Twins with Watercolors

Last week big brother was out with Daddy, 

so I set the twins up at the table with a paintbox of watercolors each.

We were very intent.

Quite diligent.

And kept a running commentary on our own as well as our sister's progress.

Of course, the water bowl was very popular. 

But quite possibly the nicest part of the event was getting to wear 

these cunning little aprons Sister made for each on their "1/2 Birthday". 

 You can see her most informative and inspirational tutorial {HERE}.

A Little Green Suitcase

Found this sweet little number yesterday at the thrift store.  

Could I possibly be more happy with this color green?  Certainly not.

Though the pretty inside is quite the added bonus.

Love that little mirror and the ruched edges all around.

Now, why exactly did I need to bring home such a little green suitcase?  

For a bit of lovely stacking right here, of course.

{Linking to Southern Hospitality}

Pillow Talk

Awhile back I wrote about the magical effect a little lampshade change-up had in our master bedroom.  

Well now, some new pillows have me falling back in love with my sofa. 

First let me introduce you to our sofa.  When my sweetheart and I moved into our first apartment we had no table and only one chair between us - an old recliner from my grandparents.   After about three months of hanging out on the floor and taking turns in the recliner, we gathered our funds together and made our first furniture purchase - this sofa.  It's the only new piece of furniture we've bought and was quite the investment for us, not to mention a considerable decision for me to make in my first days of homemaking. 

She's already been through lots of spills, wear and tear in the last five years.  She's become rather lumpy.   But we're counting on her holding up for a good many years to come - the point is that this is no time to be falling out of love with my sofa.  And really there was no reason too.  Just like the lamps, this couch still has loads of potential....

She just needed some new accessories. 

Voila!  New pillows.  I can't even begin to tell you how happy these are making our family room.  The colors and textures so perfectly tweak that olive green, the sofa almost feels brand-new.

I was instantly smitten with the blue/green poof at Urban Outfitters - I love the shape and knew the color would look great with the curtains in this room.  

The yellow roses almost found me.  Honest,  I wasn't even looking for pillows at Target, but there she was all by her lonesome on a Clearance end-cap for 50% off - I couldn't believe it. 

So again I ask you, What around your home just needs little facelift to feel lovely again?

See more of our home {HERE}

{Linking to Life Made Lovely, Bowl Full of Lemons
Funky Junk Interiors & Serenity Now}

Some Thank-You's & a 20/20 Update

Yesterday I was rather tickled to find the J.R. Watkins people noticed I am quite fond of their lovely soaps and lotions.   And while, no, it didn't result in any dandy freebies, they did write a nice little bit about my blog on the company's Clear Conscience Blog. 

I admit it made me feel rather special indeed.

They even posted my picture {HERE}.

And along the same lines - 

Here are a few lovely blogs that encouraged my heart with some completely kind features this summer.
Thank you so much, sweet ladies.

Be sure to pay them a visit!

And now, as I did commit myself yesterday to show you some of my progress, here are a couple projects I completed on my 20 Bags of Unloveliness Leaving My House! in 20 Days Challenge.

 Exhibit #1:  My Linen Closet. 

I was so thrilled to have one after doing without in our old apartment and keeping towels and such in my clothes closet.  But my gratefulness has sadly not always resulted in a tidy closet.  Yikes, quite decidedly unlovely.

Part of the problem was that there was simply too much trying to live here, so I got rid of a whole laundry basket full of old baby blankets and towels and full size sheets which very rarely or never get used. 

{Why yes, I did just take this picture quick-quick this morning without vacuuming.}

Exhibit #2:  My storage cabinet, located in the Sunroom.  

And yes, I deserve a very smart spanking for not taking a Before picture.  So frustrated with myself. Indeed, the project felt so overwhelming that after putting it off and off I spontaneously dove in with nary a thought of my camera.

So please try to imagine every square inch of the top of this cabinet and the shelf completely covered with vases, pitchers, and wreaths and flowers and bowls all precariously piled up, looking very much as if they will crash upon the brick floor below at any moment.  Also the inside of the cabinet was a mass of candles, vases, and craft supplies, stuffed on the shelves in really the most obnoxious manner you can imagine.  No joke.

{Why yes, I was quite oblivious to the multitude of toys underneath the cabinet until this moment}

Again too much was trying to live here and again I got rid of a great big boxful.  I added the baskets.  One holds candles, another vases, and the third some of my rarely used craft supplies. 

The picnic basket is just sitting pretty, but I will eventually use it for more of my personal craft supplies.

I moved the little people's craft supplies out and made this cabinet completely decor/serving-ware, bringing some pieces like the cake pedestals up from the furnace room so they will be handy and more likely to be used for spur of the moment hospitality.

It could be a bit prettier (and yes, probably a bit more purged), 

but it is a VAST improvement, so I'm satisfied for now.

Whew!  Thank you much, if you stuck with me through all of that.

Just Three more days to go!

Little Scout Photo Session

Got to do little photo session with this sweet baby girl 0ver the weekend.

And her cute parents, also seen here.

Normally I prefer to take pictures in the evening when the light is down.

 But I'm learning that midday shoots can work just fine as long as you keep to the shade.

These were taken under a tree at 1:00, facing North.

Precious baby.

How I do love those chubby cheeks.

And those chubby legs!

Really, her whole delightful, chubby self.

 I'll be giving a little 20/20 update tomorrow.  

Just three more days of the challenge left!

Are you making progress, too?  It feels so great to be clearing junk out and making things nice-n-tidy, but - whew! - I'm having a hard time keeping up!

{Linking to Lollipops}

An Autumnish Wreath

So it's September, and that calls for a little embracing of the coming season.

To help I made a little autumn-ish wreath.

To make it I used these lovely dried Chico Chokes.  I used them last fall to fill apothecary jars and loved their warm color and beautiful texture.   They are often 50% off at Hobby Lobby.

For this small wreath I used a 8" twig wreath and three packages of the Chico Chokes.  You'll also need some wire cutter or pliers to cut off the wire stems and some hot glue to attach the "chokes".

I simply arranged what I had in a way that I like and pressed them on with hot glue one by one while I tried to patiently wait for the glue to harden.

I strung some cloth ribbon through some twigs on the back and tied it to this empty frame.

Quite happy with this warm, textured look.  Perhaps you will give it a try?

The wreath ended up as part of my Framed Fall Mantel {HERE}

{Linking to  Centsational Girl, The Nesting Place , The Shabby Creek Cottage,
Just a Girl,  Bowl Full of Lemons, and Funky Junk Interiors}

Make A Bit of Raspberry Butter

What to do with a lovely little package of sweet-n-tart raspberries?

Make raspberry butter, of course.

1. It is beautiful. 2. It is yummy.  3. It will make your toast feel extra-ordinary special.

You will need some unsalted butter at room temperature (I used about 2 sticks);  Lovely ripe raspberries (One Half Pint ought to do it); A squeeze of orange or lemon juice; Also, a sprinkle of kosher salt. 

Whip up the butter and toss in the beautiful berries.

Mash them up nicely with your pastry blender or whatever you have in your drawer that will mash nicely.  Then add a little orange juice and a pinch of salt.

Toast up some yummy left-over bread from last night's company and spread on generously - today is a special day! 

Freeze up any leftovers for next week's company bread or to serve with some Sunday Morning Scones.

May you enjoy a long, lovely weekend!

See other tried-n-true recipes {HERE}

{Linking to Life Made Lovely Monday,
Just a Girl, Tatertots & Jello, and Funky Junk Interiors, Gingerbread Girl}

Not Falling One Tiny Bit Out of Love

 With Wallpaper.

 So quaint and cozy.

From Home Depot!

 Maps!

 {Martha Stewart}

 {Amy Butler}

It's just so homey.   Ready to put some up, too?