The Pottery Barn Couch

I love nothing more than a comfortable couch, a couch that looks like you could fall asleep reading a good book on it. We have some big couches (my husband is a tall guy) but they have more of a Bavarian French look with wood and brown fabric. The below couches are much different than the ones I have, but one day I want a bright room to put one (any one) of the couches below in.

These couches look so comfy and the pops of color through fabric, plants, pictures and the occasional wall color are very appealing.

The room above looks like a place you could just sit and read a good book. Below is a little more formal but still beautiful.

I love the hanging lanterns, painted wall paneling along with the natural wood and subtle blue color below. Very pretty.

I am sucker for the pretty light blue and coral combination below.

I love the bold oranges above and below.

The wall color below with the red and bright white looks so crisp and clean.

some lovely things...

It's no secret I love Pierre Deux. These are some lovely things I found while looking at their online store, my idea of window shopping.
Last week I taught my children the meaning of window shopping. We needed to kill some time so we went into one of my favorite stores, TJ Maxx. The kids always beg for toys when we go there so I sat down and explained to them that we were "window shopping" today. I explained to them what that meant and amazingly enough they got the concept and were actually okay with it. I heard Max telling some boy as they were looking at Avatar toys together, that he was just window shopping today. Ha!
The below picture is very nostalgic for me, it reminds me of the flee markets we visited in France. Vendors would sell pictures from antique books. My parents bought 2 pictures at a flee market that still hangs in their home and they are just beautiful.

cute kid rooms

I looked at real estate here in Utah daily ever since Steve and I got married, I still find myself looking at it from time to time even though we own a house, just for fun...???? A little strange I know. But I bet I could tell you Utah's real estate market trends for the last 7 years, that's how often I looked at it.

Anyhow, I always look at houses for sale in our area and found this darling house West of us. I don't know who this girl is but I am tempted to knock on her door and introduce myself. Her house is darling! Here are 2 of the rooms in her house. I just love them. And the pink/red combination above is darling.

So I guess I am a real estate market stalker??? That sounds a lot creepier than it is, I hope. ;)

my style & my flowers....

First off...my peonies have bloomed!!! They are gorgeous huge blossoms with layers and layers of silky pink petals. So in love. We also have star lilies, dahlias, gladiolas, day lilies, roses (so many roses) and many other varieties of flowers I have yet to figure out the name of. I am taking pictures tonight just so I can enjoy these beauties when February rolls around.

So I have always struggled with my "style". I have thought for a long time that it is just eclectic, and while that is true I have discovered lately that I am eclectic because I can't afford my style. I love European fabrics and design. Humphhh...oh well, I can figure out a more economic way to get what I want, right.?

Above is a look I love, it is all done in Pierre-Deux fabric. Oh Pierre, please have a really big sale with free shipping someday!

Here are some websites, blogs, etc. of the style I just love:

Simplified Bee

Annette Tatum

Eclectic Revisited

Pierre Deux

La Maison Fou

Swedish Interiors

Horchow

Heather Baileystore (a hip trendy twist on traditional style with bright bold colors, love this gal's style)

chandeliers & pillows (random)

Thomas Paul Pillow found here at thomaspaul.com for around $100-$200

Murano glass chandelier found here for a mere $2,498

Sofia pillow found here for a only $21! Love it!

coudn't find where to buy this, but hey I have an easy idea.

Go here and buy this color spray paint and spray an old chandelier from yard sale, DI, thrift store etc.

A similar pillow for $29! Go here.

Just found some pretty things online while looking for design ideas. I love these vibrant colors and I love the touch of femininity that these chandeliers bring.

I also love the combination of all these colors, green pink and red.

lovin these bags

I am loving these bags from cotton candy boutique. You can choose the style and the fabric, she has a ton of fabric choices you can play with. All for $29-$39!

Pretty things

The other night when I spent forever on etsy looking at people's wonderful knit-creations, I also came across this shop called The Silver Dog that I am totally smitten with. Once I shed this darn baby weight I am celebrating by getting a necklace from here. They aren't too pricey and would add a touch of glamour to even a basic t-shirt. (I also imagine wearing it with skinny jeans and flats)

restoring an old table...

So I did not take a before picture of this table. But trust me when I say it was ugly. My mom bought it for me from a local antique store for Christmas to put in our sun room, which we want to make into a breakfast nook. This table had about 3 layers of pealing white paint on it.

So I put a lot of time, sweat and pure muscle (ha!, like I have any) and sanded off most of the paint (there was some on the legs that would not come off). I then gave the top a wood stain finish of English Maple and painted the bottom.

I then added two coats of Shellac to the wood and a layer of Lacquer to the legs (so i can clean it easily with little kids). Henry enjoys it so far. :)

I have some chairs I refinished as well to go with it, they are darling, old and very sturdy, oh and mint green! They are also from my mom (she has the best Antique store near her). If you are ever in Logan you need to go to this store, it would be well worth your while.

so pretty

These strawberries are so incredibly cute! I found this picture on a wonderful blog I often frequent called Everyday Beauty.

brand spankin new! CC Interiors

I am so in love with this room!!! It is so my style! It is the perfect mix of classy & simple with spunky/colorful retro splashes. Caitlin you are brilliant and inspiring. Well done my dear, well done!

vinyl wall art

I have never been one for the whole Cricket trend and vowed to myself I would never have vinyl writing on my walls anywhere in my house, no offense to anyone that has them they are just not my thing. But I found this adorable website that has some vinyl wall stuff that I actually think is quite cute. These are from an adorable store called fawn&forest.

Party Planning

I am beginning real plans for Mimi's birthday party. It will be a wonderful surprise for those of you can't join (rozzie). :) I am thrilled!!!! I will say it will be hosted by me at my parents Lavender farm...how could it not be fun and have a million and one kodak moments!

I got these ideas originally from a friend of mine, Liz's blog and she got the idea from inchmark.

Aren't these the cutest booties ever!? Awww....I think I may have to buy these from Etsy. Wait, they're $29. Hmmm, maybe not. :) But they are cute to look at!

Turquoise & Coral

Here is yet another necklace and bracelet! I actually love these colors together. I think red is one of the best accent colors. It adds a bit of richness and class. Ha! Just my opinion...which is worth about 2 cents. ;)