pretty ugly

Sometimes I find that I do have a penchant for things that I know some may find are less than pretty.

I cannot tell you how much pleasure I find in these vintage paint-by-numbers.  I am sure people may find them a bit tacky.

I am not sure what the allure is for me...that it is simple, a little rough around the edges, or just not perfect.

I think this is why I love the Novogratzs so much.  They are playful in their designs.  Come on--neon "F A M I L Y" in the kitchen?  You can't beat that.

I know Mrs. Wearstler has a little taste for the not-classically-pretty.

The colors in this spread can almost offend.  It's like the opposite of soothing.  But sometimes shocking is good.

And, oh, what can beat wolfs in the wild.  (Gotcha on this one :)  I really don't get this aesthetic at all!

Today I found this parrot lamp at Tuesday Morning--a steal at 79 bucks, I thought.  She woman who worked there said it had been there over a year.  Poor little fella.  Is it really so ugly?  (this one is from Neimans coming in a $299!  This is why I want a store someday--isn't it all about context?

okay...not quite as good as Neiman's....but it's still pretty (ugly).  It does remind me of my grandmother's home a little.  I can see it working in a more modern room, too.  All about context.

And Kate finished the stencil tonight in the laundry room.  I think it's pretty (pretty).  Have a great weekend my friends, Julie

Worth the Money

1.  Glass Doorknobs

We put these (from Anthropologie, about $40) in the french doors in our bedroom.

In the long run, the extra cost isn't that much, and they add character and charm to a room.

2.  Frye Boots

image via Bloomingdales

image via Bloomingdales

Chris actually surprised me with my pair.  I am more of a T.J. Maxx kinda girl and rarely pay
over $50 for boots.  I LOVE these, though.  I have been wearing them with dresses all summer, and I can't wait to wear them in the fall.  (Still 95 degrees in Georgia!)

And while talking about boots....I love wearing camel-colored boots with black.  (A la Carolyn below.  I still miss her and J.F.K., Jr.

and just to pause for a moment to remember their style.  Can you imagine what the interior of her home would look like now?

(image via People.com)

back to list...

3.  Custom Blackout Shades for Nursery or Toddler Rooms

I really love the burlap shades in the boys room.  It was more to get them custom-made...

but, again, WORTH the money!  You don't mess with kids' sleep.  And with our south-

facing home, we needed some real black-out lining to block the sun.  They help tremendously (also

during the summer where sometimes it is still quite bright when little ones get tired at night.)

(this was Wyatt's nursery at our previous home.  We got wooden shades with blackout lining from Home Depot.)

4.  A (Good) Gym Membership

I have finally accepted that my life is my life.  I am grateful for my husband's job, of course,

but the film industry's hours are worse than a doctor's.  It is crazy.  

I state this because I have accepted to really get in shape and get a good workout, I 

needed a good gym with great childcare.  I found that--and it is worth the money!!  

I will go without some things to pay for it each month, but that is okay.  

I want to be one of those buff grandmas one day.  It is worth the money to take care of yourself.

5.  Seventh Generation Dishwasher Gel

This stuff makes the whole house smell good!  I can't wait to run a load just for the fresh,

clean smell.  (I get mine at Target or Whole Foods for around $5....)

6.  Clawfoot Tub

Actually, during our renovation this wasn't too much more than 

a standard sink.  I am a bath girl, and Chris doesn't mind showering in here....so we 

both love it.  If you love baths, you will love how it curves with your body and has that

little roll right where you head is.  Ours is acrylic, which at first I was unhappy about because

I like everything "real", but now I am pleased.  It warms up quickly!

images by Crosby Twiss

7.  A Good Chair--Repurposed & Kid-Friendly

I love the idea of taking an antique chair (like this one from Sixx Design), painting it white, then reupholstering in a leather or vinyl that looks cool and wipes clean.  This metallic blue version just kills me!  I love it.

8.  A Capiz Light

This image (a beach home from BH & G Magazine), was one of the four inspiration photos for our entire home.  The light did it for me...I knew I had to have one.  There is such a playfulness and romance to it, in my opinion.  And, sometimes if you walk by quickly and create a little breeze....they make a little music for you like chimes.

Can you tell I love it?  I take enough pictures of it.

9.  A Couture Outfit

Now, I do not have one couture outfit.  I believe they are worth the money, though.  Just one--

Chloe via Elle.com

10.  Cake Bunting

Like you saw in my last post, I love the bunting I bought on Etsy for 9.95 plus shipping from Modern Frills .  I will use it for a long time!  (These images from Ruby Press )

Okay....and one more                    11.  Fannie Farmer Cookbook

My Mema actually has given me two copies of this book--once for high school graduation and once for grad school.  It is like a bible for cooking....the best crabcake recipe, potato salad, crepes, etc.  It is one of those cookbooks where you can look in the fridge, see that you have eggs and zucchini, and find a recipe in here for those things.  A great graduation or wedding gift!

Have a good Monday...we're off to the gym :)

Julie

Wing & a Prayer Shower, etc.

One of my all-time favorite nurseries via

Table Tonic 

You know I love the all-white, the lotus flower pendant and the contrast

of the antique chair with the modern, leather ottomans.  So dreamy!

We had another baby-theme day at our home.  My sweetest friend in the world

is having her third baby girl....there was such a span between the other two that

she got rid of all of her baby gear and clothes.  We had to celebrate this little bean!

Here are a few pictures from what I like to call "A Wing & A Prayer" Shower:

Emily handmade each one of these cupcake art cute thingies!!  She is such a

good artist.  Here she is:

See the little birds (she made each one, again by hand--they are so detailed)

and brought these branches in to make this:

A prayer tree for the baby girl!!  She emailed each guest a week ago to have

them send her a prayer for the baby and family.  She stuck the branches in 

river rocks.  Isn't she creative?

Speaking of creative, my dear friend Anisa was here, too:

j

These girls are gorgeous and talented.  She did this:

among other things.  Such an artist and amazing decorator!

Okay, I have to brag about my husband, too.  I asked if he could

help cut some fruit while I clean (I am too cheap to buy the pre-cut

stuff.  I know I should when I'm busy...but it is so much cheaper

to cut your own.)  Look at what he did:

I told him we are opening an Edible Arrangements.  I have never seen such a pretty plate of 

fruit.  He's a good one.

Isn't this cute cake bunting I got from etsy this week?  (I'll post the

specific store later this week.  I need to find their business card)

It was a sweet, intimate shower.  I can't believe I didn't snap one of Cori!!  Sorry,

girlfriend (although, I have never met a preggars in their 33rd week who 

really cared if someone forgot to take their photo :)

And I was really having fun with Chris' camera today.  How is it that

my husband works with a camera daily, yet I am the 

family's photographer?  At least I get to use his good camera.

Please indulge me with some kid and garden pictures...

These boys love to pick and eat basil!!

I take no credit for this bounty.  I only neglect the garden and cook

what Chris brings in (sometimes).  Do you think sometimes

the plants grow better if you neglect them...what doesn't

kill ya makes you stronger kinda thing?

I know...I have been trying to cut it all week.  I bet I am the only

one in this country club 'hood who doesn't put pants

on their kids....or cut their hair.  This place needs a few

hippies to shake things up.

And end the day with noodles on the couch.  Am I the only mom

who does that?

Life.  Is.  Good.

Julie