Yo.

Source: stylemepretty.com via MaryNeff on Pinterest

And.... It's my birthday.
Just sayin'. Let's cut me some slack for my lack o' posts this week.
I'm out celebrating. And decorating. And party planning. And writing.
I asked for a toilet for my birthday.
That just made me sound old.
But I feel super young and fabulous.
I hope you have the happiest of my birthdays ever.
Especially to my parents, though you can't beat the one 33 years ago.
You are welcome.

Let's All Breathe a Sigh of Relief

OK. Turns out 5 yards was enough.
Wow. I gave the local upholsterer a chance.. with strick instructions to match up the pattern, make the skirt an inch longer than it was, make sure everything was straight, basically NOT to mess up or I would tell everyone in town.
Whoop Whoop.

This is my great- aunt Edna Margaret's chair. She was a really fabulous woman, and I have always loved that this piece was passed down to me. After months of searching for the perfect chair, turned out I had it all along.
SuperHappyDay.
Going to get pillow forms today.
What on earth am I going to do when this room is done???

Orange

Source: lucyinteriordesign.com via MaryNeff on Pinterest

I absolutely love this butler's pantry.. I am especially jealous of those glass front doors. Now, where are my lottery winnings?? My wish list is steadily growing around here....

Green

I love a list.
Especially I love crossing all things off a list. And I got to do that yesterday. It really amazes me at what I can do with a day off. Of course, now I'm exhausted.
After the yard guys cut through the jungle of weeds, trimmed all the hedges, and generally made my yard livable, I filled freshly (still a little sticky) spray painted pots with all kinds of new green things...

Now to remember to water them all.
Fabric for the guest bath room is coming in today, and I can't wait to finish that up and show photos. I am amazed at the difference the epoxy paint made!

Top 5 Tuesday

Weeeeee! I can't remember the last time I had a Tuesday off with nothing to do!
Wait. I have to finish painting my bathroom, get my taxes together, wash sheets, plant flowers, go to a meeting. ...
Oh, and then have Oysters and Champagne with my friends for dinner.
I'll survive.
I haven't done a top- 5 Tuesday in a while, so here goes....

Source: frydogdesign.blogspot.com via MaryNeff on Pinterest

I love tie-dye. I think it comes from my hippie phase in the late nineties. So this whole ombre thing is right up my ally. I even like the ombre hair... but would settle for 4 tablecloths in red. And a good Grateful Dead jam session.

Source: thatshappy.blogspot.com via MaryNeff on Pinterest

I think these are hanging from something .. but these bottles could easily be attached to the fence like my candle bottles. I would love a whole fence- full of flowers!

Speaking of flowers... my parents built me a patio for my birthday a year ago and put in 4 knock- out rose bushes. I got my first blooms this week, and they are Beautiful!!
And Speaking of my parents.... today is their 41st wedding anniversary. Happy Happy Day. Y'all are awesome.

I'm calling the upholsterer today. Just to see if we can work with the 5 yards of fabric I found. I also have an idea of another option but keep your fingers crossed! I'm ready to get this bad boy finished! Cause truthfully, this is not a good look in my living room.

Source: altruisminthemorning.com via MaryNeff on Pinterest

SO. For lent I have taken up running. I ran my first mile last week. Like, ever in my life. I always got out of that "mandatory" track meet at dear ole WS. But then I ran another mile and a half. I haven't gotten up to three, but that's the plan by Easter.
Coming home, the sun was rising on my street, there was the perfect breeze, my dog was with me and I just had to stop and smile. Ironically, I found this quote that morning after my run and thought it was perfect.

I realize that I am happy.

That's good stuff people. I hope you do too.

Have a great Tuesday.

And HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD!!!

Progress Report: Guest Bath

I hate when I can't finish a project in a day.. but I did get so much done yesterday that I'm more than a little proud of myself.
I finally decided I just couldn't live with the guest bathroom tile anymore. The lovely shades of brown had to go...

I've got to be honest. This is one of those projects that probably should have been hired out. Epoxy paint is a little tricky to work with. I didn't finish the shower area because the paint hardened in the bucket. Turns out they aren't kidding about a 6 hour window to work in.

Regardless, I will finish tomorrow... but am so excited about how it's turning out!

What a difference a day makes!

Finally Friday

Finally, Friday! I wish I could say my weekend is almost here, but it's all work for me! I am in party planning mode these days and would love a little time for some taste testing...

Source: lindawagner.net via MaryNeff on Pinterest

Source: livlifetoo.blogspot.com via MaryNeff on Pinterest

Source: stylemepretty.com via MaryNeff on Pinterest

I also love this set- up. Couldn't you just chill here all afternoon?? I am definitely seeing a red theme this year...

Case of the Wants: New Book

Man, I'm being real greedy this week!
I'm spending my morning flipping through the long awaited new issue of Lonny. You know how much I love a good book, and I think I found my next purchase.

Give me Frida on a cover anyday.

"Honoring 20 of the world's most inspiring women, Pioneers of the Possible profiles leading female figures of the past century through today, including Martha Graham, Simone de Beauvoir, Frida Kahlo, and Zaha Hadid. This beautiful collection shines a light on their collective fearless spirit and encourages today's women toward greater, deeper lives." - Amazon

A Case of the Wants: Portraits

For months now, I have been loving on these portraits at the store. I use them when decorating, then think about hiding them because I might cry if they sold.
Borderline creepy, but aren't they awesome?!?

The detail on the frames are insane.
FYI.. My birthday is coming up!!

Whoa.

Source: emporiumhome.com via Alison on Pinterest

There are no words.

I need your help...

Big News.
I found the fabric for my chair. For real, this time. I thought I found it and brought a swatch home, only to pull it out of my bag and realize that the flipside was absolute perfection.
Side 1:

 Side 2:

Now, the reason I would go with side two is this. I have a very very red oriental rug. And a red chair that you see above under the fabric. Duh, I have a teal sofa, but I really think going with the more teal side is the best bet.

Of course, there is a small problem, but that's where you dear readers come in. There are only 5 yards at the store in Oxford... and I need 7. I am ordering the 5 existing because they are on super- sale. Have you ever seen this fabric before? Do you know where to find it? Please tell me; I will be your best friend forever!
HELP!!!

Spring Issue

It's that time again....

I stepped out of my comfort zone for this one... writing about exteriors other than interiors.

Gorgeous, envy- inducing yards and gardens..

I loved the piece about my town.. with all of my favorite places mentioned!

(OK.. I might have sent a list)

 Does this look familiar? My bedroom made the issue! Gotta love those grocery store pillows... 

I'm going to win the lottery.

Ahhhh... What a wonderful weekend at the beach. I think the Powerball winnings that are sure to follow are going to allow me to live there at least half of my time.
At least now I know what my home there needs to look like..

Don't you love when a friend knows you so well that she can send things like "I think I found your dream home" and a link to this??
Those flamestitch Flor tiles are complete awesomeness. And the wallpaper + drapery combo makes me swoon. I have always been a fan of Decor Demon Brian Patrick Flynn.. but when you throw out things like “Beige makes me want to stab myself in the face with a dull fork!", it makes me think I've found my soul mate.

Happy Friday!

{Photo Here}

Attention!

This is Awesome. I want it.

PS. I'm an Aries... So I kinda need it.

Green Onions

Is everyone doing this?

Do you run in to check their progress each day?

Am I a freak?

Cue the Booker T and The MGS.

I love green onions. I put them in my eggs every morning with cherry tomatoes, turkey and cheese. In fact, I'm eating that right now. And drinking a pot of coffee. It makes me giddy that I might not ever have to buy them again. One less thing on the grocery list.

Ahhh, the magic of Pinterest.

Don't have a clue what I'm talking about? Click here.

And you're welcome.