What is Black, White & Striped All Over?

This past Saturday I headed out to my mother's house bright and early for a tag sale. I brought a few goodies to sell, made a couple of dollars, and quickly lost the money I managed to make. JK took $40 for a new DS game. Kenners was invited to go to the mall for dinner and shopping. Need I say more? Easy come, easy go...

Although I wasn't able to hold onto any money, I did bring home a gem of my own.

My mom decided she no longer wanted this cream dresser. I quickly snagged it before she put it out to sell in the tag sale and found a great spot for it in my dining room. It is perfect coupled with my new Missoni Glass Platter and orange wooden finial!

Speaking of Missoni, I also bought a small black & white canister.

I thought it would be great on my bedside table to hold my earrings, watch, rings, bracelets, etc. that I toss off as I climb into bed at night.

A little silver, black, white and gray.

Perfect!

Pumpkins, Bowls and Half Naked Men

After a 3 month or so hiatus from the blog world I am posting once again. It has been a hard decision to make. I have been taking time to simplify my life these past few months. I have cleared my house out like you would not believe. I have edited unnecessary time wasters from my day and have relished this past summer and all of the time I have been able to devote to my family. But my kiddos are all in school now. And I have a little extra time on my hands. And today I felt a little twinge of desire to go and write a post. So here I am....here's to hoping a few of you are still out there to read my crazy ramblings!

After putting JK on the bus at 11:25 AM (half day Kindergarten) I high tailed it to the mall for a little {me} time. Look at the pumpkin I FINALLY scored. I have wanted this little bit of shiny goodness for 3 years now. Each year I sit on my butt a bit too long and decide I must have it after it is no longer available. Not this year! I walked into Pottery Barn this afternoon, saw it sitting on the shelf and snatched it up. (Note: if you go to the PB website you'll see it is NO LONGER AVAILABLE!!!)

Like I mentioned earlier, I am editing my life and my house. This includes decorating. My mantle is going to stay nice and plain this year. I felt like the mercury glass pumpkin made the perfect addition.

Just a touch of fall...

Anthropologie opened at my local mall two weeks ago and I have been anxious to check it out. It is lovely. Absolutely amazing. My big purchase? Two more latte bowls. We all just love them!

My final purchase of the day is for Kenners. She has grown up quite a bit over the summer and has developed an addiction to Hollister. I don't mind indulging her habit with the "50% off redlines" tables...Plus I do so enjoy their half naked men bags! It's a win-win situation!

The little munchkins will be home in just a few short minutes...how the times does fly!

Union Jack

For months (way before the royal wedding hoopla) I have been lusting over these Union Jack pillows from Karen Hilton. Well, after much hemming and hawing I have decided to take the plunge and order one for myself and one for my mom for Mother's Day.

I decided on the Yellow & Hot Pink Union Jack and Crown.

She chose the White and Black Union Jack and Crown.

I just submitted my order and can't wait for these fabulous pillow covers to arrive from across the pond!

Oh, and yes, I will be watching Prince William and Kate tie the knot of Friday...I'm even thinking of throwing a post-royal wedding party on Saturday night!

Just a Napkin or Something More?

A cloth napkin is never just a napkin...

...think of the possibilities...

...especially when they are marked down to $4.98 for four AND I'm in the middle of redoing my bedroom AND hunting for new pillow material!

Hmmmmmm....

Stay tuned!!

A New Year's Trip to the Bookstore

Happy New Year!

We started the 2011 year with breakfast with my parents and then a trip to the bookstore (or "library" as JK likes to call it!)

Kenners has been dying for this Klutz book and wanted to leave the bookstore shortly after finding it. As soon as we arrived home she started making a bracelet.

Rand has been reading the Warriors series but it's been slow going waiting for the books at the library. They're so popular and hardly ever on the shelves. She bought books 3 & 4.

I browsed the 2011 calendars (how I love a brand new calendar!), the diet book section (it's the New Year...what more can I say?), and the magazines. I bought the February edition of Country Living. The all-white cover sold me at first glance. The January 2011 Country Living British Edition also had an all-white cover so it naturally came home with me too. I really like Jonathan Adler's style and decided to splurge and buy his accessorizing book.

I have been thinking about Resolutions for the New Year and have yet to make anything concrete. I had a good idea but am still noodling it out...stay tuned!

We are enjoying a super mild day (56 degrees!!) and a wonderful start to the New Year! I'm truly looking forward to what this year has to bring and the growth I will gain with each passing day!

Post-Holiday Shoppin'

Have you seen these adorable and reasonably priced owls from west elm?

I absolutely love them and ordered a small and a large for my living room.

The only bummer is they won't ship until March 2011...but it is free shipping and handling so who can complain?

I also ordered several sets of Restoration Hardware's Handblown Ornaments.

I chose the Octagon and Ball shapes in Smoke...

...and the Ribbed Onion in Red.

Too bad I have to wait a whole year to hang these beautiful bargains on my tree!!

New Love

Last week DK took Friday off from work and we went on an official date while the kiddos were at school. We went to lunch and discussed upcoming birthdays and Christmas gifts. We have a lot of birthdays in November and December, including mine and DK's.

There are two items that have appeared on my birthday/Christmas list for the past 3 years. Diamond earrings and an iPhone. Each year I decide no, not this year and I schlep through with my no-fuss basic phone.

Well, this year was different. There were countless times when I really NEEDED an iPhone. Not to mention EVERYONE has one! (Insert bratty teenage whine here) I would sit through countless meetings month in and month out with everyone in the room using their iPhone except me.

Sniff, sniff...boo hoo!

So guess what I got?

Yep. I finally got my iPhone and I am officially in love!!

More Bowls!

Today I'm headed back to Anthropologie to buy some more latte bowls.

We all love are loving them...

...even Peyton!

Lip smackin' good!

Maybe I should get her some mini latte bowls. They would be more her size!

Reindeer Magic

I know it's still early to be thinking about Christmas gifts...

...but when I saw this little reindeer at the Christmas Tree Shop last week for $1.69 I just knew I had to buy him! In fact I bought them all! Does he look familiar?

Yep, almost identical to Pottery Barn's small Twig Reindeer (which sells for $14!!!)

I plan on giving my reindeer away for Christmas along with my own rendition of Magic Reindeer Food as hostess gifts, visiting teaching gifts, neighbor gifts, etc.

Can't wait!!!

Have you started thinking about Christmas gifts yet?

Anthropologie, IKEA and Cool Weather

Man, I can tell I am feeling TONS better!

How so?

I had the energy to go to Anthropologie AND IKEA this week!

Wowzers!

I bought some latte bowls at Anthropologie...my elephant approves of my color choices

At IKEA I brought my own soda and used one of their cups. Pepsi...ick! (The one thing I truly dislike about IKEA)

JK and friend enjoying lunch. They had a blast in the kid's play area and want to go back soon!

I haven't unloaded everything I bought at IKEA yet. I'm having a bit of buyer's remorse. I'm not sure if I will keep everything yet... But I did buy these fun little black & white polkadot mini bowls.

The weather has definitely turned fall like. Even Peyton curls up in a cozy throw any chance she gets...which is quite often since JK throws the blankets on the floor when he hops up from the couch.

I'm lovin' how I'm feelin' and I am lovin' this weather!

Pillows-Opinions Needed!

I'm still at Girl's Camp and completely unplugged...but I just couldn't help myself and had to schedule a post for while I'm gone! When I come home I am hoping to find your suggestions and opinions for the pillow scenario shown below!

Last week while making a quick trip to Target I found these black & cream pillows. They were an "online only" item and were originally priced at $49.98. I bought them for $10.06 each! I couldn't pass them by...they match my new color scheme so well!! But now I am having trouble figuring out how to incorporate them. So, please, leave your thoughts!!

These pillows are HUGE!

See what I mean?

While at Target I also bought this yellow rosette flower pillow.

I love the rosettes!

Stephanie has one so naturally I wanted one too!

Here's a monochromatic scheme.

Should I stick to it?

No yellow rosette flower pillow?Or are these pillows way too big and should be used as a floor pillow?

Leave the yellow rosette flower pillow with the other two I made?

Buy an additional yellow rosette flower pillow and alternate the four across the couch?

(BTW, do you say couch or sofa? Just curious!)

Should I get rid of the huge pillows all together even though they are a fabulous price?

Do you like the yellow rosette flower pillow?

(My mother doesn't and was not shy in telling me so!)

Can't wait to come home and read your fabulous responses!

IKEA or Bust!

Today was a day I was looking forward to with great anticipation!

My sister and I were headed to a local Ivy League museum and then shopping at IKEA.

Sadly, her daughter came down with a high fever and headache last night.

Regardless I packed my kiddos into the car and off we went to IKEA (we'll save the museum for a later date when we can go with the cousins)

Take a quick look at what I bought:

Black & Cream striped table runner~$5.99

White (though they are not a true white) glasses~$1.99 each

Cinnamon Rolls~ $4.00 for 6

A roll of drawing paper~$4.99

I really don't need A THING so I kept myself in check and didn't pile the cart full of stuff I would later regret buying. I feel quite proud of myself and am so pleased with the runner and new glasses. They'll go perfectly with my new paint color/makeover that is taking place on Saturday!!!

Can't wait!