A Couple More

Neither one too fluffy nor flat.

But I like the idea of having both, a big fluffy duvet in the winter and a flatter cover in the warmer months.

And the Winner Is....

Maggie from The Freckled Citizen!!

Congratulations!

*Because one of the comments on the original post was deleted, there were only 18 comments for consideration, not 19.

The Great Comforter Debate?

I read a kind of interesting article by Sara Ruffin Costello the other day... and I say kind of interesting because it brought up a debate that I didn't even realize was going on.

Big fluffy down-filled duvets vs. simple and flatter blankets or coverlets.

For a long time now, it seems like big and fluffy was the way to go. You at least saw a duvet folded at the foot of the bed. But Sara brought up some good points in favor of ditching the big fluffy for the flat and simple, so as I looked back at my saved pictures I realized that many of them were already sporting the cleaner and leaner look.

I'm not sure where I've been, but there does indeed seem to be a battle raging... which side are you on?

Flat:

or Fluffy:

Flat and tucked in:

or Fluffy:


Flat and layered:

or Fluffy:

Flat with texture:

or Fluffy:

I've been kind of thinking for a while that I would take the down-filled comforter out of my linen duvet, and maybe just use the duvet cover flat as a coverlet. Chris hates sleeping with it on his feet (because it's too heavy), so most nights it ends up folded over into the middle of the bed anyways - even in the winter. (He doesn't understand why we can't just have sheets only on the bed.) I also really like the look of an interesting thick blanket at the foot of the bed, especially in plaid.

If you haven't already, don't forget to enter my contest for a $50 gift certificate at CSN Stores! All you have to do is leave a comment on that post.

New Year, and a New Kitchen (plus a Giveaway!)

As you may remember, before Christmas, I took on the task of repainting my kitchen cabinets. Along with new paint, my cabinets also received shiny new hardware that I ordered from CSN Stores. CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from modern dining room furniture to a large selection of cabinet hardware and accessories. I was really pleased with the selection of cabinet door knobs and pulls they offered, and I think they really help to put the finishing touch on my cabinets.

Now, on with it.

Here is my kitchen now:

Clean and white, with nice hardware.

But it wasn't always this way...

It took a lot of sanding...

And a lot of paint.

Here are some "BEFORE" shots of things like some dried paint drips:

Broken doors:

Original finish where the old hinges used to be:

Uneven texture and handles:

Before:

After:

Before:

After (without knobs):

I know it doesn't look much different - I did just repaint the cabinets white - but oh does it ever look better in person!! So much cleaner and nicer!! It was by far the hardest project that I've ever done, but it was so worth it!

In honor of my new cabinets with their shiny new hardware, CSN Stores is generously offering up a $50 gift certificate that's good at any of their online stores! All you have to do is leave a comment here on this post - simple!

The contest will be open through next Sunday night at 8:00 CST, when I'll announce a winner. (It would be great if you'd also leave a contact email so I can contact you).

Good luck!

Merry Christmas!

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!

We're headed off to West Texas for a few days, 4 dogs in tow.

See you next week!

Thank You

Thank you all for your well-wishes, they are much appreciated! It was a really tough time, especially right before Thanksgiving. But things are starting to look up now. I realize that doggies can't really compare with children, but when you don't have children, and you've had the same dog for 16 years that you got as a puppy when you were only 19 - it's feels like they're your child. So it was really difficult.

I'm so sorry I've been gone so long, it wasn't intentional. Life just sort of got in the way, with Thanksgiving and Christmas shopping and work (everyone wants their stuff before Christmas, wouldn't you know it!?!).

But I'll be back with those pictures from our kitchen (finally.)

Hope everyone is doing well :-)

Last Week Sucked

I tried to think of a better title than this, but there's really no other good way to say it.

On Friday night, actually early Saturday morning, we lost a dear part of our family. Rascal, my husband's loyal sweet and all-around awesome dog, passed away at the age of 16. While that is very old for a dog, he was in good shape and great spirits until the day before. It was all very sudden, and very very sad. The last couple of days have been among the toughest I've been through - it's been really hard. He's already greatly missed, and always will be. Just looking at the picture above tugs at my heart.

In addition to that, the same night, somebody broke into my old Jeep and stole the radio.

Seriously.

An almost 10-year old radio, from an even older Jeep.

We know it was either the kid or his friends from across the street, as instead of being ripped out, it was carefully taken out without any damage (plus, in our quiet neighborhood, he's definitely into a lot of trouble). Nothing else was taken. It was as if somebody needed a radio for their own car.

I'm sure they don't read my blog, but I'd love to put a sign in my yard that says, "I just want to thank the P.O.S. that broke into my car to steal an old cheap after-market basic CD player on the day my dog died. Thanks for that."

Looking forward to what I'm sure will be a better week...

A Sneak Peek:

Taken from my cell phone (because I have a suspicion that my husband has the USB cord to our camera in his backpack...which is with him in New Jersey!)

Almost done!! Only 8 knobs to go, and some clean-up (of course).

Then - better and prettier pictures. Promise.

I Hate it When This Happens...

All day.

That's how long we worked on my cabinets, and I'm tired.

I thought I would share with you some "before" pictures. And some pictures of what we did today...

But nooooooo.

I can't find the cord to plug the camera into the computer.

And did I mention that I am really tired??

And a bit cranky?

So, once the husband makes it home tomorrow night from his trip, I'll figure out where the cord is, and there will be pictures for everyone to see.

Until then, here's a list of what went down today:

Cabinets and drawers were taken down

Hardware was taken off

Degreaser was applied and all was cleaned

Holes were filled

And lots of sandpaper was used

Tomorrows fun will include primer, cleaning and sanding of the actual cabinet box faces that are inside, and *possibly* a coat of paint!

Later, dearies....

Miles Redd in Veranda

Why hello there......

I managed to make it out of New Orleans in one piece (somewhat surprisingly, with all of the people that were down there, and the seeming rise in crime), and there have been so many things and ideas I've wanted to post about!

1) They should make computers able to take dictation so you can blog while running (mostly walking) on the treadmill. And they should make them affordable.

2) Canadian House and Home is awesome. Have you seen this month's issue? Chris now has a really good idea of something to get me for Christmas - a subscription (although, if he really wants to, I'd take Sarah Richardson's farmhouse too).

3) I'm getting ready to re-paint our kitchen cabinets and swap out the old rusty, loose, and crooked hardware! What I'm sure will be an interesting time starts tomorrow, so look for "before" pics.

But back to my topic for today:
Has anyone else seen the new Veranda (November/December) issue??

It arrived last week, and so far, is the most "Domino-like" to date. I'm not sure that is the best description for it (because it's definitely higher-end compared to Domino), but it definitely feels more like Dara's at the helm now than before.

Case in point - the cover story, designed by Miles Redd:

I love that green with the blue.

And I love this wallpaper.


But this bedroom had me feeling a little sense of deja vu, even though it's lovely....

See???




I guess Miles is just a big lover of scenic hand-painted mural wallpapers with 4-poster beds.


The whole issue of the new Veranda is good, though, and I'm excited to see them continue on the path they're on.


Tune in tomorrow for the start of "Project: Paint Kitchen Cabinets (so they don't suck as much)". Me, my Dad, and I'm sure a few dogs all mixed up with some white paint and satin nickel hardware!