Inspired by a great weekend!

This Holiday weekend was overwhelming to say the least...

We had a ball.  I cooked and cleaned, visited family, stuffed myself silly.  We drove from one state to another and back again, and all in time for Regis and Kelly.  Sadly I took no pictures inside the actual show (because it wasn't allowed) but I did take some shots from inside the beautiful Wynn Hotel.

One of me ; )

I managed this blurry picture from just outside the theater before I was scooted from the area.

The show actually aired this morning, I saw The Jersey Boys, Jimmy Kimmel, Derek Hough from Dancing With The Stars, and Nicki Minaj (because apparently she just couldn't get her lip syncing right from the previous show).  I'd say the highlight of the show was Jimmy Kimmel and Regis and Kelly of course.  They are good at what they do and I have a new found respect for them.  It was a good experience and I'd do it again.  At least we got to keep the tickets...as a matter of fact...they never even checked them.

I hope your Thanksgiving Holiday was as blessed as ours was!

Now for the Christmas planning...

I tell you what...I'm really liking that table setup and white paper bag lanterns...hmmm

Turkey, Tree, and Regis and Kelly???

As this Thanksgiving Holiday inches closer to us, we are making plans for the weekend.  We will be shopping till we drop, and visiting family with a turkey hangover if you will.  Many of us will be putting up the tree and Christmas decor.  How will you be trimming the tree this year?
I found plenty of ideas via Country Living...

I will be opting for the traditional look this year due to the fact that I collect ornaments over the years and they come in an array of colors : )

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Perhaps I'll do my own little "purdy" tree in my bedroom...teehee!

As for my Thanksgiving plans...I will be cooking a casual dinner for me and my sis's family.  I will be shopping @ 4am at ONE store...can you guess which one...Target of course.  Then I will be off to California for two days to visit my Mama and Papa.  After I'm stuffed to my hearts content with hugs and food, I will be rushing my way back to the city of lights for my Sunday plans....hang on to your seats for this one...

I have tickets to Live with Regis and Kelly show in Las Vegas!!

I'm so excited for I have no idea who they will have as guests.

You can be sure that I'll be screaming my head off like a good little girl!

Until then I'll be a busy little bee working my hiney off..

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Autumn or Winter?

I'll take a huge scoop of both thank you!  I don't think I'm alone this year when I say I'm incorporating the two..

and I found my camera.

So that resulted in these experimental pics taken from my yard.

The roses seem to be flourishing.

I love my tin birdhouse purchased for $1.50 from a thrift store.

Happy Thursday friends!

Mirror mirror, on the wall...

or on the dresser, nightstand, or anywhere else that stands still.  Are you a fan of mirrors?  I know I am.

Whether it's a mirrored nightstand...

or a vanity...

perhaps mirror lined cabinets...

or reflective surfaces in the laundry room...

Mirrors add a certain kind of elegance to a room.  So you see it's not that I want to see myself in them.  I just want to see them in a room...

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letting the light bounce off of them.

Had I known then what I know now, I would of held off on purchasing my bedroom furniture.  The Hayworth Collection at Pier One Imports would have suited me just fine..

Oh well, live and learn.

Counting down...

Here we are midway into November and inching closer to one of my favorite Holidays.  Thanksgiving.  I understand that it is an American Holiday, and it has me curious...are there  holidays similar to Thanksgiving in other countries? 

I tell you what...my one regret in purchasing my new home is that we don't have a fireplace.  You know what that means right?  No mantle, therefore, no DECORATED mantle.  

(insert sad face here)

that means I have to admire yours until I can either find a faux fireplace or some stunning vintage mantle that wants to come home with me.

I'll just be sticking to table top accessories and centerpieces this year.

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And until I find an antique hutch...this image will have to tide me over.

Have a glorious Saturday, followed by a sensational Sunday : )

Leigh Ashley...you melt my heart!

Oh ladies...forgive me as I jump from one post to another but I really do have to tell you about the excitement I feel. I am shocked, stunned, and giddy over this one!

I just realized that I have won my very first giveaway in blog land!! Yes...me! I cannot believe it! I was just checking up on my favorite sites and presto! I stumbled across it!

My Leigh Ashley Blog

Some of you may recognize this blog from "Wee bit of Wednesdays" link party that I often participate in. So as I scroll down her page I see this...

I had won her 400th follower giveaway!! I get too choose a piece of jewelry from her stunning etsy shop..

Barberry and Lace

I encourage you to take a peek because not only are the pieces adorable, but she is offering 10% off to her readers. You just have to enter the code on the Leigh Ashley Blog. Barberry and Lace also has it's own blog you can follow.

Let me tell you...it was hard to choose just one. But I finally decided on the Lavender Locket Necklace.

Isn't it superb!! I can't wait to put a pic of my little family in it : ))

I should mention that the items are one of a kind. So don't go looking for this particular locket. There are plenty of others just as gorgeous though.

I would also like to mention the fact that these are perfect Christmas gifts!!

Thanks again Leigh Ashley for making my week!

A cloudy piece of inspiration...

I simply bring you a home I admire from Washington State. It's a remodeled cottage on a steamboat island that deserves some attention.

I don't even have words for this. I wish I was there now.

I like the fact that the headboard looks like an old mantle.

You can't go wrong with a farmhouse sink and a stove that looks like that!

The view is breath-taking!

Everything about this stairway is inviting...especially the pup.

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This is a simple post about a not so simple home, nestled on the sea, and calling out to those who'd like to getaway.