Our trip to Asheville, NC

This past weekend my husband and I had a two night get a way up to Asheville, NC.  I was so excited to finally have some time off and to be able to get away.  The weather forecast in Asheville, NC was calling for snow and I was determined I would get to see Biltmore like this.

Unfortunately or fortunately (however you choose to look at it) the snow did not arrive but by passed these mountains which I am told happens often due to their location.

The snowy scene above was taken off of our boxes that we brought our wine home in.  LOL!

I will show you more of Biltmore in a later post.  I have very few photos due to they do not allow photos to be taken inside of the actual home.

Today I just want to share a few photos taken going up the mountain from the car, and of our hotel.

I am always amazed at how close these gorgeous mountains are.  After only about a 2 and half hour drive from our home it seems we round the corner and are met with this gorgeous view.

We are truly blessed to live in the middle of SC where a few hours one way takes you to the coast and few hours the other way takes you to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.  It's always so breath taking and yes, you can feel your ears pop going up.

For those of you who are like us who do not enjoy spending a lot of money on hotels I want to share where we stayed.  I would love to stay at the Grove Park Inn one day hands down.  However, I just cannot swallow even their cheapest rate which is around $270.00 a night.  No offense for those of you do and can but I just have too many other choices I'd rather spend my money on then lodging, especially when it's only for a few nights.  And to show you that a higher price isn't the only way to get nice accomodations I'd like to show you where we ended up so you can be the judge for yourself.  

This was the decor we enjoyed upon entering the lobby of our hotel.

To say I was totally pleased with the new updated decor would be quite an understatement.   For those of you who may want to know we ended up choosing to stay at the Hampton Inn on Tunnel Rd. We even landed a great weekend rate even though we went on Thursday and Friday nights.

The fireplace was a popular spot this weekend. Many times I passed by to see people sitting here reading either a book or newspapers quite happily.

On the opposite side of the lounge area was the dining area.  It was so cozy and inviting as well.  It offered several different seating options just like at home.  You could sit up high on the barstool tables in the middle or on regular chair and tables shown on the right or get much more cozy in the sofa tables on the left.  A hot breakfast was served every morning in a buffet area located just beyond the doors beside the TV.  OMG!  Where the eggs ever so good!  

There was also another beverage station set up near the front desk that was open 24/7.  You could get hot coffee, chocolate or  cold water here anytime.  Sorry yall, but some of these photos I took with my cell phone.  

I just fell in love with this sofa and lamp for that matter too!  It was a truly devine magenta color if ever I have seen one.

The fresh apples also sat on the tables 24/7 as well.  This lobby became a bustling place on Friday and Saturday when the crowds came in.  It was clear this hotel was a favorite for many and I highly recommend it.  The clientele ranged from older to younger, with singles, families and business and college students as well.  It was definitely what I would call a thriving business.

Here is our room.  If you can overlook the suitcase and clothes everywhere you will see a very cozy room.

Our king size bed was very comfortable and was complete with a down comforter and duvet.

This little sticky note was tacked on the bed frame upon our arrival.  

There was a big screen TV and a microwave and refrigerator in the cabinet.

The heater was quite sufficient and had a thermostat on the wall that we cranked up to a toasty 72 degrees after trompsing around Biltmore in temperatures that were in the 20's.  By the way those jeans are on the floor because we had them near the heater for the legs to dry up.  They got a bit  of dampness from the rain soaked areas we walked around in at the winery.  I know were kinda slobby too, right?  LOL!

In the bathroom was the most appealing wallpaper I have seen in some time.  It was my favorite shade of green with tiny blue pinstripes was textured to the touch and almost had a bit of a silky feel to it.  I would love to get some of this wall paper for myself.

The wallpaper was the perfect match for a very well designed bathroom.  You all know how much a fan I am of black so it should be no surprise why I like this bathroom.  It was so clean and I regret that I did not take photos of the tub surround tile which was a tan lined tile.  Gorgeous!

Anyway, I really wanted to share all of this with so you could see what some well priced (moderately budget) motels are offering and how they are updating to stay ahead.  We dined like kings and queens on this trip and had a wonderful and very cozy time.  

Again, I do apologize for the photos as I ran the battery out of my nikon and had to resort to the cell phone for the rest of my trip.

Well thanks for stopping by!

I would love to hear what you think of the decor at this hotel.  I would also love to hear what your priorities are when it comes to choosing a hotel.  Do you look for the best of the best, or have other methods for choosing.  I also used trip advisor and this one was ranked up there as no.3.

Not to shabby for a great deal, huh?

Hope your having a great weekend!

My Favorite Valentines Projects Past

I am in LOVE with all the cute Valentines decor I am seeing out here in blog land.  You ladies have my heart with all of your sweet touches of red, hearts and roses everywhere all over your homes.  I don't think I'll be putting out too much this year as I have done in the past. 

I'd like to share a few of my own favorite creations from 2011.

This by far was my most all time favorite!

 It was so easy.  I simply put cling on hearts from the dollar tree to my glass block that is filled with lights....

...added some decorative ribbon and I was done!  I really LOVED this one so much!

You can see the original post by clicking HERE.

Here's when I first bought the little clock I showed you in my recent post.  The cherubs were older collected pieces. Aren't they sweet?

I jazzed up some pink Mercury glass Christmas trees to become Valentine trees.

and made a garland for my mantle using graphics from The graphic fairy with paper pink heart doilies.  You can also see the original post for this decor HERE.

And finally in 2012 I painted hearts on a table runner from the dollar tree for a tablescape.  Not to bad, huh?  Speaking of Tablescapes, I will try and share my previous Valentines tablescapes with you later.  They are some of my favorites too.

As I said, I really don't think I'll be doing much this year but you just never know.  I say that and then I start looking at what you all are doing and I'm get so inspired.

I hope I have shared a little inspiration with you today as well. 

  That is why I have decided to join;

Seasonal Sunday 

and

Gratitude Sunday

Pop on by both the above links for more inspirational ideas and blessings.

Have a great week and thank you all so much for coming by!

What TIME do you have?

I am sure by now you have all heard me talk about not having much time.  So....with that in mind let me show you my "I don't have TIME mantle".  Tah dahhh!

I say that because these clocks literally do not have the real time on them.  Haha!  They are lacking batteries and quite possibly a little more.

The little clock that I purchased last year really does just need some batteries put in the back.  The larger clock was given to me from a friend who thought I might like to try and do something with the frame.  I think she told me the clock was broken but thought I might like it because she thought the frame looked somewhat nautical.   I've had it put away for some time and only recently pulled it out this morning after thinking that maybe I should buy a big clock from work to go on my mantle. 

I have seen clock parts at Michael's recently so I know I can easily buy the part for the back if it does not work.  But upon closer inspection, I suspect that maybe she gave this to me because of the bubbles in paper.  I think I can fix this with a little modge podge.  What do you think?  I would love to hear your thoughts about if MP will flatten the paper facing on the front of the clock.

My "Emerald" green (yay-yuh, I'm on top of it) vases have been sitting all alone on my mantle after I took down the Christmas decor.  After I added the clock, it all came together really quickly.

After pulling in a few more elements from around the house...

...And a splash more of that "Emerald" green, I was done.

I really was inspired by two bloggers for this mantle setting.  I picked up a few ideas from Gail's Decorative Touch and from Saavy Seasons by Liz.  Thanks ladies!  Can you spot your ideas?

I had intended to leave my mantle blank with the vases only but I am so glad I didn't.

 I love how this turned out and I love that I found TIME to keep visiting some of my favorite blogs to peep at and gain such beautiful inspiration.

   I hope I can get these clocks up and running soon.   I still can't believe I actually had all of this just sitting around the house and didn't have to spend a dime for such pretties.  I love when that happens, don't you?

 Please be sure and remember to let me know if you think the modge podge will do the trick on the paper bubbles on my clock, okay?

Thanks so much for stopping by yall!

I think I'll be joining the following parties this week and maybe a few more too;

Tabletop Tuesday

Gratitude Sunday

Have a beautiful week!

Joining in for Gratitude Sunday

Hey Yall!  Did you know there's a new linky party in town with Linda at A La Carte?   It's such a wonderful idea and I hope there will be many who will want to join in.  I know I sure do!  What's it called, or all about you ask?  Well, it's called Gratitude Sunday, need I say anymore?

  I really like this idea so much.  During the month of November I took the gratitude challenge on FB and posted something I was grateful for everyday.   Let me just say it was hard!   I learned that while I am always very keen on how grateful I am about the "Biggies" (you know all the important stuff) I don't really take the time to appreciate all the little stuff in life like I should.  It's high time I slowed back down more, smelled the roses and pay tribute to the little things in life just a bit more and this party is just the boost I need to encourage me.  Thank you Linda!

That being said, I am sharing something with you that many of you may have already discovered.  But... if there is that one chance that there is just one of you who reads this who also loves reading in general and does not know about this then I will be pleased to have shared.  So, what am I talking about?

  It's called Kindle for Pc and I got it totally free.  Did you know you could download a FREE kindle for Pc app for your computer? Well I sure didn't, until just about a month ago.  You can also download this app on your phone too.  I know I am behind the times y,all so humor me okay?  Just go to this link HERE if you also are interested in starting your own little online library.

I have learned that you can also download hundreds of books online for FREE too.   I just googled the words "free online books" and got several links to all sorts of sites to search for books that you download into your kindle for Pc.  I really love to read but find I have so little time to go to the library like I used to.  This app has been such a blessing to find.  Here is how the page of a book looks when you are reading it.  

Since I have a laptop I have been enjoying laying on the couch and reading away.  My latest topic has been a bit of an obsession with royalty.  You know back in the day!  I have been enjoying savoring all the details of royal etiquette, dress and their day to day affairs.  Even if what I am reading is fictitious and slightly slanted towards romance.  It's still quite interesting and enjoyable.  Hehe!

  Do you see the little blue mark on the top of the page in this picture.  That's a bookmark.  It's so cool.  You can electronically bookmark your page too.  How cool is that?  

Yep!  To say I am grateful for this little freebie is an understatement indeed.  I am just so thrilled to have found this for my computer at long last.  Reading in the evenings is a small pleasure I have been missing for some time.  I even enjoy scoping out books online that I may want to read in the future now too and storing them in my library shown above.  This app certainly doesn't replace the feel of a real book but it does keep me enjoying a favorite pastime in a very convenient new way.  For this I am truly grateful!

How about you?  Have you gotten on board with reading books online yet?  If you have I would love to hear of any sites you use as well for finding online books. 

Happy Reading everyone!

Please be sure and pop on over to Linda's and read a few more posts for:

Gratitude Sunday 

Have a blessed evening and thanks for stopping by!

Out with the Old and In with the New....

....and all that jazz!  How's that for a new motto?  Sound familiar?  How many times have you started out the new year thinking this same thought only to let it go somewhere throughout the year.  I know I certainly have!

The problem lies not so much in the second part of this motto, "in with the new" it's the "out with old" that we struggle with right?  If your like me, and I know many of you are, you really do want to organize and declutter and the New Year offers us just that kind of commitment.  

Let's take my new drapes for example.  It wasn't very hard to decide to change them out after I found them on the clearance rack at Hancock Fabrics.  I was even more thrilled to learn there was a further discounted sale on top of that to boot.  

I have been wanting to change the gold plaid drapes out ever since I repainted the den this past summer.  They just didn't quite go with my new color and had a dull look to them.  I've been wanting something new with a black background.

Why black?  Because my room is so large and the dramatic color draws the room in more making it much more cozier.  Additionally, I think black seems to be a wonderfully crisp and fresh accent in home decor.  Black makes such a classic statement in a room but it's the freshness that I am in love with.  Just paint any old piece of furniture black and suddenly you have a fresh new look.

If you wondering if my color of the year is going to be black...well, I doubt it, but maybe.  I do plan to finish off a few pieces in black that I have been hesitating on though.  I want to do this because it will get me towards the goal I have set for myself this year in choosing a "word for the year".

So without further ado....my word for the year is....

FRESH!

After giving this "word for the year" thing some serious thought, I couldn't help but grab hold of the thought or a feeling if you will, that has been in my head quite a bit recently.  I simply want more freshness around me.  

As you can see, this concept has been in my head for sometime.  Would you believe that right in the middle of all the holiday madness when I had so little time to even breath I literally spent one  morning polishing my silver.  Why?  Not because I actually used it, but because I was tired of looking at the tarnish that was accumulating on it.  The tarnish was a metaphor for all the things that seem to be piling up everywhere and detracting from the real beauty I want to see.  Now I can find beauty in the tarnish, really I can, but I don't want to.  I want a FRESH look.  I really do!

My new wine glasses and candle that my son and his girlfriend gave to me for Christmas were a wonderfully new FRESH addition as well.  The glasses are crackled at the bottom and slanted on the top.  I just love how sparkley the crackled glass looks.

The candle they gave me is an old wine bottle that has been recycled and has a wonderfully

 FRESH clean scent.  The bottle has this year's color of the year...emerald green.  Now that's a color I could easily embrace because is so FRESH.

I plan to embrace this word in all my home decor decisions this year.  I will ask myself before buying, is it fresh?  I will ask myself while decluttering and deciding on what to throw out, it is fresh?

I want to also add this to my blog decisions as well.  Is what I am bringing to you fresh?

For me, this doesn't mean that everything I blog about will be a new project or something that hasn't been seen before.  It means that it will not be some of the same old same old that you have seen around here with a little tarnish on it.  It means is will be something new and different from me, something FRESH.  

Now this is a word I can strive to live with.  How about you?

Thanks so much for all of you who have hung in there over the years with me.  I'm still hanging in here.  I will most definitely be fewer and further in between posts and I really do appreciate each of you who understands.  I am looking forward to the new year to see what it holds for me and definitely looking forward to seeing what all it holds for you!

Happy FRESH New Year Everyone!!!