Mod Vintage Life

I really don't have anything to say about all this except that it's awfully pretty and serene.

I'm thinking I might paint my living room and dining room white.

I'm afraid yesterday's post made everyone think I have alligator skin.

No, it just easily gets irritated by chemicals.

I mainly just wanted to let everyone know that I thought this stuff was fantastic.

And now it's incredibly soft. It is always soft but now it REALLY is soft.

But...I had several suggestions of other stuff I could try and I'll try them and let you know.

I take really good care of my skin...always have.

And everyone says I look much younger than my years.

I just thought that product something others might want to try.

It was the first time I ever bought anything I saw on tv.

Murad Skincare

2012-02-16T08:02:00.000-06:00

As Seen on TV

www.murad.com

Well, I didn't have a very good Valentine's Day.

I came down with a terrible cold and spent my day off in bed so I didn't get to do anything

and didn't do any of my special Valentine's activities that I'd planned to do.

I think I caught my cold from Violet who went to the Vet on Monday for a runny nose.

Anyway, I always try to embrace Valentine's Day whether I have a significant other or not,

which is usually NOT.

I think it's a day to let those you love know how much you appreciate and love them.

But none of that for me yesterday.

Now...I want to talk beauty today. This is not a subject I've talked about before here.

Last July, I turned 50....ugh...yes....the big 5 0.

I always thought that when you got older....Yes, you got wrinkles but no more break outs.....right?

No...when you get old...you have wrinkles AND breakouts!

I've been struggling with this for quite awhile.

My skin was perfect in my 30's but all through my 40's it started acting like a teenagers.

Through the help of my dermatologist...my skin stayed clear pretty much.

But when I asked him what I could do...he said it was all hormonal and nothing I could do about it.

So one night last month...I'm watching late night tv and an infomercial comes on.

Miss Joan Lunden was touting the magnificent results her aging skin had gained by

using Murad Skincare products.

Ok, first let me tell you that I am not associated in any way with Murad.

I was not contacted to write this post.

I am writing this post...because this is an amazing product.

At least for me and I wanted to share it with you.

I am receiving no monetary reward for telling you about this.

It's just a great product.

Joan Lunden and her friends were going on and on about how much better their skin was since using.

And I had to admit...she and they looked pretty young and fabulous.

So after watching the program, I got on their website and ordered the introductory kit.

The cost was $39.95....and I thought I'd just take a risk.

They promised I could return if I didn't like.

But I LOVED it!

My skin gets terribly dry in the winter...so much so that I have to slather vaseline

around my eyes at night while sleeping to keep the skin from peeling.

I got this beauty tip from Tyra Banks.

It worked...but I thought...it could not be good to have a petroleum product all around my eyes each night.

So I got my introductory kit in and started using immediately.

They promised results in 30 days.

30 days? Try three days.

My skin was the softest its been in years.

No more pesky breakouts.

Their age defying night cream....solved all my problems with dry skin.

My skin is more even in tone than it's been in 10 years.

I also had one wrinkle that was forming under my right eye.

It was gone in two days and has not come back.

I wake with my eyes looking fresh instead of tired and puffy.

I know this sounds to good to believe but really this is what I've experienced.

Here is the only bad part about the introductory kit,

it comes with Sheer Lustre Day Moisture and Renewing Eye Cream.

I adored both products! But such small bottles.

I was out by the end of the first month and to reorder those...it's like $50 per item.

The Day Moisture just makes your skin glow.

The eye cream is the first eye cream I've ever used that actually did what was promised.

The skin under my eyes was visibly firmer each time I used it.

But here is the sad part of the story.

I can't afford $100 every month extra although the large sizes probably last much longer than a month.

(I'm sure they do)

So I hope to be able to order them some time soon.

I've tried other eye creams and they always make the skin around my eyes sting.

This one did not.

I tried one the other day I bought for $13...it made my eyes all puffy and made my eyes water.

I also tried Preparation H.

I was told that it works wonders.

Nope...it smells horrid and did nothing for my eyes. Besides I just couldn't forget what was on my face.

And it made my skin all greasy.

Anyway...I wasted over $20 on stuff that does not work.

Another $30 and I could have gotten the miracle cure from Murad.

I did look these products up online before I ordered and read many great reviews.

Anyway.... I just wanted to pass my find on to you and also to ask if there is an eye cream

that you love that is cheaper than $50.

You can order the introductory kit by clicking above.

Too bad I don't get paid for my recommendation.

This stuff is just super fabulous!

Maybe an ad will show up on my sidebar through the magic of Google.

We'll see.

I'll be anxious to hear how it works for you if you order.

Mod Mix Monday #37

2012-02-13T03:34:00.001-06:00

Valentine Inspiration

Just thought I'd share again this heart shaped candy box I made for Valentine's last year.

See the original post here.

Amy at Maison Decor was inspired by mine and fashioned one of her own yesterday.

Amy's Valetine Display at Maison Decor

There is more Valentine inspiration in my favorite picks today from last week's

Mod Mix Monday.

Sarah at Picked by Jane showed off her lovely Valentine display.

Sarah also made this pretty coffee filter wreath complete with a little glitter banner.

Picked by Jane

Lemon Drop Dreams shared this fabu bathroom makeover.

Doesn't it feel like Coco herself would enjoy this powder room?

Aimee of It's Overflowing gave the how to's of building this cute desk in her new kitchen.

The kitchen is super pretty too.

See? That's the rest of her kitchen.

Here's another great kitchen redo. Done with Annie Sloan chalk paint.

See Laura's kitchen at Whimsical Perspective.

Lynette of Casa de Luna made this cute little teacup pin cushion. Precious.

And finally, check out this eclectic bathroom makeover done by

Angie of Knick of Time Interiors.

Another wonderful week full of inspiration.

I hope to have a special Valentine post tomorrow.

Just a little Valentine craft.

Link up this week's Mod Mixes below.

Remember anything old made over to be new...anything new changed up to look old.

New and old together...

Please include the Mod Mix Monday logo and back link to me.

If you link up..I'd appreciate it if you'd follow me.

Open House Sunday 36

2012-02-12T08:50:00.000-06:00

In Carmel, California

built 1992

Due to lack of good houses to show in these parts....I'm showing a cottage in Carmel, California this fine Sunday.

Built in 1992 but great pains were taken to make it appear to be a vintage cottage.

That's quite a reach for a good book.

This is a bit rustic for my taste and wow I hate what they did to that dishwasher.

I still know its a dishwasher, don't you? They aren't fooling anybody.

I believe appliances should look like appliances...it's ok...it's a kitchen.

Ok, this bathroom looks like 1992.

Kind of love that whitewashed knotty pine.

Three stories on the backside. Very quaint.

See full listing here

Saturday Morning

2012-02-11T19:00:00.000-06:00

This is how every Saturday morning should look.

Sparkling sunshine and flowers.

I realize it's still winter but a girl can dream of spring mornings.

Word around the internet is that google followers might be going away eventually,

so I added the new Linky Followers that will always be available.

It has some really cool features.

I use Linky Tools for my linky party every week and it's the bomb.

So I hope you'll follow me through the new Linky Followers feature I've added to my

right margin.

I plan on following all my favorites through it.

Romantic Decor

2012-02-09T15:30:00.000-06:00

No One Does It Better

Rachel Ashwell, of course.

The Queen of Shabby Chic Style

The above photo came from the latest issue of Cottage Style (spring/summer 2012)

This one too.

She's using more color these days.

But you can't beat her more typical palette of white, pink, grey and a little turquoise.

This bedroom is like sleeping in a cloud.

billowy pink curtains

luscious

shabby chic sheets

pretty bed...perfect for Valentines

So the other night I'm working guest services at Target and a lady returns a set of queen

simply shabby chic sheets. She hands them to me and says,

"I want to return these."

They have obviously been washed and are wadded up and stuffed in a sack.

I asked if there was anything wrong with them.

She said, "Yes, look at them! They are so wrinkled!"

I smiled and said..."Well, I think that is the whole idea."

"The shabby chic experience. They are suppose to be rumpled."

She said back, "Well, if that is how they are suppose to be...I want no part of that experience."

So she went off to find some polyester sheets to exchange them for.

Well, I couldn't stand to see these perfectly good sheets go to waste.

So I snatched them up at the repackaged price of $35.

The girl who rang me up thought it weird I was buying slightly used sheets.

I didn't think it weird but frugal.

Would you have bought them?

They were the grey ones with embroidered edges.

Everyone is asking for a Franklin update.

Things are going fabulously.

Harvey finally warmed to him although he doesn't love him like he did Newman.

Franklin adores Sally and follows her everywhere and pesters her non stop.

All three of them play together.

Franklin is at the window when I come home each day.

That is so nice to be greeted by him.

He likes to steal things. He stole my nightgown while I was taking a shower the other morning

and took it into the backyard.

He is not destructive...he just likes to grab things and run off with them.

He learned to eat off a spoon like a little baby very quickly.

Only took one time of watching the others to learn how to do it.

He kept trying to steal everyone else's bites of food until I started saying out loud...

"This one's for Violet"

"This one for Sally"

"This one for Harvey"

"Now, THIS one's for Franklin"

Now he is understanding that each gets their turn when I say each one's name.

I'll have new photos of him soon, I promise.

sharing at

Mod Mix Monday 36

2012-02-06T12:45:00.000-06:00

Pink-a-licious

http://www.verandaunveils.com/

I would never think to do a room up like this but seeing it here...I just adore it.

Bright pink mixed with brown and lots of white accents.

But what I love most is the pink and brown chinese themed toile fabric on those two chairs.

That pink ottoman is fabulous too.

Here we go with my favorites from last week's Mod Mix Monday...as usual...you did not

disappoint.

Might as well start it off with some more pink.

We saw the other side of this dining room last week and this week, we get to see this

over the top china cabinet all done up in pink created by Bonnie

aka The Hopeless Romantic.

I could not click fast enough when I saw the thumbnail for this little table.

Doesn't it look like icing on a wedding cake?

Sissie of Sissie's Shabby Cottage showed this beauty off.

Cindy at Oakview Cottage has been talking about this makeover for awhile.

And she revealed the results this past week.

Her husband added new details to an old armoire and Cindy added the paint and finish.

Now it's a statement piece!

This is quite a kitchen makeover by Aimee at It's Overflowing.com

I love the granite she chose and the nice little details like the little knick knack shelf at the end of the cabinet.

There was a time...I would have walked right by a campaign dresser if I saw one in a thrift store.

Not any more! Cindy of Viva Cindy painted this chest with Martha Stewart's Palmetto and now it's a WOW!

I think this is the prettiest mud room I've ever seen.

Lots of good stuff going on here from Craigslist furniture makeovers to chalkboard paint and

vintage maps plus mod lamps and fun colors.

I can't wait to see more from Heidi at The Mindful Nest.

And finally for Valentine's...

Laura of Cottage and Broome shared her pink and pretty china collection and heart shaped

sugar cubes she made herself!

Just beautiful things.

Yesterday, I saw the Jason Wu collection in person at Target and have to say I was impressed.

The day dresses were sweet and young looking but his tshirts were really impressive.

Totally wearable but very feminine...with very pretty details.

And...he had a version of this dress for $59.95

Here it is...

Ok...it's rather short. Obviously aimed at teens. But it is cute.

These were some of his other things I liked.

feminine T with bow detailing.

The fabric was very soft.

soft grey tshirt with lace detail printed down the front.

And the logo of the collection...the black cat on a T.

smart bag by Jason Wu, too.

I hope you have a wonderful week and as always I'm looking forward to your Mod Mixes.

Link up this week's Mod Mixes below.

Remember anything old made over to be new...anything new changed up to look old.

New and old together...

Please include the Mod Mix Monday logo and back link to me.

If you link up..I'd appreciate it if you'd follow me.

Jason Wu for Target

2012-02-05T08:17:00.000-06:00

New at Target

starting today February 5th

This post is not only about the new line of clothing and accessories by Jason Wu now

available at Target but it's about my own connection to him.

First let's look at some of the new collection.

So it was the fall of 1999...

I was creating one of a kind fashion dolls for a living

and also doing graphic design.

One night I got an email from a guy in New York asking me if I could create him

a doll logo similar to the one I used for myself.

He said he admired my work.

At the time...my fiancé had just left me and I was in the middle of moving home.

Not a good time for me.

I explained that I was too busy to take on a logo design at the moment.

I assumed it was just another amateur doll designer

and would probably just be a waste of time.

That email came from a boy named Jason Wu.

Imagine how shocked I was when a year or so later...dolls started showing up manufactured by

Integrity Toys with Jason Wu's name on them and a logo somewhat

similar to my own.

Well, I thought that's probably all that will be seen of him.

Nope...the next time I saw him was in a piece on tv about how he designed the Ru Paul doll.

The fabulous Ru Paul doll.

Yes, he was just a kid.

other dolls designed by Jason

This is just a small sampling of dolls he designed.

He went on to design for Ashton Drake and other companies.

Lots and lots of dolls.

But perhaps you know him from this....

Yes, he designed Michelle Obama's Inaugural gown.

He's a favorite designer of her's.

His designs grace the red carpets in Hollywood.

He began his fashion foray with the money he'd made designing dolls.

He was still in high school when he contacted me back in 1999.

His is a fantastic success story where talent and hard work and genius have given a very

deserving artist the recognition and success he deserves.

I adore this little black dress.

So here we are...13 years later...

In 1999...we were both designing dolls but I was much more well known in doll circles than he.

And now here we both are at

He designing an exclusive fashion collection and I working the Guest Service Desk in OKC.

Funny how life goes...isn't it?

Of course if I'd known he was going to be super famous one day...I would have some how found

time to do his logo. But at the time I had too much going on and I thought .... I've got to let this one

go...besides....I'm sure nothing will ever come of it anyway.

Just shows....you never know.

Veranda Magazine's House of Windsor

2012-02-01T14:03:00.002-06:00

Brilliance

This kitchen stopped me in my tracks when I happened upon it.

I had to know more.

Turns out it is from Veranda Magazine's House of Windsor which is a show house

opening in June.

It's full of glorious designer rooms.

Click on these photos to see them larger.

You can also take a 360 degree tour of the home on their website.

More rooms to see there too.

How about that for a bathroom?

pretty bedrooms

Yes, I'd like this for a studio complete with horse.

See more of this home at

Yesterday was my two year anniversary for blogging.

Unfortunately, I was away from home and could not blog.

That was disappointing.

I can't believe I've been doing this for two years and still have so many projects

on my list to blog about.

But what is truly amazing about blogging are the friendships I've made.

Last year was a rough year for me, well the last six months of it and I truly don't

know how I would have made it through without my friends here.

I feel I have friends all over the world, thanks to blogging.

If you are thinking about having a blog.

I encourage you to just jump in...it will change your life.

It is so great to have the support from the friends you meet here.

I truly care about people all over the world and that is a good thing.

Love to you all!

Happy Blogaversary to me!

Mod Mix Monday 35

2012-01-30T03:13:00.000-06:00

Genius

What do you think about this gallery wall of mirrors and art objects in a bath?

I love the way the old mirror is perfectly placed for practical use and as part of the group of art.

This makes for a very interesting bathroom.

As usual...I enjoyed exploring the blogs linked up in last week's party.

Lots of great things there.

Kelli at The Turquoise Piano created this impressive Anthropologie knock off vase

from of all things plastic spoons. Yes, that is right...plastic spoons.

Suesan otherwise known as Frou FruGal made this super cute sweater wreath for

very little money. Hmmmm...I might have to dig through my sweater drawer.

Aimee of It's Overflowing showed off her entire house which included

this great overhaul of her ranch style living room.

Ok, here is Amy's house again of Masion Decor. She bought that fabulous 1930's

Italian glass opaline chandelier and matching sconces recently and added them

to her dining room. That photo above is a favorite of mine...showing

those pretty pillows she'd sewn up last summer with the reflection

of the antique chandelier in the mirror.

The Betsy of Betsy Speert's Blog shared a room she'd done several years ago.

What do you think of those serene blue fabric upholstered walls complete with button tufting?

Very special indeed.

Jileen of The Overhaul made this darling free printable for anyone that wants

to download and use for Valentine's Day.

Isn't that nice?

Link up this week's Mod Mixes below.

Remember anything old made over to be new...anything new changed up to look old.

New and old together...

Please include the Mod Mix Monday logo and back link to me.

If you link up..I'd appreciate it if you'd follow me.

I hope this next week is good to you.

Open House Sunday 35

2012-01-29T16:26:00.000-06:00

Crown Heights, OKC

built 1936

Hope you are not sick of seeing tudor revival storybook cottage houses.

Too bad if you are because I never get tired of seeing the variations in these homes.

Today's Open House is very late getting up because last night, I had a

little mishap.

I'd noticed over the past week or so that my office chair was really squeaky and felt

a little weird. Well last night as I started to do this post, I turned in my squeaky

chair to look at the tv and the whole top of the chair collapsed to one side

sending me sprawling to the floor.

Franklin was very surprised as he was in my lap at the time.

He wanted to do it again.

I was not hurt but realized how stupid I was not to realize something was up with the chair.

It is unfixable. I'll need a new chair.

I just couldn't deal with it last night and went to bed.

I'm sitting on a stool now as I type this.

Now, back to the house.

This is a very cute home and only one of a few that have that round porch opening.

It is really odd, isn't it? Super glad mine doesn't have that...but then I probably would not

have bought it if it had. But the house has lots of other things going for it.

I do love the big window but it looks to me that the original window was taken out and

a solid piece of glass put in. That is a shame but I've seen this done quite a bit by past home owners that

didn't keep the historic integrity.

I do not believe that is the original mantel either. It could be but these homes usually have tile fireplaces.

This room is pretty much the same dimension as my own living room but I have a doorway

to the office den in the middle of the left wall which prohibits me putting any furniture on that wall.

In this view it looks to be the same layout as mine.

Interesting that the dining room table is pushed to one side instead of in the middle of the room.

Makes sense traffic wise but I still like a centered table.

I really need to get some drapes up in my living room and dining room. It makes the windows look so

much larger.

Quite a bit to love here in the kitchen.

These are not the original cabinets, of course but they are pretty.

I love the faucet. One of these days...I'll get a new one.

Love the stove in all it's stainless glory.

Oh...I'd love one of those instead of my ugly black one.

And the black and white checked floor looks so much better here than in mine because it's set in a

diamond pattern. Mine is set checkerboard fashion.

A few open shelves would really benefit this kitchen.

If I bought this house...I'd take a few doors off immediately, wouldn't you?

A large family room has been built on to the back of this house.

The kitchen window has become a pass through.

breakfast nook

A huge mid century room on the back of the house.

What a great weenie playroom this would be!

That fireplace just screams 50's or 60's. I hated that style when I was a kid.

But I kind of like it now probably only because its retro.

Deer head would of course have to go.

cute small vintage bath

Another that is more modern and plain.

And another...unusual for a house like this to have three.

master, I presume

I'll be back later tonight with Mod Mix Monday.

Update on Franklin....

He and Harvey have become friends. They play a lot together.

Harvey seems happier, now.

And Sally is happier too...because Franklin really loves her.

I don't think anyone but me has ever loved her before and she kind of likes all the attention

he pours on her.

It's good to be loved.

Pretty in Pink

2012-01-28T17:07:00.000-06:00

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching...I have my mind on pink.

Actually, I never need a holiday to inspire my desire for pink.

Gray, pink and silver...yum, yum, yum.

I'd be very happy with this piece of furniture in my house.

Again, gray and pink

Love the distressed finish on this.

I have a french chest in my living room that I keep thinking I'll paint.

But I keep going back and forth on what color.

Pink? White? or Silver?

That one on the left behind the sofa.

I'm still seriously considering painting the trim on the sofa a very distressed white.

I've been looking for a little larger piece to put in this spot but have yet to find it.

I want to do silver or pink but then I really think it needs to be white to balance

out the other side of the room.

Opinions?

sharing at

Silver Spice Rack

2012-01-25T14:31:00.000-06:00

Finally

I finally changed all my spices over to matching glass jars.

When I went to search my files to see when I'd first posted about this spice rack

I made from silver casserole servers, I was shocked that I'd done this project back in June.

This is how it looked back then.

I searched all over for glass spice jars and finally settled on salt and pepper shakers

I bought at Target.

I covered the holes in the top of the shakers with clear packing tape on the inside.

I just cut a square of it to go over the holes.

Much better, don't you think?

I made the labels on my computer, printed, cut them out and covered with

clear packing tape making them water proof.

This was really a simple project. I would have had it completed long ago if life hadn't

gotten in the way and if I'd found the bottles sooner.

This project started with the silver serving pieces I found at a thrift store.

A little wood made the shelf I attached in the middle.

The small molding piece is from Michael's Crafts and the small piece of wood that makes the actual shelf came from Lowe's.

They have tiny pieces of wood...who would have thought?

I used tiny tiny nails and wood glue to attach the molding to the edge of the wood plank.

Then painted all with metallic silver paint and then rubbed on a bit of black paint.

The shelves turned out looking just like the actual servers - like tarnished silver.

I attached the shelf to the server in two different ways.

The bottom shelf I was able to attach using very small screws that went through the fret work of the silver tray and into the shelf.

But the smaller tray...the fretwork was covered where I needed to attach.

So, I drilled two small holes through the shelf and wired it in place.

Both ways worked equally as good.

I love having my spices easily accessible and it's pretty too.

sharing at

Mod Mix Monday 34

2012-01-23T11:12:00.000-06:00

Mix in the Dining Room

This room is a great example of how by mixing in some unexpected pieces,

you can really bring a room to life.

I would not have pinned this room if it weren't for the metal chairs.

This room would be boring if it had wood chairs.

I'm not crazy about that light fixture or the window treatment.

But the chairs with that table...yes....love...
But actually, I have yet to see a room that these chairs don't look good in.

Again there were many great things in last week's Mod Mix Monday.

It was hard to pick my favorites.
But Dining Rooms seemed to be a theme.

First up - Amy of Maison Decor glammed up her dining room.

She found a role of paper at Lowe's and created an amazing accent wall.

Normally, I'm not that into accent walls but this one works beautifully because it carries the color
of the walls into the pattern and is not too high contrast from the other walls.

It actually pulls the room together.

Betsy of Betsy Speert's Blog showed

off her pretty cottage dining room.

Tammy of Beatrice Banks painted her dining room dark blue.

Love those curtains and the lampshade on her lamp...oh and the vintage mirror.

Thistlewood Farm redid her bathroom and it now looks like this!

So many things here I love.

I want that sink. I love the baskets over the tub.

The bits of wire. The color.

Ann Marie of Twice Lovely decided it was time to just go for it with her

creative revamps of furniture. Huge success....I love how different these pieces are.

Definitely, one of a kind.

Thanks everyone for linking up each week. I've been so busy lately that I have not had time

to visit blogs like I like to. Very cool when all this creativity just comes to me and links up.

Link up this week's Mod Mixes below.

Remember anything old made over to be new...anything new changed up to look old.

New and old together...

Please include the Mod Mix Monday logo and back link to me.

If you link up..I'd appreciate it if you'd follow me.

Have a another great week!
My week's are so much better since I added Franklin to my Mix.

Storage Solutions

2012-01-21T17:05:00.000-06:00

Getting Organized

Isn't this super great?

Odds and ends furniture all put together, painted and turned into

an interesting storage and display opportunity.

Much better than big ugly plastic tubs.

Are those chicken cages or rabbit hutches used for wine storage?

Crates make a good wall unit.

I love it when a dresser has missing drawers and baskets are used instead.

Don't you?

Cute storage use for mason jars.

Just a pretty way to display.

lots of tin pales make short order of art supplies

Ok....this is just pretty and would hold a ton of stuff.

And who wouldn't love this to store shoes and purses in?

Are you working on storage solutions in your home?

I'm desperate for storage.

I definitely need some creative ways to get things organized.

*******

Let's see on the job front...a few weeks ago I wrote that Target kept people at under

full time hours so that they did not have to offer benefits.

Turns out I was wrong.

I was told the other day that now that I am an official team member in six months...

I'll get benefits including some sort of insurance plan.

I guess they just didn't tell me about it because I was hired on as holiday help.

You only have to work an average of 32 hours a week to qualify and even part

timers have the option to buy health insurance through them.

Anyway...just wanted to let you know that Target does do the right thing by their employees...

after all.

I wanted to clear that up.

Valentine Decor

2012-01-19T15:29:00.000-06:00

Available at Pier 1

Looking for some nice Valentine Decorations?

I'm working at Pier 1 quite a bit these days so I thought I'd share some of the Valentine Decor

that came in.

First is the 3 dimensional wreath above constructed of metal hearts painted and drenched in glitter.

It's the perfect size for your front door.

This wreath of roses is always a favorite of mine for Valentine's Day.

This one is the nicest I've seen.

How about some romantic pillows for your sofa?

Felt roses on both of these.

Really love that one.

embroidered roses and lace

And a sweet little heart filled bicycle too.

This one stands about 10 inches tall.

Oh...and it's glittered up.

view all by clicking on logo above

I'm working on a little Valentine Decor myself.

In Weenie News...

Harvey is really warming to Franklin.

Harvey, Franklin and Sally played together in a jumbled mess on the bed last night.

Sally doesn't usually play so this is new for her.

In the past she liked to play with me but not so much with the boys.

She likes to groom Harvey but that is about it.

So it is very lively around here...a herd of weenie dogs underfoot.

Happily scampering along instead of the depressed slow

walking that had been going on.

Harvey is wagging his tail again at me and tonight I caught him

standing on the back deck and watching Franklin run around the yard.

Harvey wagged his tail in excitement just watching him.

That is progress.

I think the plan is working.

Harvey is happier...

I think.

And if Harvey is happier then so am I.

Mod Mix Monday 33

2012-01-17T05:29:00.000-06:00

s w e e t

Time to start thinking about Valentine's Day.

I'd like to wake Valentine's morning in this sweet bed with Franklin's head

on the pillow next to me.

That is how I've been waking the past few days...to sweet puppy breath.

Yes, here I go again with this week's Mod Mix Monday not getting posted till a day later.

Please forgive me...

There were so many good projects linked up last week...it was so hard to choose

my favorites...but here I go...

I was in love the moment I saw this room from Bonnie aka "The Hopeless Romantic".

Distressed chippy white 1920's dining room set...oh...yes.

Mixed with a slip covered banquet complete with shabby pillows and beadboard

and wait for it......blackboard walls!

It's dreamy and everything you'd want for a Valentine's breakfast.

A precious little Art House from Thistlewood Farm.

I know we all wish for a place like this.

Jaclyn showed off all the updates of her place at I Design.

Of course her best accessory is Chloe...sitting there on the sofa.

But the whole place is dreamy.

Laura at Cottage and Broome painted this dresser turquoise and turned it into a stunner.

Amy of The Salvage Collection painted this dresser bright red and made a hohum dresser....a Wow!

Sherry at Pondered, Primed, Perfected had wished for a Pottery Barn tripod lamp

for a long time.

One day her husband found this actual wooden tripod at Goodwill for $3.99.

The addition of old lamp parts turned it into a lamp any Pottery Barn lover would desire.

And finally, Maricela of Painted Star shared all her best painted pieces of furniture from 2011.
This was my favorite of her's. I've been wanting something like this for my new TV
to reside upon.
Perhaps I'd paint all the drawers pink. But it looks super great in the glossy white.

Seems like every week the link ups get better and better.

Link up this week's Mod Mixes below.

Remember anything old made over to be new...anything new changed up to look old.

New and old together...

Please include the Mod Mix Monday logo and back link to me.

If you link up..I'd appreciate it if you'd follow me.

Have a great week!

Open House Sunday 34

2012-01-15T08:07:00.000-06:00

Hollywood Heights, Dallas

built 1931

This little house looks like it could be in my neighborhood but it's not...it's in Dallas.

But it is built the same year as my cottage.

Nice big porch complete with porch swing.

Living room is tastefully colorful with modern, vintage and retro pieces mixed together.

I kind of love a round dining room table and wish my own was round because it would fit the room so nicely.

Love these original cabinets.

It's a very open kitchen for a house this age. Some wall must have gotten torn out.

I think this room is my favorite. A sweet little laundry room. Oh..I'd love to have one of these.

More original cabinets. Nice the way they are built around the window in the bedroom.

What do you think about the french desk in the bathroom? I like it.

I also love the lavender walls.

This bedroom looks so casual and comfortable and leads to an outdoor space.

I'd love to create that in my own back bedroom.

Screened in porch for enjoying the summer breezes.

On a personal note...Franklin is doing great. Harvey is warming to him.

He has definitely livened things up around here. All are running around more.

Franklin really likes Sally. He is constantly chewing on her ears and jumping on her.

She has been very tolerant. Not what she wanted...but she is accepting it.

Franklin would rather play with Sally than Harvey which is not what I had in mind at all.

A friend told me I should have taken Harvey to go pick out the puppy.

Maybe she is right. I hope they grow to love each other.

All in all things are very good.

I'm very happy I went through Petfinder to find my newest family member.

Also...someone told me tonight that on the weekends now the Oklahoma City Animal Shelter will

spay or neuter any dog or cat whose owners live within the Oklahoma City area.

I know probably everyone that reads my blog already spays or neuters but help pass the word

along to all you know.

My Secret

2012-01-11T17:48:00.000-06:00

Introducing...

Henry Franklin Longfellow

Yes, I've had a secret. I posted about this little fellow and how I'd thought about going to get him.

But I didn't tell you that I ended up doing just that....going and getting him, a week ago last Wednesday.

Caution - this is a Puppy Heavy Photo post....he he...

The night before New Year's Eve...I just had a feeling that I should look on Petfinder; that the boy

that needed me was waiting there for me.

So I looked and there this little guy was.

I sent in an application and email and went to bed.

I was very apprehensive about taking on another.

But I just felt like I wasn't moving forward in my life...I was still mourning Newman, so.

That next morning...Violet woke with her back bothering her and I thought...no...it is not meant to be.

I need to focus on Violet.

But Violet was better the next day.

I actually think she gets cricks in her neck. The vet does too rather than actual back problem.

Debbie, the lady who had found little Franklin (or Tex as she called him) had written me

and said she'd love for me to meet him

and that he was very very sweet and snuggly and only 10 months old.

If I did not want him he was going on a transport van to Colorado to go into rescue up there that coming weekend.

I couldn't bare the thought of this little one being scared on a van with other dogs after all he'd been through.

Debbie had found him running down a busy road in Yukon, Oklahoma.

They both almost got run over when she tried to save him.

He still smelled of a lady's perfume and his feet were soft.

He had not been out long.

Debbie tried to find his owner and no one came forward.

So he got fixed and shots and Debbie took him home to add to her Boston Terrier Rescue.

She'd posted him on Petfinder and that is where I found him.

I decided to meet Debbie at a local Petsmart to see if I liked him.

Well, I saw him two seconds and knew he was the one.

He snuggled right up against my neck.

Although he kept looking at Debbie...like "I'm not sure...don't leave me".

An hour later, little Henry Franklin Longfellow was home with me and within about another

hour...I think he'd just about totally forgotten his previous life.

Sally and Violet were absolutely fine with the new addition.

But Harvey who was a big reason why I had gotten him...did not like this one bit.

Harvey always likes any dog that comes by to visit especially puppies.

He'd struggled so much after Newman's death and was finally doing much better but he had no one to play with.

I thought Franklin would be the perfect answer to the problem.

Being that he is 10 months old...he's not too rambunctious.

But Harvey wanted none of it.

He would not look at me or wag his tail for days.

When it came time for Harvey to go to bed; I had to force him to get in his usual spot.

He was clearly upset.

This broke my heart.

But as of a couple of days ago...Harvey is wagging his tail again.

He seems interested in the little guy...but still not thrilled that he is here.

He has snapped at Franklin several times.

Never making contact but Franklin got the message and switched his playing advances to Sally.

Sally is constantly running from him but Franklin thinks she is playing.

Sally has been very very tolerant.

She was the one I was a little worried about and turns out she is very good with him.

I think Harvey is just still missing Newman and does not want another to take his place.

I totally understand.

I think in time they will become great friends.

It seems like Franklin has been with me his entire life.

He follows me everywhere and learned his name in like five minutes.

Even one night when I was crying about Shelly...he came and jumped in my lap to see what was wrong.

Very attentive for a young dog.

Isn't that a cute freckled face?

His hair is as soft as a bunny. Just unbelievably soft.

His hair will grow a lot more in the year to come.

That is how long Violet's hair was when she was one year old.

He will be a beautiful boy.

He already is a beautiful boy.

He came in the house and ran right up the ramp into the bed.

So he must have had one at his previous home.

I feel so bad for whoever lost him.

I'm sure they have cried and cried over him.

I really had to work to get these photos of him...he wanted to jump all over the bed and play.

But if I whistled at him...he'd stop and look at me.

I didn't know that Sally was in the bed...and he was pouncing all over her! She eventually came out.

And joined the photo shoot...but she was not at her best.

Her ears weren't even fixed!

It was cloudy out...so I didn't get quite as clear of pictures as I would have liked.

But you'll be seeing lots of him, here in the future.

Nothing heals wounds like a new puppy.

The night I got him I felt so much better about everything.

Like...finally I was moving forward in my life and not still mourning the losses of the last six months.

I knew all my readers would be excited to see my new family addition.

Amy of Maison Decor even sent me money to help pay for him.

She's a great friend and had been encouraging me to get a puppy for several months.

He truly is a blog dog now.

His adoption fee was only $100 and he'd had his shots and had been neutered.

He's already housebroken.

This could not have worked out any better.

Well, I wish Harvey was happier about it.

But I think he will get there.

See how long he is...and how pretty his coloring is?

He is really a dear. He loves to be held and he loves to be kissed on the cheek.

Something Newman adored.

He really seems meant to be.

Like something told me to look on Petfinder that night and there he was.

This is a terrible photo...taken in very low light.

But they were all sleeping together on the dog bed at my feet under the desk as I wrote this post.

Yes, I'd say it is going very very well.

sharing at

Mod Mix Monday 32

2012-01-08T22:30:00.000-06:00

Color, Anyone?

I have a tendency to like neutral colors for walls in my house.

I love painted furniture and color on my furnishings....so keep the walls calm... I think.

But this combo of rooms really makes me happy.

How about that painting? Who needs a big headboard when you have something wonderful

like that overhead?

I adore the darker teal walls that lead into the lighter blue of the next room and all the pops of color.

I have paint to paint my bedroom....but somehow can't stop thinking about painting

my living room and dining room.

I am tired of the ivory lily walls that look REALLY yellow in the

strong western sunlight that comes in the windows in the room.

Truly, thinking about painting all...

Come back on Tuesday for my big reveal of a change that has happened around my house.

Now on to my besties of last week's Mod Mix Monday!

Sherry of Pondered, Primed, Perfect created this wonderful established in 1999 sign from an old window for her front porch.

Inspired by a set of candle holders she'd seen online, Larissa Hill Designs made over some old

candlesticks she already had and turned them into this pretty set very similar to the expensive

one's she'd seen in an online catalog.

Betsy of Betsy Speert's Blog showcased this recent kitchen redo she did

for a client. She tweaked it even more recently by removing the doors

from the cabinets. I've done this in my own kitchen and am a huge fan of it.

It will open your kitchen right up and give you display space.

and finally... Ann of On Sutton Place shared her recent revamp of her traditional dining room chairs.

She mod mixed em up!

I think they look super great! Love that pillow too.

Is 2012 treating you well? So far for me it is.

Can't wait to show you on Tuesday what is up with me.

Link up this week's Mod Mixes below.

Remember anything old made over to be new...anything new changed up to look old.

New and old together...

If you link up..I'd appreciate it if you'd follow me.

Have a great week!

Open House Sunday 33

2012-01-08T07:55:00.000-06:00

Tulsa Time

built 1930

Lots to say about this house in Tulsa.

I think the outside is charming.

Except the front door should be black.

I can't decide if I like the zebra ottoman or hate it.

I don't like leather couches for sure.

And what is that thing hanging on the wall behind the lamp?

Oh...the zebra makes sense now that I can see a leopard print chair.

Yeah, decided I don't like.

And it looks like they covered up their original mantel with a bunch of rough wood.

Hate that.

But I like the chest in front of the window with a few seltzer bottles on it.

Oh, the thing on the wall is a super huge rattan armadillo or maybe a pig.

I like the color of this room but would like it more if the white molding were painted gray

like the rest of the room. It's too much contrast.

Love the artwork but why is that little red chair and table in the room?

Not cute...it ruins the vibe of the room.

They should at least have removed it for the listing photos.

Hmmm...chair hanging on wall....uh...no.

And dog food bowls in dining room. Nope.

I have no problem with dogs eating from a table but I don't want their bowls in the formal dining room.

This is my favorite room in the house, of course.

Love the cabinets and the stainless steel countertops.

And that stove is to die for!

Really like the pig on the wall.

The only thing I do not like about this room is the color of the walls.

It would look so much better painted gray, wouldn't it?

It would be perfection. I love the collection of shiny stuff on the stainless counter.

But oh...that stove...

I won't say anything about this room. I have no place to talk since my own bedroom is almost this sad

at the moment.

This bath is the picture of blandness. I wish they'd gone with a vintage looking tile or white marble.

I like the faucet and soap container and the sconces.

This room...I can't decide. It looks like a room that would keep a man very happy.

Kind of loving that armoire where I am sure the tv hides.

As a man's room goes...it's not bad.

Play some poker, much?

Blue and brown nurseries can be very nice but not this shade of blue and brown.

Apartment over the garage. Cute outside patio lights.

It would not take much to make this house very beautiful...wouldn't you agree?

I've been holding out on you.

I have a secret that I will share early next week.

Stay tuned.

2012 Color of the Year

2012-01-06T08:15:00.000-06:00

Tangerine Tango

Did you see that coming?

Yes, Pantone named Tangerine Tango as color of the year for 2012.

I have to say it does not surprise me as I've seen a lot of orange around lately.

Last year remember the color of the year was honeysuckle which was really a bold pink.

The year before the color was turquoise.

I have both pink and turquoise in my home and seriously considered painting a small table orange

last summer but went with periwinkle instead.

(I thought for sure periwinkle was going to be this year's color)

Orange is not a favorite color of mine but I have to admit a little of it can really liven up a room.

Just look at how exciting that punch of orange is in that neutral space shown above.

It adds excitement to what would be a rather bland space otherwise.

Same here...the orange touches really make this room a wow.

The color makes a room that might other wise look too formal...exciting!

It looks great mixed with blue.

Even an orange sofa looks fresh.

Yes, orange and turquoise is a winning combination.

Just a touch looks modern and fresh.

I even like this whole room of it.

This is a color I wouldn't think I'd really want in my home but I love all these examples

so maybe it might find it's way in.

Orange pillows on my pink sofa? Perhaps. I love orange and pink together.

Will you be adding the 2012 color of the year to your home?

Mod Mix Monday 31

2012-01-04T08:03:00.000-06:00

Drinking in a New Year

see the full listing here

Alcohol and New Year's go hand in hand.

I'm still pinning away nice bar ideas.

I love this old trunk turned into a bar and mixed with the vintage mirror and modern ghost chairs.

I only had a little egg nog for New Year's by they way and it was long after midnight.

I think it would be cool to have a bar set up in the house all the time because the bottles look

so chic on a tray.

But truth is...I don't drink hardly at all.

I used to enjoy a cocktail quite frequently but I've found in middle age,

I feel drunk most of the time without drinking.

I don't need a drink to make me feel even more unsteady.

Lots of pretty things in last week's Mod Mix Monday.

Let's look....

Valorie aka The Visual Vamp took down her Christmas decor and replaced it with

New Year's decorations. Oh and she did this with things she has on hand.

She invited friends to drop by to celebrate

the New Year. That's her little dog Cholo posing.

Oh...I wish we lived in the same neighborhood and I could just have dropped by for a drink

and a snack with her and Alberto.

This lovely holiday table was put together by Aimee at It's Overflowing.

Love all the silver and snowy white with sparkles.

Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage did a change up on her mantel from Christmas to New Year's.

She made that pretty 2012 banner.

My friend, Amy over at Maison Decor is so creatively prolific.

She has always got a new pretty project going on in her house.

She bought fabric samples from Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic SoHo Store.

I love the way she is showing them off in her studio.

Betsy of Betsy Speert's Blog shared her family room redo.
It's so pretty and yet cozy and livable.
Kind of unlike my own living room where I get uncomfortable when someone has the nerve
to sit on my pink sofa.
I know that is so wrong.

One night late, I got on Petfinder and found this cute little 10 month old boy.
I seriously considered adopting him and even sent in an application and called.
But today, the day I was suppose to go see him...Violet woke with a back ache and that made me think I need to just focus on
taking care of the pups I have and not adding another even though I really want to.
I keep thinking about him though.
Plus I need to increase my income before I get another...which makes me sad...because
I really want to add a puppy to the mix to make us all happy.

In other news...I am having problems with Facebook.

I usually post all my blog posts on to my Mod Vintage Life page on
Facebook but since a day or so before Christmas I am unable to.
A locked sign is showing in my post window every time I try to post something and nothing happens.

I sent a help message to Facebook days ago...and have heard nothing back.
I still cannot post anything.
I know many of my readers like to just wait to read a post when they see it come up on
Facebook and now I can't get that to work.
Does anyone have any idea why I might be locked out?

In other news...I was asked to become an official team member at Target.
No raise involved and no benefits...so kind of wondering what the honor is in that.
Other than it will be steady income while I continue to look for a real job.

Let me tell you people working at Target and Walmart are not making ends meet and they do
not have insurance.
The cheap prices they offer come at a cost to those in our society that are struggling already.

At least I know my career in discount retail will not be forever but for many that is all they can get.

I am not saying that Target is a bad company. They are not.
They donate large amounts of products and money each year and treat their employees well.
But as long as this is the standard to work people 37 hours a week so that you do not have to
provide full time benefits...that is the way things will continue.

As you see I am late getting Mod Mix Monday up again.
I'll try to do better...

I got home way past midnight the last two nights.

Link up your Mod Mix's for this week below!

Open House Sunday 32

2012-01-01T08:39:00.000-06:00

Heritage Hills in Oklahoma City

built 1919

Kind of loving this kitchen.

I love all the silver and the marble and the checkerboard floor and tin ceiling.

I like the black cabinets too but this kitchen would be just as pretty with white ones.

Probably prettier.

Really cute dog house.

Did you have a nice New Year's Eve?

I spent it working till 11:45 pm and then went by my friend Petra's house to share a cocktail.

Today is a New Day and a New Year.

Hello....2012!

2011 in Review

2011-12-30T13:10:00.000-06:00

Projects and Posts

2011 started off just fine with this finial I made from a lamp bought at a

thrift store.

I shared my completed master bath after I sewed up a skirt for the sink.

I shared the details about my antique tile that makes up my fireplace.

My post on Dita Von Teese's house turned out to be one of my most popular posts of the year.

It gets lots of hits every month.

Amy of Maison Decor created this sketch of my home as a surprise and mailed it to me.

For Valentine's I made this paper rose covered heart shape candy box.

The boys enjoying an early spring day.

I painted all my dining room furniture.

And enjoyed my first Easter with the newly painted furniture.

Complete with Luray Pastel dinnerware.

I decorated the dining room with large tissue paper flowers, I made.

The tissue paper flowers led to several encounters with hummingbirds in my house.

So the flowers had to come down.

see post and see post

I painted this little table periwinkle.

I changed up my kitchen back splash for less than $20.

I finally had the all white back splash I'd been dreaming of.

I redid this lamp over adding a new crystal ball shade.

I created a little bit of summer under glass complete with vellum butterflies.

I turned a wall fountain into a planter over flowing with impatiens and money wort.

And stacked a pot on a birdbath and turned it into a planter too.

see post

I'm making my list of projects to complete for next year.
I already have paint courtesy of Dutch Boy to paint the bedroom and my new tv is going to
inspire me to make my office/den look good.
I am seriously thinking about painting the living room and dining room and kitchen.
But that will be quite an undertaking.

Are you making lists of things to accomplish in 2012?

Mod Mix Monday 30

2011-12-28T16:00:00.000-06:00

Yes, I know it's Wednesday...

Times a ticking...

I'm counting down the hours and minutes till this year ends.
Isn't this a cute way to decorate for a New Year's party?

I'm feeling butterflies in my stomach at the thought of 2012 getting started and
being a much better year than 2011.

I'm not normally like this. Usually, I cherish the year I am in at the moment but this year
has not been kind to me.

So let's move on to the next...

I have been too exhausted to get my Mod Mix Monday post up this week.
I started it several times and fell asleep.

So here it is mid week.
I'll be working less hours soon...which will be good and bad.

I was invited to a New Year's Eve dinner with friends and I was so looking forward to going but
I have to work till 10, so I will not be able to attend and I'd bought a pretty sparkly sequin scarf to wear
and everything.

Thanks to everyone has written me the last few weeks with words of encouragement and support.
I keep thinking I'll write you back but I'm too sleepy when I get home.

I will get to you though. You cannot imagine how much I appreciate it.

I had a really nice surprise Christmas night, I went to see my friends Shannon and Jeff M.
They said they were dying to get my Christmas gift to me.
They'd tried all week but they were working and I was working.
They even went by Pier One to surprise me but I was at Target that night.

So we didn't get together till Christmas night when they surprised me with a
32" HD TV! I was shocked.

My main old tv had broken like a year and a half ago and I'd been watching everything on a
small tv that was intended for my bedroom.

I am beyond thrilled to have this because I had no idea when I'd get around to buying one.
Always vet bills to take care of first.

It was just such an amazing and thoughtful gift and I got such pleasure out of imagining the two
of them out shopping for it.

I feel so blessed to consider them family.

Now on with last week's favorites from Mod Mix Monday.

and

Valorie aka The Visual Vamp shared her Christmas decor with everyone in
New Orleans as her house was shown on local news there.
Some day I hope to make a trip to New Orleans and visit with Valorie in person.
She has been so kind to me.

Kristie aka The Decorologist created a christmas tree out of stacked books on a cake plate.

She was inspired by a tree she'd seen at the library.

Her's turned out delightful.

Michelle of Sweet Suite 10 made over her head board complete with nail head trim.

It's so elegant. Love that lamp and table too with the wrinkled white sheets.

I wish my own bedroom was this soothing.

Rita of Design Megillah made this modern version of a menorah.

Isn't it pretty?

Steve's OTHER tree over at An Urban Cottage.
Steve had two spectacular trees this year.
Both were unusual and gorgeous just like his entire house.
Steve's blog is one of my favorites and it's not just because I designed his header, which I did.
It's because he has great taste and ideas.
I'm always inspired by him.

Now on to this week, sorry I'm behind.
Yes, I've had a rough patch but I'm gung ho to do lots in the coming year.
Shelly was very supportive of anything creative I did and the very last thing she would want
is for me to let my blog slide. She asked me almost every time I saw her how many
followers I had. I think she'd asked only about a week before she died.

She was happy that I had a place to share everything;
although she had no interest in having a blog herself.

She was a clothes horse and had lots and lots of pretty clothing.
And in the last couple of years she had taken more interest in home decor.

I wonder if she was really interested or just trying to share with me.

I'd helped her pick the colors for her hall bath redo.
The vintage tile was yellow and so we went with gray.
She bought the gray ruffled shower curtain from Urban Outfitters and I have to say
it transformed that bath.

Then last summer I painted her bedroom the most lovely shade of blue -
Rainwashed by Sherwin Williams.

Her husband and her bought all new furniture for the room.

I always intended on showing it but almost immediately after it was finished with new
drapes and everything...an oxygen machine was moved in and hundreds of bottles of
medicines.

She didn't want it shown like that.

But she said the color of the walls made being in bed so much better than it would have been.

She was in that room all the time since about July.

I did hang her chandelier in her backyard which she enjoyed but the night I hung it was the night
that Newman died at the vet so I never showed it.

Still, she got to sit outside with it's candles lit and enjoy it once or twice before she was too
sick to be outside.

She called me one day so excited because a neighbor had a litter of puppies she got to play with.
She said she was so happy to smell puppy breath one last time.

I told her that it would not be the last time.
Perhaps I needed to go get a puppy right then for me and her.
She said no...that was all she needed was to be with them that day.
The neighbor had said she would bring them over any time she wanted.

But Shelly was too sick to have her do it.

I still can't believe she is gone.
My good friend Pam came to town from Memphis over Christmas.
I only got to see her for a little after work one night and yesterday morning for breakfast before
I went into work.
I wish we lived close to each other again.
I miss her so much especially now that Shelly is gone.

I knew Shelly my entire life but I've known Pam since I was five so we are very close too.
We lived in Atlanta together for about seven years.
I hope to make a trip to Memphis soon to visit.

Ok...enough...on to this weeks late Mod Mix Monday or should I say Mod Mix Wednesday?

Link up below....

Christmas Remembered

2011-12-25T08:22:00.000-06:00

m e r r y c h r i s t m a s

Last night I thought a lot about Christmases past.

I've had many lovely Christmases.

I grew up in a large white cape cod style house built in 1939.

This is why I've always loved old houses.

In my opinion nothing beats a white house at Christmas.

Just look at that beauty above.

My own childhood home sits on Main Street in my hometown of Blanchard, Oklahoma.

A large tree with white lights was always in the front window and the white posts of the porch

were wrapped in wide red ribbon.

We referred to our house as "Holiday Inn" during the weeks up to Christmas.

A life size Santa sat on the front porch that Mom made after we were inspired by

a small Santa we'd seen at a craft show.

Our Santa wore a pair of my Dad's old boots.

We were always big on decorating for the holidays inside.

But each year when I was growing up I begged my father to put lights on the house and he never would.

But when I was 28, I moved away from Oklahoma to Georgia.

I called home that Thanksgiving wishing I was home with family.

I spoke to my Mother in the evening of that day and she said that she was so irritated with my father.

She said he'd been out working in the yard that morning and when called in for dinner, he barely ate

after she'd slaved away for hours on Thanksgiving dinner.

She wasn't speaking to him, she was so upset. And she said..."he is saying nothing...he's avoiding me!"

When Christmas came...

My Dad picked me up at the airport and drove me to my hometown. As we neared my house...

I could see christmas lights lining the edge of the roof. The whole house had lights around it!

I was so thrilled that my Dad had finally put lights on the house.

It only took me moving hundreds of miles away and him wanting to please me when I got home.

It was then that he told me that Thanksgiving morning,

he'd been outside working on putting the lights on the roof when he fell off the roof

and into the back of his pick up truck.

He said it was pure luck that he fell into the truck and not to the ground.

He laid there with the wind knocked out of him, wondering if he was ok.

After awhile he decided nothing was broken just as my Mom called him in to dinner.

He didn't want her to know he'd fallen. So he just came in and ate what he could to keep her happy.

But he felt nauseous and hurt all over.

So he ate a little and retired to the sofa.

Mom didn't know till years later that he'd fallen off the roof that morning.

She had been so mad at him and he was just trying to make sure she didn't worry.

And he couldn't tell me because he was keeping the lights a surpise.

After that, my Dad made a tradition of putting lights on the house so that they would be there when

I came home.

He would also line the yard and driveway with yellow solo cups that he turned upside down over large white lights.

It looked junky during the day but at night it looked like small lanterns lining our yard and drive.

Dad took a lot of pride in how nice they looked at night.

I remember one Christmas night, the whole family including uncles, aunts and cousins were all

over at my Grandmother's house which was across the street from my parent's house.

As one of my uncles gazed out the window...he saw a truck swerve purposefully into my parents yard

and take out about three of the plastic cups.

He yelled, "Hey! Someone just ran over your lights, Jim!" (my Dad was named Jim)

Immediately, all four brothers (my dad and uncles) were flying out of the house and

off the porch. Dad said, "Jump in the truck and my uncle yelled...get your gun!"

This seemed completely ridiculous to us in the house.

"Get your gun?"

Us women realized it was most likely teenagers just having a little fun.

They didn't know those cups were my father's pride and joy.

I remember my Mom saying, "That's a bit of an over-reaction, isn't it?"

We all watched out the window as we saw my Dad and Uncles go by several times

in the pickup looking for the perpetrators.

Thank goodness they didn't find them.

The next day my father talked about the incident at the coffee shop and he and his friends

deduced the guilty parties based on the description of the truck.

A visit was paid to the father of the driver of the truck.

Yes, a high school boy who didn't see the harm in running over a few of my Dad's prized lights.

He promised to never do it again and the whole matter was dropped.

But I'll never forget the Christmas that I heard the words,

"Get Your Gun!"

Ah... family Christmas memories.

I hope you are making wonderful Christmas memories with your own family

and I hope they do not involve fire arms.

sharing at

Christmas Prep

2011-12-23T08:16:00.000-06:00

Are You Ready?

Is all your decorating done, gifts bought and goodies baked?

All of these images are from my Christmas Board on

Mod Mix Monday 29

2011-12-20T10:06:00.000-06:00

H a p p y H o l i d a y s

Thank you so much for all your kind emails and comments in support of me at this sad time in my life.

I have read all and appreciate each and everyone of them.

I will be writing back to you as I can.

Shelly's Memorial is Tuesday afternoon.

I'm so sorry that Mod Mix Monday is coming out on Tuesday, I am doing the best I can.

I was at Target till 2:15 am Sunday night and just didn't have it in me to post.

I love that image above. I'd be doing good to have even something like that up.

I have not a single decoration up in my house.

I feel so lame.

But there was so much great holiday stuff in last week's Mod Mix Monday.

I enjoyed looking at all your pretty homes and decor.

Here are my favorites...

Kristie Barnett has decked out her whole cottage to the hilt at The Decorologist.

You must take this tour.

Patty at A Few Pennies dressed her lady bust in Christmas finery for a few pennies.

I love how classic yet modern this looks.

This is only one of the Twelve Doors of Christmas that Marie of Marie's Maison decorated

for the holidays. You must see the rest!

Common Grounds' Debra has lots of lovely creamy white in her Christmas decor.

This entry is just the beginning.

You know how I love white kitchens and there were two linked up in last week's party.

First, this one from Thistlewood Farm.

So many things I like here...I wouldn't know where to start.

Another pretty white kitchen... Shannon of Fox Hollow Cottage showed off her white kitchen dressed for the holidays. Pretty...pretty...pretty.

I have mad crazy love for Theresa's new office at Momma T's Place.

I love turquoise and red together. Don't you?

Steve of An Urban Cottage did not link up last week.

But I just had to share his wonderful sparsely limbed Christmas tree.

Then a person could do a lot of fabulous Holiday party hosting with this

vintage radio turned bar by Sherry of Pondered, Primed, Perfect.

And finally - little Rosie shows off the great tulip chair that her Mom and my friend

Cindi of OldBlackCatBoo

recently acquired. Cindi had a scare with Rosie last summer but she is doing super great now.

That was a lot, wasn't it? But there were so many good things linked up last week.

I could have shown more.

Link up below...

Anything old redone to be new. Old mixed with new.

Anything new redone to look old.

Mix it up.

If you enjoy this party...I'd hope that you'd become a follower.

Please give me a link back in your post and be sure to link up to the exact

post address not your whole blog.

Please no food links or baby stuff or clothes. This needs to be decor and furniture related.

I'm going to start deleting links off subject.

Thanks!

Open House Sunday 31

2011-12-18T07:45:00.000-06:00

built 1935

I was in this house a few years ago when it was on the market.

The current owners have repainted most of the inside.

(see listing here)

Love and Loss

2011-12-16T08:16:00.000-06:00

Shelly

Tuesday night my cousin and best friend, Shelly lost her battle with cancer.

She took her last breath while sleeping.

She'd slept most the the last two days before dying.

Shelly with her husband and her daughter, Stacy at Stacy's wedding a few years ago.

She played in the local summer orchestra.

We both played flute in high school but she took it back up in recent years.

This photo was from her high school reunion two years ago.

She was my best friend all my life. I loved her from the first time I was aware of her.

She being only eight months older than I.

We knew each other as babies and were always in each other's lives.

She knew all my secrets and I her's. No one else knows what we know about each other.

The last time I saw her was Sunday night, she was out of it but still talking a little.

She said she was hungry and the nurse asked her what she'd like to eat.

She said....confused as she was, "Well, we have never eaten here...could you tell me what you have?"

"We all like Thai food."

The nurse laughed and said there was no thai food.

Would chicken noodle soup do?

She agreed it would.

But when the soup came after one bite given to her by Tim...her husband,

she refused to eat any more saying that it must be saved for Nita.

She did not want to ruin it for she wanted Nita to have it.

I don't know that she knew I was sitting right there.

I told her I'd already eaten and that it was ok.

"No", she insisted, "save it for Nita". "You know she never has money."

True...lately....I never have money.

I never cried when I was around her this past year...or tried awfully hard not to.

I was just happy to still have her. So I didn't want to waste time while with her...crying.

But that made me cry...tears streamed down my face.

That as sick as she was...she was worried and thinking about me.

I did not know that would be the last time I would see her.

We thought the treatment they were doing would give her a little more time.

But she did not respond and she died on Tuesday night...while I was at work.

I never thought I'd be at work when she died.

I always thought I would be there but it happened suddenly.

I am grateful that I spent so much time with her this year.

I will always miss her...I will always have things I want to tell her...

The day she died...I'd had a strange feeling all day.

I'd woken thinking about how bad she had been Sunday night

and how she would not want to go on like she was.

Her great fear was that she would be out of her mind in the end.

And although she was still lucid...she was slipping, fast.

I was thinking how cruel life has been this past six months...starting with Newman dying and

it occurred to me that maybe Newman went because he needed to bet there

to meet Shelly.

I used to threaten to bring Newman to Shelly's house and just drop him off for the weekend.

This because she didn't like him very much and I wanted her to spend time with him

so she'd know how wonderful he was.

She was prejudice against him from the very start because he looked like

her ex sister in law who was a red head with blonde eyelashes.

And yes, he did look like her but I thought him so handsome.

I kept telling her that if she had him for a weekend she would not want to give him back.

She said if I brought him over, he'd get lost because she wouldn't go chasing after him when he got out the door.

Which he would have.

Once when she was here, he had slipped through her legs and out the gate.

She and I chased and chased him up and down and in and out the driveways and roads of my

neighborhood. Finally, a man driving a pickup stopped and helped us catch him.

That day she said...she would never have a dog like that! One that would run away and then

make you chase him and chase him.

The last time she was here...she sat on the steps of my back deck and Newman came

and put his head in her lap and gazed lovingly up at her.

She conceded that he was pretty sweet.

So all that day...the day she ended up dying in the night...I'd had this feeling that Newman

had died so that he'd be there for her...to take care of her. As only he could.

I believe in making the most of each Christmas, no matter how bad things might be in your life

because you never know what next Christmas might bring.

You might be missing loved ones and it will turn out that it was the last Christmas to have them.

So I always advise everyone to make the most of the one now...and not say

oh...I won't do a tree this year because my house is a mess or I'm not in the mood.

It might be the last Christmas you have with someone.

But this year...the Christmas lights around town that I usually find such joy in

seem dim and not so lovely.

They just look cheap and tacky.

All the stuff in the stores seems so trivial.

I think I may not take my own advise and just skip it this year.

2011 started out ok...Shelly was doing better and we had hope...but this past summer

everything changed and the rest of the year has been such a struggle.

I'll be very glad to see this year end.

I had hoped Shelly would make it through Christmas.

I think we all expected her to.

But she was so tired....she'd been fighting for so long.

She deserved a rest.

Oh...my dear sweetest friend....how I will miss you all the rest of my days.

And I know you miss me too...you told me you would miss me just as much as I miss you.

No one ever loved someone more than I loved you.

Icicles

2011-12-13T13:50:00.000-06:00

Yes or No?

Tinsel icicles...do you love them or hate them?

I hated them as a child but love them as an adult.

I think my love for them started with many viewings of White Christmas.

In the final scene the curtains open to reveal a huge Christmas tree with

limbs covered in them.

It was a required decoration for trees in the past.

Pretty amazing...the number of tinsel icicles delicately placed on these trees.

I think I like it best on a green tree.

I used it on my tree last year...but am debating whether I will use it this year or not.

We'll see...if I do.

I am thinking about painting all the wood trim on my chair and sofa white.

I have been hesitant to do so because the wood is very pretty.

But I've never liked how the wood looked against the pink upholstery.

I know it would look great with a distressed painted white trim.

So I think that is what I'll do.

What do you think?

Should I go for it?

Mod Mix Monday 28

2011-12-12T04:04:00.000-06:00

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

http://blueeyedyonder.blogspot.com/2010/12/winter-whimsy-reveal.html

Maybe IT IS a Marshmallow World in the Winter.
This brilliant idea from

Isn't this amazing?...It's snowing in their living room courtesy of hundreds of marshmallows.

Love the heavily flocked tree too with all white ornaments.

There were lots of Christmas decor in last week's Mod Mix Monday.

Here are my favorites...

Lots of inspiration for your own holiday decor which I am afraid to tell you, I have not even

begun because I am working all the time.

I did find a pair of shoes that have saved my life....or rather my Mom did.

I tried Merrill's first and they helped but Mary Jane Skecher Shape Ups have saved my life or rather my feet.

My feet still aren't perfect...but they are far less miserable.

No other news other than I did purchase something at Pier One the other day to add to my holiday decor.

I do hope to show soon.

Of course I'd love to see what you are doing this week...

Link up below...

Anything old redone to be new. Old mixed with new.

Anything new redone to look old.

Mix it up.

If you enjoy this party...I'd hope that you'd become a follower.

Please give me a link back in your post and be sure to link up to the exact

post address not your whole blog.

Please no food links or baby stuff or clothes. This needs to be decor and furniture related.

I'm going to start deleting links off subject.

Thanks!

Open House Sunday 30

2011-12-11T08:13:00.000-06:00

Let's Compare...

Two houses for sale in my neighborhood.

(built 1936)

The two homes I am showing today could not be more different in their decor.

The first which does not have wonderful furniture is sparingly staged.

The second is full of antiques and pieces of character.

Which one do you think shows the house off better.

In contrast check out this home...

built 1929

View out the front door to the park.

I can tell you I've been in both homes and the second one is the nicer house of the two.

Actually, it's fabulous. It has a big backyard with stone patio and upper deck off the top floor.

Both of which were not shown in the photos.

And although this is a fantastic home...you really can't see what it looks like for all the

stuff in it.

A friend of mine actually owns it. It's wonderful to be among all her knick knacks when you are there.

It feels like you are in Norma Desmond's home on Sunset Boulevard.

But this is a good example that a home should be cleared out to the bare minimum to show it off well for selling.

Turquoise and Pink Christmas

2011-12-10T07:48:00.000-06:00

I love all all the unexpected details of this Christmas decor.

All created for a photo shoot done by...

See more of it here

American Horror Story

2011-12-08T17:44:00.000-06:00

Best Show on TV

Are you still watching American Horror Story?

Last night's episode was even better than usual.

Ben found out the identity of Rubber Suit Guy

Flies in the fruit bowl led to a grizzly discovery.

First love...last love?

Only two more episodes after this one.

If you aren't watching you can go to

FXNetworks.com

and catch up on the episodes.

This show is the highlight of my week.

I don't know what I'll do when its over.

That Tate is so hot...even if he is dead and highly disturbed.

He's sweet so I can over look his faults.

Mod Mix Monday 27

2011-12-05T20:00:00.000-06:00

Snow for Christmas