"Just Another" Giveaway

Okay, the title of this post makes it seem like this giveaway isn't special, but it is-- promise!

Suzanne from Just Another Hang Up is giving away one of her Etsy creations, this cute purple wristlet. See, the title was a play on words, people. I'm clever that way!


I'm not personally much of a wristlet carrier, especially since I got a fancy-pants purse for Christmas (thanks Josh!) but I thought if I won, I could use it as a makeup bag, a pencil/pen case, or something. The possibilities are endless!

Find the simple instructions for entering here and visit her Etsy here.

P.S. Suzanne sent me a tutorial to create the cutesy flowers she put on her wristlets. Wasn't that sweet of her? I haven't tried it yet, but plan on it. Thanks, Suzanne!

Some Guest Room Ponderings...

I posted a while ago about our guest bath and the ideas I have been tossing around. You know, somewhat coastal but not over the top. All in all, it is a fairly good looking room and has the things it needs: towels, hardware, soap dispenser, etc. Our guest bedroom on the other hand is... **crickets chirping**

I won't even show you the guest room right now. The bed has junk all over it, there are comic book boxes all over and a hodge podge of furniture. All the sudden a fire has been lit under my tail because I found out Josh's brother and his wife (the lovely Lauren) are coming to visit us so the boys can watch March Madness together. I have to do something to get this room into shape!
I have this Pier 1 bedding from when I lived in my apartment that I still love and it fits the bed in the room, so I want to use that as a starting point. I think I will take the semi-coastal vibe from the bathroom and lead it into this room as well.

I have to do this on the CHEAP though. I still have not found a job after graduation and I don't want to make Josh foot the bill. The little list-maker in me is going to work. Things I need before our guests arrive:

• Headboard
• Nightstands
• Lamps
• Dresser
• Wall paint
• Curtains
• Accessories

I'm not looking to complete the room. I just would like it to be at least functional and comfortable at this point. So far, I like this for inspiration:

It has an overall coastal vibe, but still has funky touches like an unexpected color choice, a floral pillow, and animal print throw.

If anyone has extremely thrifty ideas on how to quickly transform a room, I'm listening!

P.S. With that bedding I showed above, what paint color would you choose? I don't want it to be too matchy, and this striping (at least as a focal point for one wall) is what I am thinking so far.

The Lettered Cottage

* Edit (1/28/10)- Never mind on the stripes. They are beautiful but I remember that I'm not a big fan of pastels. I change my mind every five seconds anyway. :o)

House or Home?

I read Centsational Girl's blog everyday, and today was one of my favorite posts of hers yet. (Check it out here.)

Ideal Home

She talks about how we all drool over designer rooms in home decor magazines and yearn for that perfection but perfection and the concept of home doesn't really match up.

Home is where you put on your PJs even though it is only 6:00. Home is where your dog's stuffed animals are ripped limb from limb and their stuffing litters the carpet. Home is where there is always a dish in the sink and a Sonic cup on the bar. Not quite the pristine, sparkling scene that ends up in magazines. But it is home. Warm and cozy. And an ENDLESS MESS. :o) Are there any kindred perfectionist spirits out there who have as hard a time as I sometimes do accepting that?

Home is for moments like this:

And this:

Moments that fancy decor and spotlessness just can't make.

Procrastination

Has everyone taken their Christmas decor down?

I haven't.


I know, scold me, scold me. Tsk, tsk. The boxes that my Christmas decorations belong in are blocked off by a wall of crap in my garage. I can't easily get to them and it is friggin' cold in the garage to be rooting around in there. If you saw my garage, you would understand why I am in no hurry to fetch them. **Horror movie music plays as I picture the garage in disarray**


I know my Christmas tree and the stockings have to go (and should have a few days ago), but what about the rest? Everything will look so blank when I take it all down. My mantle decor will go back to being just a mirror on the wall. If I had the forethought, I would have decorated with winter being my focus, instead of Christmas -- that way I could have kept it up all season. I'll keep my entry decorations up, I think since it is just pine and snow, not ornaments. But the rest will sadly be gone soon... As soon as I get to the garage...

Ok. So maybe not that soon. :oP