Cool Nights, Campfires, & Candlelight....

Fall is really here...and I think tonight I am even going to have to put the heat on in the house.  I know, I know very extreme, right?? I love the cooler evenings, and the low, moody sky. So many things to be grateful for, and so many exciting things to look forward to on the horizon!

After some difficult times personally, I am so grateful that things seem to be calming down and it feels so good. I am looking forward to finally getting the Halloween decorations out this afternoon after the kids get home from school. This weekend we are hosting a youth group campfire for the kids at our church. FUN! Can't wait to smell of smoke and have bits of bark and soot in my teeth from the S'mores ....lol. I am not even kidding.

How about you? What are you up to these sweet, ever shorter days?? Much love and many blessings to you.

Your Monthly Homework Assignment! Creating Your Own Cozy Corner

The beautiful colors outside as well as cooler temperatures remind us that change is coming...and very soon we are going to be spending A LOT more time indoors. How can our pending "hibernation" be an opportunity to pamper ourselves??

You guessed it! This is our quick assignment for the month!!

Now, calm down! This is not about going nuts and feeling we have to deep clean the whole house from top to bottom-- NO! This is about carving out a special place somewhere in your house that is just for you--a place that will hopefully make the long winter months ahead feel a little less dreary.

Where is there a cozy place in your house that you like to spend time, maybe kick back with a book, curl up with a cup of tea, daydream & look out the window? Maybe a comfortable chair in the living room, a quiet spot in your bedroom, or even just your favorite place to sit at the kitchen island...

Here are some simple steps to take to make your cozy corner all the better when the winter winds whip:

1. Take 15 minutes and remove the clutter here- this is your spot to relax, and clutter is SO NOT relaxing. Throw away, put away, or give away anything in this area that does not make you smile or bring you joy. I mean it. REALLY.

2. What would make it even more cozy and comfortable?-- Let's improve on a good thing! Do you need to move a better reading light next to your chair? How about a little table to set your mug or glass of wine on? Would a pillow for your back be just the thing? Is there a basket or drawer at arms length to store the book you are currently reading or your journal?

3. Treat yourself to a special touch or two-- Since we are pampering ourselves here, luxurious things are in order! A plush, warm throw, a lovely scented candle, a small vase of fresh flowers.... whatever would make this spot feel more special to you, treat yourself to these little indulgences.

Remember these assignments are supposed to be fun not overwhelming! I hope this encourages you to carve out a place of your own which will warm the winter months ahead!

Where'd She Go?

I am sorry to say, I haven't been here on the blog much lately... 2013 has been a year of unexpected happenings, and I have needed some time to catch my breath.

I hope all is well in your neck of the woods, and I look forward to being back here on a regular basis verrrrry soon. Blessings to you, dear friends!

A Case Of The Blahs

Okay, so you have bought all new furniture, new carpeting has been installed... paint is fresh and crisp, a few items have been hung on the walls... so why does it still feel so BLAH???

This is exactly what my clients were wondering when they originally called me. Even though they had bought beautiful, comfortable furnishings and had planned out how everything was going to go in the room, the space still felt flat and uninviting....

If all the major components are in place, what could be missing?? You see, what makes a room FEEL FINISHED and FEEL GOOD, is what I call the "top layer," the small but very, very important details that pull a room together and make it sing.

Here is the same space with the Top Layer added in:

Much better, no?

I wanted to add soft colors to the neutral palette, so we found a beautiful area rug to bring those hues in...

Fabrics were selected for curtains and pillows that would pull out these lovely tones, and also make a feature of the stunning vintage art print my clients already owned.

And what to do to tone down & soften a big, black TV that is great to watch, but seems to dominate the room? A shelf holding lovely items above it, adds dimension and beauty and takes the focus away from the large hulking piece of modern technology...

Adding a bit of sparkle and life to the display spaces (a real orchid is a splash of color & is easy to care for) are the final details that make the room feel finished...No more blahs here....just beautiful!

Things Around Here...

Well, I have to admit that this year has been full of surprises. Some I have handled with more grace and skill than others. This past week was one in which I was completely not myself...and that was because my dog was completely not herself...

Two Saturday nights ago she lost the use of her back legs through IVDD, a disease that is common to Corgis, and a thing of which we were blissfully unaware. We thought we were going to have to put our beloved girl down, because it didn't seem like it was going to be possible to manage her care and have her enjoy a good quality of life.  I was just heartbroken and the kids were, too.

After many tears and trips back and forth to the vet, I was able to find help online that made all the difference. I am so happy to say that life is getting back to normal...a new normal!

And thanks to a dear friend, we now have a beautiful new sling to help Hermione get around the yard and do her thing! We feel very blessed and so very grateful for the friendship, help and support of many people. Life is so good!