sweater wreath

must.have.will.make.soon

Thanks to Decorating Addict for this gem!

Out of the Closet

LivingEtc.com

Two people were never meant to share one closet. It`s hard enough making sure that my jeans aren`t taking up too much space, my sweaters are folded where they can keep their shape & avoid getting snagged on the inside of a drawer, and none of my dresses are dragging on the floor of the closet. But adding my husband`s pile of hoodies, winter work clothes, and a million pair of socks is a near impossible feat. None of our dresser drawers close all the way, there are clothes on the closet floor, and my bedroom door doesn`t open all of the way because there are so many hoodies piled on a hanger on the back of the door.
My dream is to have someone come in and organize our clothes storage - a whole system for the closet and dresser to make sure that we can find everything we need and everything stays in the best shape possible. My budget just laughs in my face whenever I start dreaming, though. And my husband doesn`t think that he should have to start keeping his clothes in the basement, either, though the idea sounds good to me.

Warmth in a pot

It's winter and comfort foods are what it's all about right now. There is a soup that is my fave from Olive Garden, and I've stumbled across this version of it at CD Kitchen. It's so good and hearty. I introduced my mom to it as well and now she will say "if you're making that soup again..."  So - today I made the soup and called Mom. "You make the biscuits, I'll bring the soup - see you for dinner."

Ingredients:
12 small spicy sausage links
2 medium potatoes, cut in half lengthwise, and then cut into 1/4" slices
3/4 cup onions, diced
6 slices bacon
1 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
2 cups kale leaves, cut in half, then sliced
2 tablespoons chicken base
1 quart water
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream (or condensed milk for lower fat version)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place sausage links onto a sheet pan and bake for 25 minutes, or until done; cut in half length-wise, then cut at an angle into 1/2 inch slices.

Place onions and bacon in a large saucepan and cook over medium heat until onions are almost clear. Remove bacon and crumble. Add garlic to the onions and cook an additional 1-minute. Add chicken base, water, and potatoes, simmer 15 minutes. Add crumbled bacon, sausage, kale and cream. Simmer 4 minutes and serve.

Heather's master bedroom

Out with the old...

I've had these items in my bedroom for the past few years - lovely, beachy, soothing. It has served me well, but now it's time for a change.

Jamie and I went shopping and found a new duvet cover for me from the new S&C Collection called Plumeria. It contains lovely shades of gray, cream, beige and steel blue. The plan is to put some vintage or shabby chic touches in there.

I have a few old books my father gave me over the years, including one printed in 1898. I also have my grandmother's autograph given to her by a teacher in 1914. The autograph book is kind of falling apart so I'm thinking of taking some of those pages and framing them. I also have an old window frame from a one-room school house that was on my aunt and uncle's farm. I'll have to figure out how best to show it off.

And now for some inspiration:

The floral is a bit much but love the yarn tub idea!

Look at a day...

Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It’s not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; its when you had everything to do, and you’ve done it.

Margaret Thatcher

New colours for 2011

Farrow and Ball has created nine new colours for 2011 as shown on Style at Home. I love their neutrals in the grey and purple shades. Here are my faves. There is also a much lighter version of the "Brassica No. 271" that would lend well to the vintage look when paired with black. It also reminds me slightly of my bedroom when I was 16. Please forgive me for this, but I WAS 16 as I said - black, purple and silver foil geometric wallpaper, grey mix curly faux fur bedspread, black fishnet tacked to the ceiling, and finally, black lacy curtains. I was a child of the 70s, what can I say?

PEACE and LOVE

Manor House Gray No.265

Plummett No.272

Brassica No. 271

new year, new style...

We are a mother-daughter team who both love decorating and crafting. We're continually working on our houses to turn them into beautiful and functional homes. We also love nothing better than a bargain --- discount stores, flea markets, and of course HomeSense!

I'm Heather - the mother part of the duo. I have a townhouse with a decent size master and two itty bitty bedrooms. One is just big enough for a double bed and a nightstand for guests (most importantly, my son when he's home on leave). The other is my Creative Zone.

What appeals to me right now...  re-purposing anything, all things vintage mixed with modern, and cultivating my dragonfly collection. I try to keep it to touches in each room as opposed to becoming the crazy dragonfly lady with no room for anything but!

Jamie, the daughter part of the duo, is stay-at-home Mom, mother to the cutest little guy ever born (I may be a tad biased!?!). Jamie and her family live in a rented townhouse, so that adds some decor challenges when you can't choose paint colours and any decorating has to be non-permanent and movable.

Jamie is into organizing, organizing and organizing. Her focus now is on  combining masculine and feminine elements to keep her and hubby both happy. Also on the list is how to have a baby without sacrificing style, when jolly jumpers, playpens and highchairs have to be integrated into the decor!