suggestions for knobs?

spread the gay love, seriously...

amazing news...

my friends Kristy and Nate are getting married!

Nate, Kristy and me

besides the fact that that is awesome, here's the kicker: it's on the 20th. this month. that's right. it's their christmas gift to each other. kristy appointed me "that lady" who will help with all of the arrangements and i'm totally up for it.

i'm overjoyed as Kristy and Nate are one of the happiest couples i've ever met. more pictures and plans to come.

getting there...

finally, the wall color in my bedroom is up. this week has been crazy, moving like a snail out of my old apartment into the cottage while trying to paint and unpack and organize. it has been a major test of patience, and that's all i have to say about that!

started bringing some of my favorite things out. this green is going to be verrrry difficult to decorate with but i'm up for a challenge...ah yes, the windows are looking sexy... so cozy...and finally...

DAMN YOU STICKY SEEDS! you got all over my gloves and pants this morning and that just pissed me off. i hope you know that you will not survive in the hands of this chick here. i'll chop you, feed you to pirahnnas (sp?), stomp on you with golf shoes, burn you in my non-existent firepit, whatever it takes to annihilate your annoying existence!

inspirational dining/kitchen images...

when December comes around we all start gravitating towards our dining/kitchen areas. damn holiday cooking and it tasting so good. these images are pretty random but there are elements in all of them that i love, whether it be the furniture, colors, quirky details or mood-

African Pastoral via Domino

Cucina Kitchen, source unknown

Boho Festive via Martha Stewart

Blackboard Cabinets, source unknown

Casual Kitchen, source unknown

Green Cabinets, source unknown

Incredible Color and Tone via A Merry Mishap

Pacific Green via the style files

Quirky Tablescape via Martha Stewart...damn you, Martha

Modern AND Warm Kitchen, source unknown

Red, White and Casual Kitchen, source unknown

Franco-Flair, source unknown

Tracy Falk's Dining Room via Apartment Therapy

please pardon my lack of sources for these images. i am still new to blogging and i've held onto them for a while. now that i'm purged of old images i'll be more careful! sorry if i didn't source you!

10 things...

...that i love from Better Living Through Design's 2008 Gift Guide...

leather pouches-

heart flask-

Mortimer bust candle-
animal index cards-

personal library kit... so awesomely dorky-
fingerless mittens-
knitted coffee sleeve-
i didn't really jump on the faceted-wagon this year but i love these-
vintage tumblers-

and my favorite, mustache pencils-

more gifts...

keepsake ornaments from the New York Botanical Garden's online store...

Monet's Water Lilies Ornament on sale $33.60, here

Golden Chamomile Ornament on sale $33.60, hereMonet's Garden Ornament on sale $29.40, hereBalboa Tree Ornament on sale $33.60, hereDaffodil Ornament on sale $19.60, hereFlower Border Ornament on sale $16.80, hereOval China Ornament $15, hereAcanthus Leaf Ornament $16, hereGolden Bee Ornament $24, hereHedgehog Ornament $16, hereWoodpecker Ornament $18, here

the weekend of painting...

isn't it funny how you think you can finish your bedroom in a day or two? maybe in a normal renting situation one doesn't have to do all of the prep work i've had to do. i've been at the cottage for over a week now but i think i'm being impatient. all i have to finish up is the wall color, which is going to be the fun/easy part.

here are some pics of the progress-

closet doors...

the baseboards are done, FINALLY, without a drop on the carpet... patience pays off...
the bathroom walls are painted but they turned out to be a nightmare. more to come on that...