My version of drive bys

We have been looking into replacing our windows, so I am thinking about the exterior of our house a lot lately. We have a pretty typical house for the neighbourhood, when we were house hunting we saw our same floor plan several times. I am trying to get some idea of what it might look like with new windows and what type to pick. Here are some cute places in our general area (right by the park). These are the same general layout as ours, but with a fair bit of updating done. Oh the possibilities.

This one was probably originally quite small but they added square footage over and under what was the deck on the right, and then put a carport out in front.
And this cutie patootie is my own place. I was thinking get rid of the shutters, paint the door black, fix the railing up (change it to wood?). What do you think? We are doing the planter around the tree this year for sure, everything else is negotiable. We'll see. Oh and the title. Go over to the Inspired Room and check out her drive by's if you haven't already!

the decorating gene

I am not sure if I got it, especially considering the trouble I have had with my fireplace arrangement. But my Mom definitely has talent. These are scenes from her house from a few months ago.

Dining room buffet

Living room side table

Entry way

Family room entertainment unit

Now tell me what you think, she has a knack for decorating, no?
The best part is that it is always evolving, and changing. Every time you visit there is something new to see!

Snow drops to daffodils

Snow drops by our front door in March

It's been a while. I am back. I am kinda crazy back to work, planning a party and all that kinda stuff. But I am also thinking about the house and all kinds of things that I want to get written down before I loose my train of thought.

Daffodils from my mom from Saturday

Break

I think I am taking a bit of a break until Easter time.  Just need to get a few things done and limiting my computer time seems to be wise... I will still be journalling kids stuff over at haven't you always wanted a monkey?

See you later.

List of Links

Here is the requested list of where I get my inspiration on line.  I tried to explain a bit why I like the blog and where to click to see what I am talking about.  I broke it up by category so you can find what interests you.  So get comfy this is a lot of info!

As I don't really know how anything works on blogger....I will put a list here. When my Hubby has some free time, I will get him to help me make a bit of a side bar so you can see them more easily.

Fashion
I was on a quest about 2 years ago to find out how to plan the most efficient wardrobe possible. Buy the least amount of clothes and be prepared for all situations. Here was what I found on that quest...

Space between my Peers From Rebecca I got the idea of a limited colour palette.  She does frugal, she does proportion, modesty, wardrobe planning.  Very interesting.  Oh, and check out her fashion labs, so great.

My Wardrobe Today and Wardrobe Oxygen Real life and practical.  I like her a lot!

You Look Fab Good summaries of current trends.

Insideout Style An Australian stylist, often has good insights.

Super Kawaii Mama Her style is just cool.  More feminine, and edgy than I care to be, but I adore her vintage stuff.

Decorating
My favorite decorating blogs show real before and afters of real people's houses. I find them so much more inspiring then magazines.

Shabby Nest I have several of her projects that I am hoping to copy someday!  I especially love her boys room.

Nesting Place She is from NC!! And she says it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful!

The Inspired Room Beautiful stuff.  This was one of the first design blogs I found.  Check out her drive bys.

The Lettered Cottage I could move in here.  Everything she does is wonderful.  And she stresses affordability.

House Obsession I love her kitchen!  Came here from the one below.

More Ways to Waste Time The title pretty much sums it up.  Check out her House Voyeur, and House in Progress sections.  This leans a bit more to the Apartment Therapy aesthetic, kinda mid century modern with a bit of vintage.

Crafting
Although I do consider my main craft to be scrapbooking, I don't really read any scrapbooking blogs, I would rather do it than read about it. I do adore the quilting blogs though, wish I had a bit more talent with sewing- the things people can make with fabric are so great.

Simplify  Ok I admit it I wish I was Camille Roskelley sometimes.  She is so talented, I love her house, her boys are adorable, and I even wish I had her clothes.  Go look.  It will make you want to take up quilting!

Little Birdie Secrets All different types of crafty ideas here

Today's Creative Blog A great place to find other crafty blogs.

Chic'N'Scratch Stampin Up! stuff. Very cute.  She does video demos, love that.  And of course she has the cutest southern accent, which makes me nostalgic.  

Becky Higgins  She is a scrapbook celebrity, in case you didn't know.  I like her style, it is fun to check here every once and a while.

Recommended by Others Here is what my wonderful friends have recommended to me.  Some I have checked out more than others...

Fresh MD I think this is fun for the medical stories, and generally interesting

Ramblings of a Renovating Couple Notice how this site links to a couple of the sites I have up top! and to Katiedid - I an copying part of that kitchen too!

Mommy type sites, recommended to me but I haven't had much time to check them out....

Simplemom.net

Soulemama.net

Dooce.com

suchthings.ca

Miscellaneous

365 Days of Exercise Inspired by the blog below this lady is blogging her every day resolution.  I find it inspiring.

A Year of Crockpotting Even though her year is up, the recipes are still there and they are good!

Bring the Rain Do Not Go Here unless you have lots of time and lots of kleenex.  She writes so well, I can't even tell you.  I was told  reading her thoughts on grief "is like therapy" by my friend after I told her to check this blog out.  If you do go here, start at the beginning and read through.  Her pain is so intense, but it is refreshing because there is no bitterness, it is so full of grace.  Amazing.

That's it, hope you find something you like, if you do, let me know!

A little vintage

Here are some vintage treasures I haven't exactly found a home for yet...
These drawers were from a garage sale 2 summers ago, just drove by and they had so much great stuff, I love these, but I don't really know where they should live. I had them on top of the cupboard in the kitchen, but now they are on a shelf in my bedroom.
This fan was my great grandmother's. Love it. It used to be in the living room, but I put it in the ensuite at Christmas time, felt to chilly too see it out every day, but I love it.

And TADA... here are the cool crates I bought last week.


The antiques mall near my Dad's care home is going out of business and baby L and I stopped by there on our way to visit him last Friday. I was actually searching for kid sized chairs, but there weren't any. Since the place is going out of business there was a room for 25% off and a room for 50% off. These Pepsi beauties were in the 50% off room, so I got 2! My hubby loves Pepsi and Pepsi was "born" in North Carolina where I used to live, so that gives these crates special meaning. Ok, I have no home for them yet, but they are boxes people, I have junk so I know I can use boxes! If the price was a bit lower I would have bought more... I also saw wooden milk crates, and a turquoise kitchen scale that were beautiful, but above the budget. I think I will try to get to more antique places next Friday, this Friday is already scheduled, trailer hitch getting put on the mini van. I know my life is glamourous....

Mantel Update

I first wrote about my fireplace mantel here, and I have slowly made some progress. This is the mantel as it stands today. Not quite sure, but I do think it is better... and my Mommy ok'd it and that means a lot.
The big silver box is my wedding pics so, although I know it is a bit big for the space, I really want a place for it in the living room. The middle thingy is a Russian Samovar that was my Great Grandmother's, and the coasters and the spoons (in the jar) were Grandma B's.
On the other side, almost everything is from a cheap-o store complete with fake patina, except the round wood box (my uncle made it, and it has american "state quarters" in it), the tin cigar boxes (a thoughtful gift from my friend Chantale), and the Pottery Barn books (they are new, but they weren't cheap, ha).

Anyway, Tips? Suggestions? General comments? I am not sure if I am happy enough to leave it and move on or not.... what do you think?
The next dilemma in this room is lighting. I would really like to have sconces over the fire, but what type and where exactly and does that affect my displays?