Saturday, October 30, 2010

Have a terror-ific Halloween!!

I'm having a party tonight!  Tomorrow will be tricks or treats and maybe a carnival.  I'll be all tied up!  So I leave you with these spooky ideas from none other than Miss Martha Stewart.  Enjoy and be safe everyone!

XOXO  Natalie

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Escape to the countryside...

As the trees toss crispy leaves onto the ground, and the chilled breeze kisses the tips of our nose, there is no denying that Autumn surrounds us.  It is a time for cuddling, home-made soups, and crackling fireplaces.

I came across an article this morning that reminded me of all of this.  A story about a farmhouse in upstate New York.
It is owned by Peter and India Baird.  They are lucky enough to have this masterpiece as their second home.  They added the wrap around porch themselves and they did a wonderful job.


Raise your hand if you'd like to own this hutch...me...oh me!


Simple and cozy


The warm tones in this picture are beautifully balanced by the white bead board walls.


Dried flowers and the deep wood accents give just the right amount of interest to the room.


The vintage chairs, farmhouse sink, and antique appliances all bring this room together in a perfect way.


We all love us some vintage jars.


The chippy paint and a worn mirror are wonders for this little nook



It's all of the beauty in the simple things, like acorns in a bowl and an old table.  Sigh....
Enjoy this brisk morning fellow bloggers.  Blessings to you...

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Wee bit of me...spooky version!





1.  Have you ever seen a ghost?
~That would be a no.  But I have heard plenty of things that can't be explained.


2.  When was the last time you dressed up for Halloween?
~Why last year of course!  I was a butterfly : )
3.  What is your favorite candy?
~I adore snickers...yum!  I'll take it any way I can get it, especially in the form of a cupcake!


4.  Did you have a favorite costume growing up?
~I always wanted to dress up as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.  I never got the chance.  I wanted the red ruby slippers and all.
5.  Did you carve pumpkins this year?
~Not yet, I'm waiting for the night before.
6.  What is your favorite scary movie?
~The one that sticks out in my mind is "The Others" starring Nichole Kidman.  Something about a good ghost story gets me every time.


7.  Haunted houses or corn mazes?
~Since I have never even seen a corn field, I'll have to go with Haunted Houses in all of their spooky splendor.


8.  Are you superstitious?
~Not at all.
9.  Have you ever owned a black cat?
~Yes and smokey was his name.  He was a great cat : (
10.  What are your plans for this coming Halloween?
~I'm having a party the night before and I've already started decorating.  Halloween will be devoted to the kiddos, trick or treating, and a carnival or two.
Leave it to Leigh Ashley to come up with great questions with Halloween flair.  She never disappoints.  I also urge you to hop on over to her blog Leigh Ashley for her 400th follower giveaway.  She sells her gorgeous accesories on etsy and her Barberry and Lace Blog is the cutest.   Thanks for stopping by my dears!


Tuesday, October 26, 2010

A nickel for your time...

Oh what a long time it has been!  I've missed you all so much and have been away for far too long (about 3 weeks or so).  My computer decided to retaliate for the days and nights that we have kept it up, it finally needed some rest.  So now that we are all rested and up and running, I've misplaced my camera.  Now I can't upload any pics that I've been saving for blog land.  What to do, what to do...

As most of you know I took a much needed trip to L.A., and while it was a joyous time, I didn't squeeze everything that I thought I would into those three days.  For instance, no beach trip for me.  Instead my mother and I went on a day trip to Old Town Pasadena.  There was also a restaurant that I wanted to visit and we weren't able to do that either...sigh.

Which restaurant you ask?  The Nickel Diner is where.

Located in downtown Los Angeles, it had all the fare that I had been dreaming about and the whimsy decor was worth checking out.

It is the home of the famous maple bacon doughnut.  It sounds pretty scary but apparently it's a huge hit.  So much so in fact, that it was featured on "Diners, Drive In's, and Dives" on the Food Network.





Did I mention that they have homemade ding dongs?
and pop tarts too!

Just look at their little logo strategically placed on their menus and website...
There is nothing like a place with a good sense of humor!  I'll just have to visit this spot next time.



Images are courtesy of Nickel Diner

 

Monday, October 11, 2010

My dreams have come to life...

Here I am doing my usual Monday morning stroll through blog heaven and what do I come across?  Riviera Maison is what.  So as I browse through their online catalog, I wonder, how did I miss this?  This place, this furniture wonder, is in a word...superb!  The photo above is one taken inside one of the actual shops and to my utter disappointment I find that there are no U.S. stores.  So it looks like I'll be doing some online shopping (shocking I know..haha)...
This shop rekindles my love for wicker.


For those places you can't hang a chandelier, why not have it on a lamp stand?  Genius I tell you!

Who needs glass in a china cabinet?  Just paint a picture!

I will no doubt be dreaming about this pendant light for months to come.

Is it wrong that I will easily be able to replicate this table and save myself a few bucks?

Remember that throw I mentioned in my previous post?  Here it is, ready to keep you warm on those chilly autumn nights.  You won't even need a sweater, because it's a two in one!

I'm reminded of Jami @ Freckled Laundry's faux zinc tutorial for this table.

Well ladies, I highly recommend this delight!  Here is the link for the webshop en english!

Have a great week everyone!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Crisp Autumn Days...

There is nothing like sitting on a porch with a fuzzy throw and a warm cup of coffee watching the leaves fall from the teas.  It's a taster's choice moment if you will.  This morning I woke up to a crispness in the air (and a wheezing in my lungs) that reminded me that Autumn is on my doorstep.  I think it's time to purchase a new coat and scarf : )
 Of course I have to include pictures of decor consisting of warm fall colors...
I'd love to sit there and snuggle up with a book!

I fell in love with these french doors in this deep green.  It's so charming.

Photos are courtesy of Country Living and Photobucket

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to cuddle up today.
 

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

2 in one!

Good morning my precious readers!  Today I'm doing something a little different.  I'm attempting to squeeze two things into one informative post.  Bear with me, and I'll try to make it short but sweet.  First is my usual Wednesday funday post...

 
 
{one} grilled or fried?
I am ashamed to admit that I'm a fried food girl.  Although I don't eat it too often anymore, I actually prefer it over grilled.  Bad I know...


{two} if you could change one thing about where you live, without worrying about money, what would you change?
Hardwood floors.  Definitely.


{three} what is your favorite time of day?
Dusk...The day is winding down and it's usually time to have dinner and relax with my family.  It's also the perfect time to take a stroll around the neighborhood.



{four} what’s your favorite cereal?
Cap'n Crunch!!  Teehee!

 
 
{five} do you open your mouth when you put mascara on?
Umm doesn't everyone? 
maybe not.
 
{six} if you could make any fictional character come to life, which would it be?
my all time favorite cartoon character...Pussyfoot!


{seven} what are your favorite pizza toppings?
Oh this is easy...basil, tomato, mozz, and pesto..otherwise known as a margherita pizza.
 
{eight} are you a heavy or a light sleeper?
I'm a very light sleeper.  Any little noise wakes me up.
 
{nine} what is your favorite board game?
Monopoly.  We get crazy determined when we play that game.  People get scared.  Haha!


{ten} what star/celebrity do most people say you look like?
 My husband says I look like Catherine Zeta Jones.  I don't think so...
 
 
 
Next are my answers to Rachel @ French Farmhouse 425
She tagged me yesterday with a few questions that need to be answered.  So as requested...
 
* Where do you currently live?
The fabulous Las Vegas, NV.
Not exactly my dream location, but exciting nonetheless...

*Are you living in your dream home? Or are you dreaming of the home you will live in someday?
I love my house, and I don't dream of having another.  That doesn't mean that I won't start dreaming of something else in the future.

*Where do you draw most of your inspiration from for your home decor?
Pottery Barn.  I never get tired of their designs.


*If you could change something about yourself what would you change?
I would abolish my migraines.  A life without daily pain, or anxiety about it would lift a huge weight off of my shoulders.



*What is your biggest accomplishment?
 My Children.  Hands down.


*What do you love the most about your family?
That they make me laugh.  We can sit and talk about funny things for hours.

*What do you think your family loves the most about you?
  That I have their back no matter what, and that I'm a 50's housewife at heart : )
 Photos are courtesy of a yahoo image search
 
 
That was great fun, but now I have to go to work.  Thank you Leigh Ashley and Rachel!  You two are the best!