I love paint.  It can completely transform something that is blah and outdated to something totally fantastic and brand new.

Do you change your mind a million times when you're re-decorating or updating a room?  It seems like I do.

It's happening with my master bedroom update.  I'm wavering all over the place.  One minute, I'm sticking to the plan I originally drew up, and the next I'm doing a complete 180.

I have liked Nate Berkus since the first day he stepped on to Oprah's stage and revealed a tiny apartment makeover.  I like his style, I like his design philosophy and because he's also from Minneapolis and we're close in age, I feel like he's a bit of kindred spirit -- we were both born in September and are anal about organization. We were also probably re-arranging our bedrooms at the same time when we were kids! (We're practically twins, I know!)

I received his book for Christmas.

I've been meaning to do more than just look at the pictures and read a few paragraphs here and there, but after seeing Part One of Oprah's interview with him on OWN on Sunday (click here to view the interview on the OWN website) I finally picked up the book and started reading it all the way through.

His book is a great read and is not just another pretty coffee table book.  I love the fact that he gets personal and tells his story.  It's kind of a "decorating-book-meets-biography-meets-real-life-stories" book and it was such a fun, deep and enlightening read!

He was so open and forthcoming about his passion for design, his personal experiences and how he came to his design philosophy.  He also shares pictures from his own home as well as homes that illustrate his point of decorating with things that matter to you.  After reading it, I feel like I really understand what it means to make your home tell the story of who you are and I couldn't agree more with his decorating philosophy.

Great job, Nate!  I love you more than ever and your book will forever be on my coffee table (or maybe a shelf...it will get moved around but it will always be in my home)!

I know the trend in blogland is slip-covered, fabric furniture, but, leather kind of rules the roost at my house.


It's hard to deny the practicality of leather furniture with children and pets.  In addition, my husband totally and completely loves leather.  It will always be a staple at our house.

We bought high-quality furniture leather but after 11 years of solid use, it was wearing out.  So, last year when it came time to buy something new we had to decide what was going to stay and what was going to go.

So I was just minding my own business the other night when I got an email alerting me to a new comment on my blog.  My blog friend, Antonia at Tidy Away Today, posted to let me know she just nominated me for a "Liebster Award."  How fun!


Wait a sec...what IS a Liebster Award?

Maybe it's because the kitchen is the heart of the home that I love so many different things in the kitchen. I'm not really sure what it is, but I love dishes, kitchen linens, pretty dutch ovens, french cookware and cute little kitchen tchotchkes.  All of these things make a kitchen not only practical but cozy and homey.

I was browsing through the Sur la Table catalog and I was admiring so many things I decided to compile some of my favorite "kitchen lovlies" together for a blog post.



Isn't it all fun and happy?!  Honestly, I could choose a million more things, but these are just a few.

1. French Hen Pitcher
2. Venice Round Ramekins
3. La Petite Ferme Placemat
4. Flower Pots Vintage-Inspired towel
5. Farmhouse Check Napkins
6. Squirrel Nutcracker
7.  Poppy Ring Rolling Pin
8.  Le Creuset Dutch Oven
9.  Farmer's Market Basket

Sometimes it's seeing fun little things like these in my kitchen that just make my day.   What makes your day?

Thanks for reading!

I've been working like crazy trying to get a few projects done around the house and, by far, the most exciting one right now is the work that's happening in my dining room.

Remember this idea board I recently shared in a post about my love for gingham and checked fabrics?

Well, I'm now working feverishly to turn this room into a reality!


I just LOVE this fabric that is draped over my wing chair!