I Am Officially 2 Years Away From The Big One!

Well today is my birthday and a little bit of panic has set in because the numbers are quickly getting close to the big 50.

I have no idea how this happened because mentally I feel and act sometimes like I am still in my 20's.

Physically I am my age or older but I feel like I have earned every line on this face, every stretch mark on this stomach, and all I can do is try to make healthy choices and be grateful for this life.

Speaking of grateful, I have list that is miles long and no one wants to read about that, but what you do need to know is my husband rocks!

He gave me this:

We recently saw this painting in a gallery while we were Christmas shopping and I fell in love, we both did.

I have no words other than love, amazed, and mind blown.

Tonight me and my design muses, Kathy from My Interior Life, ModFruGal, and Brandy from Make and Model will brave the elements like postmen to go to the Porter Flea.

I am the luckiest girl on the planet...I have an amazing husband, great kids, the best girlfriends, and now really great art.

Happy Birthday to me!

Shop Local At A Pop Up Shop

My friend Kathy has amazing taste and I know there will be one of a kind pieces that will make the perfect gift.

Remember...shop local...it's less stress, a lot more fun, and let's face it, the mall sucks!

Welcome To Chik Fil A

Our foyer is officially done!

The finishing touch is the cow hide rug we purchased this weekend

So the rest of the weekend was watching LSU get spanked and the Saints delivering a spanking.

My Promise To Buy Local Part 2

Hands down, my favorite place to either buy a gift for a friend or myself, or just browse and hang out with the most entertaining people is Old Made Good.

Located in East Nashville on Gallatin Pike, this store never disappoints.

Meet Kate and Ashley...they pimped out their floors in gold glitter.

 

 The art can be a little irreverent.

I bought this there for my son when he graduated from college.

 The jewelry is the coolest, and you never know what they have because the inventory is constantly changing.

 

They have a great inventory of vintage clothes, shoes, and purses.

 

And they were voted by the Nashville Scene one of the best places to buy a gift for women.

 

I would much rather hang out there than Nordstroms...just saying

Pattern Or Plain?

When it comes to investing in a sofa, it is probably best to stick with a neutral pallet. 

Whether it is fabric or leather, neutral colors are easiest to add a pop of color to in the form of pillows or a throw...not rocket science and has been discussed many times.

So when one comes across a sofa with a bold pattern in excellent shape, even passes the smell test, what should a person do?

First of all, I have no idea why there is a saddle at the end of the sofa.

Second of all, yes this fabric could go Holly Hobby or kountry kitsch.

But it could also be pretty awesome in the right arena, like these:

 

 

 

I think this could be really great in a white wall environment with solid pillows and bold contemporary graphic art.

And at $59.00, what the hell?

I Can't Imagine Why I Wasn't Asked

So I will admit I am a huge fan of the Real Housewives shows.

I can't help it. The lavish/unreal lifestyles that contain over the top homes and cars. The ability to have perfect hair and makeup at all times. The exotic trips and the wardrobes to match that particular destination. The ability to never sweat, whether on the beach or excising. To never, ever have to wait in a carpool line or make poster boards illustrating the difference between plant and animal cells at 10:00 at night.

So when I heard about a new show that will air on TNT in February, I was stunned that me or my group of lovely lady friends weren't even up for consideration.

 Seriously, this is exactly how we interact at the flea market and the aisles at Goodwill.

The Big Reveal

Talk about bang for your buck!

My nemesis is no more and I may hang out in my foyer because it is amazing!!!!!

It blows my mind what some molding and a few gallons of white paint can do.

Now on to the next project...

My Nemesis Is No More

You know those big stupid 2 story foyers that a lot of homes have?

The one's that on House Hunters the potential  buyers gush over and sometimes insist on?

Well, they are overrated.

They are hard to heat and cool and can pose design dilemmas.

I just happen to have one of these so called "architectural features" and it has been my nemesis.

Not to mention mine has a nail in the center that was left by the previous owners.

So what to do?

I could just leave it alone but it just doesn't feel right. It's to high to hang pictures, a mirror, or wallpaper.

The other day I was sitting in my husband's office staring at it and the idea came to me...fill the shit out of it with panels of molding.

Like this:

I made a deal with my husband that this would be my birthday present and Christmas for both of us and he agreed.

The dining room is involved in this make over as well and everything will get a coat of BM Simply White.

Here is where we are as of yesterday:

I can't wait to see paint on the walls!

I'm so glad my brain is still working...it just took 6 years to figure this out.

Overwhelmed, Tired, and Need A Break So I Went To The Flea

I have been MIA in blog world due to taking care of my third child which is my mother.

I'm not being mean when I call her a child...it's what's happens at 84...or at least to my mother.

You see the last 10 years have been a test for me and I may be failing miserably. 

This job requires more patience than dealing with a room full of kindergarteners.

In fact I was in my wheel house when I worked full time as a nurse and had 2 small children with a husband that traveled frequently. I handled that like a rock star. This not so much.

We are at the cardiologist at least once a month with lab work once a week. Walking into CVS is like when Norm would walk into Cheers...everybody knows our name.

This woman is also high maintenance. When I say that I mean we don't leave the house till we have hair and makeup done with matching handbag and shoes...and  this process takes many hours.

And let's talk about Wednesdays. That is senior citizen discount day at Publix...need I say more.

I recently insisted that a walker is necessary and that has helped some because before she was hanging on to me for dear life so she wouldn't face plant.

If walkers came in lucite we would have had one sooner...there may be a career in this for me.

So I usually have a severe case of road rage after dropping her off, take out my frustrations on my family, and drink way to much wine at night.

Last Friday was flea market and I was determined to not miss it, even though we had to be at the hospital for 6 am for a procedure...

 If she could use the computer she would kill me.

She is so happy to have a cup of coffee.

I got her settled back in her apartment and then I headed to the flea:

This is what came home with me.

So if anybody else out there is in charge of taking care of an elderly parent, we should start a club.

Out meetings will take place in rubber rooms so we can beat the shit out of things and no one can hear us and we won't injure ourselves. There will be cocktails served, of course, and we can sit around and laugh and cry till we exhaust ourselves. Our families will probably thank us for this.

A Shopping Promise

I have decided that this Christmas I am going to shop ONLY local or Etsy for gifts.

For me this is not that hard because I hate the mall.

I would rather have a colonoscopy because at least you get some Michael Jackson juice.

So I thought I would occasionally feature really cool artisans/businesses that offer unique items.

First up...Batch Nashville

 

 

 

Every Rise & Shine Gift Batch includes:

• 13 oz. of Road Rage blend whole bean coffee from Garage Coffee Company
• 2 lbs. of Sunday Morning Pancake Mix from My Friend Who Loves to Cook
• 6 oz. of local honey from TruBee
• A double serving of Cinnamon Girl oatmeal from Haulin' Oats

Of course, we'll also include your short, hand-written message to the recipient (please note at checkout).
Rise & Shine Gift Batches are mailed within 48 hours of purchase in a heavyweight kraft box filled with gift crinkle paper for a unique look and added protection.
Applicable local and state taxes apply, as well as shipping and handling fees.
Some products may contain nuts or other allergens. 


I Love this idea and who doesn't like breakfast?

Really Great Real Estate

Welcome to 6112 Melbourne Dr. Nashville, Tn

$439,000

 
Bedrooms: 3
Full bathrooms: 2
Half bathrooms: 0
Total square feet: 2,200
Year built: 1960
Lot size: 272 X 217 (1.070 acres)
Garage: Carport/2
Basement: None
Outdoor spaces:

Patio

Driveway: Blacktop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So yes, these homeowners have a thing for salmon paint and what is up with the striped wallpaper in the master bath? 

But this house has great bones.

Love the slate floors in the foyer, the huge windows, and the lot is beautiful...I could totally see a pool thrown in there.

This place just needs a good coat inside of white paint throughout and it would be a great family home.