Decorating with Neutrals

I'll never be a person who decorates with neutrals.  Not because I don't love how clean and fresh it looks, but because I don't seem to get it right.  When I try neutrals, it turns out looking bland and boring.  

I found these pictures of rooms that were done well with neutrals, and I love them.  I think the trick is to use a lot of natural elements.  Wood, brick, rattan, wicker, glass are great things to use when making neutral look cool. Check them out:

Pictures found here.

Johnny Jump Up

It's official.  Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon are in town shooting the movie Water For Elephants about a boy who joins the circus during the 30s.  

I'm hoping to get on the set as an extra, but I have no talents.  Enter: Burl.  I'm training him to become an acrobat so he can become a baby extra in the movie.   

Look at him go-he loves this thing!

Sewing Party

I had some friends over to sew, and sew we did.  We made 3 embellished burp cloths, pillow, 3 flattened ruffle shirts, and 1 saucy ruffle shirt.

Of course, Deb (the real deal when it comes to sewing) showed up with a small bouquet of flowers from her garden and the best pimento cheese.  

(Sharp yellow cheddar, white cheddar, fat free mayo, pimentos)

Barnsley Gardens

Yesterday I had an adventure.  My mom, Burl and I went to Barnsley Gardens.  For over a year, my mom has talked about how great it is.  A while ago, she met some friends there for a girls' weekend and had a great time. Occasionally, she goes for a quick day trip.  What is it?  It's a resort built around an old house with a great garden...to say the least.  

My absolute favorite part was the ruins.  Old brick house.  Huge garden.  Secret fountain.  Amazing landscape.  It was like going to Europe without the long flight and language barrier.  

We had a lot of fun taking pictures (I can do wonders with a self-timer).  Here are some of my favorites:

THE LANDSCAPING

THE RUINS (where they have Fireflies during the evenings.  Fireflies is where they light up the ruins with tea lights and torches, serve drinks, and have dancing and live music.  Enter: romance)

 

My mom and me

Despite driving an hour to get there, one of the first things I wanted to do was rent a golf cart and drive around the property.  Fun!!!  Burl loved the wind blowing in his mullet.

It was a fun day for sure and I hope to go back!

Lola B's

I stumbled across a new blog last week just in time for the author to head to Hawaii.  Now, I'm reading every post, living vicariously through her while she is enjoying 3 weeks on an island that happens to be on my bucket list.  

Check out some of the pictures from Lola B's, then go here to read her blog.  Very funny stuff. 

I love her pictures!

I love her style!

The Romantic Life is Outside

In the most recent issue of Real Simple, I read something along the lines of "going outside for at least 5 minutes a day makes a person calmer and more relaxed.  Being beside a body of water is even better."  I felt pretty good about myself because I was reading  

Here are some of my most frequent ways of enjoying outside:

Having a picnic in the backyard

Running
Walking in the neighborhood

Taking a stroll along our city's riverfront

Going to the mailbox and stopping to talk to neighbors

Picking John's homegrown tomatoes

Seeing what other stuff is growing in John's garden

Sitting with John in our $10 outdoor chairs

Walking to and from to the car and the grocery stores (but that one is smaller because it doesn't sound nearly as cool)

Even though it's awfully hot out there, I have to get out.  It's a must in my book.

photos via here

Grab 'Em

Here is Burl's new way of lounging:

Simply So Jewelry

I am not a huge jewelry person.  Ask anyone I know...I wear pearl earrings 96% of the time.  (That is the EXACT percentage.)  Lately though, I've been saucing things up a bit.  Even my mother-in-law told me that she's noticed.  

When I saw Laura's new jewelry, I feel in love.  It's simple and cute and it's priced so reasonably.  Finally someone who knows that things are a bit tight in the USA!  Here are some of my favorites:

Stationary Junkie

When I told my brother that I was getting stationary for my birthday, he asked me who sent letters anymore besides my Grandma Polly?  Well, I do.  I send A TON of letters and cards.  At one point, I had over 300 personalized stationary.  I never thought that I would go through it all.  I did, and now I'm dying for some new stuff!  

I found some cute stuff at minted.com.  It's a very cute website and I love their stuff.  Here are some of my favorites:

For me, all this is great but I'm getting my childhood friend and neighbor to design something for me.  Heidi started her own graphic design business and I love the stuff that she does.  Her mom always throws fabulous parties and gets Heidi to do the invites (including a baby shower for me).  They are all awesome.  I just emailed her my order and I'm giddy to see what she comes up with!

Stationary and snail-mail are making a comeback.  I just know it.