Dreaming of the Beach Already

A few weeks back, I mentioned we were looking at moving to a small farm...those plans have been tabled until the new year. I think about the farm all the time, continue to drive by and check the listing online...MBM, has moved on. And by moved on, I mean hasn't given a second thought and is more focused on the beach house. If we were to move to the farm, our beach house plans (knock down and rebuild)  would be years and years and years away...you know, because this all cost money and we have three kids to educate. Those are the things I forget about...thanks goodness for MBM to reel me back in!
We have been talking more about the beach house and yesterday in the mail we received a real estate magazine for our beach town and surrounding towns...this is getting really long...sorry ...
Anyway, we came across an architect and fell in love with his work. And while looking at his online portfolio found houses that we have photographed to use as inspriation when it is time for the wreaking ball!

Take a look...I love EVERY detail in his work!
ENJOY!

I should mention, our house and lot are tiny...so don't get the wrong idea...he would need to design something in minature!

Before and After

My client, a stay at home mom of two young boys need helpwarming up her dining room. She LOVES blue (thank goodness since she is in a house full of boys) her goal was pretty! I think that is exactly what we got!

BEFORE

AFTER

We warmed up the paint color, changed out the area rug, repositioned the dining chairs, and added lovely flat panel drapery on the windows. The windows in this room are small, so we hung the drapery hardware about 8" past the molding on both sides to give the illusion of larger windows and to gain as much light as possible.

Drapery fabric...lovely Ralph Lauren soft blue, yellow, cream floral.

With the left over fabric, I recovered the shades for the buffet lamps.

This is the only eating area in the house...wouldn't you love to start your day with coffee and toast in this pretty room?

Nada

I've got nothing! I don't know if I am really busy and can't find the time or I just really have nothing to say...
Thinking about changing things up....

Road Trip

MBM and I are leaving bright and early tomorrow morning, like 5:00 AM, for Wilmington, North Carolina.

He will be racing in the Beach to Battleship Triathlon and I will be taking in the sites and shops! I have always wanted to go to Wilmington, ever since I found out this and this were filmed there. CapeSide and Tree Hill are second to my favorite TV town Stars Hollow...should be fun!!

Any suggestions were to eat or places I must see...please, I am all ears!

Halloween

A Hippie

Tinker Bell

A Nerd

Seven

Lulu's 7th Birthday! UGH, SEVEN...my baby girl is seven! She had a costume party and loved every second of it!

The table all set for cake and ice cream.

I decided to forgo the goody bags and just do chocolate covered pretzels for the kids to share with their families.

Pumpkin Bowling Lane

Spooky Cake

 Guesstimate the Monster Eye Balls

Costume Contest Awards...Caroline and Emma were the judges.

My girls waiting for the guest to arrive

The Mummy Wrap Game

Pumpkin Bowling

Make a WISH!

Good time had by all! My wish for Lulu this year is to stay seven forever!

Before and After

Before...french door with faux wood blinds.

After:

I installed these yesterday. The pictures do not do these justice...they turned out BEAUTIFUL. If I do say so myself....TOOT TOOT...oh, excuse me that was me just tooting my own horn!

At my suggestion the homeowner is going to paint the doors black. I think it will make a huge difference.
This is the first time I have made romans like this...lined, with dowel pockets in the lining, wieghted at the bottom and three lined up in a row. I was thrilled with the finished product. Everything hung straight and level and the pattern in the fabric matched all the way across!
A lot of fun to make...except hand sewing on all the rings...OUCH! I think the girls bathroom needs some new roman shades!

The pictures of the blind down didn't turn out very well...BOO HOO