New York, New York

I repurposed a 2010 calendar into three pieces of inexpensive art today. I selected three of the New York prints that fit into my frames, and coordinated well together. Then I just trimmed them down to size, and fitted into my frames.

A fun little secret is that these frames are made of...styrofoam! I found them in a second-hand furniture shop in Louisville, Kentucky. They were only a couple dollars a piece.

Also, as a side note, I don't think I ever posted about this little side table. It was a yard sale find that I paid a few dollars for and then spray painted navy blue. Never underestimate the power of spray paint!

A Little Shopping In Dallas

Kane and I just arrived back home from Dallas late last night. We had a great visit with my family. My Mom and I got to do a little shopping while we were there, which is always fun! We made a trip to Ikea where I picked up this awesome floor lamp for $39.99. Along with a few other small goodies.

Antifoni floor lamp from Ikea.

The Wisteria Outlet was another great stop we made. For anyone who isn't familiar with Wisteria you can check out their website here. They have a large selection of home furnishings, accessories, and holiday decorations. It is not an outlet in the true sense of the word, with serious clearance bargains to be found. But, it was a great opportunity to see the quality of their items for future reference when ordering from them online.

Their Christmas decorations were the only items truly on clearance. (About 90% off), so I picked up a few vintage-inspired ornaments for my tree next year!

Blog Anniversary!

This little blog project came to be on December 22, 2009. I missed the exact anniversary by a week, but I still want to recognize it. I'm so glad that I took the plunge and decided to start it. After a total of 343 posts, I've decided to keep it going for another year!

I started with the intention of posting every single day. I did pretty well, but I've decided to change my ground rules for year #2. I'll now be posting 5 days a week. Not necessarily Monday-Friday.

Thanks to my 43 followers and to all of the rest of you that read my blog every day! I appreciate you taking the time to read what I have to say! And a special thank you to my biggest fans: my mother, mother-in-law, aunt K and MG.

Garth Brooks!!

Last night was the last of nine concerts that Garth Brooks put on benefiting Middle Tennessee flood relief. It was the best show I've ever seen!! They pulled out all the stops. He started out with 'Rodeo' and over two hours later he ended with 'Wild Horses'. In between he and Trisha Yearwood sang 'In Another's Eyes', 'She's In Love With The Boy' and 'Walk-away Joe.' It's the best $35 I've spent in a long time.

Logan and I with Jordan and Ty.

Jam-packed Weekend

This weekend was a whirlwind spent with Papa and Dovey in Milan, TN and then with Kane's family in Mississippi. His Uncle Jimmy hosts every year. There were lots of guns to shoot, a Chinese gift exchange, and this year we added a tacky Christmas sweater competition. Lots to do!

Papa and Dovey with their new scarves.

Brad and Girl Logan.

Papa's model pose, showing off his UGG boots and new scarf!

Shooting clay pidgeons at Uncle Jim's.

Kane and Logan with cousin Chip. 

Cousin Jackson getting ready to say Grace. How cute is this? 

Soon-to-be-mommy Desiree, Carrie, me and Logan.

My New DSLR!

I've finally had a day to fool around with my new DSLR. I still haven't figured out most of the settings, but I know myself and that's just going to take some time. Here are a few of my first pictures with it! 

Anthro Does It Again

Anthropologie, you win again! I cannot visit your store without falling in love with everything! These are today's favorites...

Images from Anthro.

Preserving the Decay in Selma, AL

Image from the NY Times.

This man is a genius for being willing to buy an abandoned men's club that's falling apart and turn it into his home. Any little summary I write won't do this place justice. Seriously. Check out the NY Times article here. Also, check out lots of other images of this place in this slideshow.

Swinging on the Front Porch

Images scanned from A House in the South.

It's in the negative temperatures here in Nashville tonight. We're still digging out from Saturday's snow. We're barely into this winter and I'm already dreaming about sunny Spring afternoons on one of these beautiful porches!

Best Christmas Movie of All

I feel like this blog is a great forum to discuss my favorite Christmas movie of all time. 1987's A Muppet Family Christmas. And it's not just the Muppets. It also includes the whole Sesame Street gang, and the Fraggles! It's a little obscure, not one of their most famous movies, but by far the best. If you can find a copy of this movie, please watch it!!

And, "Watch out for the icy patch!"

Image from Elle Decor.

Rustic feel, surrounded by bookcases, with an elegant table setting. Was this room designed with me in mind?

Facebook, Here I Come

Well, almost a year after starting my blog, I've finally decided to break down and get on Facebook. I'm still on the fence about how I'll feel about it, but I'm giving it a shot...

What are your thoughts on Facebook?

Wow

I was going through a box of random pictures tonight looking for the pictures from our past Christmas cards. And I came across this little nugget. Our Junior prom. Holy cow, we were babies! 

Things work out. When I was in ninth grade I thought that moving from Kentucky to Tennessee was the worst thing that could ever happen to me. But if we hadn't I never would have met Kane. If I hadn't moved to TN I never would have ventured off to the University of Georgia and met Geneva. If I hadn't gone to Georgia I wouldn't have moved to NYC to become a designer. And if I hadn't have had my time in New York I wouldn't be as grateful as I am to be back here now.

This silly picture makes me really happy tonight.

Blue Christmas

Check out these gorgeous vintage ornaments I've been buying up for a client of ours! I've bought all the blue and silver I can find. Makes me think I might need to expand my own collection of ornaments for next year...

Is anyone doing anything new for their Christmas decorations this year?

Seret Santa!

It makes me so happy when you get a great person in a Secret Santa gift exchange! And then, it's even better when you know you've found the perfect gift! Our office is having an exchange next week and I think I've nailed it.

Floorplan coasters and dish towels from Fishs Eddy in NYC. I remembered seeing the dishes and platters in the shop before we moved and wanting to buy them all! This shop has the most unique patterned dishes and glassware. And some of you may know that I have a little obsession with dishes... Be sure to check out their stuff!

Image found via Fishs Eddy.