The Lamp Shade That Started It All

When you've lived on your own for 11 years, moving back home with the parents is an adjustment.  Since my new job requires me to work from home, I thought this was a great opportunity to redecorate Stephanie's old bedroom and turn it into a cozy office (after all she doesn't live here anymore)!  The new room was inspired by a vintage lampshade I bought at a flea market a few years ago (picture above).

BEFORE:

AFTER:

 We repainted the room from buttercup yellow to a battleship blue.  I love how the color goes from blue to gray as the light changes in the room.  I unfortunately had to keep the daybed, (my mother politely reminded me this was still Stephanie's bedroom), but modernized the bed with some decorative pillows.

 

For extra storage, I'm using the dresser as a place to house my files. 

I spied these file holders on this favorite blog site.    

I also personalized the space with my favorite pictures 

(including this one of Stephanie).

 

I finally framed the prints bought at this flea market 

and mentioned on this blog entry.

 My desk bought at target features a chrome vintage chair bought from e-bay.  Life lesson #453: When bidding on a piece of furniture, it is only a bargain if your shipping is less than your purchase.  E-bay chair cost:$35.  Shipping cost $150.  Can you say ouch!  I also recycled an old picture frame, by spray painting it white and turning it into a chic bulletin board.

This decorating business is harder than I thought.  If you have any suggestions or tips, please let me know.

And the TROPHY goes to

After eating a hamburger the equivalent of my body weight, I could barely move and was suddenly feeling a food coma take over my body.  Secretly wanting to ask the waiter to wheel me out of the restaurant, I quickly came out of my coma when I discovered this AWESOME  cupcake bakery across the street (apparently, I can always make room for cupcakes)! 

This darling store front had my name all over it.  Tiffany blue decor, whimsical cards and fun gifts.

I secretly heart these french bar stools!

OMG! You can pick a fun toy for your cupcake (with a small fee)! 

The girl who packed my cupcakes... (yes, I asked if I could take her picture.)

A long journey...  here are the cupcakes during our cab ride to the airport.

Name: Trophy Cupcakes and Party
Location: Seattle and Bellevue, Washington
Price: $3 a cupcake
Claim to Fame: Martha Stewart has visited their shop
My Favorite Flavor: Peanut Butter and Jelly.  (For real this cupcake tasted like your mom's p&j sandwich!)

Bring Texture Into Your Life

I think TEXTURE is my new Favorite Word!
My parents don't realize it yet, but my secret goal is to slowly makeover their house one room at a time.  It's not that my parent's house is outdated. They certainly aren't stuck in 1992.  After living on my own for 11 years, I've become a  DIY type of a gal and just because I'm back home my decorating and gardening passion  shouldn't have to stop.  So with October here, I felt Bill and Marge needed some texture in front of the house.     

Step 1. Stella and I went to Osh (yes, I brought her in the store with me! She can pass as a service dog.) We bought these great full sun perennial plants.  I love the texture of the bright green ipomea  mixed with the purple angelonia.  

Step 2. Buy some exotic pumpkins (with great texture).  Cinderella pumpkins is an ornamental novelty pumpkin. Deeply ridged, exceptionally flattened fruits and weighs 25-30 lbs. You should have seen me digging through the box at Trader Joe's trying to find the perfect 20 lbs pumpkin. 

 Step 3. Stop Stella from eating the stem of the tiger pumpkin.

Step 4. The finished product. I should have taken a picture of the front of the house, but thought it would be more exciting to show a picture of the dogs.

We Be Jammin'

Fall is here and it's almost time for the Napa Valley to harvest grapes. Today I helped pick a few grapes so my mom and I could learn how to make Merlot jam.  Check out the step by step pictures below, as I learn from my Aunt Jayna how to turn seven gallons of Merlot grapes into 56 jars of jam!  



The Merlot vineyard with barn.

Don't these grapes look delicious?

My mom and I picking the grapes (and eating them too!)

Alyssa aka " The Crusher"

It may look like blood, but this is the juice from our beautiful Merlot grapes!

The left over skin and seeds from the grapes after the crush.

Once the juice starts to boil add sugar and pectin .

Me trying to stir the jam.  Wish I would have lifted weights before volunteering for this job! j/k

After jars are filled with jam, they 're submerged in a boiling water bath so the container will be sealed.

Our finished product.  Yum yum!

A group effort!  Here I am with Aunt Jayna, Uncle Ron, Mom, Dad and Alyssa. I think the display is awarding winning  Don't you?

Me relaxing in the pool after working so hard!

B is for Boznanski

Who doesn't love the the famous line "All You Need Is Love," written by John Lennon in 1967. Although it's a simple saying it has a deep truth to it.  Yesterday Erica and Blake got married.  It was an amazing day that went by WAY to fast.  Below are a few pictures from the day.  I was only going to post ten, but ended up with two extras!

Erica and Blake - I wish you a life full of love, laughter, and cheer! CONGRATULATIONS

1. The brides bouquet, with mini picture frames of her grandparents.

 2. The bridesmaids admiring the view from the hotel.

 3. A picture perfect day in the city.  So glad there was no fog!!! 

 4. The bride with her six bridesmaids.

 5. Retro super glam mirror.

6. Aunt Teri looking like a brunette Grace Kelly.

7. Gio and Mommy Julie.

8. The bride and her family. 

 9. "I'm getting married in 15 minutes and I can't stop smiling!"

10. Chrissy Field with the bridal party.

  

11. Mr. & Mrs. Boznanski.

12. Our place cards looked like concert tickets. 

The tickets looked so real, my dad thought he was going to a Counting Crows concert!

Breakfast for Dinner

Emily and AJ's BIG day!

"Once upon a time there was a boy who loved a girl, and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his life answering" 

Nicole Krauss

The History of Love 

The above quote was printed on the back of the ceremony program and I thought the wording was a perfect way to start this blog entry.   The evening was a perfect summer night, elegant, cool with a touch of the unexpected. I think the pictures speak for themselves. 

 1. Oh Martha - Love the Just Married sign at the entrance of the Croal's backyard

 2. Simple and Chic decorated the family style dinner tables 

 3. Photo station allowed guest to get dressed up and have their picture taken.  Super cute idea!

4. Breakfast for dinner! I was so excited to take this picture, I didn't realize it was out of focus. :(

 5. The Wedding Cake with the bride and groom topper 

 6. Desert with poolside view. Yum Yum!

 7. The Bride and Groom's first dance.  I love Emily's blue shoes!

 8. Cousin Ian and Ryan dancing

 9. Elvis our entertainment for the evening

 10. Beth and Nat on the dance floor

 11. The Wedding Train