~texture and pattern~

~loving all these images for their texture and pattern~

xoxo

~new frames made with reclaimed wood~

 If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know by now that I love frames, and I love to make them out of reclaimed wood. 

Sometimes it is hard to find this great old chippy painted wood.

So, when I do find it, I scoop it up and stash it in my workroom.

 Yesterday I got it all out and made several frames.

I am keeping a few, but have taken the rest into Ruffles and Rust Square in Snohomish WA. 

 I love the detail in this particular frame with all the chippy creamy paint 

and the dark wood showing through. 

I made them all with standard size openings.

{4x6, 5x7, & 8x10}

 It's really rare I find a cool colored piece of wood. 

I LOVE this jadeite green color, and mixed with the other colors, it just screams country cottage!

 I like to mix and match these on a wall to form a nice collage grouping.

I especially like them filled with black and whites, or sepia toned photos.

Of course, if all you have is colored photos, one quick trip to the copy center will 

change that for about 10 cents! 

Head on over to Ruffles and Rust soon for the best selection!

Also, just a reminder that there is only a couple more days to take advantage of my 3 month for $50 advertising offer! Email me at:

lakeliving4@msn.com

if you are interested!

Going on now through the end of July!

xoxo

~the country girls flea market~

 Mark your calendars friends because there is a great flea market coming up you don't want to miss!

This one is in Sweet Home Oregon

{isn't that name the cutest?}

and is put on by twin sisters, Brandy and Amanda at one of their gorgeous homes.

 These photos are from last years show.

Not only will the country girls have a large supply of concrete urns, slip covered furniture, farm tables, linens, French market bags, linen pillows, and lots of furniture, but they will be joined by about 6 other vendors as well!

 Shop around outdoors while sipping on lavender lemonade and treats galore.

 Please check out the country girls blog for more information!

xoxo

~a lightbulb went off~

Cody has been talking about getting a "new" room 

{meaning a change}

for a few months now. 

He has had a cowboy room since he was born.

Cowboy Cody.

He's been talking about bunk bed~ugh.

I couldn't picture in my mind what that would look like until I saw this photo......

I have Cody's approval {besides the color}

Now I just have to get my husband on board for another project!

Maybe this winter.....

xoxo

~a sweet nursery~

I have loved this room for so long now.

The alphabet letters are fantastic, and that striped floor is gorgeous.

Check out those aqua cribs!

Not that I need to be designing a nursery, but it is pretty sweet!

xoxo

~off the topic of decorating, but......~

I just couldn't help but post, loving these summer hairstyles! 

source

xoxo

~what a wonderful home~

 I've been in bed for almost 2 days with a migraine.

Not being one that likes to hold still, even with a throbbing head, I have been going through pages of old magazines.

One of my older issues of Southern Living has this great house belonging to Mitch and Gaye Drew.

I love everything about it, it's very cozy.

 I think I've posted pictures of it before, 

so for some of you these may be a repeat, but I never tire of looking at them.

xoxo

~this is what my dream cottage would look like~

 Nancy Fishelson

has some serious decorating talent. 

I love everything about her designs, simple, clean, lots of neutrals, very relaxing.

Some of these photos will be repeats for you, but they are still so fun to look at I think!

Next spring I am planning on planting a ton of white climbing roses. I already have them ordered and can't wait till they arrive!

 She uses a ton of signs in her designs~LOVE signs, need I say more?

 This bathroom has been a long time favorite of mine.

We are in need of a renovation in our guest bath and this one is at the top of my files!

 I love wing back chairs, so classic, and I especially love them in neutral un-fussy fabrics.

 White, ecru, cream, eggshell............

 And you know I love the contrast of light and dark, and that horse!

 Grain sacks and hydrangeas....oh my.

 One of my favorite kitchens ever.

 I know you've seen this photo before.

 A bathtub in your bedroom? Why not!

Now that says cottage to me!

Have a great weekend friends! 

And remember if you live in the area, we are having a huge sale at Ruffles and Rust Square today only!

xoxo

~advertising and ruffles and rust sale~

I just wanted to let you know of a couple good deals going on right now.

Now through the end of July I am offering a $50 3 month advertising spot on my blog~that's half off! Offer expires July 31st.

Email me at lakeliving4@msn.com if you are interested!

Also, just a reminder that the free canvas offer is still going on.

If you have a photo or a picture that you would like made into a 8 x 10 canvas FOR FREE, for yourself or as a gift, click on the canvas button on the upper left side of this page.

And finally, Snohomish is having a street fair on Saturday. 

The weather is supposed to be gorgeous, so come on down to do some antiquing and let your kids get in on the games.

I will be offering 20% off my space at ruffles and rust square and I believe a few others will be having sales as well!

xoxo

~salted caramel cupcakes~

 I made these salted caramel cupcakes yesterday and they are to die for!

Go here for the recipe and let me know how you like them.

xoxo

~an oldie but goodie~

 This book was published in 2001, but remains my favorite to this day.

Every page has beautiful rooms that aren't dated looking, even though this book is 10 years old. 

This is one book I will have in my collection forever.

If you are looking for a great decorating book, you won't be disappointed in this one! 

The best news is, I found them here and here for under a dollar!

xoxo

~shades of gray~

what is your favorite shade of gray?

images via

xoxo