The Artist

My 13-year-old daughter wanted to see the movie, The Artist. I have to admit, with all the Oscar buzz, I was kind of curious about it myself. A black & white, silent movie up for 10 Oscar nominations?  This is the year 2012, correct?

She & I went to see the movie last night.  We were the youngest people in the theater.  LOL 

Actually, I shouldn't be laughing because honestly, that's a downright shame.  Young people don't know what they're missing.  We loved this movie, really loved it....that's coming from me, the 13-year-old & all the other people over 75 in attendance.    At several times throughout the movie, I looked over at my daughter.  I saw her face in total awe, eyes wide with a hint of a smile on her lips.  She was taken in and I can't say as I blame her. 

So, if you're looking to see an excellent movie, one unlike anything else out there, take a chance & see The Artist.  Not to sound like a movie critic, but I think it's a piece of cinematic genius. 

Spring Dreams

I really shouldn't write this post.  I really shouldn't write it because I know the minute I press publish post,  somehow, someway, it will most likely start snowing...better yet, it'll be a snowstorm of blizzard-like proportions.  I have, however, been known to be a rebel from time to time, so I'm going to write it anyway.

I don't mind Winter, and I don't mind snow.  That being said, we are experiencing a particularly mild Winter this year and now that the holidays are over, I'm kind of enjoying this milder weather.   The only problem I'm having is that I'm beginning to wish for Spring.  It's this mild weather that's making me wish for it far earlier than I know I should.   

It could be dangerous, but here I am, risking it all, to take you into my Spring Dreams.......

Country Living

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Gina on Pinterest

    

Source: google.ca via Gina on Pinterest

Southern Living

Source: arosynote.blogspot.com via Victoria on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via irisistible on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Lynn on Pinterest

Do I dare click that publish post button?  I'm certainly not ready to wake up from my Spring dreams yet.

Cupid's Arrow Tablescape

I wasn't planning to do a tablescape for Valentine's Day because I don't own Valentine's Day dishes.  I know, hard to believe, but true.

Then suddenly, it dawned on me.  Why do I need to have specific Valentine's Day dishes in order to do a Valentine's Day tablescape?  I can pull this off without them!  The challenge was on and here is what I came up with.

I used my Pier 1 red salad plates that I've had for years.  Cream dinner plates from Better Homes & Gardens (Walmart) last year.  Heart boxes from Michaels.  Cloth napkins from Bed, Bath & Beyond...a steal at $1.50 for 4, on clearance.  Gold flatware is "borrowed" from my Mom.  It's called Cellini Romanesque.  

My Dee Foust Cupid from last year.  I love this guy!   Gold candleholders purchased quite a few years ago at Michaels.

 

And there you have my Valentine's Day challenge tablescape.    Big hugs to each of you!

I'm linking to:

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Your Cozy Home Party at Cozy Home Scenes
Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch

 

The Big Pom Pom Flower Tutorial

So many of you have asked & here I am, ready to answer...with a tutorial!

As many of you know,  I made this ruffled lamp shade last year.

This is the tutorial for how to make the Pom Pom flowers that I used on that lamp shade.  Yes, I can hear them too...the angels are singing.  

Now bear in mind, I am not a master tutorial giver, ok?

Also, I do not want to hear a single snicker at the condition of my dry-and-badly-in-need-of-a-manicure hands, ok?  It is winter in New York, afterall. 

I'm feeling a little sassy today, can you tell?

Now that we've got that squared away, here we go!

1.  Gather some supplies:  fabric, scissors, hot glue gun, a round shape to use as a template.

In case you might like to know, I used Osnaburg for my lamp shade flowers.  The Osnaburg fabric was great because it has a tendency to fray which was the look I wanted with the lamp shade.  Today I'm using this purple cotton because hey, I just feel like it.

2.  Trace & cut several circles (about 10) from your fabric.  The size of your circles depend on how big you want your flowers to be.  The circles shown here are roughly 2 inches in diameter.  Your circles do not need to be perfectly cut.   Sometimes it's fun not being perfect. 

3.  Take one circle and place it in front of you to use as the base of your flower. You will glue all the other  circles to this piece.

4.  Take another circle and squish it up at the center, so it looks like this.

5.   Add a bead of hot glue to the tip of the squished up circle.   

   

6.  Stick glued piece to center of circle base. 

7.  Repeat with the rest of the circles, gluing them to cover the circle base.  Eventually you will have something that looks like this.



I don't really have a set number of circles you need to glue down.  I just keep gluing and filling in until I think the flower looks full enough, covers the circle base & is shaped to my liking.  In other words, I just wing it.

  

 

I think these Pom Pom flowers are great because you can use them in home decor, for pretty headbands, purses, or even for jewelry.   

If you should have a question, need me to explain, clarify, or talk you through it, do not hesitate to ask me.  I do realize that tutorials often get confusing.  I shall do my best to help you.  I aim to please.  Yessiree, I aim to please.

I thank you all for visiting today.  Now run off and adorn your home and/or self with some Pom Pom flowers, k?

Linking to:
Potpourri Party at 2805
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Inspiration Friday at At the Picket Fence

Clever Ways to Save Energy

Today, I have a guest post for you.  I would like to welcome Christina Johnson..... 

Source

Christina Johnson works remotely for Elliman Prudential in the NYC rentals market. She is using her journalism major to combine what she loves most, writing and her career. Her specialties include home decor design and DIY home improvement projects.

Clever Ways to Save Energy

Article submitted by Christina Johnson

The former days of merely recycling and composting have been replaced with the modern ways of going green. It is now an entire movement shaping the ways people choose to build their homes and businesses. It influences the resources people use and the cars they buy, but it has also gained a negative reputation for being overly expensive.

It is possible to save the environment while saving money! You and your family can go green without spending too much green. There are many ways you can lower your energy consumption, thus reducing your carbon footprint, without going broke over it. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Use CFLs:
Replace your incandescent energy suckers with compact fluorescent light bulbs - specifically choosing CFLs that are Energy Star certified. Even by only focusing on the light bulbs you use most often, you save up to $100 per year on your energy bill. If you have children too young to reach the light switch or your household frequently forgets to turn out the lights, consider getting motion sensors or timed switches. The key is to keep all unnecessary lights off as often as possible.

Major Appliances:
The hardest workers in your house also happen to be energy monsters: your stove, refrigerator, washer, dryer and furnace. Add in a dishwasher, and you’ve got the entire gang. If you’re preparing to replace any out-dated appliances, be sure to choose a new, Energy Star qualified machine. If this isn’t in the budget, follow these simple steps to save energy and money: wash your clothing in cold water choosing a detergent formulated specifically for the lower temperatures; instead of using the heated dry feature on your dishwasher, open its door to let your dishes air dry; and finally, hire somebody to professionally maintenance your dryer and furnace. The little effort that goes into a good cleaning, will help your appliance last longer and work more efficiently.

HVAC Check-up:
Along with having your appliances checked over, be sure to have your HVAC system serviced every two years. In addition to changing your filters frequently, this will allow your heating and cooling system to run smoother and cleaner.

Low-Flow Update:
While water rules such as turning the faucet off while brushing your teeth help save energy, you can take it a step further by updating your kitchen and bathroom to low-flow faucets. While it doesn’t reduce your water pressure, it does reduce your water consumption - by as much as 50 percent. As easy as screwing the new head into place, this tip is especially great on your monthly utility bill.

Small Changes, Big Impact:
Simple household checks and changes create a major difference in your energy efficiency. Check windows and doors for leaks, and verify your attic and basement are well-insulated. After all, we want to keep our preferred temperature indoors. Go extra green and plant trees in your yard. Not only will you improve your air quality, provide shade in the summer, and block wind in the winter, you will also be giving directly back to the earth making it more beautiful. Finally, when you are remodeling your home, be a picky shopper and only choose furniture that was built using sustainable materials. If you are repainting your walls, steer clear of high-VOC paints that pollute the air with harmful gases.

The changes you make to your home are mostly small and relatively inexpensive, but they create a high, positive impact on the environment. Additionally, they save you money in the long run. What have you and your family done to go green? Please share!

Thank you for an inspiring article, Christina.

I'm afraid to admit, that I don't always give a conscious effort to being green.  My husband and daughter are especially good about it, and after reading this, I would like to  follow their example.

A happy day to each of you!

Win-Win

A few weeks ago, I was a lucky girl.  As a  person who hardly ever wins anything, I somehow won two giveaways within days of each other!

The first:

Kelly at Coastal Cottage Dreams was having a great giveaway.  She was giving away some art work letters.

Aren't they fantastic?

I had to take a close up shot of the letter "A".  I love it with the rusty old key attached to it, don't you? 

I haven't figured out where I will hang/display them yet, but I look forward to finding a place.  

If you aren't familiar with Kelly's blog, Coastal Cottage Dreams, see here.  Kelly shares alot of pretty vignettes and excellent recipes on her blog.  She  is moving into a new home and I'm sure she will have a lot of home improvement projects on the way to inspire us all.        

The second:

Mariaelena of Cottage Living--from Beach to Burbs had a giveaway sponsored by Uncommon Linens.  I won a pillow & two lavender sachets. 

Aren't they wonderful?

Mariaelena has double the fun....a home & a beach cottage to decorate.  She is always sharing fantastic transformations and awesome projects.  She recently painted her kitchen cabinets and they are divine!  If you'd like to see what she's up to at Cottage Living--From Beach to Burbs, see here.   

Thank you Kelly, Mariaelena and  Kristin too.  You sure know how to make a girl happy! 

Be Mine

Valentine's Day is not a holiday (can it even be called a holiday?) that I go all out and decorate for.

I do have a few touches that I like to add here & there.  My dining room hutch was the recipient of some of those touches.

I have had these bears for quite a few years now.  I have often thought of getting rid of them but since I don't have much in the way of decor anyway, I just keep them.   Well....that and the fact that there's a girl bear & a boy bear, which reminds me so much of my daughter & son, so it's kind of hard to part with them when I use that sentimentality. 

Some Dollar Tree heart picks that I added to a white pitcher.  The wooden hearts were one of my first Valentine's Day purchases as a newlywed a whole lotta years ago, made by a coworker's Mom.

Did you notice the little boxes next to my dish of fleece hearts?  (Fleece hearts can be seen here.)  Let's get a close up....

These sweet little boxes were made by my friend Melonie.  She painted the cute owl and bird and decorated the boxes.  Look what they have on the inside....

 

Cute or what?  Mel has an Etsy shop, see here.

The wreath was inspired by my friend, Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage.  This girl has been on a felt flower making frenzy!    She provides excellent tutorials on how to make a whole garden full of felt flowers, so she's your go-to girl should the need arise. 

Here's a better shot of the wreath...

And that, my friends, is my dining room hutch decked out for the day of love.  As always, thanks for the visit.  See you soon. 

Joining:
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Inspiration Friday at At the Picket Fence

Potpourri Friday at 2805
What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants