A Southern Living Dream Home

Three of my favorite magazines all came in the mail this week!  Unfortunately, I was just too busy to actually sit down and enjoy them until today!  I absolutely love a lazy weekend morning with coffee and my magazines!  Yes, this means I'm not out Garage Salen this weekend.  I just wanted to relax this morning, and show you my favorite way to unwind with a few of my favorite things.

Now, I love me some coffee and bagels in the mornings!  Add in some wonderful eye candy and I am off to a great day!  Did you notice, I'm using the tray I got from GW?  I love that it actually sits on top of  the stand and can be used separately.  That was what sold me on them from the start, and of course that $3.50 price tag.  Get comfortable now, there is a lot of eye candy in this post for you!

I still haven't made it through all three but I wanted to show you some photos from the August 2010 Southern Living edition.  One of the feature articles is about two design homes, Abercorn Place in Senoia, Georgia and Bayou Bend in Covington, Louisiana.  When I first saw the outside photos of both of these homes I just knew the Louisiana home would be my favorite.  Surprise, surprise, it wasn't!  The Georgia home was actually the one I fell in love with!  I guess I didn't think I'd like it because it is a row home, which looks like a town home to me. 

Courtesy of Southern Living

Let's take a look inside, the very large multi-level home.   I mostly fell in love with the decor used in this home, but I also love all the extra areas throughout this home for cozy living.

Courtesy of Southern Living

The following rooms are all the main floor!  This is a four story building!  I will show you the basement last, so I guess you could say this is the second story.

Courtesy of Southern Living

Of course y'all know I love those green couches!  I like how this living room is set up.  I've set up my living room this way before too!  But, readjusted due to the location of the T.V., that's my reality!  I really love the neutral look of the sisal rug in here! 

Courtesy of Southern Living

Again, I love the neutral rug, and I'm wondering if that is a throw on the table for a tablecloth.

Courtesy of Southern Living

Just look at this wonderful kitchen!  I love how warm and inviting it looks.  It even has it's own keeping room shown below.

Courtesy of Southern Living

I would love to have a keeping room off of my kitchen!  Especially one with a fireplace.

Now let's step outside onto the side porch.

Courtesy of Southern Living

Grab a cup of coffee from this table, you may be here awhile! 

Courtesy of Southern Living

Courtesy of Southern Living

Yep, that awning caught my eye too!  What a great idea!

Courtesy of Southern Living

I love this sweet bird fabric on the landing on the third floor.  This is where the bedrooms are.

Courtesy of Southern Living

This is the master bedroom!  Lot's of interesting eye candy in here.  Love that plaid!  Enjoy!

Courtesy of Southern Living

Now on to the fourth floor!  This is where the adults have fun!  I LOVE IT!

Courtesy of Southern Living

There is an entertainment room, loaded with yummy textiles.

Courtesy of Southern Living

And a fantastic bar of course!  Look at all the pottery and basket accents here! 

Courtesy of Southern Living

There is also a meditation room.  I really should have one of these! LOL!

Courtesy of Southern Living

However, this terrace really would have a more effective method of meditation for me.

Let's head all the way down to the basement now..first floor!

Courtesy of Southern Living

These stairs are so cute!  I may have to use this on my basement steps!

Courtesy of Southern Living

I just love this use of space!

Courtesy of Southern Living

There is yet another family room!  This one has a work station with a cork board calender.  How cool is that?

Courtesy of Southern Living

My very favorite areas are these next three photos!  I had no idea you could pack so much enjoyable living into a row house.  Yes, that is a hanging bed there!  Too cool!

Courtesy of Southern Living

A potting bench with a sink too no less!

Courtesy of Southern Living

Don't you just love a classic brick terrace?  I certainly do!

Well, I hope you enjoyed this dream home as much as I did!  No, I'm not getting any payment from Southern Living for featuring this, but I certainly would take one if they want to give me one.  LOL!

I am joining Laurie @ http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/ for

A Few of My Favorite Things Saturday

Please be sure and check out lots of other favorites at the link above.

Thanks for stopping by and hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

It's Rainbow Red in Summer School

I am so sorry I am late!  Seems I just can't get anything right this week!  It has been a very stressful week for me for sure!  What was I thinking that I could jump into a clerical job for a whole week?  First off, I am not a 9 to 5er, haven't been for some time.  What me think I could do it?  Secondly, I am not looking for a position 5 days a week, 9 to 5, even if it was only temporary!  Finally, and most importantly I am not a clerical worker!  I have never felt so depressed and stressed in quite awhile.  That was just NOT me!  Yes, I know my clerical skills leave a lot to be desired and really need a major boost of improvement!  I also know I could get there fairly quick should I really want to do so!  But.... would that really make me happy?  NO!  I certainly learned that again this week.  That is not me!  I am the happy retailer that delights in helping you at the store!  It doesn't make much money, it doesn't have much status ( or respect for that matter ) but it is what makes ME happy!

  So why, did I think I should take on this assignment this week?  I really have no excuse other then, I was trying to please others but in doing so, made myself really sick with stress!  So sick that I decided I could not finish the week doing something I had no desire to do, not even for the money.    If you could see me now, you might see a slight stain of RED on my cheeks.  That is red from embarrassment!  I know who I am, so why I was trying to be something I am not?  I don't know!  Temporary insanity I guess!

OK, so now back to the point!  I am sorry I am late Mrs. Jenny Matlock!  I would like very much to join your class today @ http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/search/label/Alphabe-Thursday. 
I understand it's Rainbow Red day here for summer school.  I have so much to learn!  What? Oh, yes mam, this is my first time attending your class, uhh,  yes mam, I know what time class starts.  Oh goodness, my face is turning RED again!  Thank you so much!  Whew, that worked!
  

Look, I even brought something for you!  Sorry, I didn't have any apples on hand but I do have these!

A sweet bowl full of  RED HOTS!   Speaking of, if anyone ever gives you a bag full of red hots be sure and put them in their own candy dish.  If you put them in a bowl with other candies, like chocolate kisses for example, they will make your kisses taste like a red hot too, YUCK!  Your welcome Mrs. Matlock, your right, that is useful information.

I also have a beautiful RED electric candle holder! 

In my dining room I have a flower book that is loaded with RED.

I also have a hint of red on this pillow in my dining room too.

And some newly purchased red napkins to go with my red plates that I forgot to take a picture of.  Oh please, I will do better next time when I am not so stressed to get to class.

Speaking of stressed, this poor room is stressed!  This is my oldest sons bedroom.  This is one of my sons twin beds from when they were smaller.  He of course took the double bed with him when he moved out.  His room still needs quite a bit of updating but that's a project for another day.

This is my younger sons room!  He snatched these red cubes from me that I had in my craft room.  I also like to put these downstairs in the den during Christmas for more RED color and extra seating for guests.

He still has this red bookcase that went with the twin bed.  Please ignore the mess on the shelves.  It is behind his computer desk, and he uses it during school.    I assume he knows where everything is on here right?

I am such a color coordinator, I even painted the knobs on their antique dresser red.

In my spare bedroom/craft room I still have this sweet little red rocker that I bought for my oldest son when he was just a wee little fella!  It was at a thrift store too and I remember being so thrilled with the price!

On my desk chair in the craft room, I have a beautiful piece of art my mother brought back to me from her aunt's in Panama.  Yes, I am talking about the pillow!  I can't remember the name of the craft style this pillow is made in.  But basically they make it by layering the fabrics.  It's very cool!

Back downstairs again, in my kitchen I have a black bench to drop our stuff on when we come in the door.  It has a lovely red toile cushion with matching pillow!  I made these myself!

Look, there's a touch of red in my den too, under the lamp!

And one I really should pay more attention too!   My little red dictionary on the bench that I keep my laptop on, beside my favorite chair!  Yes Mam!  I would love some extra credit for that!  Oh, thank you!

Excuse me, Mrs. Matlock I also want to tell you a little something I learned today.  Taking pictures of red is very hard depending on the lighting.  I had quite a time.  I did see that if I turned the flash off, my pictures seemed to come out more accurate.  I mean like, they were more true to the color they actually are!  Only, sometimes the lighting in the room still affected the outcome.   What?  Uhh, yes Mam, I do know that this is not a photography class.  No Mam, I am not trying to be a smart Alec. Yes Mam, I will be quite now!

Psst..you can still leave a comment if you want.. Just pass me a note, Okay?   Giggle-giggle!!!  

What's this?

Look what's popped up in my yard!  I really don't know what this is called.  I am assuming it is a weed of some sort but GOLLY MISS MOLLY it sure is beautiful!

Anyone have a clue?  I sure don't!

Joining http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/ for Outdoor Wednesday!

Be sure and enter my giveaway here yall!  It's for a $40.00 gift certificate from CSN Stores!

Happy Outdoor Wednesday!

Thrifty tabletops from GW

Last week the winds of change blew in like a storm!   First off, I offered my very first giveaway here in blogland!  Woohoo!!!  For more info on that and how to enter please be sure and go here!  Additionally, after being bombarded with a string of bad luck the week before and during our vacation, this past following week was quite a welcoming change!  Not only did I find some fantastic deals last week at GW and the local yard sales, I received a call for a temporary job assignment this week.   Today I worked from 9:00am until 5:00pm doing clerical work for a real estate firm.  I'll be there the rest of the week now too!


I know you are thinking, didn't she say she had a background in retail?  Yep!  You would be correct!  However, when a friend calls for help and the position is temporary with the possibility of being something more, I'd say it's worth adventuring into!  Nothing ventured, nothing gained right?  Well, that's where I am today, and Boy, am I exhausted this evening!  However, not too exhausted to show you my latest finds from GW last week.  It's always interesting visiting our GW, but again I say, nothing ventured..nothing gained!


The first thing I spotted in my adventures was these useful goodies!  At $3.50 each I just knew they had to come home with us, I was sure the Mr. and I would find these useful!

A nice pair of T.V. trays!  Boy, are we getting old!  LOL!

I just love the bamboo weave on the trays!

I also found two dinner plates for .60 cents each in my fruit pattern from Gibson.

  Did you notice those napkin rings?  They are the silver ones I got at the garage sale this weekend, all painted white now! 

These trays will come in handy on the weekends for those Friday and Saturday night movies!

I also found this cute wrought iron clock stand for only $2.50.  Perfect in the kitchen!

It looks great over here by my Rooster on this side table in the kitchen.

Last but not least, I found this cute little "Bistro" sign for a whopping .50 cents.  Since I have very limited wall space left for displaying such a cute sign in the kitchen....

I decided to prop it up above our chalk board command center!  Not too bad!

I am linking with the following parties today.  Be sure and visit these sites for more similar posts about great bargains and decor.  You won't be disappointed!   You might even come away with a bit of inspiration too.  I know I always do!

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/ for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday!

And...

http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/ for Tabletop Tuesday!

Be sure and let me know if you stopped by, I'd love to hear from you!

Mary

Yard Salen and Giveaway Reminder

What do you do when there's no wind and it too HOT for boat sailing?  Well, you go yard salen of course, and I certainly had a great time yard salen this morning!  Yesterday, I even got in a few good deals from GW too!  I was planning on combing those deals with this post, but after today's finds I've decided to break it up and do another post for that on Tuesday.   So, you'll just have to come back for that one!


Let's take a look at today's finds...

I know what your thinking..hmmm..not to bad, right?

Love, love, love this basket! I got this at my first stop for only $2.00.   It really is BIG!  This picture does not show you the real size in relation to space because I have it on the table. It's the size of one of those things that stands alone in a corner somewhere or I'm thinking by the fireplace.  It would also look great w/some large fronds of some sort too!

At my next stop, 3 families were having a sale!  I got all my stuff from the same family.  A sweet young girl had these beauties and more.  Isn't it funny how some people adore the same things.  I knew I needed to concentrate on her table more when I found this book for $1.00.  Oh, I can't wait to see what wonderful ideas this has for some of my tablescaping!

She also sold me the 6 wooden napkin rings for $1.00 and the 4 silver plated (metal) napkin rings for .50 cents.  I can't wait to spray paint the metal ones white!  Can you believe I don't have any wooden napkin rings?  I know weird right?  Everyone has those, now I guess I do too!

These beautiful seeded glass votive candle holders were also her's for $1.00 each.  They are another item that is much larger then it appears here in this photo.  Love the blue and green swirls.  They will definitely go well with many of my settings!

Then my third stop was pretty much wiped out!  I did buy this purse for $1.00.  Not really sure why, other then it hangs nicely under my arm.  Like I really need another black purse! 

And my final stop is where I got all the rest of my finds including what I thought was the big deal of the day!  I'm saving it for last though!  First, I bought this cage cart from her for $3.00   It is BIG too!   I have no idea what I will do with it yet but I'm sure it will be fun getting there!  She said she used it for a Christmas decor hence the 3 small Christmas greenery inside.  I just don't see Christmas with this though, do you?

Then I purchased these beautiful antique bird prints from her for $3.00 a piece.  It's hard to see in these photos but the background has a slightly peach patina to it.  I have the perfect spot for these and can't wait to show you that!  It's like it was meant to be!

Sweet Hummingbirds!

I also couldn't pass up this wicker stool for $2.00.

And this massive wrought iron piece was laying by her shed and I was delighted to find out that she wanted to sell it too!  It was $5.00.  More then I wanted to pay, but so much less then if I had to buy it from a store or even an antique or resale store for that matter.  All iron pieces go for a small fortune around here!  It doesn't have any legs to put in the ground though, so it will be a challenge.  She grabbed these two plastic stakes she had and said, here, take these and weave them through it to make it stand.  It will probably take some re bar to make it stand it's that heavy.  I am going to paint this sweet thing too! Yipee!

Now for the deal of the day....

Here it is!  I bought this beautiful antique dressing table from her for only $25.00 for the whole set.  It is beautiful, a little delicate, and needs a little tightening maybe, but no chipped or missing decorative pieces or scratches or gouches!  I just can't believe it!  I love it!

And here's the matching mirror that goes with it!  It even has all the decorative screws too.  I moved it upstairs immediately and gave it a dusting.  I haven't attached the mirror or the attached the arms that hold the mirror yet! It is a gorgeous maple wood that I will want to either refinish or I may just paint the piece all together.  What would you do? 

Oh the decisions, now! 

Ooops!  I almost forgot!  Have you heard I'm having a giveaway?  Well, why not?  Please go here to read all about it and enter.  It's for a $40.00 gift certificate from CSN Stores you know!  It you love a garage sale, certainly you must love a giveaway!  So hurry up and enter, it won't last long.

I am joining Debbie and all my other wonderful garage salen buddies over at

 http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/ for Garage Salen.

Be sure and visit the link above for more great finds.  I'm looking forward to hearing from you too, so be sure and leave me a comment if drop by!  Have a great weekend!

Mary