A rare moment for being crafty...

Not that it took tons of time, but I had a few moments to be crafty this weekend...all this is for our front porch, but it was super cold last night so it's all on our dining room table for now...

Monday, Shitty Monday

We had a pretty nice weekend. Watched Henry's little friend C on Friday night and even managed to make it out to dinner with both of them (though thank goodness we did not have twins!). Both kids SLEPT IN on Saturday morning, with C getting up around 7:30 and Henry not up til nearly 7:45! I was almost worried something was wrong. Sunday we made a trip to the pumpkin patch. Although it was very windy, Henry enjoyed it immensely. We carved a pumpkin and I potted a couple of mums into pumpkins too. Nice weekend. And then things took a turn for the worse:

• Mid Sunday afternoon realized that the siding on the north of our house is completely flapping in the window. Huge chunks laying in our neighbor's yard. Shit. Guy was supposed to come between 8-9 a.m. this morning. Had to call and chase him down. He finally came after 10 a.m. and with not very good news.
• Around 9:30 p.m. felt nauseous last night. Spent a large chunk of last night praying to the porcelain god. Total suckage. And no, NOT pregnant, just sick.
• Realized this morning that our car was due at the shop. Drove over to find construction everywhere, related to the Brown line el renovation (the shop is under the el). Had no cell with me (was dead, left it at home on the charger). Had to drive home, look up the number and call. They are still in the same place I just didn't push hard enough on the office door. Crap.

I feel like there is more bitching to be done here, but nothing else is floating to the top of my brain at the moment. It just all came down on me in one big shit storm so I guess that's why I'm crabby. Feeling better now (stomach flu? food poisoning? gone), but it just blows when this kinda stuff happens on a Monday right?

Oh well. Two huge positives to close with -

1. my lovely husband will be home for the next month or so. He cooked up a storm last night so we will have food all week with little effort!
2. Nephew #3 is arriving TODAY!! Yippee!!

Calendar round-up

Two years ago I purchased my first calendar from etsy seller ilee, and I mentioned them last year around this time. My 94 year old granny adores them and specifically asked for a new one last year, which is awesome because what else do you get for a fabulous 94 year old lady?!

But, that being said, my eyes have been opened to so many other fun calendar possibilities this year! So, a little round up since I haven't made up my mind yet...

First off, of course is ilee's for the year, which sells for $22, which I do still enjoy:

Some say it's a bit too dark this year and are instead opting for PaperSource's slightly cheaper option, at $18.50:

Moving away from the letterpress category, into the lovely eco-friendly, slightly more expensive ($34), but no less cute world is one I read about over at dooce. An adorable wooden version (note to wooden calendar peeps - dooce's photo is better than yours AND you really should show all 12 months when trying to sell a calendar):

Then a decor post from Apartment Therapy Chicago about birch wood prints took me back to my love etsy and seller SureAsBlue, with these postcard calendars for just $11.99:

And then I realized, search for desktop calendar on etsy and you will be overrun with these suckers! A couple more of my favs...

annacote, $22

honeybeedesign, $20

And lastly because I ran across it, a shout out to my preppy friends, a whale planner for $25 by etsy seller sarahpinto! It seems Granny's gift might be a bit tougher to select this year!

Striking the right balance

This post from Apartment Therapy Chicago a few days back got me going on one of my biggest house decor challenges - shelves. We have this fabulous fireplace on our main floor, in the living room, completely visible the moment you step into the house. So I feel like I need to really crack one out of the ballpark with these fabulous shelves!

So, this post is going to be picture heavy...sort of an on-line clipping of shelf images I love. I know I've got to get the proportions perfect, but without making it look too perfect! I'm open to ideas if you got 'em!!!

Oh and I'm totally thinking about doing a stacked plate wall opposite the fireplace. The current plan in my head is to collect various textured plates, paint them all the darker paint shade that is on the fireplace wall (all the walls are the same except the one behind the fireplace - it's one step darker for impact and to show off whatever fabulous collection I decide to put on those shelves) and then create my own "art" out of these plate textures. I want them stacked up, overlapping in many places. All in my head for now...

Inspiring design

I have decided if I could live in non-toddler land, non-budget conscious land, I would want to live in a fabulous Kelly Wearstler/Jonathan Adler-equse hotel lobby-equse palace. I love the whole Hollywood Regency style and love to mix retro/vintage with newer pieces. And COLOR! Love lots of color in my home.

I adore reading decorating blogs and I am crazy addicted to watching Top Design (although - Kelly, honey, what were you thinking with this ensemble?). I've randomly been searching for a vintage sideboard for our living room. While doing so, I ran across some super cute pieces I'd love to have in a dream home, for really reasonable pricing! I know nothing about buying this type of furniture in terms of what is quality vintage and what is not, but I know what looks good. Check out a few of these choice pieces from ebay seller artcollector-usa:

Seriously, this seller has so many cool things I'd love to have in my home in insane! But, who knows what shipping would be like. *sigh*



On an annoying side note, anyone good at posting pictures with blogger?! Placement of them is so f'ing infuriating!

The marketing gods, they know me well...

I just received this email from my pals at Starbucks...
"Over the past six months, I've received a ton of goodideas from Starbucks Card Rewards members who want tosee us expand and improve our rewards program.Membership recognition, flexible payment options, andmore everyday value are just a sample of what I hear.
We're getting ready to incorporate benefits like theseinto a new membership program, and I'd like to give youa sneak preview. In early November, you'll have theopportunity to join Starbucks Gold and take advantageof significant everyday value and exclusive member benefits.The annual membership fee is $25 and it entitles you to -

* 10% off most purchases in participating U.S. Starbucks stores*
* A free drink when you purchase your Starbucks Gold Card in a Starbucks store
* The option to pay for purchases any way you like
* A special Gold Card that identifies you as a member of this group

And if you register your Gold Card, you'll unlock additionalbenefits. That's when the top-shelf treatment really begins.This is a program for people who really love their Starbucks.

If you're enjoying Starbucks Card Rewards benefits, such asfree syrups, milk options and refills on drip coffee, thenwe hope you continue to do so. But if you're looking for dailysavings on everything from espresso beverages to espresso machines,you should check out Starbucks Gold. (Please note that StarbucksCard Rewards discounts cannot be combined with Starbucks Golddiscounts.)

We're letting you know about Starbucks Gold early, so don't besurprised if your barista doesn't know about it yet. You'll beable to find out more when you visit your neighborhood storenext month.

Thanks,
Brad Stevens
vice president
Customer Relationship Management"

Me likey. A lot.

Hell Has Frozen Over

Glimpsed on my walk from the train into my office this morning...a standalone CROCS STORE. Great, now it will be easier for people to purchase these hideous monstrosities?! Because people need a WHOLE STORE devoted to those ugly things?! Please, someone...STOP THE MADNESS!!!

On a better note, I was excited to see an Ulta going in across the street. That's the kind of new retail we need on State Street.

Making Me Smile

A long time friend of mine, L, over at Kiss On My List, was ever so sweet and gave me:

L is just getting started with the whole blogging craziness, has a fabulous sense of style, an adorable family, a hot boyfriend (can I say that L!?), and is an all around wonderful person. I'm honored that she would give me this lovely award! I've never been tagged for an award, but I'm gonna do my best to live up to it!

Characteristics for the Smile Award:
1. Must display a cheerful attitude (I try, but I sorted laughed at this one!)
2. Must love one another
3. Must make mistakes (Story of my life!)
4. Must learn from others (certainly!)
5. Must be a positive contributor to blog world (I don't have many readers, but I try!)
6. Must love life.
7. Must love kids (check! one little buddy of my own, plus two nephews & a third on the way)

These are the rules for The Smile Award:
1. The recipient must link back the the award’s creator
2. You must post these rules if you receive the award
3. You must chose 5 people to receive the award after receiving it yourself
4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award
5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient.
6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.
7. You must thank your giver.

Here comes the tough part - tagging others! I don't "know" that many bloggers, but I'm gonna do my best:

Third Coast Preppy - It almost feels like cheating to tag the lovely TCP, because I've known her IRL for years! And yes bloggers, she is as fabulous in real life as she is in her very witty blog. Though I'm not very preppy myself, I have a great appreciation as Mrs. TCP always looks adorably pulled together, is deliciously snarky, and just an all around fun friend.

Lag Liv - I don't know if she will respond to said award, as I really don't know her, but I have to say, I always look forward to her blogs. She is well spoken, smart and for me, I love the way she can articulate the fact that it's ok to want to work and be a good mom. She used to live in good ol' ChiTown and her son isn't too far behind Henry in age, so it's really fun for me to read about her son's adventures.

Not Quite Vintage - I stumbled upon Colleen's blog and I have no clue how, but I'm so glad I did! She is crafter supreme! I am so envious of her amazing skills and impeccable taste. I can't only hope to create some of the fabulous things she has over the years.

Purple Cat On A Bike - My friend J is amazing! She's probably gonna want to smack me for tagging her in this post, because she doesn't blog much, but she is incredibly funny and needs to step up her blogging ;-)

And with that, I have passed on the torch, sorry for only tagging 4 peeps, but I don't know enough to do more!

Rained out

Huge bummer. Our trip to the pumpkin patch was rained out. It was clear in the morning, sorta clear mostly through H's nap and started really raining about the time that H got up. *sigh* We'll just have to postpone it a couple of weeks. So, cute pumpkin & H pictures later.

Thought I'd share some photos of the vintage jewelry I ordered from etsy seller dibabeads recently:

The center picture is actually a vintage pendant. I've been missing my jewelry making days. I actually ordered a few other vintage beads from this seller. If you're into jewelry making & vintage beads, dibabeads is worth checking out!