{Master Makeover}

I've been keeping a folder full of paint samples, fabrics and photos...all to be used for our master bedroom redo. This is a little idea board I built for myself, so I thought I'd share!

1. I love the shape of the lamp base and the contrast of the cream with the white shade. I think I'd like to turn this into a DIY project with some old lamps I have stored in the garage.

2. I got a sample of this paint color last week. I love that it's a perfect marriage between gray and beige. It's Silver Fox by Benjamin Moore.

3. I specifically wanted cream pinch pleat curtains, and I found them at JCP.com. They were on clearance for only $39! Now they are just sitting on my bedroom floor, waiting to be hung.

4. Our headboard will be another DIY project. I'm going with a fabric covered headboard outlined in a nailhead trim. I have already ordered the nailhead trim from here. I'm in love with this ikat fabric, but it's on back order. Bummer!

5. This end table from Target is identical to the ones we're already using, so I don't think there is any need to replace them. I love the way this dark wood looks with all the neutrals!

I have an old 1970s-esque dresser that I purchased a couple of years ago at a garage sale for $30! I think with a new coat of paint and some new knobs, it will be perfect in the space. If I ever decide to get around to that project, that will be a post all in itself.

These are the only ideas I've really stuck with so far, so I think they might be winners. As soon as we make some progress, I'll be sure to post pics!

Goodnight all! :)

{Crazy Lamp Love}

Remember my lamp post from back in October?...Specifically, this lamp?
It's from Restoration Hardware. It's gorgeous. But its $299.00, so I've been on the hunt for one like it.

While perusing Lowe's last week, I saw it......
I made a beeline.
It was the last one.
It was on clearance for $20.
**Holy crap!**
But it wasn't in a box, it had a matte finish and I wasn't sure if it even worked. Like usual, my "I don't need to spend money (on a lamp)" logic kicked in, and sadly, I walked away.

By the time I got home, I was kicking myself.
"WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?"

I went back the next day, and it was gone.

I lost sleep over it.

I was sulking and pouting about it. I mean really sulking about it.

This went on for a couple of days, but I was determined to get that lamp. (What the heck is wrong with me that I resort to pouting for missing out on a lamp?)

I picked myself up by the bootstraps, logged on to Lowes.com, found it and ordered one.

If this story doesn't make you feel better about yourself, I don't know what will.

I sound like a crazy woman, and with that I'm going to bed.

Goodnight all!

{Hallelujah}

Jamey & I watched the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics last week, and since then, I haven't been able to get this song out of my head.

It's k.d. lang's version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah". That performance gave me chills.

I downloaded it the next morning, and I think I've listened to it every single day since then. Her voice is hauntingly beautiful.

Beautiful.

{Pedro the Mexican Hitman}

In case you were wondering why I have a Mexican snowman in this post, here's the back story...
Last year we had a huge snowfall, well, huge by Alabama standards. So of course this sparks the competition in my family.
Jamey and I, along with my parents & bro, and aunt & uncle had a snowman building contest.
First place prize is bragging rights until the next big snow. Last year, Jim & Teresa (my aunt & uncle) took the title with their beach themed Snowbabe.
This year, I think it's safe to say they won it again.
This is the email I received Friday.....................................................

Beach Babe of 2009.....well she got "Blown Away" by Pedro "The Mexican Hitman" 2010!!!!!

Cracks. Me. Up.

{V-Day 2010}

February 14th is the day we adopted Buddy four years ago, so we celebrate his 'birthday' this time every year, too.
In honor of Bird (one of Buddy's many terms of endearment), we gifted all three puppies with Busy Bones!
But these weren't just any ole Busy Bone...these were special heart shaped ones.
I wonder if they appreciated their Mama's (my) thoughtfulness or even noticed the little detail before they devoured them?
Since Valentine's fell on a Sunday, we opted to keep it low key with dinner and a movie at home. Jamey surprised me with a little something extra .....
My sweet Hubby took the time to make these! I especially love the "putting any movie at the top of the Netflix queue" part. Haha!
I loved my quiet V Day at home with Jamey and the babies. What did you do?

{Spanish Lover}

Happy Valentine's Day!

Pedro the Snowman sends his love! (More to come on this guy....)

{It's Snowin' in the South}

It's snowing outside!

And I made THIS to warm us up! Mmmmmm....

{Our Monday Night Menu}

I told you I was takin' my new cookware for a spin on Monday. I was amazed at how fast the pan heated up (and evenly!). Oh, Calphalon! How have I scraped meals together cooked without you?

So this was one of those 'whatever is in the pantry' kind of deals. You know...where you refuse to go to the grocery store just to buy one or two things to complete a meal, so you scrape whatever together. In my case, I knew Ash was coming over so I requested a pepper and mushrooms.
You gotta be resourceful, right?

Let me preface this with an apology. I'm sorry for my lack of photography skills. I realize these won't make your mouth water, but a blog with no pictures is a snooze!
So anyway....
I started by chopping up half an onion and a pack of Bryan Lil' Smokies and heating over medium heat. Then I added a can of petite diced tomotoes and a splash of chicken broth. I let it simmer for a few minutes then reduced the heat to med/low.

Then I chopped up on whole green bell pepper and added in a pack of sliced mushrooms. I just let it continue to simmer for about 10 minutes then sprinkled with a little bit of Jane's Krazy Mixed-Up Salt. We spooned some of this deliciousness over white rice & devoured!

It definitely wasn't a fine dining experience, but heck, it beats a frozen pizza! (Right, Jamey?!)

Tonight we opted for Taco Bell before our trip to Lowe's. No cooking for me :). We went to drool over quartz countertops and fancy schmancy sinks before heading home to watch Lost. We know how to spice up our Tuesday!

{From Eww to Blue}

On a whim, we painted Jamey's office. We were both sick of the builder beige walls!
Here's a glimpse....
The color is Benjamin Moore's Woodlawn Blue. I just picked up a swatch from the local BM store and took it to Sherwin Williams to color match since they were about $10 cheaper per gallon.

I bought this rug a while back for $14 (score!) at a local flea mall with hopes of using it in my office, but it was too big. Luckily the pattern had a color identical to Jamey's new walls. It works perfectly! It may be a little more frou-frou than he's used to, but I think he'll learn to like it! ;)

We also picked up some Frog Tape at Sherwin Williams thanks to a suggestion from YHL. Let me say, I was BEYOND surprised at how well it really does work! After painting every room in our last house with crappy blue painter's tape, it would have been nice to had this on hand then. We had no touch ups anywhere on the trim. At $6+ a roll, it's a little bit pricier than the blue tape, but if you have any walls to paint anytime soon, I highly recommend it!

{Maiden Voyage}

The Hubs & I have been on the hunt for new cookware. We knew we wanted to keep non-stick...but with a little more durability than a Rachael Ray or Farberware type brand. I "We" decided to go with Calphalon but just planned on buying the pieces individually from one of their lines that offered open stock items. (I realized I would never use some of the pieces that come in the bulk sets.)
After choosing the Calphalon Contemporary line, we headed to B3 (Bed, Bath & Beyond) to check out our options.
I intended on just purchasing a large omelette pan to last until we could buy more pieces, since it alone costs $94.
After going to B3 and being disappointed that they had none of the pieces I wanted, I headed for the door...but out of the corner of my eye spotted a little yellow sign. "LIMITED TIME OFFER".

{Calphalon, $50}

They had a huge display of Calphalon Contemporary omelette pans in a 10" & 12" combo pack for...wait for it......$49.99! So, that offered up a savings of $104!!!!
*Sound the "Haaa-le-lu-jah" music.*

Tonight I'm taking them on their maiden voyage. I'll let you know how it goes. Needless to say, I'm very hopeful!!! :)

{Is it weird?...}

......that I am 'window' shopping online for baby clothes since I don't have a baby?




Is it even weirder that I have an obsession with these little owl onesis? I can't resist them!

Jamey even said the first one should be the color scheme and inspiration for our (distant future) nursery.

I agree!

{Mirror Mirror...}

There's a giveaway going on over at High-Heeled Foot in the Door. This beauty could be yours (or mine)!

{Something New}

I just updated the entire page....header and all after 4 hours of trying.

I am not as blogger-savvy as I thought, but I'm learning.


Since I'm saying goodbye to the old, I thought I'd throw in a cheesy old photo of me (right) and my partner in crime, Alli. I'm afraid the Birkenstocks date this one to back around 2000. Apparently, we thought Charlie's Angels was cool. What did we know?

Hope you like the new changes.

Happy Tuesday!

{Help!}

or should they say "Yelp!"?...

We're running out of floor space! We've resorted to constructing a doggy high-rise. If we get desperate, Buddy may find himself in a third floor penthouse.

PS- Sorry for the poor camera phone quality. That's Tibby on the ground floor and Lola on top.