i needed some pretty today...

It has been a loooong couple of weeks. I have been MIA from blogland so I have a lot of reading and catching up to do. The last two weeks have been a blur...we are trying to transition my mother-in-law to an 'assisted living' facility.

Wow. What an eye opener that is.

Who knew getting older was so much work!

In between forms, phone calls, visits, buying her all new things for her new little apartment...I have been feverishly painting about 9,712 new pieces for my booth at the flea market next weekend. So this morning I decided to spend a few moments getting lost in Pinterest. I love Pinterest. Whoever came up with this idea...I would like to tell you...I think you are pure genius!! Oh, and thank you for saving my hard drive. It was 90% full before I found you.

These photos really have nothing to do with this post. Other than I wanted to check in to say Hi to all of you...and share all the 'pretty' I am finding.

I am noticing a theme here though...all the photos I am drawn to today seem send the message "relaxation"...I think my subconscious is trying to tell me something.

I am heading back to the land of Pinterest for a few minutes. I want to squeeze in a a few more pretty photos until I am switching over to catching up on your blogs. Then its off to my warehouse to finish a piece a client is picking up today, a metting and lunch for my mother-in-law at her new digs, then back to my warehouse to paint furniture into the wee-hours.

Anyone wanna come help me? I play really good music...and tonight there just may be margaritas in the blender to help up get through the night! And did I mention my warehouse sits right on the river? I can open up the back side...at night it is so pretty! The breeze last night was incredible! Come on, didn't THAT make you all want to come help me? It could be a big blogger painting party!

Oh, and since this post has no real theme, and my subject matter is jumping all over the place...I have to ask...do you Pinterest??

Happy Day to you all!



today, i heart sundance...

This morning, I was searching online for bed linens to use for the "Urban Plains" project...and I remembered my love of the Sundance catalog. I don't hear blogs refer too Sundance to often, but it is one of my favorite sites to find inspiration...

Ok, I know it has a lot of "western" style things...but they also have some of the most gorgeous vintage-inspired, rustic style things...which I personally LOVE to blend with my mostly-white decor...

Here are a few of my favorite things, just thought you might enjoy some "pretty" on your Monday morning...

First up, a lovely rustic barnwood key rack...I am only of those "always losing my keys" people, so this is perfect for me! But, sorry Sundance...I have enough barnwood to make about 986 of these, so I am whipping one up myself. Hmmm...maybe I should add one or two to my shop??? Anyone else out there losing their keys on a daily basis...or is that just me?

Next up...this fabulous clock. As soon as I saw it I thought of Maria from Dreamy Whites.

She has one very similar above her fireplace...love, love, LOVE it!

Ohhh...and LOVE these gorgeous french-inspured table linens.

They come in red and a beautiful aqua blue, too!

This basket is one I could not resist. It is going to hit my door-step next week, and I am so excited! I have seen this one in so many decorating magazines, I am so glad I finally found it! What does it say about your life when a basket gets you so stinkin' excited???

Speaking of baskets...isn't this just dreamy?? I immediately though of laundry-room storage.

This one is going on the birthday with list!

Anyone remember the blog post when I was searching for chairs like these?? I still never took the plunge and bought any, because I am hoping to find vintage and have the paint removed...but these just may have to do. I love them so. I wonder if they would rust outside?? Wouldn't they be fabulous around my white salvaged-wood patio table??

Love.

And I can't forget...bed linens is what started this Sundance-love-affair this morning! I am thinking about this bedskirt...but in white. I love the little ruffle. 

Simple and sweet.

I am looking out my window as I type this...and it is snowing...sideways.

Ugh.

I think I am going to click over from Sundance to Expedia and book me and the hubs a weekend in the Florida Keys! I need a little sunshine in my life! Doesn't that sound like a good idea?

Happy Monday, girls!

Stay warm and cozy today!

I am off to paint the "Urban Plains" bedroom today...it is going to be a lovely Benjamin Moore shade of white called..."Snow White".

Ironic, isn't it??

dreamy white christmas...

I know many of you are not from the Midwest, so probably miss out on seeing one of my favorite magazines...Midwest Living.

I cannot tell you how crazy I am about this magazine!! It has everything I love. Gorgeous home photos, yummy midwest comfort-food recipes and some of the greatest travel info for long weekends and day trips I have every seen between the pages of a magazine!

This month featured a home in Kansas that I find to be amazing...so I had to share.



Deserae & Derek renovated this 1870s schoolhouse with their own hands...isn't that awesome!?

The armoire stopped me in my tracks. I have one very similar to this in my warehouse. Hmmm..I feel a project coming on!

* sigh *

It is just so beautiful.

Deserae found it on Craigslist and painted it herself!

LOVE the flocked tree! I never thought I would, to be honest. But I have to admit, this one is fantastic, and fits the personality of this home perfectly!

Those gorgeous hardwood floors were salvaged from the gym in an old school.

I can totally relate since I just spent a lot of time (and got a lot of slivers) salvaging the wide-planked oak floors out of an old barn. So much work to do get the job done, but they look so amazing when given new life!

Loving those urns...and that mirror...is gorgeous, isn't it??

I am soooo wrapping a few gifts this way...simple and so beautiful!

I love how the accesories and not traditional Christmas colors. They are so subtle and soft with an element of nature.

Heeelllo gorgeous grandfather clock!! Would you like to come home with me?? I have the perfect spot for you!

And I leave you with the kitchen.

Isn't it beautiful??

Can you believe the cabinets were a Craigslist find they fitted and painted themselves??

I love the power of DIY.

So there you have it girls, a little slice of the Midwest.

In all its beauty.

I am feeling a little inspired, how about you??

I'm going from "before"...to "after"...

Ummm...anybody still out there?? I figure you have all forgotten about little ol' me since I haven't done a post in a week!

And what a week it has been...

Mother Nature had a serious attitude problem this past weekend. We had storms. And more storms. And wind. And that was some wicked wind she whipped up, let me tell you! I would like to bill Miss Mother Nature for the 6 not-so-cheap and no-longer-beautiful hanging baskets that did not survive her mood swings over the weekend.

Oh, and how can I forget my recent near-death experience with food poisoning over the weekend, too?? Oh yeah, now that was a good time. 33 hours of porcelain-hugging torture. You know what I mean. Everyone out there has either had it...or know someone that has. Its not pretty. I think it will be a loooong time before chicken enters my body again.

While I was recovering I had quite a it of time to think about the endless list of projects I need to get done around our "new" house. Can I call it "new" if this is my third summer in this house and I have yet to really finish decorating a room?

Anyhoo...as I drifted in and out of consciousness, I decided my sunroom was going to be my project of the moment. It is almost there...I just have a couple projects to tackle before I can start the fun part and fill the room. I have a pinky promise with the hubs that I will finsih it - soon. As in check-it-off-the-list-this-goose-is-cooked and we can move on to the next room kind of finished. 

It is my favorite room in the house...but it is just sitting there.

Empty. Lonely looking. Needing some love.

So...I have started to take it from "before"...to "after"...and hope to be finished in just a few weeks. Oh, and how I can't wait to show you the before. Its a whopper, let me tell you.

Here are the photos that have inspired me so far...you may recognize these photos from a post I did about a month ago...but I fell so in love with the feel of this house I have to bring it into my own.



This photo inspired me to paint my wood walls and exposed brick my favorite shade...'cloud white'...the floors are going to be painted next week - I can't wait! I'll be sure to show you photos. So many of you seem to be interested in painted wood floors, so I will be sure to photograph the play-by-play of how we did it.

This photo has me obsessed with that coffee table. We are going to try to build that one...isn't it just beach heaven??

I only have room for one sofa...so it has to be perfect. Cozy...comfy...this is a room all about relaxation. When I am out here...I want to feel like this...

Sorry...I know that photo makes no sense...but I love it so it had to make the cut.

 Back to the sofa....

I think Crate & Barrel has the sofa I am going to go with. Down cushions, white slipcover...it is like sitting on a cloud. Sounds perfect to me!

Once I can get the "bones" of the room done, and my sofa arrives...I will be on to the fun part. The accessories and the reveal! I can't wait...stay tuned...I can't wait to show you pics!

Today I am off to my warehouse...I have a round dining table, corner hutch, queen size sleigh bed and a desk all waiting for a bath in white paint. Oh, and for all of you that have emailed...I will have 63 empty white frames for the show next weekend...if I can get them all painted today, that is! So be there early on Saturday, they always go first!

Happy Thursday, girls!