Happy Friday!

Since we are having a fairly large fiesta at our place tomorrow night, I have been rearranging things a bit, moving this here and that there. Months ago, I purchased this original "quote art" (I believe she calls it this, sorry, Anne! :) ) from Anne Harwell's Etsy shop. I love the color, but most important is the message: "Happiness is not having all you want * It's wanting all you've got!" Indeed, Anne. I originally had it behind my laptop but had been looking at it for so long I really didn't *see* the message anymore. Now, in my kitchen, not only will I enjoy rediscovering it, but my guests will as well. It is so so fun to get new ideas, read shelter mags, and drool over others' designs, but at the end of the day you really have to learn to be grateful for your lot in life. Otherwise, you will always be searching for the next best thing. So I'm taking a moment to appreciate all of my blessings, and hoping you will do the same, especially given the state of our economy.

Also, I love having designer things available to me, but what really dawned on me today was how many wonderful artists we have in our own blogger community. Purchasing things from places like Etsy, and our blog friends, such as Annechovie, is such a wonderful (and affordable) way to not only support them, but to have things that are truly unique.

Have a beautiful weekend!

Jane Coslick

Jane Coslick is a wonderful interior designer and preservationist. There is something so light-hearted and genuine about her work. I think it is her passion that really translates so well through her designs. Every time I see the Tybee Island cottages she has restored I always feel, in a way, relieved, and delighted. I say relieved because after pouring over shelter mags filled with buttoned up design and overstyled rooms, seeing Jane's work strikes a chord. Although I love so many different styles (I am a major A.D.D. design freak), there is always something about the casual look that makes me feel at home. And her "not too put together" vibe really does it for me here. Makes me want to get on my beach cruiser barefoot and ride on over.

This is how her site depicts her work:

"Jane Coslick's Designs and Restorations embrace the cottage lifestyle: open, friendly, and simple. Jane's lovingly restored homes are painted bright colors-- trimmed in crisp white, and are full of funky furnishings, many of which she designs herself. Jane blends the quirky with the quintessential and fills her homes with delights at every turn. Her passion for restoration and design has been recognized locally, regionally and nationally and has been featured in print, on television and the web."

This is the way LIFE should be lived.

Share the LUV

A HUGE, HUMONGOUS, GIANT AND HEARTFELT thanks to Anne Harwell at the fabulous and famous blog, Annechovie. Anne is not only one of the kindest folks in blogland, she is also one of the most talented. Thanks again, Anne, for nominating me!! I am completely flattered.

To share the LUV, follow these instructions:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show GREAT ATTITUDE and/or GRATITUDE 3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post. 4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received the award.

My TOP 10:

(In no particular order)

Pure Style Home

Urban Grace Interiors

Pink Wallpaper

Annechovie

Eddie Ross

House of Turquoise

Velvet and Linen

Cote de Texas

High Heeled Foot in the Door

House and Life

(I know some of these are very well known, but the authors have still taken the time to show their appreciation for my stalking! ha)

This one's for you, Pink Wallpaper!

A little back story: Pink Wallpaper and I have been going back and forth on who got the worst haircut. (We've both recently been traumatized). No, I will not post pictures. lol. She, like me, also has the sounds of pitter patter around her house. For those of us with little ones, we all know how hard it is to FEEL fabulous when there is so little time to tend to our 'fabulosity', for lack of a better word. (No, Kimora Lee Simmons is NOT my hero!) So, this morning, while going through the daily blog roll, I discovered this post on Absolutley Beautiful Things from Anna.

This one's for you, Shannon. I'm sure you look great in your black workout pants and Patagonia. Keep on keepin' on!

This is SO awesome!!!!

Paddle boarding...

Let me just tell you...this is a blast. I am absolutely hooked! If you live by the water and haven't tried this, you must. We were at the beach today and saw some friends who have a couple of boards and decided to try it out. I have been thinking about doing this for some time now and today just afforded me the opportunity to do so. Not only is it a great workout, but you get a tan while doing it, and you commune with nature. Perfect blue sky, crystal clear water, and nice big red paddle board: recipe for an awesome beach day. The only thing left to get is the Kate Hudson bod! I'm workin' on it. :)

And last but not least...

There were 60 of them! How could I only choose 5?? :) Here are the rest of the contenders...and in no particular order, I might add.

I remember this spread like it was yesterday. Do you? This was one of my favorite issues. Two fabulous guys renovated this little schoolhouse (I think it was a school house, or a church maybe). Anyway, the results were fantastic!!! They are a big fan of layering, and they do it well! Ever a fan of the green and white. I believe they called this the "Monkey Cottage." (Don't shoot me if I'm wrong. I will have to search my archives! :) )

Ooh, now this one is very soothing, and very sophisticated. I always admire these designs that have such restraint, but I love color so much its hard for me to get there.

And for the traditional in you...

This was also a great feature. The before and afters of this are really something else. It turned out quite well. The walls were dark paneling before and the owner found this sink and hardware antiquing. Just goes to show what a little elbow grease will give you...a big bang for your buck!

And, lastly, this one appeals to the "granny chic" in me. Especially all of those trinkets...they really bring me back. I love that nostalgia.

OK, so which one of theeeese is your favorite???? I think mine is the first!

Bathrooms, bathrooms, and more bathrooms...

This nautical wallpaper pops right off the white sink. And I love those legs! Now those are some sexy legs!!! They pair so well together.

This is so pleasing to the neutral palette in me. I have always loved the idea of skirting the sink to hide toiletries.

I love the raw materials in this bathroom. Everything can be beautiful in its simplest form.

And, of course, gotta throw the turquoise in there! Adding furniture (if you are lucky enough to have that big of a bathroom) is such a nice touch. This is a great way to turn a standard builder home into a real unique room as well.

And always a fan of the b & w checkered floor.

I just received a newsletter from County Living that was showcasing their best bathrooms yet. I have always loved CL for the designs they feature; they are so warm and inviting, so approachable. I think growing up in a house that felt more like a museum than a "homey" home has driven me to create a casual, kick your feet up feel in my own home. Although I appreciate all styles, I personally lean towards the more comfortable "come in and stay a while" feel. So if that is your cup of tea, feast your eyes on these babies...

Which one is your fave??????

Snips and Snails...

So, this is what I have been working on lately...my son's room. Trip is an adorable, naughty little fella. Into the usual 3 yr old boy shenanigans. And recently his ViVi (code for "Grandma") has bought him some new big boy bunk beds, which of course calls for redecorating the whole room. We have had the blue scheme for some time now and I thought it would be nice to mix it up and give him a fresh new "big boy" look.

This "Best Friends" print is going to be the cushion cover on a generously sized antique wicker chair that has been holed up in my garage. (Yes, you're finally gettin' out! Mr. Steel Mags will be so excited!) The colors are chocolate and linen. If you've read my past posts, you'll know that Jack (that was his given name and I felt I could not possibly change it since he was probably suffering from identity issues as it was), our rescued Golden, plays an important part in our lives. This room is sort of an homage to their brotherly relationship.

And this yellow "Cadence" print is going to be a euro sham for the top and bottom bunk, making it comfortable for reading, which we do a TON of! Both of these fabrics, btw, came from here. Premier Prints has been seen lately on Decorno and Pink Wallpaper. What a great resource! Super cute and super affordable!

I am just using simple navy down comforters for the bedding with white sheets. His dresser is sort of a distressed ivory and we are going to stripe it vertically with an undecided shade of yellow. And I'm thinking this would be cute for some art work...a vintage poster with great color. From here.

And since we took down his ceiling fan for safety reasons, he is demanding a replacement. It gets really hot here ya'll! This is the best I could find w/o deviating from my look too much. From here.

So, what do you think? Cute or what? What do your kids' rooms look like? I'm always interested in kids' room because I think they can be hard to do without getting either too cheesy or too theme-y.

Once upon a time...

...there was a little princess who lived in this room...I thought I would share a little bit of my home with you all. More specifically, my daughter's nursery. Since we are waiting out this insane South FL real estate market and still leasing, we couldn't go crazy with any wall color, which is sort of OK with me since I went for a sandy color anyway. I was so tired of the usual nursery themes so I sort of made up my own.

Our white rocker that we have spent countless hours in. Draping it is a beautiful patchwork quilt that my cousin handmade for us. She is an uber-talented artist!! PB screwed up the monogram on the pillow and I have been too lazy to take it back! ha! Possibly one day I will have time for this.

I put her crib quilt over the ottoman after I realized how incredibly impractical a white foot rest was. (I don't care, I still love it! Had to have white!) Her bedding is the pink cabana stripe mixed with light green polka dot sheets. And next to 'my' chair, is Mary Scott's tot rocker, which was also a special gift from her God mother.

Her sweet pink and white gingham chandelier.

Not sure if this picture translates very well, but I did a border of starfish and sand dollars lining the room.

And without further ado, the Queen Bee herself...(the baby, not me! lol)

Mary Scott and Mommy (I just noticed the lovely spit up all over me and my daughter. I contemplated taking this out but ultimately decided it just adds character! What is a day in the life of a mother without spit up?)

Last but certainly not least: the amazing view we are so lucky to have every day.

God is good.

Windsor Smith

This kitchen has been the "object of affection" for many a blog lately. Joni, one of my very favorite bloggers, did the most fantastic tutorial in Cote de Texas on "getting the look", and featured this amazing Windsor Smith design in all its glory. AND, another one of my favorite bloggers, Shannon, from Pink Wallpaper, blogged about turquoise, and what an incredible accent color it is. Indeed, Shannon! If you haven't checked out their blogs, where have you been? Seriously, they are a must read. I love how the gloss of the floor and cabinets play off one another. Do you think it's possible for me to go swimming IN that floor? I could devour it!

Love theses pops of red.


Not totally expecting this pink, but I think it's a nice surprise!

Can I just lounge here forever? A bikini, a nice glass of lemonade, a magazine, and I'm done. How perfect is the turquoise door? A nice compliment to the kitchen floor.

And beacuse it deserves such applause...

This one has a more tranquil vibe to it, which I personally love.


So much texture in this bathroom. The different grains of wood, the walls, all of it I love.

I couldn't post about just one Windsor Smith beach house. How on earth could I leave out this beauty?

In my dreams...

This is my cousin, Robin's, new (very old actually) Georgia farmhouse that she and her family are renovating. After many years of deliberating, their prayers were finally answered and this gift was given to them. I have to say, when I first heard the news I was a teensy weensy bit jealous because I have a slight (ok, major) obsession with farmhouses. And not just the house itself, but the way of life it offers. I have always imagined my kids (Jack included) running around on a large plot of land with not a care in the world. This is such a precious way to raise children. I, on the other hand, am not complaining or ungrateful for living on the beach, but I do value a simpler way of life. One that is free of mental clutter and insignificant things in the grand scheme of life. She and her husband will be raising their five (yes, FIVE) girls here in an effort to preserve this simpler way of life I am speaking of. Five girls and a coop of chickens. (Personally, I could do without the chickens, unless I didn't have to clean their potty mess. In that case, I would keep them).

I love the black shutters and the black and white awnings over the windows. This is such a classic home. I would not change anything on the exterior. Maybe just some fresh paint.

They have added a new walkway since and are re-painting the outside a grayish blue color. (I would have left it in it's glorious white state, but that's neither here nor there :) ).

So what do you think? How about this simple way of living? Could you give it all up for some peace and quiet? In my utopia, I would keep my beach house and have this one on the side. Split my time 50/50. I just can't imagine anything better. I'm really a simple girl at heart.