Advice for New Moms: Odi et Amo
Come join me over at Averill's incredibly resourceful series, Advice for New Moms, as I share my favorite items when I was a new mom. If you don't follow Averill's blog, Odi et Amo, I strongly encourage you too - she is a fabulous blogger with a keen eye for design who is expecting her first child.
Before & After: My HomeGoods Bedside Mirrors
I was able to cross one project off my list this weekend - hang mirrors above our nightstands in our bedroom. If you remember, this is what our bedroom looked liked before the mirrors.
Obviously, we needed something above our nightstands, but it has taken me a long time to find the exact mirrors I was visualizing for this space. I was on a hunt to find something similar to the Lilly mirror from Ballard Designs. This mirror, unfortunately, is no longer available and costs $199.00. Even if it was still available, there is no way I could afford that.
So, I waited and waited and regularly checked HomeGoods. And, then one day, while browsing HomeGoods down in Danbury, I found the perfect mirror for only $19.99. The only thing is that it needed a paint job. No problem!
Before:
A little white (gloss) spray paint and I was good to go. Here is how our master bedroom looks now.
After:
So, what do you think? It's unbelievable how similar the mirrors look like the Lilly mirror from Ballard Designs. You gotta love HomeGoods!
Kayce's Giveaway!
It's not too late to catch the tail end of Kayce's week of giveaways!! Check it out here!
Happy Thanksgiving
To all, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. Last night, knee deep, in chopped fennel, carrots, parsnips, etc. I would occasionally glance over at this
and it would make me smile. I was planning on using this elsewhere in the house, but when my husband heard me 'stressing' out last night, he brought it in the kitchen and placed it on the counter! He's the best. I also finished my thanksgiving tablescape (flower arrangement and all)!
Lastly, I want to thank you for taking the time to stop by and reading my blog!! Every time each one of you leaves a comment, it makes my day and I'm just thankful that I have found a passion, a supportive group of readers and an outlet in which to enjoy it all!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving Day!! Have a wonderful weekend!
This and That
I've been busy. With what you ask? Oh the typical - prepping for Thanksgiving (we're hosting), working, cleaning, joined a gym - trying to get into shape, play-dates, and trying to finish up some overdue home projects. My favorite part? I actually took some time to create a Thanksgiving tablescape this season which I plan to post pictures tomorrow! Yay! In the meantime, I hope to use this long weekend to finish up some home projects. Here is a hint on one such project I'm working on:
Do you notice a trend? I also plan to get a head start on our Christmas shopping and decorating this weekend. This year we will choose our Christmas tree from a local farm and have it tagged. When we're ready to have it cut, we just call them in advance and they cut it. This way I can guarantee NOT to see a pile of needles on the living room floor before Christmas Eve!
Lastly, I plan to take some time for me. A good friend and mentor gave me this book in which she wrote, "I love how in a very gentle and uncomplicated way the book encourages self-love, dreaming, imagining, creating, playing, exploring and nurturing your spirit, dreams, passions, curiosities and desires."
I couldn't have said it better. Don't we all need that from time to time, particularly during the crunch of the holidays? I'll see you tomorrow to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Off the Wall Beds (Literally)
I am completely impressed by this DIY boy's room - 3 off-the-wall hanging beds in one room. Who would've ever thought of this? Brilliant!! I would love to copy this idea! Although, first, I need to have a couple of more babies! :)
I love the color palette she chose - navy, yellow and gray and all her Ikea touches. To see how this amazing blogger accomplished this, go here.
Canvas Photo Wall
This past weekend I saw a great deal over at 6th Street Design for canvas photographs. It's $55 off any canvas. I seized the opportunity and bought a 16x20 canvas which will be of our family. I really like the look of large canvas photographs as a gallery wall.
You would have to pay a small fortune to do something like this immediately (the canvases are 16x20 and 20x24 which would be very expensive). But, if you committed to buying one or two canvases a year (taking advantage of special discounts and deals), you could slowly build this gallery over a couple of years. I would love to do something like this for our family. So stunning.
And, don't you love the dog?? I want him too!! :)
Plum Cushion: Deck the Halls
For the past week, I've been searching for some new Christmas stockings and lo' and behold......my prayers were answered!!
Plum Cushion to the rescue....and now, all I have to do is to convince my husband!! ;) Have a great weekend!!
Annsley Interiors
Every once and a while, I like to profile an interior designer's work as a way to capture my favorite designs and designers. Annsley McAlleer is no exception.
Who doesn't love a banquette with a zinc pedestal table and a chippendale chair? Oh, and of course, french doors!
So relaxed, adorable and functional!
I love the blue & green color combination!
So serene! Blue and yellow - I love it. I'm curious as to what fabric she used for the curtains?
I love the sconce she chose for this bathroom!
See it to believe it...
Thanks...
I just wanted to post my gratitude for the many well wishes and thanks I've received for the book.
It was a "labor of love", first from the standpoint of one who loves this vibrant and lively medium, and loves teaching others a few of the things I've learned about how to paint the landscape, but mostly out of love for Christ, who gave me a modicum of talent and provided me with the opportunities to explore and enjoy using pastels. It was His example that showed me so clearly that I wasn't to hold out, hold back or expect to gain income from the book, but that in giving it away I would gain more than I could ever expect otherwise. The truth of that is difficult to prove, but it's real nonetheless. Your thanks are truly appreciated.
Although due to family needs I have few chances to spend time in my pastel studio, I continue to teach classes once a week with a devoted group of students, and I pursue painting in gouache on my little dining room table. My mind roves over the landscape and technical areas I haven't yet explored in this book, and as a result I have several additional chapters brewing. I sincerely hope to write them and post them here as an appendix, of sorts.
If you have a question or idea you would like answered, or would like to propose an additional area of study in the landscape as its painted in pastels, I welcome your thoughts. Please understand that for the present I'm not in the process of writing, but as I teach and post on Today's Art Class blog, much of what I hope to write is beginning to coalesce.
And in the nearer future, I hope to begin offering online workshops in the landscape in pastel. Look for that to come to fruition in 2011 sometime. I'll post opportunities here as they arise, but if it's something you're interested in doing and you have a particular subject you'd like to explore (i.e. sunsets, reflections, snow, night, etc.) send an email to me at d.d.secor(at)gmail(dot)com and I'll add you to my mailing list.
If this is your first visit here, please page through the Table of Contents Links in the sidebar. If you're new to pastels, you might want to start at the beginning and explore the possibilities in order. Perhaps you're struggling with a particular subject and stumbled upon the information using an Internet search. Either way, I hope what you find here is of help and interest to you.
Every student is a blessing to me. Teaching is a delight, and freely sharing even more so.
Deborah
It was a "labor of love", first from the standpoint of one who loves this vibrant and lively medium, and loves teaching others a few of the things I've learned about how to paint the landscape, but mostly out of love for Christ, who gave me a modicum of talent and provided me with the opportunities to explore and enjoy using pastels. It was His example that showed me so clearly that I wasn't to hold out, hold back or expect to gain income from the book, but that in giving it away I would gain more than I could ever expect otherwise. The truth of that is difficult to prove, but it's real nonetheless. Your thanks are truly appreciated.
Although due to family needs I have few chances to spend time in my pastel studio, I continue to teach classes once a week with a devoted group of students, and I pursue painting in gouache on my little dining room table. My mind roves over the landscape and technical areas I haven't yet explored in this book, and as a result I have several additional chapters brewing. I sincerely hope to write them and post them here as an appendix, of sorts.
If you have a question or idea you would like answered, or would like to propose an additional area of study in the landscape as its painted in pastels, I welcome your thoughts. Please understand that for the present I'm not in the process of writing, but as I teach and post on Today's Art Class blog, much of what I hope to write is beginning to coalesce.
And in the nearer future, I hope to begin offering online workshops in the landscape in pastel. Look for that to come to fruition in 2011 sometime. I'll post opportunities here as they arise, but if it's something you're interested in doing and you have a particular subject you'd like to explore (i.e. sunsets, reflections, snow, night, etc.) send an email to me at d.d.secor(at)gmail(dot)com and I'll add you to my mailing list.
If this is your first visit here, please page through the Table of Contents Links in the sidebar. If you're new to pastels, you might want to start at the beginning and explore the possibilities in order. Perhaps you're struggling with a particular subject and stumbled upon the information using an Internet search. Either way, I hope what you find here is of help and interest to you.
Every student is a blessing to me. Teaching is a delight, and freely sharing even more so.
Deborah
Friday's Favorites
Don't you love it when you have a great inspiration day or as is my case, a great inspiration week? I can't begin to tell you how many times I was inspired this week. Here is a little sampling....
So inspired by Modern 24/7's apartment. It's amazing. Check out more here. I'm loving that tree in the corner. What kind of tree is that? Anyone? Next up, if you haven't been introduced to Abbe's blog Studio Ten 25, go introduce yourself! A fantastic designer and her master bedroom has been stuck in my mind for days!!
Who doesn't love a good before and after? Well, I certainly do and both of these B & A's are kitchen related. Casey, from Loft and Cottage, does a great play by play of her kitchen upgrades on a tight budget. Go here for more.
Amy Meier also had a great kitchen before and after. A true gut job, but with a warm and inviting finish. Check out more here.
Iomoi's lucite trays are on my christmas list! Have they expanded their product line? So much eye candy.......check it out!
And, speaking of Christmas, I leave with you this!! I know it's early, but this definitely makes me excited!! So colorful and happy!
And, speaking of Christmas, I leave with you this!! I know it's early, but this definitely makes me excited!! So colorful and happy!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!
Erin Bell Photography
This year I wanted to have professional photos taken of our family. Having never gone through this process, I was a little nervous - especially since friends have described unpleasant experiences. But I forged ahead and struck gold.
When I found Erin Bell Photography, I immediately fell in love with her portfolio. Her style is to capture candid, interactive moments. She produces photos that genuinely capture the way people relate to one another.
Working with Erin far exceeded my expectations. She and her team are so "on it". It's incredible. Everything was perfect, from the responsive and pleasant email exchanges to our photographer's (Lisa's) efforts to make the photo shoot fun and relaxing.
Seriously, I cannot overstate how talented and professional Erin and her team are. If you're looking for a photographer in this area, I highly recommend her. Thanks Erin!
Blue & Green
I am taking an e-Color course that I won as a giveaway and it has opened my eyes to the world of color. Every time I look at an interior shot, I immediately notice the color palette. I've been enjoying pinpointing the color combos so much that I've stared saving my pics by the room type and by the color palette used in the room.
Domino
Domino
Domino
And, did you notice the variety of accents used - pink, orange, yellow, etc. So, any favorite color combos you've been loving lately?
Note: Thank you all for your incredibly sweet comments about our new house paint job - seriously, I was overwhelmed by the response!! It made my day!
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