2014 year in review

Man alive, that was a fast year. Looking back, it was one that was hugely successful in the overall feeling of my home. The living room is done, the dining room is done, the sun room is done. Done is ever changing (see: blog years 2010 to current) but this time done felt D.O.N.E.  With things feeling so right, the blog took a back seat. I didn't decorate for any holidays, since who wants to mess with and clutter up D.O.N.E? There were a lot of link ups and traffic that i missed out on. I'm not sure what 2015 will bring with the blog, but beyond here, there will certainly be vacations taken and cats adored.  And if that's all that's done, well that's alright with me.

The done dining room.
 

The (almost) done living room.


Paris, France.


The DIY patio and yard makeover.


The sun room update.


Alaska cruise portion. The not to be missed land portion.


The only way you knew it was fall.


The (fully) done living room.


What makes it all good.


Thank you for reading in 2014. See you next year....
B





end of year wrap ups at domestically speaking, southern hospitality, beyond the picket fence, Currently @ Dearest Love, Random Wednesday @ Because Shanna Said So, sharing is caring: , thrifty treasures @ southern hospitality, travel photo mondays @ travel photo discovery,   , Monthly projects @ Evolution of Style Make it Pretty Mon @ Dedicated House  inspire me mondays t @ domestically speaking,   Before and After @ Thrifty Decor Chick,    Mod Vintage Life, Motivate Me Mon @Keeping it Simple, persia lou,  home stories a-z, nifty thrifty @ Coastal Charm, be inspired @ elizabeth and co, the scoop @ stone gable,  inspire me tues, lil luna, you're gonna love it @ kimsixfix, get your craft on, sugar bee crafts. your designs this time, inspire me weds @ 733, wow us weds @ savvy southern style,  twirl and take a bow @ house on the way, work it weds @ the blissful bee, outdoor weds @ a southern daydreamer, whimsy wednesday, wicked awesome weds @ handy man, crafty woman, look what i made,  whatever goes weds @ someday crafts, think and make @ houseologie, charm of home, link party palooza @ tatertots and jello, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, open house @ no minimalist here, creativity unleashed @ shaken together,inspiration gallery @ Craftberry Bush, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, my romantic home, jennifer rizzo, Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity now,  furniture fridays @ mustard seed, Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage, design it fridays @ finding fabulous, best diy @ 36th ave, overflowing w/ creativity @ it's overflowing, nifty thrifty sundays, under the table and dreaming. inspire me please @ liz marie blog,sunday best @ the girl creative  shaken together, 

The best things

No gift guide, no decorations, just these 2 things. The best things. The loves of my life.

A sideways rub or a head nudge speaks so loudly to me. How do your animals communicate with you?

Bouqs-Making me the best niece ever

Some lucky bloggers were ordering these gorgeous flowers from a company called Bouqs, and i wanted in.  When Bouqs contacted me with an opportunity to order my own, i was all yesss. But then i thought, it's the season of giving-why keep these flowers for yourself when you can send them to your Aunt who is hosting Thanksgiving. These will adorn her table, she will be pleasantly surprised to receive such things, and you will be known as the best niece ever.  So that's what i did.  Officially the best niece ever right here.

With the idea that these would be sent for Thanksgiving, i went with a dozen of these orangey red roses.



I was really impressed with the selection and the pricing-a discount code when you sign up, more discount codes emailed to me after this purchase, on their web page right now there's a code for double the amount of flowers. Sold.

But let's talk about the flowers. They aren't just any old flowers. These beauties are cut from the volcano only when you place your order so your flowers arrive the freshest.  They cut only what they sell, so the farms are eco friendly and sustainable.  I was shocked to actually get a tracking code for them, and for the origination to actually be from Quito, Ecuador.



What a great way to show someone you care this holiday season, for a special occasion, or for a not so special occasion.

You could be the best _______ ever.

World's Greatest Niece,
B

I am now a Bouqs ambassador and affiliate, and am recommending them based on the fabulous experience that i had.

A Midcentury Modern Makeover

Finally!  For four years i have been lamenting the tv stand situation, and for 4 years this beauty has been sitting in our garage.  She was piled on top of, piled around, and parked in.  Can't tell you what finally motivated the boyfriend to drag her in the house and start working on her, but whatever the reason-here she is!

Do i have a before?  Nope.  Just picture something more orange, with a veneer top, grimy handles, and all drawer fronts and you have your before.  Settle in, we're taking a nice long look.

The handles are the originals, with a coat of silver spray paint.

Since we hardly use the receiver, we concealed it in a drawer front that just folds down.  This makes me the most happy. Hide the uglies.

Advice on chair legs-paint them? Stain them to match?  Leave as is?  Metal? No one's noticing, so who cares?

 This wall needs some round shapes.  Er, circles. Yes, i knew there was a word for "round shapes."

Cat outtakes-the very best part!

Bad before, or early after-whatever you choose to call it-i'm glad it's gone!


Loving the after.

A refresher on the other half of the room.
 

See, it's even more Emily Henderson-esque than the last time.  I could not be loving this living room more. Have you added any mid century pieces to your home recently?  Was it sitting in your garage for 4 years, like mine?  Probably not, you guys are good.
B






Currently @ Dearest Love, Random Wednesday @ Because Shanna Said So, sharing is caring: , thrifty treasures @ southern hospitality, travel photo mondays @ travel photo discovery,   , Monthly projects @ Evolution of Style Make it Pretty Mon @ Dedicated House  inspire me mondays t @ domestically speaking,   Before and After @ Thrifty Decor Chick,    Mod Vintage Life, Motivate Me Mon @Keeping it Simple, persia lou,  home stories a-z, nifty thrifty @ Coastal Charm, be inspired @ elizabeth and co, the scoop @ stone gable,  inspire me tues, lil luna, you're gonna love it @ kimsixfix, get your craft on, sugar bee crafts. your designs this time, inspire me weds @ 733, wow us weds @ savvy southern style,  twirl and take a bow @ house on the way, work it weds @ the blissful bee, outdoor weds @ a southern daydreamer, whimsy wednesday, wicked awesome weds @ handy man, crafty woman, look what i made,  whatever goes weds @ someday crafts, think and make @ houseologie, charm of home, link party palooza @ tatertots and jello, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, open house @ no minimalist here, creativity unleashed @ shaken together,inspiration gallery @ Craftberry Bush, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, my romantic home, jennifer rizzo, Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity now,  furniture fridays @ mustard seed, Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage, design it fridays @ finding fabulous, best diy @ 36th ave, overflowing w/ creativity @ it's overflowing, nifty thrifty sundays, under the table and dreaming. inspire me please @ liz marie blog,sunday best @ the girl creative  shaken together, 

Pumpkin Carve Past

Cover your ears...i'm about to say something totally unusual for me. Are you ready? I'm embarrassed. I don't think i can. Deep breathe...here goes...I'm not feeling Halloweenish this year. Say what?!? The girl with the bat tattoo? Not feeling Halloweenish? Yeah, we can probably blame Mexico for that. While everyone was moving onto scarves and boots, i was holding onto my sundresses and flip flops.  I don't know how you guys without seasons do this.  Sunny, hot, and humid in October? Must be summer still. 

I feel myself moving further and further away from seasonal decorating. There is literally one fall related item on display in my home, and that is a pumpkin candle plug in.  The boyfriend is alarmed, as i have bin upon bin stuffed to the brim with witches, bats, ghosts, and pumpkins.

We're not even going to the annual pumpkin carve, as they doubled the price of admission and last year the carved/uncarved ratio was disappointing.  Wasn't worth enduring the traffic the event draws, nor the crowds.  But those that are good, are very very good, and those that aren't carved are wasted. Here are some very very good pumpkins to get you (and maybe me?)  in the spirit!


Shell of a pumpkin.


So pretty and not at all traditional for Halloween.


 Whooo loves this as much as i do?


Bed bugs...don't you find the unknown or unseen the scariest??


This is still one of my all time favorites.


Creepy cobra.


Headless horseman with well planned lighting.

What's your favorite of this bunch? Any other you thought i should have included in the roundup? Check out 2010, 2011, and 2012 when i was willing to brave the crowds.  Happy Halloween, all.
B


Currently @ Dearest Love, Random Wednesday @ Because Shanna Said So, sharing is caring: , thrifty treasures @ southern hospitality, travel photo mondays @ travel photo discovery,   , Monthly projects @ Evolution of Style Make it Pretty Mon @ Dedicated House  inspire me mondays t @ domestically speaking,   Before and After @ Thrifty Decor Chick,    Mod Vintage Life, Motivate Me Mon @Keeping it Simple, persia lou,  home stories a-z, nifty thrifty @ Coastal Charm, be inspired @ elizabeth and co, the scoop @ stone gable,  inspire me tues, lil luna, you're gonna love it @ kimsixfix, get your craft on, sugar bee crafts. your designs this time, inspire me weds @ 733, wow us weds @ savvy southern style,  twirl and take a bow @ house on the way, work it weds @ the blissful bee, outdoor weds @ a southern daydreamer, whimsy wednesday, wicked awesome weds @ handy man, crafty woman, look what i made,  whatever goes weds @ someday crafts, think and make @ houseologie, charm of home, link party palooza @ tatertots and jello, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, open house @ no minimalist here, creativity unleashed @ shaken together,inspiration gallery @ Craftberry Bush, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, my romantic home, jennifer rizzo, Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity now,  furniture fridays @ mustard seed, Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage, design it fridays @ finding fabulous, best diy @ 36th ave, overflowing w/ creativity @ it's overflowing, nifty thrifty sundays, under the table and dreaming. inspire me please @ liz marie blog,sunday best @ the girl creative  shaken together, 

Currently...October

Have mercy, how on earth is it October? And don't you feel like we're all asking this question so often now? Like, how is the summer already over? How is it October? How is it the holidays are so close? By the way, no one talk to me about the holidays yet...although I've seen a few posts about them in link parties and will not so much as glance in their Santa direction. How is it that people are posting about the holidays already? While we're asking random questions, how is it that i will be 35 in a few weeks? Holy smokes, 35.  The next box. In the checking of boxes, the next box is 35 and older. How is it that I will soon be checking that next box?  Time is totally flying faster than ever before.

Speaking of flying, I will be turning 35 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Surely that takes the sting out, a bit.  Also, i want to buy myself something fancy, but what?

puertavallarta.net

This is most likely the one excursion we are going to, the Marieta Islands, which is a hidden beach made from bomb testing in the 1900s. You can only gain entry from either jumping in from the top (not recommended) or swimming into it from a "short tunnel carved from sea by the ocean side and into the crater." That sounds a little scary, i'm not a good swimmer, but when else do you get to see something like this???

Currently.....
Smelling:  Mulled Cider candle from Walmart. Their brand of candles were recommended to me, and they are so fragrant.
Loving:  My cats. I can't get enough of them, especially when i am going on vacation. I just try to soak up as much time with them as possible.
Planning:  Um, vacation? Right now the planning is focused just on clothing to bring. Luckily, this seems to be simpler than our last two trips and i am determined to get everything in the smaller carry-on suitcase.
Baking:  The weeks leading up to a vacation are freeing, don't you think? It's the only time i don't look at the food circulars, because instead of buying more food I'm looking to use what i have on hand in case something happens to the fridge or power or something.
Celebrating:  I mean, did somebody say 35 or what?!?!

 Any tips on PV? We are staying in the Bay of Banderas, about 20 minutes from downtown, so i was told to put Sayulito on my must see list.What else?!?!

Participating in Currently @ Dearest Love, Random Wednesday @ Because Shanna Said So

The front is fall-ified

This is always the time of year where i wish i had a big ol' porch to decorate. Or even a little ol' porch to decorate. But i make do with my stairs. My steps. My stoop. Whatever you can call it, it's officially fall-ified. I really love the all white fall set ups, with the white pumpkins, but apparently something happens to me at the store and i go straight for the tried and true orange pumpkins. I guess it's just not fall without it. 

Have you seen these striped pumpkins before?  They're my way of working in the whites while still being colorful.  Speaking of color, this weekend i went to a flower show/sale/hipster flea market with a friend, and we totally differ on plant basics.

I love greens, greens in pots, greens in the ground...i think that's rather obvious.  But she was vehemently against them, saying that is for the desert.

And she wants color color color. Interesting, i thought, and of course to each his own.

This giant kale was 5 dollars! 5 dollars!  Best. deal. ever. 

It's seriously giant. I had to pull from the pot reserves and use this cheapy plastic one b/c it was too giant for anything else.

I can't help it, i love my greens.

What about you?

Colors for your plants?? 

Or greens??

Traditional fall colors for your pumpkins??

Or whites??

Welcome Fall. Happy Fall. And to my Jewish friends, L'Shanah Tovah.

sharing is caring: falling for fall @ french country cottage, thrifty treasures @ southern hospitality, travel photo mondays @ travel photo discovery, places i've been @ the tablescaper,  travel photo thursdays@ budget travelers sandbox , Monthly projects @ Evolution of Style Make it Pretty Mon @ Dedicated House  inspire me mondays and power of paint @ domestically speaking, Places I've Been @ The Tablescaper,  Before and After @ Thrifty Decor Chick,   Sundays @ Suburbs Mama  Mod Vintage Life, Motivate Me Mon @Keeping it Simple, persia lou, the diyers @ homecoming,  home stories a-z, nifty thrifty @ Coastal Charm, be inspired @ elizabeth and co, the scoop @ stone gable,  inspire me tues, lil luna, get your craft on, sugar bee crafts. your designs this time, inspire me weds @ 733, wow us weds @ savvy southern style,  work it weds @ the blissful bee, outdoor weds @ a southern daydreamer, whimsy wednesday, wicked awesome weds @ handy man, crafty woman, look what i made,  whatever goes weds @ someday crafts,  charm of home, link party palooza @ tatertots and jello, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, open house @ no minimalist here, creativity unleashed @ shaken together,inspiration gallery @ Craftberry Bush, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, my romantic home, jennifer rizzo, Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity now,  furniture fridays @ mustard seed, Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage, design it fridays @ finding fabulous, best diy @ 36th ave, overflowing w/ creativity @ it's overflowing, nifty thrifty sundays, under the table and dreaming. inspire me please @ liz marie blog,sunday best @ the girl creative  shaken together,