Help a Girl Out

Have you ever visited Karla's Blog "It's the Little Things that Make a House of Home"? It's chock(?)...chalk(?) full of great ideas...on a BUDGET (and she's really nice and inspiring too).

Well Ms. Karla just redid her master bedroom on it's gawgeous people. The kicker?...she mostly used items she already had! You can check out the makeover here, and here, and here.




Karla bravely entered a contest on Apartment Therapy, and needs as many "thumbs up" as possible to win. Now, I know y'all have a lot of thumbs out there, so if you're so inclined it would be fab if you would head on over to Apartment Therapy and give her a big thumbs up. You do have to register first (if you're not already registered) but that process takes about 2 minutes.

Thanks, and have a great day!

Adding Cottage Character to Your Home's Exterior

I have a thing for noticing and analyzing houses as I drive through neighborhoods. I'm constantly craning my head and thinking "Oooh, that's a cute one." or "Hmm, that house would look great with some shutters and some 'lipstick' on the front door." It's a wonder I'm not constantly crashing into garbage cans by the side of the road.

So imagine my glee when I watched a house in my neighborhood be transformed from a typical suburban tract home that was fine and nice but lacking personality, kind of like this (I don't have an actual before photo - and PLEASE don't be offended if your home looks like this...most of ours do.):

"Quasi Before"

To this charming cottage:

Isn't it cute?! The owners replaced the garage door (Love it! Major style bang for their buck!), added new outdoor light fixtures (I want the same ones for my house - see close up photo below), added a low wrought iron fence, and a lush garden in the front yard.


I like to think of this as proof that any home can bloom where it's planted and become the best version of itself with a little TLC and creativity....well, and money :).

Guests Coming? Let's Have a Reality Check

You know that old saying “There’s nothing like the impending arrival of guests to make you get your butt in gear and clean/organize your house.” Okay, perhaps that’s not an actual a “saying”, but it’s true nonetheless (can I get an “Amen”?).

I am out-of-my-mind excited that my Dad and Step-Mom are coming to visit this weekend!



…and I was initially in deer-in-the-headlights-panic-mode over the list of procrastinated projects and cleaning that need to be done before they arrive.



I created a to-do list that would rival the list of to-do items for the 100+ staff members of Buckingham Palace to tackle before the Queen of England arrives.....And then I came to my senses.


There's a difference between cleaning up a bit, and going out of your mind - tearing your hair out like a loony person to make things "perfect". And honestly...who's really comfortable in a "perfect house". Personally, I'm most comfortable in homes that don't take themselves too seriously...where it's more about making the guests feel at home than obsessing about what's "imperfect".



Most people are relieved and most comfortable in a home that doesn't take itself too seriously...in a home that is lived in and filled with love....a home that has a personality and reflects the family that lives there. There's nothing worse than a host that's nervous the entire time you're there...worried and apologizing about everything that's "wrong" with the house.


In a nutshell...relax and focus on what's important....like spending quality time with your guests. Reality checks are a wonderful thing :).

Wonder Woman's Got Nothing on Us

Some of you may have seen a post I published yesterday evening in which I outlined a mountain of projects I was considering thinking of possibly trying to attempt over the weekend. Well..I deleted the post because I felt like I published it before really thinking it through fully.

I felt like it left the impression that I really am some sort of crazy Wonder Woman wannabe that repairs toilets, paints rooms, and hold garage sales (while juggling chainsaws…on fire) every weekend. That is soooo not the case, and I definitely don’t want anyone feeling like I’m a super go getter and they’re not “doing enough” because the chainsaws they juggle aren’t on fire.

In reality, I have a huge list I hope to accomplish every weekend…and then I usually get home after grocery shopping Saturday morning and say… “Whew I’m tuckered out. I think I’ll flop down on the couch and watch HGTV and Bravo. And maybe feed my son a PB&J sandwich….maybe.”

Wonder Woman was really cute, she had a great outfit (and figure) and she could jump really high (I always thought that was cool), but she didn’t have to deal with half of the responsibilities we have in real life….and I never once saw her juggle chainsaws while grocery shopping, cooking dinner, and creating a beautiful, loving home for her family :) .

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Amy Butler at Bed Bath and Beyond?!!!

I'll understand if you read the title of this post and just sprinted away from your computer, jumped in your car and raced to Bed Bath and Beyond. It's ok...I'm not offended. You can read the rest of this post when you get back...with your arms full of Amy Butler goodies.

Honestly, I had no idea that Amy Butler had a new line of bedding and towels at BBB until I was moseying around there the other day and was stopped in my tracks in the towel section...blinking and rubbing my eyes like a crazy person. "It can't be...Amy Butler towels?! What?!" I then caressed them lovingly...and I'm pretty sure frightened a passerby or two whilst in my Amy-Love trance.

Check out these goodies:

Coventry Comforter Set

Coventry Petal Toss Pillow

Orange Bath Towel

Turquoise Bath Towel

Lime Bath Towel

I know Amy Butler's patterns aren't for everyone, but if you're looking for that fun little "pop" in your decor she's your gal.

XO~ AnNicole