2012: April 2011

Life Partner

Hope U are all fine :)

As we all know "There is only one happiness in life: to love and be loved."

Get married to the person who loves you..

Say her indirectly through your love "Come live in my heart, and pay no rent"..

The most precious possession that ever comes to a man in this world is a woman's heart.

I think womens heart is too soft, and I am waiting for taking care of my life partner's heart :)

There is no remedy for love but to love more.

I would like to hold her hand throughout my life..

When you love someone madly, all your saved-up wishes start coming out.

I think even after reading this line ur wishes will be coming out from ur mind :)

A kiss makes the heart young again and wipes out the years.

I will be happy if she teaches me how to kiss :)

What is life without having a child? Its adds the happiness..

Do all things with love.

lead a happy life for ever..

I will also be happy if U share your thoughts with me if you wish :)

Before & After: Kitchen Bar Stool

Note to self: don't promote a big reveal unless you have a big reveal. So in my previous post I mentioned that I was working on a piece for my kitchen (to complement my roman shade), with a reveal soon to follow.

Something you should know about our kitchen: it is small. 11 x 11, to be exact. We redid the kitchen shortly after we got married and I moved in. It was a gut job (including the ceiling and floors - but the walls stayed). I'll save those details for a later post. But one of the things that bugs me about our tiny kitchen is that there is nowhere to sit. No island, no countertop overhang, no nothing.

Between the end of the countertop and the entry to the dining room there is just enough wall space for a single bar stool (how sad). I measured the space and kept an eye out for a high bar stool that would work and found one at an antique store for around $10. Here is my find:

BEFORE

A great stool, but the color wasn't right. As you already know from yesterday's post, I wanted to match the color of my stool to the citrine color of my roman shade (below). I finally found the perfect color - Benjamin Moore's Mother Earth.

And, here is the reveal - the bar stool now painted and situated in small nook between the entryway to our dining room and the end of our countertop. Finally, a place where someone can sit and visit while I cook!

AFTER

And, I just love Anne Harwell's Courtney Barnes chair print right above it!!

I know what you're thinking: "this was the big reveal?". Well, yes. But in the war I've launched against this house, even the smallest victories are very rewarding and energizing. Happy Wednesday! :)

A Perfect Color Match

I've recently started to tackle my ever long list of home projects. I finally completed the last item (well, maybe second to last!) on my 'to do' kitchen list. As you know, I had a new roman shade made for my kitchen window (here) and so I wanted to incorporate the same citrine color elsewhere in my kitchen. Tomorrow I will do the reveal, but to give you a hint, it involved a piece of furniture found at an antique store and a little of this paint color.

The paint color is Benjamin Moore's Mother Earth and it is the perfect color match to the citrine in Schumacher's Imperial Trellis. I'm so excited because, the piece of furniture I (my husband) painted turned out great! Stay tuned for tomorrow's reveal.....

Urban Outfitters Rug for Sale

Do you remember when Jamie from I Suwannee posted theses updates she made with a $500 budget in 3 days? Let me refresh your memory...

This makeover has always been a favorite of mine! For those interested, I am selling the Urban Outfitters rug shown in the pictures above (4x6 brown and white) for $35 plus shipping (if not local). I've had it for a year and have never used it!! It's in great condition. If you're interested, email me @ fmgelineau@msn.com!! SOLD

Affordable Floor Lamps

Why are attractive and affordable floor lamps so hard to find? I have been searching for a floor lamp for our family room FOREVER. Granted, I haven't really made it a priority, but I am never impressed with what I find and then when I find something I like, I can't afford it. Well, I finally spent a good hour just searching for floor lamps and I surprised myself. I found some good options:

First, let's pretend money isn't an option. If that were the case, I would be all over this beauty:

via

But, we just came back from vacation and it's back to reality. Of course, with affordable options there is always a little elbow grease involved. So here is this close option from CSN for $74. I would get a can of Rustoleum's Metallic spray paint in brass to paint it and would replace it with a drum shade.

via

I like this option below, also from CSN, for about $88. I like how it already has a drum shade and the height is 60".

via

I really like the minamalist look of this next lamp. Straight and simple lines for $134 and the height is 62"!

via

Lastly, I like this lamp by Robert Abbey, it's the most expensive of the bunch, but the brand name is good and the height is substantial at 64". It runs $266.

via

So, now I just have to bite the bullet and choose one. Any favorites? I hope you all have a wonderful Easter weekend! I plan on getting some home projects done (weather permitting)!!!

Welcome my newest sponsor!

Windows by Melissa! Melissa owns and runs a custom windows treatment shop on etsy. She does a variety of custom window treatments at very affordable prices. We all know how window treatments can really transform a room!

I've had the pleasure of working with Melissa when she did my custom roman shade for my kitchen window (above). She was professional, prompt and alleviated my ever fear. She really does beautiful work.

via

If you have a project that needs custom window treatments, consider contacting her. You won't be disappointed.

2012 Nissan Sunny Short Review

Nissan Sunny (2012)

Nissan Sunny (2012)

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. unveiled an all-new sedan model at the 8th China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition. Using the famed 'Sunny' name in China, this new model will go on sale first in China in January 2011 and then progressively across 170 countries worldwide under different vehicle brand names.

The Nissan Sunny was first introduced in China in 2003 and was significant as the first locally built model from the new Dongfeng Nissan partnership. Acclaimed by consumers for its combination of quality, space and driving performance, the Nissan Sunny quickly help establish a foundation for the Nissan brand in the passenger vehicle market in China.

A projected class leader in fuel economy, the all-new Nissan Sunny is expected to appeal to young families in their 30s looking for a medium sized sedan that combines a dynamic upscale design with the space, quality and features associated with the Sunny and Nissan brand.

Some of our favourite #wsf tweets

We've had some funny, poetic, beautiful and poignant tweets since we started our #wsf campaign last week so we thought we'd post some up here to say thank you!
Here's a selection of our faves so far, but keep them coming in!

kateyedi Kate Yedigaroff

They stand behind a long desk. And confess. Relentlessly. Frivolities and horrors. To my left 'this isn't theatre' & i am delighted #wsf

search_party search party

He shows me a picture of his penis and asks me to rate it out of ten. I give him a 4. Everything has changed between us. #wsf

sedatedbyabrick Sedated By A Brick

Her head jerks down quickly towards the solid desk surface. I flinch. Water splashes everywhere. She is drowning in the desk. #wsf

sitace Sita Calvert-Ennals

#wsf I opened my eyes and he was crying. I knew I was a fool but I felt like he was crying for me

hannahnicklin Hannah Nicklin

A man lights a single candle for me, and I write a letter that it takes all my efforts not to dot with tears #wsf

Actionherolive Action Hero

i spat the ball at his forehead and he threv the beer bottle at my head #wsf

2011 Aston Martin Launches Cygnet Special Edition

2011 Aston Martin Launches Cygnet Special Edition

2011 Nissan Patrol

Nissan Patrol (2011)

Reliable, unbreakable, affordable. The Nissan Patrol is a name synonymous with ruggedness, a legendary off-roader capable of going anywhere, anytime. Meticulously honed for over five decades, the Patrol is Nissan's flagship large SUV model and enjoys a rich heritage particularly in the Middle East that dates back to the 1950's. This off-road trendsetter was one of the first dedicated four-wheel-drive vehicles in the climatically demanding Middle East region, and boasts the notable distinction of also being the first vehicle to successfully cross the grueling Simpson Desert in Australia back in 1962.

Under the banner of "The Hero Comes Home" the Nissan Patrol is back as an all-new seventh generation model, building on its impressive history, but at the same time, incorporating a new platform, a radical new design direction, significantly enhanced interior comfort and luxury, powerful new V8 engines, a 7-speed automatic transmission and a new 4WD system.

2011 Nissan X-Trail

Nissan X-Trail (2011)

From September 2010, buyers of the Nissan X-Trail SUV will benefit from a series of extensive updates to maintain its position in the SUV segment as one of the few, versatile and agile four-wheel drive vehicles on the European market.

Nissan X-Trail (2011)

Already well regarded for its durability, comfort, practicality and convenience, the changes refresh Nissan X-Trail's exterior styling; improve the interior perceived quality and functionality, as well as mechanical and aerodynamic changes. These revisions contribute to Nissan X-Trail's improved economy and CO2 output.

Nissan X-Trail (2011)

The most obvious changes have been made to the frontal aspect of Nissan X-Trail which emphasize a feeling of integration to the car body, with completely redesigned grille, headlights and bumper assembly. Directly from the front, the more sophisticated, technical appearance makes the car look more dynamic. The grille is of higher quality and flows down into the bumper assembly. The lower part of the bumper is angled outwards, suggesting a wider track and more solid stance.

Styling: Office Updates

Since my son was exhausted yesterday (due to his birthday weekend) he had a nap and I was on cloud nine! What should have I been doing? Packing. Yeah, that didn't happen. Instead, I focused on using the time to do some updates to my office/toy storage room. My husband hung our canvas photos this past weekend and I spent some time styling.

Did I tell you styling is a challenge for me even though I really like doing it? I wish I was better. Anyway, I played around with some accessories yesterday. Excuse the picture-less frame. I am pretty certain I won't keep the styling this way, but it was fun to play around. Did you notice my new furbish coasters?? Love them!

support Bike Lanes on Mass Ave--Boston Cyclists Union meeting April 12

There's a meeting at the Boston Public Library main branch, 7-9pm on Thursday, April 14, to talk about bike lanes on Mass Ave in some critical areas. I can't be there, but I hope you'll help spread the word and possibly attend.

Countdown is on...

We had a great weekend celebrating my son's birthday!! It was non-stop and I think we all are a little spent today. I'm currently surrounded by heaps of laundry trying to get ready and pack for our spring break trip down to Florida tomorrow. In the meantime, this lovely picture has me totally psyched for West Palm Beach - I love the Palm Beach vibe!

via

Happy Monday!!!

Crazy week....

but so happy today is Friday. Tomorrow is my son's 4th birthday party!! I'm so excited - honestly, I think I'm more excited than he is! Anyway, today is a non-work day (insert big smile here) and as I sat down this AM with coffee in hand, catching up on blogs, I came across a beautiful boy's nursery. It's so warm, rich and unexpected. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do....

It's official...I NEED a Klein rocker!

I love the unexpected hot air balloon chandelier and the drummer boy painting. I can totally see Erin's son growing older in this room and it not becoming outdated.

I love the paint color she chose (Pratt and Lambert's Wolf) and the persian rug she found on Craigslist.

Check out more of Erin's blog and home here. Happy Weekend!!

Tweet #WSF

We See Fireworks begins at the Barbican on April 18th before touring around the world. But we want you to Tweet #WSF with your perfect, poignant or poetic performance moments now! Follow us @IBTProductions

We're Not the Only Ones: T GM Quits His Car

Yesterday, the Boston Globe reported that Richard A. Davey, General Manager of the MBTA, and his wife, gave up their car for good:

Richard A. Davey has given up his car. Not just for the week, or for the month, but for good.

The MBTA general manager and his wife took the plunge into car-free living last week, donating their sole set of wheels, a sparingly driven Nissan Altima, to the Home for Little Wanderers.

You may recall that Davey’s predecessor, Daniel A. Grabauskas, was ribbed by the Herald for commuting in a sport utility vehicle (an MBTA-owned Ford Escape hybrid) as the T was promoting a “Dump the Pump’’ campaign, because driving to and from his Ipswich home was more convenient than the 75-minute ride on the commuter rail and the Green Line...

'It's like a star imploding'

We were sat there really, really high up and I just have this memory of watching 40 odd performers on stage all moving in complete, perfect unison. There was 50 or 60 rows of people in front of me, but I can still smell their sweat and hear their breath.

I walked into a car that came from Liverpool I think, and I really didn’t know what to expect when I walked into that car. And there was this man in the car and he offered me a sweet and I had the sweet and he talked to me about, about the death of his brother…

I wonder how many memories I have of shows I haven’t actually seen.

I saw a strong person, a lovely person, break on stage and even if it was pretend, it was heart-wrenching.

Walking the stage and gazing. Staring at the audience, daring them to do something….

And the last light goes out and there’s such a vacuum-like loss at the end that seems to suck everything into it, it’s like a star imploding or something.

You find yourself laughing and all of a sudden you don’t know why you have been laughing at all.

….like someone was stroking your soul…

Currently loving...

colorful lamp shades. Maybe because spring is here? Not sure. But I want to add a dose of color in my living room and I'm targeting my lamp shades. I just bought two new white ceramic cylinder lamp bases from Target and I LOVE them. Now, I'm fixated w/adding color via the shades. Here is some inspiration...