My life is to make everything around me beautiful.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Answering the Front Door

The flowers in this mosaic are all from my gardens.

The winner of the giveaway is Olivia of Olivia's Romantic Home. She's been notified and is very excited! Olivia, I've told you before that you have one of my favorite names. I also want to thank you for joining in. The ribbon tree, Living Beautifully book and coffee filter roses have truly found a darling home in which to live, Sugar!
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We have a security system in our home. We had one in California and after several years here, I decided to have one installed in our new house. Just a precaution after a bit of a scary experience once when hubs wasn't home. The security system was installed by a professional. We installed cameras where I can see who is on our property around the house. Very simple and easy to do. The significant fact here is that hubs is gregarious and I'm not. He chats up anybody!

Anyway, sitting here in my office/computer room or sitting in our living room are 2 small (by today's standards) 19" televisions I purchased at a thrift store for $10 and $15 a piece. I don't have to answer my door if I don't want to. And I don't if I don't recognize the person at the door. There's also a sign out front that says: 'Absolutely Positively No Soliciting of any kind!!!' You'd be astounded at the people who cannot read! I've been thinking of adding 'And we've found Jesus', but if they can't read the first part then why would I presume that they could read the second part either. Sigh.

Anyway, a few weeks ago, the doorbell rang. Hubs was in his office and can't hear the doorbell in there. I looked at the TV and it wasn't anyone I knew. I went in to ask th' hubs if he recognized the man out front with a clipboard (Does this not scream solicitor?!). He said no, but he was edging toward the door. I stopped him immediately because 1) He's a sucker for any sales pitch, especially if it's a woman. 2) He'd invite anyone in just to chat. He kept edging and I kept holding his arm to keep him from opening the door. In the end, I won, but I could tell he was itching to open that door and see what the guy wanted. I'm not so curious. ;-) However, next time, I may just have break his arm to keep him from answering the door.
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A quaint and pretty restaurant entrance in France.


I just thought this photo was so colorful and cute with that darling lamp and shade, wallpaper and table I had to share it with you.


A pretty gravel-strewn patio for resting and eating. Looks like a restaurant. Certainly, one I'd want to visit.


Colorful door and enchanting entrance, even if the photo is not very good.


Pretty roses-strewn vintage, rustic gate.


Probably a store with luxurious white goods, towels, sheets, gowns, pillows, etc.


More luxurious embroidered linens.


A dreamy sitting/living/music room.


Today I'm wishing I were here as I've been stuck in this house now for a week without going anywhere. Sigh...


Colorful quilts and linens. I must be on a linen kick here! ;-)


The minute I saw this patio with the red umbrellas I was enthralled. An old stone building that the resident in this apartment jazzed up with vibrant color.


Lamps are a weakness of mine and I change them more often than most people do. I truly believe they add one of the essential finishing touches to a room. Hubs agrees with me on this. And, trust me, he doesn't agree with much of what I do in the way of decorating but he lets me fly on my own wings. He loves me beyond any reason I can comprehend.


I have no clue where this mall is but a mall that has this gorgeous lighting is a place I'd love to shop.


A luxury bath I thought you'd like to see and dream about.


Just a bit of eye candy to leave you with today.
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 By creating beauty and order where you live and work, you will be controlling the private hours of your life.
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Linking up with Mosaic Monday.

Couture #12

This is the last couture series. I'm not particularly liking them much. I might throw in a few haute couture designs in with my regular blog posts, but that's it. I originally thought it would save me some time but that's not happening. And, frankly, I prefer doing regular posts about life and such. It has much more meaning to me than expensive clothing.

Haute couture. Enjoy! I think you'll love these creations. Remember to think about the gorgeous fabrics and the actual construction of the garment. Have you noticed yet that gloves are coming back? I've seen a lot of models wearing them and even ones with the fingers cut out as you'll see below.









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Saturday, July 28, 2012

Another Travel Story

As I stated in a recent post, my son was in Scotland golfing while his son was in Europe seeing the sights of several countries. Son's girlfriend just graduated University and wanted to see the sites of places she would be teaching about: arts and sciences. Grandson went along to protect her and keep her company.

One country, which is known pretty much for its snobbishness, lived up to their expectations. They would ask for directions and knowing these people speak English, as most European countries do, they refused to answer in English. The only people who would help them were other tourists. It left a stain on their reputation along with many other stains. And truthfully, they don't come any kinder or sweeter than my grandson or his girlfriend.

When grandson's girlfriend—let's call her Miss S—went into a restaurant to order a sandwich to go, the waitress put it in a paper bag, Miss S reached for some napkins on the counter and almost got her hand smacked, and did get a finger wagged in her face. Rude beyond words! She was told not to touch anything on the counter, in English this time.

Now, I can speak a bit of other languages to get me around a country just a bit, but truthfully, most of the countries I've been to have been kind and gracious. But that's pretty much on this side of the world. The other side? Not so much. But I at least can tell them to speak slowly so I can get directions, but truthfully I've never been treated shabbily by any country I've visited.

Our daughter had a similar experience with some travelers on an airplane coming back from the Mediterranean 3 years ago. Same country, same obnoxiousness. Loud, rude and overbearing. Refusing to be considerate of other passengers. We experienced that once with some Austrian students on our plane. Totally obnoxious.

So my advice to anyone is to not think those countries we lust to visit are sweet, kind, friendly and willing to accept Americans. They are NOT! That's one of the reasons I refuse to travel abroad anymore.
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Isn't this one of those kind of houses that you'd see in Connecticut or Rhode Island? I lived in Newport, R.I. for a very short time when I was very young.


A gorgeous Spanish-style home. Lovin' all those windows.


These are all items from Green Gate in Denmark. I'd love to have some but I truly don't need any more plates.


These little tins are a favorite of mine also. I'll check and see how much they are. I can always use more storage things.


They have aprons, sheets, fabric, towels and storage things in the most gorgeous prints and colors.


Another example of their wares. Aren't they scrumptious?


Pretty fabrics in lovely prints.


They even have soaps and lotions.


And pretty ribbons.


And buckets!


A wonderful secluded area for a private luncheon.


Isn't this patio beautiful with the fabric curtains blowing in the breeze? And even a canopy of canvas to temper the midday sun.


Another quiet area to lull around on lazy summer afternoons.


A simple clean bath area in blue, pink, green and yellow. Well done!


A cute way to show off your garden roses in Mason jars on a rustic vintage bench.
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Friday, July 27, 2012

Couture #11

Enjoy looking at these gorgeous creations.









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