Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Redish, Whiteish, and Blueish

Since I got a warning from the Tacky Police for putting flags in my ferns on Memorial Day, I thought I'd better watch my step come July 4th!


No flag cake, red, white, and, blue jello parfait or rice krispy stars for this gal.  I'm restraining myself.  


I am planning to sneak in some patriotic colors (and maybe even a star or two).




Ahh, Sangria.  Use your own recipe, and just add the fruit, (pineapple stars).




French bread, goat cheese, balsamic drizzled strawberries with a sprinkling of chopped basil. (Too bad basil isn't blue.)




I see some red and some white and purple is  next to blue on the color wheel.




I will add a bit of  cheese to this spinach, watermelon and berry salad (no, not star-shaped american, I got the memo), cubed feta instead.  Any variation of  balsamic dressing will do.


Safe from the Tacky Police?




Well almost.  I lied about the cake! (Not really.)

Friday, June 22, 2012

Touches of Texture

Texture adds interest.  It makes a room come alive.  I add texture anywhere I can and always like something soft in each room (along with something Black and a little bit of Gold).




















Accessories, furniture, wallcoverings, fabric and area rugs all bring texture to a room.  


If your rooms feels blah, perhaps what you need is some texture.  Add a few baskets, a fluffy pillow or throw a rusty old found object into the mix.  Experiment, have fun, express yourself.


You'll see.  Texture may very well be that little something your room was missing!

Friday, June 15, 2012

Tickled Pink

Yep, she's sporting a new look, this old blog of mine.  Brighter and more open was what I was going for and by gosh, I think I've got it!


The photos are different too.  A lot more white and texture, the way I see things lately. Don't get me wrong, I'll always have a preppy side, I love pink!


I did not do this myself.  I could count my computer skills on one hand and not even get to my ring finger.  I had a lot of help from one very talented daughter.


Facebook messages and emails flew between Hallowell, Maine and Dublin, Ireland.  I ordered a Moroccan trellis, she delivered.  I sent photos, changed my mind, and sent more photos.  I had a lot of help from one very patient daughter.


She's pretty amazing, this daughter of mine.  Environmentalist, Singer, Actor, Model, Graphic Designer, take your pick. She's pretty amazing.  


Whether studying in Rwanda,




putting on the Ritz in Dublin,




inhaling Rome,




or Charlie's Angeling it in Budapest,




she does it all.


Thanks Amy, I know you bent over backwards trying to please your dear old mom.




And you did, I'm tickled PINK!



Monday, June 11, 2012

Peony Perfection

I was taking a walk three or four years ago when I came upon a neighbor cleaning up the end of what was a plant sale.  I finished my walk carefully carrying, what I was told, a Peony and an Iris home.   She has long since moved across the country and I am so glad to be the caretaker of a small piece of this very special person's garden.

With all our rain this year,  the Peonies had a short season, and all that remains  are a few fragrant stems in our front hall.





Simply beautiful!




The Iris are just as pretty, I'll save them for another day!

                 
             DON'T FORGET TO

  STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS!
       


Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Goodwill Goodies

I wear jeans ALL THE TIME!  White, Dark Blue, Red, I wear them all.  T.J's usually has what I want for less than $25.00.  What I put on top is another story.  Hello Goodwill.


How cute is this?  Fully lined and fitted.  The vent in the back was still tacked closed, brand new, $4.99.  It's a ny Collection, probably not very expensive, never heard of it, have you?  (Amy, my fashion forward daughter, calls me a label whore, she could be right!)


I actually wore it out the other night just like this with white jeans and and my favorite velvet slippers. The pink Lacoste shirt, same price as the blazer.  So ten bucks at Goodwill and I'm good to go.




And for a sedate, elegant look, this will do the trick.




J. Peterman to boot.  A lovely silk fitted blouse with pearl buttons. (You guessed it $4.99.)  I couldn't even buy the buttons for that.


I really went all out for this, $20.00 at a local consignment store.




It was made for me.  This Navy Blue, very fitted, short blazer from Germany. I take  my cast-offs to this store and had a credit, so it cost me nothing.  And yes, that is another of my favorite $4.99 blouses.


Love the detail.  This could pass for a Gorsuch!




If you don't know what you're looking for.......you never know what you'll find!


           The hunt is half the fun!











Saturday, June 2, 2012

Flags In My Ferns

One neighbor likes them, one neighbor not so much!  What do you think about my adorable little flags in my gorgeous ferns?  I adorned my ferns for Memorial Day and probably will again on Old Hallowell Day and July 4th.




Am I verging on tackiness? Will I be hanging plastic eggs from naked branches come Easter?


You see, the cute little flags are in between the columns on either side of the big flag on the second floor.  I thought I kinda liked it.



The bigger flag is really centered between the ferns.






               FLAGS IN MY FERNS
                    YEA OR NAY?