Holey Moley!

Washington had a pretty bad storm a few nights ago and there is supposed to be another one tonight! Our house backs up to a horse farm that has some dead trees on their property line. One of those trees thought that our roof liked like a comfy spot. So he decided to lay down right on it. Wait, not on it. Through it. And not one hole. Not two holes. Not even five. Or ten. ELEVEN. And one hole is a foot wide. Jealous? I knooooooow you are!

(Not my house btw.)

Velvet and Linen

Brooke at Velvet and Linen is having the most amazing giveaway I've ever heard of. She and Mark Sage have teamed up to give away 3 brickmaker's coffee tables! THREE!! I almost screamed today when I saw my entry up on her website. I would seriously die a thousand deaths if I won. The competition is seriously stiff though and I could see anybody winning. Check out some of the entries here and while you're at it..enter your living room!

My new Favorite Etsy Seller: Simple Linens

I mean what's not to love? Sink skirts and shower curtains. Table runners and slip covers.

Even coverlets! I seriously need to learn to sew. Check 'em out!

We have a Winner!

Thanks to everyone who entered to win the Pottery Barn key cabinet! Congrats to Mary Mary! I hope you love it! (I think I need to get one for myself!) I hope to do another giveaway soon, so again, thanks to everyone to entered!

I can't afford to hire a decorator...

So, I need your advice. On my never ending quest to have a least the downstairs completely decorated, the dining room is almost done. I need window treatments. And artwork. And Maybe paint. So here are a few options....


Just a reminder of what it looks like now.

Option #1: I'm thinking these Pottery Barn drapes with this Williams Sonoma rug. It would flow well with the kitchen and living room.

Option #2: These William Sonoma Wide Stripe Drapes with a Seagrass/Sisal/Jute rug.



This option would also flow well with the open concept we've got going downstairs.

Option #3: Uses the same rug, but adds a lot more color with these Audrey drapes from Pottery Barn.

I feel like they would looks really good with the blue shutters.

BUT...do they go with the living room and the kitchen? Which option do you guys like best? #1, #2, or #3? Thanks!

If Macy's Can Do it....So Can I!

If department stores start decorating for Christmas in October, why can't I?? I just couldn't help myself! I've been picking up all sorts of Christmas decorations here and there and I would simply hate to put them in storage for another month. I just had a fever....and the only cure was Christmas decorations!


So, I decorated the fireplace. Just the fireplace. No tree yet. Nothing else. Just the fireplace.

Don't judge. :)

Ha!

Did you guys see this? Hilarious.

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Obsessed.

I become obsessed quite easily. Like with colors. I find a shade that I love and I inundate it into every aspect of my life. I do it with music too. I find a song I like and then play it into submission. Over and over again until my ears start bleeding and I hate the song.

But back to colors. It used to be the palest shade of aqua. I put it everywhere. Bathrooms, dishes, bedding--you name it. These days its an inky-black-blue shade. Mix that with my new found obsession with all things under the sea--and you add these beauties to my every growing MUST HAVE list.

I think my bedroom could use some new paint in my new favorite shade and these prints. LOVE. Found here and here.

**Don't forgot to enter my giveaway below! I forgot to mention that it ends NEXT Friday! :)

Just Because...

I feel like Ed McMahon today. Without the giant check. Don't be disappointed, because I do have something that you might like......

The galvanized key cabinet from Pottery Barn. Like it? Would you like it to be yours? :) If so, just leave a comment and become a follower. That's it! (Unless you would like earn 3 more chances. Then just blog about this giveaway.) Okay, now that's it. :)

***Update: Forgot to mention this giveaway ends NEXT Friday! :)

Gratuitous Puppy Picture: Mrs. Beasley

She gives good crazy eye. She would shank you given the chance.

That's a Good Man.

My man. He made quite the dinner tonight. Bay scallops wrapped in applewood bacon with a port reduction sauce. He was so proud of himself. We even sat the table, which we never do since it's just the two of us. I didn't have the heart to tell him it was an appetizer. It was really quite delicious. Here is the recipe from epicurious.com......

For Port reduction
2 cups Ruby Port (500 ml)
1/2 cup superfine granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns
2 fresh mint leaves, torn into bits

For scallops
6 thin crosswise slices applewood-smoked bacon (1/4 lb), cut into thirds
18 bay scallops (preferably Nantucket; 1/3 lb), tough muscle from side of each discarded if attached
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Make Port reduction:
Bring Port, superfine sugar, peppercorns, and mint to a simmer in a 2-quart saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, then carefully ignite Port with a kitchen match, letting flames die down (this will take a few minutes). Simmer over moderately low heat until sauce is thickened and reduced to about 1/2 cup, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and cool to warm.

Cook scallops:
Heat a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, then cook bacon until some fat has rendered and edges of bacon start to brown, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain.

Pat scallops dry and season with salt and pepper. When bacon is cool enough to handle, wrap a piece of bacon around each scallop and pierce scallop with a wooden pick to secure.

Heat oil and butter in cleaned skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté scallops, turning over once, until bacon is browned and scallops are opaque, about 5 minutes total. Transfer to a plate and serve with Port reduction for dipping.

Muchas Gracias!

Flip Flop Bride was kind enough to hook a sister up with this fun award! So the deal is, I tell you 10 interesting things about myself and pass the award on to 10 other bloggers. Can do. Will do!


1. I work at a radio station doing afternoons from 2-7pm here in Seattle. My on air name is Mason. Sometimes I forget my real name!

2. I can't read a map to save my life. If I was ever kidnapped and left for dead a mile from my home with only a map and a flashlight...I proooooobably wouldn't make it.

3. I'm an only child.

4. I couldn't tell time until I was in 6th grade.

5. I love Neil Diamond. And Jay-Z. And Tim McGraw.

6. I never believed in Santa Claus, but I believed in the Easter bunny. For a loooong time.

7. I talk to the tv. I ask it questions. Like really? That's really going to make my hair shinier?

8. I had braces for 7 years.

9. I blow dry and flat iron my hair EVERY day. If I don't..it's huge. People never believe me when they see how HUGE.

10. I've spent $45 on shampoo before. All in the hopes that my hair won't fall out of my head.

Now to give this award to 10 fab bloggers:

Travel to the Netherlands

Ducks in a Row

Tattered Goods

Rose Petals and Rust

La Dolfina

The Polka Dot Pear

And what about Grace?

Undomestic Chica

From My Front Porch To Yours

Embellish

My bad.

I forgot to post pictures of my slipcovers! They're old news at our house now, as I got them in August! But here they are none the less. I should have fixed them a little before taking the picture, but I think we all know by this point that I am extremely lazy. (Although, I think my thyroid might be to blame!) The green rug (that I love, but doesn't go) will hopefully be making it's exit sometime soon. I think it will look great in my imaginary child's room. :) Also, as you can see there are only 5 chairs that are covered. I'm holding out for a bench at the end. Hopefully, Santa gets my letter about that one. :) (Wow, I really abuse the smiley faces. And the parentheses !)

The Freeze is Over!

Well, my spending freeze is finally over now that it's November. Woo. Woo. I got right down to business and bought a few things to satisfy my buying itch.


I've been wanting an Anne Wood Bird for some time now and they always sell out like hotcakes! I finally got my hands on this little one and she now resides in our powder room. I think she may need some friends....


Another item from my wish list is a vintage trophy. I think it needs some friends too. I hate it when my purchases get lonely

My Winnings!

I took my Halloween costume winnings and bought this little baby! A french wine bottle drying rack. Although...I think it's too big. It doesn't fit under my cabinets and I'm worried it looks a little weird sitting on the island. Should I return it and look for a smaller one?