Decorating With Fleur-de-lis, Vintage Junky Party

The Vintage Junky is having a Multiples Party and a Giveaway. So before we left on vacation I took a few shots around the house and found I really like fleur-de-lis. I also realized I have mild obsession for tassels, but was a bit too embarrassed to show the large number of them! So here is a peak at some of my fleur-de-lis that I love to decorate with -

Heartland Interiors ~

We are still enjoying our family vacation...lots of reading, laughter and smiles! It is very relaxing and we are truly living in the now.

Last week my Mom, kiddos and I went to one of our favorite stores to cruise through. I always get so many great ideas - but it is hard to leave this store empty handed! If you are ever in the area, the store is located in The Country Village - Bothell, Wa.

Ever Seen an Artichoke Bloom?

We are in Palm Springs enjoying the very warm heat...it was 113 degrees as soon as we got off the plane! Good thing we have the pool to cool off in. Before I left I took a few shots of my Mom's garden. Have you ever seen an artichoke bloom? Do you remember when I showed you this? Here is the artichoke plant before it bloomed -

and here is the beauty now -

I had no idea -

I am so planting one of these next year! Enjoy Your Day!

Palm Springs...Here We Come ~

image from Living Etc.

We are off to Palm Springs (well technically La Quinta) tomorrow! SO excited...relaxing, swimming, reading. Did I mention relaxing?
Oh, it sounds so good.

Honest Scrap Award - Thank You ~

Lisa over at Pickles and Cheese presented me with the Honest Scrap Award. And it feels good! Here are the rules...

1. Say thanks and give a link to the presenter of the award - Thank you Lisa!
2. Share "10 Honest Things" about myself.
3. Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me.
4. Tell those 7 people they've been awarded Honest Scrap and inform them of these guidelines.

Here are 10 things about me...so get ready

1. I met my darling husband of 8 years in a bar. Yes, you read that right - a bar. And a TOTAL dive to make the encounter even better.

2. I am 6 foot and my husband is 5' 7" (although he says he is 5' 9" - sorry, not so much sweetie). So yes, that means when I wear any sort of heal I can literally see the top of his head! It is that Nicole Kidman/Tom Cruise thing :).

3. I studied abroad in Siena, Italy while at the UW in my junior year. And it was the best experience of my life - of course next to marrying my hubby and having my darling twins. And it will be required of my kiddos to do the same before they graduate.

4. I seriously dislike candy corn - I know you are thinking "how could that be" - but really do not like it!

5. And it just so happens that my older sister also has the same aversion to candy corn, so every Halloween for the last 10 years (or so), we have been gifting each other "candy corn" gifts. It started as a joke and then turned into a hunt for the ugliest "candy corn" item we could find! And I must say, there are some pretty ugly gift items out there! I will definitely present some of our hideous finds in a post within the next few weeks.

6. I would prefer a second round of hamburger and fries over dessert any day. I just don't have a sweet tooth, but bring on the saltly foods!

7. I just recently had my first "Dollar Store" experience and I am now hooked! I feel like I was really missing out before the Dollar Tree made its appearance close to where I live.

8. I REALLY want more kids. Another set of twins perhaps? But as you all know it does take two to tango, so I am patiently awaiting for my husband to agree that more WOULD be fun!

9. Christmas Eve is my favorite holiday. Just thinking about it makes me all warm and fuzzy.

10. I have only been a part of the lovely blogging community for a few months, but it has been so rewarding and one of the best things I have done for myself in a long time.

There are so many wonderful blogs, it was hard to choose just 7! But here are 7 great blogs you should definitely check out if you haven't already -

Nanny Goat
Chickie Momma Crafts
Little Blue Boo
My Insanity
Imperfectly Beautiful
The Idea Room
Just Something I Made

Time to Start Thinking Fall...

So it might be too early for some of you to break out the Halloween decor. But it is time to think about changing out our Summer containers. Here are a few Fall container ideas...

Sunset


I love this container from Curious Sofa. You have to go check out all of their spooky Halloween displays - I would love to shop here!



Check out these ideas from Lissa over at Humble Pie
I love the addition of the pumpkins in her pots. I am completely snagging this great idea.

You Win Some, You Lose Some...

Remember this guy...Well the car got a paint job...and then the tires got changed out and the whole thing got "antiqued".

The gel stain was drying a bit too quickly, and it ended up too dark. What can I say - you win some, you lose some. This would be in the loss column. All this canvas needs now is a bit of gesso to become something completely new and better.

Now I am thinking something like this...image from Rosenberry Rooms

For the Love of Halloween!

So I just got the ladder out and pulled down all of our Halloween stuff. Is it too early??? I am just so excited to dig through all of the plastic skeletons, past-Halloween costumes and just the smell of candy corn! Now I must say, I truly dislike candy corn - but the smell is an instant reminder of Halloween! If you are not in the mood yet, maybe these images will help ignite your spooky self!

images from here

Friday Art - Hooked on Subway Signs

Images from subwaysigns.com

I love subway signs. They add a graphic punch it any space. After searching around I found the expensive to inexpensive. You can purchase the original pieces (I would love one of these) or prints. Here are a few...

Jayson Home & Garden $2250.00

Restoration Hardware $795.00 each

Walmart $32.00


Amazon $29.95

I linked this post up to the last Hooked on Fridays over at Hooked on Houses. This is always such a fun linky party - always full of great ideas.