Blogs I Adore - Bower Power

It's Friday and despite my weekend away, I couldn't miss out on posting another post for my "blogs that I adore" series. I visit A LOT of blogs and about 50 of them I visit regularly for some inspiration, laughs, or even to be a little noisy (come on - you have to admit it too). Katie from Atlanta has a blog called "Bower Power" and writes about her life as a girl with a new husband that lives in the burbs. She writes a lot about decorating, nesting, and remodeling as well and has the best sense of humor. I guarantee that she will make you laugh over and over again - I know it makes me come back time and time again.



I thought I would share a couple of cool projects she recently posted about on her blog. Above you can see the frame and the numbers that she decoupaged. I love the look of this handmade art and to see how she did it here.


I love the look and feel of beachy decor items in my house. It reminds me of summer, vacation, and relaxing days with my toes between the sand. I love having that feel in my house and am known for having shells, sand, and other nautical items in my bedroom. In this post, Katie shows us how she made some beachy decor for her office. I love that instead of buying art - she makes it which saves lots of money and makes it more special.


I hope you stop by and check out her blog and enjoy it as much as I do. She is a barrel of laughs and is full of great ideas. http://allbowerpower.blogspot.com/

The Neglected One

Our little Tanner man was neglected for the majority of the weekend. I know, he doesn't look it does he? Tanner and I had a blast on Friday enjoying the beautiful weather and doing lots of yard work but the rest of the weekend he was playing solo. I always hate leaving him for too long on the weekends especially since I'm traveling for work this week and won't see him again until Thursday night - sniff, sniff. He really does miss me when I'm gone but I know he's in good hands with David. Too bad we are leaving for a road trip on Friday morning and will be leaving him with my parents again for the weekend! Sometimes I feel like a terrible mom but what's important is that I know Tanner doesn't feel that way. Happy Mother's day!!!

Blogs I Adore - Brooklyn Limestone

It's Friday and that means it's time for me to share with you another blog that I frequent on a regular basis when I need decorating ideas. Mrs. Limestone at "Adventures in Renovating a Brooklyn Limestone" writes about her trials and tribulations of making their limestone a cozy home. She is always asking for the advice of others as she completes projects, room by room, and I have to laugh because I do the same thing with all of you. Sometimes we agonize over the littlest decisions but the little details are what takes a room from nice to extraordinary.


Mrs. Limestone is currently in the process of decorating the master bedroom and look at the artwork above that she created! Check out her blog and the steps she took to make the artwork from photography and photoshop magic. It's quite interesting and I only wish I had that talent!

Birthday Celebration

The birthday boy loved his dinner that his lovely wife made (or picked up at the Cheesecake Factory) for him including the Carrot Cake/Cheesecake combo - yummy! I took more pictures but somehow they got deleted from the camera - I think he's not too happy about hitting 35!

I made a simple, somewhat manly looking card for his birthday. I really like how it turned out and it was the fastest card I have ever made. Hmmm...simple is the way to go sometimes. I stamped the word "celebrate" with an alphabet stamp set I had and my lovely hubby thought it was my handwriting, he should know better than that, when in doubt stamp it.

A Year Older - Happy Birthday David!

Wasn't David a precious little man with his striped overalls?

And here he is now with a little less hair but the same beautiful blue eyes.

David's Birthday is Thursday, May 7th and my babe is going to be 35.

He's climbing that hill to 40 but he's still very young at heart.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY!

I'm a Winner......

Earlier this week I entered a give-away online at This Young House (one of my fave blogs that I blogged about 2 weeks ago) and out of 718 entries, you guessed it, I was the big winner! I was so excited when I found out last night and my hubby was laughing as I danced around the house acting like I had won the lottery. Hey, it doesn't take much to make me dance and when you see the prize you'll see why. I got to select from the following corset pillow sets from Fresh Leaf Design and I love the bold rose colored set below. I had to resist the green set but that would have been too typical for me and I think this set will make our new couch really pop with some bold color.


On the website today they announced the big winner and there's nothing like seeing your name as the winner on a post on This Young House's website. Hubby knows how much I gush about John and Sherry and you would think I know them the way I talk about them. Their website is wonderful and full of great advice especially for those looking to spruce up their home DIY style. Stop by and tell them I said hello. The link announcing the big winner (me-yeah!!!) is below: http://www.thisyounghouse.com/2009/04/its-a-cinch-freebie-winner/.

Wordless Wednesday

crazy eights

I've been tagged - so I'm playing along. Rules are simple: Mention the person that tagged you. Tara from What She Really Wants tagged me! Complete the lists of 8's. Tag 8 blogger friends, go tell them you tagged them.

8 Things I Am Looking Forward To:
1. The upcoming arrival of my latest niece or nephew - due May 13th
2. Taking some time off from work in May
3. Warm weather and the ability to open up the windows
4. Taking long walks with my hubby and pup Tanner
5. Planting my first veggie garden
6. Getting the front yard landscaped
7. Visiting my dear friend Paige in Idaho
8. Lounging around at the beach all summer long

8 Things I Did Yesterday:
1. Cleaned out my closet and packed my winter clothes away
2. Finished the book "Gardens of Water" by Alan Drew
3. Saw the movie "State of Play" with my hubby
4. Woke up late
5. Went out to dinner
6. Ate steel cut oats for breakfast
7. Took some pictures for future blog posts
8. Caught up on my email

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:
1. Run farther than around the block without feeling like I'm going to die
2. Stay motivated to exercise and eat healthy so I can lose and keep off this weight
3. Landscape the front yard without having to hire someone
4. Find more time in the day to just enjoy life
5. Be a meal planner and organized grocery shopper
6. Learn Photoshop
7. Take awesome pictures
8. Wave my magic wand and make everything better

8 Shows I Watch:
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. Private Practice
3. Oprah
4. The Hills (my guilty pleasure)
5. Dateline
6. America's Most Wanted
7. Law & Order SVU
8. HGTV, DIY, Fine Living Network (sorry I had to stick those all in too)

8 Favorite Fruits:
1. Raspberries
2. Peaches
3. Strawberries
4. Mango
5. Pineapple
6. Apples
7. Oranges
8. Bananas

8 Places I'd Like to Travel:
1. Turks & Caicos
2. Hawaii
3. Alaska
4. Australia
5. London (again)
6. NYC
7. Bali
8. Mediterranean

8 Places I've Lived:
1. Freeport, IL
2. Rock Island, IL
3. Palatine, IL
4. Waukegan, IL
5. Wauconda, IL
6. London
7. Work (does that count?)
8. My scrapbooking room (it's a stretch I know)

People I'm Tagging:
1. Brooke at Secondtime Mommy
2. Terri at Life Chapter by Chapter
3. Dee at Team Ripka
4. If you want to be tagged please let me know.

Road Trip - We'll Be Wright On Our Way (Soon)

Hubby and I love architecture and after reading Loving Frank for book club last year I've been an admirer of all things Frank Lloyd Wright. I've been begging hubby for almost a year to head to Oak Park to go on the tour and he finally said yes honey but it's suppose to rain. I am so disappointed but we will be there sometime soon Frank just leave the door open for us. Looking at these beautiful homes has me wondering - how much do you think they cost? Hmmm..... (sorry about that I was daydreaming for moment).

Blogs I Adore - Be Different Act Normal

It's Friday and that means besides enjoying this beautiful weather, it's time for me to share with you another one of my blogs that I adore and visit everyday. Be Different Act Normal (don't you love that title?) is a blog that you must check out for it's short, sweet, and to the point ideas. She is like a much cooler Martha Stewart that has great ideas to share especially if your looking to host a party anytime soon. She is a regular blogger and you gotta love them especially since I need to get my daily dose of inspiration from all of my fellow bloggers. Visit her blog and let her know how you found her blog (i.e. give a shout out to Melissa at Enjoy All Life Has to Offer).