I could be hungover here

or here


or here


or here


or here


But this next room just makes me want to puke


images via house beautiful and livingetc

Storage and Organization: avoid the Big Box

The Big Box retailers will be after you in the coming weeks with ads full of storage and organizational aids.  Begging you to spend big bucks on loads of plastic closet organizers.  Note to retailers and home builders everywhere: those wire shelves make dents in my sweaters, stop it, please.  Here are some fun ways to organize with things you may already have or may find at a salvage shop.  Except those modern trunks.  Those are new and probably expensive, but I heart them anyway.
images via LivingEtc.

My new kitchen is going to be like this, but

not really.  I am getting a sink similar to this one, and some butcher block counters, but not this distressed they are new.  And I do already have white cabinets but they are not rustic. I am contemplating subway tiles, but maybe in black.  What do you think?

This kid

never ceases to amaze me.  He can delay gratification like no other.  I have no idea where he learned this.  His little sister and I want our every need met the minute we conceive it.  I have indulged him with ridiculous amounts of attention and affection since  he was born.  He should be a spoiled brat.

So yesterday when I asked him if he wanted Santa to come a day early since we will be traveling on Christmas Eve he would have none of it.  He is a purist.  I tried to tell him that he would have to wait the whole 2 hour car ride home to see his presents on Christmas Day if we didn't ask Santa to come early.  And Santa would not mind really since he is so busy Christmas eve it might be nice for him to get a couple of houses checked off his list.  But no.  He HAS to come on the REAL CHRISTMAS.  Fine by me.  I can wait. No problem  But maybe he could just open one early so I could see his reaction?  NO, mom.  The REAL CHRISTMAS.  You win Mack.  But can you keep this in mind the next time you interrupt me 70 times during a 10 minute phone conversation?  And you are in charge of distracting your sister and keeping her happy during that 2 hour car ride.

Best Table Ever

livingetc
I just love everything about you.  The white with the wood. The small bursts of color.  I see you bottle brush trees.  And you paper poinsettias in the mercury glass vases.

Dear Santa

I know you are busy right now, but I have one little request.   I don't need any more material posessions, and I know world peace is not your department, but here is something maybe you can help with.  I want a visit from this guy:

I don't have anything naughty in mind, I promise.  I am happily married.  
We could just share a few of these:

And chillax and chat.  Maybe he could follow my blog.  Tell him I am not one of those psycho fans, really.  

 I have been a fan of his since I was in college. Now I am 38 year old wife, mother, and athletic trainer.   I once drove through

 Kiln,when I was in Mississppi visiting people. Ok, that does sound psycho, but really I am not. Really!  It's just that after all of those years as a Packer it just seems too good to be true that he is in purple.  It's just too good!  I need to know why he came 

here.  Could he read my mind?  Could he?? Could he tell that we Minnesotans always loved him despite our hatred of the 

team he played on?  We don't have to spend the whole time talking about his motivations.  I really just want to shoot the shit.  

How do his kids like the new school?  Has he caught any fish lately?  My dad has a cabin up north he could use to go ice 

fishing.  Would he throw the ball to my son a few times?  Nothing much.  Just a visit. I don't live far from Winter Park.  Can you make it happen Santa?  

Pretty please.

merry merry

more cool trees from living etc.  I posted earlier about modern table top trees.  I just can't get enough.

HIgh Heeled Giveaway

Have you seen the giveaway at High Heeled Foot in the Door?  It is a good one.

Cable Railings

first image via design*sponge


I need new railings in my house and I am thinking of doing a cable rail system.  I am loving the black metal frame or maybe a red one.  Do you have any opinions or experiences with these in a residence?

Happy Folk Do

via Living Etc

London Times Top 50 Design Blogs

Appletree didn't make it, sniff,  but many on my blogroll did.  Check them out here.   Congrats!

I always like...

happymundane.blogspot.com


making it lovely.com
creategirl.blogspot.com
A collection of white vases makes a mantle or shelf look pulled together.  You don't have to shell out big bucks for Jonathon Adler or antique ironstone either. Comb the thrift stores or IKEA or even get a can of matte spray paint and do the vases you already have.

Here's a Better photo of my Dilemma

So I switched out the gold candles for red, for the holidays, but I still think it needs something....Any ideas for me?

A Townhouselady posted this for me today

Roisin meets Robson-for Kristin and I love love love it! Thanks!

Did You Know

About the theBar.com.  Why didn't you tell me?  It is so fun.  You can look up drinks by ingredient, occasion, method, brand, any filter you want really.  I cross referenced book club and holidays and came up with this:

Baileys Affogato

		Best served with: Baileys Original Irish Cream Where to buy

 

Drink Recipe Ingredients: .5 cup(s) espresso 1 tablespoon(s) sugar 2 oz. Baileys Original Irish Cream (25 oz. per bottle)  lemon zest twist Servings:   1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  15  20  25  30  35  40  45  50   Select the number of servings.

Create a list of all the ingredients you need by adding recipes to the shopping list.

 

Drink Recipe Preparation:

• Dissolve the sugar in the espresso.
• Pour into a small plastic container and freeze until solid.
• Once frozen, scrape the frozen espresso mixture with a fork or knife to make ice crystals.
• Spoon the crystals into a glass and add Baileys Original Irish Cream.
• Top with a lemon zest twist.

All drink recipes within this site contain no more than 0.6 fl. oz. (14 grams) of alcohol per serving, equivalent to one standard U.S. drink. For more information on alcohol content, please visitwww.DRINKiQ.com

Average: 4 (2 User Ratings)

Glossary:

Ice

Related Links:

Baileys.com

Where to Buy

Nutritional Information

	Baileys Minty Shamrock View Recipe
	Baileys Mint Chocolate Martini View Recipe

	Royal Stretch View Recipe
	Royal Flush View Recipe

Are there other/better sites like this that you use?  Do tell!