When I'm not Staging and Spray-Painting...

I am always really hesitant to make my blog very personal, since this is a site to compliment my actual business website and to give some insight into my job and also how that translates to my own home, but I thought you may like to see what I've been up to lately...you may be surprised!

Hanging out with babies...

 This is Charles, who's room you may remember from this post.

This one was too funny not to post...this is my godson Wade. Taking his self-portrait.

My friend Mackenzie with Helen, one of her twin girls...you  may remember her from this post.

We were hanging out at an Easter-eve concert here in Memphis at the Levitt Shell..it's a great place to watch a show and picnic!

I also got to ride-along in a racecar!!

I survived!

And got to meet Jeffrey Earnhardt (Dale's grandson)! If you know me you know how cool this was!

And yesterday, I got to meet my favorite band Chevelle and watch their entire show from the stage! They performed at Minglewood Hall in Memphis. I LOVE music and getting close to the action was such a treat!

My view...

 They were so nice! I am obviously saying something really profound telling them thank you over and over and rambling on and on about who knows what...I am such a nerd!!!

They are a little heavy for some people's taste, but that's my jam! Here is my favorite song. It's actually one of their tamer ones :) http://vimeo.com/14862186

I hope you enjoyed a look into my past couple of weeks! Was it what you expected?

See y'all back here for "Thrifted Thursday!"

Why I Shouldn't Have Nice Things

Do you see this sweet ball of fur?

Look how playful and innocent he is...

Oh look how sweet and content...

So carefree and happy...

Such a cutie. You just want to squeeze him...

Until he runs around your house like he has become temporarily possessed and knocks over/shatters your soon-to-be-hung MIRROR that you just blogged about finding and that you had already picked out a place for...

Yes...those are pieces of it on the floor.
Cut to me with the saddest face you've ever seen.(Yes that was a Karen Walker/Madonna reference)
So yes, this...

is why I shouldn't have nice things (note the crazy eyes...)
I may or may not be ordering this shirt for him shortly. It's a toddler shirt, and he acts like one so I find it appropriate.

Alternate title: Why I shouldn't leave nice things in destroying-distance of the Murphy Monster. Either way my mirror is in a bad state. I'm checking out mirror repair options today, but I'm pretty sure it's going to cost me a pretty penny either way. The original glass was super thick. I'll keep you updated.

A Few Blog Updates!

I hope everyone is having a happy January! I thought with the new year I should spend a little time updating the blog. So, a few things that you should check out:
There are several new options in the column to the right. You can now "like" us on facebook, get every new post emailed to you by simply entering your email address, and check out our Pinterest page by clicking the button!
We also have a new header showcasing some recent projects and a new background.

Also, I bought THIS today! Which hopefully means better pictures on the blog!
In keeping with the theme of new year, new updates, I have made several personal "resolutions", or whatever you want to call them. Here are a few, because I feel like if I make them public, I will be more likely to follow them!
1. Start wearing eye cream at night. Apparently the rest of you started doing this years ago, and no one told me. Now my eyes are all wrinkly and it's going to take me years to catch up. Thanks a lot for keeping me out of the loop, guys! I guess better late than never.
2. Start only getting on Facebook to update my business page or occasionally post pictures. I feel like the "friend" side of it has become a little negative lately, and I am not even seeing updates from the only people that I would like to keep up with. So if you need to get in touch with me, it's probably not the best place to do that. So far I am 3 days and counting with no Facebook, and it's pretty great!
3. Get over my body issues. This is my big one, and it's the hardest. I don't know if I'll ever be completely able to embrace things like cellulite, hair turning grey, or flabby arms, but I'm going to do better not to dwell on it. That brings me to my new blog venture on the side:

www.sensiblychicshopper.blogspot.com

I get asked about my clothes a lot, and I decided to do this to help people shop for fashionable things on a budget. I am not an expert, not even close, so this is just informative and for fun. The catch is that I would have to be OK with posting pictures of myself (which I don't know if you've noticed, is a thing that doesn't happen on this blog!). This will be the big challenge for me, so please check it out and give me some encouragement! I hope you'll follow along with the new blog as well as this one. And spread the word to anyone you think might enjoy it! I'm really excited about it!

Did any of you commit to resolutions this year? Have you already broken them? I'm curious to see what others think about them, so let me know!

What does your front door say about you?

I had the opportunity to take a quick trip to NYC last weekend for a friend's wedding, and also to see my fabulous friend Alexis, who has recently become a New Yorker(and is worse at consistent blogging than I am :).  While walking around the West Village on Saturday, I realized that everyone had amazing front doors!  Then I realized why...because every town house looks almost identical, and the door is really the only way to make a statement.  I should have been snapping pictures of all of them, but I felt a little stalker-ish, so I just got a few.  I think after my 100th "look how cute that door is!", Alexis was ready to strangle me:

I love this beautiful wood color and the round knocker!  I noticed that a lot of the doors are very skinny and tall, but all of them had beautiful frames.

The blue adds so much character!  There were so many great colors!!

This is not a picture that I took, but is another West Village door. How awesome is the detailed moulding on the door!  And I must say these doors are definitely bringin' brassy back (feel free to sing that like Justin Timberlake).

This one takes the details from the red door ones step further with a floral carving.  Look how much character it has!  I would love to see inside all of these homes because I'm sure there is just as much character on the inside!! Making your front door a statement piece is definitely an easy and inexpensive way to spruce up your home.  Even if you don't live in the "big city", that doesn't mean you house's exterior can't have big city charm!!

Every room can use a touch of Tudor

So... this post really has nothing to do with staging, but I have been catching up on the final season of "The Tudors", and first I must say if you have not watched the series, may I provide you with the number one reason why you should:



Mr. Henry Cavill, who plays Charles, The Duke of Suffolk. Ok, maybe not the only reason, but a very good reason.


Now, compose yourself and lets get back to things that actually relate to this blog in some fashion. Every episode has the most amazing and detailed backdrops. The ornate fabrics, the huge wooden furniture pieces, the candle light. It is all so beautiful (I just try not to imagine how bad it probably smelled seeing as how there wasn't alot of showering/laundry services going on). Those are things you don't have to worry about when watching it on TV.

I think it would be so fun to be a set designer and get to play with all of the amazing textiles and natural elements. I think there are definitely elements from that period that could be worked into a more contemporary home. Here is a mood board that I found on Apartment Therapy that shows some pieces that reflect the "Tudor" look.

Showtime also got together with Metropolitan Home to create some rooms inspired by the series!

I absolutely love this couch and the stencilled walls.

This is a 17th century chair that has been brought back to life and looks beautiful up against the light walls.

Here is the full view of the room. It just makes you feel like you are a part of that period (minus the beheadings and diseases). You can read about the designer and see more pictures HERE. I love pulling ideas from period decor. Just one unique piece can be a total standout in a home!

Cat Purse Anyone?

Based on the emails that I have received from friends with funny craigslist recomendations, my monkey post from last week was a big hit! This week I am bringing to you two more great finds from Craigslist.com. You can thank me later.

First, this lovely cat purse. Only $15! And notice the intricate monogramming of the word "Catty". If the creepy cat face doesn't scream, "stay away from me, I'm crazy", letting people also know that you are "catty" should seal the deal.

Here is the link for the Cat Purse. Snatch it up before someone else does!

Next, this "Wooden Indian" would make a great conversation piece for only $200. I am thinking that having this sitting in the corner of a room in your house would be almost as creepy as the scary cat purse. I also have to point out the cat in the background of the picture who looks a little irritated that his scratching post is being sold to the highest bidder.


Stay tuned later this week for an update on my Cool Weather Herb Box!

Craigslist: Good deals and good for a laugh

I am a frequent (at least twice daily) peruser of Craigslist.com. It can be a great place to find inexpensive furniture/art/pretty much whatever you're looking for. Every once in a while, I come across a piece and I think, "someone else has to think this is as funny/ridiculous as I do!" So, I am going to start posting these as I find them to pass on these great deals to you. I know we can all use a good laugh every now and then!

Up this week is this "Statue of Monkey on Stand" It can be yours for only...drum roll please...$375!! Its description states that it is "one of a kind" and has brought "many compliments over the past 5 years". Also, this apparently cost the original owners $2,000, but they are willing to part with it for a mere $375.

Seriously, who wouldn't want one of these in their home??! The face and tail are gold-leaf! Click on the link for more pictures! If you find any funny Craigslist posts let me know and I will be happy to post them!