Whew!

I have been having intermittent internet access since Irene paid a visit. The storm wasn't as bad as I thought it would be... and it certainly could have been worst.

That tree missed my car by about 6 inches!!

I never thought my pretty tree lined street would make me wish it wasn't so tree lined.

On This Day..

Two years ago, I married a wonderful man. I couldn't have imagined how perfect he would be for me and my crazy self. But he loves me endlessly, flaws and all. I'm so fortunate to call him my Treasure.

Happy Anniversary, Honey!!

Bundle Of Joy!!

Beyonce revealed her baby bump clad in Dolce and Gabanna, at the MTV VMA awards. She looks so adorable and totally overjoyed!!!

Get More: 2011 VMA, Music

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I love how excitedly proud papa, Jay Z, reacts to Beyonce's reveal of "the love growing inside of her."

Be Safe

That's pretty much all I got... The hurricane's wind and rain is making it's way to the Tri-State area and from news reports, it's not going to be pretty. So please be safe and take whatever precautions to make it so.

I have a funeral to go to today.. one of my favorite aunt's died from Breast Cancer.

Then, it's back home to have a cupcake and a glass of champagne for my birthday.

I don't really feel like celebrating but there's always room for a cupcake and champagne.

Take care, y'all!

All Rosey

This wall decor is utterly feminine...

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It's so pretty... I feel like I can almost smell those roses.

I wonder if my daughter would like me to a rose wall in her room?

It's Official!

I officially loathe painting and any derivative thereof. I'm currently working on priming the family room. While working on the built-ins, I knocked over a whole can of primer on the floor. The uncovered floor. I was momentarily in a state of shock as I watched the primer race across the floor.. I was FREAKIN OUT!!! I started trying to scoop it up with my hands.. ummm, yeah.. HORRIBLE idea. Then I ran upstairs to the bathroom and grabbed everyone's towels and raced back down to try and get up the primer that was now taunting me because it was threatening to start to stick to the floor. I worked like a mad woman.. I could feel tears welling up in my eyes..my heart was pounding.. and I was sweating bullets. However, to someone watching me, they would have been on the floor dying laughin'.

All I could think was, "Please don't let Chompers come in here..". That was the last thing I needed, tiny paws covered in primer, tracking it all over the house as I chased him.. because surely he would think it was a game of "Im'ma get you". I shudder at the thought.

Anywhoo.. after cleaning up the primer.. I was able to remove the sticking bits with mineral spirits. I had this on hand to clean the brushes of the primer.. but it didn't work well for that. Actually, it didn't work at all. However,for  removing the primer from the hardwood floors, it was perfect. YAY!

In addition, to working on the tedious built-ins... we decided to paint over the wallpaper.  Reason being, 1) it's a non textured paper so should we decide to paint, it will be smooth.. 2) Trying to remove it would be a "nightmare" - that's a quote from a professional wallpaper-er. 3) Didn't want to deal with the expense of having to spackle the wall.

So far, so good. I'll keep you posted on how that turns out.

Please excuse the dark pic.. taken with phone camera. I need a new camera.. Hubby, are you listening?

In more exciting news, I want to use this wallpaper. Isn't it pretty? I happened to find it while strolling through Lowe's.

Spanish Tile

I want to use it either in the family room, I'm thinking on both sides of the fireplace and leaving the middle part above the fireplace white.. we have have the tv mounted there. Or use it in one of the hallways. Or use it in the sitting area of the 3rd floor... Or use it in one of the bedrooms that will become the master walk in closet.

I really love it and surprisingly, it doesn't overwhelm me.

Sweet

Little known fact about me is that I'd rather watch Golden Girls or I Love Lucy, than anything else on tv. Everytime someone joins me to watch tv, I get, "Hoy Boy, you're watching THIS again or can we change the channel?"

Although, I watch I Love Lucy, I never knew anything about Desi or Lucy beyond the fact that they were married. A search on YouTube for the "Baby" episode, led me to this sweet home video.



They looked so happy and in love.

Reminds me to capture more of our life together and our family on video..

This Or That?

I bought an Asian console some time ago.. this one:

 

And because it has taken forever for it to finally be delivered.. (my issue not the store..) now they have another console.. this one:

I have the opportunity to swap the dark console for the light one but which one do I choose?

What say you?

Just Like Miranda's

I watched "The Devil Wears Prada" this weekend and was in a tizzy about all of the fabulous fashion. The movie is so inspiring to get one's style swagger on.

I would rock this look in a heartbeat..

But what caught my eye even more was some of the decor elements.

I absolutely adore the gallery wall. It's clean yet glam.

 

I was head over heels and knew immediately that I wanted it for my living room, above the mirrored buffet. I've already secured the octagon mirror and now I just need the gallery frames. Anyone have a good  = inexpensive source?

LOVE THIS FABRIC!! I'm thinking of doing a window seat cushion for the biggest window seat in my house. The seat is 90" x 26" and I think it would make a great graphic statement for the space. Or I can do window panels or at the very LEAST throw pillows. I do have an aversion to pattern but I believe I could live with this.

The big, naked window seat needs some love. This area gets great light but I don't have a great camera to capture it. I can totally see myself curled up, sipping champagne and thumbing through my favorite magazines. I think I need 24" throw pillows too..

Ornately Gorgeous

I probably would have gagged at the original carnation of this dresser but with it's pretty in pink makeover,  I just adore it.

Wishy Washy

Although, my blog post could be applied to the annoying torrential rainy weather we've been having in the NYC area, I'm actually talking about me kinda wavering on my living room sofa choice.. the color that is.

I have been of the almost constant mindset that I want a creamy white sofa. How could I not? It always looks good. I can change the look with a switch-a-roo of different throw pillows. Voila!

But now.. after seeing THIS... I'm totally buckling and thinking I want a sexy black sofa.

I haven't put in the order for the sofa yet, just gave the furniture maker an idea of what I wanted in terms of shape and size but haven't pulled the trigger on the actual color and fabric.

Decisions, decisions. UGH!!

Here's a pic of my living room.. what say you?

Sofa will go on the left (side of pic) and be made to fit into that window seat space. So...should we go with a BLACK or WHITE sofa?

  

Clawfoot SHOWER!?!

I had never seen nor heard of this before but I definitely LOVE IT and need it in my house. Hahaha, I see a growing trend of things I "need".. but a girl wants what she wants.

I am quite smitten with the vintage look and feel of this shower.

We are planning to finish our basement and would like to put a bathroom down there. I think this would be sooooooooo cute. So I will file this away until we are closer to that task.

Get In My Kitchen!!

Actually, I would love to replace my current kitchen with this one.

Aside from the fabulousness that is the Carrera marble backsplash, Carrera marble counter tops and Murano glass chandelier, check out those custom refrigerator panels with mirrored back and circle mullions. I LOVE and WANT!!!!

Before and Afters

I finally got around to painting the fireplace. Whew.. glad that's finally over.

The fireplace before it's glamafication.

The French doors and fireplace after priming.

Finished product. It's all glossy and fabulous.

I love how the fireplace is highlighted.

 I decided not to paint the French doors black because I thought it would make the wall look shorter and my goal is to make everything look as spacious as possible.

While I was at it, I used some spray paint to paint the circle end tables. I had never spray painted anything before and now that I have.... I LOVE IT!!! I wanna spray paint EVERYTHING!! I almost spray painted our garbage cans gold, too. We would have had the fanciest garbage cans in the neighborhood.

The obsession begins...

Love the result!

So much better!

Me likey!

 I still have to work on a vignette for the fireplace and the mirrored console. I want to add a circular mirror for over the fireplace to repeat the circles in the tables. Beyond that, I need to study glam vignettes that I have in my inspiration folders and glean a look from there.

I'm going to order our custom sofa and sectional next week. YEAAAAA! I can't wait to finally have a sofa in the living room. Still want a daybed too.. not sure if I will go the custom route or get this one from Macy's.

Grrrrrrr!

I'm LOVING this look on Kimorah Lee Simmons.

LOVING the dress, red sandals and the pin straight hair. LOVE IT ALL!!

This is my b-day look inspiration. FABULOUS!!