWk4UHuBP8Ne39W5dXok5eJixPltLocvCtRpnMjq8S3gCG9i34r1AoKU4LUwT/s1600/forsythia-1-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SfIl4jWF4eGxXqj4lrmBcTfsac_llC-decDJaOGnlzoyYyr2EOiKx2sFGF5Lr702xoQJSrDZvy6Dal9RWk4UHuBP8Ne39W5dXok5eJixPltLocvCtRpnMjq8S3gCG9i34r1AoKU4LUwT/s400/forsythia-1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605133882089767762" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Forsythia bush outside.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQbEHtLtEttGwsMcoqy8ftE6THgcko43uEQZyP_XHTC97wO-uZlOYd5Mc4_srvY0MWFuPQOBc83jLa_B08es-6YrUhhwpKcQD2DFwR3uFPip2wUL0KcS7y9GRd76pE9SlS1cCkZFa6A1e/s1600/0bc97e31607950d32a1f2e4dfdb3ef76-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 317px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQbEHtLtEttGwsMcoqy8ftE6THgcko43uEQZyP_XHTC97wO-uZlOYd5Mc4_srvY0MWFuPQOBc83jLa_B08es-6YrUhhwpKcQD2DFwR3uFPip2wUL0KcS7y9GRd76pE9SlS1cCkZFa6A1e/s400/0bc97e31607950d32a1f2e4dfdb3ef76-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605133877585227218" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">House Beautiful.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Oxgwnti8k3d6yI9lYmgRZyVi7T-6tEUKad1vWisPXQ0miSV3WBKVaLmx999-A5F949eTJbKv5OxZ3bNLd9afDWUuPUkQLV_Gy9iDBystR6-pqJnnsLGKpBMhqegTlODdr1dW1RLn1Tkd/s1600/Yellow+Painted+Bookshelves+-+Small+Town.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 377px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Oxgwnti8k3d6yI9lYmgRZyVi7T-6tEUKad1vWisPXQ0miSV3WBKVaLmx999-A5F949eTJbKv5OxZ3bNLd9afDWUuPUkQLV_Gy9iDBystR6-pqJnnsLGKpBMhqegTlODdr1dW1RLn1Tkd/s400/Yellow+Painted+Bookshelves+-+Small+Town.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605133870082980754" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Domino.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I'm obsessed with this Jonathan Adler pillow... </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkh4ck7biB4HuBLazmwagFjTHtIHwc_YwhgdZM5y0GOMsd0-lSPtoPe7I8tJ4xu8HsKHcTL_6QRqrSJ4qshfNGrz2RFhMku5IlVlDEinLhoT3C54Noz69Fz-T8d2l1T4vNZK7_ZHwqVY7/s1600/adler_pillow.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 293px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkh4ck7biB4HuBLazmwagFjTHtIHwc_YwhgdZM5y0GOMsd0-lSPtoPe7I8tJ4xu8HsKHcTL_6QRqrSJ4qshfNGrz2RFhMku5IlVlDEinLhoT3C54Noz69Fz-T8d2l1T4vNZK7_ZHwqVY7/s400/adler_pillow.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605133860226639986" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Jonathan Adler.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gcIZLgJpRqXkVaA76B-DWcuKNzhFoXW209zCKlFz7Y3Dk2hyphenhyphen95mqEqBm0xmmvIh4QmuQJV47UMVEhX_Cy6c1c5lzpoqiPsEjMrvQAC3rAtpuRBHJFkChHc9vqC9IA6fOo-mS8vzuvJG9/s1600/yellow-vanity-coastal-living-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gcIZLgJpRqXkVaA76B-DWcuKNzhFoXW209zCKlFz7Y3Dk2hyphenhyphen95mqEqBm0xmmvIh4QmuQJV47UMVEhX_Cy6c1c5lzpoqiPsEjMrvQAC3rAtpuRBHJFkChHc9vqC9IA6fOo-mS8vzuvJG9/s400/yellow-vanity-coastal-living-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605133856352220562" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Coastal Living.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Look what I found on Ebay... I could easily find a spot for these</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hollywood Regency faux bamboo caned chairs.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">$199 for the pair.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0jv3prAhTo0Uyqs92zTPVQeIFJpjDQ_ZycPMl0-bzYCAo_FDycvJ0eoeS9LI4-atgXt5Tv4ESF1xZoSIA1A1TSy53-nDYoERK8vv9yzLDpVafer6ajuLbV4o7zS4iHLZiB3hQrHk5dcd/s1600/ebay+yellow+chairs-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0jv3prAhTo0Uyqs92zTPVQeIFJpjDQ_ZycPMl0-bzYCAo_FDycvJ0eoeS9LI4-atgXt5Tv4ESF1xZoSIA1A1TSy53-nDYoERK8vv9yzLDpVafer6ajuLbV4o7zS4iHLZiB3hQrHk5dcd/s400/ebay+yellow+chairs-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605133117986290642" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Ebay.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I recently found this super talented textile designer named Holli Zollinger. This is one of the fabrics in her "Forsythia & Earth" collection. You can check out all the designs here at <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/collections/352">Spoonflower.</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iBxhIGU0f5iTOcCX0FxNpuogUK-N9r7R6cOGoJQe9TjpD0Evn3hQ-48pYCa_ewMN3eM1Dso6QIvoHbgENh8FJ5Eiv-7tmFh42WxR-fhxh3v8TFNDZGqqiEdobQuhyphenhyphen9Wo2_O-mqQ-ZIX5/s1600/4476711765_d04a8392e3-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iBxhIGU0f5iTOcCX0FxNpuogUK-N9r7R6cOGoJQe9TjpD0Evn3hQ-48pYCa_ewMN3eM1Dso6QIvoHbgENh8FJ5Eiv-7tmFh42WxR-fhxh3v8TFNDZGqqiEdobQuhyphenhyphen9Wo2_O-mqQ-ZIX5/s400/4476711765_d04a8392e3-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605133107365364834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Holli Zollinger, "Forsythia & Earth" Collection.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Nothing says Spring to me like a lovely wicker purse. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I think I need this little Kate Spade bag!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRT_As3EVjwL3W4w4rAQZSctBkvCnqLba3PjPi49-RjHgTyhpVcxYD7jw_bYUTQiRsmFwZfq1tHL8ExsB5bmLcBCPzNr8XMCmitgLK2BjuBMSUmTm5G2Jcdna4rM2UDXefMz-ua5g4DI-/s1600/1513292-p-DETAILED.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRT_As3EVjwL3W4w4rAQZSctBkvCnqLba3PjPi49-RjHgTyhpVcxYD7jw_bYUTQiRsmFwZfq1tHL8ExsB5bmLcBCPzNr8XMCmitgLK2BjuBMSUmTm5G2Jcdna4rM2UDXefMz-ua5g4DI-/s400/1513292-p-DETAILED.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605133099107970210" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Kate Spade, Eastward Avenue Quinn.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Perhaps I'm going too far now but </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">isn't this Chanel nail varnish in "Mimosa" yummy?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fRh0Glc7AyhBt_9gPgoLPN4SDl2RFMj-aEDycpT0Tc9K5AG1XWYkqh7rHSAn75-juwsbqCQDGut-2LL5WJo0k3UGLcV1XVdeYAW4dBSTBgoGX3X74GR7JeeRY0_18u5_6GKTSgiAe1Ky/s1600/Chanel-Mimosa-yellow-nail-polish-spring-2011-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fRh0Glc7AyhBt_9gPgoLPN4SDl2RFMj-aEDycpT0Tc9K5AG1XWYkqh7rHSAn75-juwsbqCQDGut-2LL5WJo0k3UGLcV1XVdeYAW4dBSTBgoGX3X74GR7JeeRY0_18u5_6GKTSgiAe1Ky/s400/Chanel-Mimosa-yellow-nail-polish-spring-2011-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605133098817296610" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Chanel.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VLCLZTmkoNfiomCOcBQgKaQTdnoekHMazsqnLSO4D6FzikktroVM_MfXaEulCU3-Gav6RO5yfVeGeYB9IvWt2BXpwESF8-Ws1-WUgHXkcS8iAp81tSrRMZ60wGdXs_w-tXaYkZYjrFpk/s1600/Yellow+toenails-1.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VLCLZTmkoNfiomCOcBQgKaQTdnoekHMazsqnLSO4D6FzikktroVM_MfXaEulCU3-Gav6RO5yfVeGeYB9IvWt2BXpwESF8-Ws1-WUgHXkcS8iAp81tSrRMZ60wGdXs_w-tXaYkZYjrFpk/s400/Yellow+toenails-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605133093038843426" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Even my toes are in on the action! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">What do you do to bring the sunshine in?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-23567309849942572262011-04-11T21:56:00.006-04:002011-04-11T22:40:19.152-04:00Preserving the Past<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Those of you who know me, know that my first love has always been history. More specifically, the Civil War era and the grandeur of the antebellum homes of the South.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">While perusing my latest Garden & Gun magazine, I came across a fascinating story about a book called "</span></span></span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Gone: A Photographic Plea for Preservation."</span></span></span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Photographer and architect Nell Dickerson began her exploration of antebellum homesteads with encouragement from her cousin-in-law renowned Civil War historian and novelist Shelby Foote. Her passion for forgotten and neglected buildings became a plea for preservation.</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpp6kso9bczPy_M1fBl0WXPEwWT8IT6gsRVNobl_pEcLOHs3xAT4XZaLoyBzw5x_ekBdVpCCO0OYh9XZZAL0LIj5_tSi-alrSwCjz2A7wvloq7r7LXT5BsJQGDHee4XOCn6Jxy0lZVkmb3/s1600/GONE-Cover-Web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpp6kso9bczPy_M1fBl0WXPEwWT8IT6gsRVNobl_pEcLOHs3xAT4XZaLoyBzw5x_ekBdVpCCO0OYh9XZZAL0LIj5_tSi-alrSwCjz2A7wvloq7r7LXT5BsJQGDHee4XOCn6Jxy0lZVkmb3/s400/GONE-Cover-Web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594513688567887682" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Lives were not all that was lost during the Civil War. Many of the South’s grand antebellum homes that weren’t burned by Union troops were left to fall into decay. But Nell Dickerson’s new book </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">manages to capture some of these culturally important structures—and the history held in their eaves.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:18px;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUBA0Wv7_sYNhftXSCSzlQVwayIPcKlo9_T6e8bAzjZ4aMAG48w9xPs0b4-4AtnlbW3yOouQP6O8hQHsSkSfL8OdCO52WyJ-Q_04ed_4kQZ6beDCDeev1tSi1ruSHe_W4pXkXNWzHheq0/s1600/Burrus_Restored-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUBA0Wv7_sYNhftXSCSzlQVwayIPcKlo9_T6e8bAzjZ4aMAG48w9xPs0b4-4AtnlbW3yOouQP6O8hQHsSkSfL8OdCO52WyJ-Q_04ed_4kQZ6beDCDeev1tSi1ruSHe_W4pXkXNWzHheq0/s400/Burrus_Restored-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594513688024494706" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">House, circa 1859, Restored 2010, Bolivar County, Mississippi</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9U-1SCZwqmGA5DIGkcWV1b6tdYuPfv2rEmZWnTHma_M4-wglI6_40ZffRCbO2GTNArDkoqoyFZHvcRAvJtIMTMflfof6gTCuXZg2c3O5fhUMvGstkIxgP95rYN3giY-cGEe1sbY1gIc83/s1600/G.080704.Burrus.102.5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9U-1SCZwqmGA5DIGkcWV1b6tdYuPfv2rEmZWnTHma_M4-wglI6_40ZffRCbO2GTNArDkoqoyFZHvcRAvJtIMTMflfof6gTCuXZg2c3O5fhUMvGstkIxgP95rYN3giY-cGEe1sbY1gIc83/s400/G.080704.Burrus.102.5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594513679857502802" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Parlor, circa 1859, Bolivar County, Mississippi</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgykh3pL6RVVpwKtd73yDjbVeB74gIitYW27wOJcQnXB81o0bWuApV9NTiR1kwQt48l_rlV49wtrkZblx9laR6_VV-vc3RucNTkHjZ-R3C7YbZijJL8KlsIR98QwIqKgDUuJV_B43e5rDn/s1600/G-1.012605.Elysian.136.2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgykh3pL6RVVpwKtd73yDjbVeB74gIitYW27wOJcQnXB81o0bWuApV9NTiR1kwQt48l_rlV49wtrkZblx9laR6_VV-vc3RucNTkHjZ-R3C7YbZijJL8KlsIR98QwIqKgDUuJV_B43e5rDn/s400/G-1.012605.Elysian.136.2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594513676999123858" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">House, circa 1843, Fayette County, Tennessee</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbNceoeJQuo5ipAHtGmTaT8GYynbn8FfIozkB5zhM7u3-HZ-ikRJAIYm4NSUy8VeJmG3aUnI2WghRuSPySX7b0qTmFQyc0E13tYuhc4rC6VNlvNoXYKM4mjQ1l3NCfhXDRXT-WTPjJO-R/s1600/G.100904.Windsor.125.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 363px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbNceoeJQuo5ipAHtGmTaT8GYynbn8FfIozkB5zhM7u3-HZ-ikRJAIYm4NSUy8VeJmG3aUnI2WghRuSPySX7b0qTmFQyc0E13tYuhc4rC6VNlvNoXYKM4mjQ1l3NCfhXDRXT-WTPjJO-R/s400/G.100904.Windsor.125.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594512531819939474" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">House, circa 1861, Claiborne County, Mississipp</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;">i</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYP008WJyYr5WGuN5mY6wMTvPKgMmuPt5ugbZFj7PErayhPZFsYl6SXIa3JDeYxuiCBg_yYfH4oqerHFMMyCBwdoIKUyvia8b0aElsPdIPCeNNvRpE9Yh8vt8LvCFRrvT_kZP5IxMWMm_S/s1600/G.051205.I32.Kudzu.105.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYP008WJyYr5WGuN5mY6wMTvPKgMmuPt5ugbZFj7PErayhPZFsYl6SXIa3JDeYxuiCBg_yYfH4oqerHFMMyCBwdoIKUyvia8b0aElsPdIPCeNNvRpE9Yh8vt8LvCFRrvT_kZP5IxMWMm_S/s400/G.051205.I32.Kudzu.105.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594512530815337938" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">House, circa 1860s, Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RkLC7hUcDR9yFVfi9T8ZfC0ZyPhcL2F2L6Bg7k39pmmftbEllQ6VMv5H_cygCVmjcsur1v9FVSa8vYlH2OYHkGiMLswSRBqWnZU6mNfPV4waFD8t8QmaJ4tTzVQbqMlUqeMOJPUIEgBc/s1600/G.080704.Burrus.144.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RkLC7hUcDR9yFVfi9T8ZfC0ZyPhcL2F2L6Bg7k39pmmftbEllQ6VMv5H_cygCVmjcsur1v9FVSa8vYlH2OYHkGiMLswSRBqWnZU6mNfPV4waFD8t8QmaJ4tTzVQbqMlUqeMOJPUIEgBc/s400/G.080704.Burrus.144.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594512525570870258" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">House, circa 1859, Bolivar County, Mississippi</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyUpppyA4__lf6iRP2TFtKUE2ME9V1RM8vmsuQVQY3dgIFOasYAgveAEVscEv_xNWHRfmnWkeBsw81NAb6W-GjNYgDYBfA6ZTKkjdicAST7qRKBN6Y3aw4Avis1huqAhIo_gbF74sLzFp/s1600/G.102404.Pearlington.103.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyUpppyA4__lf6iRP2TFtKUE2ME9V1RM8vmsuQVQY3dgIFOasYAgveAEVscEv_xNWHRfmnWkeBsw81NAb6W-GjNYgDYBfA6ZTKkjdicAST7qRKBN6Y3aw4Avis1huqAhIo_gbF74sLzFp/s400/G.102404.Pearlington.103.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594512523536192930" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size:10px;">This circa 1845-1850 house was photographed a year before Hurricane Katrina in Hancock County, Mississippi. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Dickerson’s haunting photos depict trees growing through grand parlors, crumbling mantles, and ghostly columns standing silent. The images are accompanied by Shelby Foote’s “Pillar of Fire” (a fictional account of Union troops burning down a family home in front of its owners). The book ends with a plea from Dickerson: “Do whatever it takes to keep the stories alive. Our personal history is part of our national history, and we should pass it to our children with great reverence, because it is not just who we were, but who we are.”</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I would love to find one of these structures and turn it back into a home.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Maybe someday...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-78332471036219360902011-03-21T14:34:00.009-04:002011-03-21T15:05:52.055-04:00Off the Usual Subject<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I don't know why, but lately I've been obsessed with baby clothes.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I love shopping for my nieces and nephews and dressing them up.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Next to interior design... this </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">really</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> floats my boat!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Unfortunately, I don't know the sources for many of these pieces</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">but they are too cute not to share!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwo7Z_wbKlqPEK1pTYNc78s8Ne6px1wOE2gLf9ayEW_TKIStZdHJjLmNcYEvpCWNeD5pPL1fs8vulph_AvoUyx7zoxfjrNrzxkKSOS6G3sAleYWJzNPmWAiXFFjZYJ20KzjbukrxQnrYa/s1600/6471772_dE7TgBvG_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwo7Z_wbKlqPEK1pTYNc78s8Ne6px1wOE2gLf9ayEW_TKIStZdHJjLmNcYEvpCWNeD5pPL1fs8vulph_AvoUyx7zoxfjrNrzxkKSOS6G3sAleYWJzNPmWAiXFFjZYJ20KzjbukrxQnrYa/s400/6471772_dE7TgBvG_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586604779768944322" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Little Mouse Mary Janes.</span></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0mxaaC0bia3tSHFKnwbYZsmXdij-rWAi2yGnPQsPe27zTDzpB19v3fJeF0xDKGJISBCaJ5cTi67GNMev-8-ccKuIf1FCMskRHQVWMf5Vt9cikDPUcrdYB6PlhlJ403yKhRPAju-zBgEE/s1600/6246290_QakPRBP3_b.jpg"></a><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0mxaaC0bia3tSHFKnwbYZsmXdij-rWAi2yGnPQsPe27zTDzpB19v3fJeF0xDKGJISBCaJ5cTi67GNMev-8-ccKuIf1FCMskRHQVWMf5Vt9cikDPUcrdYB6PlhlJ403yKhRPAju-zBgEE/s1600/6246290_QakPRBP3_b.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 243px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0mxaaC0bia3tSHFKnwbYZsmXdij-rWAi2yGnPQsPe27zTDzpB19v3fJeF0xDKGJISBCaJ5cTi67GNMev-8-ccKuIf1FCMskRHQVWMf5Vt9cikDPUcrdYB6PlhlJ403yKhRPAju-zBgEE/s400/6246290_QakPRBP3_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586604772644804626" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Hand Knit Button Front Sweater Dress.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOfVdfiygRRx064DByLNkaqjbVZc49uZwIna4VGdDjgPqs1l9Pw54dUGxDNzpKcbAzUFknvI6qBrDEMeOUudke7xYgEBr5j-bTcjItVnFf_CkCjBhV9TPSJkIVdaFtESv0b8hGdtfnQs-/s1600/4122555_XXhCqCTz_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOfVdfiygRRx064DByLNkaqjbVZc49uZwIna4VGdDjgPqs1l9Pw54dUGxDNzpKcbAzUFknvI6qBrDEMeOUudke7xYgEBr5j-bTcjItVnFf_CkCjBhV9TPSJkIVdaFtESv0b8hGdtfnQs-/s400/4122555_XXhCqCTz_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586604764408601810" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Kids Moto Jacket.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdDzDaLksQvbj9z-yycLWJYa0U7sfU3PVDa_khXA8ETbo-bcDH5MKLZEGaiUR-WEN1RUKU06ZaCdGuzJc6_dAjnjbDtp2NYA44P1AZqFKWRhrac6MUMv1FU6RO7f3PKbN1Cu1dKOMTan4/s1600/4342914_vRa5mOXb_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdDzDaLksQvbj9z-yycLWJYa0U7sfU3PVDa_khXA8ETbo-bcDH5MKLZEGaiUR-WEN1RUKU06ZaCdGuzJc6_dAjnjbDtp2NYA44P1AZqFKWRhrac6MUMv1FU6RO7f3PKbN1Cu1dKOMTan4/s400/4342914_vRa5mOXb_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586604385810966226" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Cloud Leggings.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3cwAiaU6nhStEeMF0bPiLO8p5OkRZxzynrKZI95TgEYTCEOgLfVHS315g1-ferU3tI57UNxPlv75wcN8FzIDjZf293eI99vjOER3SXydLPdIgV004watpi04ubpGFIIomK_zCk-UVGML/s1600/4749153_BvXGo3vy_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3cwAiaU6nhStEeMF0bPiLO8p5OkRZxzynrKZI95TgEYTCEOgLfVHS315g1-ferU3tI57UNxPlv75wcN8FzIDjZf293eI99vjOER3SXydLPdIgV004watpi04ubpGFIIomK_zCk-UVGML/s400/4749153_BvXGo3vy_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586604378122703298" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Flapper Ruffle Dress.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpm2ANjm3-j-TC5AnyUpefrap0EN6U5MJOGyMc05NTKL7KaMyIgzVOf9oAKCpKH6WJvt6iz9MU332iLKzn2QzjDB-zcO35RCGWjGJpVskYaS4Q03fm0-GgodLTLfVGlUnbxMHE7Qc6SPRF/s1600/4640319_Uas6owq4_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpm2ANjm3-j-TC5AnyUpefrap0EN6U5MJOGyMc05NTKL7KaMyIgzVOf9oAKCpKH6WJvt6iz9MU332iLKzn2QzjDB-zcO35RCGWjGJpVskYaS4Q03fm0-GgodLTLfVGlUnbxMHE7Qc6SPRF/s400/4640319_Uas6owq4_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586604375994120002" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Newsboy Cap and Kitty T-shirt.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoj55f0otazpMa-pwP1kw7Q0U6AAmozSWfjQPZwcoNUEab3v0h1m_7X7HYcMTp5bXEJNyqibYJ1RJ1GCcfsriB7pVpVyv_XUUkoEi3F-uixzwWxkkKmttcpqP3no_JNdFJwq1MhAvtFVM/s1600/8301190_sl5WJRMk_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoj55f0otazpMa-pwP1kw7Q0U6AAmozSWfjQPZwcoNUEab3v0h1m_7X7HYcMTp5bXEJNyqibYJ1RJ1GCcfsriB7pVpVyv_XUUkoEi3F-uixzwWxkkKmttcpqP3no_JNdFJwq1MhAvtFVM/s400/8301190_sl5WJRMk_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586603933563019490" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Hand Knit Asymetric Cardigan.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoF4G-yJcJ5mIee6CXQ8mjIIknKIH2CfJ0gGxbzrfOi8kn0Q4jAo047XwvAKhzmigw0F13dXjrBe3_VgtTYcvbDOUlrblCPpinDNAK6y0OZHVTyBqwv6QJQrAQA0barpv19EKWReuMurx/s1600/3570183_rkgd41Ld_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoF4G-yJcJ5mIee6CXQ8mjIIknKIH2CfJ0gGxbzrfOi8kn0Q4jAo047XwvAKhzmigw0F13dXjrBe3_VgtTYcvbDOUlrblCPpinDNAK6y0OZHVTyBqwv6QJQrAQA0barpv19EKWReuMurx/s400/3570183_rkgd41Ld_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586603924047915266" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Black Ruffle Front Button Down Coat.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvY1ivkheJTDG38zLZRWHhhF2cDoQr_ylXgWKMoponfuYoxoKdwOZj9N5WLCt8KCb0SQ_RaNqTLTZerBv9c70jJTU_vG-pU1R13lhDai-Aw8LmZxXsmbRZ1FOFM8hb7RjhDnbbCYEWu7FP/s1600/4493482_aix7V0bp_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvY1ivkheJTDG38zLZRWHhhF2cDoQr_ylXgWKMoponfuYoxoKdwOZj9N5WLCt8KCb0SQ_RaNqTLTZerBv9c70jJTU_vG-pU1R13lhDai-Aw8LmZxXsmbRZ1FOFM8hb7RjhDnbbCYEWu7FP/s400/4493482_aix7V0bp_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586603914376693378" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Chevron Onsie</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIGNo4wlE-i0PB9HYQT1-By9me72tsJ5tpChlUifYOfzc9mzo10n93Fx5qWdoIx0aWabPqG0S7Y-91NRuDMJnQft9KeYr3KdRRCgXA_9l6ygO2dzRwo0s0eBDb1YvvJ9CGTPR1R_dKbNZ/s1600/4491741_wh781Kfo_b-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIGNo4wlE-i0PB9HYQT1-By9me72tsJ5tpChlUifYOfzc9mzo10n93Fx5qWdoIx0aWabPqG0S7Y-91NRuDMJnQft9KeYr3KdRRCgXA_9l6ygO2dzRwo0s0eBDb1YvvJ9CGTPR1R_dKbNZ/s400/4491741_wh781Kfo_b-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586603911621433314" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Swingy Trench with Burberry Wellies.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCcxS9yX1mFCh9HF9Umtd4jk4_dhF9SVW0OnEDdY5cM5ZX3n9_YJTNTutQSevVVc6Gf5z8IzdznTmHJnzHCb5t9R3yWaqNvkzCp6gIAy2GOD8nk2Dd2zeXF7KX6Uf7SZ8toCHIGUtQQ_2/s1600/4840924_cQziME7n_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCcxS9yX1mFCh9HF9Umtd4jk4_dhF9SVW0OnEDdY5cM5ZX3n9_YJTNTutQSevVVc6Gf5z8IzdznTmHJnzHCb5t9R3yWaqNvkzCp6gIAy2GOD8nk2Dd2zeXF7KX6Uf7SZ8toCHIGUtQQ_2/s400/4840924_cQziME7n_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586603902092463426" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hand Knit Ice Skate Slippers.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Most of these things are from zulily.com</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">and some of the sweaters and slippers are hand knit </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">and can be found on Etsy.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">If I figure out the sources, I'll update this post.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-66370700069697611402011-03-17T04:55:00.008-04:002011-03-18T03:57:03.845-04:00Happy Saint Patrick's Day<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666600;">May your home always be </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666600;">too small to hold all your friends.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666600;"> ~Irish Proverb</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdLrk0fI_JewJKO8RfAoSz9BMr5wQTe5-qcPoacypCxbZK9FrU797a0fqTimF55l6N5Kf1Rt2m4fMV4PdJYlr-iSVre06eqNguThLf8XM-y5b-X8n5wIdSjYXlTqFK7_wXcGmjQ9GbcKK/s1600/Wellness2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 273px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdLrk0fI_JewJKO8RfAoSz9BMr5wQTe5-qcPoacypCxbZK9FrU797a0fqTimF55l6N5Kf1Rt2m4fMV4PdJYlr-iSVre06eqNguThLf8XM-y5b-X8n5wIdSjYXlTqFK7_wXcGmjQ9GbcKK/s400/Wellness2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584970165412772162" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666600;">Hand Knit Starmore Traditional </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666600;">Aran Cable Blanket</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-91894333230910574972011-03-15T16:58:00.004-04:002011-03-16T19:55:12.469-04:00Restoration Admiration<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">The Spring 2011 Restoration Hardware catalogue is really something. My copy is worn, dog-eared and flagged. It is that good. Here are a couple of my favorite things that I can't live without.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Victorian Hotel Pendant Light.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I love the intricate open metalwork with the internal candelabra, in a</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">polished nickel finish.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i>Want one!</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 18px; font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:13px;"><div class="product-name" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- font-weight: normal; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color:transparent;"><h1 class="brand" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.1em; border-top-color: rgb(214, 204, 201); border-right-color: rgb(214, 204, 201); border-bottom-color: rgb(214, 204, 201); border-left-color: rgb(214, 204, 201); line-height: 20px; font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-transform: none; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWtTPhWbqNOEebDlD505hykqtLhMj97l6lvCQu4Q46q5W507LOR7rBTMt36LoWsqJl8WfGQyxVP3MerxIOj6VyLQ78S8cnN1i7pTQFt-eoIqX7k6ArB32PNVifl4QLyKBPoDTvcVTsyxG/s1600/prod1618047.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 390px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWtTPhWbqNOEebDlD505hykqtLhMj97l6lvCQu4Q46q5W507LOR7rBTMt36LoWsqJl8WfGQyxVP3MerxIOj6VyLQ78S8cnN1i7pTQFt-eoIqX7k6ArB32PNVifl4QLyKBPoDTvcVTsyxG/s400/prod1618047.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584414931570786018" /></a></span></span></h1></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Professor's Leather Double Chair.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Covered in this buttery vintage cigar leather with</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">hand hammered brass nail head details.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibu_PoH5Kmkn91UicxBYXSLwBaP16YgQ5-HhnSVrEWn99XFXJeNcWSaO_R5YEBiWzoS3U3DiYQBePtezHnIXmFOh6bqBSHN3NaBYbyVFkcCCNdlPXnHtcaBgLM87DWzBKrR8Yrs-pa61wV/s1600/prod60089.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 390px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibu_PoH5Kmkn91UicxBYXSLwBaP16YgQ5-HhnSVrEWn99XFXJeNcWSaO_R5YEBiWzoS3U3DiYQBePtezHnIXmFOh6bqBSHN3NaBYbyVFkcCCNdlPXnHtcaBgLM87DWzBKrR8Yrs-pa61wV/s400/prod60089.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584414926402705010" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Flatiron Collection.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">These awesome handmade tables are solid reclaimed elm doors.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Each table top is selected, planed, sanded and finished by hand </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">for a warm antique, industrial patina.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><i>L O V E !</i></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzedAcXMXcyDyU2xddPwjBYxvnHx9dXoGl_jV5pBOHk7bv9A3hCnYFkOmpJ8U1-PFNxVCtdEmBKR986Kt9Rj-M_2_OvfSk9RKac1zooHnGEIpakdFQ-YDwFFpeAjBMYcLjghNYHnBltD6/s1600/prod1672020_av4.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 390px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzedAcXMXcyDyU2xddPwjBYxvnHx9dXoGl_jV5pBOHk7bv9A3hCnYFkOmpJ8U1-PFNxVCtdEmBKR986Kt9Rj-M_2_OvfSk9RKac1zooHnGEIpakdFQ-YDwFFpeAjBMYcLjghNYHnBltD6/s400/prod1672020_av4.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584414663158023554" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Astoria Hotel Magazine Rack.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">This magazine caddy is crafted with cast ball joints and </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">the gleam of old brass. Nothing ordinary </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">about this magazine rack.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrb2XWUQy_2sstwuNl9trwjmSEcuxEiJt8mF8M4OHmtq7JjxC2ANtTzaXVg7TycbMgWeXACEJqxo9ihqz6CyC6lZl_psreJ-Kr1h62zmgH8LZgkSONw25RMa8F3oJ-EnXE-tQzoRIBa9oB/s1600/prod40175.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 390px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrb2XWUQy_2sstwuNl9trwjmSEcuxEiJt8mF8M4OHmtq7JjxC2ANtTzaXVg7TycbMgWeXACEJqxo9ihqz6CyC6lZl_psreJ-Kr1h62zmgH8LZgkSONw25RMa8F3oJ-EnXE-tQzoRIBa9oB/s400/prod40175.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584414663719873650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">French Academie Iron Bed.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I'm loving the use of industrial materials </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and masterful finishing techniques, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">this reproduction looks very much like it's </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">early 20th Century French predecessor.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Comes in all sizes, too!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIWr8XJqv5uqnZcsYDynSuKH-qZifzTbHPpfBEHYITkShhkU4KcyYL9wB-zdaW3Rmp3ieVC6dBbKcMGxj2DCdFyU6Ok7EmlbaEXgGfqmhHxcl0By-UnrMyh5SQtbLnt1Lgjn-ZR_zcINZ/s1600/prod1672028_av2.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 390px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIWr8XJqv5uqnZcsYDynSuKH-qZifzTbHPpfBEHYITkShhkU4KcyYL9wB-zdaW3Rmp3ieVC6dBbKcMGxj2DCdFyU6Ok7EmlbaEXgGfqmhHxcl0By-UnrMyh5SQtbLnt1Lgjn-ZR_zcINZ/s400/prod1672028_av2.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584414656235290770" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Arc Bracket.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I'm all about this a</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 15px; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:small;"><em style="font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">rchitectural</span></span></span></span> </em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:verdana;font-size:medium;">ironwork... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:verdana;font-size:medium;">Just like the stuff found in the grand </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:verdana;font-size:medium;">20th century train stations that</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">have inspired these shelving brackets.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Unexpected goodness!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdZ58dQSgy1wov__CE3ili9SktNtOyrlnUr8M3h1ygZjAaXPy_5H_Vu06SzX2uD-MEc66VGTVvLxgP6-Bmg1d8TVoEfVUrI3q7_cpf8cUXwSunM7eeVK-ktXB22q4rZpmMZvqoYrO6slA/s1600/prod1613102_WIN2-09.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 390px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdZ58dQSgy1wov__CE3ili9SktNtOyrlnUr8M3h1ygZjAaXPy_5H_Vu06SzX2uD-MEc66VGTVvLxgP6-Bmg1d8TVoEfVUrI3q7_cpf8cUXwSunM7eeVK-ktXB22q4rZpmMZvqoYrO6slA/s400/prod1613102_WIN2-09.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584414649009156930" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><b>And who knew that Restoration Hardware carried baby clothes?</b></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Their pure organic cotton layette looks so soft,</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">it's got to feel great against baby's skin.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Everything is unisex and machine washable.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">The prices are quite good too!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodqlrSpA4E_SW619pRoSnYYc6Fk4_9NaNqJ2RrJXNGVmwXXIkwSrWVlb56x3vIJnEkfCYz7mQpk6W-DtaQp-Ncab-Db8k9NTYFenY412jGdSnvuXQXQ0IQtGUZKE7oxtR3kGdllHWLxY4/s1600/rhbc_prod219223_av1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 390px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodqlrSpA4E_SW619pRoSnYYc6Fk4_9NaNqJ2RrJXNGVmwXXIkwSrWVlb56x3vIJnEkfCYz7mQpk6W-DtaQp-Ncab-Db8k9NTYFenY412jGdSnvuXQXQ0IQtGUZKE7oxtR3kGdllHWLxY4/s400/rhbc_prod219223_av1.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584414643678709362" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">If you haven't seen this catalogue, you have to get your hands on one. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">It feels like a big glossy design magazine of years gone by. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">It's stuff like this catalogue that has me resisting</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> the on-line digital magazines. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Which do you prefer?</span></i></span></span></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-47750118331715247952011-02-13T23:13:00.004-05:002011-02-14T13:58:15.640-05:00Valentine's Day<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">This Valentine speaks to me.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">You can get it </span></span></span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/owlyshadowpuppets?ref=seller_info"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">here</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> at Owly Shadow Puppets</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Etsy Shop.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">So original and unexpected!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Totally LOVE it!</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVC0C3NVD2kc2iYz4ZtFRjhHsRv0JWMU81PhgFDkYreqJ2c1rmh5nhZ4TkmWeSOxBp8M0re7eu7vL0QPgAz9xyMfGWEP8SzZ26P26EZrFKjr7-0QNSD7XNzWNkb_8jK_8otow5jyscj5S/s1600/il_570xN.55610350.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 345px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVC0C3NVD2kc2iYz4ZtFRjhHsRv0JWMU81PhgFDkYreqJ2c1rmh5nhZ4TkmWeSOxBp8M0re7eu7vL0QPgAz9xyMfGWEP8SzZ26P26EZrFKjr7-0QNSD7XNzWNkb_8jK_8otow5jyscj5S/s400/il_570xN.55610350.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573393631711171698" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">That one little word frees us of all the weight and pain of life.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><div style="text-align: center; "><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">You can never lose by loving. But you will always lose by holding back.</span></span></span></span></em></div><div style="text-align: center; "><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></span></em></div><div style="text-align: center; "><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">Happy Valentine's Day!</span></span></span></span></em></div><div style="text-align: center; "><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">And remember to spread the love around today!</span></span></span></span></em></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">xoxoxoxo</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">-ME</span></span></span></div></span></span></span></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-86513936379713986042011-01-23T21:37:00.007-05:002011-01-24T15:03:36.322-05:00Malm Fireplaces<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 17px; font-family:verdana;font-size:medium;">I know there seems to be a bit of a theme developing here... but it's so dang cold here that all I can think about is how to get warm. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">As most of you know, I moved last year into a sweet little place... </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i>with no fireplace. What a mistake!</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; font-size:medium;">I've always lived in homes with a fireplace and I guess I didn't realize until now, just how much I'd miss it!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; font-size:medium;">So, here's my idea.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 17px; font-family:verdana;font-size:medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 17px; font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 17px; font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">MALM!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 17px; font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_f3iYQ14fSYLeUk8mQxqbeM63Qvc89X6by33YImU2tIaxQ2Gmy-Ru8CqIdt8OQJ1PICBdeKl2dJQqKu6BfqF8-Tf9AvzJXxQkuv8IrlaXzd5LDXs2KFFx1vP9X-CjnFwP3Augodo72jnz/s1600/fire-sanctuary_rect540.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_f3iYQ14fSYLeUk8mQxqbeM63Qvc89X6by33YImU2tIaxQ2Gmy-Ru8CqIdt8OQJ1PICBdeKl2dJQqKu6BfqF8-Tf9AvzJXxQkuv8IrlaXzd5LDXs2KFFx1vP9X-CjnFwP3Augodo72jnz/s400/fire-sanctuary_rect540.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565576303485483842" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">via Apartment Therapy</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Malm has been manufacturing fireplaces</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> since 1960, in Sonoma County California, not far from the internationally-known California wine country. Their fireplaces come in either traditional designs or more sophisticated and modern styles. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Malm's most unique features include its use of a broad range of materials and its willingness to custom design fireplaces for interested </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i>(code word for wealthy) </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">customers.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#3C2110;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div></span><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ObOGQ4GtUXJUPQh1_3vdXTq-h_LtKEE11tkhpqS7Mg9mspMKYWRctM0_-q_RgtUylPbxMnCXletBqrOPKjMwxdIDZuxrN7h-cvuAp9ldB2YJEmLBtRHBR6kSmxw0zvVd0hRQDR2f_MMx/s1600/white+malm+fireplace+dwr.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 335px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ObOGQ4GtUXJUPQh1_3vdXTq-h_LtKEE11tkhpqS7Mg9mspMKYWRctM0_-q_RgtUylPbxMnCXletBqrOPKjMwxdIDZuxrN7h-cvuAp9ldB2YJEmLBtRHBR6kSmxw0zvVd0hRQDR2f_MMx/s400/white+malm+fireplace+dwr.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565576300630453986" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(60, 33, 16); line-height: 17px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">via The Estate of Things</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Besides the obvious design advantages of a freestanding fireplace, having the fireplace in the center of the room means more heat can radiate into the air, improving the fire's efficiency. The use of lightweight metals has advantages over the heavy stone typical of "old-style" brick- </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">since there is no need to heat hundreds of pounds of bricks, these fireplaces heat up much more quickly, radiating useful amounts of heat into the room sooner.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Finally, viewing angles for the fire in a freestanding fireplace are much larger than would be available otherwise. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Huge bonus!</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Malm fireplaces are available in many porcelain colors as well as brass, stainless steel, nickel, copper plated or matte black finishes.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I'm convinced!</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#3C2110;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedeb86SDdpiAKI0qHDLyemb-tL6fE6-AFUrRsJRaFuV1BMcKT-cB6xz5mNukW2IWCQ5Wc3OOmwDdwlntpekDuVCgl-8_bWH4wB-Vyoa0mG7Florsn9AFdzXDMN672u5UV37eg9XUdPo_w/s1600/fire-malm_rect540.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 384px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedeb86SDdpiAKI0qHDLyemb-tL6fE6-AFUrRsJRaFuV1BMcKT-cB6xz5mNukW2IWCQ5Wc3OOmwDdwlntpekDuVCgl-8_bWH4wB-Vyoa0mG7Florsn9AFdzXDMN672u5UV37eg9XUdPo_w/s400/fire-malm_rect540.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565576297851275410" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">via Malm</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I'm blown away that they still make these beauties...</span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I soooo hope I can make one work in my place!!! </span></span></span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-89387270022349688782011-01-18T10:33:00.010-05:002011-01-20T08:56:59.329-05:00Cold Days, Warm Blankets.<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">As the temperature continues to dip today, thoughts of snuggling up under a great blanket take over. And the blanket that always comes to mind is the classic Hudson Bay Point blanket. These blankets just ooze cozy, rustic, and old school charm. I really noticed </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">a resurgence in popularity of these blankets that seemed to coincide with the 2010 Winter Olympics last February in Vancouver.</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> Although the design has remained largely unchanged for 230+ years, they still manage to look modern, streamlined, and cheerful in any room. They seem most appropriate for log cabins but would be just as home in a modern downtown loft.</span></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM79YnG0v3J-pxG2IWU_B5yQZZTjeV2fPMUTyb24khRU1Z3Qw0bKTpjGZB61Chj7GYqd_-I7JZZg0I4xTrBLRiuEhXGYcPXJ8Tb9pU8D3TuCWTAZ9y3hMqOrX-S3GEThweayg2JaigSh1H/s1600/6a00d8341c5df753ef0133f422f4a9970b-500wi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 273px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM79YnG0v3J-pxG2IWU_B5yQZZTjeV2fPMUTyb24khRU1Z3Qw0bKTpjGZB61Chj7GYqd_-I7JZZg0I4xTrBLRiuEhXGYcPXJ8Tb9pU8D3TuCWTAZ9y3hMqOrX-S3GEThweayg2JaigSh1H/s400/6a00d8341c5df753ef0133f422f4a9970b-500wi.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563580544087775762" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">via The Marion House Book.</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaa_r2-PZre_NZFJwO6OmR9UphNfRL8TNV4QCb0h0WCMx6ugNe1zmyKOIjqIL56e553mzZJqLIa6lAT6eya0GuBXdqviCvxJUfZDtZ8QfhbL07qPI5-f6SxaA73EGJLpohxuxtH8VHdte/s1600/Decorating-ideas-botbol-ED0510-11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaa_r2-PZre_NZFJwO6OmR9UphNfRL8TNV4QCb0h0WCMx6ugNe1zmyKOIjqIL56e553mzZJqLIa6lAT6eya0GuBXdqviCvxJUfZDtZ8QfhbL07qPI5-f6SxaA73EGJLpohxuxtH8VHdte/s400/Decorating-ideas-botbol-ED0510-11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563552936758733122" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">via Elle Decor.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8qZAEYZ2mjKqxYiUygQw66Vvp8CIfJtia6PyaEFFCMEI7lELyTRmOvF4TVm0n2pSi7sjOz-KJoP481LbHzqz7WIYw7szhc6A1ZFHuthEsyvDEchpMQiH1YW54gxp3EQR0GH1lLUx95X5/s1600/snuggly.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8qZAEYZ2mjKqxYiUygQw66Vvp8CIfJtia6PyaEFFCMEI7lELyTRmOvF4TVm0n2pSi7sjOz-KJoP481LbHzqz7WIYw7szhc6A1ZFHuthEsyvDEchpMQiH1YW54gxp3EQR0GH1lLUx95X5/s400/snuggly.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563552932945394930" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">via Houzz.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyJ_XQ3MVVCU4pag27aIt1ZlutmnDbkIPY2f0p86kSm62qEDoGbTsBwuh01-8mnsts_Fwm6gc4H6_JCWcXyRLzEqn7MXiclWYI4h_cf0Ly-j9L_j8LUcsgfA0NGVfd-INKILgFbs2Uii5/s1600/4829753912_96ea4852af_b1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyJ_XQ3MVVCU4pag27aIt1ZlutmnDbkIPY2f0p86kSm62qEDoGbTsBwuh01-8mnsts_Fwm6gc4H6_JCWcXyRLzEqn7MXiclWYI4h_cf0Ly-j9L_j8LUcsgfA0NGVfd-INKILgFbs2Uii5/s400/4829753912_96ea4852af_b1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563552541450543362" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 17px; font-family:verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">via The Marion House Book.</span></span></div></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Hudson Bay Point Blanket might be the oldest and most identifiable Canadian tradition. These blankets were originally created in 1780 for fur trappers, traders and natives to survive outdoors in frigid Canadian winters. The point system is used to rate the warmth and size of the blanket. These blankets are such high quality and so highly valued that they are often handed down through families and found for hundreds of dollars on ebay and in thrift stores.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px;font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsewjxk8jVXPlrMznHw5pEMI-qSzI5ulxmetQLJpIgb-tgR_VX0FiIo1_aeSsyQ8FfLQBRxnd6MkR6Ti6xLcsGC_w1xYiAzTjrE2ufa0UmnAEkQtlJTVF1K68E9ZrIyj0F8v1SyM9Uc7R/s1600/home.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsewjxk8jVXPlrMznHw5pEMI-qSzI5ulxmetQLJpIgb-tgR_VX0FiIo1_aeSsyQ8FfLQBRxnd6MkR6Ti6xLcsGC_w1xYiAzTjrE2ufa0UmnAEkQtlJTVF1K68E9ZrIyj0F8v1SyM9Uc7R/s400/home.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563552527722623330" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">via Re-Nest.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 17px; font-family:verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">If you ever happen upon one, grab it up!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">They are worth every penny! </span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; font-family:verdana, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px; font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGvgaaRyykknrj_bkt9eBgy04e2PUAMHAu-_39HPgkORBnEa94ohasFIcxtEwHYUeNDSOVewrtY9cMpei-JytgXu8_WW6FyiIQY99BHiUUWn-kJpw7Ulcw1j7suA0RjAE4mCgiQMaMWTy/s1600/Screen-shot-2010-02-25-at-9.00.20-PM.JPEG"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-4201316977439719172011-01-15T21:13:00.011-05:002011-04-05T17:30:27.455-04:00I'm Not Worthy!<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I'm so excited to have gotten a "Stylish Blogger" award from the uber talanted </span></span><a href="http://greenstreetblog.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Fran from Green Street.</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> Truth be told, I'm not so sure how stylish I am but one thing is for sure...</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:x-large;">I love me some awards!</span></b></i></span></div></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6B5G0Fn3B6-HAdfwij4VBFUa80hdV6_1homktelp8JLDWs81oUtB9O9ngAcP94qfXGXJVcqh1X04KRnDtZExQDlJsCOY4s9FXG-SF2f7wDisGiG_FwaHcEC-nXSFBVh02yN_MaSkrhyphenhyphen9a/s1600/stylish-blogger-award-image1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6B5G0Fn3B6-HAdfwij4VBFUa80hdV6_1homktelp8JLDWs81oUtB9O9ngAcP94qfXGXJVcqh1X04KRnDtZExQDlJsCOY4s9FXG-SF2f7wDisGiG_FwaHcEC-nXSFBVh02yN_MaSkrhyphenhyphen9a/s400/stylish-blogger-award-image1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562607230448630482" /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">It's funny, but anytime someone says "You've won an award" (which doesn't happen very often, incidentally) my mind goes right to that "Christmas Story" movie where the father wins that hideous leg lamp and brags to all his friends and neighbors that </span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">"I won it... it's a major award!"</span></b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> I don't know why, but that just </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">kills</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> me!</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGRYsPXQIqRZlRYSo577nd0-88cTItkaTqm0ciK1iGtB4UCyNjdV-nv9gsNZgmDLRwsxiR1Q8aozjn9FQ425UINHQB3WAcnupejNASyGHjq541xTtYbnguaG6_f9peWwHziZzD1z65YMa/s1600/images.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGRYsPXQIqRZlRYSo577nd0-88cTItkaTqm0ciK1iGtB4UCyNjdV-nv9gsNZgmDLRwsxiR1Q8aozjn9FQ425UINHQB3WAcnupejNASyGHjq541xTtYbnguaG6_f9peWwHziZzD1z65YMa/s400/images.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562607226586860690" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Now, for the 7 things about myself...</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">1. I don't wear socks. No matter the temperature, outfit or occasion, </span></span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> never.</span></span></span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I hate the little seams that go across the toes. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">They bother me to the point of distraction. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">It would take 30 minutes in the morning before school </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">for me to adjust and re-adjust the location of the seam </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">just to be able to put on my shoes.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">2. I have been to all 50 States and all the Providences in Canada. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">3. I attended Catholic school for 12 years (4 of which were girls only) before going on to college </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">where I was majoring in Nursing and Biology. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(12, 11, 10); line-height: 20px; font-family:Tahoma;font-size:13px;"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">4. Back in the day, I had a huge crush on Steve </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">from the children's show, </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">"Blue's Clues". </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I thought he was so sweet and so good with children.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> Very "boy next door-ish". </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I wont get all into that weirdness... </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">(In fact, maybe we should just keep that one to ourselves, OK?)</span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipO2Xyp42qEJm6cwfFN4dCNVPlplBi8uTnq5SMuLLk1dIo5ziaTNlQLAt4Qe2W_0I1c914P2w0u_vHIwoOKNqgk7Ia8pP14NwB0hAywyTQ_sxDKt8WlHxeP4gHFuJJyrSxKPjzy-HqWXWh/s1600/imgname--steve_of_blues_clues---50226711--steve.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipO2Xyp42qEJm6cwfFN4dCNVPlplBi8uTnq5SMuLLk1dIo5ziaTNlQLAt4Qe2W_0I1c914P2w0u_vHIwoOKNqgk7Ia8pP14NwB0hAywyTQ_sxDKt8WlHxeP4gHFuJJyrSxKPjzy-HqWXWh/s400/imgname--steve_of_blues_clues---50226711--steve.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562607222696518930" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(12, 11, 10); line-height: 20px; font-family:Tahoma;font-size:13px;"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">5. While I was in College, I worked at </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Grosse Pointe Indoor Tennis Club </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">as a USPTA tennis teaching professional. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I helped develop and implement the tiny tots program.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Super fun job!!!</span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></b></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">6. Some of you may already know this, but I have an incredible weakness for fabric. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">All kinds of fabric.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> It's my achilles heal. </span></span></i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></span></i></b></span></span></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3l5Ont06WpfaPhsNUSVaJZybMrN0se6JwaHlfUIljuo89F7XauBMcCo8jDSiLEpXd1lTxJfPFNvzdaRQn-bUHHWdysT7bEVHRBRUM9FHZoUEEr4CjjGbbEKUnsn3yql2HmrzeaY-YuNkX/s1600/6a00d8347b268b53ef0115714d11bb970c-450wi.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 364px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3l5Ont06WpfaPhsNUSVaJZybMrN0se6JwaHlfUIljuo89F7XauBMcCo8jDSiLEpXd1lTxJfPFNvzdaRQn-bUHHWdysT7bEVHRBRUM9FHZoUEEr4CjjGbbEKUnsn3yql2HmrzeaY-YuNkX/s400/6a00d8347b268b53ef0115714d11bb970c-450wi.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562607219580789106" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(12, 11, 10); line-height: 20px; font-family:Tahoma;font-size:13px;"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I also collect skeleton keys from all over the place.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">In my last home I had them displayed on a wall in the entryway.</span></span></span></span></div></span></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-bpBHKzBakGb6OT-pD7kDRZ-ER7zLfWSmjQdYMJAwkYPflPJaUWNc2HebX5OHpIuBYSZdah4ANwPBVj9c8WT_KpuZ6PrW9h3Kd7PHwnF654asRoOWw6shaS-ZowKGW1JkwamrBsgpEn6/s1600/images-5.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-bpBHKzBakGb6OT-pD7kDRZ-ER7zLfWSmjQdYMJAwkYPflPJaUWNc2HebX5OHpIuBYSZdah4ANwPBVj9c8WT_KpuZ6PrW9h3Kd7PHwnF654asRoOWw6shaS-ZowKGW1JkwamrBsgpEn6/s400/images-5.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562607205033731810" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">7. Last but not least, I started this blog because of my Sister-in-Law.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">We live quite a long distance from each other </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">and even though we were always friendly with one another, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">we weren't exactly good friends. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Almost one year ago, I was in Connecticut visiting. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">It was on that trip that we discovered our mutual obsession with interior design. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">We really</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> bonded over blogs and decided to jump to the otherside </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">and start our own blogs. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Without her encouragement, support and ever positive attitude, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I would never have started blogging.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Thanks Fran!!!</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I would like to pass this award on to:</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.lilacandgrey.com/">Cara at Lilac and Grey</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.thesinglenester.com/">Carmie at The Single Nester</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://whatthevita.wordpress.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Elisa at What the Vita</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(12, 11, 10); line-height: 20px; font-family:Tahoma;font-size:13px;"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">As part of accepting the award, they'll...</span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">+ Thank and link back to the person that awarded them {me}</span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">+ Share seven things about themselves.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">+ Pay it forward to some recently discovered bloggers.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">+ Contact those bloggers about the award!</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div></span></span></span></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-89839624113372803732011-01-11T12:35:00.007-05:002011-01-11T13:16:14.473-05:008500 Square Feet of Goodness<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Over the Christmas holiday, my fabulous Sister-in-Law (who I don't spend nearly enough time with) and I had the opportunity</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">to go to Ann Arbor to check out </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><a href="http://thetreasuremart.wordpress.com/">The Treasure Mart.</a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzV2ALeO0SBbFViMzolBU5TuUBpqvzkbNnIDJmtWJOCT57-f9JJVODjt8mQ1TOC-XHUXinMijw0GbiUD53mUH2ret2zrE_4LIqHa-tIwXVxFE2oJFhM_lQBhmWPfr2OfDX6AUAe5Q5ECz/s1600/Treasure-Mart-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzV2ALeO0SBbFViMzolBU5TuUBpqvzkbNnIDJmtWJOCT57-f9JJVODjt8mQ1TOC-XHUXinMijw0GbiUD53mUH2ret2zrE_4LIqHa-tIwXVxFE2oJFhM_lQBhmWPfr2OfDX6AUAe5Q5ECz/s400/Treasure-Mart-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560984294777694322" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">It was gooooood!</span></span></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7F-1VYJ_k1hfsz8VsaRiGSbLEz5CaI5R9boipGFEAUomIE6Qq47CxHAFJtg3DZlRpiLSDJ6mWz9FJ79E0guKuV2BqDWBH0-ScjoEUObBkD_CWOLqUxh5A5KEg3fCY5wrssFb_lZbpKn50/s1600/144_o-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7F-1VYJ_k1hfsz8VsaRiGSbLEz5CaI5R9boipGFEAUomIE6Qq47CxHAFJtg3DZlRpiLSDJ6mWz9FJ79E0guKuV2BqDWBH0-ScjoEUObBkD_CWOLqUxh5A5KEg3fCY5wrssFb_lZbpKn50/s400/144_o-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560984293606827010" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Open since 1960, The Treasure Mart has been committed to reuse, recycling and repurposing. The constantly changing inventory of gently used merchandise includes beautiful antiques, nostalgic collectibles, a wide variety of useful household items. </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> They sell everything on consignment which means money spent at this store will go back into the hands of the local community. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">I love that.</span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ej90nzW9ic2eRqzpn8QC3iJ9XV04jSsT4etrCO3kuTB0si4OPD6GnxGYS3AksBjU5E2jdSPZpChtHNagrCIGVMx0E-ZLJENAdni4z5QR0uWy8jsna_WgmnaofLCgtOIu1CRwXEjW0X44/s1600/4428704958_42dd6dfa77-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ej90nzW9ic2eRqzpn8QC3iJ9XV04jSsT4etrCO3kuTB0si4OPD6GnxGYS3AksBjU5E2jdSPZpChtHNagrCIGVMx0E-ZLJENAdni4z5QR0uWy8jsna_WgmnaofLCgtOIu1CRwXEjW0X44/s400/4428704958_42dd6dfa77-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560984120622179666" /></a><br /><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0QK_DbJNxjfY8uJ7lF0BtNf382RhKSwakNSKsZmPIoQGB5Eh5UJNaEMUZiSPKYxaGtKlF7KByx9oLI37wMMx9PlgnHV7HQEWklxW8bT-NpoIEneG3Z_FqsA3Wq3Dsj2EnEfe8C9ocqzy/s1600/4428705902_dd0d899edc-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0QK_DbJNxjfY8uJ7lF0BtNf382RhKSwakNSKsZmPIoQGB5Eh5UJNaEMUZiSPKYxaGtKlF7KByx9oLI37wMMx9PlgnHV7HQEWklxW8bT-NpoIEneG3Z_FqsA3Wq3Dsj2EnEfe8C9ocqzy/s400/4428705902_dd0d899edc-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560984116355719250" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(136, 136, 136); line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(136, 136, 136); line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Another interesting feature of shopping at The Treasure Mart is the monthly price reduction on all items priced at $5.00 or more.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(136, 136, 136); line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> An item that has been in the store for a month from the date on the ticket is 10% off, 2 months 20% off, 3 months 30%, etc.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(136, 136, 136); line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">This ensures quick turnover and great deals!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(136, 136, 136); line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(136, 136, 136); line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpzUqjLa8D3HKb3RMT85hBSCaOfV610U4nFErZxmyZwcWU6SR5CPgGTXPTABpdbzwcVi5J-cRAE3EqfnSMzCTAcisuGbwPUwFsPt0m3AE1hH5zg_2243GuwD7S03t0hyphenhyphenyi3I0bIcnR1Kc/s1600/Treasure+Mart%2521+009-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpzUqjLa8D3HKb3RMT85hBSCaOfV610U4nFErZxmyZwcWU6SR5CPgGTXPTABpdbzwcVi5J-cRAE3EqfnSMzCTAcisuGbwPUwFsPt0m3AE1hH5zg_2243GuwD7S03t0hyphenhyphenyi3I0bIcnR1Kc/s400/Treasure+Mart%2521+009-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560984114505402082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">While wandering around the three floors and 8500 square feet of "packed to the rafters" goodness, we came across this little beauty for $75.00.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I had to have it.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iQMpS-95rJNId354ptbNXLa2ux4Lfq38a0Ee3LO43Xf5pzpcnWn_LCANsS8uMcqQWcOzyiIKeBBEo6-rLxW7XD-GO4YREblz2fSgXem1VMcMPe3ES4zFpUwwE8wyPVqo34FPAQGjQaw1/s1600/100_0727.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iQMpS-95rJNId354ptbNXLa2ux4Lfq38a0Ee3LO43Xf5pzpcnWn_LCANsS8uMcqQWcOzyiIKeBBEo6-rLxW7XD-GO4YREblz2fSgXem1VMcMPe3ES4zFpUwwE8wyPVqo34FPAQGjQaw1/s400/100_0727.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560984110333067938" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">And now, I can't get this image out of my head... </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Is it too crazy or should I be like Nike and</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">"Just Do It"??</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoLC3rCz2rd5WHEMNpwg7A4VjOquydowZFGNZ_2EzhfBjD6OLMp8f5rqTeejjAGJCMRfpefFKawPTlJZJ3vAMMHl_1VfiSRmAole7Ovkr4gQHUXcDumFEfnpt0ln0sTrfMbTXXueu_af5/s1600/scandinavianchic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoLC3rCz2rd5WHEMNpwg7A4VjOquydowZFGNZ_2EzhfBjD6OLMp8f5rqTeejjAGJCMRfpefFKawPTlJZJ3vAMMHl_1VfiSRmAole7Ovkr4gQHUXcDumFEfnpt0ln0sTrfMbTXXueu_af5/s400/scandinavianchic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560984102653248898" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">I know it's only paint, but I'm a committment phobe... hahaha!!!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">I'd love to hear your ideas!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-17059210011217733172011-01-05T22:21:00.005-05:002011-01-05T23:00:45.717-05:00I Have a Confession.<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I have a confession. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I am not a fan of the whole “New Years Resolution” thing. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">It’s not that I don’t get the appeal. Believe me, I do. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">A New Year feels untarnished by bad choices, untouched by drama. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">It feels full of possibilities and second chances. </span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyZHbScQ-lcB9TPQBtvXC3jq4pro1Hy_7hu2KtNKoBU7_1FB8biLFner-zmGzjHKeN_kd7qufRdYWPUjdrMSRS8cRo2XlZGEE-XW_2edEKphocc2NzoXCWfbrprIp7Tjdf0emYAkdCeRv/s1600/tumblr_kshoqy0lsr1qzu1fjo1_500_large.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 373px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyZHbScQ-lcB9TPQBtvXC3jq4pro1Hy_7hu2KtNKoBU7_1FB8biLFner-zmGzjHKeN_kd7qufRdYWPUjdrMSRS8cRo2XlZGEE-XW_2edEKphocc2NzoXCWfbrprIp7Tjdf0emYAkdCeRv/s400/tumblr_kshoqy0lsr1qzu1fjo1_500_large.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558912192857036866" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We all know that a turn of the calendar does not absolve us of our choices,</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> or rid us of our demons,</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> or serve as a free pass for a do-over. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So this year,</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">instead of setting silly goals and </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">making a bunch of promises to myself</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">about living like I ought to anyway...</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I'm just going to</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">spend more time with these guys.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; font-family:verdana, tahoma, arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidx4u-CDtsR_-kunzACLuHD6T83vM5yk2RgL8Wsso73T9bHLG6Yn297jZR0MxVLTV1_1JKZ2HK4s1aI8ehxOMM5T9aXmnz1w5qogzhZhYRiPzyGR2e2aINR8YwKyOFGAcDx7R-BY2iU44E/s1600/100_0696.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidx4u-CDtsR_-kunzACLuHD6T83vM5yk2RgL8Wsso73T9bHLG6Yn297jZR0MxVLTV1_1JKZ2HK4s1aI8ehxOMM5T9aXmnz1w5qogzhZhYRiPzyGR2e2aINR8YwKyOFGAcDx7R-BY2iU44E/s400/100_0696.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558912187103897266" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">nieces & nephews</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">My favorite people in the whole wide world!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Welcome 2011!</span></span></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-13503036133773223072010-12-24T22:10:00.006-05:002010-12-24T22:27:33.700-05:00All Roads...<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>On Christmas Eve... all roads lead home!</i></b></span></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7pnwnVbEtMaMUEBfN46NjZ-sfd27xhKPp5TBZuOJh7HpG5cxjFrg_hwauogpYLGwiUIVZCVhHYWwVGPn_E1SqLJRonJiMv3O_rF_BjNmcUi_X7TdDaC0VEW-Fzb_ego0gPXv0JFjDzMN/s1600/Christmas-Scene-christmas-2736054-1024-768.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7pnwnVbEtMaMUEBfN46NjZ-sfd27xhKPp5TBZuOJh7HpG5cxjFrg_hwauogpYLGwiUIVZCVhHYWwVGPn_E1SqLJRonJiMv3O_rF_BjNmcUi_X7TdDaC0VEW-Fzb_ego0gPXv0JFjDzMN/s400/Christmas-Scene-christmas-2736054-1024-768.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554452463827588626" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Last minute Christmas gift suggestions:</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:tahoma, verdana, arial;font-size:12px;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">To your enemy, <i>forgiveness.</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">To an opponent, <i>tolerance.</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">To a friend, <i>your heart.</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">To all, <i>charity.</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">To every child, <i>a good example.</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">To yourself, <i>respect.</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Merry Christmas Friends!!!</span></b></span></p></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-63826349811457211672010-12-16T14:20:00.001-05:002010-12-16T16:13:55.360-05:00I Wish...<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I wish I was here...</span></span></i></b></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeGCpg6vRRN-6HmMkWE-Gikqi0XJJeL-6AAR6JRtE2O232qxUZL0uFsmEtHzSg6W8AGp28p1Y1jfQ_LtwwLdtmsV5ndgI0PlpJ4_GfgJzMls_9oHIGV6Dcf2K14JB24WGSYZGy1jeEw59/s1600/capella_telluride.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeGCpg6vRRN-6HmMkWE-Gikqi0XJJeL-6AAR6JRtE2O232qxUZL0uFsmEtHzSg6W8AGp28p1Y1jfQ_LtwwLdtmsV5ndgI0PlpJ4_GfgJzMls_9oHIGV6Dcf2K14JB24WGSYZGy1jeEw59/s400/capella_telluride.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551362395740610162" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Telluride, Co.</span></span></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-58942298710159052892010-12-08T16:28:00.009-05:002010-12-09T09:43:19.834-05:00DYI: A Little E.R. Inspiration<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Remember this little number from <a href="http://www.eddieross.com/eddie_ross/2009/12/ornament-wreath-challenge.html">Eddie Ross</a>? I still love it and I still haven't made one. </span></span> </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CtzMEQhZm0tio6K6pObeyorQPaj-l3YacrfEFrOPQsShbgsnKd_m7T9mTwB8B8FZbwGomZqnPovoC4HcQl5ioUu7G0WXSIBBhGcq4dzFBMRNADNnu1CI7MuGNNUBQaeyfCM-GPwk5vIo/s1600/diy_wreaths_g11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CtzMEQhZm0tio6K6pObeyorQPaj-l3YacrfEFrOPQsShbgsnKd_m7T9mTwB8B8FZbwGomZqnPovoC4HcQl5ioUu7G0WXSIBBhGcq4dzFBMRNADNnu1CI7MuGNNUBQaeyfCM-GPwk5vIo/s400/diy_wreaths_g11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548689008998095634" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">This Christmas, I'm trying to be a little "craftier". And I have a lot of you ladies out there to thank. I've been so inspired by some of your projects that I've decided to try an easy one myself. So, I'll start out with a simple "Eddie Ross" inspired outside wreath.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> I like the idea of using non-tradional colors. It's fun and less expected than the usual Christmas colors.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_92kgxikJT9ri-30-3EQskZuvFA0x3Xz-zb0pNaRRg5IvLBBFudvjuiuOZAKTY0O_gRDHnrBldaxheq48qiIJ8_ZbQnHSI77PSvARP7XhWEnuXZgW5DLQDBwZpzRkEMy_4VY-1VpJ-HeP/s1600/100_0690.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 380px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_92kgxikJT9ri-30-3EQskZuvFA0x3Xz-zb0pNaRRg5IvLBBFudvjuiuOZAKTY0O_gRDHnrBldaxheq48qiIJ8_ZbQnHSI77PSvARP7XhWEnuXZgW5DLQDBwZpzRkEMy_4VY-1VpJ-HeP/s400/100_0690.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548556438914447058" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_92kgxikJT9ri-30-3EQskZuvFA0x3Xz-zb0pNaRRg5IvLBBFudvjuiuOZAKTY0O_gRDHnrBldaxheq48qiIJ8_ZbQnHSI77PSvARP7XhWEnuXZgW5DLQDBwZpzRkEMy_4VY-1VpJ-HeP/s1600/100_0690.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I really like this ribbon for some reason... I'm using it!!!</span></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdOGy2Pp3ZlzeTc_VsMLhozZZ_TCAD65rt8cC9CuT1rVzuHamfxdz4JnNB7SYPdrCqazgEDCflCmZe3rwiIhxQf08pBSz6KJPnwlK4VIf3IzK_aaaD6RhzoKle-wDJwUhdmi7gMgej4xj/s1600/100_0685.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdOGy2Pp3ZlzeTc_VsMLhozZZ_TCAD65rt8cC9CuT1rVzuHamfxdz4JnNB7SYPdrCqazgEDCflCmZe3rwiIhxQf08pBSz6KJPnwlK4VIf3IzK_aaaD6RhzoKle-wDJwUhdmi7gMgej4xj/s400/100_0685.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548556435006381426" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">So I pulled out a couple of lengths, and fashioned this bow. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">(Always the hardest part for me)</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDTqMCmkHtLjY9wXaIW-Cw8nx6YjiLtTzvSsOp1MfWamjq3lIy1tN0QvuddvJFclKg3i-5PYkDZwnK6rh1LH6oxRVwY5vNlr6NfDfnXLDwApOk_32sv5G3DzOmrq6BjF1SzxNZYMj9gjY/s1600/100_0686.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDTqMCmkHtLjY9wXaIW-Cw8nx6YjiLtTzvSsOp1MfWamjq3lIy1tN0QvuddvJFclKg3i-5PYkDZwnK6rh1LH6oxRVwY5vNlr6NfDfnXLDwApOk_32sv5G3DzOmrq6BjF1SzxNZYMj9gjY/s400/100_0686.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548556428391100562" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Next, I went to my favorite Big Lots and found these great <i>shatterproof</i> ornaments for $2.99 a box. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRI1T8zsVY-n5lUenWiOmaxv6r7NT_1_v4iWynx_gDEuMaqeGhExQa1W6reJ1O1Q99A0D0N-0Vqlr3EOtB-l1mGLR59maXP1xyAwyKmJsuC31lViULx-y8JmNnUuwT1f1DQd5fl40GOAv/s1600/100_0681.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRI1T8zsVY-n5lUenWiOmaxv6r7NT_1_v4iWynx_gDEuMaqeGhExQa1W6reJ1O1Q99A0D0N-0Vqlr3EOtB-l1mGLR59maXP1xyAwyKmJsuC31lViULx-y8JmNnUuwT1f1DQd5fl40GOAv/s400/100_0681.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548556420351481842" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I sorted through all the ornaments and decided to use only the matte finished ones.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilP6GO_PQNMXciXcVW9PPYDIZqL0Z_Qmix-TfDbIfJuhhXrIlshKeBnF-_6Nfs0lNAEgl-rs8dqWrNOnjDejDmcTxgDLC8EWumbGlDNuwrnCDDPEC2JL4ROYIujx40VuhUvigLQVihd65/s1600/100_0682.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilP6GO_PQNMXciXcVW9PPYDIZqL0Z_Qmix-TfDbIfJuhhXrIlshKeBnF-_6Nfs0lNAEgl-rs8dqWrNOnjDejDmcTxgDLC8EWumbGlDNuwrnCDDPEC2JL4ROYIujx40VuhUvigLQVihd65/s400/100_0682.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548556415284801602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Then, I found an old wire hanger and bent it around into a circle with a little hook on each end.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9NfA0zhDm9h_qEv4xrUYL5St0ccz0W_2uG2LYshbT76ckEL_gJOaVgc9_PjYy9LtySnJ2f0uh-3Pk2LHpv3H3kPCHgZlhb3ijQLGd3pxZzoMoDcJKqpSjYa_aleoiZ_IVIGImULWny7b/s1600/100_0684.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9NfA0zhDm9h_qEv4xrUYL5St0ccz0W_2uG2LYshbT76ckEL_gJOaVgc9_PjYy9LtySnJ2f0uh-3Pk2LHpv3H3kPCHgZlhb3ijQLGd3pxZzoMoDcJKqpSjYa_aleoiZ_IVIGImULWny7b/s400/100_0684.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548555687309766642" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Then, I just started stringing the ornaments onto the wire.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6I63mYpm5osbDkYjbZ154wd-M-WGGyh0-17zKfiMBxuOyYTMyPgC4CESf-PbDzYIZon0McA0dH9D6jEd5VK59Z1j9dgSrZ0EgmduHb4v_VTVFzOIdiHjB-gKF0HwRNPBeJ7hb6utcpiD/s1600/100_0687.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6I63mYpm5osbDkYjbZ154wd-M-WGGyh0-17zKfiMBxuOyYTMyPgC4CESf-PbDzYIZon0McA0dH9D6jEd5VK59Z1j9dgSrZ0EgmduHb4v_VTVFzOIdiHjB-gKF0HwRNPBeJ7hb6utcpiD/s400/100_0687.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548555685792250530" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">When I used all the ornaments, I bent it back into a circle and attached the two ends using the hooks I fashioned on either end of the wire hanger.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyCzNn1fpjO76FDcFITiLG5o48Sm7UUs8bZiDuYY4WRU9WQVX7i-GQ8SCbbZRtWZlL7Do4KrPKRvnZd2WYs9tABDMmIAhFRbEhwbM1aCcIHev9bw6YIM-BKhpn_NRvKoJJ-LV-4i4xpXp/s1600/100_0688.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyCzNn1fpjO76FDcFITiLG5o48Sm7UUs8bZiDuYY4WRU9WQVX7i-GQ8SCbbZRtWZlL7Do4KrPKRvnZd2WYs9tABDMmIAhFRbEhwbM1aCcIHev9bw6YIM-BKhpn_NRvKoJJ-LV-4i4xpXp/s400/100_0688.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548555674914981698" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Then I just fastened on the bow... and DONE!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vU39r_47vV2wbLWy2Hi2unhMZHsmBRfmpBTfZmqdFMWYYyybslX6dijbqOmaL9Ht-whDjoLA_QOcU565VSgWGBrTsWJShS78GyvuKJndh2BevnBu-GuXdEzc2ZSLiQVuX4NwBfv889wE/s1600/100_0689.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vU39r_47vV2wbLWy2Hi2unhMZHsmBRfmpBTfZmqdFMWYYyybslX6dijbqOmaL9Ht-whDjoLA_QOcU565VSgWGBrTsWJShS78GyvuKJndh2BevnBu-GuXdEzc2ZSLiQVuX4NwBfv889wE/s400/100_0689.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548555671082914306" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now as I look closer, I wish I would have changed some of ornaments around for better color distributation and made a bigger bow... !</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's no "Eddie Ross Wreath" but it's not bad, huh?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-43794257997035612992010-12-06T19:03:00.013-05:002010-12-07T08:00:03.184-05:00Rent the Runway... Brilliant!<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><p style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2px; line-height: 20px; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">The attic of my parents' house is a graveyard of dresses from years gone by. Prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses, dresses worn to formals – you name it, and you can find it up there. Seriously, I put Katherine Heigl’s 27 dresses to shame. And the worst part of it all is that these precious and costly dresses only saw the light of day once in their entire existence. They got all prettied up, made their debut, and then got stuffed back in the closet never to be seen again. Honestly, it’s a little heart-breaking.</span></span></span></p><p style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2px; line-height: 20px; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">In this day and age of recession and cutbacks on my wardrobe, I simply can’t afford to keep on living this way. Which is why</span></span></span><a href="http://www.renttherunway.com/redir/rtr_home"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"> RentTheRunway.com</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"> is such a lifesaver. Their slogan is “Love. Wear. Return.” and one look at their website will have you clutching your chest believing the "big one" has finally struck.</span></span></span></p><p style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2px; line-height: 20px; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">This mail-order service (I liken it to Netflix for fashion) allows women to rent high-end fashions and accessories for about one-tenth of the retail price. Running from $50 to $300 for a four-night loan, that M.Missoni dress you've been eyeing will be delivered to your doorstep, in TWO SIZES just in case. After you’ve had your fun, you simply mail it back to the company (at their expense) and they take care of the dry-cleaning. It’s so effortless I may slip into a fashion coma.<span id="more-45870" style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline- border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- color:initial;"></span></span></span></span></p><p style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2px; line-height: 20px; color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">Do you know what this means? Never spending a fortune on a dress you’ll probably wear once before it goes out of style. Always looking better than everyone else at the party because you’re in the latest Christian Siriano design. And finally, the end of outfit-repeating. I’m literally hyperventilating at the thought.</span></span></span></p><p style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 2px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2px; line-height: 20px; font-size:13px;color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">Praise be couture, Rent the Runway is Mecca. Now I just need somewhere to go.</span></span></span></p></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Meet the Masterminds, Jennifer Hyman Co-founder and CEO.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgg31Nu7JQQQ9uDRTSDpAJJViPIupFLz4DwCIxWTuut3g-x3p-HImvBlk56zOT5fPo-LdOtjgispHYm5g5A0z28HLxVGJD_nfd3MbWM7QYVt22VVu6E3GUjBKiETxdpYvli9rowymiZ2kk/s1600/JennH_1_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgg31Nu7JQQQ9uDRTSDpAJJViPIupFLz4DwCIxWTuut3g-x3p-HImvBlk56zOT5fPo-LdOtjgispHYm5g5A0z28HLxVGJD_nfd3MbWM7QYVt22VVu6E3GUjBKiETxdpYvli9rowymiZ2kk/s400/JennH_1_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547778516932377010" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And Jennifer Fleiss Co-founder and President.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUSD_Z8-9_2STKY__iSrtTCyT0APm2DgXwpsbRo0z-rfNf0jf0XDQS-oK4ekiSoSOi0nPOwW1DrqizSOUNmU6sM3bi7uQPrJA-AdWSuceOh_Vywf3PaAHUUfihEC3kgDYUtUoqSTihzux/s1600/JennyF_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUSD_Z8-9_2STKY__iSrtTCyT0APm2DgXwpsbRo0z-rfNf0jf0XDQS-oK4ekiSoSOi0nPOwW1DrqizSOUNmU6sM3bi7uQPrJA-AdWSuceOh_Vywf3PaAHUUfihEC3kgDYUtUoqSTihzux/s400/JennyF_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547778508785298658" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Check out a few pieces in their collection that are available to rent today...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">California Dreamin' gown by Matthew Williamson</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Retail price $2,195</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Rental price $300</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhXedtVLp2rQgoDTGsQZHL5Y5FFSiM7_UyxLPys_uQ8vD3MNfVp0SGQhGsn9EGYzqpPMuCFHyeWCaOBoQNKEX7kmVmIRff4nW1JpocmOMUTh88Nnv3lpQoqusLchbI7uJXMzsd_64-uT7/s1600/dress_matthew_williamson_california_dreamin_gown_2437.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 183px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhXedtVLp2rQgoDTGsQZHL5Y5FFSiM7_UyxLPys_uQ8vD3MNfVp0SGQhGsn9EGYzqpPMuCFHyeWCaOBoQNKEX7kmVmIRff4nW1JpocmOMUTh88Nnv3lpQoqusLchbI7uJXMzsd_64-uT7/s400/dress_matthew_williamson_california_dreamin_gown_2437.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547764296768552802" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Sailor Bandage Dress by </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><a href="http://www.renttherunway.com/shop/designers/herv%C3%A9l%C3%A9ger_dresses/zippedupbandagedress" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Hervé Léger</span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Retail $1590</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Rental $150</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYArvK3siBMPQo0Mgffdt-KMuTDyYHMOF_-QsYrJtlfw7Qfi8VWg-xsDPZIu-nwarlumK3f5QornjI1BaZyXczNpWs-V2n001sDmZHqBrjbGbS_CHa_Wifve0Y_oXC7ckxWE6wrPOrlvq/s1600/dress_herve_leger_sailor_bandage_730.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 183px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYArvK3siBMPQo0Mgffdt-KMuTDyYHMOF_-QsYrJtlfw7Qfi8VWg-xsDPZIu-nwarlumK3f5QornjI1BaZyXczNpWs-V2n001sDmZHqBrjbGbS_CHa_Wifve0Y_oXC7ckxWE6wrPOrlvq/s400/dress_herve_leger_sailor_bandage_730.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547762800510423922" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A Formal Affair Dress by Carlos Miele</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Retail $1,575</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Rental $200</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yXSKz_9_nIIYrVfllwdRPe-UCpxyAT32IdN_XqTitV96J8ipSvfSMrrJjWaj-8jud0Z5cIQ8afg3syj1zwdHa6sskvba0gFyLdXYZP05_Z7OfyJBrWBzWVYgneMAurumE74fy24qhO2g/s1600/dress_carlos_miele_a_formal_affair_1761.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 183px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yXSKz_9_nIIYrVfllwdRPe-UCpxyAT32IdN_XqTitV96J8ipSvfSMrrJjWaj-8jud0Z5cIQ8afg3syj1zwdHa6sskvba0gFyLdXYZP05_Z7OfyJBrWBzWVYgneMAurumE74fy24qhO2g/s400/dress_carlos_miele_a_formal_affair_1761.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547762420002440898" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> Sail Away Dress by Milly</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Retail $425</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Rental $50</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_5KMG1ZSc3hTTFFrbMHMoOTcNus_3oRDO4vg6jy1mXa40KWTJK-o3WzqpiyBYdWfDfcJNcjeHrA8Ix3ALkHxhKRRhZFZNrrxVjlxI1BqQgX7jnrUsY4l6fN3nWBhf4_TO5RHeD5n1k-m/s1600/dress_milly_sail_away_739.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 183px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_5KMG1ZSc3hTTFFrbMHMoOTcNus_3oRDO4vg6jy1mXa40KWTJK-o3WzqpiyBYdWfDfcJNcjeHrA8Ix3ALkHxhKRRhZFZNrrxVjlxI1BqQgX7jnrUsY4l6fN3nWBhf4_TO5RHeD5n1k-m/s400/dress_milly_sail_away_739.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547762411084429602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Princess Sweetheart Gown by Bibhu Mohapatra</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Retail $3500</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Rental $350</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMNv0cXudvwVkLVGIukkUOz7xIHmEbfXPCPuTOOjiXFqQqAFHiGzoylDb_YrWbkdQkaIhxuqstmglH4NDU9fpFoi-vNn-OA1ujc9ByPIQym2MY4S9lQ8PWCDCjroya2plvWblwy9HLk0h/s1600/dress_bibhu_mohapatra_princess_sweetheart_gown_1193.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 183px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMNv0cXudvwVkLVGIukkUOz7xIHmEbfXPCPuTOOjiXFqQqAFHiGzoylDb_YrWbkdQkaIhxuqstmglH4NDU9fpFoi-vNn-OA1ujc9ByPIQym2MY4S9lQ8PWCDCjroya2plvWblwy9HLk0h/s400/dress_bibhu_mohapatra_princess_sweetheart_gown_1193.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547762413957224882" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Varsity Dress by Pency</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Retail $475</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Rental $75</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXPB_32boG7Qj-J4WZZyTkw2d6dnRq1O6bHC_xAZGUaB8Vvp5dLRZiBhHrcj96SW8GsvhMDa2Y6kT8lev5VOAgewGdUgNBjSUKTg2nNNV0qsTjPxfavQYvw7X1JezZ-JDAnjU3nBfhh3k/s1600/dress_pencey_varsity_2427.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 183px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXPB_32boG7Qj-J4WZZyTkw2d6dnRq1O6bHC_xAZGUaB8Vvp5dLRZiBhHrcj96SW8GsvhMDa2Y6kT8lev5VOAgewGdUgNBjSUKTg2nNNV0qsTjPxfavQYvw7X1JezZ-JDAnjU3nBfhh3k/s400/dress_pencey_varsity_2427.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547762403036420050" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Aqua Ombre Bacall Earrings by Elizabeth Cole</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Retail $196</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Rental $25</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIznr2JA2SXsKAyUELnfuh494qunYra5AmVLAWw0x2w4C9d_CHWQVfgAqeuOk9kCIWDn2gVcxVE69BY4s1Rjo7L2JIutIq4T9TsrhbLZPlG4RoV455tcEv-aEzAn4xsRT3HH-Lxs9uZ8w/s1600/jewelry_earring_elizabeth_cole_aqua_ombre_bacall_2262.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 183px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIznr2JA2SXsKAyUELnfuh494qunYra5AmVLAWw0x2w4C9d_CHWQVfgAqeuOk9kCIWDn2gVcxVE69BY4s1Rjo7L2JIutIq4T9TsrhbLZPlG4RoV455tcEv-aEzAn4xsRT3HH-Lxs9uZ8w/s400/jewelry_earring_elizabeth_cole_aqua_ombre_bacall_2262.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547758638380739074" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Miriam Haskel Interlocking Pearl Necklace</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Retail $300</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Rental $35</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcF3bRZ5aH6iWKMe1hQ7yaTqOc-q_39fGbrc62aWwSDhh5RWO2pc6WhyphenhyphenCh2W_dK43IFR_rA3nwPKr5ayAni0YsA7nJvES4r-6GutxC3XYJxOqF9l4wtKEknR7TfXqnyTxRuSRxA0Mgn8R/s1600/jewelry_necklace_miriam_haskell_interlocking_pearl_2499.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 183px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcF3bRZ5aH6iWKMe1hQ7yaTqOc-q_39fGbrc62aWwSDhh5RWO2pc6WhyphenhyphenCh2W_dK43IFR_rA3nwPKr5ayAni0YsA7nJvES4r-6GutxC3XYJxOqF9l4wtKEknR7TfXqnyTxRuSRxA0Mgn8R/s400/jewelry_necklace_miriam_haskell_interlocking_pearl_2499.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547758634157410210" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Midnight Blue Blait Necklace by Gemma Redux</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Retail $680</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Rental $50</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajC-CS832R8Sn8umxKJlYwdyvL5MNXWaGWGI2imsTcCMH8mJBMtFwsefAKVBWrB8ypPoPHVXy0abYZXI8OhUIk3N_lzPknERl8Dnb9fVNhyWR4-ebComAvVNFZtNndGQittwdyuAwtrD7/s1600/jewelry_necklace_gemma_redux_midnight_blue_blair_1616.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 183px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajC-CS832R8Sn8umxKJlYwdyvL5MNXWaGWGI2imsTcCMH8mJBMtFwsefAKVBWrB8ypPoPHVXy0abYZXI8OhUIk3N_lzPknERl8Dnb9fVNhyWR4-ebComAvVNFZtNndGQittwdyuAwtrD7/s400/jewelry_necklace_gemma_redux_midnight_blue_blair_1616.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547758635020794162" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Cherry Bomb Handbag by Judith Leiber</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Retail $1595</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Rental $150</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 183px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxb3pFPz_YbnyRewpIhl1mhCpXexE3n_UNYPwQoJSBNFL9QHbXnDBVpdN22th8Wg4E1gLSMREfS9YO_4zfLTacICqJTDzx6D61DPMa3tcNtM9YZrUGluTwJOpafQgvdk0Ah11ie_Q-lyjX/s400/handbag_judith_leiber_cherry_bomb_clutch_2460.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547758630968572722" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Dreamweaver Clutch by Judith Leiber</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Retail $1695 </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Rental $150</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBEKq1EUCXXjxnTewZrIBuyW395kI7peku3CvEHQOpd89-SUQ6bK_lt61zmhFEb9sAjrUzMPuDlje2oGqyVBXDNF3S28VD5XJ7ksCLGRDajRxKouyBaiyUen-z-h5nzrdmBTU_6ugPAzY/s1600/handbag_judith_leiber_dreamweaver_clutch_2470.jpg"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBEKq1EUCXXjxnTewZrIBuyW395kI7peku3CvEHQOpd89-SUQ6bK_lt61zmhFEb9sAjrUzMPuDlje2oGqyVBXDNF3S28VD5XJ7ksCLGRDajRxKouyBaiyUen-z-h5nzrdmBTU_6ugPAzY/s1600/handbag_judith_leiber_dreamweaver_clutch_2470.jpg"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 275px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBEKq1EUCXXjxnTewZrIBuyW395kI7peku3CvEHQOpd89-SUQ6bK_lt61zmhFEb9sAjrUzMPuDlje2oGqyVBXDNF3S28VD5XJ7ksCLGRDajRxKouyBaiyUen-z-h5nzrdmBTU_6ugPAzY/s400/handbag_judith_leiber_dreamweaver_clutch_2470.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547758626480273922" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Coeur De La Mer Clutch by Judith Leiber</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Retail $2295</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Rental $225</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnz0w1A2o5Q2OtMC7GfX-bw-q59HAkI1Cf8jdt1uLEVoTTr7YSGG_rJ5OmK42RZKe7IeBsLvZW1AruQvqe1ke0km7iTsuq6TWvg4SlUYTge3T84zWFWlWcqyyI0bS8ZuVRyrmc7KhhGCs4/s1600/handbag_judith_leiber_coeur_de_la_mer_clutch_2457.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 183px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnz0w1A2o5Q2OtMC7GfX-bw-q59HAkI1Cf8jdt1uLEVoTTr7YSGG_rJ5OmK42RZKe7IeBsLvZW1AruQvqe1ke0km7iTsuq6TWvg4SlUYTge3T84zWFWlWcqyyI0bS8ZuVRyrmc7KhhGCs4/s400/handbag_judith_leiber_coeur_de_la_mer_clutch_2457.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547757897599805714" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">With Christmas and New Year's upon us and party dresses a must...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">What do you think of renting a dress? Is it kinda gross or is it a totally fantastic option considering the money you could save??</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I'd love to hear what you think!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">P.S. I got a little sidetracked on my DIY's. I'll post them very soon!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-25464398975365261542010-12-02T22:22:00.005-05:002010-12-02T23:18:35.996-05:00Dreaming of a White Christmas...<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Today, we got our first good snow of the Winter. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Everything looks so clean and bright! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> I hope this is what Christmas will be like!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevwZEsRmnm371cAZRRGgJ369lXPTgOMOhCrmgGD814kJMkuXNdJO8_QZJ8zUeKkpbYVYwfjc2jdXMhG4IIV3cZbgx4jPm-vBEIXEM7H2agY03E_9Of6wdIq1m4LZGfFRmXBT2DQt1APgI/s1600/562091908_1f70a364e8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevwZEsRmnm371cAZRRGgJ369lXPTgOMOhCrmgGD814kJMkuXNdJO8_QZJ8zUeKkpbYVYwfjc2jdXMhG4IIV3cZbgx4jPm-vBEIXEM7H2agY03E_9Of6wdIq1m4LZGfFRmXBT2DQt1APgI/s400/562091908_1f70a364e8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546302013038746402" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; ">I'll be spending the weekend decorating, baking and finishing up a couple of DIY's.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tune in on Monday for the finished projects!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Merry Weekend, Friends!!!</span></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-87315067709003354972010-11-30T05:10:00.012-05:002010-11-30T06:41:56.406-05:00Wait just a minute... Upside Down Christmas Trees?<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px; font-family:'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Tahoma, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Over this past weekend, I took a lovely walk through my neighborhood to check out the festive Christmas decorations. For me, this time of year awakens a feeling of warmth, family, and tradition. In my travels, I was a little taken a back to see my neighbor setting up his beautiful Christmas tree, upside down. Stay with me here... It’s not April Fools. Now, upside down Christmas trees look a bit surprising (to say the least) but it seems that they might actually be the real deal. With a little research, I found out that this tradition may actually go back </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">way</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> further than the upside right ones! Apparently, when the tradition was first established, people wanted it to be obvious that the tree was not some trivial floral decor idea. To give it more meaning, they had to hang it upside down... </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">of course!</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Ok, that's my slightly skewed, super-duper abridged version of the story {you're welcome!} but if you're interested in the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">real</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> story you can go<a href="http://www.eldrbarry.net/mous/saint/xmastree.htm"> </a></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.eldrbarry.net/mous/saint/xmastree.htm">here</a></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> to read more! And if you are really feeling adventurous this year, go here for a complete </span><a href="http://thefuntimesguide.com/2005/11/christmastree.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"how to" guide</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> for hanging your own tree upside down.</span></span></span></p></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNP_TbbVawbFOZD_KLqlIGbVyL-Rj3rxizOVr9nvry_l0hROdroZizFZFcWMoNOhMw1cA_qEJtFtiXU5xC82ZMCjGA2SMWwzU6XXQuojmPPf_S_h6OlzU49txqSAbcYCKxPq5sa4jRXt7u/s1600/christmas-tree.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 308px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNP_TbbVawbFOZD_KLqlIGbVyL-Rj3rxizOVr9nvry_l0hROdroZizFZFcWMoNOhMw1cA_qEJtFtiXU5xC82ZMCjGA2SMWwzU6XXQuojmPPf_S_h6OlzU49txqSAbcYCKxPq5sa4jRXt7u/s400/christmas-tree.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545289362621859266" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tampines One Mall, Singapore.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNmfUvvqqhKbyQkPGoXwfv3E7Lj13YVxN8FZSLX5XqkIlJh0_wqfqOWe2RKFbJksV17EBQG-UhdH2zdmWnxJ-O5odgJHQ77wUaVG0No82Ef8n4XX-cNmO9jkHVE6QVT4EOkJkY2N1mHG6/s1600/images-103.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 183px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNmfUvvqqhKbyQkPGoXwfv3E7Lj13YVxN8FZSLX5XqkIlJh0_wqfqOWe2RKFbJksV17EBQG-UhdH2zdmWnxJ-O5odgJHQ77wUaVG0No82Ef8n4XX-cNmO9jkHVE6QVT4EOkJkY2N1mHG6/s400/images-103.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545289043540190498" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">Traditional Trinity of Fir Branches.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIhCaxuEW77QYPWh0ieI4F09mz9l7DnyrUYgjDn6QRL_WeQ5Rrbz1_jQVKPfYjCuLsZf3D4TzR6RUdmK3ka32WCtx8GE4IPNbe_Up-q_C1DZVOSYDsZuQEHDT-KQJMF9aVsSe2FyXxunh/s1600/732771880-img-7933jpg-a34d3f8809c83cdf_large.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIhCaxuEW77QYPWh0ieI4F09mz9l7DnyrUYgjDn6QRL_WeQ5Rrbz1_jQVKPfYjCuLsZf3D4TzR6RUdmK3ka32WCtx8GE4IPNbe_Up-q_C1DZVOSYDsZuQEHDT-KQJMF9aVsSe2FyXxunh/s400/732771880-img-7933jpg-a34d3f8809c83cdf_large.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545289042414806610" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">St. Peter's Rectory.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79iovtZk7yob_xEjfF2Sf13vKglHDQ_pdQpcmFWDhOs255k1e5oL7yLDAqvGDqIHTNYr8r3yTKELnt82arRUzIl7Rj2nLZdK3Sik1UzZVmrJSixsVO3Mv8bCpcDqAgHixKfkLpsA0ks_0/s1600/HCH1MLL_mp-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79iovtZk7yob_xEjfF2Sf13vKglHDQ_pdQpcmFWDhOs255k1e5oL7yLDAqvGDqIHTNYr8r3yTKELnt82arRUzIl7Rj2nLZdK3Sik1UzZVmrJSixsVO3Mv8bCpcDqAgHixKfkLpsA0ks_0/s400/HCH1MLL_mp-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545286908092821362" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sognisorrisi.blogspot.com/2009/12/holiday-trend-upside-down-trees.html">via</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtshEEp_J1rakzRu8VgbhcLAyOlf7bJyagPM4dHdCdJj8-vatUi1VtT7PN2YO7Kfy8HjaHXJtRp8cKUYCG1rta84BXSVPkYJ7Ypn8hALrkf72koTeLd-PGTNTdW_KDVkLqjWm43Rm4LKF/s1600/2009-11-13-upsidedown.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtshEEp_J1rakzRu8VgbhcLAyOlf7bJyagPM4dHdCdJj8-vatUi1VtT7PN2YO7Kfy8HjaHXJtRp8cKUYCG1rta84BXSVPkYJ7Ypn8hALrkf72koTeLd-PGTNTdW_KDVkLqjWm43Rm4LKF/s400/2009-11-13-upsidedown.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545286905318211330" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/entertaining/upside-down-christmas-tree-101340">via</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2QVajlVisK43b1ApkBS8KjQL1N7bWADezRV9w1QkTl8VOSveMsuwhlnQLygBClcba4NKGtZ7GXowD5SALHClfZVWSR2ku1TRz58oTTXXBVW_bTotUz5G9GOFlv5_EXhRq41CZXqxQr-P/s1600/christmas+BLOG+PICS+032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 294px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2QVajlVisK43b1ApkBS8KjQL1N7bWADezRV9w1QkTl8VOSveMsuwhlnQLygBClcba4NKGtZ7GXowD5SALHClfZVWSR2ku1TRz58oTTXXBVW_bTotUz5G9GOFlv5_EXhRq41CZXqxQr-P/s400/christmas+BLOG+PICS+032.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545286896063364850" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://happylovesrosie.blogspot.com/">via</a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Whether or not you’re into the idea yourself, the fact is that it seems to becoming a fast growing trend. And trends catch on pretty quickly. Come to find out that nearly any tree shop will sell upside down artificial Christmas trees. White upside down Christmas trees, pink ones, plastic ones, or even real ones. No joke. You can call yourself a traditionalist, but if the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">real</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> tradition is in the upside down tree…</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px; font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px; font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Then where have I been?</span></span></span></span></div><div> </div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-69845654795097787502010-11-19T14:41:00.010-05:002010-11-19T16:47:00.987-05:00B & B interviews Tom Buckley<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; text-align: justify; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I'm still catching up on all of my required reading, so some of you will have already read this. But for those who haven't read it yet, there is a great interview on Balustrade & Bitters with Los Angeles-based interior decorator Tom Buckley. Buckley relocated from New York to LA in 1969, after 20 year at the legendary design firm McMillen. He’s been crafting beautiful rooms in Los Angeles ever since. Unfortunately for design mavins, examples of his talent have rarely been published. Being the perfectionist that he is, photographs didn't adequately capture his use of color, so he did not have them photographed at all. Such a shame for us fans!</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> I do know that what photos we do have, I absolutely </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">L.O.V.E.</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">! Bottom line, Tom Buckley has exquisite taste!</span></span></span></i></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; text-align: justify; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I particularly loved this part of the interview about following your instincts as a designer:<br /><br /></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I believe instinct is that little inner voice that says to you, “Do this, do that, or that is it, that’s the right chair.” Every time I’ve violated that rule, I’ve gotten into trouble. My little inner voice says,”I don’t think you should do this.” And I think, “Oh, shut up, I’m gonna do this, it’s gonna be fine.” Sometimes it works out and sometimes it’s been a disaster. I should have listened to that little inner voice. I believe we all have those little inner voices, all we need do is listen.</span></span></i></span></i></p></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://balustradeandbitters.com/encyclopedia/interiors-articles/tom-buckley">Go here</a> to read the entire interview. It really is fascinating glance into the mind of one of great designers of the last century.</span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zJeD9TwT7t2lAmIUKwxsbTP5qAuqEZGbvliNbWY8K-hn-GTK6zMm301yILe-CdYUFcoEa46Rcor-2HkVQjrCpQaIiZJBYcxUa6ITZIORfaaZFYl0WbhvJ2-S6zVE4CE6EIDgY4TiuT8z/s1600/Tom-Buckley-archive-patchwork1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zJeD9TwT7t2lAmIUKwxsbTP5qAuqEZGbvliNbWY8K-hn-GTK6zMm301yILe-CdYUFcoEa46Rcor-2HkVQjrCpQaIiZJBYcxUa6ITZIORfaaZFYl0WbhvJ2-S6zVE4CE6EIDgY4TiuT8z/s400/Tom-Buckley-archive-patchwork1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541349097564890162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmV1A_7JTZwy4EmiAgPCFRlYko9DWxbsF5-WyVJNrHQ5q032hQL_fK0sv6Hz1p8dEKxQjRTGJ3LnYd2CsRg0dKgeq-2hDORncU6aFBynvKtnZydiUkXUlZzReCedPIk8oiLz_oy2lPaH6h/s1600/5ball_pillow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmV1A_7JTZwy4EmiAgPCFRlYko9DWxbsF5-WyVJNrHQ5q032hQL_fK0sv6Hz1p8dEKxQjRTGJ3LnYd2CsRg0dKgeq-2hDORncU6aFBynvKtnZydiUkXUlZzReCedPIk8oiLz_oy2lPaH6h/s400/5ball_pillow.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541349093708288610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDHT1lXC_BclfXCUqanPgNrfKv3lcsdgAyArdKv2lJnUuS7jvKMNdJtPTZZSRzjPcP0pznfVQrswg23wNSzPsJbbH-s6Ww-7TOFLPaLpu0PVKiadWFfDERFEnzGKQa5jeP1FkgMDoRop0/s1600/archive_choc_turq2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 308px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDHT1lXC_BclfXCUqanPgNrfKv3lcsdgAyArdKv2lJnUuS7jvKMNdJtPTZZSRzjPcP0pznfVQrswg23wNSzPsJbbH-s6Ww-7TOFLPaLpu0PVKiadWFfDERFEnzGKQa5jeP1FkgMDoRop0/s400/archive_choc_turq2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541349081855427858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB545Tui0NA-42J_xFSdsYNq9eE8VuXfFos3_LdUTD9J__cV2o8rMK7v3kC8JwsXHpf2QiaxK8F5wZk_oTXgQ7pDcBOx5ZKNQ5_26_IGxN3F-dCf1d4_irSMbHFYcLl3CV7_a8laJD11Oj/s1600/Tom-Buckley-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB545Tui0NA-42J_xFSdsYNq9eE8VuXfFos3_LdUTD9J__cV2o8rMK7v3kC8JwsXHpf2QiaxK8F5wZk_oTXgQ7pDcBOx5ZKNQ5_26_IGxN3F-dCf1d4_irSMbHFYcLl3CV7_a8laJD11Oj/s400/Tom-Buckley-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541349071676693234" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">All images via Balustrade & Bitters.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">I think his room designs are just as relevant now as they were 40+ years ago...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">What do you think?</span></span></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-29900737079894311982010-11-12T17:53:00.003-05:002010-11-12T18:07:19.527-05:00Blog Makeover<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I think I've been going through some *ahem* seasonal things... so I decided to spiff up the ole blog and get psyched up about posting again. Well, we'll see if this works!!!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">A very special thanks to the wonderful and talented Jenna, over at {</span><a href="http://qadesigns.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">q.a.} design</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> for the makeover! If you ever need a little change or a whole new look for your blog... seriously, she is your girl!!! If you have a little time, jump on over to her </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/qadesign"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">etsy store</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> to do a little Christmas shopping! Great stuff!</span></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-51516119168531135782010-10-15T10:21:00.005-04:002010-10-15T10:29:21.495-04:00Fall Clean-Up<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I'm off to the Irish Hills to help my parents with the Fall clean-up. Leaves to rake, boats to put away, furniture to store and cover... it should be a beautiful weekend!</span></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSa9t-H2SvBL7P7YXJyx8AetNGNoSKUYxfhXlpfAYYf8U98uOp0Sclm6auMkNc38QvFpULyrdQCmhx_UTMMH7ZGw_hzG-TqTYYAbk553E8fNXTVjrAQsT_Avw5GIdeAnNBYDVb3kcSjAB/s1600/fi28.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSa9t-H2SvBL7P7YXJyx8AetNGNoSKUYxfhXlpfAYYf8U98uOp0Sclm6auMkNc38QvFpULyrdQCmhx_UTMMH7ZGw_hzG-TqTYYAbk553E8fNXTVjrAQsT_Avw5GIdeAnNBYDVb3kcSjAB/s400/fi28.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528278093176969378" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> Via Getty Images.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Any Great Fall Weekend Plans?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I would <i>love</i> to hear about what you're doing!</span></span></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-84892889545719550612010-10-11T16:46:00.009-04:002010-11-12T09:37:12.697-05:00Painted Furniture: Lucas Rise<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">After my last post about whether to refinish or paint my newest find, I was perusing the interweb to find some images of painted furniture. I came across this incredible artist <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">named L</span></span></span><a href="http://www.sansparapluie.com/" target="_blank" class="external" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">ucas Rise</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">. Based in Buenos Aires, Lucas creates incredible </span></span></span><a href="http://www.sansparapluie.com/" target="_blank" class="external" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">mural-like paintings</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> on furniture that range from 1960 psychedelic to tribal-themed patterns. I am blown away by the level of detail in each piece and immediately felt the urge to bust out my paints and get to work on </span></span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b>something</b> </span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">in my house. Being a realist, I know that I would wreck anything I painted, so for now I’ll have to live vicariously through Lucas’ pieces. Check out his full portfolio <a href="http://www.sansparapluie.com/cabinets.html">here.</a></span></span><span><br /><br /><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yCzwTqjn7KqOJEekrnTDOZrDkxL0S9bgX7qD7zukWpVrNyPRaPl4tL833nq-j2WOda3WLo7pck1BmX0ANwgco2uNCPo4BApsCYWKOOtqFzieGdTiOhp5JctD_0I7aBbXBLypuYlGA0Uz/s1600/PHOTOS-37.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yCzwTqjn7KqOJEekrnTDOZrDkxL0S9bgX7qD7zukWpVrNyPRaPl4tL833nq-j2WOda3WLo7pck1BmX0ANwgco2uNCPo4BApsCYWKOOtqFzieGdTiOhp5JctD_0I7aBbXBLypuYlGA0Uz/s400/PHOTOS-37.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526894577457113842" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Lucas Rise... easy on the eyes.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdDBUJ4ZZYZ4-NZUK9UzCqkMw6DyymeWeZOo5RdHkAu5os5jNayNT1n1yzoxb89JFu9O-iOGVQT-S660IxcJIAwFprtJNIJicStJWDgjA_HCQn2Ekx9d5hKLvZwV5n_wBsh-1DSk5bPSI/s1600/BI-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdDBUJ4ZZYZ4-NZUK9UzCqkMw6DyymeWeZOo5RdHkAu5os5jNayNT1n1yzoxb89JFu9O-iOGVQT-S660IxcJIAwFprtJNIJicStJWDgjA_HCQn2Ekx9d5hKLvZwV5n_wBsh-1DSk5bPSI/s400/BI-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526894226920686418" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjem82kCUgNSO8J0gNvDjIpqozXuRPucY-ZU0tY9LvB6JRk3Co-_ZeuMR8M1M0GlJbAWq_LyXKdur1mfJWvNueXUR2D-fB3SWzyP7mclchMmlAd3Dw8SuedeDosaiAQFtAqxuQrYHhuLy-Y/s1600/FP-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjem82kCUgNSO8J0gNvDjIpqozXuRPucY-ZU0tY9LvB6JRk3Co-_ZeuMR8M1M0GlJbAWq_LyXKdur1mfJWvNueXUR2D-fB3SWzyP7mclchMmlAd3Dw8SuedeDosaiAQFtAqxuQrYHhuLy-Y/s400/FP-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526894222126224018" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkide29YRSYwdTqeh96H74YSeiSrr861IX8pEWyXswL_xOhixaPT9dxVLhZXkawoSMMvMuzNF5TEO-I23d0th5w2MlYQEGEz2kj3_F1t00Sls7OAjieK1Tb6PExjLR6x6P-g6k1CnBgwe/s1600/AW-1-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkide29YRSYwdTqeh96H74YSeiSrr861IX8pEWyXswL_xOhixaPT9dxVLhZXkawoSMMvMuzNF5TEO-I23d0th5w2MlYQEGEz2kj3_F1t00Sls7OAjieK1Tb6PExjLR6x6P-g6k1CnBgwe/s400/AW-1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526894219065065986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizh6biCEcsjBjt4Gi5Ye-LYWqFllXxzC_hAb-E9Z7ERIVprJxl29JR1vIClqoPd2MfvVsypXIo5ESURZXXNYeRISP3lao7AW1T_AM37ymCtwBVe0yq3kYF-2Q7eEJWLqTf05MS4hxJc_pd/s1600/2423381362_9f65ba1a79_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizh6biCEcsjBjt4Gi5Ye-LYWqFllXxzC_hAb-E9Z7ERIVprJxl29JR1vIClqoPd2MfvVsypXIo5ESURZXXNYeRISP3lao7AW1T_AM37ymCtwBVe0yq3kYF-2Q7eEJWLqTf05MS4hxJc_pd/s400/2423381362_9f65ba1a79_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526893236324896354" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">All images via Lucas Rise.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Good Stuff, Huh?</span></span></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-49023435753176147342010-10-08T20:16:00.007-04:002010-10-09T16:22:20.324-04:00Look What I Found!<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Look what I found... My friend just moved and he was trying to sell everything that wouldn't work in his new place. Guess how much I paid for it? Go on... guess! Would you believe he gave it to me in exchange for a batch of homemade cookies! Awesome, right? This piece has great bones but the finish is a little worn.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Here's my question.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Should I paint it or refinish the wood? I've been in to painting pieces but lately I've been enamored with the wood look too.</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hWsw-9xsZ6B8MzPxgZtES3GzhDzlY6_6S7DyYUAOaooM0-I1mDF0jqI_n0WSXyIT7FliMrJeeUOlEoyoJACsJLHYUb-qBi2O8xx4NTZXIIlPnMFQLLt4hweUMcMxe5CuPTVw-2omqhqS/s1600/33465_444955129722_745784722_5039836_7044614_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hWsw-9xsZ6B8MzPxgZtES3GzhDzlY6_6S7DyYUAOaooM0-I1mDF0jqI_n0WSXyIT7FliMrJeeUOlEoyoJACsJLHYUb-qBi2O8xx4NTZXIIlPnMFQLLt4hweUMcMxe5CuPTVw-2omqhqS/s400/33465_444955129722_745784722_5039836_7044614_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525836104462050546" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">If I paint it, what color should I use?</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Help!!!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Happy Weekend My Friends!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-13312002585737431302010-10-05T18:42:00.015-04:002010-11-10T17:33:48.741-05:00Painted Floors... The Other Fifth Wall<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Are you looking for a great way to spruce up your space? How about painted floors? If you need to disguise a less that beautiful wood floor, this is a great trick. Not to mention what a big bang you get for your buck. Check out these examples and get inspired!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Mary McDonald has made this soft blue and white bathroom a little bit snazzier with a painted chevron pattern on the floor. There's nothing that I don't like about this bathroom.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmv3oZizSi249DP3ehVX1sLdDqUYGNuA8GX7Zon_AZ1Oul8yjQQvsXZeKFyjC3TbkIzGK4dAll2wJqjvyVlFkQIrRCwoH7M5we4BsnMvJNUjBHpJqoN9s_1oCdPH44xQQq0T17eE2INmMS/s1600/mary+macdonald+painted+floor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 354px; height: 375px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmv3oZizSi249DP3ehVX1sLdDqUYGNuA8GX7Zon_AZ1Oul8yjQQvsXZeKFyjC3TbkIzGK4dAll2wJqjvyVlFkQIrRCwoH7M5we4BsnMvJNUjBHpJqoN9s_1oCdPH44xQQq0T17eE2INmMS/s400/mary+macdonald+painted+floor.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525140192188655154" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Domino</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">This costal motif stenciled onto a painted wood floor adds a playful touch to the decor. The checkered wallpaper reminds me of an old tablecloth. This draws your eyes upward to showcase the beautiful copper cookware collection.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyMbLQ3kYSpdDpeyYVhnlWUTWpfixEoShNkUZ8hwhFL8ThiDoyY9Ruuy2uXdzfLqu9ab3ZgQQXC0V7OsgCukWZQK-OrYmV0IaruhIOetSGy4egPaLU0wqssuEMLcFvf4eSB8FTDvjuroY/s1600/53063-classic-twist-r-x.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyMbLQ3kYSpdDpeyYVhnlWUTWpfixEoShNkUZ8hwhFL8ThiDoyY9Ruuy2uXdzfLqu9ab3ZgQQXC0V7OsgCukWZQK-OrYmV0IaruhIOetSGy4egPaLU0wqssuEMLcFvf4eSB8FTDvjuroY/s400/53063-classic-twist-r-x.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525139068624204882" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Coastal Living</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Check out this black and white faux bois treatment. It almost looks too pretty to walk on. This hand painted pattern takes the traditional wood floors from standard to stunning.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSeBq3osu7xcSS6zq6TPx1yJ_gsK_O39ByO4Q0_5Irbbj5wKmQ-YL4CGeo_u_w25XmgNJB9_lZWoT27QlTlJEjDcdsGPuy8Ctlt-u7uzydxfYwaYCedJwsYnulYeyOxk95atf0U49FTK5/s1600/68855-funky-kitchen-r-x.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSeBq3osu7xcSS6zq6TPx1yJ_gsK_O39ByO4Q0_5Irbbj5wKmQ-YL4CGeo_u_w25XmgNJB9_lZWoT27QlTlJEjDcdsGPuy8Ctlt-u7uzydxfYwaYCedJwsYnulYeyOxk95atf0U49FTK5/s400/68855-funky-kitchen-r-x.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525139054998105346" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Coastal Living</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">This kitchen is an absolute beauty. I've been kind of obsessed with the idea of having checkered flooring somewhere in my house.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnWGBZnGzGASg05VmxclXoI9WzCPZfTaMI0ANYbHa0Vhbgd9ZFf5QcDXZvMUXT05tEpeZaYD3-eWUgP-Cdt2xfttj_BDiEPAW0kL-O53MPb58xB-YbvCMoZwb8oLYAS7WkTN_l39fvdz8/s1600/kitchen+idea_painted+floor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnWGBZnGzGASg05VmxclXoI9WzCPZfTaMI0ANYbHa0Vhbgd9ZFf5QcDXZvMUXT05tEpeZaYD3-eWUgP-Cdt2xfttj_BDiEPAW0kL-O53MPb58xB-YbvCMoZwb8oLYAS7WkTN_l39fvdz8/s400/kitchen+idea_painted+floor.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524750087409251666" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Elle Decor</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">This wood floor has been stained with two colors and painted on the diagnal. This makes a big bold statement, don't you think?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GNcXoGrxjY3pue7XuZN9vL97P-xacghv5NITLeXkVM2zVZ1C5nQylZd5cRGXdo5aqF37e3n1YRP_NRMABvpqj8xToIvgq0USSwpI4rq8mbtiCAHGBJFTeBwPSDYeKYy7DEtRlhdsecLE/s1600/Painted+Floors_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GNcXoGrxjY3pue7XuZN9vL97P-xacghv5NITLeXkVM2zVZ1C5nQylZd5cRGXdo5aqF37e3n1YRP_NRMABvpqj8xToIvgq0USSwpI4rq8mbtiCAHGBJFTeBwPSDYeKYy7DEtRlhdsecLE/s400/Painted+Floors_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524746231639493858" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Elle Decor</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Domino Mag had a guide on how to stencil your floors with custom patterns. Here is a playful spiral design. It really is a great way to inject some whimsey into a space.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWksyR7ODn5StC-fjUGB3r3LPG25n-YZj7232PJdAShej6Ddty0BrVdSUvhd-fBPNllh1WivaVtJioA1KM6WoRN1BqjdOVfGBbkYjJPtJel7unT5z97_iOc7k9Q6ok_XKXVwRY1QnjW4J/s1600/domino+mag+painted+floor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWksyR7ODn5StC-fjUGB3r3LPG25n-YZj7232PJdAShej6Ddty0BrVdSUvhd-fBPNllh1WivaVtJioA1KM6WoRN1BqjdOVfGBbkYjJPtJel7unT5z97_iOc7k9Q6ok_XKXVwRY1QnjW4J/s400/domino+mag+painted+floor.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524746230745094290" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Domino</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I'm really taken with this macro gingham.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5GLf_4PB6Qf35VM6TIf6YsbzoiBmPGVCHeczCXP7K3oV4YOD_fXvT4hZQk6r9x-VDDzJdVn2C0KMESqHQxf59nDQLfnvw7KUQD4MGbP_s9YBuOtH6-cPSitKPRAhwulYnAzuoKPNXw2G/s1600/floor+2+cottage+living.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 381px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5GLf_4PB6Qf35VM6TIf6YsbzoiBmPGVCHeczCXP7K3oV4YOD_fXvT4hZQk6r9x-VDDzJdVn2C0KMESqHQxf59nDQLfnvw7KUQD4MGbP_s9YBuOtH6-cPSitKPRAhwulYnAzuoKPNXw2G/s400/floor+2+cottage+living.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524740528923474674" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Cottage Living</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">This Nancy Boszhardt interior uses a wood stain to create a "rug" in this entryway. Such a clever idea. Check out that hat rack. Awesome, huh?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVRX48WlWrUXFmZtvKPB1AJQjG9hyEhE0eTk0JTlqANUndJEmD4gnliNR0VG4s9XIe_wVGYyUpaJ0O5yPMUuvwH6427ElureC7wNJDmFlhiM4BhBKpKKSxvUzJ0VJYEmv5RbBHrXsGAdA/s1600/nancy+bozhardt+painted+floor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVRX48WlWrUXFmZtvKPB1AJQjG9hyEhE0eTk0JTlqANUndJEmD4gnliNR0VG4s9XIe_wVGYyUpaJ0O5yPMUuvwH6427ElureC7wNJDmFlhiM4BhBKpKKSxvUzJ0VJYEmv5RbBHrXsGAdA/s400/nancy+bozhardt+painted+floor.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524740522309035234" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_coLFC3lIx-M/SoF-aUS07qI/AAAAAAAAHv0/Q6rLrNdFQ7Q/s400/nancy+bozhardt+painted+floor.jpg" style="text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Alicia B Designs</span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">This black and taupe floor is a bit dizzying at first but it shows that painted floors can also be elegant.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CKzgtg3dDBKMOXzn9LgY-q-9Vlsz2o2QXLu01vodwIapLXjiqJ-aXe9OCbVfR85A_nG6w0Bpja4T6y7htHr5_ATmsBfxTnsGk184hZhN_E0MHFnsLVgzKNVAmpwi5MTA2IRQ4vrhzp-9/s1600/floors+joel+woodard.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 284px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CKzgtg3dDBKMOXzn9LgY-q-9Vlsz2o2QXLu01vodwIapLXjiqJ-aXe9OCbVfR85A_nG6w0Bpja4T6y7htHr5_ATmsBfxTnsGk184hZhN_E0MHFnsLVgzKNVAmpwi5MTA2IRQ4vrhzp-9/s400/floors+joel+woodard.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524740518032663186" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Joel Woodward</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Painted wood floors are one of those things that you either really like or really hate. I think if they are done right they have the potential to be real show stoppers. I love them because they create interest and have the ability to make people stop and say "WOW"!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">What are your thoughts on painted floors? Or as I call them, "the other fifth wall."</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550192125167392426.post-4767631688404202132010-09-26T23:57:00.028-04:002010-09-28T13:22:23.268-04:00Fired Up About Flame Stitch<div>Hello friends... I've returned from a rather long sabbatical (if you will) from blogging and I've missed it and you all so darn much! The busy summer didn't leave much extra time to just sit with my blogs and coffee. And quite honestly, I was a little uninspired over the last month or so. Thankfully my interior design fire has been re-stoked. I've actually got a list of things I want to post about. Typical for me, feast or famine. Maybe this is the reason why.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Mu6haGbxmwB-XEvlpuySeiDifvF0hrordsVBI5zKmVDvhlXICzgrM1MxDZ8P_Q2cfYe5-TXNn4dvJ4GgE4aqLrb7a4xL8NTkU-YfxEJD3ljDgFil0qyT2NHWb7RqXHMl_0iSmyKp6ttp/s1600/Lonny-magazine-available-in-print-Blogger-exclusive.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Mu6haGbxmwB-XEvlpuySeiDifvF0hrordsVBI5zKmVDvhlXICzgrM1MxDZ8P_Q2cfYe5-TXNn4dvJ4GgE4aqLrb7a4xL8NTkU-YfxEJD3ljDgFil0qyT2NHWb7RqXHMl_0iSmyKp6ttp/s400/Lonny-magazine-available-in-print-Blogger-exclusive.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522006378651593314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDEQ2P2NkQF2RwFf4NH79JuxyQUf0V69ijAcEF4Cp3uiDB9xhHGGqmm6iL2QNAGuyPXf9VVAGQKLRclZGqqwNltZN9PJEQVqveNmNJg4HmY7301Idc1Ja5FLHynaj-4WtlA9IJx8Gcsn0/s1600/Preview.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDEQ2P2NkQF2RwFf4NH79JuxyQUf0V69ijAcEF4Cp3uiDB9xhHGGqmm6iL2QNAGuyPXf9VVAGQKLRclZGqqwNltZN9PJEQVqveNmNJg4HmY7301Idc1Ja5FLHynaj-4WtlA9IJx8Gcsn0/s400/Preview.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522006379648195314" /></a><div>I really enjoy the online version of Lonny but for whatever reason, I'm the kind of person who really loves to hold a big glossy magazine. I just got my issue for 34 bucks but for me, totally worth it!</div><div><br /></div><div>Ok, so I was wandering around doing a little window shopping and spotted a little chair in a boutique. It was covered in a beautiful a flame stitch fabric. Love at first sight. I actually had to go in and move the stuff that was draped on it to see the chair. (Naturally I didn't have my camera) but it looked very much like this.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4TKQkx6Pd8wgnWw3MQ2qWypybFMh1PjZCWK3Hl6jxOh7zyNTLdhWGFyYX9HnulPKaJbNmGcytL358AIUUeg7kM9ut2hGg9kstnCUMqZ2mE1IenjeZ1LHIC7FKBd-WMCk28TfatmRszWC/s1600/phpThumb_generated_thumbnailjpg.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 398px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4TKQkx6Pd8wgnWw3MQ2qWypybFMh1PjZCWK3Hl6jxOh7zyNTLdhWGFyYX9HnulPKaJbNmGcytL358AIUUeg7kM9ut2hGg9kstnCUMqZ2mE1IenjeZ1LHIC7FKBd-WMCk28TfatmRszWC/s400/phpThumb_generated_thumbnailjpg.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522006374447443170" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Bargello Chair, Zoffany</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have a terrible thing for fabric. I love these swatches but looking at these is nothing compared to holding them in your hands. <i>Ahhhhh!</i></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4_-UAUw7a_4Kk2bUDxeWNpXxStRGF8ZyE1Zz9e1XLTtO2RDBjc1tuC5MTT0-Ylv2a0msgockrh-jv2JHji1VHMEpx2w5YnndRuNNc4CYi9SuXLTBzX0TObIXxOTooStJp6x5yqj255E8/s1600/DSCF0547.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4_-UAUw7a_4Kk2bUDxeWNpXxStRGF8ZyE1Zz9e1XLTtO2RDBjc1tuC5MTT0-Ylv2a0msgockrh-jv2JHji1VHMEpx2w5YnndRuNNc4CYi9SuXLTBzX0TObIXxOTooStJp6x5yqj255E8/s400/DSCF0547.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522006375228314882" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Clarance House</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGl16FbyoQIm5PUYyjJaXD90rhrEH4LSl15-bc6Y2CtklmY9P_RuIsUExo_0D4F1c4wsz54t-nh4ytZDdWN1vtFJovApHjtUNELDx0BPy3Jq7x-RsrUCqmY6fQMQt0YYoW9WzhsrDaMtvH/s1600/41746_fullsize.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGl16FbyoQIm5PUYyjJaXD90rhrEH4LSl15-bc6Y2CtklmY9P_RuIsUExo_0D4F1c4wsz54t-nh4ytZDdWN1vtFJovApHjtUNELDx0BPy3Jq7x-RsrUCqmY6fQMQt0YYoW9WzhsrDaMtvH/s400/41746_fullsize.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522006368750358178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Lee Jofa</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">An oldie but a goodie...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3bIazi6E9RdnlCHaN38IAivRjavgUvf8w-Ow6wXZNszR_jC2_ybm3mI3mSQ0LuWvkWnBahyphenhyphenKf7ZUMYppgtHcrGOc84fQWGfkmBMBgpQQ3LDVJvhPhOyDwK1rYP36JtT1ERInt_IZ8aVw/s1600/peacock.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 333px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3bIazi6E9RdnlCHaN38IAivRjavgUvf8w-Ow6wXZNszR_jC2_ybm3mI3mSQ0LuWvkWnBahyphenhyphenKf7ZUMYppgtHcrGOc84fQWGfkmBMBgpQQ3LDVJvhPhOyDwK1rYP36JtT1ERInt_IZ8aVw/s400/peacock.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522005335264349122" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">F. Schumacher</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiA-iAVosH7TY0oiqL97QTDHYZC6kAA1qUGwTLi1bKBawX6qpy3uB9kGSXrVT_xQGf6Km9AkFX9eykB116Ce14spLyHSZfN9vffXitwPxHNxLWzhata0xiG45ahTWmjHg4Qe3m59Mjueg/s1600/4537699909_a3ed465079.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiA-iAVosH7TY0oiqL97QTDHYZC6kAA1qUGwTLi1bKBawX6qpy3uB9kGSXrVT_xQGf6Km9AkFX9eykB116Ce14spLyHSZfN9vffXitwPxHNxLWzhata0xiG45ahTWmjHg4Qe3m59Mjueg/s400/4537699909_a3ed465079.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522005329958348562" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">M Design Interiors</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiP248wDt8piGWNlzkm3dtJEhh4SRytk-T78LAgkzQI1ESB166zoce2KmrnxRTIajgowO34J0DPxGeBykUFaaeDUQooo2b32JMKE1NeoNtzYmhHWtiH61uYaDF2uga1ODP6GYRfE3Uirq/s1600/4538328060_aa838bee3a-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiP248wDt8piGWNlzkm3dtJEhh4SRytk-T78LAgkzQI1ESB166zoce2KmrnxRTIajgowO34J0DPxGeBykUFaaeDUQooo2b32JMKE1NeoNtzYmhHWtiH61uYaDF2uga1ODP6GYRfE3Uirq/s400/4538328060_aa838bee3a-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522005324961365922" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">M Design Interiors</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm a big fan of Company C, but I would really like to see their rugs in a room. It's hard to get a feel for size and scale with just floating images. I'm just sayin'.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DpyCxxhfKC6Uu47T6UDGRlvlD6q_4gRv7xzRaVbb3x06l48xpZ9WMrtzcqngUJki1IGcSlDEaro2BAnQQEeR8J7dZGtEKstog558MgwOiB2OrRqNVKU1JXYeQBOT-YLOT_9f2ATTFvSg/s1600/473629447_6c379e2380_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 303px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DpyCxxhfKC6Uu47T6UDGRlvlD6q_4gRv7xzRaVbb3x06l48xpZ9WMrtzcqngUJki1IGcSlDEaro2BAnQQEeR8J7dZGtEKstog558MgwOiB2OrRqNVKU1JXYeQBOT-YLOT_9f2ATTFvSg/s400/473629447_6c379e2380_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522005325758332386" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Company C</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Dial 911, 'cause this room is on fire!"</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilx0dvNtMlunEO5R5sRSEACwobLWBTaNo0CBtmewY6tHQS15oMxOekkCkcNlj25iSej_FFq1iq-o-yPxsy1nROFMCEU6_499YLZw0U82xU7xYnwLAefX-7z00bs_tPEO5dMG7907NPF-9m/s1600/60s-design-main.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilx0dvNtMlunEO5R5sRSEACwobLWBTaNo0CBtmewY6tHQS15oMxOekkCkcNlj25iSej_FFq1iq-o-yPxsy1nROFMCEU6_499YLZw0U82xU7xYnwLAefX-7z00bs_tPEO5dMG7907NPF-9m/s400/60s-design-main.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522005323630842242" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">David Hicks</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love, love this wallpaper. This colorway is sublime!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKL28Dym02FFgN5Hvp9rVy7rJJ4A6EgsdsFhj1m50Eau7xZfVFRdX3c8pHMsPlf4A-oSH2VAUwPNjSQvoiAmwyMpEUAfaRKvsDP7lSErbwfr0hjXsecUSpg1sjrVXMXt09hk5BjvmDUs4c/s1600/4537700605_aee6b89a0a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKL28Dym02FFgN5Hvp9rVy7rJJ4A6EgsdsFhj1m50Eau7xZfVFRdX3c8pHMsPlf4A-oSH2VAUwPNjSQvoiAmwyMpEUAfaRKvsDP7lSErbwfr0hjXsecUSpg1sjrVXMXt09hk5BjvmDUs4c/s400/4537700605_aee6b89a0a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522004781530568002" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Osborne and Little Volte Wallpaper</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't imagine how long it took to tape this off! Dramatic result though!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtF8pudiF20Oi9cNRPIS1N_xktmK8w-5xylsImcNgwqLGIvFe8IKevBU0SvFYgrsnM-6kkqMm_Ne3zU26lKEmOnjGA5ZzlplRy9c7tFpikIXoqopPqaifOGmDyiT8TtubCLDX_3np5hLUy/s1600/_FLAME-STITCH-2.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 361px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtF8pudiF20Oi9cNRPIS1N_xktmK8w-5xylsImcNgwqLGIvFe8IKevBU0SvFYgrsnM-6kkqMm_Ne3zU26lKEmOnjGA5ZzlplRy9c7tFpikIXoqopPqaifOGmDyiT8TtubCLDX_3np5hLUy/s400/_FLAME-STITCH-2.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522004775876748370" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Apartment Therapy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I would be remiss if I didn't include a little M. Missoni in this homage to flame stitch. I've been totally crushing on this long dress! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6mZkczKp98eJTvgDVhghg6JuyDJxWvKcd1iLD5kqZsaM93YhMNAKVLv94xBZRevjcc72IM5ZUhG98DbuhWgBUzmKXWvHFBOC9l3tbKSko6yIlXLy6LHAHoUSYuq4RvK3bZvhqU6mcD8R/s1600/NWT-MISSONI-Long-Dress-Skirt-Zigzag.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 315px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6mZkczKp98eJTvgDVhghg6JuyDJxWvKcd1iLD5kqZsaM93YhMNAKVLv94xBZRevjcc72IM5ZUhG98DbuhWgBUzmKXWvHFBOC9l3tbKSko6yIlXLy6LHAHoUSYuq4RvK3bZvhqU6mcD8R/s400/NWT-MISSONI-Long-Dress-Skirt-Zigzag.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522004767705299810" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">M. Missoni</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b>What do you think of flame stitch? Totally HOT or has that fire been </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b>extinguished</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b>?</b></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div></div></div>Mary Ellen (ME)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00535507587720776459noreply@blogger.com5